June 21st

It feels like we've done nothing but eat for the last few days!! We had a BBQ with Ashley, lunch with Ann & Alan, dinner with Betty & Maurice and dinner with George & Jasmine :) It has been such a lovely time catching up with everybody and we've really enjoyed it... Only problem is I'm already bloated from all the steroids so all this eating means I'll have to go on a diet just to fit into my clothes!!

We're really looking forward to going away to Scotland with friends this weekend - we had planned a holiday quite a while ago but weren't sure if we could go (or how I'd feel after treatment) but I spoke to the consultant yesterday and he was happy for me to travel :)

So we're heading off first thing tomorrow morning for a 6 -7 hour drive to Edingburgh, planning to see Mez & Miriam & the girls tomorrow and then go on to Aviemore on Saturday (2-3 hours further) to meet up with Steve & Ruth and spend the week with them. We LOVE Scotland nad can't wait to go...Dave will have to do all the driving though so I really feel for him :(

June 19th

We had a fabulous weekend and it's been so good to get away and forget about everything for a few days :)

We went down to Windsor on Friday evening and had a great time with my Aunt & Uncle - we went for walks along the Thames, walked in Windsor Great Park & Virginia Waters, enjoyed the lovely weather, enjoyed catching up with them - and tasting my Aunt's amazing cooking :)

Weeks ago we had booked to stay in Reading in a lovely hotel by the lake so we went from Windsor to Reading on Sunday and then spent the day in Henley on Thames yesterday. The weather was beautiful and we spent the day walking along the river, enjoying the sunshine and watching people train and set up for the Regatta next week.

Healthwise, I've been feeling much better the last few days. I have been tired from the chemotherapy but that means that I've been sleeping much better too.

June 15th

Once again I am blown away by the kindness & generosity of friends. Thank you SO much to the amazing IT team at work in Cork for the Amazon voucher you sent me....it was so kind and thoughtful of you and will keep me going in kindle books for months :) Thank you!!

I have been feeling ok since Monday's chemo - not 100% but I have been eating well and haven't needed any sickness medications. We've been trying to recover from the events of last week - it was such a shock for everyone there and it's still hard having confidence that it won't happen again but it gets easier as time goes on and as each day passes. We have a meeting with the local health care nurse this afternoon to double check all the medications and then we're looking forward to getting away for the weekend and trying to forget all about it!!

My Aunt & Uncle are over from Cork for a few days so we're going down to Windsor to see them for a couple of days and we're really looking forward to seeing them and spending some time with them!!

June 12th

Sharon back on duty tonight at last after quite a frightening few days :(

Thankfully I don't remember that much of what went on but I am so sorry for everyone else who had to go through it. It's been so amazing to have so much support and we're so thankful that Ashley & Nicky were with us on Thursday night. The hospital staff in Swindon were fantastic and the staff at the Cromwell in London were on the phone to Dave in the evenings, weekend and anytime we needed them. Thank You so much to Ashley, Nicky, Marilyn, Andrea and especially Dave who has been a huge support and hasn't left my side since then :)

I'm feeling much better now but it has knocked my confidence a little and, although I am on two types of medication now, I still wonder if it will happen again. They are planning to reduce the steroids a lot more slowly this time to make sure the swelling has gone down.

The chemotherapy went well yesterday and I haven't had an side effects so far, which is really good news. They say it may hit in the first few days or about 7 days later but it shouldn't be as severe as the last chemo I went through.

Thank you SO much to everyone who has been sending blog messages, texts, emails, calling and praying for us....we are so encouraged by all your love and support and apologies that we haven't got to reply to everyone yet.

Thank you SO much to Munster Christian Camps who sent a fabulous fruit hamper today - it was SO thoughtful of you and we truly appreciate all your prayers :)

June 11th

Very quick update before we both fall asleep.

Chemo went ahead today as the medical staff were satisfied it was safe to go ahead despite all of the recent activities. Sharon is coping really well and no side effects so far.

Thank You to my sister, Andrea, who willingly left Swindon at 5.30am this morning to come with us.

June 10th

Dave again....

Sharon had a decent sleep by her standards last night but really started to notice the fact that all her muscles are now really aching following the seizures. However, in the grand scheme of things, this is a minor issue and we are just so thankful that there have been no further incidents since Thursday evening.

She continues to remember more things about the past few days (obviously not Thursday night).

Our plan right now is (pending how she feels), to head to the Royal Marsden hospital in London tomorrow morning as she is due to start another chemo treatment. However, whether this will happen given the events of the past 72 hours, we are unsure but hopefully can discuss.

Sounding like a broken record, thanks again for all the messages of love and especially for all the praying that has been going on. We have no doubt that God has had His arms around us.

June 9th

Blog writing has been delegated again tonight :-)

Latest news is that Sharon was released from hospital late this afternoon and is now home. She looks much better today and continues to improve in the right direction.

Both really tired right now, so signing off to head for an early night.

June 8th

Dave here standing in for Sharon.

Unfortunately, Sharon was admitted to the local hospital in Swindon last night after suffering a number of fits. This is widely accepted as a side effect of the swelling in the brain after the gamma knife procedure last week. The plan now is to increase the dosage of steroids to target a reduction in swelling and thus reduce pressure on the brain.

Thankfully Sharon has been clear of further fits since around midnight last night but is still getting back up to full speed in terms of normal functionality. She is however dealing with this in an amazing way. It was quite a scare for all of us.

We have lots of people to thank, but one person we are indebted to. Nicky (& Ash) were with us last night when Sharon was taken ill. Nicky was absolutely amazing in controlling the situation of someone having a fit, and cared for Sharon in the most incredible way. If she had not been with us, I shudder to think how we would have dealt with it. Thank You so much Nicky!

Thank You too especially for all the messages of love we have received today. In the midst of a rough situation, we have been subjected to an amazing display of love from family and friends across the world.

June 3rd

We spent the day today at a Diamond Jubilee street party! The whole street was closed off for the day and all the neighbors came out, brought their tables and chairs out, baked food for each other to share and had an amazing day out on the streets. Our Indian friends next door brought out 300 samosas for the whole street to share!!

They had bands playing all day until 11pm and was so well organised. It did rain quite a bit after lunch so people were running in and out from the rain but it was an amazing atmosphere and so good to see everyone in the street coming together for the day :)

June 1st

We were back to London again yesterday - this time to see the oncologist.  As the oral chemotherapy I have been having over the last 3 months hasn't had an effect on my lungs, he is planning to start me on a new course of chemotherapy but he is very hopeful that this will be more effective, given the type of cancer that I have.  I'll start my first session on the 11th & go in  every 3 weeks.  Hopefully we have 10 days off from travelling to London now so we can enjoy the next week off!  


I'm still continuing to feel well after the Gamma Knife - they are working on reducing the steroids I'm taking day by day over the next few weeks and thankfully my headaches have stayed away.  All going well, I'll go back to see the consultant at the start of July for a MRI & check up to see the affects of the radiotherapy.  Can't wait to finish steroids so I can sleep again!  I wake any time from 2:30am and could be awake for the rest of the night!  I would never survive without my trusty kindle!!