A Life Less Lost: Chapter 43
...James has another opportunity to train with the Para Olympic team. He's very disappointed, when he discovers that he missed the chance to be in Steven Spielberg's film Saving Private Ryan. Apparently, the team had been asked to appear as wounded soldiers...
There are disappointments a-plenty for teenager James as he battles to overcome cancer,
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The weekend of relaxation is all we can spare. I strap my emotions tightly back into their little box and get on with it.
James has another opportunity to train with the Para Olympic team. He's very disappointed, when he discovers that he missed the chance to be in Steven Spielberg's film Saving Private Ryan. Apparently, the team had been asked to appear as wounded soldiers.
The athletes teach James how to run and tell him about other teams which train to compete in badminton, basketball and other sports. He's more interested in these but still lacks the time and commitment needed to contend at that level.
David's birthday makes us pause. It's a year since James' diagnosis. David has a busy time with his paper round, rehearsals, then performing in a concert and three friends to sleep over on Saturday. The boys gorge themselves on mountains of unsuitable food they'd hidden in their bags, (and possibly smuggled drink) and one of the friends is sick in the night. Sunday, we have a family day together at the cinema, then more presents and a birthday tea at his grandma's on Monday. He is well and truly fifteen and very important to us, despite the fact our attention is so often focussed on his brother.
It's nearly the summer holidays before James finally gets his artificial leg. The muscles in his stump have all atrophied, making the socket loose. The prosthesis is heavy, painful, cumbersome and generally hard work. It's especially difficult because, by this time, James is so quick and confident on his crutches and comfortable with his self-image.
Speaking to another man who lost his leg in an accident and went into prosthesis straight away, James tells us this chap was doing very well with his walking and already had a computerised knee but felt unable to go to the local swimming baths, as he couldn't face the reactions of others.
The new leg is more painful than it should be. It appears that the bone in James' stump is continuing to grow, threatening to burst through the skin. The doctors tell us he will need another operation, with two more weeks off school, just as he starts college. James is gutted. I suspect college offered the promise of a fresh start, where there would be people who didn't know about the cancer or the amputation. He could be 'normal', again.
*
An incident that happened the day before I was due to start high school flashes across my mind. The horse I rented had to live outside, as I couldn't afford the price of a stable. This often meant trudging across large open fields to catch her when I wanted a ride. There were some straggly apple trees in the field. I swung the bridle up to try to knock an apple down, to entice my mare, but the leather straps snagged on a branch. With a swift jerk on the reins, I managed to yank it free. Unfortunately, the metal bit smashed down into my face.
All my previous wony about what to wear, what to expect and how to make a good impression had been a waste of time. No one would notice any of that, not with a black eye and fat lip advertising for jokes and sniggers.
