Treatment complete

I've had all 4 of the treatments of Ipi now and after what has felt like a long period of chronic fatigue, I'm beginning to feel human again. Just as well, as there are several wonderful end of matric functions to attend and I need to be on top form to enjoy them fully. Each continues to be a moment of quiet triumph, having dreaded missing them.

I will have a CT scan in about a month to see how those tumours have responded to Ipi. Further decisions will be made then and I've been well trained to live in the present and not worry about what might or might not happen until it does. It seems that various parts of my endocrine system have taken a knock, and strong homeopathic support is allowing a good recovery. I have learned that being born with O positive blood is much in my favour in terms of my ability to bounce back after a knock.

Tim has long leave this year, so we have all sorts of exciting ideas about how to max out on the special time. As Ali starts at university next year, this will be the first January in 21 years when we aren't bound by school terms. We are hoping to have a couple of weeks when all 5 of us can be together, Nic's job and ever tight leave situation willing. The planning is so much fun and our ideas have been wild and at times horribly expensive.

In the interim, we need to batton the hatches and get the house running military-style to give Ali his best shot with matric. He has been offered a place in the BMed Sc Biomed ( a shadow medical degree, which could allow transition into medicine in second year provided that exceptional results are achieved) at Wits next year and he is still being considered for a place in medicine, which will be dependent on his matric results.

James writes his final Business Science exams in a few weeks and we're planning with delighted anticipation to go to his graduation on 14 December.

My amazing mum has flown off to England again this evening. She is going to see my special Aunt Ro and then on to see her dear Grandfather Friend, Norman. As the children say, high praise indeed, Granny is a legend!