A DOUBLE VALENTINE TREAT

As I sit here writing my Blog in glorious Spring sunshine it is is hard to believe that last week we were in the grips of snow.

My aromatherapist Ann struggled to get to us from Sutton Coldfield to spend a day at our home giving treatments and my ex Macmillan nurse Sue and her partner Pete braved the elements to come to dinner last week which was great.. It doesn't feel right to say "ex" because although she retired last year she is still very involved with my cancer journey and is always on hand to give advice. I do have a lovely new nurse called Louise and I know when the time comes she will give me all the wonderful support that Macmillan nurses specialise in.

I never quite get away without at least one visit to a hospital and this week it was Mr. Ramos who removed my "enlarged toe joints" which sounds much better than "bunions" this time last year - how time flies. I gave an interview at the time for the Birmingham Mail because I had agreed to enter the Macmillan Birmingham Fun Run only 10 weeks after the operation which I am not sure was a foolish or a brave decision. The headline read "Brave Angela defies cancer - and bunions....." No good for my image, but all for a good cause and when I lined up for the run - or in my case "the hobble" with my friend Debbie I felt great that I had made it.

Talking of time flying it is 3 years this month that my dear Mom died and I still find it hard when I see all the Mothers' Day cards in the shops. My friend invited me to her church at Barston when my Mom was so ill. I always say that the first time I walked down the path past the clusters of snowdrops in the churchyard and entered through the old oak door of the church, I felt I had come home. The people were so welcoming and friendly and when I went last Sunday I still felt that same lovely warm glow I experienced the first time. My faith certainly helps me through the tough times on my journey with cancer.

On the night Debbie and I went to see Elaine Paige at the Symphony Hall - my birthday treat to Debs and yes I was lucky enough to share it.The show was wonderful and Elaine Paige is an amazing performer. After a hearty English breakfast next day Debs left my house for home in the New Forest and I went to do a photo shoot for Macmillan at the BBC. I always love going back to where I spent such a happy 37 years of my career although I left when the BBC was at Pebble Mill, I never made it to the Mail Box.

Pictures were taken of a great guy called Gurcharan, Steve Dourass, Joanne Malin, and me. When we were introduced she said "I know you, I did a test interview with you down the 'phone and you were in your kitchen". She said "because of that interview I got the job at the BBC so I have you to thank for my career."

I was so thrilled and I do remember that interview I thought it was going out live and I was disappointed to find it wasn't, but how lovely to find out all this time later that I played a small part in helping Joanne's career. I even managed to achieve another goal that day. Gurcharan who was a very colourful character, had bought his Dhol drum with him - hope I've spelt this right. He and hundreds more Dhol drummers are hoping to set a World Record on the 2nd May in Centenary Square, Birmingham and all the money raised will be split between 3 charities of which Macmillan is one.I love the drums and have always wanted to play them so when he asked me to have a go on his dhol drum what a treat, another goal to tick of the list!.

>

One day last week a lady called Monica who I had met when I went to the preview of the Macmillan film a few weeks ago rang to ask if she could come and talk to me. She is writing a play about 5 ladies who have different cancers, one being ovarian cancer. She wanted to talk to me to learn about my story and my my experiences. I had a great time telling her the funny things that happened to me as well as the sad. We got on like a house on fire and 4 hours later she left with enough material to write a book. How exciting to be involved in her play, I look forward to seeing it when it is performed this September at the Solihull Arts Theatre

All this aside it was Valentine's Day this week and I am an incurable romantic so I was spoiled by John with a present, red roses and an excellent romantic meal at The Oak restaurant in Hockley Heath, Solihull.

To return the compliment, and as a "double Valentine treat" I took John to Fawsley Hall in Northants. We first came across it 9 years ago when we went to a wedding there - a beautiful Elizabethan Manor House in lovely grounds. As we set off in the sunshine with the hood down on the sports car I worried that it might have changed or gone down hill. When we arrived it was still as special, the service and the hotel itself was wonderful and in this rapidly changing world of ours how lovely to know that some places still retain all the qualities that once made England great.