At the end of 2013, my husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He turned out to be a good candidate for brachytherapy, as the disease had not spread, and the operation was carried out in early February 2014. He has responded well and now only sees the urologist annually, but checks his Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels every six months. He plays golf twice a week, walks our Labrador twice a day and has recently built a garden trailer for me that he completed on his 70th birthday.

Regarding my own work as a potter, I find that my work moves in a different direction during such cancer crisis times. Being a fairly conservative potter, I tend to become more adventurous – experimenting more with colours and textures, asking many more “what-ifs”, and making bolder pots. Sometimes the clay takes on a life of its own and the final results are often a surprise to me. I am grateful to have this talent that can distance me from my domestic situation and uplift my spirits.

I also take more interest in my surroundings – my home, studio and garden – and try to make them a haven of peace and tranquillity that is conducive to healing.

I am indebted to all the doctors, hospitals and the staff who have treated my husband with such care and consideration. I am also thankful for organisations such as CANSA who, with Pathcare and Ampath, offer a colorectal screening at cut price during the months of March and April, an offer which both my husband and I recently took up. All results were negative, which is indeed very good news.