Me, D and the Big C

FOR the past 14 years, Dennis Mooney has been surrounded by cancer. As well as losing five family members, he has fought his own personal battle against the disease, and has struggled with depression and alcoholism.

Now, after beating three different types of cancer, Dennis has written a book about his experiences.

But don't be fooled into thinking it will be a downbeat read.

Dennis, 57, has focused on the lighter moments of his determined fight.

"I didn't want it to be a miserable book, about all the horrible things that have gone wrong," he said.

"Basically, it is a light-hearted look at my cancer and life from 1996 to now."

Dennis is currently trying to find a publisher for his book, which he is calling Me, D and The Big C (the D standing for depression and the C for cancer).

"It started as a project, to give me something to do," said the former Army PT instructor.

"I always used to write little stories, then I thought why not go the whole hog and write a book?

"I don't want to seem flippant about cancer, I want to help people through it.

"I have been told three times that I have not got long to live - but I am still here.

"I want people to know it is not the end of the world when you get cancer. You can still lead a life and have a laugh."

Tragically, Scotsman Dennis, who lives with wife Patricia in Lordshill, Southampton, has lost two brothers, a sister and his elderly mother to cancer, as well as his wife's niece, who died at the age of ten.

The first victim was his brother, Billy, who died of bowel cancer aged 61 in 1991.

Another brother, Danny, lost his battle against secondary pancreas cancer in 1994, aged 64.

Just two years later, in March 1996, Dennis himself was diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Then aged 48, he underwent surgery a few months later to have 30cm of his bowel removed. But a year later, there was more bad news when doctors found three tumours in Dennis's liver.

More surgery followed and Dennis soldiered on, with the love and support of his family and friends.

But the worst blow came in January 2001 when he was diagnosed with a third cancer - chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML).

"That was a horrid, horrid time," said Dennis, who has three daughters, one son, a step-daughter and five grandchildren.

"I found the leukaemia much harder to fight. When I was diagnosed, everything just sort of caved in on me. I was struck down with suicidal depression.

"I was really quite bad for six to eight months. It was only with the help of professionals and friends that I pulled through.

"In many ways, the depression was actually worse than the cancer - because people don't understand it."

The treatment for his leukaemia has been medication, and, four years later, Dennis still has to take 16 pills a day.

Despite everything, he remains positive.

Although he still has low days, Dennis has got through what he describes as "the worst decade of my life".

He says his family and friends, particularly at Nursling and Rownhams Club, have been great. Dennis is also full of praise for medical staff at Southampton's hospitals who have looked after him for the past nine years.

"The NHS has been absolutely magnificent," he said. "In my opinion, it is the finest health organisation in the world. I have had so much money spent on me."

Dennis has been involved with Wessex Cancer Trust for the past eight years.

After seeking help for his then drink problem, he was advised to find something to help fill his days instead of turning to the bottle.

Dennis trained as a volunteer and listener, and regularly helps out at the charity's Jane Scarth House in Romsey, which provides counselling, treatments and other services for anyone affected by cancer.

Dennis would welcome any advice on getting his book published. If you can help, contact him on 023 8073 1150 or Sarah Cole on 023 8042 4501.