Where do we start?

Finally, a long overdue update to our highly-acclaimed, eagerly-awaited and often-forgotten Blog.

While things have been fairly un-exciting and non-newsworthy on the health front for ages, it has been all to easy to forget about keeping the blog fresh and rivetingly engaging. (More developments on the health front below).

The last three months have seen no shortage of things happening in our lives - just nothing reflecting it on the blog! Please forgive my (Bruce's) slackness for this oversight. The times when I'd think about it were not times I could stop and do anything about it. Thanks to those who reminded me - sorry for the lack of response.

WEDDING
We had a wonderful family event in early February with Claire and Chris's wedding. It was out at Whenuapai at Jeanette's folks' beautiful waterside property. The day went really well and it was a lovely celebration for all concerned. The sun shone, the tide was in, and everything ran very smoothly thanks to Jeanette's brilliant planning and careful planning regime. We are very proud of them as individuals and as a couple/family with Hannah. They are doing really well, despite the loss of wee Tyler in November. They are expecting another baby later this year.

BUSINESS
Late last year we bought an exhibition/show business on which Jeanette has been beavering away since December. We have already significantly changed the look and style and clarified the target market which is unashamedly Baby Boomers, not retirees. The previous owners had called it the "50 Plus Lifestyle and Retirement Expo". The "R"word is an instant repellent to most Baby Boomers who'd prefer not to think that way just yet. Boomers are still wanting to discover and participate in all sorts of exciting activities and interests; try new things; take up old interests again; taking care of themselves and their well being but still having lots of fun and enjoy the freedom as kids move on and there's fewer financial commitments.

However, we are well aware as Boomers, that our generation are typically the decision-makers for the Seniors in our lives when it comes to their more important purchasing and other major choices.

This year, the subtly but significantly renamed "50 Plus Lifestyle Show" will be in Tauranga (24th and 25th of September) and Auckland ASB Showgounds October 8th - 10th. This year's shows will be very tactile and hands-on with plenty to touch, taste, sample, hear, try etc. At the Auckland Show, we have plans to break a Guinness World Record during the three days of the Show. More details to follow!

WORK
As of last week, I left ProVision Technologies, having worked there for nearly 10 years, so I can work full time with Jeanette in our own business. We have already got a good number of exhibitors on board for either or both Shows and I would love to get stuck into the sales and marketing side of the business.

HEALTH
I've had a few tests over the last few months (CT; biopsies etc) to keep an eye on the state of affairs regarding my ongoing health. As of this morning, my Haemotologist has confirmed that there is indeed some further "low grade" cancer activity lurking again - although not as aggressive as 2 years ago. My platelets count was quite low a couple of weeks ago and even lower a week ago, however yesterday it was up a bit but still well below normal. It is not uncommon with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma patients to need a subsequent stem cell transplant (using my own cells).

As I understand it, they will give me 2 or 3 initial rounds of chemo (different cocktail than last time) to knock the cancerous cells around, then after I have recovered sufficiently they take some of my stem cells (from the bone marrow I think) and then clobber me with more chemo and transplant the stem cells back in which then help my bone marrow (and subsequent blood cell production) recover. They want to start the 1st round next Wednesday (just after Easter).

The timing seems a bit odd and a little frustrating from our perspective, but we are confident and trust that it is all in Higher hands.

We will try and regain our former diligence in terms of the Blog which is certainly by far the simplest way to keep you up with the play - and only if you're interested. The email method gets just too cumbersome all round.

Thanks for reading this far. You are to be congratulated!

Cheers
Bruce
bbremner@ihug.co.nz