25 February 2007
To My Friends 2
01 March 2007 : To
My Friends Collated
Update 1st March 2007.
Hi everyone. More of the same really. But wait. Tomorrow is the last day of treatment for the top of my head, and about time. It is a little raw but not too bad. I now have what medieval clerics would call a tonsure. A ring of hair around just above the ears and completely bald on top. Come to think of it the last time I had a tonsure was in my preparation for the priesthood about 41 years ago. That time was not nearly so satisfying. The Church in 1966 demanded only a tiny clip of hair. Nothing like the middle ages when they did things properly. Anyway my hair is almost gone.
The whole of the left side of my face and most of the right is very red, but so far unbroken. I have another nine or ten treatments for this so I expect to finish about the 15th March. By far the worst effects of all this are the destruction of my previously very refined taste buds and an increasingly sore throat which makes swallowing difficult. Julie, God bless her and keep her beside me forever, has sought out the best foods from throughout the land and I hate them all. However, I am managing to keep shoveling stuff down so my weight is dropping only marginally. I must admit that I approach mealtimes without enthusiasm.
I am able to walk for an hour or two every day so my body, such as it is, gets a good workout. Today on the river walk I passed a battalion of soldiers on a run. They were spread out over a kilometer and I reckon I was fitter than half them. Thank God we’re not at war.
Sleeping is still difficult which makes for an interesting life. I’m usually up about 6 – 8 times during the night for water, a mouthwash or just a good look at the bathroom. Still I seem to be rested enough and apart from short naps in the afternoon can carry out normal activities, like reading and watching TV. I am seeing a few of my supervisees still but receive little encouragement for this activity from “her who must be obeyed”.
The weather in Christchurch has been pretty good over the last few weeks and I still have a steady stream of visitors. People generally, all of you have been more than generous. They often ring to check that we want to receive visitors, offer to make meals, bring food, take me to the hospital, lend books and video’s, bring flowers and a multitude of other small kindnesses. I feel blessed indeed and continue to express that in the best way I can through my writing. I’ll finish with a small poem I recently wrote for the staff who carry out my treatment. Please let me know if you think my writing about my difficulties is worthwhile.
The Staff
It seems so strange
to be part of your life
for a short time and
then perhaps never
to see you again.
Yet in this short time
we are so close
I know
your smell
your touch
your voice.
I feel
your softness
your commitment
your competence
your compassion.
I am privileged indeed
to know you this way
I am conscious of
the great gift
I have been given.
May you all be blessed.
23rd February 2007
Hi everyone. More of the same really. But wait. Tomorrow is the last day of treatment for the top of my head, and about time. It is a little raw but not too bad. I now have what medieval clerics would call a tonsure. A ring of hair around just above the ears and completely bald on top. Come to think of it the last time I had a tonsure was in my preparation for the priesthood about 41 years ago. That time was not nearly so satisfying. The Church in 1966 demanded only a tiny clip of hair. Nothing like the middle ages when they did things properly. Anyway my hair is almost gone.
The whole of the left side of my face and most of the right is very red, but so far unbroken. I have another nine or ten treatments for this so I expect to finish about the 15th March. By far the worst effects of all this are the destruction of my previously very refined taste buds and an increasingly sore throat which makes swallowing difficult. Julie, God bless her and keep her beside me forever, has sought out the best foods from throughout the land and I hate them all. However, I am managing to keep shoveling stuff down so my weight is dropping only marginally. I must admit that I approach mealtimes without enthusiasm.
I am able to walk for an hour or two every day so my body, such as it is, gets a good workout. Today on the river walk I passed a battalion of soldiers on a run. They were spread out over a kilometer and I reckon I was fitter than half them. Thank God we’re not at war.
Sleeping is still difficult which makes for an interesting life. I’m usually up about 6 – 8 times during the night for water, a mouthwash or just a good look at the bathroom. Still I seem to be rested enough and apart from short naps in the afternoon can carry out normal activities, like reading and watching TV. I am seeing a few of my supervisees still but receive little encouragement for this activity from “her who must be obeyed”.
The weather in Christchurch has been pretty good over the last few weeks and I still have a steady stream of visitors. People generally, all of you have been more than generous. They often ring to check that we want to receive visitors, offer to make meals, bring food, take me to the hospital, lend books and video’s, bring flowers and a multitude of other small kindnesses. I feel blessed indeed and continue to express that in the best way I can through my writing. I’ll finish with a small poem I recently wrote for the staff who carry out my treatment. Please let me know if you think my writing about my difficulties is worthwhile.
The Staff
It seems so strange
to be part of your life
for a short time and
then perhaps never
to see you again.
Yet in this short time
we are so close
I know
your smell
your touch
your voice.
I feel
your softness
your commitment
your competence
your compassion.
I am privileged indeed
to know you this way
I am conscious of
the great gift
I have been given.
May you all be blessed.
23rd February 2007
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