With a very great sense of relief I was able to visit Isobel after an interval of six days. I went in just before a quarter to five and found her in a cheerful good mood. We had a long chat before her tea arrived rather late at a quarter to six. Isobel immediately commented that she knew I had not been able to come in as I was ill. Her speech was pretty good, subject to the usual reservation that long conversations drifted off into incomprehensible areas.

For tea Isobel had ham and tomato omelette followed by trifle and cream. After tea we sat and chatted while Isobel also watched the end of an old film on television. During this time isobel ate six shortbread biscuits, a banana, a fudge mar and a small bar of milk chocolate. The dancing dog is performing again at 2pm tomorrow in the louge at the Centre and Isobel has agreed in principle to leave her bed and observe it. Those of you who know of the scorn with which she has declined to watch previous performances by the dancing dog will be surprised by this, but we will see what actually happens.

I had a long chat with the nurse. We have sorted out the swine flu vaccination; the completed authority was left in Isobel's room last Sunday and had not been picked up during the week when I did not visit; no harm has been done, she will have the jab tomorrow. We also discussed the length of time Isobel has been on dexamethasone. Now that it is not needed to maintain her balance it may be possible to reduce it, perhaps eventually to stop it altogether; this will be discussed with the doctor tomorrow. Isobel will of course be back on this steroid at some stage to control fluid within the brain. It is possible that Isobel's period of sleep is getting slightly longer but there is no clear trend at present. Today Isobel seems to have had a very slight discomfort in her head, she said it was on the left hand side (tumour position) but indicated high on the right hand side. It did not need painkillers, but we are watching for any sign of non-transient pain that may ne connected to tumour growth.

I did a bit of general housekeeping in Isobel's room, but the cards and flowers will need to be sorted out tomorrow. She was still alert and chatty when I left at a quarter past seven.