Hello folks, well that’s Christmas out of the way for another year. I hope you all had a good one and that by now you have also rewrapped your unwanted Christmas presents to pass on next year. Don’t forget to write the name of the person who sent it to you on the box or you may end up returning it the person who sent it to you in the first place.

I have to say that this Christmas will not exactly go down in my memory book as the greatest ever. I have not coped too well with the news that my cancer has returned. I coped much better last year. I said at the very start of my blogging that I would always be honest with you and try and reflect each day or week as it is. I don’t wish to depress any of you so if you want to fast forward the next bit, I suggest that you log out now.

I have been on such a high when since the specialist said he didn’t want to see me again for 4 months. I knew when I found the lump under my arm that it was cancer starting its second lap. My days just got worse from then on. I would burst into tears for no real reason and I started at one point to loose my mind as well. One night, well it was 3 a.m. actually; Barbara woke up to find me sobbing like a baby. When she finally extracted from me what was wrong, I told her, I did not want to end my days in hospice all alone. I just can’t imagine what put those thoughts in my mind. Sometimes with cancer no matter how loving your family and friends are, you do feel very alone. I am much better now. I don’t like the idea of having to wait until January 15^th before I can see the consultant again. But that’s the way it is. I do feel a lot more positive now though. I am ready to go to war again against the same enemy.

Barbara bought me an internet radio for Christmas. It is absolutely fantastic! I can now listen to radio Tipp, a station I use to listen to when I was in Tipperary. I have or at least Barbara has found two American local radio stations that only play hits from the 50’s and 60’s which are also brilliant. When I went through my really low period last week, I even stopped listening to football matches on the radio. I didn’t see the point because if it was a cup round, I might not be here for the final and if it was a league match, I may not be around to find out who wins it. All that is behind me now though! I am not exactly the picture of health at present. However, I am in much better shape than I was.

We are having a bit of a gathering tonight which will be great. I want to end by thanking all of you for your many emails and presents. I assure you that none of them have been rewrapped for next year. I know that everyone would wish for a happy new year. It’s a bit unrealistic to expect every day next year to be happy so, I shall set a more realistic goal, and wish that you have more good days than bad ones.

Until next time then, Tom Glassey on the banks of the Silverburn River.