Postcard from Morag

"Rob and I can't fight this cancer.

It controls our lives

but we try to control our days

and make them good.

It's ages since I've put out any information on Rob's cancer,

so with Easter approaching I thought I'd send out an update.

The mainstay is that Rob and I continue to muddle along.

Things are slowing down for us in that it takes us a bit longer

to do anything!

Rob jokes that although he's getting up earlier in the morning

it takes us longer and longer to get out the door each day...

needless to say he blames me.. all that make -up etc......

Seriously though, Rob now needs a wee bit of help with shoes etc.

We joke that we can judge the day with his shoelaces.

If we can do them quickly- its a going to be a good day!
He's still on steroids, (with their horrible side effects)

and is now on near maximum dose of anti-convulsants

( having had to increase them again in March).-

These damned seizures just won't go away. Mid March,

Rob had an appointment with Prof Whittle,

the surgeon who "went in" in 2001 and Oct. 2006.

He was pleased with Rob's post operative progress.

Unfortunately, over the past fortnight, since Rob's last major seizure,

things haven't been so good.

His left side has started to weaken again,

giving co-ordination problems and his energy level is very low.

Each day he has a sleep in the afternoons, sometimes mornings as well.

Our walks, which we try to make daily, are down to about 10-15 mins.

We've worn our own pathway round the Longniddry Bents car park

- often to be seen silhouetted against the 4.30 skyline!!- in all weathers!
I've attached a photograph we took up by Ben Lawers.

We had a couple of days break up in Fortingall - the hotel there is lovely

and the food is good. We recommend it !

Although the weather was bitterly cold,

it was sunny and great for a lovely drive in Glen Lyon.

The scenery was wonderful.

Easter weekend we hope to get up to Dunkeld,

courtesy of Rob's Mum, brother and sisters,

an early birthday present for him.

We're looking forward to it- he'll watch the final of the Masters there.

What more could I ask for ? !!!
As summer approaches (well its been 17.5 degrees today!!)

we are both looking forward to July, when if all goes well

we'll have a second grandchild to keep us going.

Ruth certainly does at the moment- she's a hoot.

Sarah's keeping well so far , so fingers crossed.
Things are not easy for us but we try to make the most of it.

Rob's comment is that "it's not much fun being me, at the moment"

and he's right, but he never complains.
Last year at this time we had a wonderful skiing holiday in Tignes, Val Claret.

For Rob especially, it was fantastic, exhilarating.

He still talks about his time there in the mountains, on the slopes.

We are so glad we took that holiday.

We've returned there many times in our minds eye.

Our message to you is don't put things off.

Do them and give yourselves good memories.

They are worth it.

Needless to say I hope this finds you and your families happy and well.

Keep in touch, drop us a note now and again.

It's nice for us to know what's going on

in the big wide world, out there.

Best wishes,

from Morag and Rob "