It is fair to say that the last two weeks or so has had it's ups and downs. Just over two weeks ago it really did get worse for the person (and a very good friend of ours) who is famous for using the phrase 'it can only get worse' in the most appropriate circumstances. In that he had been admitted to Worcester Royal with a suspected heart attack and had had 2 stents fitted but was (as is still!!!) waiting for a bed at the Walsgrave in Coventry to undergo a bypass. Just when we thought things couldn't get any worse - it did. Our friend had undergone tests and scans, which had also showed up a tumour in his colon. He is still waiting for a bed to have the bypass, which has to be done and from which he has to sufficiently recover before his tumour can be treated.
In the meantime we have been keeping fairly busy with one thing and another. Making the most of the dry warm weather has seen us sorting out the garden, Colin mending the garden gate (after much deliberations which his brain had to compute) and visiting various NT properties for walks. We have both discovered what the brain does when a DIY task is planned.....one doesn't really think about the process the brain goes through until the brain isn't working properly! There is much planning and thought to do before even starting such a job, and all options to be considered, but these are difficult things to do when the brain can't easily sort information and remember what you've just thought about and which option you last decided upon!!
April was always going to be a barren month for appointments but the NHS has more than made up for this in May. Colin's next MRI has been scheduled for 12th May at the Cobalt Unit with the follow-up appointment with the consultant Oncologist on the 29th in Cheltenham hospital. Amongst all that Colin's next appointment with the consultant Haematologist is in Worcester on 19th which requires the requisite bloods to be taken a week or so beforehand. It will be good to attend the Brain Tumour Support group meetings in Worcester and Cheltenham in May for some light(!) relief. However, Colin is still waiting to hear about an appointment to provide him with a hearing aid.....it'll probably be another long wait!
By the way, the charity which used to be known as Hammer Out Brain Tumours has rebranded and is now known as Brain Tumour Support. The new website can be found here http://www.braintumoursupport.co.uk/.
And, at the expense of sounding like a national journal......HAPPY EASTER to all our readers!
Colin and Jane.