2007-10-03 — Newsletter

Dear All,

I can definitely see an end to this now. Plus the pain in my mouth is not as bad as last week. Still there and still unpleasant but definitely improved. Found I'm getting tired quite easily — there is no way I could have done any work at the same time as this. My blood cell counts are not good (low white cells) and so they are giving me injections to sort that out — nothing to worry about but needs attention. All of which confirms that I am better off in hospital.

My birthday was really pleasant. Strangely, considering the circumstances, one of the best I've had for a while. I got a number of cards. I had mentioned it was my birthday to the Professor (a nice old guy — probably younger than me thinking about it — though a bit stiff and formal) — and he had a little chat and unwound quite a lot. Then after 'lunch' he came back on his own with a beautiful bunch of flowers!

Then the family, Chris, Sarah and Margaret, all arrived. Chris bundled me into the loo to wait while they set up and then let me out. They'd tied a helium Happy Birthday balloon to the bed and stuck a big Happy Birthday banner across the window. They'd got a little bamboo tree in a pot and pinned 60 instant lottery tickets to it (which yielded prizes of €22)! And there were presents.

They'd put a lot of effort into it all and it was really nice. Chris and Margaret stayed for an hour and Sarah staying for another one (chess — I had to resign so the series is 2-1 to Sarah — honestly, children taking advantage of sick and elderly parents!). Sarah goes back early afternoon today so I won't see her — I'd thought it'd be a bit of a waste of money her coming over with me here but it proved delightful and I'm so glad she did.

Incidentally the radiation has stopped my beard hair growing (will be temporary apparently) so the morning ritual is shorter — and somewhat strange after so many years.

David