Hi All,

Well in France now, we arrived on Saturday after a quick tour of Kip McGrath’s South West centres in Taunton, Exeter & Truro on Thursday & Friday.

Finally managed to get our French internet connection sorted after months of hassle; only ‘dial-up’ but at least I can blog now.

We’ve had great weather since we arrived, warm and sunny and been onto the beach twice – even managed a paddle though it was cold! Today is a bit greyer so it’s a ‘stop in and do jobs’ day; the forecast for tomorrow is good again so I think we’ll head down the coast to Carnac.

Health is OK. Managed to get the Creon dose right at last. Creon is the enzyme pill I have to take for the pancreas problem. I think it comes from pigs, oink, oink. Too higher dose leaves you with cramps, too lower dose with the runs. It’s trial and error but I think we are about right now. We are being VERY good, healthy eating and exercise and actually managed to get below 12 stone for the first time in years loosing the two stone of chemo (steroids) weight that piled on last year. Got to stay pos and feeling good about life! Sorry if I ever come accross as too smug!

It’s great to spend some time as a family; every time we come we are reminded of why we love Brittany so much and it is not just the wine (honest).

Thanks for checking in on us again.

See ya

David

Argh BT!!!!***

Been off-line, BT letting us down again - finally got it sorted!

Well had a great few days went up to Grantham & Lincoln and Grantham at the end of last week with Teresa on Kip business - I resisted the temptation to view the Margaret Thatcher memorial birth place museum - tempted but resisted; opted for stabbing a compass repeatedly into my leg instead as it struck me as more fun! Had a night in a nice hotel full of people having a week's holiday in Grantham (party animals) even the hotel's staff seemed bemused as to why??

On Saturday my mate David came over for the day, met Teresa and the children, walked the dog, had lunch, mucked about on the boat on the boat for a bit, had a laugh. In the evening the highlight of televisual year 'Eurovision Song Contest' I love it! What a FANTASTIC show, we even managed to come in the top 5 (albeit 5th). Moscow did a great job.

On Sunday morning I was preaching at our Clophill congregation, had a great time - this is a lovely welcoming church that is begining to see growth and renewal - it was a joy to lead them in worship.

In the afternoon we nipped to Next (as you do) and, having finally shed all that chemo induced weight I bought a new pair of 32" jeans - WOW. Mr Slinky pants returns. Seriously the medication leaves you bloated and fat and feeling better about myself is great. Keep positive = keep well. On that front I'm feeling fantastic at the moment, got a real bounce in my step. On Saturday went for a run around the country park and last night managed a bike ride with David B which has left me with stiff legs and an aching bum.

We are off to France on Friday, but going down the day before to do a few centre visits for Kip in South West first.

Well think that's about all for now... see ya troops

David

x

Fully Rested

Hi Troops

Just got back from retreat, had a FANTASTIC two days in the countryside around beautiful Launde Abbey. It's a wonderful place, very peaceful and relaxing. Spent the two days walking, talking (always a favourite of mine) and exploring how I feel about everything at this stage of the 'fight'. To be honest it doesn't feel much like a fight at the moment but may do as and when treatment starts again. Let's hope it never will.

I have actually returned feeling very content, very peaceful, very cared for by God, family and friends. I suppose that's what retreat is all about. Having retreated I'm ready to advance.

What have I learned?

1. That I am loved and how much I owe to those who love me.
2. That I've just got to live for the moment.
3. That life (even when it seem tough) can be full of wonderful moments.
4. That I feeling well, happy and content and so I have the resources for any future treatment.
5. That in the words of the song 'whatever will be will be'. This is not fatalistic, it is realistic. God's in control after all.
6. That I am created in God's image by him and he loves me the way I am.
7. On a lighter note that my new aftershave smells fantastic!

Thanks to those I spent time with around Launde and especially Ashley despite the scratched nose!

Health is good at present the 'Creon' seems to have solved the pancreas problem, swallowing is fine, next scan is due in three weeks. Keep praying the nasty stuff stays dormant.

Thanks for checking in on me again.

Luv

David x

Hope Springs Eternal

Well on Tuesday night (at the XLR8 youth group I help lead at church) we did a bible study on 'hope'. It's great to have 'hope' and life becomes hard work with it. There have only been a few moments during the past 18 months when I felt that hope had abandoned me and mainly whilst in a post chemo haze. Feel full of hope now, positive and looking forward to the summer. Got a real spring in my step and I'm looking forward to my retreat next week.

Over the past few days I've just been pottering in the garden and doing a few bits for Teresa at Kip. Last night we had a great evening last night on the boat with Amy & James and I cooked on a one burner gas stove. It was a cool night but with the heater on, some candles lit and a few G&Ts down our necks we were very cosy. Teresa and I spent the night at the marina and didn't wake up until the amazingly late hour (for us) of 9.30! What a pair of lazy slugabeds! Needless to say Teresa has worked all day despite it being her day off; she works so hard.

My garden resembles Kew and I'll try and post a few pics tomorrow, I love gardening and Chloe says that she can hear me humming the whole time I'm out there. It's VERY therapeutic.

Meeting a old work colleague at our Kip centre tomorrow who is in the process of setting her own centre up and then on Sunday we have our 'Sunday Supplement' church breakfast together followed by our 'All Age Service' - always a great morning. Hoping to boat on Sunday afternoon and then I'm off to rural Leicestershire on retreat for a few days. Probably won't blog whilst I'm away but will when I come back.

Have a great weekend.

God Bless

David

Great News: No Treatment For Now!

Hi All,

Great news; no treatment for now; BRILL! My oncologist feels that although the tumour is still there it is behaving itself and not growing so they'll leave it be - might only be a few thousand cells in actuality. Great news - really wasn't looking forward to more chemo and radiotherapy.

My digestive problems they feel are almost certainly down to a scar damaged oesophagus from the radiotherapy.They also think that there might be some permanent damage to my pancreas from the radiotherapy too. They've put me on yet another drug this time called 'Creon' which gives you the enzymes your mucked up pancreas can't.

Can't beleive I am this stage with no treatment and hardly any cancer. Seems as though God does answer prayer if we ever doubted it.

Thanks for checking in (again)

David
xx

Great Weekend

Hi Bloggettes,

Just had a great weekend (most of it spent afloat) so by definition it was great. On Friday Teresa travelled up to Cliff college with me for my tutorial, it took ages to get there through the mad bank holiday traffic!

After Teresa finished work on Saturday we spent the afternoon on the boat catching some rays. Chloe took Carys and James to Wickstead Park (nr Kettering) and in the evening we had a great BBQ - the first of the season with Amy & James F.

On Sunday Teresa and I bunked off church and took the boat down through three locks on the River Great Ouse to Great Barford. The weather was fabulous, the river quiet and we got a good spot right outside the Anchor pub where we had a great evening meal. Had a cosy night in the boat watching the DVD 'Australia'. Got a good night and awoke to tea and bacon butties. James, Carys, James F and Amy joined us at about 9.30 for the journey back. Sadly the weather was not so good on the journey home. It rained, well, it is a bank holiday. Arrived back at our home marina complete with the obligatory grazes, bumps, sun burnt face and green slime marks from the locks. PERFECT.

Got a three day retreat booked next week at Launde Abbey, actually Launde is full but I'm going to stop in a nearby hotel or pub and travel in as a day guest. Looking forward to some 'me' time, got a few things to work through, some issues to explore, some books to read.

I've got my oncologist' appointment at 11.30 tomorrow and should get my treatment schedule then. Not quite sure what will start when at this stage but I'll let you know tomorrow.Health remains OK - can't handle big meals or watching others eat once I finished but apart from that I'm in really good 'fettle'.

Best wishes to blogging friends Geoff (on Pilgrimage to the Holy Land) and David (off to Spain) - any room in your suitcases guys if I promise to behave?

Thanks for checking in again.

Have great week.

David