Sunday 26th December

We are approaching the end of the year. Jane had a dose of chemo just over a week ago and the side effects (predictably) are kicking in. She has had a really busy time with Luke and Lydia's wedding and all the preparations for Christmas. This all has a cumulative impact that is really affecting her just now -fatigue, nausea and so on.

Amazingly, she managed two consecutive days of shopping in Southampton where she used a mobility scooter with great success. She also made it to midnight mass at St Thomas' church on Christmas Eve. She was able to be out of bed for some time on Christmas Day but today she has kept to her bed.

I went for a walk this morning, up in the Woodford Valley where Jane and I have walked together in the past. It's not too long and has lovely views back towards Salisbury; I attach a couple of snaps that I took this morning.

Looking back, I hadn't really expected a year like this and I really don't know what we should expect for the year that looms ahead. On the whole, though, we reflect and know that we are blessed. Thank you for all your thoughts, prayers and kind messages.

God Bless you.

Thursday 16th December

Good news! Jane's blood results are very positive and so she has gone ahead with chemotherapy today and will have more in January. Apart from swollen ankles Jane is feeling very positive, especially following Lydia's wedding.

We wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year and thank you for all your prayers and messages of support through this year

God bless you.

Sunday 12th December 2010

Lydia and Luke were married yesterday. It was a wonderful, wonderful day. Thank you so much to all those who came to the service and for all your prayers and best wishes. Jane did really well too.

God bless you.

Friday 26th November

Jane had a blood transfusion yesterday. She no longer has a syringe driver in her arm and the combined effect of the new blood and recent chemo is similar to that of putting the new battery in the toy rabbit on the Christmas advertisements! She's getting feisty so she must be feeling better too.

Prayers answered again. Thank you, all, so much.

God bless.

Tuesday 23rd November

Oops! I made a mistake in the last blog entry. Lydia gets married to Luke on 11 December!! Jane very bright at the moment. The syringe driver will probably be taken out in the next few days as well. She is due to have a blood transfusion this week to solve a minor anaemia problem.

God Bless you.

Monday 15th November 2010

Just a quick update. On the whole Jane seems a lot better. She has had a small dose of chemo today and will have some blood before Lydia's wedding to treat slight anaemia. Then no more chemo until after the wedding - currently planned for 16th December. This should allow sufficient time to recover enough to enjoy Christmas.

As always, we thank you for your continuing messages and prayers of support.

God bless you.

Sunday 7th November 2010

Jane has a week off for good behaviour - no hospital visit tomorrow! The chemo she had last Monday has made her very tired but she is strong in so many ways. She came to church this morning and was accompanied by Lydia who had her banns read - very exciting, and so many people came up afterwards and congratulated her.

Leo has been home this weekend for his birthday. He and I went to see Australia play Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. It was a good day out but the stadium was only about 2/3 full - the recession must be biting in the Valleys. In the evening Jane and Lydia came out with us to celebrate at Annokka, one of our favourite restaurants in Salisbury.

Last week Jane had her old friends, Janet and Suzie, staying for a couple of days. Leo bought fireworks and set them off in the garden and Jane was able to watch from the window; she borrowed Jan's hat - hence the photo.

We both draw huge support from all your calls, visits, emails, letters and 'love outpouring'.

God bless you.