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He'll be getting a postcard from France. Anne

If you feel up to it, I would appreciate understanding what is happening in Canada. Has the government been cutting back on health care ? The result is outrageous (and that's a euphemism) and you, for one, are bearing the brunt of the situation. Here in France we receive many British patients who face a similar situation. If only you had that option, Jackie ! Anne

Reading your heartrending post, Shelly, brought to mind lines that may seem absurd to you : The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. Yet the psalm goes on Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil. It doesn't say "I will feel good". As a matter of fact, most of the psalmists don't feel very good - they spend a great deal of their time complaining that they are not getting a better deal. Like you, I have felt rotten, becomme nasty and very short with others -including my husband. And all the rest : you name it. But somehow, when one has become nothing more than a shell, when our faith, generosity, kindness have gone by the boards, the Spirit has lots of elbow space to remodel us. Doesn't matter whether or not we are aware of that and we usually aren't. It doesn't mean we'll feel good, but that maybe we can still trust somewhere deep inside, whatever the pain and injustice. Right now, just get through this however you can. My prayers are with you. Anne

Am aware of the British problem (the woman with breast cancer makes the news here),but didn't know the situation was similar in the Netherlands. May I very seriously suggest that you consider heading south for treatment. As a citizen or resident of an EU country, you would have no problem receiving care in France. Many English do just that. Our system is running on a growing deficit, but top rate care remains available to everyone and that includes expensive medicine administered by IV. Anne

Sorry about the inadvertent underlining. A.

Headline & introduction: Pineapple may help fighting cancer Thursday, Australian scientists announced the discovery of a powerful anti-cancerous agent in pineapple polecules, which could lead to the develpment of a new treatment for the disease. Summary of the article : Work was done on two bromelaine molecules obtained from pineapple stems. One, CCZ, stimulates the human immune system to destroy cancerous cells whilst the other, CCS, blocks a protein called Ras which is deficient in 30% of all types of cancer. Reasearch is aimed at discovering the reason for the action of CCZ and CCS, which can block the growth of a large range of tumors including those in the breast, lungs, colon, ovaries or melanome. Although clinical trials will not be immediate, the potential of this work is immense according to TM, researcher. The way CCZ and CCS act is different from any treatment currently being used. A two-year study is underway to determine the security of this treatment and find means to guarantee a stock of molecules. If it is positive, it will be followed by finding a commercial partner to undertake clinical trials on human beings. Hope the above will be of use or bring hope to somebody here. Anaïs, thank you for giving me the opportunity to give back a little of all this group gives me as a caregiver. Anne

Good to see you perched in that nook which is yours alone, Dean, knowing that in no way are you by yourself up there. Like so many, I trek at your side. Your presence has shed light on every rock along our craggy pilgrimage of life. Thank you. God bless. Anne

Dave, Karen, Faith, My prayers accompany you as you trek steadfastly onwards. Please don't forget that, like Dave, God has a sense of humour : make sure you recognise your miracle when it arrives. It will be yours alone, known to no man saving he that receiveth it (Ap 2, 17). In faith and hope, Anne

Curtis, Your Christmas letter is a beautiful gift to all of us here, struggling one way or another. Your outlook gives me strength and courage to go on - and to care - and to share, with the Julies and the Alisa's in my life but particularly with Sonia who has fought cancer for three years, but will probably be dead by the time Christmas arrives. Thank you, Curtis and Katie. Thank you, Becky, for your legacy of love and of wisdom. Anne