In March 1998 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn, Norfolk I was told that I had an ovarian cyst and that I would need a hysterectomy and one or both of my ovaries removed. I was rather apprehensive about the operation but on the morning that I went into hospital Katie, my youngest daughter, gave me one of her small teddy bears and told me to take it as he would "look after me".

It wasn't until after my operation that I found out I had ovarian cancer, but fortunately for me Mr. Bone, my consultant, had done a brilliant operation and checked everywhere possible to make sure the cancer hadn't spread. The diagnosis came as a big shock and took a while to sink in but when it did I felt numb and began to worry how I was going to tell everyone, especially David (my husband) and my daughters Emma and Katie. I felt I had let them down and guilty for bringing such a burden to them. However, Mr. Bone and the oncology staff were so understanding and supportive and their optimism helped me to feel more positive, especially as I was to have chemotherapy as a backup once I was over my operation.

When I came out of hospital I gave Katie her bear back thinking he'd done a good job and it was decided that I should have my own mascot bear for when I went for chemotherapy. So Colin was born! (1^st July 1998). I decided to call the bear Colin because he reminded me of Mr. Bone, (Colin being his first name), with his bow tie and glasses and because Mr. Bone had done so much for me. I couldn't think of a better name to give my mascot.

From then on Colin went everywhere with me, in my handbag, and still does!

After I had finished my treatment we decided to book a cruise for the next summer, something I had wanted to do for a long time. Of course Colin went with us and that was when he had his first taste of fame! Emma and Katie were always larking about and joking with Colin and one night at dinner they sat him on the table just as the ship's photographer was coming round. He saw Colin and started asking about him and taking photographs. The next day there was a huge blown up photo' of Colin in the photography shop window! Plus they had made a postcard with Colin in the middle surrounded by pictures of all of the places that the ship was to visit.

The following year Katie bought me another small bear "to keep Colin company". We decided to call it Arfa (as in "half a mo'") as he was half the size of Colin and made of mohair and he became Colin's little brother. The two of them started what has become a very large collection of small bears!

Colin has since been used as the subject of an animation project for media students at Teesside University. The project was, reportedly, highly successful and apparently inspired more enthusiasm than had previously been known. I had to send some drawings of Colin for them to work from and that was what started me off. Being interested in art I enjoyed doing the drawings and thinking up more and more situations for Colin to be in and eventually Arfa too. It was then that I thought about making cards with the drawings and using them to help the hospital in some way. Having obtained Mr. Bone's permission I decided I would make the cards for the oncology clinic in the gynaecology department. This was for obvious personal reasons but also because I wanted in some way to raise awareness of ovarian cancer, which I feel, compared to other female cancers, has little publicity. Considering that the early symptons can be somewhat vague, making diagnosis difficult until the cancer has progressed, I feel that awareness is important.

To this end I approached the Swaffham Lions in the hope of gaining sponsorship and/or promotion of the cards. They brilliantly agreed to sponsor the first print run and help with promotion and are in the process of organising this.

I have also started writing and illustrating a short story of Colin and Arfa's trip to "Bearritz". This will hopefully become a series of Colin and Arfa's travels

Lynda Cockayne 27^th July 2005

A BIG THANK-YOU

I would like to thank the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn, especially the staff on Denver Ward, in Gynaecology and Oncology, but in particular Mr. Bone, Dr. Daly, Bev Perryman and Alison Piper.

Alison Piper (Clinical Psychology) deserves a special mention because not only did she help and support me through my treatment but still does!
Alison's encouragement gave me the confidence to go back to painting and drawing, something I have always loved. She encouraged me more than anyone to persevere with the cards (Colin's Capers)and without her I would have given up at the first hurdle! So Colin and Arfa have to lot to thank her for too!

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