♥️♥️ T&SCarpet&UpholsteryCleaning ♥️♥️

I’ve been trying to find the words to share this update, and I don’t think there will ever be an easy way to say it. Following my surgery, I’ve been diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma, an aggressive and terminal brain tumour. Although the surgeons were able to remove most of the tumour, it cannot be cured. I will now be having radiotherapy and chemotherapy in the hope of slowing its regrowth and giving me a little more time. It’s devastating news for me and my family, and something we’re all still trying to come to terms with. Sadly, this also means I won’t be returning to work at Abbey Foregate Post Office. Neil and Katie will be taking over permanently, and knowing that the business I’ve put so much of myself into will continue means an enormous amount to me. I hope it will be something of a legacy, and that you’ll continue to support them just as you’ve supported me. I do want to ask one thing of you all, and that’s to please be gentle with Neil and Katie. They’re doing their very best to keep everything running whilst dealing with something no family should ever have to face. I know how much they’re carrying at the moment, and a little patience and kindness will go such a long way. The difficult truth is that we don’t know how much time I have left, and the reality is that it may be very short. Cancer has already stolen five weeks from us, and I’m determined not to let it take any more of the precious days I have left. So, for now, we’re going to take life one day at a time. We’re going to spend time together, laugh, cry, make memories and enjoy every moment we can. And I’m going to hope that the treatment gives me a little longer to do just that. Thank you to everyone who has asked after me, sent messages and shown such kindness. It means more than I can possibly put into words. And please, keep supporting Abbey Foregate Post Office. It would mean the world to me to know that something I’ve worked so hard for will continue to be part of our lovely community. Much love, Caroline 💛

The support this week has been quite extraordinary. And so as we go forward, I am going to start posting some of our more normal stuff again, to keep the page and the business moving forward. Please feel free to take photos, check in on Facebook while you are here, share a funny card or gift you have found. Take a photo of your van in my car park if you are banking, like I love to do. Let’s continue to show the power of supporting a small family business and the difference it makes. Am I utterly terrified? Yes. But everything that can be done at this stage is being done. By this time next week I will have had my surgery, and then we can look at where we go next. Thank you for caring about me, my family and this little business of ours.

So, this Monday begins a very different story for us. It has been possibly the hardest week for my kids and family, with many uncertainties still to come, but from today we have decided to look forward with hope, positivity and what feels like a whole town behind us. Every single comment, message, kind word and show of support has meant more to me and my family than we can put into words. Katie and Neil are ready for the week ahead. We are opening at 9am today and our hours are now 9am - 5pm.