Saturday 28th August

Tomorrow we shall celebrate our 29th wedding anniversary - we're just not sure how yet! Yesterday we went to see a consultant at the orthopaedic department. To be honest, we were not sure why he had asked to see Jane and her oncologist was equally mystified. During the course of our brief meeting he casually referred to the fact that Jane had fractured her spine some months ago (!!!) and then proceeded to show us the scan showing how it had affected the middle of her back - no wonder she was in pain. We both remember a small sort of whiplash event when we were driving down to Kent back in April and so we think that must have been it. However, a little good news at the conclusion of the meeting - no need for further treatment to Jane's spine at this stage.

You are all still sending cards, messages, emails for which we are very grateful - of course, we would ask you to continue to pray for Jane.

The picture was taken in Prague (a previous wedding anniversary trip)

God bless you all.

Thursday 26th August

Well, we made it to see the oncologist today. The number of tumours in Jane's liver has increased and she also has a few small nodules in one lung. We agreed that Jane would start on a new (to her) form of chemo on 20 September - why the wait? Jane still doesn't feel brilliant from her stay in hospital and she is still taking antibiotics. She wants a couple of weeks to feel a bit more stable before taking more treatment.

The oncologist plans to start Jane on relatively low doses of chemo delivered once a week by infusion. She thinks that this will prevent Jane from losing her hair. If Jane has had enough at any stage she can stop the treatment. We all feel very strongly about preserving quality of life.

So, here we are again. Disappointing news about the growth of tumours but not really a huge surprise. There is some good news - Jane's pain really seems to be under control and she has regained her appetite. I think we'll try and get away for a day or two in the next week or so.

Thank you for your continuing prayers, love and support.

God bless you.

Monday 23rd August

It has been a difficult few days but Jane seems a lot better now. When she came out of hospital last Wednesday she didn't seem much better than when she went in. So much so, that I called her GP on Friday and she spent an hour with Jane on Saturday morning. Since then Jane has gradually perked up. She spent a little time downstairs yesterday and quite a lot of time down today. That said, we didn't make it to see the oncologist today and will try again on Thursday.

Some of Jane's symptoms are caused by the calcium leaving her bones and entering her bloodstream. And, of course, she has only just overcome a severe chest infection. So, may be we shouldn't be surprised that she has been so low. I suppose she has also got used to the security of hospital routine and coming out left her feeling rather insecure.

Well, there is not a lot else to tell. Lydia and Leo have both been here to spend time with her and quite a few friends have come by to say hello. If you do plan to pop in it's probably best to give us a call first - if Jane keeps improving we might just take off somewhere.

God bless you and thank you for all your prayers and good wishes

Wednesday 18th August

Lynn brought Jane home this afternoon at about 4pm. She is exhausted and so she and I haven't really had a chance to chat but I know she is happy to be home. We'll blog again but probably after seeing the oncologist next Monday.

God bless you

Tuesday 17th August

A very quick note to say that Jane no longer has the syringe driver and we hope she will be home tomorrow afternoon. We suspect she will now need more treatment but we will be able to say more after we see the oncologist next Monday.

God bless you for all your kindnesses to us both over this very long 10 days.

Monday 16th August

Jane seems pretty good. her ankles are swollen as a result of the steroids she is taking in order to ensure that her arm copes with the syringe driver. Every thing that fixes one thing seems to cause a problem elsewhere. She's still in isolation but is bright and hopes to be out on Wednesday. I think they want to take out the syringe driver tomorrow and then wait 24 hours to make sure everything is OK. We'll keep you posted.

Can't say enough how much we appreciate your support in all the forms it takes.

God bless you.

Sunday 15th August

Well, Jane has been diagnosed as having campilobacter and is currently in isolation -that means gloves and plastic aprons when we visit. She can have visitors but they just have to be aware of the risk and gown up. Sadly, Jane's mum and brother were half way to visit her and had to turn around and go back because of Jake's danger of picking up viruses.

Jane also has very swollen ankles at the moment - we're not sure why. Apart from all that she is in good spirits and seems quite well - ironic isn't it?

She has a lot of visitors that have done a lot for morale and I should say thank you too, to all those who ask about me (I'm fine). I know I can be taciturn and graceless - it's not intentional!

Thank you for your continuing prayers, best wishes, flowers, cards, messages and love.

God Bless you.

Friday 13th August

Jane will probably stay in hospital a bit longer - may be until Monday. She had a CT scan today and she still has a syringe driver in her arm. I think we are happy that discretion is the better part of valour and that she should stay until everyone is satisfied that she is good and ready to come out.

Jane had more visitors today - thank you so much for coming to see her, Shane, Sue, Sara and Lynn!

We also thank you all for more flowers, cards, gifts and, of course, your prayers.

God bless you.

Thursday 12th August

Jane is better still. We hope she may be able to come home on Saturday - excellent news! She has seen her oncologist, occupational therapist and physiotherapist. That's enough pists for now. Will write again tomorrow. Thank you to all visitors, callers, texters and, of course for your continuing prayers.

God bless you.

Wednesday 11th August 2010

Jane is further improved today. She managed a shower this morning and ate a little breakfast, lunch and dinner. She also enjoyed one of Lydia's famous brownies. A few visitors today as well. Naturally she is still very tired and a bit wobbly on her pins but there is definitely good progress.

Thank you all for continuing prayers, messages, cards etc. They are really appreciated.

God Bless you all.

Tuesday 10th August

Jane was moved down to the Pembroke (cancer) ward last night at about 10pm. She is now in a room on her own with en suite facilities and it is all much calmer and quieter. She is in expert hands and is feeling much better. She even ate a little solid food this evening - the first since Saturday evening.

She is still very tired and on an impressive regime of drugs but the docs have told us that the issue is an acute chest infection. There is no reason currently to believe there is anything more sinister going on.

Thank you so much to all of you for visits, cards, prayers and messages of hope and love. We both appreciate it greatly.

God bless you.

Monday 9th August (later)

Jane is still on Whiteparish. She had some x-rays this afternoon. She is very woozy because of all the drugs. Fortunately the ward seems to be quieter this evening. I hope that tomorrow she will be put on a more appropriate ward and we can start to get on top of the pain control issues and that her chest infection will start to clear. Thank you for all your prayers, calls and messages. God bless you.

Monday 9th August

Jane finally left home to go to hospital (via ambulance - my driving is so bad) at about 7.30pm last night. She was seen by a doctor at about 11pm. She has been on the 'Whiteparish Medical Assessment Unit' since last night. There are no beds in the hospice or on the Pembroke Cancer ward at the moment.

We generally have a fantastic service from the NHS but the Whiteparish experience has not been great. It wasn't that busy last night (at least to my untrained eye) but the doctor (very young) took ages to get to Jane and then didn't seem to understand what we were saying. In the end they put in a syringe driver for cyclizine (anti-sickness) early this morning but it had dud batteries. They replaced the batteries but then didn't release the clamp until this afternoon (aaaghh!). If Jane wasn't so woozy from other stuff they have pumped in she'd be beside herself. Some of the nurses and ancillaries are very pleasant and helpful but they lack experience on palliative care issues. Fortunately one of the nurses from the hospice has been up 2 or 3 times to give advice.

Rant over - good news; Dr Kirk visited from the hospice and made a fast analysis. I anticipate that Jane will see the oncologist later this afternoon and will then be moved to a more appropriate ward. First priority is to re-establish pain control and overcome nausea. Second, to determine underlying causes - if any other than the fever and chest infection already diagnosed.

Thank you all, very sincerely from both of us, for your love and prayers. Will blog again shortly.

God bless.

Sunday 8th August

Not a good day. Jane was sick first thing this morning and hasn't eaten all day. We called the emergency GP and he has advised that she goes into the hospital for the night and then to the hospice. She has a chest infection and quite a fever. As I type we are waiting for the ambulance to come - Jane doesn't feel up to getting in the car.

I will blog again later on. As usual, we ask for your prayers.

God bless

Saturday 7th August 2010

Jane is a little better today. She saw her GP yesterday who told her that there was nothing 'worrisome' in the recent blood tests that were done. Jane is due to see the oncologist later this month. I think the virus she picked up before she went into the hospice and a subsequent cold have masked what is really going on. We need to wait, trust and see. Thank you for all your kind phone calls, cards and messages - they mean a great deal to both of us. God bless you.

Tuesday 3rd August

Jane came home today. She stills seems to be running a temperature and doesn't have much of an appetite but it's early days. We would appreciate your continued prayers. They have done so much in the past.

God Bless

Jane and Peter

Sunday 1 August 2010

Jane is going to stay in the hospice until Monday. She has a sore throat and a slight earache - understandably the doctors are erring on cautious side. Thank you for your continuing prayers.