Dear TGSA members

Thank you so much for your most welcome messages for a speedy recovery, which have certainly helped Lesley and I to cope better over the past few traumatic weeks.

As you may have heard already, we have been overwhelmed by the volume of cards, letters, e-mails and telephone calls since we first learned of this life-threatening illness. I am sure that you will understand that it has been impossible for me to reply to everyone and hope that you will forgive this stereotyped letter in response to your wonderful support.

Nevertheless, we want to tell all our friends and relations that we have read every single word (a full-time occupation!); appreciate all you are doing for us, and despite not hearing from us immediately, please do not imagine that we are ignoring you, but please, please keep in touch, albeit one-sidedly (is that a word?). It is very important to us; your words have been so moving.

Which brings me to the current situation. After many visits to various hospitals involving X-rays, scans, biopsies, etc, the Senior Oncologist at Addenbrookes now believes that I am ready for chemotherapy, which should start in early August. I shall not bore you with the details, but as my condition (MCL) is fairly rare (six cases in Addenbrookes) he wants to hit the cancer hard over a six-week period. So we shall put a tape on the answerphone saying that I am "hors de combat" during August. Hopefully I shall have finished my treatment by my 58th birthday in mid-September. What a great present! Finally, offers of transport, meals, holidays, cottages, books, champagne, CDs, prayers (inc three nuns!), cheques, etc! have been more than generous, but very well received. Several people have asked if they could make a donation to Charity, so the Lymphoma Association has benefitted from their magnanimity, for their research. We could not be so positive and optimistic without your help and thoughts - it is so important to us. We hope to see you soon, miraculously cured.

Yours ever

David.

Anyone wishing to find out more about the Lymphoma Association can visit their web site www.lymphoma.org.uk . If you wish to make a donation, please print off this FORM and send it with your cheque to David Johnson at:

This way, David Johnson can let David Cooke know about the donations made by TGSA members.