Tomorrow

Another family get-together today, this time in Bristol to visit Steve's mum who has a birthday coming up next week. She had already been told about the mesothelioma diagnosis by Steve's brother last weekend.  This was the first time we had seen her face to face since then.  I think she was relieved to see Steve looking his "normal" self - well and apparently healthy - and to hear about the treatment plan, even though it stirred up some painful memories.  

Steve's not the first in his family to have the disease; his dad died as a result mesothelioma in the early 90s, probably due to exposure to asbestos when he worked in the ship-building industry, before Steve was born.  His mum therefore knows what to expect at some point in the future.  However, unlike Steve, my father-in-law had been diagnosed with mesothelioma too late for treatment to be worthwhile.  At least Steve has a fighting chance of living longer with a better quality of life.  

Which brings me to tomorrow, the day when preparations begin to put the treatment plan into action, starting with a visit to the GP for a pneumococcal jab to help him fight any chest infections that come our way in the next few months and finishing up at hospital with the radiotherapy people.  To find out what happens there, you'll have to come back tomorrow.....