And so here we are…

And I don’t think that any of us had actually applied much brain power as to how empty and desolate we all feel. We put so much energy into his last week and ensuring that we were all there for him and we have crashed. Almightily.

So the funeral is done and we must “get on” – as he would have said. If you were at the funeral you will know that Sean asked that you send all your funny stories, top tips etc to us so that we can compile a book with all profits going to Cancer Research UK, the Injured Jockey’s Fund and the wonderfully caring Ward 9 at Taunton Hospital. If you have anything – large or small, long or short, or photos that we could use, please pass these on to us at johnduf@me.com.

Thank you for all your messages of support and distress. We really have appreciated everything. Smiley faces always welcome.

Ax

Funeral Arrangements

Tomorrow’s funeral will be held at The church of All Saints in Kington Magna, Dorset at 1pm.  If you are unfamiliar with the area this is the map. Please do not come UP the hill to the church.  It is a very small village and cars will only be accommodated coming in the top end. Car parking will be available in a field close to the church.

Family only will attend the cremation.

We do however EXPECT (!!) you to be at Nyland when we return so that you can share your stories and memories with us.

Smiley faces more than welcome.

Thank you

Journey’s End 27th May 22:15

End of a legend.

Funeral arrangements as follows:

Kington Magna Church
Friday 4th June 1pm

Donations if desired to the Injured Jockeys Fund & Cancer Research c/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, Mons, High St, Henstridge BA8 0RB

Thank you for all your support

The Dufs

27th May

Still here. Duf is in a pain free very deep sleep with more morphine going in as I type. Family all here.

26th May

We’re all still here. Spent the night on various floors and chairs in Taunton hospital.

Quite peaceful and in no pain.

25th May

An incredibly sad day yesterday. We were told by the docs at Taunton that after many tests the lymphoma has spread to several other parts of the body. This is despite the chemotherapy treatment. Evidently a very aggressive cancer.

Medically, there is nothing more that can be done other than to ensure that Duf is comfortable and in no pain. He is staying in a palliative ward in Taunton.

As a family, we would rather people not visit. The reasons for this are twofold. We want you to remember John Duf the way that he was. Also, and perhaps more importantly, the unit is home to some very poorly people. The fewer visitors who enter the unit, the less chance there is of infections being taken in and their conditions deteriorating.

Thanks
A

24th May

We are now back in Taunton again where the staff and facilities are first class.

Duf v poorly now. Is in Intensive Care.  We’re all here with him.
A

17th May

Apologies yet again; the whole point in having a blog is that you keep people up to date and I have been woefully lacking in this department.  Am rubbish.  Is official.

Duf was taken back into hospital last Tuesday as he was spiking a temperature and his white cell count was very low.  He is still in Yeovil where a full scan has revealed that the chemo has been working and the lymph node in his tum is much smaller however there has been some movement elsewhere.  The docs are meeting today to work out what and why this is.  As soon as I have any more information I will update this.

Henry and I saw him yesterday and he was quite chirpy although complaining about how many pills he had to take – and obviously would rather be at Nyland!

More soon

Apologies!

So sorry not to have updated this. It’s been a crazy couple of weeks. SW went off on his travels last week. Duf was quite weak from the chemo but all the better for being at Nyland and asking everybody to “pop off” to run around after him. Some things don’t change!

I was taking H&J to Holland to cheer them up but couldn’t go due to the volcano. My folks had come down to animal sit – and to cut a very long story short my mum slipped on our drive, snapped her ankle in two places and was treated as a major trauma in Odstock where she remains having been internally wired, pinned and plated. Hoping to drive them back to Beadnell Bay in the next few days….their lives have changed dramatically. As has mine!

Am expecting plagues of locusts and pestilence next week…..and another round of chemo all being well.

Will do better. Promise.

Home – woohoo!!!

Glad to tell you all that Grumps is home! The second round of chemo was on Thursday and he arrived back yesterday. It is GREAT to see him back in the corner of the sofa. He’s still obviously recovering so don’t all rush at once!

He’s actually quite chuffed that he has a small space on the Internet much to our surprise. He does want his picture changed so we are routing around for a new one!

Thanks again for keeping him cheery!