Good News!

  This morning, we attended an appointment with the surgeon , who had carried out my operation to cut out the cancer from my lower bowel and create a stoma. We went with some apprehension but in the event, he gave us the news that all was clear and there would be no need for any further treatment.  My plumbing can be reconnected early in the new year and the stoma closed up. We could scarcely believe how lucky we have been! The operation will require a weeks stay in hospital but after that I will be as good as new.
   We celebrated with a cup of coffee in the tea shop before making the necessary arrangements and driving home rejoicing.

Visit by Cecile, our friend from Lille

  We had the great pleasure of a flying visit from our good friend Cecile, who dropped in for a day, after visiting her son at Angouleme. We collected her from Ruffec station as arranged but only succeeded by the skin of our teeth in catching the train back to Poitiers on her way to Lille. Thanks for your visit, Cecile!

Status update

I haven't written a blog for ages and readers are understandably worried. In fact, we have not had a moment to call our own, having gone to Niort hospital every day by taxi ambulance for radiotherapy to shrink the tumour in my rectum. I am happy to report that the treatment was effective and the tumour was diminished by fifty percent, allowing the surgeon to operate successfully and to create a stoma. I spent some time in the hospital with Kim visiting each day but am now back home.
We had the pleasure of a visit from our daughter Alyson come to spend a week with us. She flew in to Limoges airport, lucky she isn't going back today, with the road system in chaos to protest against the cost of fuel!

  Love you lots, Al xx