January 2017 – Why The Long Break and What are We Doing Now?
The last post referred to Gerry’s health and observed that we would be out of normal circulation for some time. That has certainly been the case as Gerry underwent three lots of chemotherapy each involving just over a week’s stay in the Great Western Hospital in Swindon. Those spells were followed by a stem cell harvest in Oxford and two further stays in GWH (totalling more than five weeks) because of infections.
The infections and chemo have caused damage to the kidneys and thyroid as well as creating abnormal levels of fluid around the heart and lungs. Not surprisingly, the risks associated with the transplant were significantly increased and the transplant has been deferred several times. Gerry has seen Renal and Endocrinology specialists and had several CRT scans and echocardiograms as well as seeing a second more experienced haematology consultant two weeks ago to review the situation. He will have another set of scans at the end of February just before seeing the consultant again. Hopefully, we will get a definitive decision then about whether they are prepared to proceed with the transplant. Gerry feels well and is wanting to get on with life!
All the while we had followed advice about no mixing with large groups, no theatres, swimming, bus trips, restaurants and pubs etc. The advice was relaxed at the end of January and we are now able to do more although pubs, theatres and other large close company groups are still to be avoided.
Within a couple of days we had enjoyed our first meal in a restaurant for seven months and travelled to Cornwall for a short stay at the Pentire Hotel in Newquay. We visited Mevagissey en route to the hotel for a Cornish pasty brunch and a walk around the port. We then met up with Pam and Dave Nelmes friends from Fairford who have recently moved to Cornwall. It was lovely catching up with them and seeing their new home before heading to the hotel. As we booked in we had a lovely surprise when the receptionist said that there was a bottle of wine for us to enjoy as a gift from Annie’s sister. Thanks Pam it was delightful!
The next day we enjoyed glorious sunny weather and went for a lovely walk at The Lizard. The Lifeboat Station built over a hundred years ago and now used by fishermen was still solid although the slipway no longer went all the way into the sea! It was so refreshing to be out enjoying the sea air and scenery. We also visited St Agnes, Padstow and several more villages before heading back to Fairford and the fog and rain. A truly wonderful break that left us wondering when we could next get away.
After a couple of days at home we decided to visit Bournemouth and stay overnight. The weather was really lovely for our journey down. We stopped at the National Trust property of Kingston Lacy and enjoyed a walk through the gardens. The snowdrops and cyclamen were providing the beginnings of a carpet of colour. Arriving in Bournemouth in the early afternoon we went for a walk on the pier. As one looked back to the beach and cliffs from the pier it was hard to imagine it was January!
The last couple of hours of daylight were spent walking around the Nature Reserve at Hengistbury Head (well worth a visit). The next morning, Sunday, saw a complete change in the weather it was wet, cold and a little misty. We headed off to Stourhead intending to walk around the grounds. We put on our waterproof over trousers etc only to find the rain stopped as we got out of the car. Half way round the walk we had a phone call that resulted in a visit to see Hannah, James, Rosie and Ptolemy over lunchtime. It was a lovely surprise and a great end to the weekend.
Who knows where we will head next but Yorkshire beckons.
