I'm twelve years old and am nearly at the end of a long course of chemo and radiotherapy. When I first heard Brian May play, I was only a short way into my treatment. He was instantly my hero, and the distraction I needed to get away from hospital, operations and doctors. Never did I think that one day I might actually meet him!

My friend rang to book tickets to see him and Bryan Adams perform at the Royal Opera House for the Mountain Gorillas. She started to tell the lady in the box office about how Brian May was my hero and that I was quite ill and that he had been my number one for many months. You can imagine my disappointment when we were told that Brian May was no longer performing. We left it and decided that we wouldn't go. But then something changed. Brian May WAS performing and even better than that, I was going to meet him! Why? I didn't know!

The day of the concert came round fast. It was the weekend (the only time I had off when I was on radiotherapy). We got a taxi from the flat we were staying in and set off the Opera House. The plan was for me, my mum and sister to watch Brian's rehearsal and then I would meet him before the start of the concert. Until the rehearsal I had never heard Brian May perform live and it was better than I ever could have imagined. After the rehearsal I was taken to a large, very grand room. I sat down and didn't take my eyes off the door, but no one came. Then, all of a sudden there was a change of plan and I was hurried along to meet Brian on stage! We raced through the maze of corridors underneath the Opera House until we came to a large room, full of props. I could see the door that lead onto the stage. I approached it slowly, every now and then my heart missing a beat. Then I saw him walking towards me. He shook my hand and gave me a kiss and then I followed him onto the stage. The audiotorium looked amazing from the stage. We had our picture taken together, in front of the beautiful backdrop. I wasn't sure what was going to happen next, but Brian asked me if I would like a drink, so we walked together to the bar.

Then we started talking and his voice totally calmed my nerves and let me forget everything bad that had happenend to me. I saw a 'safe world', where nothing could hurt me. We talked about playing the guitar, and why I liked the his music. I'm not sure how long we talked for but I didn't want it to stop.

The concert was amazing and watching and listening to him play was as magical as meeting him. When he spoke to the audience, he spoke in such a way, that I felt that everyone was hanging on his every word. When they started to play 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love', I nearly fell of my chair. It was the first Queen song I started to learn on the guitar. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. And I was still living in my safe world!! The fact that only several months ago I had had major back surgery, didn't stop me from getting up and dancing long with everyone else in the audience. The atmosphere was eletric!

My friends and I had been invited to the After Show Party to meet up with Brian, but we didn't get a chance to talk to him. I wasn't disappointed, I had already spoken to him and had had an amazing time with him. And I was still in my safe world.

We got back to our flat at about midnight. The next morning I had to be up at seven to go to the hospital for an eight hour blood transfusion and my radiotherapy, that's when my safe world shattered, but for the time I was there, it was the most amazing time of my life, and I shall never forget it, ever!!!

Without Brian's music, I don't think I would have got through my cancer as easily as I have done. It's been a life saver in it's truest sense. Learning to walk again was much easier to handle with Queen blaring down my ears!!

And IF Brian reads this, I just want him to know, that without him I would have given up a long time ago!! And I will go listening to his music forever. Thank You!!!!

Rock On!!
Vicki Moore