Happy New Year

Dear All.

Firstly I wish you all a happy and prosperous new year. And for myself, I wish to have a few more of them, although I do not yet know how things are going along inside which explains why I have not reported for a while, there being little to report. The nasty effects of radiation and chemotherapy are much reduced, although I can still feel that thing inside me, and it is not a comfortable feeling. I had hoped that it would magically disappear on its own and that surgery would not be required. I am however assured that surgery always takes place, as a preventive measure.  Bugger. I am still smarting from the last lot of butchery and can’t say I am looking forward to the next lot. We went to see Dr Proton and the chemo chappie. Neither had much to say except how is it going. Dr Proton wanted to know how often I had a poo and what was the consistency. The Romans could tell the future by cutting up sheep and examining the entrails. Maybe Dr Proton has invested heavily in the New Year Lottery and is encouraged by the state of my waste products. He always worries me when he says ‘If I see you again…’ Unfortunately, in Dutch ‘If I see you again..’ and ‘when I see you again..’ are the same. The most cheerful news that he had to impart was that BATHS ARE ALLOWED!!!  Rejoice, it will be morning and evening baths with perhaps a midday one if the other two don’t overlap. I have purchased several flagons of Badedas, my favourite, and a vast quantity of P.D. James, John Grisham and Ruth Rendell to fatten up in the steam.

 Christmas was great; we all went to Irene's for a mighty feast contributed by various members of the family. I was personally charged with the making of 18 prawn cocktails but had about five of them during the making and had to thin them out a bit. Followed by cards and scrabble on assorted tables. Nobody felt like Christmas presents, but I got one anyway from Tony and Elli. Haven't been able to get to the golf club lately, and would probably unzip myself into two halves at the first good swing. I do however spend a lot of time on the bog and can now get in some much needed short-game practice.

New year we would normally be off for a huge family bonanza, but this time we stayed at home, and in good company.  Cris, Cheryl and the adorable Tallulah Pixie. Sorry if there are rather a lot of photos of her, and sorry if I am in many of them. She is photogenic and lovely to be with so we were often together when cameras were flashed around.  A walk on the beach at Egond aan Zee in the freezing wind, a cup of something warm in a beach cafe,

 New Year's Eve with Irene, Cris, Cheryl and Pixie. Adam and Caro came for a short time but had to get the train back. An unlikely meal of cheese fondue and table grill/gourmet. And then three rounds of scrabble in English, in all of which I came last, way behind the Dutch. And then something that wasn't champagne and outside to see the neighbours lighting up their sparklers and making rings and figures of eight and stuff.

Many thanks to Cris, Cheryl and Tallalah.

Jan 9th and off to the MCA for 3 scans in one day. A PET scan, A CT scan and a MRI scan. I have no idea what it all means. I have had scans before, but nothing prepared me for this one, I think it was the pet scan. Lay still on the bed for an hour after drinking a huge flagon of goo that looks and tastes like wallpaper paste. Then an injection of radioactive fluid which came in a metal container which nobody wanted to get near. Shades of Chernobyl. Then to the machine which is a long and narrow pipe. I would be fed into the pipe very slowly. The whole trip takes 35 minutes. No problem, I'll just fall asleep. Then my arms were grabbed and stretched behind me and my hands secured with a Velcro strap. It felt like one of those medieval rack things used on heretics in Tudor times. My shoulders felt like hell. And this for more than half an hour. I told the doctor that it was excruciating, but he assured me that it would only get worse and life isn't always what we would wish for ourselves and no more talking or it would spoil the pictures. I counted seconds in my head for about 15 minutes, and the nurse said that the first five minutes were gone already, and only 30 to go so it goes a lot faster than you think. Does it now. The pipe is so small that I could stick my tongue out and lick it, but I didn't want to spoil the nice body-slice pictures. At the end I could not move when released. I had to be helped up, my arms had no more structure than a pillow case. The other scans were not so bad. For the one with the magnets, the MRI, I was allowed to bring in a CD. The machine made so much noise that I couldn't hear anything at all. I wish I had brought in 'Amateur transplants'. The pictures, being digital, are instantly available, but we must wait until Jan 18 to get the results.

The scans being on a friday, I missed the art class at the Crejat Academie. Thanks to Merel I have been able to keep up. I was doing my homework at the kitchen table, when Emma and Bernadet asked to join in. The results are very good. Emma's rose is now framed and on the wall. I am quite impressed with Bernadet's still life. For a first painting, very impressive.

Rose, by Emma

Still Life, by Bernadet

Crejat homework - Still Life

Crejat Homework - Rectangles

The spring is coming, the snow is gone.

Hilde and Michelle came on Saturday. Nice meal, lots to drink and endless rounds of klaverjas, scrabble and laughter until the early hours. Sunday for a long walk to the chapel. I am not really a believer but it is a place of peace to sit and ponder deeply.  Why are ostriches? Is Africa? While the ladies light candles and curtsy to statues and stuff. Back home for a last round of klaverjas. Thanks Michelle and Hilde. Good fun. 

Two more good things coming up. Jon Strong plays in Mulligans and Kieran also has a gig in Holland in  February. I hope I can make them both.

It is Monday night. Tomorrow we go to the MCA to find out if the treatment is working and whether my future is behind me. I shall phone Cris immediately and he will call others.

Wish me luck!
Take care now.