Tuesday 14th August 2012

A huge relief. The Tumour marker has decreased in size, so that is great news. It doesn’t mean that the cancer has gone, nor does it mean that the tumours have shrunk (though that is the aim) but it probably does mean that the spread of the cancer cells in my body has diminished, and that a combination of the prayers, the drugs, the new diet and the exercise is actually making a difference.

It gives me hope. Thank you to everyone for praying for me so forcefully and for all your encouraging messages yesterday and today.

Nicola and I ‘celebrated’ by going out for a pizza after the hospital visit. That was perfection.

I did say that I would tell you a little about my Brothers and my Auntie. I am the youngest of three boys (and obviously the most handsome, most intelligent and talented) Alan is the eldest, with Stephen in the middle. Alan is eight years older than me, Steve just three years my senior. In some ways, they are typical northerners…blunt, no-nonsense and gritty. Alan lives in Holland now with Jacky his partner, and he is doing well for himself over there. He is a fisherman…not like me…I mean a seriously good angler. He taught me. (I’m a poor student) He was telling me yesterday of his haul. A 12lb carp, four good-sized tench, and several other decent-sized fish including bream.

When growing up I wanted to be Alan. I adored him, even though he was sometimes a bad influence! He was a mod, and went everywhere on his Lambretta 125, which had about fourteen mirrors on the front. (For seeing up the skirts of the passengers he always seemed to have in abundance, he admitted) Alan always looked out for me in Marsh Green, and was – I think – proud of his little brothers. A strong footballer and rugby player, representing Wigan Schoolboys in both sports. He was certainly well-known in Wigan, and I admit to sometimes using his name for effect in intimidating company.

Steve is great. He would do anything for anyone, but especially for me and for his family. Steve drove all the 200 miles from Yorkshire (where he lives) to spend a couple of hours with me in the hospital following my surgery…and then back again, as though it was just a normal afternoon. He was always a gentler soul than his big brother, but forged an amazing career in the army, rising to the heights of Regimental Sergeant Major in his first years in The Royal Signals. A talented sportsman, he represented the Army at centre-forward at football. He was and is really clever, and has a superb memory (again, most unlike his little brother!) If I need some information – especially on films,  entertainment and especially music, then he invariably has the answers. His wife Elaine is a joy (even if she is a Yorkshire lass), and they make a truly close team. They adore each other. Steve is a self-confessed Techie and works at the Ministry of Justice (ooops, am I allowed to say that, Steve?)

My Aunt Dorothy (Dot) is my Mother’s little sister, and also her very closest friend. She has been truly remarkable with our family and has looked after Mum on so many occasions when she has needed support. She is always there for Mum, and they are often seen visiting, shopping, holidaying together and generally enjoying each other’s company. Dot was always as close to our micro-family as anyone could possibly be

I wanted to let you know that these three have transferred £1000 each into the fund for me to get to Mexico. Funds that I know they cannot really afford. I am flabbergasted…so humbled by their gifts, and honoured to call them my family. Thank you so much.

If all of that was nostalgic and mushy, then I’m not apologising. This blog is for me to express myself, right?

Into school tomorrow. I’m quite excited about seeing all the building work done in my absence. I’ll blog tomorrow.

Night, night. God bless.

David