Round 3, day 2

I was so strong after the lovely break at Nottens that I decided to whip down to Cape Town for a couple of days to sort out the house. We need to get it all empty and ship shape for the O'Mahoneys to move in at the end of August. There were a lot of decisions to be made as the contents are being redirected to 5 venues!

Nicola immediately and generously offered to accompany me and plough through the long list of tasks. I would never have managed without her and her amazingly clear thinking brain, she kept me on track when I was so easily distracted and her sense of humour got us through some tricky moments . We were powerfully supported by dear friends who were generous and tireless in their help and commitment to completing dull tasks and distracting us when fragile and worn out.

Saturday was one of the days that makes Cape Town one of the best cities in the world. We had a perfect walk along the path from Muizie to Kalk Bay and then a delicious breakfast at our favourite Knead. We returned to have the lovely O'Mahoney family and, happily, the closest neighbours for tea. The delight about the house and raptuous welcome by the children of similar ages was astounding. I have the overwhelming sense that it is the O'Mahoney's turn to have the pleasure of bringing up a young family in that house, which is perfect for the job.

Nausea in anticipation set in in earnest on Monday. Tim and I were really dreading chemo as we knew what was coming. Dr Mafafo was delighted with my lack of symptoms, which seem to indicate that the cancer hasn't progressed significantly. My white blood cell count was normal again and my general robustness allows me to recover fully inbetween treatments for now. I even put on 1kg with all the delicious Nottens and Cape Town treats! She has advised that I take a fourth round of chemo before testing.

So far, so good, but the known side effects are starting to kick in now, so I probably won't write again until I emerge again.

James heads back to CT for an academically challenging, but 21st and hockey filled 3rd term. Nic is off to White River on Friday to do some work for a Grameen style micro finance organisation and Ali has his head down for exams in two weeks. Marvellous children, they are so strong and moving on in a remarkably positive way.

I so appreciate the overwhelming love and care with which you and all we know are surrounding us. Suffering is a condition of life from which none of us is immune. I wish you strength in yours.