Thursday 25th October 2007

Jane and I leave for the airport in less than an hour for our holiday in the Oman but there is breaking news. Jane was at the hospital this morning for routine stuff and results. Docs are so pleased they have said no more treatment of any kind until January. It's a great start to the hols and many thanks again for all your prayers that have helped to make this so.

Sunday 14th October 2007

Jane has started another course of chemotherapy and will finish it in about 10 days' time; just before we plan to take belated summer holidays in the Oman with Marianne and David Price. The chemo is making Jane feel very tired and achy so, naturally, we hope that some warmth and sunshine will help to cheer her up.

Jane's father's funeral took place last Tuesday on a very wet afternoon. It was a wonderful service. Jane's brother, Jonathan, delivered a wonderful homily that really got to the essence of 'Dear Bill'. Jane read the lesson; word perfect. Many thanks to all the friends who sent cards and codelences.

This photograph was taken at the Louvre on our recent visit to Paris. As always, thank you for your continuing thoughts, prayers and good wishes.

Thursday 27th September 2007

This is a very sad time. Jane's father, Bill, died on Sunday; he would have been 86 years old on the 9th October. There are no words that I can find to express adequately how much Jane loved her father and how she feels the loss. We all mourn the passing of a lovely man who was an inspiration to all who knew him.

Jane continues to do well. She is still taking her cycles of chemotherapy and although she is often tired and aching she also has quite amazing energy. As I type she is making cakes for Lydia to sell at a Macmillan coffee morning. Why isn't Jane doing it this year? Only because I am dragging her off to Paris in 25 minutes time.

She will start another cycle of chemotherapy shortly but will take a break when we go away for a couple of weeks (hopefully in the first half of November).

We thank you for your continued prayers - they are working.

Love to all.

Thursday 6th September

Well, it's a month since we last blogged - good news in itself. Jane went to hospital on Monday and got more good results - her tumour marker count has dropped still further; I reckon it is back to where it was more than a year ago. Jane started a new course of chemo yesterday and, even at a low dose, it seems to be doing good. Of course, she still gets tired and achy from time to time but she is just so much better in general terms. Thanks to you all for your prayers. This month's photo is of Jane with her cousin, Vivienne, who was visiting from Texas.

Other news - well, Lydia is now in full-time employment as the Theatre Administrator at Salisbury Playhouse and full-time at home too. She says she is making up for all the years away at school. She is also having driving lessons; avoid Salisbury on Friday afternoons.

Leo is off to Cardiff on Saturday and starts at Newport on his film and video course on 17 September. We will miss having him around.

That's all folks!

Much love from us all.

Monday 6th August 2007

Jane had a scan about 10 days ago and so went to hospital for results this morning. Things look promising. Tumour markers stay low, there are no signs of significant change and her liver looks unchanged. The oncologist seemed very pleased and that is a disproportionately good sign. Jane also finished a course of chemo at the weekend and now she has a week off before starting again. Of course, she is often tired and achy but she's still here, folks!

We went to Edinburgh this weekend for a long weekend and stayed with Andrew and Caroline Mackay. It was a really fun trip. Icing on the cake? seats in the Royal Box at the tattoo when Andrew took the salute. Whenever he was required to salute, a lamp came on in the box, bathing him in light - sort of like being touched by the hand of God's right hand man at the tattoo.

On the way home we popped in to see Andrew and Sharon Cooper. Sharon not only baked us a cracking Victoria sponge but also took us some photos. That's it for now - we'll write when there is some more news.

Love to all.

Monday 16th July 2007

Jane was at hospital today for another dose of intravenous bone glue. Her tumour marker count is slightly up (from about 150 to about 170). Blood tests show liver looks pretty good. She will probably start another course of chemo in the next couple of days.

Lovc to all.

Monday 25th June 2007

We were at the hospital this morning. Jane's tumour markers have dropped again - to about 152. I have attached the graph to illustrate how her health has turned around over the last 6 months (a double click will enlarge the image). The Doc's prognosis is very positive and we have real hope for the future. Thank you, all, for your prayers - see what a difference they have made. Despite the shingles Jane is well enough to start another round of chemo in the next couple of days.

This blog has been turning into a bit of a "wot we did on our hols" piece; that wasn't the original intention and so we intend only to post once a month or so depending on news.

Love to all.