April 21st

We are really looking forward to spending time with family & friends in Cork this Easter :)

Dave has been able to take 3 days off work next week so we can make the most of the two bank holiday weekends and have 10 days off together. We're travelling over by overnight ferry this evening and coming back on May 2nd. It's been a busy couple of days packing and getting everything together...but almost there now and ready to set off :)

Wishing you all a very Happy Easter!

April 19th

Thank you so much to Ann (Avery) who called round yesterday with a beautiful bunch of daffodils from their allotment. They're all starting to bloom already, Ann, and as you can see they look amazing!!

Yesterday I drove again for the first time since surgery! I only took a short journey and although it was great to be behind the wheel again, I did feel stiff afterwards so I know I'm not ready to drive very far for quite a while :(

It was lovely to see Ann (Phelps) for lunch yesterday and have a proper catch up :) And this afternoon Nicky took me out to Cirencester for lunch and a walk around the shops...it's been really nice to get out and enjoy this amazing sunshine! Although all these lovely lunches & coffees are not so great for my waistline!!

April 17th

The last few days I've been taking my husband's advice and doing nothing!! I've mainly been resting, reading and watching tv. My blood pressure is still low but apart from that I'm feeling well.

I have got out for a couple of walks though and last night Ashley & Nicky took us out to a fabulous restaurant in the countryside for an amazing meal :) Thank you so much for a really lovely evening Ashley & Nicky!

April 14th

Today, I said goodbye to Charis who has just arrived back in Dublin. Thank You so much Charis for coming to see me :-) It's been amazing having you around and look forward to seeing you again really soon.

This evening, Dave & I met up with Alasdair who is down all the way from Lossiemouth in Scotland, working in Swindon for a few days. We enjoyed catching up with him and talking about all that's been going on in each others lives since we last met up. Thank You Alasdair for finding the time to to see us.

Healthwise, I continue to feel well, but think I may have a very relaxing day tomorrow to ensure that my batteries continue to charge :-) It's very easy to want to push myself more and more given that I feel well, but my husband is reigning me in to ensure that I behave myself.

April 13th

Charis has come over to from Dublin to visit me for a couple of days and it has been really good to spend time with her & catch up :) Today she took me out to a really pretty medieval village called Lacock where they have filmed a lot of period movies like Pride & Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Moll Flanders & several of the Harry Potter films.

I also had a really nice treat yesterday when Nicky brought me out for a Starbucks for the afternoon. It's great to get out and about a bit more now that I've got more energy but I still haven't started to drive - that will be the next step when I feel ready for it.

April 10th

We've been enjoying the fabulous weather this weekend - sitting in the garden, reading, dining al fresco, BBQs and getting out for a couple for walks. It's amazing the difference the sunshine & fine weather makes :)

I saw the GP on Friday and she prescribed me with iron tablets but apart from that she was very happy with how the wounds are healing. I have all my dressings fully removed now and they're healing up really well.

It was really great to catch up with Steve & Ruth on Friday evening for a lovely dinner - thank you Ruth :)

April 7th

The weather has been beautiful the last two day so I have just been sitting in the garden, relaxing, reading & enjoying the sunshine :) We had our second BBQ of the year yesterday & didn't need scarves & gloves this time! It even reached 21 degrees today so it really feels like Summer is here early.

I have been less sore & stiff the last few days and I have more & more movement every day so it's really great to see progress.

Thank you SO much to everyone at Midleton Evangelical Church for the beautiful flower arrangement you sent yesterday - it was so kind of you. We so value all your support and prayers for us over the past few weeks & we hope to see you all soon.

April 5th - part 2!

Wow! What an amazing day! It is such a huge relief to hear that I don't need any further treatment :) The oncologist is happy that the tumour was isolated and has been fully removed and the scans have shown that it hasn't spread anywhere else, so there is no need for any more chemotherapy. I don't think it has fully sunk in yet but we are so grateful for this news and extremely relieved that we have overcome another huge hurdle!

Now I just need to concentrate on recovering from the surgery and gradually getting back to full health. I also saw the surgeon today and he was very happy with my progress. He removed some fluid from my back and was happy that the swelling is starting to settle down.

Thank you all for your amazing support - for the lovely comments you have left on the blog already today and for all the many supportive texts we both received during the day - it means so much to us :)

April 5th

Sharon has just seen the oncologist and phoned me from London to tell me some very GOOD news! She does NOT require any more chemo right now, and they are happy with her progress. She will be monitored etc, but everyone is happy with her current condition. Especially her husband! :-)

Thank You for everyone who has been praying today.... Sharon will update you herself later.

April 4th

Tomorrow is a really big day - I'm going to London to see the oncologist and find out whether they want to do any further treatment. I'm really praying that I don't need any more chemo but will need to trust the doctor's opinion either way.

I will also see the surgeon to check my wound and remove some fluid from my back, where the muscle was taken from. Marilyn is going to come with me but it will be quite a long day by the time we get there and back.

April 3rd

It's been so good to have Dave home this weekend :) He decided that yesterday was the perfect day for the first BBQ of the year! It was sunny but not overly warm (I think he thought he was still in Morocco).. but we really enjoyed it and it was great to have Colin over to join us too! After the barbie we had hot chocolate (to warm up) & watched a great movie.

Wishing all the Mum's a very Happy Mother's Day today - you do an incredible job!! And a really special Happy Mother's Day to Cherie who has just become a Mum for the 3rd time this week - Congratulations!! And to Peta, Nicola, Cora & Danielle who are having their first ever Mother's Day this year :)

April 1st

Esther came to visit this afternoon & brought some fabulous cup cakes she made - they are delicious :) Thank you so much Esther - it was so good to see you!

I'm so looking forward to my husband coming home this evening :) Hopefully he'll be here in a couple of hours.... it seems like he's been away for ages but I'm very grateful to everyone who has come round to visit and to take me out for coffee - it's been really lovely and has definitely helped to pass the time more quickly.

Thank you to Nicky who took me out for a Starbucks yesterday :) And thank you to Marilyn & Andrea who have been looking after me and making sure I'm not doing too much!

Healthwise, I've been doing ok but a bit more stiff & sore than I have been, possibly because the numbness us disappearing after the surgery & I'm feeling it a little bit more.