THE WAITING GAME

At the beginning of January I had a scan to check on my cancer. I was also told I would have to have a stomach operation in February and my oncolgist had hinted that I would be starting chemo again in the Spring - not the most fun way to start to the New Year. The worst part was waiting for someone to ring me to let me know what was happening
and when. An appointment was made with my oncologist for the 5th February so all would be revealed. Then it was cancelled and I continued to play the worrying waiting game which in turn led to stress.

My son Jonathan and his partner Jaimie were due to have a baby in February.... how could I get to Canada to see my new grandchild if I had to have an operation followed by 6 months of chemo? I made many phone calls and eventually my oncologist rang to say the cancer in my lymph nodes was growing and confirmed I would start chemo in the late Spring. Obviously it was not the news I wanted to hear, but then my surgeon made contact and at last I had all the answers. He felt the operation before chemo would not be a good idea and preferred to do it after. This was the most wonderful news as it gave me a window to go to Canada, so without delay, I booked my flight - I felt better already!!

Jonathan and Jaimie

I gave a talk to medical students about my experience with cancer and I told them never to destroy the hope of your patients, as this is all we have. I should also have told them how leaving patients waiting weeks for results was inhuman!

I had cheered up immensely and the joy of my grandchildren and friends and the support and love of my lovely husband help me through these rough patches.

Talking of friends, 6 of us who share yoga sessions at my house, went for a belated Xmas treat to The Bluebell in Henley-in-Arden for afternoon tea. Think the Ritz in London but on not such a grand scale! We had champagne, finger-sized sandwiches, a variety of cakes and warm scones and clotted cream washed down with fine English tea in front of a log fire. It was such a lovely experience and one that must be repeated.

Valentine weekend arrived and John and I were going with our friends Yvonne and Tony to a Murder Mystery Night in Arley Hall, Cheshire. 10 years ago I went to a Xmas carol service and dinner at a Hall somewhere up North and we could never remember the name. I had a gut feeling that Arley Hall could be the place. When we arrived it looked very familiar but the dining room was different and John was convinced we had never been there before. We had a really great night with actors giving us tantalising clues as to "Who, why and how the murder had taken place." A bit like cluedo really only more fun. The mystery was solved and the evening was over, but I still had my own mystery to solve. I went to ask one of the staff if they had another dining room and did they have a panelled library where where I might have sung carols with Neil and Christine Hamilton one Xmas. Indeed they had and a very kind man took me to see them. At last my 10 year mystery was solved, Arley Hall was the place and my gut feeling was right!

I had always wanted to go across the Mersey to Liverpool so this is what we did for Valentine's Day. Sadly the rain was lashing down, everything was grey and depressing and Liverpool seemed least like the capital of culture to me.

I couldn't wait to catch the ferry back and John and I went to Port Sunlight in Cheshire. Lord Leverhulme had built the Sunlight Soap Works there in 1888 and then proceeded to create a beautiful village for his workers to live in, complete with swimming pool, library, recreation facilities and lovely houses with bathrooms - a true luxury in the late 19thC! We were staying in the Leverhulme Hotel which was once the old hospital. It felt very strange sharing our Valentine Dinner in the restaurant that was once the hospital ward where Matron ruled supreme and cleaniless was of utmost importance, I think she should definitely come back to our hospitals.

We had a wonderful experience there.The village was reminiscent of Bournville in Birmingham where George Cadbury also built a beautiful place for his workers to live whilst working at Cadbury's factory. Lady Leverhulme's Art Gallery had priceless original paintings displayed and the museum told the fascinating history of how the village was created.

Dusk was falling when we left Port Sunlight for home, but what a wonderful Valentine Weekend we had experienced and I realised that I never once gave a thought to the impending chemo and that is why I always live my life to the full.

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