I Stephen Christopher Masson known as Chris was born prematurely in Glasgow on July 19th 1944.
I met my wife Sue in 1970 & we were married in Glasgow on January 8th 1972.
I led a fairly ordinary life, working in the offices of heavy engineering companies, in & around Glasgow. Later on Civil Engineering Contracts which took me around the Country.So I guess you could say construction has taken up a large part of my life.
Round about the year 1966 I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, this could be very debilitating, but generally was kept under control by the use of steroid drugs. I learnt to continue with my everyday life. During this period we maintained a house in Northumberland & many a pleasant evening was spent travelling North on the A1 playing loud music by Queen & Meat Loaf. We still have strong memories of the smell of freshly baked bread at 3am in the morning from a bakery at Washington Tyne & Wear.
While working in Civil Engineering I have worked all over the country, from the Shetland Islands in the North, Sellafield in the West, Wallsend in the East & Devon Port in the South. Plus many varied places in between.
In 1986 I was moved to a permanent position at the Witham Office. This involved selling our home in Northumberland & buying a house in Witham. After a year the Company was awarded the contract to build Center Parcs holiday village at Elverdon Forest at Thetford, which required pulling staff in from all over Britain & Overseas.On completion of the contract the staff were given weekends or a week's holiday to make sure every thing was all right with the chalets.
As I was once again back travelling we decided it was good time to look closer at our house, lifestyle etc as at this time I was travelling 150 miles per day just travelling to & from work.
We decided to move to Clacton on Sea. I had once worked on a marine contract at Holland on Sea & have always had a love for the place.
Once we moved house, we had to sort out Doctors & we were very lucky to have Dr Fityan’ practice on our estate. During my visits to the practice Dr Fityan explained to me that I had an increased likelihood of contracting Cancer & we would have to keep an eye on my health. I was working on the construction of Enfield Power Station during 1998 when I suffered the first symptoms of my first cancer- this amounted to a feeling of unease & discomfort. An appointment was very quickly set up for me to see Mr Menzies who quickly confirmed his diagnosis. I had a colonoscopy which was followed by a pan proct colectomy, end ileostomy, splenectomy etc.
In 1986 I was moved to a permanent position at the Witham Office. This involved selling our home in Northumberland & buying a house in Witham. After a year the Company was awarded the contract to build Center Parcs holiday village at Elverdon Forest at Thetford, which required pulling staff in from all over Britain & Overseas.On completion of the contract the staff were given weekends or a week’s holiday to make sure every thing was all right with the chalets.
Following the operation I was advised that all the biopsies taken were clear. I remained cancer free until 2000 when I was diagnosed with a secondary tumour, this was treated with Chemotherapy & Radiotherapy.
During this time I was able to work in between my radiotherapy treatments & generally carry on as normal. I was determined not to let this interfere with my life & would like to let people know that cancer is not necessary the end of your life but merely the beginning of a new way of life……..
……….I have had two further incidences of cancer- bone cancer of the right femur followed by a large mass also located at the top of my right leg. I have received heavy doses of radiotherapy but this has merely slowed down the growth of the mass.
I was able to maintain my own sense of identity, carry on with my job, without letting the illness take over from me. In a way, I suppose I’m saying I stayed in control & would not let the illness control me!
At no time during the last two years have I lost control of the situation, although it is getting tougher. I had to apply for early retirement in 2002 & I have not worked since then, although I have kept in touch with my ex employers.
I feel that I am now on the last chapter, still in waiting for the final day!!