WOW!!!! Note The Changed Blog Title

Dear Friends,

Just changed the blog title from 'Cancer Fight' to 'Cancer Survivor'. 18 months with no growth or spread. God, Florence (& my family), the NHS and my friends (WNL Church, Stamps, Hearns, and their Lordships Burrell & Forsell) are so good!

The tumour is not growing, not spreading in fact really behaving its evil self. The swallowing problems are caused by fibrosis from last year's radiotherapy, the worst I'll need is a stent if it gets any worse.

Not got another appointment now until 2010 and, wait for it, no scan beforehand. Might I actually be in the few % of sufferers who survive this disease? Starting to beleive it now.
Have to say I was VERY nervous before this scan. You have to prepare yourself for the worse because if you get bad news and haven't even thought you might where does that leave you? Sleepless night last night and actually felt sick this morning.

So thank-you for your prayers & your friendship.

God Bless

David

xxxxxxxxxx

Update (Again!)

Mallorca was fantastic; great room, pool etc. superb weather and the kind of hotel with a watchtower and sniper in case of undesirables (and children) trying to muscle in! Seriously a brill weekend. Teresa was able to do a bit of business too whilst there. Loads of sun, swimming and tapas.

Here's the timescales for the next few day.

Tuesday: Off to the BUPA hospital early in the afternoon for a minor procedure. Bloomin chemo mucks up everything! Scan then at Bedford South wing at 5.00 pm.

Wednesday: 10.15 - See my hero oncologist for results which I promise I'll post straight away.

Friday 16th: Having my wisdom tooth out - no jokes please...

Pray for me - swallowing is not fantastic so it might be growing again - let's hope not.

Thanks for checking in

Dave xxxx

Quick Update

Hiya All,

Had a fantastic weekend in France with my mates, brill weather, great company and lots of superb French meals. Thanks David & Adrian for being such wonderful mates and putting up with my inane ramblings!

I'm with Teresa at a business conference this week and then off for a weekend in Majorca which should be fun.

My scan is next Tuesday with results on Wednesday. I'm hoping for the best but my swallowing is not too good at the moment. We'll see and of course I'll blog straight away.

Thanks guys...

Hi All,

Once more thanks for checking in on me; it’s great to know that you care! We are doing really well at the moment; business is brisk for Teresa and I’m well.

I had a great fishing trip two weeks ago on a rough channel off Newhaven. Needless to say I caught only one fish! Actually I was quite relieved having watched the others desperately trying to get hooks out of slimly thrashing half dead fish. The boat was pitching and rolling and a couple of our compatriots parted company with their early morning fry up. All good fun. Thank goodness for travel sickness pills. Actually is was a great day; loads of fun and a first for me.

Teresa picked up her new car today, a long awaited Merc convertible (SLK), goodness knows she deserves it; she works so hard. Must admit even a ‘none car lover’ me enjoys driving it!

Last Sunday the Wootton youth group (XLR8) lead the harvest service. I was so proud of them. They planned the whole service and even preached. Young people get such a bad press but these guys are heroes. We are sponsoring Bedfordshire Young Person Of The Year (YOPEY) and this week I’ve lead two assemblies in local schools promoting the whole event. It culminates with a big award ceremony at Woburn Abbey in November with the Duke of Bedford. The whole idea is that young people who are excellent role models are revealed, recognised and rewarded.

I’m at Cliff this week for a MPhil tutorial and then to France on Thursday for a long weekend with my good mates David and Adrian who I went to Spain with earlier in the year. The week after we have a master’s conference followed by a few days Majorca visiting a friend and new franchisee. It’s all go!

I’ve stopped preaching on a Sunday but I am running a 7 week bible study at WNL on ‘A People Called Methodists’ and we’ve just started Youth Alpha with XLR8. So all in all I’m keeping busy.

Health’s OK, next scan is soon and I meet with the oncologist next on October 9th.

Well, think that’s about it for now,

Luv Dave

Brittany Pics

Me and Amy....

Amy & James

The Redfern Clan

My Grandfather's war Grave near Caen

Loubie......

My girls

My Florence....

The studly son....

Great Weekend

Hi all; had a fantastic (albeit) hectic weekend. We headed off to Derby on Saturday morning to drop the kids off at my mum and dad's before heading up to John & Amanda's hotel 'The Bear' near Belper in Derbyshire. At 4.00 they renewed their wedding vows in a lovely ceremony and then we had a great black tie evening 'do'. There was a brilliant comedian and musician followed by a hog roast and fantastic live band; we danced the night away. Found a great silver dickie bow to complement the dinner jacket and tie in the anniversary theme.

In the morning we headed down to Ambergate to visit my auntie and uncle who have a new camper van which we had a good explore of, then back to Derby for a lunch and a snooze in mum and dad's conservatory.

On Monday Teresa's mum and sisters Debs and Linsay joined us. We have lunch at the Bell (pub opposite our house) and then had a sunny afternoon on the boat. It was great to see them - we had a laugh and a drink or two.

I Met with Graham (our minister) yesterday afternoon to talk through the preaching issue. Feel relieved to have laid it down for now - I was getting increasingly stressed by it and to be honest running out of things to say! If I'm still clear next year I'll pick it up again. Graham was really gracious; all my appointments on this plan have been covered - I'm told not to worry!

Really looking forward to a mad sea fishing trip to Newhaven on Sunday with my mad mate David B and 'the boys'. Really don't 'do' fish so if you want any fresh fish on Monday just let me know!

Next scan is Oct 2nd with the results a week later - hope it will be OK. Should be!

Thanks for checking in.

Love

Dave

Back Home

Hi All,

Back home after a great month at our cottage in France; unbelievably we only had two days rain in over a month - surely a Brittany record? Amy and her husband were with us for the first week, then we had some time on our own followed by a week with my brother and his kids. All of it was brill - we also manage to re-furbish the bathroom and track down (no mean feat) a French carpet fitter for the bedrooms. Really looking forward to our next family holiday there in October and a mad weekend with my mates David & Adrian scheduled for later in September.

My health has been really good, no swallowing problems, no pain and no Swine Flu! Had my precautionary Tamiflu with me though. Seen the consultant at the BUPA hospital this week regarding a few post chemo side effects - all sorted now.

Made the decision in the last few days to lay down my preaching for a while. Started when I was 14 and never had a sabbatical so time for a break. Feeling a bit 'dry' spiritually at the moment - happy but 'dry'. Starting a 6 week teaching programme mid-week at WNL soon which I'm looking forward to preparing and delivering; it's the Sunday stuff I'm letting go for a while. Actually life is great in general, being a 'house husband' is fun - Chloe does the ironing though. I've spent this week doing DIY and gardening. Also had a great 'bloke's night out' on Wednesday in Market Harborough. Teresa has been grafting away at a Summer School which started the day after we got back, actually 11 hours after we got back. Hero woman!

Tomorrow Teresa and I are off to Derbyshire for our great friends John & Amanda Stamp's Silver wedding 'do'. Congratulations guys! They have always been there for us and we are so happy and privileged to be joining them on their special day.

Well, thanks for checking in after such a long break.

God Bless

Dave xx