Week 94 (4 - 10 May 2008)
On Sunday we all drove to Selsdon in Laura’s new car. I’ve never had a new car. Hm. It even has SatNav. Although on the way there I took its place. Not on the dashboard though. The minister of the church, Mike, used to be our minister in Brentwood and we have known their family for about 22 years. He took the very courageous decision to invite Laura to preach at their Christian Aid service. A member of the congregation who works for TEAR Fund (another relief agency) had heard several professional presentations during the previous week but said that he thought Laura’s was much better! We agreed! Not just because we’re her parents, but because she was clear, informative, passionate and challenging. Not bad for someone who missed most of her secondary education due to illness.
We had a great time with the Elcomes over lunch (and a great lunch too!). And were able to spend a little time with their married eldest daughter, Beccy, and speak to Hannah on the phone as she prepares for her degree finals in Manchester. Abi entertained us with her individual take on life!
Richard returned to Manchester on Sunday afternoon and Laura left us on Monday after lunch. That’s the worst bit about seeing them, they go away again!
The weather has become considerably hotter and sunny so we’re having to find our lighter clothes again so that we don’t overheat as we sit in the garden. We had another visit to Broomfield Hospital on Thursday – not to see the original consultant but another in the same department, or so we thought. We saw an assistant instead and although he didn’t seem to realise that the problem is more than urological he did refer to his senior. Not altogether satisfactory. All this has made us feel a lot older. Birthdays also have that effect. We didn’t feel like celebrating much but in the evening we had a meal with Gill & Steve and played their new Wii fitness ‘game’.
On Friday (the actual birthday) morning we saw our GP again and asked for a private referral to a gynaecologist. This is now planned for next Tuesday evening but we still need to see the original urologist again. In the afternoon we went to Ashburnham Place in East Sussex – 200 acres of farmland and wooded areas. This was for the church weekend away so we were joined by over 60 others! We were very grateful to have this opportunity to join in at short notice and even had a ground floor room near the meeting and dining rooms. It was warm enough to sit out by the lakeside
on Saturday afternoon and very therapeutic. Meeting new people, and developing longer friendships, is always a bonus in these events. I wonder if that is the real purpose in having them. The gatherings are (only?) a focus and stimulation for thought and conversations. Conversations we could manage, thinking was a struggle.
We had a great time with the Elcomes over lunch (and a great lunch too!). And were able to spend a little time with their married eldest daughter, Beccy, and speak to Hannah on the phone as she prepares for her degree finals in Manchester. Abi entertained us with her individual take on life!
Richard returned to Manchester on Sunday afternoon and Laura left us on Monday after lunch. That’s the worst bit about seeing them, they go away again!
The weather has become considerably hotter and sunny so we’re having to find our lighter clothes again so that we don’t overheat as we sit in the garden. We had another visit to Broomfield Hospital on Thursday – not to see the original consultant but another in the same department, or so we thought. We saw an assistant instead and although he didn’t seem to realise that the problem is more than urological he did refer to his senior. Not altogether satisfactory. All this has made us feel a lot older. Birthdays also have that effect. We didn’t feel like celebrating much but in the evening we had a meal with Gill & Steve and played their new Wii fitness ‘game’.
On Friday (the actual birthday) morning we saw our GP again and asked for a private referral to a gynaecologist. This is now planned for next Tuesday evening but we still need to see the original urologist again. In the afternoon we went to Ashburnham Place in East Sussex – 200 acres of farmland and wooded areas. This was for the church weekend away so we were joined by over 60 others! We were very grateful to have this opportunity to join in at short notice and even had a ground floor room near the meeting and dining rooms. It was warm enough to sit out by the lakeside
on Saturday afternoon and very therapeutic. Meeting new people, and developing longer friendships, is always a bonus in these events. I wonder if that is the real purpose in having them. The gatherings are (only?) a focus and stimulation for thought and conversations. Conversations we could manage, thinking was a struggle.
posted by J & A McAdam at 4:10 PM
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