We are just returning on the train from Ilkley in Yorkshire after 4 enjoyable days with Neil’s sister Joy and Peter. I’ve always wanted to visit Castle Howard, so we did and there were hardly any visitors there. The house is absolutely stunning, then we wandered through the beautiful gardens in a rather strange light. The sun was amber as it struggled to penetrate the Saharan dust blown high into the atmosphere by the remnants of hurricane Ophelia. It was a wonderful day and another ticked off my bucket list. Next day we caught up with friends for lunch and visited Hockney’s work in Saltaire. I have to confess I was so tired by the end that I slept almost 14 hours yesterday evening and last night. I forget sometimes that I’m not quite running on all cylinders.
After quite a lot of researching the internet, we opted for laparoscopic surgery. Since surgeons in general can’t decide which is better, hence the ROMIO study, then I might as well go with the minimal invasion method, and deal with any complications as they arise. Since it’s our decision, I’ll accept whatever comes my way. I know I’m in safe hands as Grant Sanders has performed both surgeries many times and I couldn’t ask for more.
I had my last required blood test in Ilkley on Tuesday which showed my neutrophils down to 1.08. They should be 1.5 but Mr Sanders’ specialist nurse Marilyn assured us that he explained he’s happy to go ahead with the surgery so long as they stay above 1.0. Phew. I’m geared up and ready to deal deathly blows to the dastardly, dreaded Deirdre. For some reason, I’m not nervous at all. I just want it done. I’ll be under a general all day (good job I’m not military!) and won’t come round until well into Friday evening. I’ll ask Neil and/or Cara/Marc to give an update here on Saturday.
Neil is intending to take Cara, Marc and Sarah on a short tour to the Plymouth Gin distillery while I’m under. It’s a perfect way to spend the afternoon and nurse Marilyn agreed absolutely. There’s nothing they can do all day except wait. If it were Neil having surgery, I’d definitely be on the gin!!
Thursday evening we’ll all check into the Lodge (http://www.heartswelllodge.co.uk ) at Derresford hospital which looks lovely. It’s just for patients and relatives. Seeing as I’m supposed to rest between now and Friday morning to get my neutrophils up, I’ll end here.
Thanks to everyone who has sent encouraging emails. I’m so sorry I haven’t been able to reply to all, but its great having so much encouragement from so many friends. Thank you.
See you on the other side!!!!
Ceri's Blog with Neil 
Good luck and lots of hugs and kisses
Goodbye Dierdre
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx!!!!!!!
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Go girl. I like the sound of laproscopic – it’s what does the job that counts but anything less than that horrendous sounding slicing must be better. I also like the sound of that GIN! VERY clever idea. They’ll be rolling up to see you Friday evening then celebrating again on Friday night???? See you Monday… maybe still asleep but I shall watch over you like an avenging angel shooing off the ghost of Deirdre as she gets sucked into hell!!! Here’s to ‘beyond this weekend.’. T xxx
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Sending love and positive thoughts! See you soon xx
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big hugs, lots of gin and knock that Deidre for six
xoxoxo
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Dearest Ceri You are inspirational and we are ALL willing you through the next challenging days. You are strong as an Ox and looking beautiful. So pleased to hear you enjoyed a few days away in Yorkshire. I went to Castle Howard in about 1984. It probably won’t have changed much. Weather was extraordinary here too. This comes with waves of love washing over you during the op. You will be better soon. All love Catherine and Oliver
Sent from my iPhone
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Ceri…. your definitely the strongest willed person I know and on this planet right now! Your a very special lady and everyone loves you. You have been in my thoughts and prayers so much lately and will certainly remain there over the next week and beyond. Really big hugs tou you especially and all those close in the coming days. I know you, you will be romping up those hills again before you know it 😁 Lots of love thinking of you justine ❤️
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…….continuation: ….. towards an auspicious future – and as there is no such thing as space and time – I would love to send you a huge amount of these qualities, surrounding you for the rest of your life!!!
xxxxx and good luck – especially to the surgeons.
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Dear Ceri
This is just to wish you the very best of luck from Deborah and me, your friends from Ecuador!
We have been reading your blogs assiduously, and are full of admiration for your courage, resilience and fortitude!
We are conscious that apart from sending a few bob to Neil’s fund raising, there has been little we could do to help, but our thoughts are with you and we will be keeping all our fingers crossed for you, and are looking forward to seeing you when you emerge ‘on the other side’!
We are back in Ecuador for our delayed Galapagos trip from 8 November to 23 November, then away in the Lakes over Christmas and New Year before going off to Australia and New Zealand for six weeks from 19 January.
So we are looking forward to making the pilgrimage down to Devon at some stage in late March or early April to see you both then.
With our very best wishes and much love to you both
Richard
PS Please, please, no need for either of you to respond to this.
Richard Lazarus
53 Hazlewell Road
London SW15 6UT
Email: richard_lazarus@hotmail.com
Telephone : 0208 378 6085
07785 372737
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The first part obviously has disappeared. So, I try again:
At Gondwana, a little foal has just been born and it is a bundle full of a tremendous energy, health, joy and happiness having an auspicious future – and as there is no such thing as space and time – I would love to send you a huge amount of these qualities, surrounding you for the rest of your life!!!
xxxxx and good luck – especially to the surgeons.
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Lovely photos, Ceri! Visited last year, always wanted to go, because of Brideshead Revisited, one of my top five books!
Thinking of you all the time, sending good vibes xXx
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Your blog has been so good Ceri; thank you for writing it for us all. I can’t think of anything to add that hasn’t been said above so beautifully; I read Catherine and Justine’s replies to you and they say everything I want to say, apart from the bit about Castle Howard! I want to go there too!! Your pots are dry enough to be fired now and I shall deliver them by hand to you in however many weeks it takes.
Very much love to you and Neil, Cara and Mark. You have Super Powers Ceri! xxx
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Sayonara Deirdre!! Will be thinking of you all day tomorrow and in the coming weeks as you recover and adjust to the fantastic Phase 2 part of your life..the one where you get to enjoy your life without Deirdre butting in…the one where you get to tell everyone that you are a survivor and the one where every now and then you get to “Pull the C card” (ask Cara and Marc if they remember what that means!!) xxxxx
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Sending huge bundles of love and get wellness…….xxxx
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