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Medical Research

My Lords, thanks to medical research, I expect to see the New Year. Perhaps I may explain. In March last year, I had an emergency operation for colon cancer. A subsequent scan revealed cancer spots on my liver. The doctor said that I must have chemotherapy. I asked, ““If I don’t have chemotherapy, how long have I got?””. He said ““10 to 20 months””. So I had chemotherapy. Before the treatment began, people gave me well meaning advice—not necessarily up to date. I was warned that, during chemotherapy, I would constantly be sick. However, the scientists had produced a wholly effective nausea suppressant, and I never felt the slightest twinge of sickness. Medical researchers had developed an array of modern drugs which were dripped into my shoulder every fortnight. After the seventh treatment, I had a scan. ““The news couldn’t be better””, the doctor said, ““you’re normal. The cancer is not discernable””. Now, 13 of the original 10 to 20 months have passed. Without medical researchers and their amazing chemicals, I would never see another Christmas. However, because of their achievements, I hope to celebrate many Christmases in future. I only wish I could meet those scientists who have given me and countless others so much and say, ““Thank you””.