On Monday afternoon it was a trip to the Cobalt Unit in Cheltenham for the next MRI head scan with contrast. Unusually, things were running 30 minutes late due to the breakdown of one of the scanners. There was a very large heavy looking box in one of the corridors, - so says Colin - from Germany. Let's hope someone manages to replace the broken part - though it's probably not a job for one person! This is the only time we have ever experienced a delay at the Cobalt Unit and then is was only half and hour - not like the hospitals which routinely run hours late! Colin has to wait another TWO weeks for the results of this scan. Let's hope when we turn up for the appointment with the Oncologist that a radiologist has managed to report on the scan.....not like sometimes!
Tuesday was another trip to Cheltenham, this time for the Gloucestershire Brain Tumour Support group at Maggie's. Lots of new faces this time. Shared experiences mirrored Colin's even though the others have different brain tumours. There was much discussion about applying for benefits and the trauma of doing this with a brain that isn't working properly. This discussion was prompted by the speaker who is the benefits adviser at Maggie's. She was saying it is not in our natures to explain how having a brain tumour affects daily living - most sufferers find it difficult to come to terms with what they can no longer do for themselves and needing help. This doesn't help their cases when applying for benefits. Those on the interviewing or assessment end have usually no knowledge of brain tumours and their effects. It is difficult to get the message across - unless the sufferer takes to wearing a bandage around their head!!! We can empathise with this - even some close friends/family don't 'get it'!
And so to Wednesday. We took our 'six bypasses' friend and his wife out to Stockton Bury gardens in Herefordshire and we were really lucky that the weather was on the up. We had a nice leisurely lunch followed by an amble through the gardens, which were looking quite splendid. Our friend did really well considering it's only about three weeks since his operation, and we all enjoyed looking at someone else's hard work in the garden for a change! The day was finished off with a cup of tea and slice of flapjack before heading home.
Yesterday morning we went for a short walk to the Knapp and Papermill wildlife reserve. The weather was just right at that time of day for a pleasant stroll. We missed the bluebells however - most of them were over. Colin found the terrain somewhat difficult however - for those who don't know the reserve, a good deal of the path is quite stony (an old track way it seems) and this together with tree roots makes the paths uneven, which throws Colin's balance haywire! Again he ended up walking like the leaning tower of Pisa! We stopped for a drink on the picnic benches on the way out and saw the nest boxes in full use!!! What a treat!
An early start this coming Monday.....for the next appointment with the consultant Haematologist at Worcester Royal. And then Tuesday Colin has his appointment with the ENT team for his hearing aid. Hooray!
Colin and Jane.