tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30249612017716763492024-03-19T04:54:29.951+00:00You Win Again"I hadn't planned to go travelling when - without warning - they sent me
on a journey to a land with no maps...." - Allison Michellcybershothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03824945565039748795noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024961201771676349.post-19177128884637497922011-04-14T21:46:00.002+01:002011-10-20T15:55:03.032+01:00JOURNEYS END<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My darling David’s journey came to an end peacefully and painfree at 04.30 a.m. on Tuesday 12<sup>th</sup> April 2011.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I send my love and thanks to all who supported him, and our family during his journey which proved to be far too short.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would like to close his blog with this final post of a poem that I feel David would approve of</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><i><strong>Do not stand at my grave and weep,</strong></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><i><strong>I am not there, I do not sleep,</strong></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><i><strong>I am in a thousand winds that blow,</strong></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><i><strong>I am the softly falling snow,</strong></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><i><strong>I am the gentle showers of rain,</strong></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><i><strong>I am the fields of ripening grain,</strong></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><i><strong>I am in the morning hush,</strong></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><i><strong>I am in the graceful rush</strong></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><i><strong>Of beautiful birds in circling flight,</strong></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><i><strong>I am the starshine of the night.</strong></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><i><strong>I am in the flowers that bloom,</strong></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><i><strong>I am in a quiet room.</strong></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><i><strong>I am in the birds that sing,</strong></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><i><strong>I am in each lovely thing,</strong></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><i><strong>Do not stand at my grave bereft</strong></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><i><strong>I am not there. I have not left.</strong></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love and best wishes from Geraldine</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;"><i></i></div>cybershothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03824945565039748795noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024961201771676349.post-1394577455852105302011-03-18T16:51:00.009+00:002011-10-20T15:56:13.579+01:00New Horizons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWoZIgRUhqOJulrHe6bmvnDuxulvnrIm_gI7wiNqEJt9xOWhi8SV3QRjAovjJEMmw3y7QS8qPT4VCKBRDDsFg2ijpTlUER3EF6YaHan3Ct-Uwi5hgwoLNTOceMPN41OZM4r4HS_5gi2k/s1600/IMG_1497_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWoZIgRUhqOJulrHe6bmvnDuxulvnrIm_gI7wiNqEJt9xOWhi8SV3QRjAovjJEMmw3y7QS8qPT4VCKBRDDsFg2ijpTlUER3EF6YaHan3Ct-Uwi5hgwoLNTOceMPN41OZM4r4HS_5gi2k/s640/IMG_1497_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seven months since the home page photo of the grandchildren was taken on Ellen's 7th birthday I now have a replacement which shows us all a little bit older and definitely a little bit wiser when it comes to dealing with granddad's illness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The most significant news to date relating to future objectives along this journey is that within a fortnight it is anticipated that I will be back in my own home. Somewhat incredulous that all this is feasible in such a short space of time I am at the same time excited by the prospect and determined to do everything in my power to ensure all goes as smoothly as possible.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>In celebration a bottle or two of Batemans was cracked open to accompany my lunch and the answer to any doubters about the question on the label is a resounding "Yes I have!" </b></i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0713_oWbDqrXiiqAgswZsEWD5ry_11jY789WWKdTnYE7N-P48gwpPHqF5vHTPGrGHuybBrj3glVBacjbdP3BKLi4Ke9qzs8Vyj7iUdwR-rN4fUTMym_rrs-6HS2JXwTCdmJuArVZUpA/s1600/IMG_3017_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0713_oWbDqrXiiqAgswZsEWD5ry_11jY789WWKdTnYE7N-P48gwpPHqF5vHTPGrGHuybBrj3glVBacjbdP3BKLi4Ke9qzs8Vyj7iUdwR-rN4fUTMym_rrs-6HS2JXwTCdmJuArVZUpA/s320/IMG_3017_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>cybershothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03824945565039748795noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024961201771676349.post-5274165402141070702011-03-14T20:33:00.016+00:002011-10-20T15:57:48.286+01:00Grasping for inspiration.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Life's truest happiness is found in the friendships we make along the way".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recent days have proved difficult in finding something positive to cling to in my journey forward; and family and friends have shared my frustration despite witnessing remarkable progress.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One milestone which gives renewed hope is illustrated simply and succinctly by the images of friends old and new who have today travelled to Phyllis Tuckwell from near and not so near to lend their support. We see Susie Milbank sitting in the Hospice gardens; her preferred location in view of the fact that we first made contact on the website of 'Wild About Britain' and finally met, thanks to her endeavour, for the first time today in order to share a common bond in our love of things natural though marginally disperse, and our experience of heartache at the hands of a cruel disease within our respective families. It was trually a pleasure meeting Susie and I thank her for the choice gifts of wine, 'fruits' and chocs and not the least her kind words of encouragement.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfSgvoyuGog82xc7brObNVbGH8GP7FLb7b2zgCmaPvdWRDAIsiMUVx2KQY5Jux27_FbbHLFn-OtE3GmFfSQXTm761ZziyTg3HrJeRWU4NQLPnEIUJNJZqEUty0w0PeoYPFl41qVMyPao/s1600/PTH+IMG_2979_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfSgvoyuGog82xc7brObNVbGH8GP7FLb7b2zgCmaPvdWRDAIsiMUVx2KQY5Jux27_FbbHLFn-OtE3GmFfSQXTm761ZziyTg3HrJeRWU4NQLPnEIUJNJZqEUty0w0PeoYPFl41qVMyPao/s400/PTH+IMG_2979_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">Susie soaks up the rays after travelling from Sussex</span></strong></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope it will be possible to share more with Susie especially if we can revert to our original plan, whilst I was more mobile, to explore Minley's wildlife treasures. (Working on a wheelchair access as I speak)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Minley of course takes us to my home patch where previously I often met up with another of today's visitors to PTH; Toni, a member of our dog walking community (thanks for your goodies [;0)] and your company) along with Caroline and company.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UqVnEqTFv6u7KbUuLne5MjahL1S5DHzBvqSHI36sC0AJAzM4HV5Q4sEmWm56aT19OBPnlVWwNAeke3AfJLFndolPlZFWT1ClMQQnulFp6hY49kbtQlRZvGpFWGG3kRqu4h35G1Hlx5Q/s1600/PTH+IMG_2987_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UqVnEqTFv6u7KbUuLne5MjahL1S5DHzBvqSHI36sC0AJAzM4HV5Q4sEmWm56aT19OBPnlVWwNAeke3AfJLFndolPlZFWT1ClMQQnulFp6hY49kbtQlRZvGpFWGG3kRqu4h35G1Hlx5Q/s400/PTH+IMG_2987_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>Toni, with Woody, sharing a coffee and a 'Twirl'</strong></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>in the Tarbutt and Slocock Room</strong></span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Forever in attendance family, friends virtual and actual like Trevor '<i>at the match</i>', and hospice staff who keep me constant company at these trying times.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What more do I need than a reminder of these loving words from Geraldine in 2001</span>:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DAVID MY OATH TO YOU...<br />
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When you are sad.....I will dry your tears.<br />
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When you are scared.....I will comfort your fears.<br />
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When you are worried.....I will give you hope.<br />
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When you are confused.....I will help you cope.<br />
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And when you are lost.....And can't see the light.<br />
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I shall be your beacon.....Shining ever so bright<br />
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This is my oath that I pledge to you.<br />
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Why you may ask?.....Because I love you<br />
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Geraldine xxx<i></i></span></b></i></div>cybershothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03824945565039748795noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024961201771676349.post-9981844106284073222011-03-08T09:34:00.008+00:002011-10-20T15:58:32.443+01:00Spring is in the air..............<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvfeAfqmrMOn4BibZxQB6k28BwEXRNuM1IvOkmczsQQQhsO-ihjwUTBtB8TbSzhIusyKnyxNe6zYRU39XdOZOVzLJg51aX6FEDGwKwjAA4zfukl1-IbAJMbv4klRLmUIJMjF90F90r7Q/s1600/PTH+IMG_2939_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvfeAfqmrMOn4BibZxQB6k28BwEXRNuM1IvOkmczsQQQhsO-ihjwUTBtB8TbSzhIusyKnyxNe6zYRU39XdOZOVzLJg51aX6FEDGwKwjAA4zfukl1-IbAJMbv4klRLmUIJMjF90F90r7Q/s400/PTH+IMG_2939_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">............and hope reigns eternal!</span></i></b></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today's atmosphere on the ward is enhanced by the fragrance of hyacynth from Fi's bouquet on my bedside. Also her tales from the lambing shed and photos of the ewes and their offspring bring welcome momentos.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With such encouragement we are due to follow up yesterday's successes whereby time was shared with friends and family in the Coffee Shop before a relaxing head and shoulder massage.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am amazed at the progress we are making but still very aware that it is early days and that objectives must be on a day to day basis</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSjjwtROQ1FTt4M-7edvpbq4J67CXMlZivQIXKmtwCWq7oQ6ub1pYqs32hH9l77LSXyBHuYn6-fmcZU6p929V3RAqOm7pZj8_m0Lqk9kqDVFNSc9QaeW9PkP6h3UY-HsEcANTCXQfYT8/s1600/PTH+IMG_2956_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSjjwtROQ1FTt4M-7edvpbq4J67CXMlZivQIXKmtwCWq7oQ6ub1pYqs32hH9l77LSXyBHuYn6-fmcZU6p929V3RAqOm7pZj8_m0Lqk9kqDVFNSc9QaeW9PkP6h3UY-HsEcANTCXQfYT8/s640/PTH+IMG_2956_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: inherit;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>Enjoying the spring sunshine in the gardens at Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, Farnham with Bob and Rosie</strong></span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwaVMPRejDUPEB9sGyk_q0Y9Qtwmkgbd3rNtWkrJsdt_SzylQK7pMw2sPb7wVMMRkgMZ8MLgUjq-9Y5A4fATh870omjewDUmE_NjKovWKk8AG-FDJIj5sm5TehjCUWyYSjySvBotX3QA/s1600/PTH+IMG_2962_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwaVMPRejDUPEB9sGyk_q0Y9Qtwmkgbd3rNtWkrJsdt_SzylQK7pMw2sPb7wVMMRkgMZ8MLgUjq-9Y5A4fATh870omjewDUmE_NjKovWKk8AG-FDJIj5sm5TehjCUWyYSjySvBotX3QA/s400/PTH+IMG_2962_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cheers!</span></strong></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>cybershothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03824945565039748795noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024961201771676349.post-46642432610395260332011-03-02T18:14:00.004+00:002011-10-20T15:59:18.117+01:00YAZZ!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>''The Only Way Is Up''</strong></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Yesterday is history,</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>tomorrow a mystery</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>and today is a gift</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>that's why it's called the present.</strong></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My gift on each and every day is the hope you all give me to reach the journey's end as peacefully as possible, knowing that the next steps will be enormously difficult. Together we have made encouraging progress and with the continuing help of the MDT I have every reason to think the days ahead will be just as rewarding in eliminating the dreaded fear of the situation in which I find myself. Unanswered questions cloud the path ahead but positive steps have been taken to ease the passage and I trust no new hurdles spring up before I have a chance to draw breath and more strength.</span>cybershothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03824945565039748795noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024961201771676349.post-31378177404606366802011-03-01T00:19:00.003+00:002011-10-20T15:59:35.182+01:00'While the train is in the station, please refrain from urination.........................<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">....................have respect for railway property!'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Laying in bed confined to rest I am waiting for the signals to change allowing me to leave the platform of Onslow Ward fitted with a shiny new catheter (can't fault the timing by these hospital doctors: 10 minutes before KO, 6 Nations, England v France and armed with KFC and a Boddingtons - least the property will be respected!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the the latest results of tests it now transpires that surgery is no longer viable for attacking the numerous thoracic compressions within my spine. The final efficacy of the completed radiotherapy remains in the melting pot but never the less means that at this moment I am in the capable hands of the physiotherapists and yours truly for any hope of getting back on my feet and walking again: The one place I dreaded reaching but at least I was not buried in the rubble of Christchurch, NZ or shot up and blasted by a despotic government in Tripoli. There is always hope and Chaka is still waiting by the front door at home ready with collar and lead. Furthermore Crystal's reminder sits poignantly on my bedside lest I should momentarily forget my band of angels waiting, not only driving chariots at Twickenham against France, but also ever present to carry me home!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The thoughts and prayers flow throw cyberspace to one and all even if the means to communicate more directly are somewhat curtailed by this freebie hospital internet access.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">David (X)</span>cybershothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03824945565039748795noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024961201771676349.post-65054758753185127422011-02-25T05:02:00.004+00:002011-10-20T15:59:50.815+01:00The Marshalling Yard<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I guess it was inevitable that at times on this journey the train would be side tracked and forward progress hindered almost to a standstill. Laying semi paralysed in the bed rest siding at The Royal Surrey is one of those interludes during which spirits and positivity reached an all time low because of the discovery, treatment and further investigation of the mets in the thoracic spinal region and all the negative implications associated with this frightening situation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the up track the news is slightly more encouraging having, with the best support in the world, come to terms with the indignities, loss of independence and fears of the unknown accompanying this current condition, now seen the glimmer of a green light ahead as I complete the 5 sessions of radiotherapy later today and await the results of a full spine MRI (30 minutes in that tube with tumour pains nagging is no joke so it had better be a good result!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The continuing care from the ward staff and and all the other teams involved, both personal and professional keep me bouyant and for that I am eternally grateful and do my utmost to reward such stirling efforts by trying to stay as upbeat as possible - but it ain't aways easy folks!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apologies for the limited means of communication with you all as editing and updating this blog alone is a mammoth task using the hospital facilities, but do please know you are all in my thoughts and I miss the news and the banter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love, light and blessings to all you angels, who ensure it's 'Marshalling' in the title and not 'Knackers'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">David (X)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P.S. In the interests of common decency and to save my dignity there will be no photos of my bed baths (or, sadly, any others), but without much sense or feeling and occasionally being outnumbered 3 to 1 by pretty nurses I do feel somewhat cheated :)</span>cybershothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03824945565039748795noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024961201771676349.post-85708746125931702552011-02-20T21:07:00.001+00:002011-10-20T16:00:05.792+01:00Tune in to Radio Royal Surrey<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My grateful thanks to the staff and doctors at Phyllis Tuckwell who promptly instigated an MRI scan yesterday morning which swiftly lead to the commencement of a 5 day programme of radiotherapy starting tomorrow at The Royal Surrey, Guildford. The aim is to zap the new secondaries discovered in the thoracic spine area and get me back on my feet again and reduce pain. If I promise to behave myself can I come back to Farnham and thank you all personally (and collect the contents of my mini-bar!) Cheers from David</span>cybershothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03824945565039748795noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024961201771676349.post-57462514041246169992011-02-17T22:47:00.002+00:002011-10-20T16:00:33.823+01:00May You Always Have an Angel by Your Side<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, a week after being admitted to the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, and coincidental with having the wi-fi connection to the internet restored so that I can once again update my blog from my bedside, I received a wonderful keepsake from my virtual Mac-friend, Crystal. Suitably illustrated, it bore the title I have used for this posting and it quite simply reminds me that I continue to be offered into the care of such marvellous people. To the long list I now include all the staff on the various shifts at PTH:</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>"May you always have an angel watching out for you</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>*</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Helping you believe in brighter days and in dreams come true</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>* </strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Giving you comfort and courage</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>* </strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong> Catching you if you fall</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>* </strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Inspiring smiles</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>* </strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Holding your hand and helping you through it all</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;">* </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>May you always have an angel by your side"</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Douglas Pagels</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>cybershothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03824945565039748795noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024961201771676349.post-45526258423732735772011-02-08T04:27:00.004+00:002011-10-20T16:01:21.433+01:00It's Good News Week<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Have you heard the news?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What did it say?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who's won that race?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What's the weather like today?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Though long overdue my news is a mixed bag and I apologise for not responding to the many pleas for an update. Unfortunately current circumstances over the last few weeks have made a once comfortable situation, perched at my computer whiling away the sleepless hours, now almost intolerable as the acute pain roams around my thorax.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Central to my coping strategies of late has been the battle to control this pain. Recently when it became necessary to have a wisdom tooth extracted my 6th bout of chemo was postponed and blood tests and a CT scan were booked prior to my visit to the dentist. The upshot of all this was, good on the one hand in that clearance was efected for a wholly successful exctraction and consequentially on the other hand, whilst not quite such good news in many respects owing to the results of the scan. It was decided that there was no further benefit from my continuing on the Real 3 chemo trial: The balance had shifted and although Goliath himself was still very much subduded, two of his henchmnen had returned from Al Queda trainging camps and reinforced their positions in two of the secondary locations; namely lungs and liver. Control of the suspected referral pain resulting from this stance by the enemy is now top priority and to this end a bed is being sought in the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice to enable some inpatient observation as they try and balance the dosage of painkillers. In the meantime the research team at Guildford, under the guidance of my consultant, are looking for the best of a number of options on the route ahead; to be discussed at a clinic on Thursday. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So it's back in a state of limbo, with a rest period from further chemo treatment (and no option for radiotherapy because of the juxtapositionof the various mets and vital organs), waiting on and monitoring developments of now unrestrained tumours: A somewhat nervous state of affairs being engaged in the next indecisive lap of this relay race. Thankfully my faith in the expertise a nd co-operation of all the elements of my care team makes sure I never drop the baton on the forward progress aimed at 'Stayin Alive'. As far as Goliath and his minions are concerened they will be smothered with love, overpowered with exercise, buried in good food or failing that drowned in alcohol.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P.S. 09.30am Hospice just rung to say there is a bed available for me today; so let's go get this sorted out!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love and light to one and all</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">David [X]</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVX2UwHseC5J1KjyvdrAZhJRaZSAJQTC2-cz8g76jSZAHtT3iPXzyS_AGOriqJ2pauOjs4ZFO5QxHENaAh3r2XgWB8TZOPbsJ8efv3M-4nlv2WZsXHRmRct4fA86Cmj8XRugj6cM97co/s1600/IMG_2820_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVX2UwHseC5J1KjyvdrAZhJRaZSAJQTC2-cz8g76jSZAHtT3iPXzyS_AGOriqJ2pauOjs4ZFO5QxHENaAh3r2XgWB8TZOPbsJ8efv3M-4nlv2WZsXHRmRct4fA86Cmj8XRugj6cM97co/s640/IMG_2820_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Chaka offers to keep my spot on the sofa in the sunshine but complains the water bottle has gone cold </strong></span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unlike Del Shannon and despite this morning's heavy rainfall and eventual dank prevailing conditions, I was happy to be out and about walking the dogs with family and friends on Velmead, part of Eversley Forest near Church crookham. This photo shows Fiona with Rupert and Geraldine with Chaka as we returned to the car park at The Forresters. With such lovely people in my life there is no way I am going anywhere just yet other than soldiering on against Goliath and his cohorts all of whom are doing their damndest to make life as difficult as possible but failing miserably. Take heed you big ugly lug this guy's no 'runaway'!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Rupert ("my leg's much better1") and Fiona Laidler with Chaka ("where's it gone?") and Geraldine Edington</strong></span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday saw a visit to The Foutain Centre in Guildford for some much needed alternative therapy from some more wonderful professional people prepared to donate some of their valuable time in care of cancer sufferers and carers: I had a session of Accupuncture and Shiatsu Massage with Stuart Ravell followed by an Art meditation with </span><a href="http://www.inspiredart.info/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fiona Channon</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, whilst Geraldine enjoyed a lovely unexpected 'Allsorts' of Reiki, reflexology and a hydro therm massage with </span><a href="http://www.felicityalonso.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Felicity Alonso</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Coming away relaxed and pain free we headed to the, you guessed, Crown and Cushion for a couple of drinks and some delicious sea bass fillets washed down with a delightfully light Vinho Verde. Unfortunately by evening time my pain had returned and later that night the vomiting started: Talk about swings and roundabouts!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Memo to self: Despite my love for over indulging, in persuit of weight stabilization of course, I must remember to be kind to myself in order to manage the food an drink intake versus the medication feed back!!!!!</span>cybershothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03824945565039748795noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024961201771676349.post-14475413553536323252011-01-13T07:15:00.026+00:002011-10-20T16:04:56.977+01:00Thanks for the therapies!<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today sees me once again taking full advantage of the alternative therapies on offer at The Fountain Centre, Guildford where I am booked for my first two sessions since the holidays: Accupuncture/Shiatsu massage with Stuart Ravell, who amazingly fixed my two supposedly arthritic shoulders; a legacy from twenty years of rugby (hope he has some success with these current pains I'm now suffereing through my cancer and it's treatment), and Fiona's fascinating Art Meditation classes which produced our Christmas/New Year card last year, and has reignited my artistic tendencies. I hope that Stuart and Pethidine can control the pian to allow me to benefit fully from the meditaion though I might just like Fi's soothing hands on my shoulders again to help me relax.</span></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Willow Bracket</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Turkey Tail</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As some of you may have picked up on, one of my retirement hobbies is amateur mycology or fungus spotting (Panic not ye of so little faith I don't even own an anorak!) which initially back in 2006 I combined with my love of photography and as such I organize, on a strictly informal basis, a group of local enthusiasts called the Mushketeers (but please keep that under your hat). Earlier this week I managed two outings to local known hot spots where, although it's not ideally the best time of year for fungi, we had some limited success and anyway the fresh air, albeit a bit dank at present, the good company and thye pub lunches all serve to raise my spirits at what is currently quite a difficult time. Apart from the more regular participants it was wonderful to meet up again with Sally and Ian Tyler, old hands who have been away on a sejourn to Oslo for a couple of years and are now back home in the UK: As ever, in days gone by, the first view as you enter the car parking area is Sally's pert bottom sticking inthe air as she endeavours to tie her boot laces; some things never change, thankfully! (and no I don't have photographs and ceratinly would not serve such embarrasssment on Sally even if I did - not much anyway, as I go off in search of my files..... lol) </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Yellow Brain Fungus</strong></span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Mushketeers Julie and Mike</strong></span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The dog walking community still flourishes on regular jaunts and I have now nearly finished oraganzing our postponed Skittles evening at the Frog and Wicket in Eversley.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A very pleasant interlude yesterday involved meeting up with my daughter Jennie, who, with a rare window of opportunity managed to get away from her hectic schedule as mother of two, personal trainer and running club organizer, and avid concert, as in gig, goer, in order to pick up me and Chaka for a quick walk around Minley and a pub lunch at the Crown and Cushion (surprise, surprise!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All in all quite a successful and satisfying week and gauranteed to deflect the spears and arrows of Goliath and his minionss that have been raining down on me since Christmas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One immediate and not so positive Post Script is that Geraldine came home and unexpectedly annouced she had been to see Dr Robinson and was now on two weeks sick leave; him having expressed to her his surprise that she'd manage to hold this long. Enter guilty feelings now on my part engendered by how unobservant I and others had been (Jenny and I both agreed at</span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">lunch yesterday that Gerladine seemed</span> to be coping much better). But it's partly due to G being able to shield everyone from knowing exactly how she is feeling for my sake. I would have hoped that friends and colleagues would have raised the alarm bells even if she was prepared to soldier on courageously. I sense it's not a particularly healthy state of affairs despite all her good intentions to save me any more worry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As for that pesky pussycat Bailey, he's continually on my case..........</span><br />
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.cybershothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03824945565039748795noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024961201771676349.post-48816247186197292572011-01-09T06:22:00.019+00:002011-10-20T16:06:17.098+01:00It's Your Party........<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.........And I'll Cry If I Want To!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meaning that I was gutted to have to have cried off from attending Sarah's (my niece) 30th birthday party at the Mandeville Hotel in Mayfair, London last night. After the trials and tribulations of Christmas and the past weeks and following on so soon after a bout of chemo, it was always going to be touch and go whether or not I would be fit enough to attend this 2nd family gathering. In the end, after what could well have been a more serious car crash when collecting Geraldine from work on Friday, caused by my fatigue and the effects of pain, and a walk with Geraldine and Chaka on the morning it was blatently apparent I was not up for it under any circumstances. A great shame as these South Africans and their friends certainly know how to party.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By hook or by crook I did manage to persuade the hotel to organize a litlle surprise by way of Champers and a greetings and I was reliably informed via an image text message from my daughter that it was joyously received. (The photo will be posted when this wrinkly ol' silver surfer works out how to get it off his basic cell phone - where have I put that USB lead? - and onto his more familiar laptop)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHSYZM_3XahJxd3s84fci0A4Ek4rgogI2nW4Tlde-ldejFvyp4uS_iqL5ZmcwlEwJYEIOeBWnuO6bSKgY7DOwaZu1uGJ6Msf2dWx8kLv-lCfqkjhD-HvgjpFwMo2bTI-0heyUPglsmks/s1600/Family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHSYZM_3XahJxd3s84fci0A4Ek4rgogI2nW4Tlde-ldejFvyp4uS_iqL5ZmcwlEwJYEIOeBWnuO6bSKgY7DOwaZu1uGJ6Msf2dWx8kLv-lCfqkjhD-HvgjpFwMo2bTI-0heyUPglsmks/s320/Family.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Many Happy Returns for the day Sarah!</span></b></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcK9yE_-q7-mmZfleEub0gCtwDk8SWKR1zfrsQpxuMHIaGEyukEJwAhdsLDfChDZJlEmoLS4e7ExXWvpHi1AVwomK50lL73IxCIaUgdQ-aVgVGNNnkdj8Kd4J3oYzrBRsdTN1GDT-AjM/s1600/Family+DSC06018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcK9yE_-q7-mmZfleEub0gCtwDk8SWKR1zfrsQpxuMHIaGEyukEJwAhdsLDfChDZJlEmoLS4e7ExXWvpHi1AVwomK50lL73IxCIaUgdQ-aVgVGNNnkdj8Kd4J3oYzrBRsdTN1GDT-AjM/s640/Family+DSC06018.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Andy, Jennie, John, Phillip, Valerie, Mike. Sarah and Tersia</strong></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><strong>I raise a toast to 'The Mums and The Daughters' (pictured) </strong></span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Later today I have planned, with a lot of help and co-operation from Geraldine to meet Mike, my brother, for a quiet tête a tête lunch nearby home at the Crown and Cushion at Minley before he and Tersia fly back to Jo'burg on Monday and theres's no way I am missing that: After all we have to plan our trip to New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup next November. (In my head I can hear the gentle reminder from my registrar to "take one day at a time David"). Hey, but surel you must have goals to aim at if you want to stick around long enough, especially if England are going to beat The All Blacks in the final?</span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYvZXhnIOgTmD7aaKTtgvhrefAFhsbF0uRaG2TOLfy7AxDfBu0FL2Y3MBMdGd_NZC02wFZF3dSFKIz2LP2zkEhhfdB0LEFVyCb5BaQ_WH9N2EHawBYGxmiKz_eWeVSUGmfzEyVH8ee-U/s1600/Family+IMG_2504_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYvZXhnIOgTmD7aaKTtgvhrefAFhsbF0uRaG2TOLfy7AxDfBu0FL2Y3MBMdGd_NZC02wFZF3dSFKIz2LP2zkEhhfdB0LEFVyCb5BaQ_WH9N2EHawBYGxmiKz_eWeVSUGmfzEyVH8ee-U/s640/Family+IMG_2504_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><i><strong>Brothers in arms, well lubricated aprés déjeuner at the Crown and Cushion</strong></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So don't worry folks, although it isn't proving any easy task at the moment, the battle with Goliath is far from over yet as long as I can continue to manage the debilitating effects he's throwing my way at present.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looking ahead I have to tolerate two more cycles of chemo, a rest and monitoring period after the end of trial CT scan and possibly, because it has proved so effective up until now, another later session of the EOX combination of the Real3 drugs; or even another completely different clinical trail if available and if I meet eligibility criteria. Anything that gives me a decent quality of life will do for me; so back to the one day at a time philosophy which has served me so well and will no doubt decide the best way forward ......that's onwards and upwards on this map which I'm plotting as I go!</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time to see if I can keep down my porridge and pills and not be reminded by the girls about saying 'it's only a bit of morning sickness': Apologies ladies; it will never pass my lips again! LOL</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>STOP PRESS:</b> Over a fabulous lunch session Mike informed me that Sarah and Phillip are expecting their first baby in July. Fanatastic news of a joyous event to look forward to; congratulations to you both!</span>cybershothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03824945565039748795noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024961201771676349.post-34764800599591718322011-01-05T03:36:00.024+00:002011-10-20T17:11:54.375+01:00Round 6 of 8<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The best way I can think of summing up my feelings as I approach my 6th cycle of chemo later today (an event about which, up to now, I was not facing with a particularly positive attitude because of the down turn of recent days) is to copy some recent MacMillan forum correspondence with a couple of special virtual friends from overseas: Liz in Madrid and Pilla in Oslo. Together with Geraldine's constant support and an earlier consultation with the research team at St Luke's yesterday, these exchanges have lifted my spirits and put me in a much better frame of mind to press on regardless and continue taking one day at a time in the knowledge that out of the last 187 days the vast majority have been distinctly good days! </span></div><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="messageBody">'Positive' is good, but if I remember correctly from Physics lessons you need 'Negative' to complete the circuit and light the bulb, </span>And that's the 'potential difference' between me now and me then! :o)</span></span></i></h6><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A post Christmas message from Liz in Madrid:</span><br />
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<div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi David. Happy New Year to you!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you're not feeling too grim, it's awful feeling below par, especially when you're looking forward to a fresh kick in the teeth this week with more chemo. I suppose you're more adept at treating side effects but also have a body that is more resentful as each cycle passes. Tell me which your worse symptom is - or post on the forum - & let's see if someone can give you some advice from their experience. Patients & carers sometimes know a whole lot more than the cancer team at the hospital!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've had a pretty emotional time of it, of course. Do you know about the <i>uvas de la suerte? </i>It's the tradition here that with each chime of the clock at midnight on NY Eve you eat a grape. Get them all down & you will have luck for the year to come. Pablo's 1st symptom was March 2nd '09, but on the NY Eve before, as the clock struck midnight, he got about 6 grapes down then gasped...took a big glug of Rioja...put a couple more in...grabbed a bowl & brought up a load of wine/grape mash. We all looked on aghast, thinking he was vomiting blood! Then had a bloody good laugh at the silly old codger! Life went on, more Rioja flowed, all was forgotten. It wasn't until 31.12.09, a year later, a month after Pablo's release from hospital post-op, still unable to get grapes down, that Tina remembered the events of the year before & with hindsight, of course, it was probably an early sign of something amiss down there. This NY, therefore, we brooded on this, his last one with us in a frail state, this one without him, plus all the previous years when we'd been together & had memorable times.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bitter sweet, sad, heart-wrenching...but through it all I felt we had to go through a tough, emotional time in order to start the year afresh. So I feel stronger now, am fired up to go forward, have sooooo much to do I can't wallow in self-pity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks for asking, David. I hope you've been able to enjoy things to the full.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All the best for 2011!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Liz xxx</span></div><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The resultant post on my (aka cybershot) Macmillan forum thread to the above suggestion by Liz:</span></h6><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "Thank you all for your recent kind thoughts and wishes and It's heartening to know that together we are all fighting through our individual battles in this virtual community, and helping each other when the going gets tough.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have just had a very gentle and sympathetic PM from Liz, whose husband Pablo died recently having courageously fought OC to the last, in which she sensibly asked a question which I, up until now had not verbalized: "Which is the worse symptom/effect?" Knowing that we all suffer variously from common issues I wasn't at first sure about the correct answer to this question, but, as we both realised, it would be useful to all of us if I tried to put my feelings about this into a forum post:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my present situation, as I approach the 6th out of a total of eight cycles of review clinic followed by chemo, spread over 6 months, with a very heartening mid term review behind me, I would say that individually none of the current difficulties on their own would cause me very much concern and all can be managed with the help of the support from the professional team, family and friends. But when they combine forces to oppress and demoralise you they form a formidable opponent which after time, and from time to time, cannot fail to drag you down and make you feel quite wretched and unresourceful. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's just about sums up how I feel about:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-The nagging, persistent chronic pain in the area between my shoulder blades and through to my sternum which roams around and becomes intermittently acute in various places; the main factor in the significant amount of lost sleep. (the latter also perpetrated by steroid intake and the sometimes over-positive mental attitude; bordering on the hyper active - that's an interesting one wouldn't you agree?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-The constipation caused by the high dosage of pain killers; currently Tramadol.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-The nausea and sickness I am now experiencing for the very first time; since switching to Tramadol.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-The very much increased level of fatigue and anemia which really makes it difficult to cope with everything else.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Laryngeal palsy, which, together with the aforementioned pain, I believe results from the cancer's effect on the Vagus nerve system which runs throughout the thorax.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>-Hand</i>-<i>Foot Syndrome</i> or <i>Palmar</i>-<i>Plantar</i> <i>Erythrodysesthesia</i>, which causes very sore fissures in the dried out soles and palms (not to mention very brittle, and now some blackening, nails).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Mouth ulcers come and go; gone at this time thankfully as eating is a chore enough already.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think that's enough to be going on with and if I was given the option of ditching just one then the first on the list would be my choice. My fear is that this is going to be the hardest of the management tasks facing me at the moment. Though it is worth reiterating that everything at present has an easily attained remedy reinforced by discussions about best options during clinics.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All views and experiences on this topic would be much appreciated.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whatever plagues you at the moment I trust you are getting all the help you can muster: We don't have to suffer unnecessarily with the resources at our disposal. If it's not happening for you or your loved ones then make a right b****y nuisance of yourself until it does.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With love and light</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">David [X]"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's hard to find the words to express the gratitude sometimes when such lovely people like Liz, who is showing such fortitude in coping with her own recent bereavement, are unselfishly prepared to help, advise and support others with the insight achieved from their own suffering and anguish as patients or carers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is exemplified also in an exchange of messages between Bergen [Not Oslo - my apologies Pilla; and now I know why, not knowing which part of the US you are from, I refrained from making a reference to "The Yankee Abroad" ;O) ] and Yateley the day before my latest cycle of chemo on 5th Jan 2011: </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi David, that was a cute doggy card. I liked it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I tried to reply to your post on worst symptom, but the system got locked up. I agree with the others. I hate to see you getting down. You're right, it's the ever-changing combination of symptoms that wear at you after a while. Ed says the worst is the hyper-ness and shakes of the steroid. But another time he says the worst is the hearing loss, side effect of the Cisplatin. The 14th we get to find out what the effect of the treatment was. Fingers crossed for a home run! Ed's a big baseball fan, and has decided the cancer is a pitcher, "little c". Ed's the batter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good luck tomorrow with your team. I hope they find you a better solution for your pain. Remember the great midway results. As you're from England, perhaps you can think about a cricket match - they go on for a long time, and there are lots of points see sawing back and forth. I'm sure you'll win the ashes in the end!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hugs, Pilla</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My reply to Pilla: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi Pilla</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks for putting a smile back on my face with your reference to the cricket: I am not a great fan of the game but it's always nice to put one over on the Aussies especially in this particular competition for the Ashes (they are such bad losers), and I immediately thought back to the autumn when our national rugby team did the same thing with a stupendous record breaking win over the 'Wallabies'. What really made me chuckle was; "I'm sure you'll win the ashes in the end!" So you got me in the crematorium already have you? - That's priceless lovely lady - Thanks but no plans yet for the funeral arrangements :O)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interesting what you say about Ed's symptoms and side effects especially as I am now, after my ENT referral, officially 'deaf'; tho' G says it's very much 'selective hearing' lol. Yet a recent opticians appointment had me a few points improved on my prescription. Funny ol' world - I just put it down to old age !</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I seem to have come down to earth - not so much a crash landing, but just a bit of a bumpy touch down - so not quite as hyper as previously and occasionally feeling a wee bit sorry for myself. However chemo later today (#6/8) will no doubt boost my steroid input again and I'll be up flying high with Ed again soon. Sorry to hear he finds that one of the more problematical side effects - any suggestions from your team how to remedy that situation; with the combination of both a physical and emotional slant to it?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The clinic earlier went well and my first try out (a hour or so ago) on yet another pain killer regime of Paracetamol/Diclofenac seems a vast improvement on previous schemes, especially the Tramadol, so obviously, like so much of this infernal journey, it's question of trial and error based on good comms with one's 'team'. So now (at 03.00hrs) feeling much better equipped to face that imminent cycle of chemo later today, especially if, now virtually pain free, I can get my weary a**e to bed for a few hours kip and much needed rest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I bid you good night and please pass on my best wishes to Ed and let him know I'll have everything crossed for him for that home run on the14th.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love and hugs backatcha </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">David x</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I entered the Chilworth Ward at St Lukes for the infusion of more toxic cocktails rather than heart warming mulled punches it was obvious that the Christmas back log was still flooding through (65 patients that day to process and only 35 seats available. So I was lucky to be marched in on time and with my chemo drugs timely processed reading and waiting. While Geraldine, who had fortunately booked a Reflexology theraphy session in the Fountain Centre downstairs, went off the ward rapidly filled with patients and there were no seats available for carers and relatives. I wondered what this next session had in store for me as I was beginning to find the going getting a little tough and this tough cookie was starting to find it was becoming more difficult to cope with as the cumulative effects were proving more and more persistent: The oncology nurse with 18 year's experience who was administering the treatment did remind me that the body can only take so much poison being pumped through the system even if it was doing good in some respects it was also hammering the other parts only Heineken had previously reached.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Post chemo and I am still struggling to get the pain and nausea under control with the fatigue and shocking weather dampening my resolve to get out and about in the open air with Chaka where I feel most refreshed. I am determined that this downturn in events is only temporary but afer a telecomm consulation with St Luke's today (now Thursday) even the recommended appointment with my GP to try another tach is proving troublesome to accomplish. Watch this space as I cannot afford the luxury of negative thoughts: 'Illegitimi non carborundem' s the Latin pig would say!</span></div><h2 class="CommonFormTitle"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </h2></div><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></h6><span style="font-size: small;"><span data-jsid="text" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
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</div>cybershothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03824945565039748795noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024961201771676349.post-82371430763722466962011-01-01T12:07:00.009+00:002011-10-20T16:10:59.547+01:00Who or what knocked the stuffing out of my Turkey?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not that for the last ten years there has ever been much evidence of Turkey on our Christmas menu, preferring to prepare more exciting fare such as venison, wild boar and ostrich, but here we are in 2011 and as I look back on the dying embers of last year I have to admit things are not starting off too well at the moment. Just before Christmas on the advice of the research team I paid a visit to my GP to raise the level of my pain killers as the paracetamol/ibuprofen meds were having little effect on the increasing amount of pain in the areas between my shoulder blades and through to my sternum. Tramadol was prescribed as that which would be less likely to trigger any bleeding of inflammmation and the first thing I noticed was the onset of nausea and sickness especially early on Boxing Day morning (though I did put this down to a certain amount of general over indulgence and particularly over familiarity with a bottle of Drambuie the day before). However as the sickness was presenting before and after this event it became another problem to sort out (more Metoclopramide from the doc), together with excessive fatigue, the return of laryngeal palsy and loss of appetite brought about by losing the edge to my taste buds and everything having the same dull flavour and texture.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I contemplate Wednesday's next cycle of chemotherapy and the approach of the end of the Real 3 trial my positivity is waning and to restore a balance I have to reflect on what was in the event a remarkably good Christmas spent at my daughter's house in the bosom of my family; my brother Mike and Tersia having made it to the UK from Jo'burg on the second attempt and at the eleventh hour.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBYJeqsI4IrpYf5l4vZGQ5BjxMYt39oDkt3K1WmHM1FnNlEacM1d-CVkdi7afzE8MXJ6M6fgjw89Q1AOIcZpv9WC8lXB77Go01p2r7pVglVj0l8FtSGoPSIjMkh-sTxkmorC2OxMhuiI/s1600/IMG_1164_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBYJeqsI4IrpYf5l4vZGQ5BjxMYt39oDkt3K1WmHM1FnNlEacM1d-CVkdi7afzE8MXJ6M6fgjw89Q1AOIcZpv9WC8lXB77Go01p2r7pVglVj0l8FtSGoPSIjMkh-sTxkmorC2OxMhuiI/s640/IMG_1164_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><strong>William, Jennie and Ellen on Christmas Day</strong></span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a session down at Jennie's local pub, I thoroughly enjoyed cooking the Christmas Day lunch - a fully matured 5lb Rainbow Trout, stuffed with fresh herbs and wild mushrooms then oven baked in white wine and vermouth; served with new potatoes and salad (there were traditional veg options which Andy had cooked to accompany his fabulous nut roast)</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Boxing Day we were joined by Valerie (Jennie's mum) and John, and Sarah and Phillip and, mainly for Valerie's benefit as she and John had not managed to make the event in South Africa, were treated to a viewing of Sarah and Phill's wedding video (the highlight being Mike's epic speech) whilst snacking on hot mince pies and leftovers etc. Unable to tempt anyone else into the fresh air Mike and I went for a walk with Chaka in Windsor Great Park</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccZU36_S2YHcU6WAcbRU0fGV6mT4L2H_2qqGzbMQJKdJuSLcTu79Rfd3lhUZ77aTfXL9rWdBWlL6rF1hwscHmKO3tBZApT0IVjAoHXhklPNnEl683V9QM2zc99ckuP2WAkfD_f2plD7k/s1600/IMG_1255a_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccZU36_S2YHcU6WAcbRU0fGV6mT4L2H_2qqGzbMQJKdJuSLcTu79Rfd3lhUZ77aTfXL9rWdBWlL6rF1hwscHmKO3tBZApT0IVjAoHXhklPNnEl683V9QM2zc99ckuP2WAkfD_f2plD7k/s640/IMG_1255a_web.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Windsor Great Park, Boxing Day</strong></span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the afternoon we all (except Jennie and Valerie and their partners) returned to Yateley where Geraldine prepared another meal - roast 3 bird (chicken, turkey and duck) crown and all the trimings while Mike anticipated watching the Spurs match against Aston Villa on the telly before they left for Sarah's home in London. Between New Year and Sarah's 30th bithday on the 8th, Mike and Tersia planned a trip to Las Vegas where soon, no doubt, will be watching his annual bonus disappearing into the coffers of the casino magnates (.....money magnets????)</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOADJwN7bf-I_7c5B3OEFUMAzYGRo_61tfHdx6h1O67M1ZuJyzpMYEpOpkpvh5Z6Kr_nait_lsT1Lj3RyRvaG6VuU6t8DcqVgIUKSKcMocCBFUHKnVyqsMY-563UG4qra0bl7I3Zu4Jsc/s1600/IMG_1280_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOADJwN7bf-I_7c5B3OEFUMAzYGRo_61tfHdx6h1O67M1ZuJyzpMYEpOpkpvh5Z6Kr_nait_lsT1Lj3RyRvaG6VuU6t8DcqVgIUKSKcMocCBFUHKnVyqsMY-563UG4qra0bl7I3Zu4Jsc/s640/IMG_1280_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Mike, Sarah, Tersia and Phillip at Yateley on Boxing Day</strong></span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our own New Year celebrations at Ken and Christine's brilliantly organized party was abbreviated at around 10pm by my queasiness and fatigue......but I did wake up in bed as Big Ben chimed and the firework display in London started. And as Chaka is allowed to sleep in our bedroom only on this one night of the year, when the local fireworks scare him, I did get more than one kiss at midnight!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy New Year to all my family and friends and I hope it will be as pain free, physically, emotionally and financially, as possible.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With love and light</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">David xxx</span>cybershothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03824945565039748795noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024961201771676349.post-31864819180241337082010-12-25T04:29:00.001+00:002011-10-20T16:11:26.142+01:00Garry Mimbly; have a cool Yule!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am pleased to report that Santa arrived safely in London after stopping to deliver Christmas presents at Yateley and Windsor:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to One and All.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lots of love and light</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">David</span>cybershothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03824945565039748795noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024961201771676349.post-8005993465204191132010-12-22T05:04:00.006+00:002011-10-20T16:11:58.779+01:00Bring me fun, bring me sunshine, bring me love.......<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qfXjDELeW5M?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qfXjDELeW5M?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.....instead of all the other minor nasties life has thrown at me in the last 24 hours and since my last (the 5th) bout of chemo on Thursday. It has been a right old mishmash of trials and tribulations both on the medical and the social/domestic side of things:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bearing in mind it usually takes a week or so to recuperate from an infusion of chemo I suppose I'm a little surprised this last one is taking it's toll more doggedly. I have felt much more fatigued and the pain in back and sternum has been more persistent. A very bad tummy upset yesterday morning is still lingering and for the first time ever since starting treatment I was sick a little while ago after a drink of lemon and ginger tea. There are of course numerous reasons for this, none of which a particularly alarming unless I fail to get things under control soon. Following the good advice of Liz Martinez I visited my GP earlier and he prescribed Tramadol for the pain which is proving much more effective than the proprietary analgesics I have been using up until now. But I do wonder whether or not they are responsible for the nausea and whether they eventually will counter my current spate of chronic diarrhea (reaches for more immodium and another glass of water). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the matter of the run up to Christmas all was looking good until yesterday when, reports from Windsor regarding my daughter's heating system, and the combination of my brother's flight from Jo'burg being cancelled simultaneously as his son Chris had a serious accident involving an under-construction swimming pool in Cape Town, have put our plans for a family reunioun on hold. Contingencies are in place but much, like everything else at present, depends on weather and circumstances beyond our control.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Determination to get out and about for a blow in the fresh air, even when snowing, is still very much a priority as it is more beneficial than being cooped up inside with the central heating on full blast to combat the current icy weather conditions. So excursions with Chaka are not curtailed as long as I wrap up nice and warm.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most of the Christmas shopping is done but the Xmas cards I designed and had printed have still not arrived so we took emergency action tonight to send out replacements and so apologise to friends and family for the inevitable lateness of our Seasonal Greetings! In the meantime Chemo the Snowman wishes you all a truly festive holiday and says a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year (just gotta love his blue suede shoes - <b><em>Uh huh huh.</em></b>!):</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEM9oCQfZhSosj4PlFawJQ4XeG-4ImEZCCFGlLzX26IqUHrlX_btWhi-TtlkFi9TCffBPdFV0oSjqq5JOSGHq-dnO6O81DCGTWQdvGgGE_oZOoOzNVK4or6GPjagw-bWqNqrEsldYgUss/s1600/Chemo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEM9oCQfZhSosj4PlFawJQ4XeG-4ImEZCCFGlLzX26IqUHrlX_btWhi-TtlkFi9TCffBPdFV0oSjqq5JOSGHq-dnO6O81DCGTWQdvGgGE_oZOoOzNVK4or6GPjagw-bWqNqrEsldYgUss/s400/Chemo.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>cybershothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03824945565039748795noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024961201771676349.post-7799377979908611752010-12-16T04:29:00.008+00:002011-10-20T16:12:26.777+01:00First the pills and now the pricks<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you all so much for the invaluable support which has in no small way contributed to an almost unbelievable mid term result with the Real 3 trial. By way of interpreting my title of today's submission I am delighted to say that it is in fact good news day: After a busy and anxious two days, I eventually arrived home yesterday evening from celebrating with Geraldine at our favourite Italian restaurant; Al Frescos in Fleet. Yesterday I had a re-scheduled (because of getting stranded in Spain) CT scan in preparation for the mid term review in clinic with Dr Gary Middleton, the chief oncologist running the Real 3 trial at The Royal Surrey Hospital, Guildford. We actually witnessed members of the research team as they scurried through the corridors chasing up the results of Tuesday's bloods and scan in time for the following day's meeting and I am happy to report that they showed that without a shadow of doubt I have won the first fight with Goliath, who is down..... but not out, after a technical knockout in my favour. His seconds and minions are also lesser entities now that the 3 months of chemo have taken their toll without, I hasten to add, hampering my health too much by way of the side effects.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The decision is therefore to carry on with the successful clinical trial and when the inevitable re-match occurs, hopefully after a long period in rehab and training for Goliath before attempting another shot at the title in a future fight (and coincidentally after rest and recuperation and close monitoring for me), then there are several very attractive options available to ensure he remains the under dog in this contest: These include a second session of chemotherapy using the tried and tested EOX combination of Real 3 or possibly inclusion on another new trial administered by the Royal Marsden. Although no further hot spots were detected, sadly but not surprisingly the incurable status has not been reversed and an operation is still out of the question. In a funny sort of way I am pleased with that situation; as wielding the surgical knife does seem to stir up a whole hornets’ nest in many cases and I am not sure I would want to risk that having as many metastases, even though now weakened by the chemo, lurking around my body. Presumably, without quoting specific timescales, my current quality of life can be more or less maintained and extended for a good period of time, and despite the tears and the frustration of unrealistic greater expectations en route to yesterday's clinic with Dr Middleton I now share the obvious euphoria (slight exaggeration) he displayed when announcing the results and saying that after a particular grueling day he was pleased to finish on a high note in having one of his easiest consultations. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The one downside bit of news was the discovery of blood clots in my lungs, which in the bad old days would have given cause for alarm but nowadays is fairly common place under the circumstances and instantly treatable as I discovered almost immediately after two injections of a blood thinning agent; a procedure now to be repeated on a daily basis by self administration for at least the next six months. So now as well as being a guinea pig I now also become dart board (One-hundred-and-eighty for the guy on the oché with the pills and the pricks)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Geraldine and I were almost the last to leave the Oncology outpatients department on level B of the St Luke's Cancer Center but both bearing beaming smiles unerasable by thoughts of the prospect of the snail's crawl in the mass of traffic leaving the Surrey Science Park and the following day's 5th cycle of chemo when returning to the Chilworth Suite day ward.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So in raising a very expensive, but equally as delicious, glass of Borola my toast is: Hoping life is treating you all as favourably as possible too!</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Signing off by quoting the lyrics of a song by one of my favorite 60s groups, The Peddlers and one of my all time favorite artists, Babara Streisand:</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"People who need people are the luckiest people in the world,</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lots of love and light</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">David X</span><br />
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<iframe class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lAsNH13uLjU?hd=1" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="425"></iframe>cybershothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03824945565039748795noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024961201771676349.post-42310449035761808982010-12-10T07:53:00.005+00:002011-10-20T16:12:51.623+01:00Home Again<iframe class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bwZHYKsGIu4" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="425"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although delayed by two hours our flight from Alicante finally touched down at Gatwick at about 02.45 hours this morning and, despite APH ripping us off to the tune of nearly £60 for a 12 day park up, our onward journey back to Yateley via M23, M25 and M3 was chilly but thankfully uneventful. So all in all our extended (3 nights into 12 nights; courtesy of slEasy Jet) two centre holiday package was OK once the initial traumas subsided. Update to follow once rested!</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the highlights of returning at this particular time was that on Saturday night I fulfilled a promise to Anna that on the occasion of her birthday, when she was hosting her 'Come Dine With Me' dinner party for her girl friends, I cooked my 'Chanterelle Dijonnaise' recipe for starters. Fortunately for the assembly meat and two veg with dumplings did not feature on the menu so I was allowed to wear more than just my new Bad Toro pinnie bought in Spain especially for the event:</span><br />
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<iframe class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Ygt6stvc9yk?hd=1" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="640"></iframe>cybershothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03824945565039748795noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024961201771676349.post-23575953368771921862010-12-07T08:47:00.014+00:002011-10-20T16:13:14.881+01:00MotD - Final Score: Real Locaiba, wins 'v' Real 3, loses<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cTJxtjYNUtY?fs=1&hl=en_GB"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cTJxtjYNUtY?fs=1&hl=en_GB" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
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<div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Real 3 only loses in the sense that I am having an enforced 'holiday' from Capecitabine while on holiday out here in rural Andalucia staying at Casa del Toro with Sheila. Lovely walks in the hills amongst the almond orchards with her dogs Roxy and Alfie and lunching al fresco in the old town square (Plaza Mayor, Albox) 15 minutes drive away or on the veranda of the hacienda surrounded by olive groves, which need harvesting very soon. Already sample fresh almonds, prickly pear juice and pomegranates straight from the trees but learned a bitter sweet lesson when trying the same thing with an olive! (Don't forget to click on photos to see them large)</span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHZGIpAfgJAIsMmabyFm3Q_hW_i672tM1LUACy71eXXBbJbGHKFEFNGW01cBqjw_Cdi6m_m4451ibWMTuY7J4gLOxMbcNTSBKfud1W2bgu8TQbXS45l36ssE286UhtfecznB9N-GMrE8/s1600/Casa-del-Toro-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHZGIpAfgJAIsMmabyFm3Q_hW_i672tM1LUACy71eXXBbJbGHKFEFNGW01cBqjw_Cdi6m_m4451ibWMTuY7J4gLOxMbcNTSBKfud1W2bgu8TQbXS45l36ssE286UhtfecznB9N-GMrE8/s640/Casa-del-Toro-web.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Casa del Toro</b></i></span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>cybershothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03824945565039748795noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024961201771676349.post-36522332994160706912010-12-05T08:13:00.007+00:002011-10-20T16:13:36.059+01:00Andalucian Dawn<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfRZ5hU5NEdw9PZpj68yk9fY2XIiCJeKMjZTjUfuIamhFZa0UKBMC7MdZSDuXezi10bUmyJzmKbc5Qba9dMwZWatc3tLOnUpzdP66gwzkwCqdwLHtCm10BXpuBQL2QH0YSZj646lt-ew/s1600/Untitled_Panorama2_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfRZ5hU5NEdw9PZpj68yk9fY2XIiCJeKMjZTjUfuIamhFZa0UKBMC7MdZSDuXezi10bUmyJzmKbc5Qba9dMwZWatc3tLOnUpzdP66gwzkwCqdwLHtCm10BXpuBQL2QH0YSZj646lt-ew/s640/Untitled_Panorama2_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Day break viewed from 'Casa del Toro', Locaiba, near Albox, Spain</span> </span></b></i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">As the sun rises over the hills this morning we send our best wishes to Dave Lavelle who celebrates his 60th birthday today back in the UK.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Many Happy Returns Dave and thanks for all your help and support.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>(Weather here wish you were lovely!) </i><i><b> </b></i></span></span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>cybershothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03824945565039748795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024961201771676349.post-58167021539601105412010-12-03T02:59:00.039+00:002011-10-20T16:14:06.540+01:00Siesta Time<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6gpBDxI2eCs3UYREFEX1XoGiI88V6TiiAjbSZX9F5U_xN1lAn1oxVFVtbBJ5eB63OY8TNQUY5wANZVZZQ2nAHeivCwW7WlqKy_bPlS2MIJ0Rul67ca0gackFJl92ePXKjrWyOGQdWA8/s1600/IMG_1526_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6gpBDxI2eCs3UYREFEX1XoGiI88V6TiiAjbSZX9F5U_xN1lAn1oxVFVtbBJ5eB63OY8TNQUY5wANZVZZQ2nAHeivCwW7WlqKy_bPlS2MIJ0Rul67ca0gackFJl92ePXKjrWyOGQdWA8/s640/IMG_1526_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>La Marina Beach</strong></span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just to let you know that despite a genuine (honest guv') effort to get home to England today we are still enjoying an 'enforced' extended holiday on the Costa Blanca: In a semi relaxed state and in possession of very expensive tickets back to London via Madrid we actually progressed as far as Departure Gate 7 at Alicante airport ready to board our flight to Madrid. Earlier browsing and our constant feedback from several folks back home indicated that the situation was deteriorating and the snow was falling more heavily in the region to which we were eventually heading; but all contingencies were in place thanks to the efforts of Paula and Dave, who was now on readiness to collect us from London (City) airport. At the time we expected the boarding announcement, we were, instead, informed that the aircraft was delayed and further information would be available in the space of half an hour: Bang goes our connection! This, together with the almost simultaneous news that, although open, no flights had been operated at City, was almost the last straw for Geraldine, who was so desperate to get me back to the safety of myUK support network, as now we were faced with either continuing on to Madrid whenever and rearranging altenative onward travel to London, however and whenever, and moreover the mayhem caused by the prevailing extreme weather conditions, or staying put in Spain and sorting out our return home under less frenetic and desperate circumstances at a more leisurely controlled pace. Bearing in mind that we still held EasyJet tickets for a flight to Gatwick on the 9th December as a last resort we would start investigating earlier possibilties after the weekend . Calls to both Geraldine's boss and my research team at St Luke's, Guildford whilst waiting for further news about the impending flight, resolved the situation and finally convinced Geraldine that a few more days here was not such a bad idea after all: It wasn't critical for me to return home despite having no more chemo tablets, and work could wait a bit longer for her input. Having contacted both Sheila and Lyn and Graham we now had a chioce of accommodation and transport so we excited airside and made our way, via the Iberia Ticket Sales Office where a no quibble full refund of our £1100 was actioned, for a coffee and a glass of wine to await our lift back to Laderas del Sol at Torrevieja.</span><br />
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<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over a long leisurely lunch of Paella and beer, beachside at La Marina, arrangements were made for onward travel the following morning to Albox and Sheila's guest rooms for however long it takes to regroup and find a way home. I for one am so thankful we were not heading for the potential hazards of negotiating travel in the freezing snow bound conditions of south east England, and that Gary has the onerous task of letting Chaka know were still going to be "out shoping" for a while longer. In this respect we are eternally indebted to the folks back home for their continuing and unfailing assistance.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Hurrah ....At last we found snow dusting the top of the Sierras de las Estancias on our way from Murcia to Albox:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>4th December - now ensconced in rural Spain and loving every minute. Lyn and Graham very kindly drove us down to Andalucia so we could spend a few days with Sheila and family at 'Casa del Toro', Locaiba near Albox:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rural and surrounded by its own olive grove, but not too remote, in as much that a 10 minute drive back into Albox - old town, resulted in a typically long Spanish lunch at La Parilla; lingering over tapas in the town square. And when ordering another round of wine you just get given the rest of the bottle of the very good house white (blanco) plus an opened bottle of, equally as good, red (tinto) for good measure - on a 'help yourself and settle up when you've finished' basis. Lunch including wine, a dessert and coffee for five all for under 80 euros. This is the life!</div><br />
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After lunch, and returning to the hills around 'Toro' it's time to walk the dogs, Roxy and Alfie, and suddenly I find I'm transported back into my element and getting ready to put in a bid for Sheila's rental property when they move out and if the landlord wants to sell.<br />
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Previoulsy during the lunchtime sojourn Emma was smitten by the opportunity of going to see Circus Italia, so having bought tickets we spent the evening watching the tumbling, juggling, contortioning of the performers young, and not so young, and the parade of a select few animals under a very chilly 'Big' Top. Not ever having been to a circus before Adz was wide eyed, but not legless, in awe of the performance<br />
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So this is my song for Adam (aka Adz), a real trooper and grafter - Cheers and congratulations matey!</div><br />
<iframe class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/k5FG3Ty3jD4?hd=1" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="425"></iframe>cybershothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03824945565039748795noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024961201771676349.post-23416455282162502532010-11-30T22:29:00.079+00:002011-10-20T16:15:26.582+01:00"It's Only a Winter's Tale"<div style="text-align: left;"><iframe class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ChU4M3fe-9Q?hd=1" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="480"></iframe></div><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we prepare to return to the UK tomorrow after what has been a a distinctly winterly feel to our short sojourn in Spain: One day of brilliant sunshine followed by two days of constant, if somewhat warm, rain and now flash warnings of snow from Galacia in the north to more of the same just outside Alicante here in the south! It will be an interesting journey back home tomorrow if the reports I've read from friends on Facebook are to be believed about what is currently falling from the skies around Farnborough, Fleet and Farnham. I only hope that the ever increasing snowfall in the locality of home does not mean escaping from Spain just to face an arduous overland trip once back in Blighty. I would rather stay holed up here with Lyn and Graham and enjoy the Spanish life style (just checking I have enough Xeloda to tide me over):</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Supper rural style with Sheila and family at Albox:</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Passionatley Paella</b></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>From hob ..</b></i>....</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNWhwQK9QSm3YmsXD3uEr_IYe6Dz6SDMD5mNo4644Vj54phqc4lEW8DJNbVmZHu0YQ3WTb1sfxIiBxLIKnxMuNnYcQ6DW78hFzxqp5fV_01v8waBRLxcattdag3S2mxyuVhyphenhyphensEBfsrh0/s1600/IMG_1445_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNWhwQK9QSm3YmsXD3uEr_IYe6Dz6SDMD5mNo4644Vj54phqc4lEW8DJNbVmZHu0YQ3WTb1sfxIiBxLIKnxMuNnYcQ6DW78hFzxqp5fV_01v8waBRLxcattdag3S2mxyuVhyphenhyphensEBfsrh0/s200/IMG_1445_edited-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>.....to table</b></i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>After tappas lunch at La Manga</i></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WGviQ8SV95vFILsEvoQjZi8utpDO7KIV8kg2sGoG3K_n9xjWO_5LL-AOy22LM_KyZZACahIiEV3apR1P2btT2p5YUv-WxUG89njzcUW-B3wId3Z6Un7dWLkk8ZOvewBO1kGrMzwCxz0/s1600/IMG_1405_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WGviQ8SV95vFILsEvoQjZi8utpDO7KIV8kg2sGoG3K_n9xjWO_5LL-AOy22LM_KyZZACahIiEV3apR1P2btT2p5YUv-WxUG89njzcUW-B3wId3Z6Un7dWLkk8ZOvewBO1kGrMzwCxz0/s320/IMG_1405_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtfQVdzFT6EmZAwqd7XKXgL61z5uDdlx3gpgUqZZ58-EyT5tnC5616rc8Q6a2gRImaZqL83NcGmwOJlF0qTkJm2LbkKpnN4z8J64KsbDK5oSB8sK6M4hEvXVbkEDQQ4NzntrsJ9KcelA/s1600/IMG_1404_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtfQVdzFT6EmZAwqd7XKXgL61z5uDdlx3gpgUqZZ58-EyT5tnC5616rc8Q6a2gRImaZqL83NcGmwOJlF0qTkJm2LbkKpnN4z8J64KsbDK5oSB8sK6M4hEvXVbkEDQQ4NzntrsJ9KcelA/s320/IMG_1404_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR813FsDzo2t_RitOw-Bx8DFKjSU6te5-zeXu0qAkFhZHzgyjzZ8HLxsJUpDqVB-vODGfX_dphKJNlIPmCbZtwBQ9cbO3GkXYlLlT1C8WN2rSx67ZjF423brhCxam9vB4NGqZ04fVyHKE/s1600/IMG_1406_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR813FsDzo2t_RitOw-Bx8DFKjSU6te5-zeXu0qAkFhZHzgyjzZ8HLxsJUpDqVB-vODGfX_dphKJNlIPmCbZtwBQ9cbO3GkXYlLlT1C8WN2rSx67ZjF423brhCxam9vB4NGqZ04fVyHKE/s320/IMG_1406_edited-1.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60G4OPHmtlN0QjMrSNhScht_XoPLAhGhULFGa6jyN3CMLQPvy3xyfdX7hXjPxj1k5PTG8Lh81cOMKUgznuNOmfpuBbqbWbM5woQEN5FaIWTzHDsQRdwi11mMwsD0d9gzHMAmfpQeiBWw/s1600/IMG_1403_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60G4OPHmtlN0QjMrSNhScht_XoPLAhGhULFGa6jyN3CMLQPvy3xyfdX7hXjPxj1k5PTG8Lh81cOMKUgznuNOmfpuBbqbWbM5woQEN5FaIWTzHDsQRdwi11mMwsD0d9gzHMAmfpQeiBWw/s320/IMG_1403_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PS (Thursday 02.00hrs) The latest update from Spain is that it all began to go pear shaped when it was apparent from surfing the web that no Sleasy Jet, or much else for that matter, was taking off from Gatwick first thing Wednesday morning. Hence our aeroplane wouldn't be coming to Spain to collect us. Flight cancellation confirmed on check-in at Alicante and no seats (on EasyJet) to Gatwick available until 9th Dec!!! Returned to Laderas del Sol with Lyn and Graham to trawl internet for replacement flights asap and now finally booked on Iberia out of Alicante on Thursday lunchtime for flight to Heathrow via Madrid at a cost of £1000+ notes. (Other cheaper options included Flybe to Soton on 6th but the concensus overruled despite my protestations to stay put either at Torrevieja or Albox, and avoid heading back to some remote location and into ever more deteriorating weather conditions before tackling the even more daunting task of negotiating the UK traffic mayhem) What we are heading back into heaven only knows according to the ongoing reports of heavier snow falls and the inevitable travel disruption and chaos in the UK as usaul under these conditions!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Onwards and upwards into the valley of ...........as I don't have sufficient of my chemo to last out for a few days here in the sunshine and seeing what develops; even if things at home do get worse. But there again I came off Xeloda for a week or so not long ago to get some side effects under control so I am sure a quick call to the team in UK would have sanctioned a short 'holiday' under the circumstances........What a shame never mind............ and as usual when the well meaning cogniscenti get their heads togther I am considered uninformed and incapable of planning and decision making with an opion that counts for nowt! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Admittedly a bad decision on my part regarding this trip was not advising my travel insurance company of my change in circumstances, viz-a-viz the cancer, prior to embarking on what, after all, was only going to be 'just a quick trouble free breakaway in the EU armed with only my EHIC'. So the likelyhood of any compensation for the additional expenses incurred are probably fairly remote. So my advice to anyone else in the same boat is use common sense: After all, like it or loathe it, it's what we pay insurance premiums for and the ground rules are explicit.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the bonus side it has meant an extra day, December 1st, in now once again sunny Spain (after two days of rain and cloud) and, once the re-arranged travel was sorted, we enjoyed the benefits with a relaxing lunch at Villa Martin and a trip to the seaside at La Horadada:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTaMWKrDAAfITT4e_1yov2m1jtlyJm1I_9-14O4S6hsX2fStQn9f3Qh_XEAfa_dMxS6WzsrLJ9EjWKzLT5YxfHwstzf8VPgOnJL62I1IBGjMrEV3aKDT_Xhq7M_nbtekv6-O15tB2bCQ/s1600/IMG_1496_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTaMWKrDAAfITT4e_1yov2m1jtlyJm1I_9-14O4S6hsX2fStQn9f3Qh_XEAfa_dMxS6WzsrLJ9EjWKzLT5YxfHwstzf8VPgOnJL62I1IBGjMrEV3aKDT_Xhq7M_nbtekv6-O15tB2bCQ/s320/IMG_1496_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kHj25cZfSDFUVI9vwvwNUAZvdeVglyfPY6_krvobj81Drb7h_dved9cm0DtobzVmwJC-PRgm917du6BkSKVsTe-_uvN0JeyVw6rharYkz660rpiY-jKH0qGX2RLGZr_gVmv-fgJXBLU/s1600/IMG_1461_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kHj25cZfSDFUVI9vwvwNUAZvdeVglyfPY6_krvobj81Drb7h_dved9cm0DtobzVmwJC-PRgm917du6BkSKVsTe-_uvN0JeyVw6rharYkz660rpiY-jKH0qGX2RLGZr_gVmv-fgJXBLU/s320/IMG_1461_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7RWTHNpCa3BVQ0QvOMib4-3jVwbZuBY3bBwKuCxY2hmxPafG6rK6IT15QuUiYftS5qaOfuy8E-JNDFyGVaY8Pzd-xNRjy_N0bXPL_cSnPom0HKwzikBsEhVnqvLFmWDrbNKUZcfnWwE/s1600/IMG_1458_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7RWTHNpCa3BVQ0QvOMib4-3jVwbZuBY3bBwKuCxY2hmxPafG6rK6IT15QuUiYftS5qaOfuy8E-JNDFyGVaY8Pzd-xNRjy_N0bXPL_cSnPom0HKwzikBsEhVnqvLFmWDrbNKUZcfnWwE/s640/IMG_1458_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The idea of a quick evening dip in the pool on returning to Laderas del Sol was just a bridge too far!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In keeping with the continuing pattern of sleepless nights I sit here in the middle of the night contemplating tommorrow's rescheduled journey home and wish to thank everyone here and back in the UK for their invaluable help and support, without which this much needed breakaway would not have been possible. Special thanks to Gary for house and dog sitting whilst drinking my best wine, to Caroline for keeping Chaka company and well exercised on daily walks, to Pete and Paula, who, without any prompting, immediately rallied to rescue us from whatever remote outstation we find ourselves transported to on arrival back in blighty tomorrow, and to Dave Lavelle for voluntarily being on standby cavalry duties. It goes without saying how much we appreciate the unstinting hospitality of our hosts here in Spain, Lyn and Graham and in particular for ferrying us all the way to Albox so that we could enjoy an evening with Shiela, Emma, Adz, Roxy and Alfie.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">The First Farewell!</span></b></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><br />
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<iframe class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vLBKOcUbHR0?hd=1" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="480"></iframe>cybershothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03824945565039748795noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024961201771676349.post-40329804740559107152010-11-26T10:55:00.020+00:002011-10-20T16:17:33.468+01:00I`m off to sunny Spain<iframe class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hxWpqLw8RYg?hd=1" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="425"></iframe><br />
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<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well judging from all accounts it's more likely to be the warm rain on the plain than wall to wall sunshine, but hey who cares it's bound to be a more pleasant location to recover from Wednesday's bout of chemo. And Torrevieja, where our friends Lyn and Graham live, tends to have it's own micro climate anyway. Just hope the snow forecast here for this weekend doesn't hit Gatwick before we leave early on Sunday morning. Planning to return on Wednesday afternoon but with any luck well be bound in by the UK weather by then!</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am bouncing back quite well from this cycle of chemo although there were a few minor hiccoughs along the way and finding a serviceable vein remaining in my left arm meant resorting to the right after two aborted failures. Once again I refrained from the 1 off high dose of anti-emetic and steroid so the bowel balancing act is becoming easier to juggle. Though the colder weather is making me highly susceptible to peripheral neuropathy symptoms and the first night I had pins and needles in my toes all the way through. Every thing else except the pain between my shoulder blades, which seems to be baffling everybody, is making waking an experience akin to having spent the night at the base of an All Black ruck. Interestingly it may not be as I thought associated with the spinal metastasic hot spot but is acknowledged to be a symptom of the main OC tumour:</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"SYMPTOMS OF OESOPHAGEAL CANCER INCLUDE:</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* acid reflux (symptoms of acid reflux itself include heartburn, pain in chest / feeling sick / bloating / belching / pain when drinking hot drinks).</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* difficulty in swallowing and even regurgitation of food a few mins after swallowing</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* unexplained weight loss</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* pain in the form of pressure, or a burning sensation, as the food goes down the oesophagus</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* hoarseness or a chronic cough</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* vomiting</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* <u style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>pain between the shoulder blades"</i></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A relief in some ways to now know this but upsetting in others; as I have been aware of such low key nagging pains in this area for a good many years but didn't pay it much attention putting it down to wear and tear or referred pain from all the throw overs from my days of abusing my body on the rugby field for 20 years: How much sooner could they have caught the coming of Goliath had I reacted differently????</span><b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Never the less all is well in my world at present despite having it re-affirmed at a clinic on Tuesday with research team that in my case the non-operable status is highly unlikely to change no matter how well I am doing and how postive the results of the forthcoming CT scan on 8th Dec show up. So palliative treatment continues either in the form of the current Real 3 trial, which will not necessarily be taken to its max 8 cycles if the balance of its effectiveness and usefulness is not matched by the current quality of life its providing me just now. The side effects may become cumulative and less tolerable and although Goliath seems to have temporarily surrendered (apart from increased pain between my shoulder blades*) it is inevitable that there will be a resurgence later on which will be closely monitored and treated as best possible. On this score I am told that once recovered from the current trial there is every possiblity that new trials at The Royal Marsden are in the offing for which I may meet the criteria: Let's hope so!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the meantime recovery from cycle 4 proceeds with less effort this time round apart from combating the lower temperatures and the increasing back pain. Anne, my visiting chiropodist pampered my feet and now if we can race the snow to Gatwick and hop on the plane to Spain before we are all grounded life will be so much more pleasant for a few days.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKW7QsASP8hgN-AHee0pWTj9TVrFL0z6OoPQ8NHROXnzfeLXoeGeacMe88wGxFZBZIOHl3wYcM6M24yW_NRPrvZD7yvoNh8xN-uA_hgXShLM3E_xxIh2wWNAUYnstneEpSZwgOpUz_oYM/s1600/IMG_1339_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKW7QsASP8hgN-AHee0pWTj9TVrFL0z6OoPQ8NHROXnzfeLXoeGeacMe88wGxFZBZIOHl3wYcM6M24yW_NRPrvZD7yvoNh8xN-uA_hgXShLM3E_xxIh2wWNAUYnstneEpSZwgOpUz_oYM/s200/IMG_1339_edited-1.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvgZPslfTk3lmcTBfX6jek9r18rTajl1aHeFDSkFHtNBVHoup4UD6dHQO4XikmIF5lwwkMYmf4-bYKfZjo5Lat0gMzij21YGgv1GcyQsOdPjniXb3m19LrkTfW_q5hDto_3q9fR31UF4/s1600/IMG_1313_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvgZPslfTk3lmcTBfX6jek9r18rTajl1aHeFDSkFHtNBVHoup4UD6dHQO4XikmIF5lwwkMYmf4-bYKfZjo5Lat0gMzij21YGgv1GcyQsOdPjniXb3m19LrkTfW_q5hDto_3q9fR31UF4/s200/IMG_1313_edited-1.jpg" width="160" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a tingly outing in the cold with Bob and James of Mutts & Moggies and managed a few shots of their canine charges including a big old bruiser of a boxer called Lenny who came to blows with Chaka after forcing him into retaliation. the encounter with old Jasper was much more sedate.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99iGtiJMFFxDpGMQd7dalZ911AdB9lm4HSMR15BU8cT__bhSdtmx_6NnmGRX1m92auw83sSm6_HLGRxkh8dIcGlC67Xdn3E-ES5bfmpRGrgDkcIBpb4TVov6VhETAazlRl3hZ9spH04M/s1600/IMG_1328_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99iGtiJMFFxDpGMQd7dalZ911AdB9lm4HSMR15BU8cT__bhSdtmx_6NnmGRX1m92auw83sSm6_HLGRxkh8dIcGlC67Xdn3E-ES5bfmpRGrgDkcIBpb4TVov6VhETAazlRl3hZ9spH04M/s200/IMG_1328_edited-1.jpg" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Jasper and Chaka</span></b></i></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VFuEP2SyfWziN7QzaiHeDmHqoIVv8xtqOXM-a4r0qaE4K8IBZgKFaWaw5_QPiIsJQWsW-MRMSntTi4gFFTNjBXsQoCKFlCoaiXErm9XZ1BkfAoLe1DxD9T9XkqJHVL4GGH4g0EhTXy8/s1600/IMG_1349_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VFuEP2SyfWziN7QzaiHeDmHqoIVv8xtqOXM-a4r0qaE4K8IBZgKFaWaw5_QPiIsJQWsW-MRMSntTi4gFFTNjBXsQoCKFlCoaiXErm9XZ1BkfAoLe1DxD9T9XkqJHVL4GGH4g0EhTXy8/s200/IMG_1349_edited-1.jpg" width="160" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUM6EKgUqGxEzgmODYYPBLBc38w-mL_CoHw-dWD0xJbEsOf2hlO7DfhEEK7uSdTwXO-RksBb3836qAY3i3mUidW_idHg5cgOvC9rfBuXkWWZXdgD1s5bX_VJF9ajPzN4nQ1YPaRV2tmjw/s1600/IMG_1357_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUM6EKgUqGxEzgmODYYPBLBc38w-mL_CoHw-dWD0xJbEsOf2hlO7DfhEEK7uSdTwXO-RksBb3836qAY3i3mUidW_idHg5cgOvC9rfBuXkWWZXdgD1s5bX_VJF9ajPzN4nQ1YPaRV2tmjw/s200/IMG_1357_edited-1.jpg" width="160" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PS (Sunday afternoon) - Just to let you know after leaving Yateley earlier today at 03.30 in temperatures of -5 degrees we had a trouble free journey out to Torrevieja and we our now enjoying a can of San Miguel and a glass of white Rioja on the sunbathed veranda of Lyn and Graham's villa </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>cybershothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03824945565039748795noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024961201771676349.post-62101500289557348082010-11-23T04:00:00.024+00:002011-10-20T16:19:22.125+01:00Sit (uation) Rep (ort)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsm4SAzBbLH0_EhLaxCIi1o_VTyZLSKuwkBizAMgkWiM0WOeevk2XKxWmLJ095Sm3tlVfh5obS5d4LRPtUPjHFF8UkPHGiWSBEiQxGI-wAdjQJUNFkMvR5wIK_msdRiRWjvCygC2DC5U/s1600/IMG_1280a_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsm4SAzBbLH0_EhLaxCIi1o_VTyZLSKuwkBizAMgkWiM0WOeevk2XKxWmLJ095Sm3tlVfh5obS5d4LRPtUPjHFF8UkPHGiWSBEiQxGI-wAdjQJUNFkMvR5wIK_msdRiRWjvCygC2DC5U/s640/IMG_1280a_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes folks it's that dreaded hour: 04.00 when spirits are at their lowest ebb, but I must tell you how I am feeling. </div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><strong>"I would rather have a rose from a garden of a friend<br />
than to have the choicest flowers when my stay on earth must end.<br />
<br />
I would rather have one single word of kindness said to me<br />
than flattery around my grave when life has ceased to be.<br />
<br />
So bring to me one flower, be it pink or white or red.<br />
<br />
For I would rather have one bloom today<br />
than a truck load when I am dead!"</strong></i></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time is flying by so fast and it's hard to believe that my 3 weekly cycle of chemo is due again on Wednesday; just as life was panning out in the now familiar pattern of being on an even keel following a couple of weeks recuperation. We have decided to visit friends in Torrevieja, Spain for a few days after the infusion as being in the winter sunshine whilst suffering is better than hanging around the UK waiting for the snow to arrive!</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a CT scan to look forward to on 8th December but I reckon the measurements of the relevant tumours are at least going to reflect how efficacious this course of chemo on the Real 3 trial is proving to be. I am feeling fitter, save for a few irritating side effects, than I have done in many a year and, allowing for the euphoria of a chemically induced high, I have plans, subject to my daughters guidance as a professional personal trainer, to complete a Sprint Triathlon event (a shortened version of the full course) at Dorney next year. So start saving your pennies in aid of sponsorship for The Fountain Centre at St Luke's, Guildford as I will be coming round shaking a collection bucket in the form of an online donation if successful. I have the added pleasure of attending the official opening of the refurbished Fountain Suite and sharing a sherry (me with a schooner rather than a pint...heaven forbid) and possibly a few words with Annabel Croft, the patron of the charity: It's a tough call guys, but I guess if I am forced to drink sherry, then a glimpse of her luscious locks and lovely long legs will be just reward! </div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's not all plain sailing at the moment as first and foremost Geraldine seems to be finding it harder and harder to deal with the situation and I am somewhat at loss to know what to do for the best: It would appear that my determination to stay positive and fully involved with life as it presents itself on a day to day basis is causing her concern, insecurity and feelings of worthlessness. Though unable to express her feelings openly, in fear, I suspect, of dampening my endeavours, it is plainly obvious that she is finding this journey even more arduous than I am: Something I feared from the outset and hoped, in avoiding such circumstances, to prioritise as a main objective. The curse is that if I don't feed off the support that my involvement outside the home is providing then I might succumb to feelings of defeat. Finding the balance to give Geraldine the same attention and support that she so richly deserves and not taking too much for granted, is proving difficult whilst her coping technique is to bury her head in the sand and make herself miserable and fatigued trying to hold down a full time, stressful job as well as having no respite at home. I try and reward all her efforts on my behalf as best as I know how but sadly it seems I am falling way short of the target, especially when my frustration gets the better of me and she is innocently in the direct line of fire. As she so succinctly points out; there is no 'user manual' available to us, and all my encouragement to seek help from the various, willing and dispassionate array of outside resources falls on stony ground as far as I know.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The other error looming large in my mind, contrary to all the lessons learned about not focusing on second guessing the route ahead, is centered on the outcome of the forthcoming scan results and the very remote possibility that the equation has inherited the 'Op' factor: I am conscious of the number of cases that when all was seemingly stable, as I feel it is in my circumstances, that surgery has in fact opened up a whole can of worms not anticipated by those involved. I do trust my care team implicitly and must be guided by their knowledge and experience, but when it comes down to it cancer still bears too many unknowns for my liking especially when Goliath and his too numerous minions have been quietly and unnervingly, away for some time at an Al Qaeda training camp preparing for another onslaught.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally the pain between my shoulder blades, though not confirmed as associated with the spinal metastases in the 7th vertebra, is now giving cause for concern: Woke up this morning feeling like I had been in ruck against the All Blacks. Not, I hasten to add, for the first time in a long history of similar symptoms. </div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Nuff said! </div><br />
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<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To reiterate I can't believe how quickly these cycles of 3 weeks are flying past. After this next (4th) bout of chemo later today I am booked in for a CT scan (8th Dec) to determine the progress and what effect the trial is having on the various tumours.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The gist from discussion at clinic yesterday with Dr Masoor and Sarah Oakes was that it is still highly unlikely that an 'Op' will ever be in the offing. There are several options available with the objective of giving me as much time as possible with the optimum quality of life: They will not necessarily keep me on Real 3 to the bitter end (6 months max/8 cycles) if the balance between effectiveness/data collection and the ever cumulative severity of the side effects is not favourable. All being well they may just monitor me until the inevitable resurgence kicks in sometime in the future or they may even decide that there are other new trials (namely at the Royal Marsden) for which I may meet the criteria.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No doubt all will be revealed at my forthcoming appointment with my oncologist running this trial around the time of my pre- Christmas infusion</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.wildabouttheworld.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif" title="Wink" /><img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.wildabouttheworld.com/forum/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif" title="Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)" /><img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.wildabouttheworld.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" title="Big Grin" /></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></b></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Deck the halls with tubes and trolley, </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fa la la la la, la la la la. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tis the season to be jolly, </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fa la la la la, la la la la."</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still feeling incredibly fit and out and about with various fungi friends and dog walkers, whose support is invaluable, and having some rare successes, but way, way behind with the updating, reporting, photo editing and contacting cyber mates at MacMillan and on Cancer Research UK forum. My apologies to one and all.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love and light to one and all</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">David [[[XXX]]]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PS I received a lovely home grown bloom from Rania my friend in Athens for which I am eternally grateful:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgda_xsSuCFEZBDmd_ukA9MDR9U226SkZaeOD-MdmcZ6v7nECCHYr8unVfa4HX8l5K8Viw2xzcuL0kUOlNT10Z_ilK1KduUaoTX4RTe46KSHbKeEjg_teV1LgQZscPG_42DUCdqrZOEXZs/s1600/DSC03633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgda_xsSuCFEZBDmd_ukA9MDR9U226SkZaeOD-MdmcZ6v7nECCHYr8unVfa4HX8l5K8Viw2xzcuL0kUOlNT10Z_ilK1KduUaoTX4RTe46KSHbKeEjg_teV1LgQZscPG_42DUCdqrZOEXZs/s400/DSC03633.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">The Red Rose of Athens</span></b></i></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"></span></b>cybershothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03824945565039748795noreply@blogger.com6