Charlotte is growing fast

 

Ruth and Adam are coming for Christmas.

On Friday 19th. December I will be at Manchester Airport to welcome Ruth and Adam to a damp cold old England. We hope to travel south and see my parents and other relatives before heading back to Barrow to spend Christmas with Anna Stephen and Charlotte. This past week I had more treatment and am now beginning to slowly pick up again. I hope by next Friday to be 100% fit again.
Christmas time is a time when we remember our families and friends, For the first time in many years we will not be spending Christmas with our Kuwaiti friends Ali and Karen Assad. We will certainly miss the traditional Christmas and the visit of Santa, who always made and appearance. We hope to have time to sit with family and to get away from the rush of everyday life.
We also should never lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas, 'Emmanuel' God with us. When we remember the birth of our Lord and Saviour.
If I missed you off the Christmas card list, please accept my best wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

A week in Hospital

After My last treatment, I developed an infection. Usually this would not be a problem, however, because my White blood count is very low I was admitted to hospital, placed in isolation, so that I would not catch another infection. After a few days of treatment My count did not rise, I know many having been praying for me so it was a great joy when on Tuesday my neutraphil count had risen from .3 to 1.6 a real rise. PTL. Now I await another cycle on Dec 09th. then Ruth and Adam will arrive in the UK on Dec 19th. Wishing you all a very Blessed Chistmas Season, and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

 

On the move again, back in the UK

After one month in the Philippines I was advised that I should return to the UK and get the treatment I need to overcome the NH. Lymphoma. On Oct 27th I arrived back in the UK, 6.30 on a Sunday morning at Manchester Airport. My son Stephen, Anna his wife and my granddaugther Charlotte were there to meet me. They have graciously offered me a place to stay now I'm settling back into the UK. Ruth and Adam will join me in December for the Christmas break and then we will be able to make some long term plans, as you can imagine lots of things are up in the air at present.

I am currently undergoing Chemotherapy at the local Barrow in Furness General hospital. The treatment here is exactly the same as I have received in Kuwait and in the Philippines. On this latest round of treatment I can see a real improvement in my situation. One good thing here is that instead of going into hospital for three days of Chemo I can do most of it at home taking the meds orally. Steve and Anna are a real support in all of this.

One thing which is a real shock to the system is the cold damp weather. It is 15 years since I was in England for the winter and it takes some getting use to.

I trust that all of you are enjoying good health and looking forward to the Christmas season. Let us never forget the 'reason for the season'. Remember to keep in touch, I love to hear from you all from time to time. so leave a message or send me an email.

Some Photos of Our House so far.

Here are a few Photos of last days in Kuwait, first days in Mactan.

Time to go to UK

On Oct 25th at 18:20 I will leave Cebu for Manchester UK, Stephen will pick me up at 06:25 the next morning and take me straight to Barrow. I hope to be able to continue with treatment there as soon as possible. I have had (last Mon-Tue-Wed) another session of Chemotherapy. To be honest it is taking its toll on my strength. I am not ill, just weak at present. I'm alot better than I was, but not has good as I want to be. The Doctor here is absolutely brilliant, her words were 'we can settle for nothing less than total remission'.
Enough of that what are we up to? Getting settled, putting up pictures, installing electrical equipment etc so that we can live a hassle free life here. unfortunately, that means sewer pipes have to be ripped up, plugs rewired. No 'U' bends, faulty sockets, etc. I have been plumbing, I don't like to bury everything in the walls, Yes, I know it is neat and tidy, but you can't see what tricks they have been up to, well the developer makes the builder put all things right.
The next few months are going to be hard on Adam and Ruth without me, I know Adam is feeling it, Ruth is a stalwart, and so good, but even she gets tired with all the responsiblities. so please remember them in your prayers. They will come to the UK for Christmas, and we will see. One day at a time. I will try and pull in a visit to see you all in the UK as I have time. I will let you have my mobile No. later.