This is the first time we've ever done a Christmas News Round-up. We gave up sending cards a few years ago (due to the cost of them and the amount of waste they create) and we find ourselves missing the contact with people it can bring. So we thought, this year why not? So here we are - saying "Hello" and "Happy Christmas" and "Here's to a Peaceful and Wonderful 2024". We're also taking the time to reflect a bit on 2023 and update you on our news.
Well, our friends, 2023 has been a funny old year! We're undecided if it's been balanced towards positve or horrible happenings. It certainly didn't start well, but there have been many, many special and fantastic moments and we have some brilliant memories to smile about. However, there are definitely parts of it we wouldn't have chosen to go through.
We found out, at the end of 2022, after a couple of months of pain, that my cancer had recurred. Most of you will know that I had previously been diagnosed with Uterine Serous Papillary Carcinoma in 2018, had undergone radical surgery and we had hoped that had dealt with it.. In October 2022, after various tests and scans we discovered it had back with a vengeance - metastatising into the peritoneal lining and also the lungs. To say the least it was a shock. This meant my disease was incurable, but could be treated palliatively. Chemo started early in 2023.
I decided I would embrace the loss of hair and just make the most of being alive. Faced with the truth of mortality, I could either curl up and wait for death or live life to the fullest, despite being told that my life was going to be cut short. What had I got to lose? Here I am rocking the glamour look::
Well, all was good and it looked like the chemo had put it to sleep by the end of April. First review looked okay and then WHAM! - it came back in September. Rats! So now it had started to grow on an adrenal gland and also on my colon. They get about these cancer cells - resilient, tenacious little beasties. More about that in a mo - but let us tell you about our wonderful summer!
We had a fabulous break at Netherwood Hotel in Grange-over-Sands in May. Fab food and pleasant walking, with our dogs staying with the lovely Carol in Newsome. In June I went away to Shallowford in Stone to be a member of a Discernment Panel and then one in July in Chelmsford. I love these, helping people to listen to the call of God on their lives, discerning if that is to ordination in the Church of England. I enjoy working alongside colleagues from across the country and from different walks of life. John enjoys the peace at home without me - and gets to walk the dogs (not his favourite occupation!). Then we had a great week away in Rhosneigr, Anglesey, with my sisters, Lucille and Alison - we did lots of walking and eating and drinking. And we laughed lots! My energy levels were rising and my hair was growing! Our dogs loved the beaches!
I fitted in lots of lunches and afternoon teas with friends - including Syliva, Vicky and Sally - and couples dates with Julie and Paul, among others. Then we were off in July, with the dogs to Montrose to stay with Cate and Richard Ashley - what a wonderful part of the world! They looked after us so well. I met up with my friend Fiona Kenyon later that month in Poynton. Then at the beginning of August we helped Julie and Paul celebrate 40 years of marriage. before whizzing off to Cornwall with Tracey and Nick Higgins. We had lots of time with family and it was good to have the energy to enjoy walking and playing with our beloved grandchildren. We are massivly blessed with 13 of them now, ranging from 23 down to 2 years old. But capturing on photo is a challenge - here's a few.
Later holidays included a 2 day hotel break in the Lakes and a short break in Alnmouth with Valentyna (our Ukrainian guest) - who loved the beaches and the castles.
We needed to cancel a holiday to Tenerife in December, due to treatments. but have re-scheduled hoping to go next April if treatment goes well.
We have realised that our greatest assets are the people in our lives. Family and friends have seen us through a very challenging year. We had a team of fabulous volunteers walking our dogs while I was going through chemo. There were folk who took me out. Those who walked alongside or sat with us as we cried or despaired and then rejoiced with us as the cancer markers fell. Now, they are right back with us as we face more heavy treatments. We love every one of our friends and are so thankful for all of you. And our family are simply priceless - they have cheered us on and they given me reasons to keep going with all of this rubbish.
At the end of August we moved churches from Holy Trinity, Huddersfield to St David's in Holmebridge. We love our new church and we've met some lovely new friends already. It's nearer to home for us and we feel it's a better fit for where we are in our lives right now. John is playing in the music group and I'm supporting the Eco work that has begun and hoping to be more involved in ministry in the New Year.
Valentyna, our Ukrainian guest, who we have been hosting since August 2022, is still with us and happy even though she misses home. She has become part of our family. Daniella her granddaughter, who came with her with her now 18 month old daughter, is now married to Bakr, a Syrian who came as an asylum seeker in 2015 and now has his own building company, is living in Birkby and her parents are hoping to come to the UK soon. We've also had lots of Air BnB guests and John, as always, has been the wonderful host - so our "Super Host" status is maintained.
Sadly, John's dad, David, passed away in November and we celebrated his life with a wondeful memorial service on the 10th December. It was moving, but we felt so proud hearing all the testimonies of his life and impact on others. What a man! What a ministry! Mum remains at Brampton Lodge - she has dementia but is lucid enough to understand his death and was happy to see friends from afar at the celebration.
So - immunotherapy treatment has begun for this wretched cancer. It's already sent my blood pressure soaring and hindered my thyroid production - meaing more pills to counteract that.. But, I get to keep my hair this time! It has made me quite ill and my energy levels are very low, but I can at least live reasonbly well and I AM ALIVE!! I have a fabulous consultant oncologist, Dr Hofmann, who is so responsive and very kind. That helps enormously. My nurse is also pretty wonderful as are all the nurses on the Greenlea Unit, where I spend a lot of time. Hooray for the NHS! I am getting back far more than I've paid in over the years.
John thinks you'll have heard enough now and has told me to draw this missal to a close! He is marvellous - and we are loving life together in West Yorkshire - time might potentially be shorter than we'd wanted and often has to go at a slower pace, but we're keeping on keeping on and really hope to catch up with lots of friends in 2024. We cherish everyone we have met and give thanks for you and to God for his constant presence with us whatever we face..
May Joy, Love and Peace fill your home this Christmas,
Bev and John
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