Yes - another year passes! Or, as Jane likes to think of it, a third birthday celebrated since the collapse in 2012!
For those who've remembered Colin today - many thanks! It was much appreciated.
The last week has been fairly busy. Colin spent the two Monday's doing some volunteering at Regents again, in the Library. The work consisted of putting bar codes in the books ready for cataloguing, and sorting the magazines. He is glad he has been able to do something to help out and it's been really good to catch up with his fellow volunteers and the staff there again.
Wednesday last week, we had a lovely day at Kelmscott Manor - a gem hidden away in the Cotswolds - except it was a busy day with the tourists!! It's now on the map for all manner of nationalities - good for the profits but not necessarily for the village and the property! It turned out to be a sunny warm day and Colin even managed the walk to and from the manor - down from the car park next to the Church, through a bit of the village to the manor house. Chaos had ensued in the tea-room as, according to the notice, they were 'short staffed due to illness'. A long queue snaked its way out of the building into the tea gardens...and lunch just got later by the minute. Jane had fortunately decided on a later timed ticket than the one offered - just as well, which gave us time to finish our lunch without a rush. The small garden was looking lovely - just spoiled by the people but inside there was more room to take in the furnishings etc (Arts and Crafts) than we had experienced previously - perhaps they had let fewer people into the building at each time slot.
On Friday, we went along to the Worcester group of the Brain Tumour Support charity. We were introduced to the new support workers and who heard our 'stories' for the first time! It was a good discussion though, and we learned how one lady, calling her tumour Malcolm, has come to terms with having her tumour sitting inside her head knowing that she can receive no further treatment and, although it being stable currently, is sure it will eventually return to trouble her. She is up beat, believing there to be no point in being negative or depressed about her situation, feeling it better that way as being negative didn't help her or those closest to her. Sadly, one of the other sufferers felt really depressed, had refused any more treatment - we learnt this to be because he couldn't cope with the complex treatment he was expected to administer himself at home with no help - he lives on his own. We wondered how the medical profession could do this to a patient, knowing the cognitive impact of having a brain tumour. He told us (although we already knew) how he couldn't deal with this from a cognitive perspective - not being able to get his head around things anymore.
Today, we went along to the Gloucester Brain Tumour Support group in Cheltenham. Again, another new support worker to meet. And again, it was good to hear the positive sides to having a brain tumour (yes, really!). There was common ground on the perceived short-comings of the first diagnoses and how long they had taken. It being Colin's birthday, we shared some cake. Yes cake! Jane had made some without sugar (using xylitol instead) - so less of a risk to the tumours, we hope!
We're looking forward to seeing some friends tomorrow and on Thursday. Apologies to those who've emailed and not yet had a response. We're getting round to it - honestly! Now....where is that cake?
Colin and Jane.
For those who've remembered Colin today - many thanks! It was much appreciated.
The last week has been fairly busy. Colin spent the two Monday's doing some volunteering at Regents again, in the Library. The work consisted of putting bar codes in the books ready for cataloguing, and sorting the magazines. He is glad he has been able to do something to help out and it's been really good to catch up with his fellow volunteers and the staff there again.
Wednesday last week, we had a lovely day at Kelmscott Manor - a gem hidden away in the Cotswolds - except it was a busy day with the tourists!! It's now on the map for all manner of nationalities - good for the profits but not necessarily for the village and the property! It turned out to be a sunny warm day and Colin even managed the walk to and from the manor - down from the car park next to the Church, through a bit of the village to the manor house. Chaos had ensued in the tea-room as, according to the notice, they were 'short staffed due to illness'. A long queue snaked its way out of the building into the tea gardens...and lunch just got later by the minute. Jane had fortunately decided on a later timed ticket than the one offered - just as well, which gave us time to finish our lunch without a rush. The small garden was looking lovely - just spoiled by the people but inside there was more room to take in the furnishings etc (Arts and Crafts) than we had experienced previously - perhaps they had let fewer people into the building at each time slot.
On Friday, we went along to the Worcester group of the Brain Tumour Support charity. We were introduced to the new support workers and who heard our 'stories' for the first time! It was a good discussion though, and we learned how one lady, calling her tumour Malcolm, has come to terms with having her tumour sitting inside her head knowing that she can receive no further treatment and, although it being stable currently, is sure it will eventually return to trouble her. She is up beat, believing there to be no point in being negative or depressed about her situation, feeling it better that way as being negative didn't help her or those closest to her. Sadly, one of the other sufferers felt really depressed, had refused any more treatment - we learnt this to be because he couldn't cope with the complex treatment he was expected to administer himself at home with no help - he lives on his own. We wondered how the medical profession could do this to a patient, knowing the cognitive impact of having a brain tumour. He told us (although we already knew) how he couldn't deal with this from a cognitive perspective - not being able to get his head around things anymore.
Today, we went along to the Gloucester Brain Tumour Support group in Cheltenham. Again, another new support worker to meet. And again, it was good to hear the positive sides to having a brain tumour (yes, really!). There was common ground on the perceived short-comings of the first diagnoses and how long they had taken. It being Colin's birthday, we shared some cake. Yes cake! Jane had made some without sugar (using xylitol instead) - so less of a risk to the tumours, we hope!
We're looking forward to seeing some friends tomorrow and on Thursday. Apologies to those who've emailed and not yet had a response. We're getting round to it - honestly! Now....where is that cake?
Colin and Jane.
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