A mixed evening

Over the weekend both the Fox & a friend share a birthday. As a joint celebration it was decided that we should all go out for a meal in the evening. So the ten of us met up the Morecambe Hotel.

It was a mixed evening. Firstly I was told by one of our group that he’d had the results of his latest test results for cancer. It seems there is nothing more they can do. He’s been advised to go away & enjoy himself as long as possible. The only thing they can offer is an arm brace that may strengthen his arm a bit to enable him to play his beloved golf. They will also put him in contact with the MacMillan services for the rest of his life. They gave him no idea of how long that life may be. I tried to console him, that as someone in their 90s, the trauma of chemo & radiotherapy would have probably have made his last years/months of life miserable. They had suggested they could operate to put a metal rod in his arm to give him extra strength there but that would mean at least 6months without golf & it wouldn’t prolong his life. At least this way he could play as much golf as he wanted as long as he is able – he plays most days & loves his golf - & it may be years of enjoyment before his health crumbles totally. I did also encourage him to go & see what braces they had to suggest for his arm. The fact the best he’s seen at the chemist is an elasticated bandage is irrelevant. My knee braces are not available through a chemist but the hospital has a far greater range of equipment available.

The meal itself was good without being spectacular. The company on the whole was also good. Conversation, with the odd eruption of laughter, passed up & down the table.

The other shadow was that the co-host of the event was not feeling well. He was feeling constantly nauseous. He couldn’t face eating or drinking anything, not even so much as a glass of water. At one point he had to go outside just for some fresh air to revive him a bit. As soon as the meal was over he was ready to make his way home. It’s a pity as it was for his big birthday, 80. Still hopefully by Sunday, the day of both birthdays, he will be feeling better & more himself. I hope so.