Richard Epworth

So I’m feeling a little guilty that I haven’t updated my blog recently, so here is a bit of an update: On Tuesday my son Paul took me out in the wheelchair for the day. Good airing in the local Hatfield Forest. Nice pub lunch, and it seems that my high steroid dose has fixed my allergy to soft wheat and thickeners, so I’m now daring to eat things I have missed for years (toast & marmalade!).

Yesterday, my daughter Mary came round for a while. Chance to catch up on her album launch news. Today I visited local Hospice facility, for an exercise class, and a bit of “therapy”. Dared to explore the “dark heart” of my situation. It was all a good opportunity for Lavinia to get some well earned R&R while I was preoccupied.

 

 

Nice week with my big sister visiting. Dropped her at the station today before going down to my place in Sawbridgeworth. Things to be sorted!

A lot has happened since I last posted. Been very busy with various appointments. A few crises which I shan’t bore you with. Final Radiotherapy session at Addenbrookes hospital due tomorrow. Despite my prior anxieties, apart from a fuzzy head, so far so good. No indication yet whether my symptoms might be reduced by the treatment, but the effects of radiotherapy take time to manifest.

Great support from Occupational Therapy, having to find new ways of moving around and dealing with my lack of balance. I’m amazed at help available on NHS.

Lavinia arranged for a few of my ex-work colleagues to drop in for a chat yesterday. My big sister Gill is about to arrive on the train, which will give Lavinia some much needed moral support.

My mood has become somewhat more realistic, so I now have some moments of deep and appropriate sadness too. Determined to avoid self-pity.

Big thanks to Vince for taking me to Addenbrookes hospital today, giving Lavinia a break.

So far so good. Told to expect fatigue to develop slowly. Actual X-ray exposure time very short.

Thank you all so much for enabling me to “dance” with you all in Cambridge last night. Being able to see the space transformed my ability to balance. Huge thanks to Jason, and the team, and everyone else, for an illuminated evening I will never ever forget.