We're off to Mauritius!

Thursday 17 June
I've been advised to set this up and it's a whole new world of technology and communication for me. At the outset, it seems strange that anyone would really be interested enough to log on and check the blog, but we have been so well supported and quite overwhelmed by human kindness, that this seems a valid way of saving the family from the trauma and tedium of hearing the same facts (sometimes disturbing) repeated several times daily.

I have secondary melanoma cancer in my lymph system, lungs, liver and spleen and have elected to undergo a course of chemo involving only one of three possible drugs. The statistics show that the results with the combination are no more promising and the side effects of all three are significantly worse. I will have 3 rounds of this chemo with 3 treatments on consecutive days in one week then 2 weeks recovery.

The first 3 treatments were on Tues, Wed and Thursday last week. I had 5 ghastly days of a cosmic hangover with strange effects like a huge visual disturbance, brain fuzz, heavy nausea, body aches, shivers and a return of the pain around surgical areas.

I'm competely well again now, which makes me feel I should really live for ever. The doctor has said that my sound medical history and general robust health stand much in my favour.

Round 2 is on Tues 29, Wed 30, Thurs 1. I have been warned that it will be worse.

I'm taking lots of homeopathic builders inbetween.

I'm so happy to have the children home. Nic from Bangladesh, James from UCT and Ali's on school holidays. The house is full of positive energy and everyone is purposeful (and sleepy in the mornings).

Mauritius calls. We've managed to adjust the dates of this lovely holiday, (which we booked and paid for before the latest test results) so that it fits inbetween chemo rounds. We leave on Saturday, not a moment too soon. Having been lucky enough to have been before, we're all anticipating the holiday with much delight. I can't see any reason why it shouldn't be wonderful.

Thanks for your tangible prayers and generous support.