I start a new post her because it is a new idea for me which I want to share with those of you who are interested in this topic:
During the days of christmas I had the opportunity to meet an old friend and to have a real conversation with her, about the things that really bother her and me beyond our comfortable life. She told me that she is listed for a total hysterectomy, that she is afraid of a cancer diagnosis, of how she will change, of how this might affect her marriage. She said that she knew for more than a year now that something is wrong, that it had started with infrequent bleedings, how the doctors had treated her but that in the end there was no other way than the Op.
I had never realised how much angst a woman can feel when it comes to something that is "quite simple" in medical terms. And quite many of her fears could have had a real reason: she could not have intercourse with her husband like they were used to, very often she was not up to it or had bleedings. So she became afraid to loose him to another, more comfortable woman, younger than she is, more attractive. Or that he would be inconvenienced by her. That she would die or change, that all would change. Okay, so far her husband is with her, supports her, they cuddle at night, he holds her and we'll see what's going to come out of the situation.
But it made me realise that we don't know how Camilla felt when she was diagnosed with her gynacological problems, how Charles felt, if there had been fears of cancer eventually - all that we don't know and probably will never know and why should we? all we know is that at one point Charles decided that he wanted to have Camilla close by, not only when they could meet in private, when he was at home in Clarence House, but most of the time, even on official trips. That they could share a bedroom or at least a bed (like his parents do) most nights without having to wait for media comments. That he could smile at her, laugh with her, be with her whenever they are together and that they could make the most of the time they have in future once they are married. But that a day will come when one of them will be left alone, except for an accident or a terrosrist attack. I never realised just how much you need to be with your love when you finally realise that there has to be an end, no matter what you do, no matter how privileged you are.
Charles stayed with Camilla even though due to her illness she probably wasn't acting as his "mistress" all the time. I bet any woman wishes secretly for a husband like that!