A CAUTIOUS SIGH OF RELIEF

Today is that day that we have both longed for and dreaded. The operation. After a long stressful day the surgeon rang me at 1500 to say that the operation had been successful and that my dearly beloved had come through it well. There were no visible signs that the cancer had spread but they have sent samples off for analysis and will have the results through in the next 2 to 3 weeks. More waiting, but this is one milestone over.

There had been doubt whether a complete bladder reconstruction was possible and, as it turned out, it was. As Davy had said to our GP "how can I jump into bed with a 25 year old wearing a pee bag" to which he replied "and what does Ann say about this?" So, God willing, his pulling days are not yet over! But what is it they say - the spirit is willing, but the body is weak?!

I am now waiting for word that he has been moved to the Intensive Care Unit so that I can visit him. To be frank, I'm quite scare still because I know he will be so poorly, but, as I say, it's one milestone over.

My wonderful grandson stayed with me all day and we were joined for lunch by his (and my) friend Wayne. They helped to make the day bearable. Thanks guys I am eternally grateful to you. Love you lots and lots.

To all our friends that I would usually email, please forgive me for not being able to - my dongle didn't work! To address the problem was not top of my list of priorities and I'm sure you will understand.

ONE STEP CLOSER TO A CURE

So, we take one step closer to "the treatment plan". The most likely scenario is that "my darling husband" formerly know as "old grumpy" will have a 3 to 4 month course of aggressive chemotherapy followed by surgery. The first stage of this is to test easly next week that his kidneys can cope. If it proves that his kidneys are up to the job the chemo to start within days. If not they will go directly for the operation.

One of the specialists who will be treating him said "we are going for a cure here" and as "old grumpy" (sorry, habit) will be in the care of one of the best teams in the country there is no reason to doubt this statement. However, until we get to "the cure" life will be very rough for him. As one of our medical friends put it "bladder cancer is a vicious disease".

In the meantime, bizzarely, life goes on. This morning we took delivery of our "loop" radiator for the en suite in our newly built bedroom which is within weeks of being finished. That only leaves several months work to finish the new kitchen/family room and then on to refurbish the part of the house we are living in now! Still it gives us something to look forward to. As my old Dad used to say "the only good thing to say about banging your head against a brick wall is that it feels so good when you stop".