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Wednesday 8 June 2011

27th Post - Well, it seems we can go sailing again

Dee’s T cell Lymphoma is now officially in remission (they never say cured). So after eight months of tests and chemotherapy we are clear to continue our sailing adventure.

So a huge thank you to everyone for your support and encouragement during this rather testing time. I won’t name names, but just say that the practical and emotional support we have received from so many people has been hugely appreciated.

Well, I will name just one rather special person, who has had far more to put up with than I ever had. She has had the patience of a saint, shown the care of a Florence Nightingale, worked like a slave and never once complained. Thank you Pippa!

If we can’t be sailing!


The following is part of a letter I have sent to the ‘Countess of Chester’ hospital. Perhaps I should send a copy to David Cameron with a note to say:

“The NHS aint bust. Don’t fix it”

My experience after contracting Lymphoma has been one of being in the hands of an exemplary team of professionals. I was first seen by an ENT consultant just two weeks after being referred by my GP. Then without delay I was transferred to the care of a Haematologist. The various examinations, blood tests, biopsies and CT scans that I required were all completed expeditiously and with the greatest care and respect. Not least was the feeling that the whole person was being considered, not just the disease.

Little things are important, and you know this to be true. The kindness of the nurse, who supplied a box of tissues for my wife’s tears, following the news of the Lymphoma diagnosis, will not be forgotten.

The course of chemotherapy I received at the Oncology and Haematology suite was always a positive experience. Everyone, including the tea lady, receptionists, nurses and doctors, had a ready smile and went to the trouble of making me feel welcome and important. I could relax and chat with other patients. The nurses administering the chemotherapy were always kind, gentle, knowledgeable and informative and at the same time most professional.

I was to say the least, rather disappointed to find that I had contracted Lymphoma. It rather spoilt my plans for a long and eventful retirement. Now however, thanks to you all, I can once again continue with my travels and adventures, and lead my life to the full.

Dee’s other love.


 OK now back to business.

Pippa, bless her, got on line and booked our flights back to Lanzarote the very same day we received the good news from my consultant. So, baring unexpected snow storms, or volcanic ash, we are returning to Sula on Wednesday 15th of June.

We will have a few jobs to do and I think it wise to spend a couple of days remembering where things are and how things work. Then we will do some local sailing and as soon as we have a suitable weather forecast will make passage for the Azores.

It’s about a one week passage. A lot will depend on the position of the ‘Azores High’. Hopefully it will enable us to sail pretty well on a reach (towards the wind) most of the way, though we may need to head west of our course for a few days then tack to reach our destination.

The plan is to cruise amongst the islands of the Azores for a month or two, then return to the Canaries. We plan to spend some time exploring them properly before crossing to the Caribbean in December. We will see. A fly in the ointment is that the Azores are sometimes affected by hurricanes. These we would prefer to avoid. So we will tap into local knowledge and time our departure accordingly. Wish us Bon Voyage!

The best bit of being off sick. Time with family and friends.