Shortly after the last web post, I was admitted to the Institute of Valencian Oncology (IVO) to have a cancerous prostate removed. Earlier, when the diagnosis had been confirmed, Margaret set about getting second opinions, six in fact. One was with Dr Henk Landa. He advised us to seek advice from IVO and got the process going. I owe my life to him and the magnificent medical and nursing team at IVO. The care I received was incredible and I will never forget what they did for me.
The only fly in the ointment was that I developed a hernia after the operation, quite a common occurrence. As a friend said, because it was free I had to have one. Mmmmmm.
In November our gorgeous Siamese Giorgio passed away. He´d reached the magnificent age of eighteen and a half. We were devastated and still are.
We needed to get away and went for a short break to Madrid. This was the week after the atrocity in Paris. Christmas was a quiet affair and we spent New Years Eve with Victor and Bettina. The glitter can still be seen next to their path near the swimming pool.
The process was interrupted, late in January, when I was admitted to IVO to have the hernia repaired. Being an existing patient at IVO allowed me to have it fixed there. Once again, they were magnificent. I do sincerely hope that the recent decision made by 52% of the well informed (?) UK population does not prevent us having access to Spanish health care in the years to come.
In April it was 12 months since our dear friend Wilf passed away. Also in April, Margaret and I went to New York. We had a fantastic time and found New Yorkers to be kind and considerate. We stayed at the magnificent Waldorf Astoria, managed to visit most of the places on our wish list and walked the streets of Manhattan in the Spring sunshine. British Airways were superb and put the budget airlines to shame.
Since April we have been to the UK, London in particular a number of times, to source a present for Margaret to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary in November. The quest came to a very satisfactory conclusion last Thursday and she is very happy.
Throughout this period I had been pecking away at the sequel to Lock-Down Blues. Much of it was half-hearted because concentration was not at a premium. However, as we moved into 2016 I decided to concentrate on it. I finished the first manuscript towards the end of May and, as is required, sent the first three chapters and synopsis to the publishers. I´m pleased to report that after a week they emailed to say that they wanted to read the entire manuscript. Fingers crossed.
To conclude this post I want to thank all our friends, near and far, for their love and support over what has been a trying and difficult period in our lives. And, most importantly, Margaret who makes all things possible.
More next time.
The only fly in the ointment was that I developed a hernia after the operation, quite a common occurrence. As a friend said, because it was free I had to have one. Mmmmmm.
In November our gorgeous Siamese Giorgio passed away. He´d reached the magnificent age of eighteen and a half. We were devastated and still are.
We needed to get away and went for a short break to Madrid. This was the week after the atrocity in Paris. Christmas was a quiet affair and we spent New Years Eve with Victor and Bettina. The glitter can still be seen next to their path near the swimming pool.
The process was interrupted, late in January, when I was admitted to IVO to have the hernia repaired. Being an existing patient at IVO allowed me to have it fixed there. Once again, they were magnificent. I do sincerely hope that the recent decision made by 52% of the well informed (?) UK population does not prevent us having access to Spanish health care in the years to come.
In April it was 12 months since our dear friend Wilf passed away. Also in April, Margaret and I went to New York. We had a fantastic time and found New Yorkers to be kind and considerate. We stayed at the magnificent Waldorf Astoria, managed to visit most of the places on our wish list and walked the streets of Manhattan in the Spring sunshine. British Airways were superb and put the budget airlines to shame.
Since April we have been to the UK, London in particular a number of times, to source a present for Margaret to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary in November. The quest came to a very satisfactory conclusion last Thursday and she is very happy.
Throughout this period I had been pecking away at the sequel to Lock-Down Blues. Much of it was half-hearted because concentration was not at a premium. However, as we moved into 2016 I decided to concentrate on it. I finished the first manuscript towards the end of May and, as is required, sent the first three chapters and synopsis to the publishers. I´m pleased to report that after a week they emailed to say that they wanted to read the entire manuscript. Fingers crossed.
To conclude this post I want to thank all our friends, near and far, for their love and support over what has been a trying and difficult period in our lives. And, most importantly, Margaret who makes all things possible.
More next time.
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