It's been three months since my last entry. The highlight of the period was Willa's six week visit, during which we kept very busy here in Needham, where we celebrated my 79th birthday in October. We had a few days in Manchester, where we moved all round the city via buses and the Metrolink trolleys. Everybody laughed when I spoke of going to Rochdale, which has a particularly fine town hall with a higher tower than Manchester's and the original Co-op shop -- but we liked it, as well as the Imperial War Museum North.
Since Willa left I've been besieged with a plague of problems around the house (leaking roof, misbehaving computer and TV, electrical faults, broken window frames, etc). Also a number of physical ones, fortunately not to do with cancer, but very niggling nevertheless. I bashed my left shin and it's just healed up after being dressed with honey (yes!) for a couple of weeks. But at least everything on the cancer front was ok when I saw my oncologist two weeks ago.
The past few weeks have been desperately cold, bringing frost, snow and ice, and temperatures hovering on zero and below. It's warmer today -- about 10C/50F -- but another cold spell is forecast next week and who knows what for Christmas. It's the coldest weather I can remember since we moved to England in 1968.
It's hard to believe Roy died a year ago. I miss him most when I notice something such as this year's crop of quinces -- the best we've ever had -- and want to talk with him about it. As I've written before, Kate and Harry have supported me by visiting whenever they can manage on weekends, sometimes even on weekdays. And friends have telephoned, written cards, letters and emails and visited -- sometimes bringing meals and even bedding with them. Thanks to all of you for such loving support, which has helped me get through this year.
All the family are gathering here for Christmas and we are marking Roy's absence by having turkey with all the trimmings on the big day for the first time. I'm sure he'd have approved.
My very best wishes to all of you who read this for a happy Christmas and a good new year.
Sunday, 12 December 2010
Saturday, 11 September 2010
11 September 2010
My visit to the oncologist on 27 August brought the good news that my lung tumour has responded to the new medication begun in June. Also, a reduction in the dosage of the medication seems to have almost eliminated its unpleasant side effects. So I have been feeling better and stronger. It was two years ago – 10 September 2008 – that I was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and just months to live, and here I am writing away!
It’s been a reasonable summer. I went to London for a couple of special lunches – David Gadsby’s 80th birthday and a gathering of Roy’s Durham friends – and I’m off on Sunday to Kew Gardens with my local horticultural society. I’ve had lots of guests for the day, and as we have taken the house off the market I continue to have plenty of room to put up people overnight. Either Kate or Harry has been here for a day or so every weekend, so I’m being well looked after. And Willa arrives next week for six weeks, so there will be a burst of activity then!
It’s been a reasonable summer. I went to London for a couple of special lunches – David Gadsby’s 80th birthday and a gathering of Roy’s Durham friends – and I’m off on Sunday to Kew Gardens with my local horticultural society. I’ve had lots of guests for the day, and as we have taken the house off the market I continue to have plenty of room to put up people overnight. Either Kate or Harry has been here for a day or so every weekend, so I’m being well looked after. And Willa arrives next week for six weeks, so there will be a burst of activity then!
Monday, 23 August 2010
23 August 2010
Harry is running the Run 10K event Heaton Park on October 3rd and is looking for sponsorship...
http://www.run10ksponsorme.org/harryarnold
http://www.run10ksponsorme.org/harryarnold
Saturday, 7 August 2010
7 August 2010
The last few months have been beset by a number of health problems -- some old and some new, some serious and some just troublesome -- which have consumed most of my little energy. Not that I have ceased to get about, but everything has had to be planned carefully so as to use the least energy. Kate and Harry have been more attentive than ever, and one of them has been here virtually every weekend since June. Friends have flowed in regularly for everything from a cup of tea to an overnight stay or even longer -- doing the catering and dealing with any problems on my checklist while here. I've also had two weekends in London working from a base at Kate's home in Surrey: I attended a friend's 80th birthday lunch one Sunday and finally managed to get to a building I've been trying to visit since before we left Wimbledon (Marble Hill House in Twickenham, an important Palladian villa)!
New medication begun in June for the lung tumour has had positive results but unfortunately has brought every possible unpleasant side effect on the list, and these are chiefly what have preoccupied me over the summer. I see my consultant at the end of the month for my next check-up.
The best news is that Willa arrives on September 17th for a 6 week visit, staying until just after my 79th birthday. So here's to a happy interval until a happy birthday!
Thanks for all your emails, all of which I read and cherish even if I don't reply to them. Getting to the emails on my computer is, for some reason, a somewhat complicated process, so I dread approaching the machine if I'm not feeling in top form -- hence my infrequent responses.
New medication begun in June for the lung tumour has had positive results but unfortunately has brought every possible unpleasant side effect on the list, and these are chiefly what have preoccupied me over the summer. I see my consultant at the end of the month for my next check-up.
The best news is that Willa arrives on September 17th for a 6 week visit, staying until just after my 79th birthday. So here's to a happy interval until a happy birthday!
Thanks for all your emails, all of which I read and cherish even if I don't reply to them. Getting to the emails on my computer is, for some reason, a somewhat complicated process, so I dread approaching the machine if I'm not feeling in top form -- hence my infrequent responses.
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
8 June 2010
I'm hijacking Mom's blog again to let you all know that I'll be taking part in Race for Life again this year. I'll be walking/jogging and occasionally running the 5km (3 mile) route with my friend's Tracy and Emma on 20 June in Guildford. We'll be trying to better last year’s time of 47 minutes.
The race is in aid of Cancer Research UK. Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading independent organisation dedicated to cancer research.
For full details please go to
http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/tracydriver3
The race is in aid of Cancer Research UK. Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading independent organisation dedicated to cancer research.
For full details please go to
http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/tracydriver3
Monday, 31 May 2010
Monday, 31 May 2010
During the past 3 months I've had a number of new health problems, none seemingly major but all decidedly unpleasant, mostly gastro-intestinal except for dizziness & vertigo that did not respond to the usual medications. On 21 May I saw my oncologist for a routine 3 month checkup. An MRI scan at that time showed no spread of cancer to the brain, which was a great relief, but revealed some marks of restrictions to the blood supply to the brain. Then a chest x-ray revealed that the original lung tumour has grown a bit & is no longer responding to the chemo I've been on every 2 weeks. So now I'm on a new drug that I take in pill form once a day, along with a number of other pills to deal with the side-effects. It will be a month or more before we'll know about my response.
At the moment my most obvious problem is the dizziness, which restricts my movements from left to right or when bending down or holding my head backward. And I'm not supposed to drive. Bearing all this in mind, I've decided to back out from the purchase of the apartment in sheltered accommodation (the contracts are just being drawn up) & remain at 77 High Street. I don't know how long I'll be able to take care of myself on my own, much less how I could possibly do what's necessary to make the move in the first place. Recently, between the two of them, Kate & Harry have been here with me almost every weekend, & Kate has occasionally commuted from London on a weeknight. Roy's sister, Janet, & her friend Margaret have just done well by me by providing tlc for 2 weeks.
I'm still up & about the house & garden & able to walk up the street to the newsagent & grocery store plus just across the street to the butcher & bakery. Harry is driving me up to Manchester for a few days this week (it's his college's mid-term break), which I'm looking forward to. This all sounds terribly depressing after all the up-beat news about my health ever since the original tumour responded so positively to chemo about 16 months ago. At least I had such a long settled spell, even if Roy's death cast a shadow over the final third of the period. And the verdict isn't in yet on my latest treatment. So wish me well!! Also remember that I still have our usual accommodation for visitors, who are more welcome than ever.
At the moment my most obvious problem is the dizziness, which restricts my movements from left to right or when bending down or holding my head backward. And I'm not supposed to drive. Bearing all this in mind, I've decided to back out from the purchase of the apartment in sheltered accommodation (the contracts are just being drawn up) & remain at 77 High Street. I don't know how long I'll be able to take care of myself on my own, much less how I could possibly do what's necessary to make the move in the first place. Recently, between the two of them, Kate & Harry have been here with me almost every weekend, & Kate has occasionally commuted from London on a weeknight. Roy's sister, Janet, & her friend Margaret have just done well by me by providing tlc for 2 weeks.
I'm still up & about the house & garden & able to walk up the street to the newsagent & grocery store plus just across the street to the butcher & bakery. Harry is driving me up to Manchester for a few days this week (it's his college's mid-term break), which I'm looking forward to. This all sounds terribly depressing after all the up-beat news about my health ever since the original tumour responded so positively to chemo about 16 months ago. At least I had such a long settled spell, even if Roy's death cast a shadow over the final third of the period. And the verdict isn't in yet on my latest treatment. So wish me well!! Also remember that I still have our usual accommodation for visitors, who are more welcome than ever.
Sunday, 14 March 2010
14 March 2010
It's hard to believe it's been over two months since my last posting, but a lot of things certainly have happened.
The best news is that when I saw my lung oncologist Dr Podd on 26 February, an x-ray, a physical exam and recent blood tests showed no advance in either the lung or breast cancer. Dr Podd is determined that I have a sunny holiday somewhere abroad, but we'll have to see about that, as I still have enormous quanitites of paperwork to deal with.
The other good news is that Willa arrived here on 5 February for a five and half week visit, and I can't say how wonderful it's been having her here and doing a bit of visiting around the countryside with her.
The house is still on the market and I have received an acceptable offer, but it depends on the sale of two properties that have to be sold together, and who knows how long that will take. A couple of people looking for an investment opportunity are visiting again next week.
I have decided that it is sensible for me to buy an apartment in sheltered accommodation (red pulls in every room in case of emergency) as soon as I can arrange it. There are two for sale in Needham Market that the whole family have seen and okayed. I will be reduced to two bedrooms, plus living room and kitchen, but I have had enough of responsibility for a large house and garden. Needless to say, there's a lot of stuff to get rid of, but I'm working away at it. Come soon if you want to visit 77 High Street again!
I continue to struggle with a number of details to do with Roy's business, but Mike Hancock of Classic Hand Tools, a friend/businessman who let the shop for a couple of years, has now taken over Roy's stock of new books and plans to market them as Roy Arnold Books. And Dominic Winter, an important book auctioneer in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, has agreed to have a dedicated sale of Roy's seemingly innumerable second-hand books and catalogues later this year.
Willa and I recently had a great weekend in London with friends and the whole family were here over the half-term week in February. We also had a long weekend in Manchester (Willa shared the driving with me). Kate and Chris came up this weekend to help me with a small gathering of Needham people for dinner last evening. They did all the cooking, and Roy would have approved of the quality and quantity. For dessert we had the last of the frozen Morello cherries that Roy had stoned, served with Kate's meringues. They are taking Willa back with them this afternoon to Woking and will deposit her at Gatwick very early tomorrow morning.
Emails, obituaries and notes about Roy keep arriving from all over the place and all periods of our lives and are greatly appreciated. Hope to hear from some of you again soon.
The best news is that when I saw my lung oncologist Dr Podd on 26 February, an x-ray, a physical exam and recent blood tests showed no advance in either the lung or breast cancer. Dr Podd is determined that I have a sunny holiday somewhere abroad, but we'll have to see about that, as I still have enormous quanitites of paperwork to deal with.
The other good news is that Willa arrived here on 5 February for a five and half week visit, and I can't say how wonderful it's been having her here and doing a bit of visiting around the countryside with her.
The house is still on the market and I have received an acceptable offer, but it depends on the sale of two properties that have to be sold together, and who knows how long that will take. A couple of people looking for an investment opportunity are visiting again next week.
I have decided that it is sensible for me to buy an apartment in sheltered accommodation (red pulls in every room in case of emergency) as soon as I can arrange it. There are two for sale in Needham Market that the whole family have seen and okayed. I will be reduced to two bedrooms, plus living room and kitchen, but I have had enough of responsibility for a large house and garden. Needless to say, there's a lot of stuff to get rid of, but I'm working away at it. Come soon if you want to visit 77 High Street again!
I continue to struggle with a number of details to do with Roy's business, but Mike Hancock of Classic Hand Tools, a friend/businessman who let the shop for a couple of years, has now taken over Roy's stock of new books and plans to market them as Roy Arnold Books. And Dominic Winter, an important book auctioneer in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, has agreed to have a dedicated sale of Roy's seemingly innumerable second-hand books and catalogues later this year.
Willa and I recently had a great weekend in London with friends and the whole family were here over the half-term week in February. We also had a long weekend in Manchester (Willa shared the driving with me). Kate and Chris came up this weekend to help me with a small gathering of Needham people for dinner last evening. They did all the cooking, and Roy would have approved of the quality and quantity. For dessert we had the last of the frozen Morello cherries that Roy had stoned, served with Kate's meringues. They are taking Willa back with them this afternoon to Woking and will deposit her at Gatwick very early tomorrow morning.
Emails, obituaries and notes about Roy keep arriving from all over the place and all periods of our lives and are greatly appreciated. Hope to hear from some of you again soon.
Saturday, 9 January 2010
9 January 2010
I'm back in Needham Market, having spent Christmas with Harry & family in Manchester, with lots of snow & family gatherings, followed by New Year's with Kate & Chris in Woking, with friends for celebrating, a couple of walks, "Avatar", etc.
I know I keep saying this, but I'm still cushioned daily by all the e-mails, phone calls, cards & letters that continue to arrive. Also by a number of tributes to Roy's place in the world of antique woodworking tools over the past 35 years, starting as a tool dealer, then publisher & in the past few years solely as a bookseller with the best stock in the UK of good books on tools & trades. He & his partner Philip Walker began the Arnold & Walker business with the blessing of Bill Goodman, a self-educated carpenter who had written the first serious study of woodworking tools. They were also founder members of the UK's TATHS (Tools & Trades History Society) as well as members of the US's EAIA (Early American Industries Association). If you are interested in this aspect of Roy's life, you might see the following blogs:
http://toolemerablog.typepad.com/toolemera/2010/01/roy-arnold-an-era-passes.html
http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/Merchant/merchant.mvc?Screen=NEXT&StoreCode=toolstore&nextpage=/extra/blogpage.html&BlogID=169
Today I finally had my swine flu innoculation, & next week I'm back on my regular chemo routine. Willa will be coming for a 6 week visit in the next month or so. Meanwhile, it's terribly cold (below freezing for the past few days); we have had about 3 or 4 inches of snow, with frequent flurries; & my car battery won't turn over. But as I live on the High Street, the sidewalks are reasonably okay, & there are two grocery stores nearby. I also have a near neighbour who is very helpful. And I have loads of paperwork to keep me inside at the moment!
I know I keep saying this, but I'm still cushioned daily by all the e-mails, phone calls, cards & letters that continue to arrive. Also by a number of tributes to Roy's place in the world of antique woodworking tools over the past 35 years, starting as a tool dealer, then publisher & in the past few years solely as a bookseller with the best stock in the UK of good books on tools & trades. He & his partner Philip Walker began the Arnold & Walker business with the blessing of Bill Goodman, a self-educated carpenter who had written the first serious study of woodworking tools. They were also founder members of the UK's TATHS (Tools & Trades History Society) as well as members of the US's EAIA (Early American Industries Association). If you are interested in this aspect of Roy's life, you might see the following blogs:
http://toolemerablog.typepad.com/toolemera/2010/01/roy-arnold-an-era-passes.html
http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/Merchant/merchant.mvc?Screen=NEXT&StoreCode=toolstore&nextpage=/extra/blogpage.html&BlogID=169
Today I finally had my swine flu innoculation, & next week I'm back on my regular chemo routine. Willa will be coming for a 6 week visit in the next month or so. Meanwhile, it's terribly cold (below freezing for the past few days); we have had about 3 or 4 inches of snow, with frequent flurries; & my car battery won't turn over. But as I live on the High Street, the sidewalks are reasonably okay, & there are two grocery stores nearby. I also have a near neighbour who is very helpful. And I have loads of paperwork to keep me inside at the moment!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
