Saints and Surgeons

"I've booked the transport, Bernard. 2 o'clock on Saturday afternoon", said the nurse looking after Dad on the ward at the Royal Brompton today.

Dad's surgeon, Mr Jordan, wants him to return straight home rather than going back to Colchester General first. A lot of effort is being made by NHS staff in London and Essex to get everything in place for this to happen at the weekend. We hardly dare to believe it's true.....

Before visiting started at 3 o'clock, I went into St Luke's church opposite the hospital. I wrote a prayer request in the book for Mum and Dad to continue finding the strength to cope with Dad's cancer, and then lit a candle for my sister Kaye.

One of the first things you notice on entering the church is this large modern portrait of Saint Luke, painted by Richard Bagguley while he was artist in residence at the church during an exhibition of his work there. Given the close proximity of the Royal Brompton Hospital, how appropriate that Saint Luke is, among other things, the patron saint of artists, physicians and surgeons.