Home at last!

The title of this entry refers as much to me as to Brian. I've been away at Lulworth in Dorset since Friday morning until early evening yesterday, camping in a field at Camp Bestival. It was fun, and we did 3 performances of Acts I and II of "La Boheme", in which I sang both Benoit and Alcindoro. This is part of the OperaUpClose performances which are on till 4th September at the Soho Theatre, but enough plugging for them, on with what you came here to read!

Brian came out of hospital on Saturday, and is doing very well indeed. After arriving home, he ate a large meal which caused him some severe discomfort, so he is now on a strict regime of little and often, which consists of porridge in the morning, a piece of fruit or a couple of biscuits around midday, then a main meal at 2pm (small in size, one course), dessert at 4pm (again small, usually yoghurt or pot-based dessert), then soup and a slice of bread at 6pm and finally a tuna mayonnaise sandwich at 8pm. He's drinking plenty of fluids, and he is also moving about the house a lot, up and down the stairs at least twice a day. He is very sore, but not in too much pain, in fact he is not taking any painkillers as the ones he's been prescribed have made him feel nauseous.

Tomorrow (Wednesday) he is off to the GP Surgery to have his staples removed from his wound. Tony and I had to collect the implement from Mayday Hospital this morning, as the surgery don't have them, and Brian was not given one in his discharge pack. He's not looking forward to that, but at least it is another step in his recovery.

He managed a celebration on his birthday with his brother Ian, wife Amanda, and two nieces Joanna and Francesca bringing along fairy cakes, each with a letter that spelt out "Uncle Brian" and in the centre was one with a heart shape, which he managed to eat (see picture!).

Anyone who wishes to visit the house to see Brian is more than welcome to bring fruit-flavoured drinks, wine gums or a DVD. Please call us to arrange a time first, as we are waiting for a follow-up appointment from the hospital to discuss the results of the biopsy on the tumour. Brian requests that you don't bring fruit, as it's not too good for him to have too much at the moment. If you want to know what DVD's to bring contact me at iandpope@googlemail.com and I can send you the list of DVD's he'd really like. But there's no pressure for anyone to bring anything at all, either, just if you would like to.

Anyway, that's all for now, will keep you posted as to progress over the next few days. Take care and all best wishes,

Ian xx