I WAS listening to a chat show on the ABC in Perth, during which listeners were asked to describe their feelings when faced with retirement and was surprised by the number of people who felt afraid or at least somewhat anxious about the fact that their working life was coming to an end.
I thought that by describing my and my husband’s situation about retirement and also living with my husband while he bravely battles a severe bout of lung cancer, some people may find the prospect of retirement a little less daunting.
My husband Sacha Mahboub (pictured above with his fury friend) and I have been together for almost 35 years and were officially married in 2018 at our workplace the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre.
We have both worked in the arts all of our lives and worked with some of the most famous performers in the world.
I was also married to the English actress Su Pollard for eight years and remain in contact today. She has in fact been instrumental in inspiring Sach not to give in to his cancer diagnosis through some challenging periods.
Sach is now 83 and he was awarded the OAM – Order of Australia Medal – for service to the arts. I have just turned 80. I am still working 25 hours a fortnight at the Arts Centre for which I am most grateful.
However due to a lung cancer diagnosis 12 months ago Sach had to retire from his position as programmer for Morning Melodies – which he initiated – after almost 16 years.
He was given a magnificent send-off but was very afraid of not feeling like a useful member of society anymore.
Sach’s lung cancer required immediate treatment, however we were then both diagnosed with Covid and he had to delay his surgery for four weeks during which time his tumour doubled in size.
When the surgeon opened Sach up, the cancer was so large they had to remove most of his right lung and immediately start immunotherapy. Because of the seriousness of his condition Sach did not have time to dwell on his retirement fears.
These past 12 months has been probably the most frightening, sad and altogether daunting time of our lives. I almost lost my husband several times.
No words can ever describe the support shown to both of us from friends here and all over the world, including some of the famous persons we have worked with. This included Australia’s most prolific producer and our friend John Frost who has asked us to attend the opening of his production of Wicked here in Perth in December. Sach is beyond excited about this.
John and his partner Shane also did something that touched Sach and me very deeply indeed. They made the most beautiful gesture of buying an oak tree and planting it on their beautiful property in the Southern Highlands when Sach was first diagnosed and they said it – like Sach – would grow stronger every day. A few weeks ago they sent a photo of the oak as it is now flowering – as is Sach, albeit slowly with his treatment. A gesture that meant more than gold to us!
Which leads me to the program I heard today with many callers dreading the fact that they are about to or have recently retired.
In spite of his diagnosis Sach volunteers three hours a fortnight at His Majesty’s Theatre in Perth as a tour guide. It’s as much as he can handle right now, but he feels as though he is still involved in his much loved arts and also feels like he is still living a very useful and rewarding life as a volunteer.
Anyone overwhelmed by the feeling of being ‘put out to pasture’ on retirement could get involved in volunteering? It has certainly been very helpful for Sach. There are many worthwhile organisation that rely on volunteers.
I am in the fortunate position of still being able to work, which keeps my mind active.
I also love dealing with the public, many who have become dear friends. Thankfully I am reasonably well – as well as a hypochondriac can ever be.
Sach still has a mountain to climb to maintain his health, but with the love and support of the most dear and precious friends from all over the world he will never give in to this insidious disease.
In spite of the various sometimes huge obstacles we face, we feel truly blessed and wish anybody feeling anxious about retiring not to give up, just perhaps slow down a little. Life will offer you all kinds of possibilities if you remain open to them.
