I went in to see Isobel at half two. She started today by eating half her porridge for breakfast, but later ate all of a second breakfast! She ate a pot of balanced supplement later in the morning and has drunk very well all day. However she could not be woken at lunch time; nor did she have her paracetemol in water just after lunch.

I fed her the paracetamol in water which she took steadily but slowly. She had not finished it when the doctor arrived. The doctor checked her chest and confirmed that it was clear - Isobel is at constant risk of lung infections from taking food or drink down the wrong way. She said that Isobel's condition was much as expected, she is very fragile indeed. She doubted that sub-cutaneous hydration was an appropriate course if Isobel stopped eating and drinking again. Her condition varies from day to day and at some time a trough in her condition will result in death.

After the doctor had left, Isobel finished the paracetamol and water. Isobel ate another pot of balanced supplement. When tea arrived Isobel ate about three quarters of the main course and all of the yogurt dessert. Isobel was very tired after this, but I made a start on giving Isobel a water based cocktail containing her medication. She had drunk about two thirds of this when she fell soundly asleep. A nurse will give her the rest later, I could not stay as I had a teaching session tonight. I left at a quarter to seven.

Isobel has recovered amazingly well from the crisis of Friday and Saturday. She had drunk well over a litre of water so far today by the time I left, excluding the water added to the liquidised food and contained in the yogurt and pots of supplement. However, she might not survive another such crisis. She is in a very delicate condition and tumour growth may cause a crisis at any time. Isobel was able to answer a few questions today and confirmed that she was not in pain.