Darling buddies from May - moving on

Life after a breast cancer diagnosis Recovering from treatment
4701

Hi ladies

It’s so nice to see that Lily, Nicky and Lisa have all had a fantastic Christmas with family and chilling out, hope Val also enjoyed time with her girls and hubby.

Christmas Day was one of the best Christmases I can remember, lots of good food, wine, presents for all and more importantly spending time with all my children, and the two little ones. Son’s friends joined us for the day and by the evening we were roaring to the music, dancing, singing and it was just a shame that Mr P had to work some of the time. Our dancing exploits can be seen on FB as I’m sure Lisa has seen lol .

Have been busy in the sales today but I have to admit that about 2 hours of shopping and I am done in. Tomorrow is YD’s 18th birthday, I find it so hard to believe that my little baby is now coming of age. That New Year when she was born I celebrated it by myself in hospital and watched all the fireworks going off, 18 years later I will be on board the ferry watching fireworks again! How the time flys by.

Love to all and in case I don’t manage another post before New Year, have a great time and HAPPY NEW YEAR TO THE DARLING BUDDIES xxxx

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Hi, well glad to hear that you all had a good time and that you are now able to relax anfd take it easy. I am in a similar state apart from my visitor arrived back tonight so can’t completely do what I want for as bit longer. Christams was very busy in my kitchen with 10 plus smiler on Christmas day and 10 plus both babies on boxing day. I was fight of the fittest to get the comfiest chairs but no-one dar pinch mine and they all took a share with the clearing up thankfully. the fridge is still busting open with food, not helped by my boxing day guests turning up with all their left over extras too and insisting I keep them. Well no worries about the diet, it has gone out the window for the time being. Carole i hope you have a lovely celebration with your daughter. My youngest (son) is 21 next month and that seems a shock to me too. I am planning a trip to the sales when my visitor has gone. i hope to get a couple of coats but have not really got a style in mind, which makes it a harder task. Trouble is, I have to have smart for work but prefer casual for footy matches, etc. Lisa I bough a lot of onesies but told them not to get me one. I can still recall distant memories of how cold it is to go to the loo if you wear things like that! Not too many nibbles and wine - sounds like alot of syns to me ha ha. Nicky why do you think you are getting tired? Do you think the job is taking more out of you, with the travelling or maybe you need your Hb level checked? Just a thought as that makes you tired. Most likely you were spoiling everyone!! Hope you have enough energy to hit the sales :slight_smile: Val how was your Christmas with the family? I hope you were able to enjoy a feast as well as the company, tiring for you too I am sure. Well better finish here so ttfn Lily x

4703

Looks like everyone is having fun, my waistline is defo expanding so 3rd back and work and the same for the diet might re-join slimming world as will only have 4 weeks till party so god knows what’s I’ll wear!!! Oh what will all our NY resolutions be???
Enjoy
Lisa xx

4704

Hi, my new years resolution is to go out more often, have more fun, visit more places and people and enjoy myself more. Sounds a bit selfish i know but it is also my plan to cheer Victor up as he has gradually had all his friends go bonkers (seriously as in no longer knowing who he is and in care homes),be struck down with a crippling illness, move away or stop working with him/retire and I think he must sometimes feel lonely :frowning: It will be a tough challenge. Strategy one cinema trips. Lily x

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Hello Everyone. Glad you enjoyed your Christmases. I had a lovey time too but had to be the driver to collect dad and to take him home again. But I thoroughly enjyed the day and the days following as well.
I am a bit knackered with the chemo but it is easier than I thought it would be. But this morning after my shower I nticed my hairbrush is ful of hair so wearing an Indian cotton scarf tied up to stop it getting into my mouth and my food. Hae not last my hair like this since my original diagnosis and this brought back unhappy memories…but not quite so upsetting this time as I knew what to expect. So wil need to sort out those wigs. I tried some on but didn’t choose one because I want a second opinion from my daughters. But think I will be wearing scarfs the most.
It has been great having my girls here and Santa left them huge stockings filled with goodies at the end of their beds! Just like old times. Great fun.
My OH and daughter are away to shops for food and drink. Been away for ages so perhaps shopping elsewhere too. She had me round Waterstones and Primark yesterday and I was driving and was so wxhausted afterwards. She wil need abother suitcase to take her gooies back home.
I do read your posts but posting less and less on the site now. I won’t be stopping but not much energy for anything. Quite exhausted most of the time. But must mean that chemo is doing its job. Dental hosptal on the 4th. Hope they do not want to do anything. Just want them to check me over. Keep well girls. When my energy levels impriove I wil post on here more. Have a great New Year. Firewoks and Princes Street Party up here…but not for me…but the girls are going.
Much love to you all, Val

4706

Hi, in case anyone would like to add their own message, there is a post for Lorraine in the ‘in memory’ section, started by Magsi. it is 2 years since our lovely friend passed. Val it was lovely to hear about your Christmas and it sounded wonderful. Glad I am not the only one to still have sacks from santa to organise. I had 7 to wrap this year and it was a very long labour of love. Also really pleased to hear that you feel you can tolerate the chemo side effects but the hair, poor you. That is the one that always got me most. At least there are a huge range of scarves at present with them being fashionable, so you should have a lot to choose from.I wore a lot of hats too especially in bed as my head felt freezing when it went very thin on top. You have to remember how much heat you lose withour hair. I started to realise why old men wear hats! Wishing you a happy new year and to everyone on here. Take care and lots of love Lily xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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Hello lovely ladies, I hope Santa was kind to you as well as the ones he left stockings for :slight_smile: I still spend ages doing them for my 2 D’s and they say they are the best bit for them on Christmas morning. My main panic early December was I hadn’t even started them so, once they were done, I could relax a bit more. BTW I insist Santa gets me one as well and he also leaves one for OH so we all can join in the fun.
Lily - thanks for the notice about Lorraine, I do think of her often especially around this time. I felt dreadful the other day when I posted a comment about ladies we’ve lost over the years and forgot to mention all of the Buddies that are no longer with us, I just couldnt conjure up the login names. Hoping you are having time to relax now after your mammoth catering feats! We had both sets of grandparents over on Saturday but I could only manage lunch, I’m not ready for another full blown evening meal with more overnight stays at the moment. However it worked perfectly for them all, and us as it was the only day all four of us were at home. Unfortunately it menat not meeting up with P, as this was the only other day we both had ‘free’. I’m a bit tired mainly from not sleeping so well. I really do need 8 hours a night but have only been getting around 6 due to too many thoughts whizzing round my head, however this is now improving as all the pressure is off now. Also I think I’ve had a bit of a bug as I’ve felt a bit nauseous in the mornings but not developed anything worse. I had this a few Christmasses ago, and it’s not down to over imbibing, as a friend had exactly the same. However, I’m looking forward to getting out and about a bit more but the weather has been so awful I’ve not walked for weeks, plus my leg is still a bit achey. I really think the lack of excercise makes you more lethargic - or it does for me!
Val - so lovely to hear from you and I fully understand the exhaustion you must be feeling right now - however as long as it’s destroying those little *uggers at the same time it’s for the right reasons. So glad you had a lovely family Christmas, we’ve enjoyed ours with both D’s being here and seeing each other for the first time in months. YD returns on Weds so we will miss her being here but we go out to visit her in 2 weeks for her graduation ceremony, so that is something to look forward to. Good luck with the wig choosing. I did hate wearing them the first time round so I’m not sure I’d bother if and when I need to do something again. Although that is easier said than done when all you want to do is blend in with evreyone else. I found I didn’t miss my hair going so much as my eyelashes and there was everyone thinking I was way too precious about my hair and it wasn’t true after all!
Lisa - hope you have your party head on already and all set to see out 2012 with a bang. A BIG year for you next year, you must be sooo excited. We need all the details please so we won’t miss out.
P - so sorry we didnt get to meet - a bit like so near but so far! Maybe we’ll meet up in France one day - you never know, we will be visiting for some time to come if YD is thinking of staying on, which seems her plan at the moment. We do want to see more of France, further south than Paris but not as far as the Med. Watch this space :wink:
So, I’ll sign off now, Buddies, and wish each and every one of us a very Happy New Year and thinking of absent friends
Nicky xxxx

4708

Hi, well I seem to be the starter post for the new year again, must be my job ha ha. Can I wish you all a happy new year and hoping that it will look kindly on us and our families. Baby will have his first bufday this month which now adds to the mad weekend fitting my and son’s bufday celebrations in. I think I should hang up my bufday boots and let the youngsters enjoy the month. Would be even better if my years did not increase either. Son will be 21 and seems to have forgotten that we celebrated 18 so I guess we have another! He was very astute asking for computer stuff for uni so that encouraged me to say yes as I want him to complete his degree. he has signed up :slight_smile: but as yet no sign of the finance people contacting us, so hope it gets through on time to start this month. He has good intentions so I hope he can soldier through the tough bits. He already has almost enough for a deposit on a small flat by saving his funds but I pointed out you need a secure income too. ED is making noises about moving out :frowning: later this year. i hope it is easier losing her the second time as I was so sad first time around. She says she has to be in close reach of dad in case there are spiders, so I guess that chick will not travel far from the nest. They have all closed rank to support YD who has had another baby disappointment this christmas. Her and I spent the other night in hospital but it seems it may be a miscarriage rather than an ectopic this time. I go with her tomorrow to see if it is chemo or an op. Too much sadness for one person but she is so brave and just thanks her stars she has one baby, very grown up for her young years. I have been on stand by for emergencies all week. We had everyone round her today and the crowd gets bigger and bigger and we have to turn the heating off as it becomes a hot house having all doors shut to keep our busy babies from emptying cupboards and climbing stairs. So the fridge is full to bursting again :slight_smile: . BTW you haven’t said what your new year’s resolutions are yet??? Take care and i guess snow comes next argggh Lily xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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Oh dear, Lily, that is sad news for YD, and all of you. But, as you say, she has one lovely baby which must be a huge consolation. I hope all goes well today at hospital and the kindest treatment is offered. Hoping all goes well with all the other family plans like moving out and looking after Victor!
My YD is sadly gong back to Paris today, so a lot further than your ED in moving out terms :frowning: I think she isnt looking forward to it either as she’s had such a nice time with family and friends over the past 10 days or so. Oh, well, we’ll see her in 2 weeks and I’m sure she’ll cheer up once she gets back into the swing of Paris life.
I hope everyone had a good New Year. We went to our local pub/restaurant and had a fabulous meal followed by dancing until 1 am. We went with some of our friends and had a really lovely evening. A quiet day for all yesterday with both D’s coming back in the afternoon from their various parties and an Indian takeaway (at YD’s request as they can’t do them in Paris!) in the evening, then early to bed for us all. OH and I managed a walk around the village in the afternoon which was sunny but chilly and good for him to get some fresh air as he’s still trying to shake off a cold from before Christmas.
My NY resolution is to continue enjoying life to the full (several holidays/mini breaks/treats booked already!), walk more than last year (weather permitting) and don’t sweat the small stuff (ie, get hold of my anxiety issues and sort them out!)
Over to you P and Lisa :wink:
Nicky xx

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Dear Lily, Sorry to hear about your YD. So upsetting for you all.
Nicky, I can fully understand how you are feeling right niw with your YD returning to France. I am dreading it myself yet my YD is here until Sunday.
We are picking up my Dad after I get my bloods done at hospital and bringing him back here for tea. OH is doing the meal for us…Roast Chicken roast potatos etc. I think my daughter wants to watch the way I make Sticky Toffee pudding. I wrote out the instructions for her years ago but she says she would like to see me doing it so that she could try it when she returns home. So once I am washed and dressed that is on the agenda.
Hope Peacock and Lisa are both well and enjoying the festivities. Love to you all, Val

4711

Hi, thank you for your kind thoughts. As usual when you need them to be on the ball, the hospital made a bad situation worse. I sat with YD all morning waiting for the promised call but nothing. She rang and they said far too busy will call tomorrow instead. So I went home. They then rang and said baby in unknown location and made her half hope it might be ok after all and then it all went wrong this evening, so definitely no go and we have an apointment tomorrow. I am not happy but as me angry does not help her to cope, I am just trying to help wherever I can with baby. She is a very strong girl and prefers to shed tears in private so I am just phoning a lot so she knows I am with her if she needs me. In a strange way we have decided its better it went on its own rather than facing a procedure tomorrow. Changing the topic , sorry Val and Nick that you have/had another cheerio to your girls. I would just want time to stop and all stay there in that bubble. Life seems so exciting to younger folk and I can understand them wanting to explore.Nicky I liked you NY Resolution and I have already opemed the topic of hols to Victor and the 10% off a well known firm if booked this month. We also have an invite to Florida but that is a much bigger holiday to pay for. Where are you off to this time?Val I hope the vampires got the blood smoothly and no mucking around. Tea sounded lovely thank you. Loved the pudding, I get a treacle sponge from morrisons some sundays and they all fight over it. Not as good as homemade I am sure. Do you have a NYR? Take care Lily x

4712

Hi All, sorry I missed a few days, been laying low with sore throat and soooo tired, must be catching up with me, done well to miss Xmas but back to the grind at work now but trying not to do sooo much as more importantly the “Were all mad - mad hatters tea party” plans are under way. Made some cake stands, some bunting, some coasters, my downfall will be my cooking skills so any good recipes for cakes or things for afternoon tea all welcome, attempting those coloured macaroons at weekend as they would look cute… my dress come, it’s Alice red court dress but it’s way too big (although made to measure from China) but it’s too big, puffy for me I look like a whale and mam said its awful so god knows what to wear :frowning:
More importantly, Val, how’s the hair? I hated loosing mine, well I hated wearing the wig more, once I had stubble I just wore the same scarf and wished I’d wore more but again it was the belnding in - I bet you can rock some good styles… sticky toffee pudding sounds yum!!!
Carole, hope all’s well with you, seems like you had a great break.
Nicky, your NY resolution sounds good tooo… are you back at work yet? Trips, do share just not when lol!!
Lily, your poor YD, it’s awful, I’ve had a lot of friends experience problems, one of my friends is on her 5th IVF, it’s so sad, in a way easier for me as I had to make the choice for health reasons, and hey i get to spoil my friends kids and my 8 god kids lol!!!
Well my NY resoultion was to loose weight as ever as I have put two stone on since left hospital which isnt good for my op site and chest, one side has grown and other hasnt but Im determined for a change, just hard whilst partying and birthdaying so much and my main resolutions are to have lots of fun, never thought I would see 40 5 years ago and i had this fear that things bad happen every 5 years so hoping that this isnt true and I can have a blast in 2013 and do lots more, which sounds like we all want to do, soooo… here’s my list so far…
My Birthday - 30th Jan
My party - 2nd Feb
Rugby at Wigan in Feb
Weekend away with friend in Feb/March
80’s weekend with friends in March
Mrs Browns Boys, April weekend
Meat Loaf, April
Florida, May - 2 weeks
Robbie and Olly, June
July - Aug, free incase of Op
Sept/Oct - trip abroad hopefully Italy
OCt - Super League weekend
Nov/Dec - Dublin
Oh and i prob need a lottery win to fund them all, how good if money was no object…
Beat that list lol!!!
Night all xxxx

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Hi again Lisa, just looked on pinterest that hs mood boards on alice in wonderland and you may get some good ideas from it. One I loved was cup cakes wth ‘eat me’ written on them. They were in pastel shades and really cute Lily x

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Hi, Lisa I feel like I need a rest just reading your list for the year ahead, good for you to plan so much . I think the lottery win would be helpful though. ED is going to see Olly and Robbie too but in London, I assume yours will be up further north. You may know that Olly comes from close to where I live and that Md’s partner used to play footy in a team with him. very amusing as MD rather likes him, so would not be a good reunion! He has done really well. For your party it might be an idea to treck round charity shops (or get mum and dad on the case) to look for giant tea cups and teapots to stand around as displays or table centres. I have often seen giant cups and saucers in them. I think also checked tablecloths would set the scene and how about a screen with the film playing for kids to sit and watch? A dressmaker or dry cleaner would probably know someone to sort the big puff dress out for you. Your party is on my bufday :slight_smile: twin again!!! Let me know when you are serious about a diet again and I will nag you into submission!!! The main thing is to decide that you really want to lose weight or you will not have the determination to keep it going. Today the hospital have threatened to give YD chemo again. They sya they know it will be painful but gives the best outcome. She really deserves a break but is taking it as well as you possibly could, given the circumstances. I am off to the panto (oh no you’re not!) this weekend to see Dick Whittington with little chap and the girls, if Yd is ok then. The babies are banned as totally noisy and wriggly. Take care Lily x

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Wow Lisa, what a list, almost puts me to shame :wink: Really glad you have so much planned and so much to look forward to, especially as things have been so bad and you didn’t have much to celebrate 5 years ago.
lily, hope all is going as wellas possible with YD although it must be very distressing for her, and you. It doesn’t help with the hospital not communicating properly either.
val, have seen your other posts and hoping you are feeling brighter, or as bright as you were yesterday :slight_smile: and you enjoy the family expedition today! Fingers crossed that the walkers have nice weather and you feel very cosy waiting for them.
P, hope your trip home has been, or will be, smooth and you are not feeling too low saying goodbye to the family in the UK. Will wait to have a big update from you when you have time.
I had my first day back at worto yesterday which all went well and a nice short session so I was back home by lunchtime whereas I thought it might last a long time, you can never quite tell with these hearing so I go prepared now with lots of food to either discreetly snack on or have for lunch if it goes on that long. ED goes back to Loughborough today so a very quiet house later on. I took down the decorations yesterday do Christmas is officially over in our house as well, all very dull and less twinkly!
as Lisa has asked I will give you a list of planned things so far. We have a friend who is remarrying so have a couple of celebrations for them, a planned, and paid for, holiday to the Caribbean (again!), a trip away with friends and then seeing Sir Bradley Wiggins on his bike somewhere in France! Plus visiting YD in Paris at least once this year, although I don’t count that as a holiday, more like a reunion :slight_smile: All these things had to be booked early to get good deals and, yet again, free air miles etc have played their part so it’s not as extravagant as it all seems, honest!
have a good weekend buddies
Nicky x

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Sorry for such a long absence, for some of the time in the UK I didn’t have any internet, and since arriving back to France things have been pretty hectic, so apologies for not much of a personal answer to your posts although I have read through to keep up with what is going on.

Lily, so sorry to hear about your daughter’s second miscarriage, she sounds very resilient and obviously has all the support she needs from you, she knows you are there if she needs you. I wish her the very best for a safe recovery but I sympathise with how devastated she must be, I had a miscarriage at 10 weeks pregnant, it was not a nice thing so gentle hugs in cyber space.

Val and Nicky, I empathise with you both about your daughter’s leaving the UK because since being back in France I feel somewhat despondent and miss my elder children, having seen so much of them for 2 weeks.

Nicky if you manage to venture further South than Paris and end up being by the Dordogne it would be a delight to meet up if we could, that goes without saying to all the buddies!

Val any luck with the wig yet have you chosen something? You make sure you knock those blighters with all you’ve got along with help from Taxol.

Lisa how is your sore throat? It seems to be doing the rounds as both Mr P and YD ended up with sore throats as we left blighty, must be all the damp and mild weather. I like your list for NY resolutions it sounds like you have a very busy year ahead and good on you.

We had a lovely Christmas and NY, one of the best Christmases that I can remember the only downside being that Mr P was busy working and cooking for everyone. At least we saw him which wouldn’t have been the case if we hadn’t gone to UK. I had some lovely presents from the children, a sewing basket from ED, an ornamental ginger cat from Son and a crystal candle holder from YD. Perfume from Mr P – Paloma Picasso, my favourite and for my Christmas/Birthday joint present I have a new camera as my other one decided to break!

I did lots of walking when in England, and I think this burst of energy has improved my “hole” and inflammation. I saw the surgeon yesterday and he has decided the hole is virtually closed; the remaining redness and inflammation should go down (he thinks) so hopefully after 4 months I am on the mend. My next appt is in 4 weeks, so a bit of a break for a while.

My NY resolution is to be more active, try to lose weight, drink less alcohol (which so far since NY Eve I haven’t had any) and try to think about how lucky I am, it seems easy to forget that at times!

YD had a reasonably quiet 18<sup>th</sup>, NY Eve was a combined party for her and NY and I think she’s had a good time. She must now do much more driving as she has her test next month.

Anyway, must get on as we’re decorating YD’s bedroom ATM I just sat down for 5 mins to catch up.

Love Carole

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Hi, Carole lovely to hear your news and hope home seems more like home as you get used to your smaller family unit again :frowning: Don’t know how any of you manage as i would be with hanky for ages and hopeless at goodbyes. Great Ny resolutions and good luck. You have to give them a good go after confessing on here ha ha. Decorating again wow wish we were! Pressies sounded lovely, lucky you and belated bufday wishes if I forgot you, sorry.Thank you all for kind thoughts and although things have been tough Yd thinks it is all done so hopeful they will not inflict chemo on here for a second time. Fingers crossed all depends on hormone levels when she is checked. Baby got his first shoes :slight_smile: and they were £32 can you believe measured from Clarkes. Nick the trips sound lovely and in response I have thrown all this years travel brochures on the sofa to attract Victor’s attention. He is ignoring me as I ooh and aaah loudly. usual process of wearing him down but I want to take advantage of some good offers around if I can and then my bank take 10% minimum of any figure I get from a travel agent, so it all helps.First day back being short must have been a relief so you didn’t have to pretend to drop a piece of paper and munch sandwiches under the table ha ha. Val hope you had a fab day and thinking of you as your chicks depart the nest :frowning: Lisa how is the costume going?Son has now popped his hamstring and is in a bad way so I have another patient. Getting very behind in my school work so up late Lily x

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Hi All, been hit with lurgy so sorry havent been around, will have a good catch up with all the messages tomorrow xxx

4719

Just popping in to say Hello and have read all your news.
I have my new wig and I like it. Blonde, neat at back and longer at sides but want her to trim the fridge a wee bit more and a little bit taken ff the side near cheekbones. But it is warm and comfortable and looks natural (well sort of!)/ I also bought a turban type white velour cap for bedtime or sitting around the house, plus a top/cap from the wig shop which i thought was okay if a bit pricey at £20 fot all it was…but it is better than I thought and is is a lovely soft natural material which turns out to be made of 100% bamboo but keeps you cool as well as warm, almost like silk does in summer and winter. It is a soft grey/blue shade which can be worn with so many of my clothes. 3 people so far thought I had just been to the hairdresser when I wore my wig for the first time…or they were just being kind!
The house is back to normal after a hectic weekend. ED flew home to France this morning. YD away back to her own place nearby as she is on duty tomorrow. OH in bed. I have been in and out of bed all day and am just about to head upstairs again after coming downstairs for some cold sausages which I missed for tea and had a can of juice for my thirst. I am seeing my Consutant tomorrow at 10am so shoud really hit the sack. I had my head shaved when I picked up my wig and it feels odd still and I have to massage my scalp to stimulate the follicles and have bought almond oil to stop my scalp becoming dry.
I had my BILaw and his lovely partner staying for the weekend. They rest of the family went for a 3 hour walk but my friend did her “care in the Community” by wheeling me around the little town in my wheelchair! We had coffee and walnut cake plus a latte in a pleasant we tearoom. The cofffe was greta but the cake was too dry sadly. We all then went to my nephew’s house so that my ED could see the kids and we had another Christmas as the kids opened all their new pressies. My nephew made us soup and a snack whoch kept us going until we got home. I bought lovey fruit on friday to make pavlova again for visitors but energy levels low so it OH ended up making fresh fruit salad instead. But as my energy levels are poor I just have togo with the flow. My daughter told me off and said I do far too much and that I should rest more and let the chores be completed by everyone else. But it is hard to change (my) attitude coase I have always been an organiser. But I have taken onboard whoat they have said.
I am pretty exhausted with the chemo and havng to go to the hosptail so often. But the support my OH gives me wihout complaint helps me enormously and I really appreciate that he does all this for me to make me feel the way I do. He is such a support and this is what I call love, when things are done quietlyly without fuss, but filled with love as he quietly goes about the house and cares for me. I know this is a bit over the top but I need to put it down. It is the things that are done without fuss, without making a big issue, but just quietly keeping a close eye on me and making sure I do not overdo things. That is whay I call love, not necessarily the kind of showing off just for show that I often see. Does this make sense as I know I am really suffereing from chemo brain right now. I cnnot follow things on TV or concentrate to read anyong other that a magazine article and even that can be hard. The rado is easier. Right must go. bet if I read this tomorrow I won’t underatand the post I have just written to you all!
Keep your peckers up. Keep enjoying life. Hope your family’s problems are sorted out for you but most of all, I send my good vibes to my friends here. Especially wishing you all good health and a better 2013 for us all, Love V

4720

Hi, Lisa i hope you soon feel better. I know there are a lot of bugs around and I am hoping that I had most of them before Christmas and don’t have to go through any more for a while - years would be better :). I bet this bug is holding your party preparations up too, so get well soon. Val I thought your post was lovely about your hubby. I completely understand why you wanted to say it and I think you should let him see the words too. How about a card with it written in? Do you have cards for valentines day as that is close? Anyway I would like to thank you for letting me share in your thoughts and life at a special moment. You are certianly well equipped now with head gear and a smart wig. I always liked choices so I had some variety and could see how I felt at the time. I am amazed that caps are made from bamboo, very organic ha ha! The pale blue will suit your complexion, I can see that from the photo. Well I am starting to plan a first holiday, my big family one in the UK. Still waiting to hear how many can come and so I can work out how many rooms and beds. it gets very complicated as some want doubles and some are happy with anything and then there are 2 babies possibly as well as little chap. Victor and I pay all or most of it so we unashamedly bag the best room each time. Mind you they still all trapse through and use our room and bathroom like they were still little, so there is probably no advantage. We like a games room for evenings of fun for when the babes are in bed early or we take turns babysitting. If you eat out you can usually hang around in the local pubs for the evening too. Son has requested a pool table, ED has requested a brilliant location, I want to be near the sea or at least lots of water and Victor wants a really big interesting old house! Looks like it will be as difficult as usual to find somewhere then! First day back at work was such a shock as I slept badly and went to bed late, trying to finish work. Another hospital visit yesterday for Yd and no decision yet. Well will try to get off to bedfordshire early in the hope that fighting to stay awake earlier will apy off with a good snooze tonight. Lily x