a BIGGER BUMP in the road

 A BIGGER BUMP in the Road

In my last Blog I signed off saying,"Now Mary and I face a quieter season”

Wrong!! You never know what’s round the corner.   

In September we got some news that put all my Downs and Ups in their place - Edward, our son, was diagnosed with bowel cancer. He is off work, and beginning 5 months of Radio and Chemotherapy to try and shrink the tumour.  Then they plan to cut out what remains of it in April or May. 

Ed and Kate are both full time teachers, and Christian believers, involved in their local church - a new church on the new estate where they live in Arborfield Green. Their children, Izzy (10) and Freddie (9), are our eldest grandchildren, and go to the same school that Kate teaches at, Crossfields, in Reading. The senior management of both their schools - Reading Blue Coat and Crossfields - have been very supportive and are covering their absences. 

Ed is full of faith and is at peace; but it is a long road, and he is having to manage a lot of pain, with the help of meds. Keeping things as normal as possible helps the children, so we have been over in Arborfield Green for most of the last month to help out, and keep Ed company during the long days of waiting for the next appointment/scan. Friends in their church have kindly given us accommodation, ‘for as long as you need it’. 

Like all people of faith in these situations, we feel peace and hope when we pray; but when we stop praying the worries can flood back in! So, you have to learn to pray ‘without ceasing’, which I  think is what we’re meant to do anyway -  living our whole lives with, and in dependence upon, Christ. Why is there always more to learn? 

We need wisdom to know how to balance commitments and friendships at home, with our support of Ed. Thankfully,  communications with Ed and Kate are easy, so we should be able to manage it. Amongst it all, the big consolation is getting to spend more time with them. 

Precious Time.

My health? The stiffness, due to thickening skin, continues. It is a symptom of Graft Versus Host Disease that often occurs a year after a transplant. The first drug the Prof tried on me, Imatinib, caused Edema - swollen ankles due to the collection of fluid. I am now trying the next new drug, Belumosudil, which ‘the stats so far say gives considerable help to 50% of patients’.

You know what to do, thank you.

And please send me your news,

Jonathan

Press Esc to exit editor.