Great day on the barge

We had a great day on the barge on the Bridgewater Canal, we were lucky with the weather when you consider how bad it has been over the last week.

Hair cut

Had my first hair cut since January, all good things come to an end.
I loved it when I didn't have to shave but wasn't too happy with no hair.
Normal is now finding its new level, it looks as though the new normal is stiff joints and sore back but lets wait and see, everything has gone so well so far, who would have thought 12 months ago that we would be off to South Africa next week as a family. Bring it on.

Bloggers Night Out

It would be good for the bloggers to meet up one night because I know there are several of you who would like to put faces to names.

We are away most of August so I have penciled in Thursday September 24th from 7.00pm, some of us will be taking advantage of the bar food, please come and join us.

Please comment below to let me know if you are planning on joining us. Would be great if a few could meet up.

Hospital Today

I have been to hospital today for blood tests and medication.
All the blood levels are ok eventhough the neutrofils are again down a little but nor enough to be a worry.
Its all systems go for South Africa on 3rd Aug, I have been given enough medication to cover the unexpected and if that fails I have great insurance. (If anyone needs travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions try FREEDOM TRAVEL INSURANCE they were great).

Race for Life

Come in Number 53. At long last all you bloggers can put a face to one of my top bloggers, Well done Diane, Di's Race for life page has made well over £1000 for canser research, some of this total is for a friend who also raced, well done to you both.
The bloggers need to meet up after I come back from South Africa, I am thinking of one night in the Stag in September, is anyone up for it.

What A Difference A Year Makes

Its a year today since I first went into hospital and was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer.
Thanks to everyone who has helped and supported me/us. Thanks first to Averl, Jess, Joyce, Ann, Mick, Fran and Rach who have all been my major support, Avi has been fantastic. Thanks to all at St James' and Mary Mags for your continued prayers and support. Thanks also in a big way to the rest of our family and friends in the UK, South Africa and around the world and to anyone who has looked at this blog and thought about us or even joined the bloggers.
Where would I be without the national health, thanks to all the doctors, nurses and any member of staff in Royal Liverpool Hospital, especially all linked with the transplant unit, especially Edwina, Sarah and Jamie.
To the future.

Camping

There are some things you just want to do again in life, in a past life I camped a lot with my dad and with friends. Last year we were talking about camping but I had other plans for last summer and ended up in Liverpool Royal. Last week we saw a tent that suited us so this weekend it had its successful maiden outing to Bala.

Well Done Diane

Today Diane has completed the Cancer Research "RACE FOR LIFE", their work has had a major influence on mine and Diane's treatment, Thanks Di for making the effort.

You can still sponsor Diane.

Message from Diane:-

Just using you yet again Ivan. Please say a huge thank you to everyone who has sponsored me. I did the race this morning and so far have raised £940 with a couple of donations still to come. So please keep your eye on the sponsor page and hopefully it will continue to grow.

Ivan thanks for rounding things up to £900, what a pal!

Day 100

It's now 100 days since my stem cell transplant and we are begining to come to terms with what I can and can't manage. At least now we are working out what normal is again.
On Friday Averil took me out for a birthday lunch to Chatsworth farm Restaurant in Derbyshire, lovely meal and a lovely day, I would recommend their food to anyone.
On the way home we called into Buxton and after serious thought bought ourselves a tent, it's something we were thinking about last year and now we have seen the right one.