WHEN Gordon Robertson misplaced his spouse of simply 19 days to breast most cancers he was left totally devastated.
However an opportunity encounter on a vacation with associates led him to a second likelihood at happiness with Linda – and now the couple are about to rejoice their twentieth wedding ceremony anniversary having each additionally been identified with most cancers.
In a merciless blow, Linda was additionally identified with breast most cancers… simply 5 years after Gordon had been handled for bowel most cancers.
Gordon mentioned: “When Linda went to the GP due to a lump in her breast, I wasn’t frightened as a result of it by no means crossed my thoughts that most cancers may hit us for a 3rd time.
“So when the assessments confirmed it was most cancers, I felt absolute disbelief. It was an enormous shock.”
Gordon misplaced his first spouse Val to the identical illness in 1997 when she was aged simply 33.
The couple, who met at work at Glasgow Libraries, had been engaged for a while and so they married at dwelling when Val’s health deteriorated – simply 19 days earlier than she died.
Gordon, 56, mentioned: “Val was a library assistant and I used to be working with Glasgow Libraries doing odd jobs once we met.
“We hit it off immediately and we had been collectively for 4 years.
“When Val found a lump in her breast, she was solely 31. We went for assessments instantly and we thought we’d caught it early sufficient.
“However after remedy the most cancers got here again and had unfold to her liver. It was devastating.”
Fifteen months later, a pal persuaded Gordon to go on a vacation to Tenerife with the hope {that a} change of scene would possibly assist elevate his grief.
It was there Gordon met Linda, in a nightclub the place neither of them had been having fun with the music.
Linda remarked to Morissey fan Gordon that it could have been higher if the DJ had been taking part in The Smiths… and the pair bonded.
They left the nightclub and walked the streets speaking about their lives and singing Smiths songs.
Gordon opened his coronary heart to Linda about his heartbreak over Val.
Linda determined Gordon was not prepared for one more relationship and so the pair parted methods.
However on return to Glasgow, Gordon acquired again in contact with Linda and persuaded her to go on a date with him.
Six weeks later, they moved in collectively and had been married in October 2000 after gaining the blessing of Val’s sisters.
Linda remembers: “Gordon was going by way of such a troublesome time, I didn’t suppose he was prepared for one more relationship.
“However once we acquired to Glasgow he acquired again in contact and took me for dinner and after that we just about grew to become inseparable.
“It wasn’t lengthy earlier than I met Val’s sisters and so they gave us their blessing, which meant a lot and actually helped Gordon to seek out happiness once more.”
On October 19, 2000, Gordon and Linda had been married on the Park Circus constructing in Glasgow in entrance of 60 associates and relations.
Ten years later, the couple needed to face a second vital hurdle, when Gordon was identified with bowel most cancers.
Gordon mentioned: “Being advised you might have most cancers instantly adjustments your life.
“And after what had occurred to Val, in fact I frightened concerning the penalties.
“However I additionally actually believed I used to be going to beat it.
“And having Linda by my aspect was an enormous assist.”
Gordon’s bowel most cancers was caught early and this 12 months he’s celebrating ten years of being freed from the illness.
However one other bombshell hit the couple in August 2015 when Linda found a breast lump.
The 48-year-old mentioned: “I actually didn’t suppose it was something to fret about and so I didn’t even take Gordon with me once I went for the take a look at outcomes.
“So when the analysis got here, it was an actual bolt from the blue. I couldn’t consider it.
“How may most cancers hit us for a 3rd time – first Val, then Gordon and now me.”
Linda’s remedy included surgical procedure, radiotherapy and Herceptin injections.
She continues to take Tamoxifen, a hormone remedy which lowers the danger of early breast most cancers recurring after surgical procedure.
To verify her physique was lined up in precisely the identical place to obtain all her radiotherapy remedies, radiographers made pin-point sized tattoo marks on her pores and skin.
In a bid to show these lasting marks into one thing optimistic Linda turned the marks right into a bumble bee tattoo, alongside the phrases Bee Constructive.
Gordon has an identical tattoo on his arm.
Linda mentioned: “Whereas Gordon is such a optimistic individual, I can typically be ‘glass half empty’.
“I typically dwell on the worst-case situation and fear that the most cancers will return.
“The tattoo is to remind me that I’m nonetheless right here, Gordon is by my aspect, and we’ve heaps to look ahead to in life.”
Since their marriage, Gordon and Linda have indulged in a love of journey, notably to Spain.
It was their dream to purchase a camper van after they retired however, with the pandemic halting journey plans, and in celebration of their twentieth wedding ceremony anniversary, the pair determined to make the funding this summer season.
Since shopping for the van, they’ve travelled throughout Scotland and loved a summer season vacation to Wales.
They’re additionally planning a extra native tenting journey within the van to rejoice their wedding ceremony anniversary.
Linda mentioned: “We’re actually doing what we will to stay our greatest life. You’d suppose with Gordon going by way of one tragedy, that might be his justifiable share.
“However that’s not the way it works. We’ve been by way of a lot collectively however we’re stronger and nearer for it.
“Once we determined to purchase the campervan – which has been our dream for therefore lengthy – we simply thought ‘life’s too brief to attend’.
“We love being out and about in it and making ready for every of our tenting journeys actually makes my coronary heart sing.”
The couple, from Paisley, at the moment are supporting Most cancers Analysis UK’s Stand Up To Most cancers marketing campaign by holding a particular fundraising brunch within the camper van.
They’re calling on folks throughout the nation to join a free fundraising equipment with every thing wanted to show their dwelling into an unique brunch spot.
Supported by Channel 4 present Sunday Brunch, an array of celeb cooks – together with co-host Simon Rimmer – have donated recipes.
Linda Summerhayes, Most cancers Analysis UK spokeswoman in Scotland, mentioned: “We’re grateful to the Robertsons for serving to us to proceed our mission.
“Most cancers doesn’t cease within the face of a pandemic. It may well have an effect on anybody’s life, at any time so we solely have one choice: speed up life-saving analysis.
“The donations your loved ones or housemates make in assist of your efforts actually may save lives.”
For added inspiration, throughout October 4 particular episodes of Sunday Brunch will probably be proven on Channel 4 showcasing among the Stand Up To Most cancers recipes.
Linda added: “I do know that I’ve survived most cancers as a result of I acquired remedies that maybe weren’t round when Val was identified with most cancers.
“Most cancers impacts each household and so it’s so essential that scientists have the funding to seek out the causes and new cures.
“Supporting most cancers analysis is one thing optimistic we will all do to ensure extra folks survive.
“With charities having been hit so arduous by the coronavirus outbreak, it feels extra essential than ever for everybody to do what they will.”
Discover a free fundraising equipment at www.su2c.org.uk/brunch
