Update 12 – 20th Feb, 2012

Steady now Kinniburgh – this is getting almost regular this blogging malarkey.   The fantastic news from our end is that Emma appears to have stopped ‘accumulating side-effects’.  The outside of her neck had got really sore by the beginning of last week, but over the weekend she began to see a slight improvement and it is less painful to swallow, although she is still very tired.  So hopefully we she can look forward to a few ‘steady as she goes’ weeks before the big trip.  Emma’s mum and dad were with us for a long weekend which has been lovely, and a huge help for us both.  I should be providing photographic evidence but have failed miserably on that front. Sorry. 

We had our last healing session last night which was lovely.  Our heartfelt thanks again everyone.  James got back to his football this weekend after the snow and frosts of the last month.  They recorded yet another win, 4-2 against the mighty (?) Frimley.  Headley U-7s are now undefeated since the second game of the season.  Competitive Dad is pleased to report that number one son scored a goal and won the man of the match trophy.  Swelling chest of pride, tear in the eye, jumpers for goal posts, hmm isn’t it etc, etc.  He was clearly inspired by the presence of Tunbridge Wells Papa.       

One amusing incident to report apart from that.  I am continuing to work in London at the moment for a large security company, managing the preparation of a tender.  As a new consultant I am always worried that once the job is done I will simply be forgotten.   However, I am quietly confident that this will not now be the case with this company.  We were trying to have a conference call as I drove up the A3 the other day, but gave up as the phone reception was too flakey.   My colleagues in London were then regailed with a full 5 minutes of me singing Mustang Sally, 'a ccapella', at the top of my voice.  They eventually left the meeting room and closed the door but could still hear me belting out the Otis Reading classic.  Monday’s progress meeting was rather red faced for ABK!  

Love to all and God Bless.  Andrew xx 

Update No 11 – 16th February, 2012

Emma’s 5 week treatment has now finished (hooray).  It seems to have flown by, although perhaps not so much for Emma with her daily commute to Guildford for radiotherapy.  We have been lucky that the snow and ice has not prevented Emma getting to the hospital and so she has only missed one chemo session throughout, and that was because of a low white cell count.  The cumulative effects of the treatment are really kicking in now.  It is quite weird with her treatment having finished but with the side effects continuing to build.  Emma is really tired and has a very sore throat and neck. This makes eating pretty uncomfortable and she is not sleeping terribly well.   However, that said, she is still able to take the mickey out of me and we even managed a Valentine Night visit to the cinema to see The Iron Lady.  I needed try to garner some brownie points as my valentine’s card to Emma consisted of a love note on a child’s mini whiteboard.  E was not impressed, even if it did come with an early morning bedside cup of tea and a tulip in my mouth (I was fully clothed before you ask!).

Rebecca, Hannah and James enjoying a hot chocolate after helping to build the Snowbot!

The Mulberry Cottage Snowbot.  

Emma has had a relatively quiet (well for Emma!) few days at home recently, with the children being whisked off by our lovely friends Ross and Annette (Rebecca’s God Parents) for a half-term mini break at their house on the edge of the Cotswolds.  They returned last night having had a wonderful time.  Thank you so much the McLarens. Whilst the children were away we nipped down to Ikea and got some new furniture for Rebecca's room so when she returned she had a new look bedroom, which went down pretty well.  I went for a fabulous walk around the Devil's Punchbowl on Sunday while Emma had a sleep.  It was stunning with lots of snow underfoot.  Attempted arty photo below.  

The Devil's Punchbowl, February 2012

Emma's Sunday night healing sessions have continued throughout her treatment and they have been a great source of inspiration for us both.  They have even continued in absentia when Emma is feeling too tired.  We are very grateful and humbled by the commitment and love they have shown us.  Thank you Glynis, Carly, Phil, Mike, Jane, Alison, Val, Ruth, Vivien and Kate for giving up your Sunday evenings for us.  We can't begin to tell you how grateful we are.  If I have forgotten someone may I be forgiven.  

 Anyway that is our news for now.  Only 1 month to until we jet off to Mauritius.  Very exciting and very decadent.  Love to all and God Bless.  Andrew xx

PS:  Congratulations to Peter, Ruth and Daniel on the birth of little Naomi Imogen.  FANTASTIC - well done the Mansons, especially Ruth, who let's face it, had most of the work to do.