That's what we got when we opened the front door on Saturday! We were expecting Ian and Gill (Dave's twin brother and wife) instead I found Amelia (our 8 month old grand-daughter ) in a baby car seat. I was silenced (for once) as I tried to process how she could possibly have arrived.
Steve had been out to Albania on holiday and flew back last Friday and Ruth had taken the opportunity to travel with him. This is a sacrifice for them as this is a manically busy time for them with the children's activities in Durres in full swing-which was another factor whizzing through my brain as I opened the door -There was no way that they could visit now! So Maki has been abandoned in Albania while we enjoy the company of his wife and daughter .
This also is another illustration of 'all things working together for good'. Last week we had been disappointed not to have completed the course of chemo but had Dave had his planned treatment he would undoubtedly be horizontal for the entire visit and feel cheated not to be in a state to enjoy it. A reminder, yet again, that we need to trust the One who can see the end from the beginning.
Dave is gradually gaining strength and we hope will reach the blood targets needed for the last chemo next Tues.(Ruth and Amelia return the following Friday).
During the last 6 months Dave has experienced phases of food cravings- sausage rolls, cheese biscuits, scotch eggs, omelettes - the latest is lemon meringue pie. I have joked that he must be pregnant. Please continue to pray with us that this waiting time will indeed produce new life.
Thank you for all your prayers, we do experience the benefit from being buoyed up by them.
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Countdown on Pause
Today we were expecting to be the last chemo. Dave has been blessed at going through the 12 treatments with no hiccups until today. We arrived to find that yesterdays blood test was too low on the white cells to go ahead .This was a bit of an anti climax so we took a trip to the Chew Valley Lake in brilliant sunshine and had a gentle walk followed by lunch.
Although it was initially disappointing not to have completed the course it does mean that Dave now has the potential for 2 fairly recuperative weeks.The later chemos have not really allowed Dave to come up for air before being slugged again.
The title of the blog is also reference to the surprise disc the kids had obtained for Dave (for Father's Day) from Yorkshire TV of 2 Countdown episodes in which he took part in 1982/3. A spritely 31 year old - no grey hair! Very novel viewing - thanks guys. Elaine
And on reviewing, I managed to improve my score on two rounds, so some brain cells must still be working!? Dave
Although it was initially disappointing not to have completed the course it does mean that Dave now has the potential for 2 fairly recuperative weeks.The later chemos have not really allowed Dave to come up for air before being slugged again.
The title of the blog is also reference to the surprise disc the kids had obtained for Dave (for Father's Day) from Yorkshire TV of 2 Countdown episodes in which he took part in 1982/3. A spritely 31 year old - no grey hair! Very novel viewing - thanks guys. Elaine
And on reviewing, I managed to improve my score on two rounds, so some brain cells must still be working!? Dave
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
Kili 10 Chemo 11
This is a first as this is Elaine writing.
Today was the eleventh chemo -only one more after today! Again we thank God for Dave being fit enough and his blood up to taking todays treatment. However Dave returned tired and a bit queasy so resting tonight.
This week-end was the tenth anniversary of the Saltmine sponsored climb of Kimanjaro which Dave took part in. It was agreed that the reunion would take place on the summit of Y Garn in Snowdonia at 1pm on the 6 June. To reach the summit was not going to be possible but we did make the Llyn about a mile up the track! The weather promptly closed in and we were glad to get down and back to our b and b to change and dry.
It was good to meet up with other team members and the success of the w/e was marked by talk of meeting again next year.
Sunday saw us in a Baptist church in Bangor only to see a familiar name from our distant student days -Peter Cousins as minister.
Then our reunion week end was completed by a slight detour to Liverpool to meet up with Nic and Jen Harding. The years slip away and it was great to renew friendship.
So a busy time and now back to quieter times.
We covet your prayers to finish the course of chemo well. As time has gone by it has become progressively more difficult with Dave fairly blotto most of the time but we are thankful for the absence of many of the possible chemo side effects.
Please do keep in touch with added comments.Thank you all -we need you.
Today was the eleventh chemo -only one more after today! Again we thank God for Dave being fit enough and his blood up to taking todays treatment. However Dave returned tired and a bit queasy so resting tonight.
This week-end was the tenth anniversary of the Saltmine sponsored climb of Kimanjaro which Dave took part in. It was agreed that the reunion would take place on the summit of Y Garn in Snowdonia at 1pm on the 6 June. To reach the summit was not going to be possible but we did make the Llyn about a mile up the track! The weather promptly closed in and we were glad to get down and back to our b and b to change and dry.
It was good to meet up with other team members and the success of the w/e was marked by talk of meeting again next year.
Sunday saw us in a Baptist church in Bangor only to see a familiar name from our distant student days -Peter Cousins as minister.
Then our reunion week end was completed by a slight detour to Liverpool to meet up with Nic and Jen Harding. The years slip away and it was great to renew friendship.
So a busy time and now back to quieter times.
We covet your prayers to finish the course of chemo well. As time has gone by it has become progressively more difficult with Dave fairly blotto most of the time but we are thankful for the absence of many of the possible chemo side effects.
Please do keep in touch with added comments.Thank you all -we need you.
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