Hi everyone
Well that didn’t go as planned! I was going to be one of those people who were monitored for 5 years and then signed off, but withing 3 months the cancer had returned. Needless to say, it’s been a worrying and disappointing few months since then, but I’ve now started on 18 weeks (nearly to Christmas!) of weekly chemotherapy and I’m feeling more upbeat after the first one yesterday. So far, the side effects are not as toe-curling as last year’s, so fingers crossed for fatigue and a bit of nausea being the worst of it.
Meanwhile, I’ve been planning some challenges for this time around. Here they are in no particular order:
- Learn more poems by heart. The seven I have already learnt are a real comfort when I can’t sleep and I rarely get through more than a couple before I’m drifting off.
- Play a bit more trumpet (lots to work on there) and piano (just reprising childhood tunes for comfort)
- Start on the second edition of my Critical Stylistics book (yes, a bit of linguistics at last!). I’ve just signed a contract so I need to get cracking and it does the brain good.
- Work with Brian Walker on a ‘principles of stylistic research’ booklet. It’s much needed and we’re full of ideas…
- Plan our annual ‘Refujazz’ day (it’s February 6th!) in aid of asylum seekers in Leeds.
- Keep on top of the allotment and make a pond in the new part we’ve recently taken on. There are newts in the watering baths nearby so I have hope of some wildlife relocating to my plot!
- Get the dressing up box grandkid-ready for Christmas holidays!
- See as much of the grandkids as possible – this is number one of course.
That’s probably enough to be going on with. The murder mystery is still a twinkle in the eye as are the poems I’d like to write, so let’s see.
More soon
Lesley
P.S. I’m closing my birthday fundraiser next week (in aid of Cancer Research). If anyone wants to help get to the magic figure of £500, there’s still time! Here’s the link: https://www.justgiving.com/page/lesley-jeffries-1
Lesley Jeffries 