Saturday 24th March 2007

First I have to start with apologies for taking so long to update the blog. Jane had an x-ray a few days ago to check out some concerns about her lungs (she often feels really breathless). We were concerned and didn't want to write anything here before we knew what we were dealing with. Jane's GP phoned earlier this week to tell us that the x-rays didn't show up any major problems and the breathlessness is probably another side-effect of the radiotherapy. That's not exactly good news but it is the least-worst news we could hope for at the moment.

Jane has had another busy week. We were out for dinner on Tuesday and we had guests (Jenny and Ken from Aberdeen) for three nights. Leo came home from college on Friday night and Lydia is here on Sunday with "her Jim" to celebrate both their 21st birthdays.

Thanks to you all for continuing messages, cards, prayers and good wishes. Special thanks this week to Claire in NZ for great photos of Chris and Caro's wedding and to Jenny and Ken for a non-stick saucepan - scrambled eggs will be an easier option in the future!!!

Jane's tests are at the end of next week - we'll keep you all posted.

Tuesday 13th March 2007

I am getting later and later posting blogs but this time for a good reason because I was waiting for the latest pictures of Jane's activities. We went to Kent on Friday stopping three times en route; lunch with Shirley Clark, a brief shopping foray in Dorking to support Jane's quilting activities and a visit to Lynda Kokoulis in Whitstable.

On Saturday we were at a birthday party to celebrate Tess and Theo reaching their first birthdays - and although Cherry sent me the photos I lack the technical know-how to get them onto the blog. So, it's another from the archive taken in Port Mahon rather than delay the process longer! On Sunday morning Jane managed a walk by the sea from Dumpton Gap to Broadstairs and then up the cliff for a coffee at Morellis (wonderful, unspoiled sixties' cafe with really good coffee). We then went on for lunch to celebrate Kay and Bill's 57th wedding anniversary - many congratulations again to them!

We made our way home on Sunday afternoon after watching England beat France (thank you for your patience, Jonathan!). All in all, it was a busy weekend - Jane did really well and had 2 consecutive nights out of her own bed!

In about one hour we are off to collect Lydia from Heathrow at the end of her New York adventure. Jane feels up to a Salisbury - Heathrow - Guildford - Salisbury round trip so that can't be bad.

Our love to you all.

Monday 5th March 2007

To borrow a phrase from Garrison Keillor, "it has been a quiet week in Lake Wobegon". Hence no posting of blog until today. Jane has been doing pretty well including another night away from home with John and Shirley Clark last Wednesday whilst I went to London for a "round table" on Darfur led by Crisis Action (pretty depressing). On Saturday we walked in the park on a beautiful sunny morning for what must have been almost three quarters of a mile. And on Sunday we attended church at St Paul's followed by lunch in a local pub with Sally and Andrew Gregory - Jane even wolfed down some dessert!! So, there has been some really positive stuff. Today we were up at the hospital for Jane's monthly intravenous dose of Pimudranate (spelling?) which is supposed to strengthen her bones. Sister Claire found a vein first time (second only to Roy with a needle) so it all went pretty smoothly. Less welcome news during the visit was that the tumour marker count in Jane's blood went up again between mid January and early February. There's something to pray about.

Looking forward to more positive events, Lydia returns from New York in 8 days' time and Leo is home three days later.

Well, I think that is about all for now except to thank you all for the continuing prayers, kind words, flowers and letters that we continue to receive almost daily.