Amanda Legge’s world came crashing down on the 23rd of November 2020, when her husband Jonathan aged only 40 years old, was diagnosed with cancer. Jonathan Legge, a Bangor native, was experiencing back pain and after a few appointments with a chiropractor didn’t help, Jonathan contacted his GP for further investigation. Further scans found several tumours on his bile duct, liver and two of his lymph nodes and Jonathan was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare cancer that forms in the bile ducts.
After what appeared to be a successful treatment with chemotherapy reducing the size of his tumours, subsequent scans a few months later showed significant disease progression. Despite further attempts of an alternative chemotherapy, Jonathan’s health deteriorated rapidly.
Amanda looks back at that time with a positive outlook, reminiscing about special moments throughout treatment. She said,“Thanks to the treatment, we were able to enjoy time together and make some happy memories. We had an amazing holiday travelling along the Wild Atlantic Way in a campervan. It was wonderful being able to feel ‘normal’ for three weeks. I cherished every single second of that time, and it still brings a smile to my face.”
Sadly, only 15 months after Jonathan’s diagnosis, he passed away on the 11th of February 2022 at only 41 years old. Over 2 years on from Jonathan’s passing and Amanda credits local cancer charity, Cancer Focus Northern Ireland for helping get her through that incredibly difficult time.
Amanda explained: “I don’t have any children or siblings, and my family live far away so after Jonathan’s passing, Cancer Focus NI were a vital lifeline for me. I was lucky enough to avail of their Counselling Service which offered me huge support and comfort at a time when my world was spinning. Having someone to hold my hand and talk to every week was so important to my grieving process.”
Amanda also attended an Art Therapy course around the first anniversary of Jonathan’s passing. Amanda continued:“Knowing Cancer Focus NI was still there for me a year on when everything was hitting home for me again was amazing. I wasn’t particularly arty, but it was great fun and lovely to have a chat with other people in a similar situation.”
It will be Amanda’s third time participating in Cancer Focus NI’s Forget Me Not Walk with long-time friends Neil and Louise, a walk from Crawfordsburn to Bangor to celebrate the memory of a loved one who has passed away or is on their cancer journey. Amanda notes the importance of taking part in the event and what it means to her to have a day to just remember Jonathan, a loving husband and great friend.
Amanda said: “The Forget Me Not Walk is so special to me, even though I am always thinking of Jonathan it means so much to have that time to talk about him, share stories, laugh and cry. People forget this is still new to me, even two years on I am still adjusting to my life without Jonathan. Walking in his memory for an amazing local cancer charity and raising vital funds to support their services that I have been able to benefit from.”
Cancer Focus services are in high demand, and make a huge difference to people, just like Amanda, across Northern Ireland. Just £213 could pay for 4 hours of family support for a family dealing with the devastating news of a cancer diagnosis, and the local cancer charity relies on the support and fundraising from the public to continue to provide these vital support services.
The Forget Me Not Walk will take place on Sunday 30th June, iff you would like to take part to remember a loved one no longer with you, please register at https://cancerfocusni.org/event/forgetmenotwalk/ or to learn more about our services visit cancerfocusni.org
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