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Monday 28 May 2012

Happy Endings... I hope...

A lot has happened since Winnie Van Kof (the old Range Rover) died on the hard shoulder of the M5.....


We've managed to find a Series 1 Discovery as a replacement vehicle. Like Winnie, she is an old car with a much newer engine. This suits us just fine. We don't really need a pretty 4X4 - we just need something which is serviceable and will move us around with the minimum of fuss.


One of her previous owners has put her on a Northern Irish number plate.  (These look like private plates but are much cheaper.)  As a result we now refer to her as 'BJ'...


On Sunday we went for our first picnic with her and we had a lovely time.  We think she was quite a bargain at £1,800.

Things are looking up for 'Winnie too...  One of Mark's work colleagues has been looking for an offroad vehicle for some time.  He has bought her this week, and is happy to do the work necessary to make her road-worthy again.  The money that he has given us has ofset the cost of 'BJ' so I think everyone feels like they've got a bargain at the moment..!


The only clouds in our blue skies are Marks' health problems.  You may be able to see from this photo that he has a large lump/cyst/tumour next to the top of his nose.  It is apparently very rare.  In the last couple of weeks we have seen four Consultants AT ONCE on the NHS (after months of messing around).  They decided that they didn't want to have anything to do with it.  

Fortunately Land Rover/Jaguar have a private health scheme and Mark has been able to access it.  In less than two weeks we have seen an international specialist and Mark has been through the scanner. We are going back to see the specialist tomorrow and he is going to explain 'how' and 'when' he is going to operate, based on the results of the scan.  I've been trying hard to keep positive about the whole process but it is immensely stressful.  We've been told that it's not cancer, but it is likely that Mark will have eye problems for the rest of his life.  My deep-seated worry is that the tumour has moved back towards his brain.

Will post again once I know what's happening...

14 comments:

  1. My first Discovery was a Series 1 and I would have it back in an instant - so much nicer than the newer one we replaced it with. I hope BJ gives you lots of happy motoring.

    I really hope that everything goes well tomorrow, what a worrying time. I will be thinking of you both.

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  2. I'm thinking of you Jan and hoping everything will turn out okay for Mark. Good thing he is in the private scheme though isnt it? The NHS can be amazing but there are such demands made on it nowadays.Take care love Anne

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  3. oh love, what a worry for you both. you are in my thoughts.

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  4. I love your new set of wheels and that you christened her with a picnic. The first of many I am sure. Keeping you and Mark in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep up posted. Bonnie

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  5. Worry worrying time Jan......got to keep positive my dear not everything is malignant ...that's what my sister told me when I was extremely worried after two breast biopsies...she's a Macmillan nurse (fantastic nurses) and gave me a prep on all that...sounds as if you have some really good specialist dealing with it and getting on with it. I'm sending the most positive vibes possible across the channel :-)
    BJ like that name..enjoy enjoy enjoy

    Amanda :-)

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  6. Good bargain on the car, sending positive vibes for Mark, that must be worrying for you. I hope it is good news x

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  7. Oh Jan , what a worrying time for both of you. You're in my thoughts. Fingers crossed for tomorrow and thank goodness Mark was in the private scheme.Sending positive thoughts your way.x

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  8. Love your new motor - fingers crossed everything goes well for Mark.

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  9. We are going through the process of deciding whether to replace the engine in our truck or get something else-glad you found something you like at a good price and were able to sell the old vehicle. I'll be thinking about you and praying for all to go well tomorrow.

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  10. Keeping you both in my prayers. Hopefully the tumor hasn't spread. Please keep us informed.
    Balisha

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  11. Hi Jan, BJ looks great, it's lovely to be able to get out in the sunshine, isn't it? Will be thinking of you and Mark today. Lots of love xxx

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  12. I do hope all goes well - thinking of you both xx

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  13. Goodness, what a worrying time for you both. I hope everything goes well for you today, I'm sure it will as we're all sending positive thoughts your way. Love the new car, it sounds like you got a great deal.

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  14. Nice to have found a replacement car at such a low price. Good luck on your husband's surgery.

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