2007 — Dear Neighbours...

Christa (who knows you all much better than I do, alas, even though we've both lived here for 26 years) has asked me to send round a brief note about her. For the past two months she's been fighting a recurrence of the cancer from a year ago.

Her remaining treatment option is chemotherapy, which will probably start on Monday. She asks me to tell you she is being looked after beautifully in the Wessex Nuffield, though I believe the chemotherapy will be done down in Southampton. The pain has been brought under control and, if the chemo shrinks the tumours, she will improve further, for some while to come.

I am both devastated and numb. If you speak to me, I apologise in advance for what might be a brief flood of tears. This is so very far from what we hoped would be a peaceful retirement for both of us. I know we British don't "do emotions" very well, but we are both trying to remain as optimistic and hopeful as we can, and taking things one day, and one step, at a time.

She just wants to concentrate her entire being on beating this damned thing, and getting back into her garden, where you can see her and chat with her. Nor does she want you rushing out and buying cards or flowers; she's been in and out of hospital so often just lately... Let's just all hope to see her back home and looking well and happy again!

Me