horsehusbandetc

FOREST HOLME HOSPICE

hospice (noun)….”A home providing care for the sick or terminally ill”. I first set foot here about eight or nine years ago. Elaine had had a terrible reaction to the chemotherapy drugs and steroids she was then taking. They de-stabilized her mind causing massive anxiety and horrific panic attacks. As she gradually got over allContinue reading “FOREST HOLME HOSPICE”

A Drive in the Country

Elaine always did say that the saddest thing when doing a house clearance was coming across the Christmas decorations. “These people never knew when they put them away that it was for the last time ever.” We had to keep many of them so that they would ‘live-on” somehow, or so she thought. Consequently ourContinue reading “A Drive in the Country”

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER(?)

I can’t believe that she’s gone. I was there when she died. I’ve seen her dead in her coffin. We’ve had her funeral, but I still can’t believe that she is not going to burst through the door any moment now saying “YEA! fooled you all. Now which miserable sods didn’t cry or send aContinue reading “A NIGHT TO REMEMBER(?)”

INTO THE ABYSS

As you will know by now Elaine has gone, but the end of her story has not yet been told. I’m Elaine’s husband Mark, and as I am now the ‘last man standing’ from the Blog title, I guess it’s down to me to complete the journey with you that she began just a shortContinue reading “INTO THE ABYSS”

Carrying-On

Dear Readers, It is with the deepest sadness that we have to tell you that Elaine Kirsch Edsall passed away peacefully on January 5th at Forest Holme hospice in Poole. Elaine battled bravely against cancer for 30 years. Her husband Mark was with her, holding her hand. Rest in peace darling wife, dearest friend. YouContinue reading “Carrying-On”

half empty, half full or need a bigger glass?

Depending on whether you’re a glass half full, or a glass half empty type of person, I’ve either had a very good week or a very bad one. There’s been high drama, hospital procedures, a lot of humour, incredible kindness and emotional turmoil that’s gone beyond visceral and chartered the unknown territory of unbearable. I’veContinue reading “half empty, half full or need a bigger glass?”

new month, new drug

A new cancer drug has a frisson of excitement impossible to ignore, and multiples of new drugs are excitement beyond belief. But as we’ve all found from experience, every yin has its yang, what goes up is certain to come back down (generally with a splat on your head), and as everyone with cancer knows,Continue reading “new month, new drug”

The Unappreciated Days Appreciation Society

It’s horrible not being appreciated, and nobody feels this more than Days do. We say we don’t like Mondays (poor Monday, he’s got quite a complex about it) and we can’t wait for our holidays, or Saturday, or Christmas day, and along the way we completely ignore the day we’re having, which can be justContinue reading “The Unappreciated Days Appreciation Society”

Sammy Nutkins

Sammy Nutkins is a poet. He’s also a ginger cat, but we all need to find our own place in life even when it follows an unconventional path. A particularly handsome ginger cat, with a slightly academic air and symmetrical marmalade stripes, eyes the colour of liquid amber (when they’re open), and an elegantly longContinue reading “Sammy Nutkins”

Back on Track

It hasn’t been easy since Bruce died. There, I said it. My horse died and I’ve been struggling. It’s taken me some time to admit I am only human after all. I seem to process things in hindsight. At the time I think I’m fine and then I realise it’s just me who believes that.Continue reading “Back on Track”