Hi all,
Home again now and knackered!
Friday on the boat was fantastic - 9 locks and although the sky darkened and rain threatened we didn't get wet once! We really put the 'Rachael Louise' through her paces and are already besotted! She is now in pride of place at Priory Marina, Bedford and ready for the next sunny day. This really was the bestest birthday ever, my mum and dad, Chloe and the kids were with us and we stopped at Eaton Socon for a birthday lunch. at the pub.
We had an early start on Saturday up to Cliff for graduation. There was a worship service in the morning with some great testimonies from various students, then a fab lunch and then graduation event all 'robed and hatted'. Much to my delight and total surprise I also was awarded with the 'Postgraduate Award' for postgrad of the year 2008 - this is a great honour. The degrees were handed out by a Professor from Manchester and the Cliff principal Martyn Atkins. Martyn Atkins is also the 'President of Conference' this year. To all you non-Methodists he's our 'Archbishop of Canterbury' following on from John Wesley. My mum & dad, auntie Joy, James, Carys and of course Teresa were all there to cheer me on. In the evening we took everyone out to John & Amanda's gastro pub, the 'Bear' at Alderwasley near Belper. Adrian & Ann + the kids joined us there too. The food was fantastic; great ambiance, go and visit them asap! We then went back to J & A's for the evening.
This morning we slept in wonderfully late before heading up to Chatsworth to meet the rest of the family for a picnic. The weather was awful. Cold and then VERY wet - flaming June! We bid a hasty retreat driving through terrible rain until Northampton after which we had blue skies and sunshine. That will teach us to picnic north of Watford Gap. The kids still had a great time; we went to adventure playground and gave Robert & Freddie their present (my cousin Elizabeth's kids).
So home now, tired but happy!
God Bless
Dave PS Health is fab, eating normally now...
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
A bit slushy (but you know you love it!)
good morning bloggers!!!
hope you're all up and feeling good on this fine Thursday morning! Just wanted to do my bit (as I do now and again), and give you a Florence update. Well we made it to our first goal of the year which was Dave's birthday and graduation, and we're doing really well although as you know it's been a battle, but one which we've been proud to fight with you guys supporting us all the way and I just wanted to say how grateful I am from the bottom of my heart for all the prayer and words of encouragement and practical help we have been given. Words won't ever do it justice but Thankyou all..you keep us strong.
We're in a very different world from the one we were in back in December and although it's still a scary one in some ways in other ways it's a much better one. Dave isn't going off to London or Manchester every day at some ridiculous hour of the morning and coming home looking exhausted and stressed. He's with me and his kids every day and he's doing the things he wants to do and investing his time in things that are important to him. Yesterday we had a wonderful morning on the river moving our lovely new boat from St Ives to Buckden. The sun shone, the Heron followed us up the river and it was so peaceful and beautiful. On a Wednesday morning!! It was a joy and we felt so blessed to be spending time with each other doing 'good' stuff.
So over the next couple of days we're celebrating Dave's birthday and his graduation on Saturday and I know I'm going to be in floods of tears when he graduates and I've bought some fab shoes (purple killer heels girls -SO Sex and the City!) and we'll have the family around us so it's going to a very emotional time but I know that in the midst of all this we continue to hold everything lightly and keep living it day by day, trying to keep a balance between moving forward in the things we want to accomplish and not looking too far into the future because we don't know what it holds.
Ok so here's the extra slushy bit and I'm just going to go for it - I'm so proud of him as I know you all are - he's a truly wonderful man and I'm so blessed to have him by my side each day.
I know you'll join with me in wishing him happy 43rd birthday for tomorrow and praying for many, many more.
Teresa aka Florence (by the way we're re-naming the boat 'Florence' -Chloe's idea!!
PS - no more babies John Stamp - I'll wait for the grandchildren thankyou! (glad you're not a prophet my friend - see you Saturday)
hope you're all up and feeling good on this fine Thursday morning! Just wanted to do my bit (as I do now and again), and give you a Florence update. Well we made it to our first goal of the year which was Dave's birthday and graduation, and we're doing really well although as you know it's been a battle, but one which we've been proud to fight with you guys supporting us all the way and I just wanted to say how grateful I am from the bottom of my heart for all the prayer and words of encouragement and practical help we have been given. Words won't ever do it justice but Thankyou all..you keep us strong.
We're in a very different world from the one we were in back in December and although it's still a scary one in some ways in other ways it's a much better one. Dave isn't going off to London or Manchester every day at some ridiculous hour of the morning and coming home looking exhausted and stressed. He's with me and his kids every day and he's doing the things he wants to do and investing his time in things that are important to him. Yesterday we had a wonderful morning on the river moving our lovely new boat from St Ives to Buckden. The sun shone, the Heron followed us up the river and it was so peaceful and beautiful. On a Wednesday morning!! It was a joy and we felt so blessed to be spending time with each other doing 'good' stuff.
So over the next couple of days we're celebrating Dave's birthday and his graduation on Saturday and I know I'm going to be in floods of tears when he graduates and I've bought some fab shoes (purple killer heels girls -SO Sex and the City!) and we'll have the family around us so it's going to a very emotional time but I know that in the midst of all this we continue to hold everything lightly and keep living it day by day, trying to keep a balance between moving forward in the things we want to accomplish and not looking too far into the future because we don't know what it holds.
Ok so here's the extra slushy bit and I'm just going to go for it - I'm so proud of him as I know you all are - he's a truly wonderful man and I'm so blessed to have him by my side each day.
I know you'll join with me in wishing him happy 43rd birthday for tomorrow and praying for many, many more.
Teresa aka Florence (by the way we're re-naming the boat 'Florence' -Chloe's idea!!
PS - no more babies John Stamp - I'll wait for the grandchildren thankyou! (glad you're not a prophet my friend - see you Saturday)
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Eating Again & Waxing Lyrical
Hi Guys
Well I'm finally surfacing and starting to eat again as the radiotherapy side effects wear off! Hurrah, can't wait for a steak & kidney Pukka pie, chips and mushy peas! Anything other than soup. Argh... I'm bored with soup! Really hoping to be able to tuck into the graduation nosh on Saturday night. Weight loss leveled off at a stone, still make me 12 stone 10lbs about what I was at diagnosis. My next oncologist's appointment is July 7th with a scan to follow.
It's great to be feeling well again; last week and the weekend was hard work but I'm fighting fit now. Looking forward to bringing the boat back to its home birth on my birthday (Friday).
Please pray for my brain! Not having treatment to focus on is strange. It sort of feels like I'm not fighting 'it' anymore; daft I know but you know how proactive I like to be.
Heard a great song the other night on 'America's Got Talent' (you know us and our trashy TV likes). The final line was something like 'I wouldn't wish illness on you but I wish you could all share the exhilaration of living for just one day like you were dying'. This will seem odd but you really do squeeze everything out of life, you make the most of it, savour the moments, appreciate the things that matter and feel amused at how wound up people get about traffic jams, queues in Tescos and other things that don't matter. Now you all are thinking 'he's mad' but there's something to be said for living like there's no tomorrow. Don't get me wrong I have every expectation of being around for lots of tomorrows but for a while there it seemed unlikely I'd make it to put up the Christmas tree. I'd even got my dad on standby to give Amy away in October. I hope today you all really 'live' life to the full. Go on, give it one day like there is no tomorrow - I recommend wild worship, love making (where permitted), a drink or two, Pukka pies, boats (definitely boats) and dog walking.
Thanks for checking in on me.
God Bless
Dave xxxxxxxxxx
Well I'm finally surfacing and starting to eat again as the radiotherapy side effects wear off! Hurrah, can't wait for a steak & kidney Pukka pie, chips and mushy peas! Anything other than soup. Argh... I'm bored with soup! Really hoping to be able to tuck into the graduation nosh on Saturday night. Weight loss leveled off at a stone, still make me 12 stone 10lbs about what I was at diagnosis. My next oncologist's appointment is July 7th with a scan to follow.
It's great to be feeling well again; last week and the weekend was hard work but I'm fighting fit now. Looking forward to bringing the boat back to its home birth on my birthday (Friday).
Please pray for my brain! Not having treatment to focus on is strange. It sort of feels like I'm not fighting 'it' anymore; daft I know but you know how proactive I like to be.
Heard a great song the other night on 'America's Got Talent' (you know us and our trashy TV likes). The final line was something like 'I wouldn't wish illness on you but I wish you could all share the exhilaration of living for just one day like you were dying'. This will seem odd but you really do squeeze everything out of life, you make the most of it, savour the moments, appreciate the things that matter and feel amused at how wound up people get about traffic jams, queues in Tescos and other things that don't matter. Now you all are thinking 'he's mad' but there's something to be said for living like there's no tomorrow. Don't get me wrong I have every expectation of being around for lots of tomorrows but for a while there it seemed unlikely I'd make it to put up the Christmas tree. I'd even got my dad on standby to give Amy away in October. I hope today you all really 'live' life to the full. Go on, give it one day like there is no tomorrow - I recommend wild worship, love making (where permitted), a drink or two, Pukka pies, boats (definitely boats) and dog walking.
Thanks for checking in on me.
God Bless
Dave xxxxxxxxxx
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Tempted and Fell!
The devil tempted me with a shiny boat and I fell into sin! All bought and being surveyed for leaks etc. even as I type. Looking forward to taking out friends for evening drinkie-poos when I'm feeling better.
Unfortunately my health is at an all time low. Still can't eat, drinking hurts, very tired and (bizarrely) a patch of radiation burn on my back. I just can't wait to be well again and get my appetite back. I was due to be in Chesterfield again this Saturday for an 'Order of Mission' meeting but I'm just not up to it. I hate letting people down - just not my style. Sorry guys. Could you pray that I start feeling better soon! It's been a long six months.
Today is Chloe's (friend and live in nanny) and Amy's (oldest daughter) birthday. Chloe had an interview this morning for a course at Barnfield college in Luton. It went well; she's in and will start part time in September. Well done Chlo, Chlo and happy birthday. We miss you Amy - come home soon baby!
We are due to complete on Amy's house tomorrow (all being well). We'll be moving the stuff from her bedroom at home in on Saturday.
I heard from Manchester Uni and Cliff that I'd been accepted for further study, a MPhil initially becoming a Phd after a year if I'm up to the grade.
All in all it's been a mad week!
God Bless
Dave.
xxxxxxxx
Monday, June 16, 2008
Bobbing Along...
Can't get the boating bug out of our water and spent Sunday afternoon (after my preach) looking at boaties!!!
Seen one we love at Jones' boatyard St Neots called 'Rachel Louise' but we are still thinking about it!
Sunday morning was great service, Jez Green led so well, the songs he picked fitted in with the theme brilliantly - my preach flew along too. Our wonderful church met afterwards for their monthly prayer meeting for me and Alan (our previous minister) and kept bashing heaven's doors!
I had some lovely new gardening tools for father's day, a hoe and trowel - all good stainless steel -and very posh.
Today we had an early start heading off to Gloucester for a Kip McGrath meeting getting back just in time to drop Teresa off at our Kempston centre. Needless to say I'm knackered! The swallowing is impossible, even liquids hurt though are going down. My weight dropped below 13 stone today too. I started to eat an egg sandwich (nice 'n' soft) but it came back up again! Argh; I'm hungry so, more milkshakes, smoothies (urgh...slime) and soup.
Hoping to hit the garden (with new tools) tomorrow - might buy a boat???? Not treated ourselves with any of the insurance money yet; just lots of dull investments. Convincing myself slowly..any objections? No? Good! Thanks for agreeing you're all lovely!
See ya
Dave xxxxxx
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Finished Treatment (Hopefully for good!)
Finished the treatment, no more chemo or radiotherapy for now - brill!
The side effects of the radiotherapy are heavy at present, swallowing solids is impossible and anything I do manage to get down in mush form often comes back for a visit - never mind. I've lost 7lbs in a week though I wouldn't recommend it as a diet option!
David Goodson from Church took me on Thursday; people have been great. Thanks Ken & Mu, David, Gordon Stroud, Bernice Chiswell, Ma & Pa and Auntie Joy/Uncle Bob. Thanks also to those who volunteered but weren't needed in the end. Having company and helps with transport has been invaluable to my sanity.
We had the next meeting in our 'project teams' series at New Life on Thursday night. I can't remember the time I was so expectant and excited about a business meeting. David G chaired really well again and things are moving forward. I'm so inpatient to see things happening - must pray for more of the fruit of the Spirit that is patience; never been a strong point of mine.
I'm preaching at New Life on Sunday and have Saturday morning to prepare, this afternoon we are all off to the village fete. Personally I'm not into fetes; but the kids love it and there will be loads of Pims I'm sure.
Better sign off and get that sermon written. If you've got a spare hour or two come and hear me at 10.30; directions on the church website at http://www.woottonnewife.org.uk/. Come on, surprise me and turn up!
Once more thanks for being there, reading my ramblings and praying for me. Let's hope that the war has only one battle and as we've won that one that will be that. I KNOW that if there are other battles ahead you'll be there for me; thank God for family, friends and fellowship.
God Bless
Dave........
The side effects of the radiotherapy are heavy at present, swallowing solids is impossible and anything I do manage to get down in mush form often comes back for a visit - never mind. I've lost 7lbs in a week though I wouldn't recommend it as a diet option!
David Goodson from Church took me on Thursday; people have been great. Thanks Ken & Mu, David, Gordon Stroud, Bernice Chiswell, Ma & Pa and Auntie Joy/Uncle Bob. Thanks also to those who volunteered but weren't needed in the end. Having company and helps with transport has been invaluable to my sanity.
We had the next meeting in our 'project teams' series at New Life on Thursday night. I can't remember the time I was so expectant and excited about a business meeting. David G chaired really well again and things are moving forward. I'm so inpatient to see things happening - must pray for more of the fruit of the Spirit that is patience; never been a strong point of mine.
I'm preaching at New Life on Sunday and have Saturday morning to prepare, this afternoon we are all off to the village fete. Personally I'm not into fetes; but the kids love it and there will be loads of Pims I'm sure.
Better sign off and get that sermon written. If you've got a spare hour or two come and hear me at 10.30; directions on the church website at http://www.woottonnewife.org.uk/. Come on, surprise me and turn up!
Once more thanks for being there, reading my ramblings and praying for me. Let's hope that the war has only one battle and as we've won that one that will be that. I KNOW that if there are other battles ahead you'll be there for me; thank God for family, friends and fellowship.
God Bless
Dave........
Monday, June 9, 2008
The Sun Has Got It's Hat On.....
WOW! What a fantastic weekend (well Sunday) - Sunshine!!!!!!
I gardened on Saturday and then we had a lovely meal with Dave & Suzy our friends from Wootton New Life. On Sunday we had our monthly breakfast and family worship and then in the afternoon Nick & Sarah joined us for a BBQ on the deck - brill! Perfect weekend!
Eating is getting increasingly tough, more or less liquids only now; I should loose weight after all.
All treatment ends on Thursday - they're saying they'll be more later but I've enough for now. I agree. After 6 months it is time for time off. It will seem strange not having the daily pilgrimage to Addenbrookes in Cambridge.
Ken & Mu are taking me tomorrow so another opportunity for a good 'chin-wag' on the way.
XLR8 tomorrow night is on the subject of sharing your faith so I had better get preparing ASAP.
I got feedback on my Phd proposal and re-submitted it in time for today's deadline; I should hear in a day or two if I've been accepted for a September start.
Thanks for being there for me guys.
God Bless
Dave xxxxxxxxxx
I gardened on Saturday and then we had a lovely meal with Dave & Suzy our friends from Wootton New Life. On Sunday we had our monthly breakfast and family worship and then in the afternoon Nick & Sarah joined us for a BBQ on the deck - brill! Perfect weekend!
Eating is getting increasingly tough, more or less liquids only now; I should loose weight after all.
All treatment ends on Thursday - they're saying they'll be more later but I've enough for now. I agree. After 6 months it is time for time off. It will seem strange not having the daily pilgrimage to Addenbrookes in Cambridge.
Ken & Mu are taking me tomorrow so another opportunity for a good 'chin-wag' on the way.
XLR8 tomorrow night is on the subject of sharing your faith so I had better get preparing ASAP.
I got feedback on my Phd proposal and re-submitted it in time for today's deadline; I should hear in a day or two if I've been accepted for a September start.
Thanks for being there for me guys.
God Bless
Dave xxxxxxxxxx
Friday, June 6, 2008
Friday Again
Well guys, only 4 more days of treatment left. Good! I'm in some pain today so keeping myself doped - up. They're telling me that the effects of radiotherapy are cumulative and could be worse in the weeks following treatment ending.
Teresa took me to Addenbrookes today and afterwards we went to look at the boats in St Ives - you know me and boats. Ken & Mu from church took me on Wednesday, it was great to send some time with them.
I've sent my Phd proposal to Manchester Uni & Cliff College - hope it is good enough, ideally I'd like to start in September. The application had a deadline of Monday 9th so no room for error - all very last minute.
We are off to Dave & Suzy's (from Church) tomorrow night for dinner and then have an exciting Sunday planned. In the morning it is our Church breakfast (9.30) and then family service at 10.30 - ALL WELCOME! (http://www.woottonnewlife.org.uk/) and in the evening our mates Nick & Sarah Hearn are coming for a BBQ and some tubbage. Please don't worry about 'tubbage'- we have a hot tub in the garden - nothing dodgy honest!
Settling down for an evening of TV - hoping the pain lifts a little.
God Bless
Dave
Teresa took me to Addenbrookes today and afterwards we went to look at the boats in St Ives - you know me and boats. Ken & Mu from church took me on Wednesday, it was great to send some time with them.
I've sent my Phd proposal to Manchester Uni & Cliff College - hope it is good enough, ideally I'd like to start in September. The application had a deadline of Monday 9th so no room for error - all very last minute.
We are off to Dave & Suzy's (from Church) tomorrow night for dinner and then have an exciting Sunday planned. In the morning it is our Church breakfast (9.30) and then family service at 10.30 - ALL WELCOME! (http://www.woottonnewlife.org.uk/) and in the evening our mates Nick & Sarah Hearn are coming for a BBQ and some tubbage. Please don't worry about 'tubbage'- we have a hot tub in the garden - nothing dodgy honest!
Settling down for an evening of TV - hoping the pain lifts a little.
God Bless
Dave
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
The Tightrope Of Faith
OK Guys, I confess; I'm struggling!
The medics treating me are pleased with my progress. They do however remain very negative about my long-term prognosis. They don't all believe in miracles and have no evidence that I am cancer free. They can confirm (and are overjoyed) that the main tumour is so small it can't be seen on a scan. If pushed they feel there is still going to be lots of little bits of malignancy there any one of which could flare up at any time. I had negative(ish) talks with a few of them this week. Remember this particular cancer is terminal - only a miracle will save me, the treatment is only palliative.
As I approach the end of my treatment you could look at the picture in one of two ways. The treatment would have ended at this stage regardless. There is no more they can do for me at present. Praise God I don't need any more treatment at present. If I did we'd be saying 'oh well - they gave it a try'. 'Treatment ended - wait and see' is the medical reality of my situation.
I suppose what I am trying to clumsily say is that this is a war with many battles. The war is not won until I get the all clear. As much as it frustrates me I have to admit that a tumour so small it cannot be seen is still a tumour. It may be gone totally - I've no evidence of that though yet. The first battle of this war is WON. God: 1, Devil: 0. First round to God, now on to the next fight. Fight two is praying that the little bits do not grow and that the main tumour is totally gone (not just too small to see).
Brothers and sisters please don't stop praying because we've had one miracle. I'm going to potentially need more before the war is won. Please don't think I lack faith, just the opposite I have never been so convinced of God's love, care and protection. Keep walking with me - please!
If I were to go downhill from this stage I would testify that to be so well after 6 months is down to God and His healing power and is a miracle (the oncologist remember said 'exceptional response').
Even today I have started to put my Phd research proposal together in the hope of starting the study for a doctorate at Cliff (and Manchester Uni) in September - part time this would take 6 years - this is not the action of a man who lacks faith. Just a mad-man.
My friend Gordon Stroud took me to Addenbrookes today, it was great to share fellowship on the way there and back and catch up on all the Woodside (our old church) news.
Chloe and I are off to lead the WNL (Wootton New Life) youth group (XLR8) tonight; my group are looking at financial giving - the evening is titled 'Lord save us from the jumble sale'. Tithing is so much less hassle!
Health is OK, feel a bit sick and tired but that will pass. Being back on chemo tablets for the next two weeks doesn't help.
Have a great evening - sorry to get heavy on you today!
Luv Dave xxxx
The medics treating me are pleased with my progress. They do however remain very negative about my long-term prognosis. They don't all believe in miracles and have no evidence that I am cancer free. They can confirm (and are overjoyed) that the main tumour is so small it can't be seen on a scan. If pushed they feel there is still going to be lots of little bits of malignancy there any one of which could flare up at any time. I had negative(ish) talks with a few of them this week. Remember this particular cancer is terminal - only a miracle will save me, the treatment is only palliative.
As I approach the end of my treatment you could look at the picture in one of two ways. The treatment would have ended at this stage regardless. There is no more they can do for me at present. Praise God I don't need any more treatment at present. If I did we'd be saying 'oh well - they gave it a try'. 'Treatment ended - wait and see' is the medical reality of my situation.
I suppose what I am trying to clumsily say is that this is a war with many battles. The war is not won until I get the all clear. As much as it frustrates me I have to admit that a tumour so small it cannot be seen is still a tumour. It may be gone totally - I've no evidence of that though yet. The first battle of this war is WON. God: 1, Devil: 0. First round to God, now on to the next fight. Fight two is praying that the little bits do not grow and that the main tumour is totally gone (not just too small to see).
Brothers and sisters please don't stop praying because we've had one miracle. I'm going to potentially need more before the war is won. Please don't think I lack faith, just the opposite I have never been so convinced of God's love, care and protection. Keep walking with me - please!
If I were to go downhill from this stage I would testify that to be so well after 6 months is down to God and His healing power and is a miracle (the oncologist remember said 'exceptional response').
Even today I have started to put my Phd research proposal together in the hope of starting the study for a doctorate at Cliff (and Manchester Uni) in September - part time this would take 6 years - this is not the action of a man who lacks faith. Just a mad-man.
My friend Gordon Stroud took me to Addenbrookes today, it was great to share fellowship on the way there and back and catch up on all the Woodside (our old church) news.
Chloe and I are off to lead the WNL (Wootton New Life) youth group (XLR8) tonight; my group are looking at financial giving - the evening is titled 'Lord save us from the jumble sale'. Tithing is so much less hassle!
Health is OK, feel a bit sick and tired but that will pass. Being back on chemo tablets for the next two weeks doesn't help.
Have a great evening - sorry to get heavy on you today!
Luv Dave xxxx
Monday, June 2, 2008
Great Sunday!
Hiya
We had a fantastic Sunday again! Great morning worship led by Mu & Ken Chambers and 'Refresh' in the evening was brill. Some of the folks from the new Vale Community Church joined us - they are planting a new congregation in Marston Vale from Bromham Baptist. The worship in the evening was great and was followed by some deep ministry and prayer.
Took myself to Addenbrookes today which was OK. Only 9 more 'zaps' to go - hang on in there Dave!
James (middle child!) went off to Aberdovey today for 6 nights of 'Outward Bounding' - he's not looking forward to the hiking - typical boy. Carys goes to the National Space Centre in Leicester tomorrow for her school trip - it's all go in Redfernland!
Think that's all for now - health is good; swallowing fine.
God Bless
DAve
We had a fantastic Sunday again! Great morning worship led by Mu & Ken Chambers and 'Refresh' in the evening was brill. Some of the folks from the new Vale Community Church joined us - they are planting a new congregation in Marston Vale from Bromham Baptist. The worship in the evening was great and was followed by some deep ministry and prayer.
Took myself to Addenbrookes today which was OK. Only 9 more 'zaps' to go - hang on in there Dave!
James (middle child!) went off to Aberdovey today for 6 nights of 'Outward Bounding' - he's not looking forward to the hiking - typical boy. Carys goes to the National Space Centre in Leicester tomorrow for her school trip - it's all go in Redfernland!
Think that's all for now - health is good; swallowing fine.
God Bless
DAve
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