[Folks I must apologise for not putting out much news today.

Some of you will remember my oldest nephew, Richard, who was diagnosed with a level 4 (deadliest is level 5) brain tumour, 2 years ago. He was diagnosed with a disease called: gliobastoma (I think), which is very deadly, and which normally kills you in 8-10 months.

Well… Richard had two brain operations back then and they even put wafers inside his head to give him chemotherapy for 6-8 months. He also had radiation treatment for months.

Richard went through lots of hassles.

Everyone gave Richard up for dead, including his wife.

But Richard fought through and even used the insurance payout from the disease to start his own butchery. Through all this, despite being cheated by another businessman, Richard not only survived his cancer but he actually finally started his own little business which employs 3 blacks. It gave him a motivation and determination like he has never had before.

But the sad news is that his regular scan showed that the tumour is back and he must have another operation in the next 3 weeks.

So we are all feeling rather down about this. Richard turned 40 last year and has a wife and two small children.

Richard is like a brother to me. We were always very close. And now I wonder if we will have to watch the cancer slowly destroying his mind and eventually killing him. It looks as if there is little that actually works.

Apparently this type of cancer is such that only 10% of people survive 2 years with treatment. At the time it was diagnosed last time it was so serious that there is no doubt he would have been dead within a month or two if they did not operate.

Anyhow, I spent quite some time talking to him this evening and so I didn’t have the time to post the news properly. I must also get some sleep!! Jan]