The family would just like to thank all of those people who gave so generously to the St Elizabeth Hospice via Meredith Greengrass and anonymously at the Church. You raised a further £552.61. Thank you Lee Roper, Mary Lee Roper, Nick and Jeanette Thomas, G. E. Miller, Kathleen Hill, Alice Lester, Denis, Patsy, Kathryn, Richard, Rebecca and Ingrid Aldersea, Brian and Shirley Scrivener, D. T. Millet, Jill Golzen and Sheila Overholt.
In addition, over $500 was raised in the US and was used to pay for 50 flood buckets, relief packs to be used by families caught out in last year's hurricane season.
Monday, 11 February 2013
Monday, 17 December 2012
Monday 17 December 2012
The funeral was a wonderful send off for Julanne. The church was full, as was the pub afterwards and we were able to eat good food and remember her. Willa, Kate and Harry would like to thank everyone for their help, support and kind words over the last few weeks.
You can download the order of service and tributes using this link:
Order of Service and Tributes
You can download the order of service and tributes using this link:
Order of Service and Tributes
and don't forget to leave your memories (and perhaps donations) at:
Saturday, 1 December 2012
Saturday 1 December 2012
Mum died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday 25th November 2012. The funeral will be held at St John the Baptist Church, Needham Market on Monday 10th December 2012 at 11am.
The family would like to thank all of the staff at the Baylham Care Centre for the support they gave to Mum over the last six months.
A tribute page has been set up in her honour and is available by following the link below:
http://tribute.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/julannearnold/
Sunday, 26 February 2012
26 February 2012
Birthday cake made by ten-year-old Isabel for Harry's 45th yesterday.
Good news at the hospital on Friday: my blood analyses were fine and a chest x-ray showed only the tiniest bit of growth to the lung tumour. So I continue with no chemo, and my next scheduled appointment with Dr Podd is not until the middle April.
Meanwhile, during March I'm attending workshops at the St Elizabeth Hospice on Thursday and Friday afternoons. I hope to visit Janet and Margaret in Gloucestershire for a few days, and Kate and Harry along with a number of friends, are much in attendance. Willa arrives after Easter for six weeks, so I have lots to look forward to.
I get awfully tired very easily but can still manage to walk up the street to the grocery store for milk and enjoy being driven out to lunch or a movie. The weather has improved over the last couple of weeks, although I haven't written off winter yet.
Sunday, 12 February 2012
12 February 2012
There's been no word from me for a long time -- no blog messages, emails or Christmas cards. Many thanks to all of you who have kept in touch regardless, because it hasn't been the best of times.
I got more and more tired when having chemo every two weeks, so Dr Podd has given me a six week holiday, but it doesn't seem to have made much difference. I hope to see him soon.
I have had numerous problems around the house (tv, telephones, central heating, roof leaks, mice) and dealing with transportation for all my medical appointments plus the collapse of my old car that Kate has been using to visit me. At least the weather was unseasonably warm until recently (see photo of my back garden taken yesterday). The worst thing was that I had to have my beloved Dizzy (about 16 years old) put down two weeks ago. At least I don't have to worry anymore about what would happen to her after my death.
Kate and Harry ensure that I have house guests at least on weekends. My friend Audrey who now lives near Vichy will be here for a couple of nights this week. I spent last week in Manchester with Harry and family after a nine hour car journey from Needham -- three hours of which was spent stationary, in the dark, on the M62 in the snow just about 10 miles from Harry's house!
I have recently attended a series of introductory sessions at St Elizabeth's Hospice in Ipswich, where I hope to be taken care of eventually. It's a really wonderful place -- even the food is reasonable!
Monday, 31 October 2011
Monday 31 October 2011
Thank heavens it’s over! I made it to my 80th birthday on Tuesday, 25 October, with proper celebrations. The whole family gathered gradually over the preceding weekend and the temperature picked up until noon on Tuesday, when we were joined by just a few local friends. We began with champagne and nibbles and then trooped down to the Barn Café at Alder Carr Farm for a main course, then back home for coffee and birthday cake.
There were two stands of goodies – a pile of meringues topped by the number ‘70’, and a collection of cupcakes by ‘80’ – as we were marking 150 years: Willa’s birthday this past January as well as mine.
Willa was here for the past 6 weeks and helped me with all sorts of tidying up of papers, pictures, household things, etc. We had some nice excursions around Needham, plus visits to Manchester (Imperial War Museum North, BBC Media City, City Art Gallery) and Woking (Wisley RHS garden, Winkworth Arboretum, the Watts Gallery – the Surrey Hills are incredibly gorgeous just now). Willa flew home yesterday and I miss her awfully.
I continue to be very lucky in my response to the chemo I was changed to in June (Gemcitabine), which I have every 2 weeks and which isn’t debilitating. I get tired very easily but can usually recharge with lots of rest stops during the day and can manage to sit up talking for hours. But I am planning ahead for difficult times, so looking into carers for when I can’t manage for myself anymore and visited St Elizabeth’s Hospice in Ipswich for an introductory session today. See a picture of the Halloween mask I made during the craft session on my Skype profile.
Meanwhile, Kate and Harry manage to visit Needham regularly on weekends and lots of friends come for a night or so. Janet and Margaret were here in August for 2 ½ weeks. So anybody is welcome especially if you are prepared to go to the fish and chip shop or prepare a meal.
Thanks for all the cards, emails and gifts that I carefully saved to open on my birthday (unlike Roy, who was always an immediate opener). They were greatly appreciated as all your messages, prayers, phone calls, etc have been over the past 3 years. I’d like to acknowledge everyone personally but just can’t manage it and hope you’ll accept this apology for not doing so. Please keep the messages coming in.
Saturday, 7 May 2011
Saturday 7 May 2011
What a weekend! We gathered in front of the TV watching the royal wedding from about 9am on – we being Willa & me; Kate & Chris; Harry, Helen, Isabel (who at 9 has been a bridesmaid at least 2 or 3 times) & Gabriel (at intervals from his laptop games). On Saturday we read every word in the newspapers & looked at the photos & all agreed that it was an impeccable affair unsullied by anti-royalist considerations.
We were joined by Janet & Margaret on Sunday, when we visited a lovely bluebell wood near Needham Market. (See photos) This was yet another beautiful day typical of the unbelievable run of warm, sunny days we’ve had for a month or more (surely our summer season). Willa & I especially spent much of Monday watching breaking news of Bin Laden’s death, as we have continued to do daily. Indeed a memorable weekend, full of spectacular happenings as well as lots of joy & happy times together.
I had an MRI scan recently for something new that seemed to have developed; fortunately it was okay. But a regular chest x-ray showed a slight increase in the size of the original lung tumour, indicating that it is no longer responding to the protein-inhibiting Tarceva that I have been taking since last June.
On Thursday I saw Dr. Podd, who has recommended that I return to an intravenous chemo (gemcitabine) similar in effects to the vinorelbine I took for 18 months after my diagnosis nearly 3 years ago. These effects did not destroy all my quality of life, although they were not as easy on me as the recent Tarceva. (For instance, I didn’t lose my hair although it thinned considerably, & I was terribly tired ). Other good news is that the steroids are keeping the polymyalgia muscular pains under control. I may make 80 in October yet!
Willa is here for another month, during which there are possibilities of all sorts of excursions, including a visit to Manchester. So I hope to report on more jolly times soon. Please keep me in your thoughts & prayers.
Saturday, 26 March 2011
26 March 2011
No news for 3 months has been both good & bad. On my last cancer checkup 2 weeks ago everything was okay. However, there's something new to contend with since January: polymyalgia rheumatica, a kind of rheumatism affecting the muscles of the neck, back, arms, shoulders, thighs. It's quite painful, the cause unknown & the duration usually 2 to 3 years. It causes excessive fatigue (picking up a pen or getting on line on the computer is diffcult much of the time) & the treatment is steroids, the chief problem being finding as low a dosage as possible to relieve the pain without incurring too many of the steroid's numerous side effects (no fat face so far). I need lots of little rests throughout the day & have to take things a day at a time. There seems to be a lot of polymyalgia around these days, & friend in Needham has even organised a local support group, so I am not on my own.
The sub-zero temperatures & snow stopped about Christmas time, but it has continued to be very cold in the 5C/40F range with dismal grey skies & frequent hard frosts. Just this week, though, there was a real feeling of spring in the air, & today has been beautifully warm, so perhaps we will emerge from this awful winter after all. I'm sure that will help my mental as well as physical state.
I can manage cooking very light meals, trips to the grocery store by foot or in the car, evening meetings in Needham & bus rides to Ipswich for matinees at the Film Theatre or an exhibition. Recently I've had a few days in Manchester with Harry & family & also in Woking with Kate and Chris, which included some interesting excursions. Now that the weather is improving I hope to have more visitors (in addition to the faithful family who have kept coming regularly in all ditions)-- and Willa is flying in on 20 April for 6 weeks, so that will be a wonderful diversion.
A final thing. My old e-mail address of julanne@royarnold.com was changed over a year ago to julannelynnarnold@btinternet.com . I thought Harry notified everybody on my mailing list at the time, but recently I discovered some messages sent to the old address, which is no longer active, & some people have written about difficulties in getting through to me. So please check to see that you are using the up-to-date address.
A happy Easter to you all!
The sub-zero temperatures & snow stopped about Christmas time, but it has continued to be very cold in the 5C/40F range with dismal grey skies & frequent hard frosts. Just this week, though, there was a real feeling of spring in the air, & today has been beautifully warm, so perhaps we will emerge from this awful winter after all. I'm sure that will help my mental as well as physical state.
I can manage cooking very light meals, trips to the grocery store by foot or in the car, evening meetings in Needham & bus rides to Ipswich for matinees at the Film Theatre or an exhibition. Recently I've had a few days in Manchester with Harry & family & also in Woking with Kate and Chris, which included some interesting excursions. Now that the weather is improving I hope to have more visitors (in addition to the faithful family who have kept coming regularly in all ditions)-- and Willa is flying in on 20 April for 6 weeks, so that will be a wonderful diversion.
A final thing. My old e-mail address of julanne@royarnold.com was changed over a year ago to julannelynnarnold@btinternet.com . I thought Harry notified everybody on my mailing list at the time, but recently I discovered some messages sent to the old address, which is no longer active, & some people have written about difficulties in getting through to me. So please check to see that you are using the up-to-date address.
A happy Easter to you all!
Sunday, 12 December 2010
12 December 2010
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.
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.
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!
Monday, 28 December 2009
Monday 28 December
Roy's funeral was at 11.30am on Tuesday, 22 December, at Needham Market Parish Church, and it seemed just right. The body was in a handsome willow casket topped by a Christmas wreath chosen by Helen, and Harry and a couple of friends were among the pallbearers. It was very cold. Travelling conditions were awful in general and varied all over the country, but lots of people managed to join us nevertheless.
The service, taken by the local vicar, included tributes by two old friends -- one personal, the other a business associate (at least to begin with) -- as well as a friend's reading of the poem 'Osso Buco' by American poet Billy Collins that dealt with his love of food. Kate and Harry did Bible readings. Gabriel (10) and Isabel (8) read the short bidding prayers that were (not to be flippant) the star turn of the occasion.
After the service the family drove to Ipswich Crematorium for the committal. This took one and a half hours. Meanwhile, the congregation was invited to the church hall for refreshments. A local friend and favourite caterer oversaw things, aided and abetted by numerous other friends who cooked and/or served food or greeted visitors. There were mugs of hot butternut squash and sweet potato soup or tea and coffee or wine. Savoury pastries and cheese biscuits or brownies, fruitcake and shortbread. Loads of delicious sandwiches and a whole quivering Brie cheese wheel -- something Roy always insisted on for state occasions like Kate and Chris's wedding or his 80th birthday. I think he'd have been well pleased with everything.
Over the last few weeks I have been surrounded by the love of family and friends from all over the place and all periods of my life, thanks to the wonders of the internet in addition to the usual old-fashioned methods of communication. Thanks for all the contributions to Cancer Campaign in Suffolk in his memory. And God bless you. More in the New Year.
Although Roy was diagnosed with prostate cancer when he was 60 and it had metastisised by the 2000s, and although along the way he had picked up a number of other ailments requiring 7 or 8 tablets a day, his chief problem recently seemed to be his knees. He needed replacements but his heart conditions wouldn't allow surgery. He walked everywhere with a Leki walking stick and there were grips all over the house to help him up or down the steps from room to room. And although he spent a lot of time watching chewing gum TV from his reclining chair, he still managed trips to the grocery store and worked at the computer daily dealing with book orders from his website, etc.
So when he fell in the middle of the night on 27 November and ended up in the hospital, we thought it would be dealt with quickly and weren't overly worried. But his condition deteriorated rapidly after the first few days. The death certificate listed sepsis, renal failure and terminal prostate cancer as causes.
He certainly challenged the passing of the light: he took out a 5 year maintenance contract on our recently installed stairlift, and in mid November he signed up for a week's cookery course in Puglia, Italy for the first week of May 2010!
Follow the link below to view the order of service:
http://www.geewizdesign.co.uk/dad/docs/OofS_181209_Layout_01.pdf
The service, taken by the local vicar, included tributes by two old friends -- one personal, the other a business associate (at least to begin with) -- as well as a friend's reading of the poem 'Osso Buco' by American poet Billy Collins that dealt with his love of food. Kate and Harry did Bible readings. Gabriel (10) and Isabel (8) read the short bidding prayers that were (not to be flippant) the star turn of the occasion.
After the service the family drove to Ipswich Crematorium for the committal. This took one and a half hours. Meanwhile, the congregation was invited to the church hall for refreshments. A local friend and favourite caterer oversaw things, aided and abetted by numerous other friends who cooked and/or served food or greeted visitors. There were mugs of hot butternut squash and sweet potato soup or tea and coffee or wine. Savoury pastries and cheese biscuits or brownies, fruitcake and shortbread. Loads of delicious sandwiches and a whole quivering Brie cheese wheel -- something Roy always insisted on for state occasions like Kate and Chris's wedding or his 80th birthday. I think he'd have been well pleased with everything.
Over the last few weeks I have been surrounded by the love of family and friends from all over the place and all periods of my life, thanks to the wonders of the internet in addition to the usual old-fashioned methods of communication. Thanks for all the contributions to Cancer Campaign in Suffolk in his memory. And God bless you. More in the New Year.
Although Roy was diagnosed with prostate cancer when he was 60 and it had metastisised by the 2000s, and although along the way he had picked up a number of other ailments requiring 7 or 8 tablets a day, his chief problem recently seemed to be his knees. He needed replacements but his heart conditions wouldn't allow surgery. He walked everywhere with a Leki walking stick and there were grips all over the house to help him up or down the steps from room to room. And although he spent a lot of time watching chewing gum TV from his reclining chair, he still managed trips to the grocery store and worked at the computer daily dealing with book orders from his website, etc.
So when he fell in the middle of the night on 27 November and ended up in the hospital, we thought it would be dealt with quickly and weren't overly worried. But his condition deteriorated rapidly after the first few days. The death certificate listed sepsis, renal failure and terminal prostate cancer as causes.
He certainly challenged the passing of the light: he took out a 5 year maintenance contract on our recently installed stairlift, and in mid November he signed up for a week's cookery course in Puglia, Italy for the first week of May 2010!
Follow the link below to view the order of service:
http://www.geewizdesign.co.uk/dad/docs/OofS_181209_Layout_01.pdf
Sunday, 13 December 2009
13 December 2009
Roy died from renal failure & pneumonia backed up by other problems including prostate cancer. His funeral service will be at 11:30 on Tuesday, 22 December, at the Needham Market parish church, St John the Baptist. Committal afterwards (family only) at Ipswich Crematorium & the congregation are invited to a reception at the Ark (the church hall). For any further details please get in touch with me.
Kate & Harry were with me all last week & they have dealt with all the overwhelming paperwork -- personal & business, all of which he conducted online at a level beyond my very basic competence.
Thanks for your prayers & phone calls, e-mails & cards. They have consoled us immensely, & many of the reminiscences of his ways have brought us considerable laughter. Keep them coming!
Kate & Harry were with me all last week & they have dealt with all the overwhelming paperwork -- personal & business, all of which he conducted online at a level beyond my very basic competence.
Thanks for your prayers & phone calls, e-mails & cards. They have consoled us immensely, & many of the reminiscences of his ways have brought us considerable laughter. Keep them coming!
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
December 8 2009
Roy died in Ipswich hospital on Monday, 7 December, after a short illness. Kate, Harry and I were at his bedside as we had been since they came home the preceding Saturday, and he was comfortable and not in pain. They are staying to help me with paper and computer work --indeed, to deal with virtually all of it --over the next few days.
The good news is that when I saw my oncologist on Friday, 27 November (the day after Roy went into the hospital), an x-ray showed that my lung tumour had shrunk a bit and the entire lung looked slightly better. Dr Podd said that I am a miracle.
Needless to say, we have had loving support from all our friends. But we have a long way to go as we haven't received the death certificate yet.
The good news is that when I saw my oncologist on Friday, 27 November (the day after Roy went into the hospital), an x-ray showed that my lung tumour had shrunk a bit and the entire lung looked slightly better. Dr Podd said that I am a miracle.
Needless to say, we have had loving support from all our friends. But we have a long way to go as we haven't received the death certificate yet.
Thursday, 5 November 2009
5 November 2009
On the weekend of 24-25 October the family gathered here for my 78th birthday -- 13 months after my lung cancer was diagnosed & I was told Ihad months, not years, to live.
So we really had something to celebrate! The Saturday evening menu was planned in homage to Julia Child (my idea) & featured roast leg of lamb (with quince & rosemary compote -- a treat for Roy) accompanied by baked aubergines stuffed with mushrooms. Dessert was chocolate charlotte Malakoff, a signature dish of mine in New York days, complete with home-made lady fingers. Home-made room decorations included last year's 'Happy Birthday, Julanne' banner, supplemented by a new one reading 'Jule & Julia' plus huge enlargements of the 'Julie & Julia' movie poster with the title altered according to our theme & a photo of me in my late teens replacing Julia's photo.(Confused? See photo at bottom of page.) Everything was wonderfully cooked & produced in great style by Kate & Chris & Helen & Harry.
The celebration continued at Sunday lunchtime, for which Roy's sister, Janet, & her friend Margaret brought steak & kidney pie & desserts plus a birthday cake. And because it was the half-term week (no school), Harry & family could stay on till Tuesday. Since when I have been recuperating from all the excitement.
My wig continues to be very useful, especially on bad hair days. Roy & I both have our regular hospital appointments & are feeling as well as can be expected. The anti-oestrogen tablets are reducing the breast tumour & I see my lung oncologist for a 3-month checkup in late November.
Yesterdayon a so-called health walk, I managed 4.1 miles in 1 hour 40 minutes --my first real walk in over a year. In addition to leaders, these walks (which are organised by the NHS but run by volunteers) have enders, who keep pace with the slowest participants. The walks are usually only an hour, but this was the one on offer on a beautiful November day & I thought I'd give it a try & I'm glad I did, in spite of very sore legs.
So we really had something to celebrate! The Saturday evening menu was planned in homage to Julia Child (my idea) & featured roast leg of lamb (with quince & rosemary compote -- a treat for Roy) accompanied by baked aubergines stuffed with mushrooms. Dessert was chocolate charlotte Malakoff, a signature dish of mine in New York days, complete with home-made lady fingers. Home-made room decorations included last year's 'Happy Birthday, Julanne' banner, supplemented by a new one reading 'Jule & Julia' plus huge enlargements of the 'Julie & Julia' movie poster with the title altered according to our theme & a photo of me in my late teens replacing Julia's photo.(Confused? See photo at bottom of page.) Everything was wonderfully cooked & produced in great style by Kate & Chris & Helen & Harry.
The celebration continued at Sunday lunchtime, for which Roy's sister, Janet, & her friend Margaret brought steak & kidney pie & desserts plus a birthday cake. And because it was the half-term week (no school), Harry & family could stay on till Tuesday. Since when I have been recuperating from all the excitement.
My wig continues to be very useful, especially on bad hair days. Roy & I both have our regular hospital appointments & are feeling as well as can be expected. The anti-oestrogen tablets are reducing the breast tumour & I see my lung oncologist for a 3-month checkup in late November.
Yesterdayon a so-called health walk, I managed 4.1 miles in 1 hour 40 minutes --my first real walk in over a year. In addition to leaders, these walks (which are organised by the NHS but run by volunteers) have enders, who keep pace with the slowest participants. The walks are usually only an hour, but this was the one on offer on a beautiful November day & I thought I'd give it a try & I'm glad I did, in spite of very sore legs.
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