Anyone due to start chemo April 14??

[rosie14]

Cranberry muffins sound good Lovewine! Hope the visit to see your dad was more positive.
Sorry that you didn't get to the Christmas Fair after all you preparation Tlj and hope your son has recovered form his sore throat.
Where are you going on holiday? Hope you have a wonderful.family time with your eldest back from boarding school. Hope you enjoyed your lunch today!
Cassie sorry to hear that you have been struggling with staff absences at work,it always seems,to happen in the run up to Christmas!
Glad you enjoyed War Horse and the meal afterwards.
We had a very good 3 course lunch for 15 euros. A huge table,of salads and dips to start, main course a selection of roast meat, curry meatballs, fish , goulash with veg rice or roast potaoes to choose from followed by a table of different desserts plus a chocolate fountain. I didnt choose to drink wine as I,save d myself for the food!🍴🍛🍮🍰🍫

[Cassie86]

Hello Ladies,

You all sound busy doing christmasy things, I am sorry your poor Dad's are having such a rough time, my heart  goes out to you I know, it's very difficult.

I have been extremly busy at work with half of the staff off sick  or on holiday and when members of the public hear staff at a medical centre are off sick they can't quite believe it!  As if Doctors, Nurses and admin staff are some kind of robots. There seems to be two kinds of problems, tummy upsets that do not seem to clear up after the usual 24 hours one Nurse has lost 10lb in weight and a nasty cough that rattles your bones, I have had the latter but have still managed to go into work.

I have my first oncology check up appointment this Weds, which feels a bit wierd after all this time.

I am not convinced the pysio is helping yet but I am told it could be a long wait.

A work friend and I had our alternative christmas celebration yesterday, we went to see War Horse at the theatre it was really good we had excellent seats and then we went for a lovely meal afterwards.

The christmas lights are magical in central London at night.

Have a good relaxing Sunday Cassie x

[Tlj63]

Morning everyone,
Sorry I haven't posted in a while, time is whizzing by as we get nearer to Christmas.
Rosie and Lovewine, I hope the Dads have had a good night.
I never made it to the school Christmas fair, my son had a terrible sore throat and temperature. He was gutted, missing out on the highlight of the school term and I felt guilty leaving my ladies on the bookstall in the lurch, but couldn't be helped.
I've managed to deliver most of my 'thank you' bottles of champagne. Needless to say everyone was very pleased with their surprise gift. Now it's the big countdown to the end of term. I'm going to spend the day in the UK on Thursday collecting my son from school and then we are all off on holiday to the sunshine on Friday for a week. Can't wait to feel the warmth of the sun again.
I had my herceptin on Wednesday and my hair is still less than Wayne Rooney on top, although more than Alan Scherer! Not sure I'm going to need my hairdressers appointment on Wednesday, might have to wait until the new year at this rate.
Hope you all have a relaxing Sunday, we're off to some friends for lunch which is exactly what we all need, to recover from watching younger son play hockey in the pouring rain.

[Lovewine]

Have a good day Wildpurl, I love village Christmas markets too! I think you can always pick up some unusual presents🎅 , yes two weeks will fly past and a well deserved break for you and O/H , hopefully with some good news regarding the job situation.
Regarding your TV viewing yesterday Rosie, there has been a great series on recently called back in the seventies, all the old sitcoms and news items showing how very sexist, racist and everything else telly was in that era!! I remember all of the shows etc, can't believe it!
Have baked some fruit and cranberry muffins, hoovered,mopped floors, walked dogs and wrapped some presents🎁 so feeling smug!! It won't last though!!

Good Sundays everyone!

[rosie14]

Glad your lunch went well yesterday Wildpurl! Hope you manage to finish your shopping at the Christmas market. The 2 weeks will go very quickly now.
Enjoy your walk.👫

[Wildpurl]

Morning, glad you enjoyed the theatre last night rosie. Saturday afternoon on a TV is a bit of a desert! Your bleep also made me smile! Lovewine, what a difficult time for you and your family at the moment. I hope that there is some progress today.

I had a lovely lunch yesterday with my brother and sister in law and my aunt and then we put up our tree in the afternoon. I only have 3 presents and 3 secret Santa gifts to buy now, and this afternoon is the village Christmas Market, so hoping to get some things there. OH and I are hoping to go for a walk this morning and then I think the rest of the day will be for chilling out. We only have two more weeks to work and then are off for two weeks over Christmas and New Year and we have both had enough of work really and just want to rest at home with our families and shut the world out for a bit! 🎉🎍😴

I hope everyone has a restful Sunday

[rosie14]

Hopefully they will be able to do procedure for your dad tomorrow. Hope you find him comfortable this afternoon!
Glad you are pleased with your cards from this website I was happy to be able to support it😃

[Lovewine]

Your bleep made me smile rosie 😄 Saturday is a boring TV day I think. I had a busy day shopping,cleaning etc dad went down for a heart procedure which they couldn't do as could not use any veins, so Monday back down for something else to try.enjoy the lunch, I think I am going to order some pressies online today, my cards arrived yesterday and spent the afternoon writing them, I ordered them from this website, along with a calendar and some brooches and am very happy with everything👍
Taking mum to visit dad in the afternoon, so quite a hectic one !

[rosie14]

Oh how funny I have been bleeped and it is a name!!!!

[rosie14]

Good morning it was a very quiet board on here yesterday trust everyone is ok?
Wildpurl,I know you were busy hope,the meal went well. Lovewine hope your dad is more stable. I guess the rest of you are all busy shopping for Christmas?🎅
My shopping has all been done online and delivered to my daughter's . She is wrapping it due to our late arrival in the UK this year.🎁
I was very fed up yesterday as DH was on the final day Of the D of E training. I did the shopping and was exhausted by noon. Nothing to watch on TV that time of day on Saturday so watched You tube Christmas shows . I used to enjoy Morcombe and Wise and the **bleep** Emery how things change. I ended up.watching a Christmas Movie on channel 5!!! When DH arrived home we went out to the theatre to see Treasure Island- it was quite well done! Then we went to the pasta and pizza bar.🍕🍷
Meeting friends today for lunch hopefully I will be in a better mood🙍
Hope everyone manages to do something relaxing today!

[rosie14]

Ha ha Wildpurl you found the pictures they are rather cool! I hope you manage to get your nails done💅 I am having mine done on 23rd. I am still,waiting for my thumb nail to,part company I now have to have a plaster on it.
Hope,you get to the gym safely on the tyre! It sounds like you don't need to go to the gym you are always so busy. Hope you have a good time with your guests I am sure they will enjoy you food!
Joan how are your nails now?
Hope everyone manages a good weekend!
DH is on the last day of the Duke of Edinburgh training today so,I will have to,go shopping myself! It will be a quick turn around this evening for him as he gets home at 6.45 and it's curtains up,at the theatre tonight going to see Treasure Island!💰

[Wildpurl]

Oh goodness rosie and Lovewine yes I think you both need extra hugs, so sending some your way. I went through a similar dilemma with my Dad quite a few years ago now, although he was only in his 70s he had a stroke so could not look after himself and had to go into a home after my Mum died. It is such a difficult time for you all.

Well we did not get our Christmas tree 🎄up yesterday in the end so will do it today after the guests have gone! I also need to do my nails, think I will add some glitter as it is nearly Christmas. Yesterday I managed all my cooking and a nice long walk. OH took the wheel off my car and pumped up the tyre and could not find anything sticking in it, we have left it overnight and it looks OK so off the the gym in my car shortly. I will almost certainly go to a local tyre dealer who does very good deals but not till next week.

I hope everyone has a good Saturday

[rosie14]

Thanks Lovewine I think we are both in need of big hugs right now!🙅🙅

[Lovewine]

Wildpurl, the icons are available I think on APP store- think they are called Emoji icons!

Rosie, am so sorry to hear of your predicament with your dad, I know the problem with nursing homes is a very contentious issue- it doesn't seem fair to have to sell the house to fund care when the person has worked all their life and done the right things,it does seem at times we are penalised for being good citizens! I feel for you , I think most of us face this situation sadly at some point- I don't think it's too far away from my family either.when I visit dad and watch him so weak and frail I feel so sad. I hope you and your sister can sort something out regarding your dads care- what a dilemma, sending you an extra special supportive hug 🙅 Wendy x

[rosie14]

Wildpurl my son in law enabled them on my I pad when he was here. I think he went into settings and selected them!😊
Lovewine glad your cramps have eased it maybe wise to rest until it has passed next time! You still have plenty of time to put up your Christmas tree you have a lot to worry about at the moment🎄I do hope your dad is improving.
Spoke to my sister for some time last night. Dad not eating she had to help,him he say it takes too much strength! He is back sleeping on the sofa! If he goes in the nursing home and goes on several weeks we will have to sell his property to fund it which we resent. He will be entitled to a small amount but the fees are over £1000 a week!!!! Obviously his money will run out really quickly. He is booked in for a month from 19th my sister is contemplating afterwards putting him in their daughters bedroom and in her house and having the carers go in 4 times a day there. At least he wouldn't be by himself at night but this is not ideal. The bedroom is upstairs and he would have to be carried up and never come down again! I don't think her husband is very keen on this! Let's hope it doesn't come to it and poor dad can pass away peacefully after Christmas! It's driving me mad I feel so helpless!😫

[Wildpurl]

Where are all these little icons in posts coming from?

[Lovewine]

Afternoon ladies, thankfully stomach cramps have eased somewhat now, Joan, I think definitely next herceptin I am going to rearrange my work! A job well done in defrosting freezer, makes me think I really should do mine!
Rosie, Sunday lunch sounds really nice, it will be lovely to catch up with your friend, hope your news from your sister regarding nursing home is positive, I visited my dad this afternoon, not much change in him really.

Wildpurl, hope you enjoyed your day off, the soup sounds delicious, must look up a similar recipe as I do make a lot of soup🍵, good news at least for your job worries, I do hope your O/H has good news too, will be keeping everything crossed for you both, what a stressful situation for you.

I haven't put Christmas tree up yet, with backwards and forwards to the hospital and worrying about dad , I can't seem to get in the mood , will have to soon for my 2 sons and DIL , they do understand of course, but feel I should make an effort!🎄🎅

Am now going to try and source some " tiffin" my dad has a real urge for some!
S

[rosie14]

Joan glad your freezer is defrosted happy loading! 🍞🍮🍧🍰🍨🍩

[joan47]

Wildpurl, your 'pottering' days always sound pretty busy to me. I always dread getting the Xmas tree because husband and I always argue during the process of trying to get it straight and usually failing so it has a slight tilt in one direction or another. Read a piece in the paper today from a farmer who sells trees who says some pm can take up to 2 hours choosing a tree (not guilty on that one) but then invariably select the first one they looked at(that's rather closer to home). I make a butternut squash and ginger soup which is a great favourite and trying out a friends recipe for sweet potato and squash soup. The one I did the other day, celeriac and spinach was less successful even if very virtuous. Glad your employment position is secure for the immediate future. But what an ordeal for your OH and for you on his behalf.

Rosie, disappointment you couldn't see your friends today but at least you will see her before she leaves. Sorry that the news about your dad isn't better.

Lovewine, it sounds as if you had a very uncomfortable time yesterday. Would you be able to adjust your work so you don't have to see people just after having Herceptin.

Back now to refilling our now defrosted freezer.

[Wildpurl]

Pumpkin and ginger soup is one of my favourite soups rosie! It's nutty and a little bit sweet and warm because of the ginger, a lovely winter soup. I got the recipe a long time ago from a Tesco booklet.

[rosie14]

My friend just called me to say she can't come as her OH has the car but we have agreed to meet together for Sunday lunch so that will be good! 🍴it's been a long time since we had roast as over the summer it is too hot to eat in the middle of the day.
Wildpurl the soup you are making sounds lovely!🍲glad you are enjoying your day off even without a car! It's good to know that at least you wont have to worry about not being employed in January and your prospects sound promising will keep everything crossed for your OH! 🙅
Lovewine hope you have escaped the stomach cramps?😕

[Wildpurl]

Good morning all, as already noted it is my day off as it is Friday and I am enjoying a leisurely start to the day. Yesterday morning we set off for work in my car (OH and I car share as we work at the same place) and after only a minute there was a strange noise from the car. I pulled over at once and I had a flat tyre! Luckily was still very close to home so managed to turn the car and drive back, and we went in OH's car instead. So today I have to check tyre prices then this afternoon OH will remove wheel and take to have new tyre fitted. In the meantime I can't drive anywhere, so no swim for me today but think I will walk down to the canal instead which will be nice.
My brother and his wife and my aunt are coming to lunch tomorrow so I am making a pavlova base and pumpkin and ginger soup today in preparation for that. Otherwise a bit of pottering and hope to do some crocheting. We are also planning to put the tree up this evening! Quite a busy day when I look at that list, but all stuff that I enjoy.
Joan our freezers are full of garden produce, we are having to run them down so we can fit in the Christmas stuff. Good luck with the defrosting! One of my most hated jobs!

I am enjoying the Thrive book, it has a lot of visualisation and other exercises in it to help understand how you are feeling and how to move on. It's also quite funny in places! And it has sections for people helping a loved one through what she calls "a dance with cancer" which she prefers to "a fight or battle with cancer". I think OH might find some of those bits useful IF I can get him to read it.

Thank you all for your supportive words re our job situation. OH will know in the next two weeks if he is selected for redundancy or not, they are being scored this week, then the scores have to be reviewed and then those at risk are told first, those not at risk are told last. I have discussed my situation with my current manager and we agree that I will return in January because I will still have jobs to be interviewed for and also I am working on a project at the moment which will still need me. So at least that is clear even if I won't get a final answer till next year.
Rosie it must be very difficult for you having to wait till each evening to hear news of your Dad, I hope that the decision about him going into a home can be made soon if needed.
Lovewine, it's good you now know what the issue is with your Dad and hopefully he will be improving now he is in the specialist hospital.
Lisa, just my opinion but January is not the easiest month, if you are not sure about going back full time I would at least stay on four days till the end of January and see how you feel then.

[Lovewine]

Morning all, Rosie very wise not to have the extra glass of wine-can be very tempting but suffer next day for it!💀dogs are very useful aren't they for disposal of food in a discreet way, can be frowned on but an under the table dog has been very good for me ! Sorry to hear your dad is breathless, you will be more confident when he is in nursing home, at home is very worrying for you and your sister. Am visiting dad in the heart hospital this afternoon, so wondering what today will bring😼
Yesterday I had to rush around my clients like a mad woman as sometimes the herceptin gives me very bad stomach cramps and toilet issues, it felt like I had a cork in my backside with air pumped in!!🚽🚽🚽🚽💨💨💨💨
Tij, hope your herceptin went ok this week,
Wild purl enjoy your day off and hope your work issues are resolved soon for you and O/H
Joan, good luck with freezer. Think of all of the nice Christmas food soon in there!
Jackie, Lisa, Kirstie, Cassie have Good Fridays.

[rosie14]

Lovewine no we don't have any dignity left with having children and then BC everything has been exposed!!!!
I am glad your dad is in the right place now and do hope that his heart scan is encouraging.
The meal wasn't great, the dog benefitted from my meat plater and most of them where 3 sheets to the wind by the time we arrived!!! DH was driving so he had a couple of beers and I had a brandy and coke and a large wine. I am so glad I wasn't tempted to get another glass! We came away about 10.30pm as DH has to be up at 6.00am! The neighbours thought I looked so much better and thought my hair was cool! At least 4 of them I haven't seen since I was diagnosed in March!!! They said they didn't want to come out and stop me when I was with the dog.
We fly to Manchester on Christmas Eve I hope Santa knows where to come!🎅
Joan good luck with defrosting the freezer❄️
I am skyping my sister tonight she thinks dad should go to the nursing home earlier than dec 19th. His breathing was bad yesterday.😣
I am hoping my friend will text me to meet up for lunch today as she is still in Cyprus until next week.
Hope you all have good days it's Friday!!!! Wildpurl enjoy your day off!😜
Lisa, Cassie,Kirstie, Tlj and Jackie hope you are all ok.

[joan47]

Rosie, yes, I certainly did stop for a breather every few lengths. Hope you enjoyed your Xmas meal and that when you speak to your sister the news about your dad is good.

Lovewine, glad you didn't have to sit with the nurse for the full 2 hours. I hope your room was warm so that you weren't cold as well as undignified. The info about your fathers heart attack certainly helps to explain why His recovery has been so difficult. I'm sure you were right to tell your mother and sister. How thoughtful of your dad to want to keep it from you all even though I'm sure you would rather have known.

Wildpurl, well done for getting your mastectomy organised. Even though it is a necessary decision it is still a big step, especially given everything else you have to cope with at the moment. I'll look up that nigella recipe.

After my indulgent day today tomorrow it's back to earth defrosting the freezer! It can't be avoided any longer, have to make room for Xmas stuff.

[Lovewine]

Thanks Rosie, all went well, male nurse was very nice, he actually left after just over an hour after asking me if I minded!! No I didn't because I had a lot of things to do! We really don't have a lot of dignity any more do we- managed a good amount of small talk even with dropped trousers with cellulite thighs being injected into!
My dad was transferred at 10.00 p.m last night to specialist heart hospital, due to have a heart scan later this afternoon.
Have a nice Christmas meal with your neighbours- will get you into the mood maybe. D/H will be ready for the Christmas break I should imagine by now! What date do you fly to u.k for Christmas?

[rosie14]

Lovewine it's probably better that your sister and mum are aware of dad's condition they will be more tolerant with him!
I feel achy today back and both legs wondering if it is the medication now I have been tanking it for 3 months! Also still have burns from rads causing discomfort at night still!
Going out for neighbours Christmas meal tonight as we couldn't do next Saturday Friday due to school Christmas performance. Not an ideal evening for DH as he is in the middle of a 4 day training course for Duke of Edinburgh! We are fed up of training people up.and then they leave so he is doing it himself along with one other staff member who has been with us since we set up 4years ago!
I had to smile Lovewine with the sight of you sitting with your trousers round your ankles for 2 hours with a male nurse! I am sue you don't find it amusing! Good luck!

[Lovewine]

Rosie, I decided last night to tell mum and sister about dad's heart attack, they were upset of course, but it explains why he feels so poorly.

Make the most of having any kind of nail length because whilst on herceptin they do not grow at all- just break and flake! Must say too 22 degrees sounds lovely!!☀️ And yes sitting with my trousers around my ankles conversing in small talk whilst resisting the urge to slap the nurses face because it stings so much will be interesting with the male nurse!! Am sure he will be very nice- don't care really as just very grateful we get herceptin as I know many countries dont😩

Hope you have a good Thursday everyone whatever your plans!

[rosie14]

Wildpurl I am glad you have got your mastectomy sorted it will be easier minus 2!!! I wouldn't worry about the new job and being off for a few weeks these things happen! As long as they know you are coming back I am sure all will be fine! It's not as if you have to go through chemo or other unpleasant treatments along side it. Will OH know before Christmas about his job it's cruel keeping you waiting.
Lovewine I am sorry that your father still remains in such a fragile condition and do hope they will transfer him today and stabilise his situation. Are you going to,tell your mum and sister what you found out?
A male nurse that will be different! Hope all goes well and then2 hours passes quickly!
Lisa teaching is very stressful and I think you would be wise to stay part time full time is bad enough when you are fully fit!!!
You are right about the fact if we are in the building folk assume we are fit for work. Yesterday one of the Kindergarten staff ran after me on the way out to ask me questions about report writing!!'
I am off to trim my finger nails they are all breaking and to hang my washing out. Lovely sunny day here today 22degrees☀️
I am very frustrated that I can't find out how my dad is until 8pm our time at night when my sister gets in from work. I spend all day wondering how he is!!!

[Lovewine]

Morning Rosie!! That's a good way of looking at things- I say the same thing when striding across fields with dogs in howling gale ' another day and I am still here!'

[rosie14]

Good morning ladies we live to fight another day!💪

[Lovewine]

Lisa, I was very sceptical about the lady magnet, I had hot flushes throughout night and day last year, when I used the magnet they dramatically dropped to a couple of times a day! Apparently we all have magnetic pulses in our body and this works with it in some strange way! And yes you are quite right in saying visiting dad at glenfield is quite a trip for us!

[rolicarpit]

Evening everyone, Thankyou for all your advice, I think that now I know it's not tamoxifen doing this to me i will look at some alternative therapies and may even go for the magnet, can't really see how that would work but I've read lots of people have had success with it, so don't really care how it works if it does.

Lovewine, hope your dad doesn't have to wait long for his transfer, he couldn't be in a better place I think it has a great reputation for anything cardiac. I imagine it's a bit further for you to travel to visit though!
Rosie, hoping that your dad is getting on ok, it's a very frustrating balancing act, my nan came to live with me for a few months last year whilst waiting for a suitable place to go after leaving hospital..
Joan, I'm impressed with your 14 lengths first time swimming, I managed 3 lol but am improving, it's the one thing I can do that doesn't hurt my body or make me feel like a 90 year old.
Jackie, I think you will know when to go back to work, don't let them rush you and you're absoluetly right, it will feel like you've never been away and people will assume you are back to full functioning as soon as you're in the building, need to be a bit selfish about it, we teachers aren't great at that !
Wildpurl, sorry that your job issues haven't sorted themselves, I keep thinking of what a great time I could have if I didn't have to go to work. I have to decide on Monday whether to go to 5 days after Xmas or stick to 4 ?
Hope everyone else is ok
Have a good evening
Lisa

[Lovewine]

Evening ladies, thank you all for your support and kind words re dad, took mum in to see him this afternoon, he is still waiting to be transferred as a heart specialist bed isn't available yet!! He is very weak and frail, I did manage to speak alone with the registrar who filled me in - apparently during his 2 operations a week ago he suffered another heart attack and now has significant damage to his heart, dad hadn't told any of us this as didn't want us to worry! Hopefully tomorrow he will be in heart unit and have the necessary scans etc to see what if anything can be done for him.

Rosie, hope things are ok with your dad? Hopefully no incidents overnight or tonight.

Jackie, hope you enjoyed your pub tea!! Poor spencer must be desperate to be accepted by the " boss dog", am sure in time he will be! You certainly have a few things to think about regarding your job and your move to Cyprus, good luck with it all, like you said in your post, our priorities change after cancer, so am sure you will find the right balance for you and your family, sorry your visit to g.p wasn't a success, I was offered an anti anxiety pill called citalopram at beginning of treatment, I have found it takes the edge off my panic and anxiety, if I forget to take it for a couple of days I can feel the panic welling up again! Hope you can get your counselling appointment soon.

Joan, well done in your activities and hope you enjoyed Jamie's chilli! Have a nice relaxing day tomorrow!

Wildpurl, I have also downloaded the book you mentioned last night too. I have read also " talk to the headscarf" by Emma hannigan and highly recommend it! Sorry to hear your O/H is so stressed, I hope these issues are resolved soon. At least you have a time scale for your mastectomy, hope you feel better knowing this. Enjoy your evening in the warm!

My herceptin nurse (male this time) is coming to do injection at 11.00 a.m so hopefully can go off to work in the afternoon!!

Love to all xx

[Wildpurl]

Evening everyone, gosh Jackie your appointment with the GP sounds very stressful. I'm glad you have been referred to a counsellor though. I think it's good you are planning your proposed move to Cyprus in a lot of detail and preparing for every eventuality. I've really got my fingers crossed for you that you can make it happen.
I think you are right about choosing the least stressful job option, not that we have any low stress jobs in my organisation LOL. Probably a job where they let me continue to work part time would be the best option as I don't mind working full on for four days if I can then have three days off.

Joan well done on more swimming. It was too cold and dark to go to the gym this evening so I have wimped out on Body Balance. I'm glad another person has tried the Jamie Oliver veggie chilli, it is filling, I just love all the flavours in it. I also like Nigella's veggie chilli with cheese topped corn bread, we are having that this evening.

Today I saw the breast surgeon and agreed to go ahead with my prophylactic mastectomy. So I am on the waiting list now and she thought it would be around Easter. In addition to the ladies with cancer there are 7 other ladies with the cancer gene in the list before me! I am relieved to have made the decision and also to have an idea of when it will be. I was a bit worried that I would get a new job and then immediately be off for 6 weeks. So I guess that is one little bit of uncertainty removed. I have applied for a couple more jobs and am waiting for two more to become available. I don't think it is going to be sorted by Christmas if I'm honest, but I am settling into the project I am now working on and I know they will need me in January so I'm not worrying too much at the moment. I'm more worried about OH who is stressed and anxious and not sleeping.

Hope you all have relaxing evenings

Lovewine, I am hoping your Dad is doing OK in the new hospital and that you are alright.
Rosie, you are doing well, just ease back into things slowly...

[rosie14]

Good evening Joan dad is struggling with the situation we will have to take it day by day!
Well done you for doing 14 lengths of the pool! Did you stop for breather between some of them? 🏊
Enjoy tomorrow you deserve it!

[joan47]

Wildpurl, the book sounds promising. Once you've got into it I'd be interested to know what you think of it.

Lovewine, so sorry there are more complications for your dad and that he will have the disruption of being transferred to another hospital. But it does sound as if the hospital are pulling out all the stops for him and are not taking an ageist approach. There was an item on the news today about some research which found that Cancer survival rates in the uk for older people were worse than other countries and suggested that this was because they were not offered the same level of treatment.

Jackie, how frustrating your appt with the GP must have been. I suppose at least he was sympathetic. I hope you don't have to wait a month for your counselling appointment. When you said you had a ripple did you mean tipple?

Rosie, I hope your dad was ok last night and that tonight is less worrying for you and your sister. How fortunate that she lives so near to him.

I managed 14 lengths of the pool today. Very gratifying. Although I do feel guilty when I hear about those of you doing laps of the village and regular dog walking, Pilates and yoga. But I'm trying. tomorrow is an entirely hedonistic day. I am treating myself to a massage with the lady I have been seeing for reflexology. Unfortunately getting there will be a bit of a rush because I am going out for lunch with friends (it's a hard life but someone has to do it) and will have to dash back. At least it's not the other way round.

Tried Jamie's veggie chilli tonight for the first time. Filling, isn't it?

[rosie14]

Jackie I think,you are wise to take the advice of your oncologist. You can pay as you go out here but it would be expensive. It may be a wise option to come out for 2 years initially and see how you go!
I hope Spencer keeps out of the dog house and that soon Sam will tolerate him! 🐶🐶

[Jackie09]

Hi Rosie,

We'd send him to a private English school. I haven't got private medical insurance, which is my sticking point. If I got ill again, I'm struggling to plan how it would work out. Whether initial investigations would be in Cyprus, or I'd fly home straight away?! We are going to talk to the onc about it at the next appointment and she what she says.
My hair, my mum commented, is getting thicker (with a few grey strands I suspect the bleach covered up!) but I don't think it's getting any longer! I really admire your bravery for going wig less, although I think your hair looks long enough to be a "on purpose" style and suits you. Yes the nativity is a bit of a nightmare to organise, and I always worry about the amount of curriculum time it takes up to perfect!
I had a very slow day yesterday only rallying for the GP visit!
Spencer is most definitely in the dog house as we speak. He had an accident in his crate and suffice to say it's taken me the best part of an hour to clean up and he ended up in the shower. Poor Sam just looks aghast at the whole thing. Spencer is still trying valiantly to be friends, but Sam avoids him - he doesn't even tell,him off when he tries to eat out of his food bowl!
So like you, I'm going to have a quick rest before I get ready. X x

[rosie14]

Jackie regarding Oliver and school would you be looking to send him to the public school where everything is taught in Greek or a first language English private school? If you have private medical insurance worldwide you will be fine if you get ill here and be dealt with very quickly!
After the Christmas holidays you may feel more confident going without your wig. I have been scarf less and wig less for nearly 2 weeks now and I have got used to it.
The Christmas play is the one thing I do not miss Jackie it's always alright on the night but the rehearsals are a teachers worst nightmare the children get so excited! I went in to,school,this,morning for an hour and was exhausted when I got home. Intact I just fell asleep,writing this post for 15 mins!
Are the dogs settling down together now?
Hope you enjoy your pub tea with your friend! 😜

[Jackie09]

Good Morning ladies,

Im sorry about the post below - I thought I'd pressed post, but obviously I didn't.

Lovewine and Rosie - I'm so sorry that the news about your fathers isn't better. You are both doing very well to deal with the added stress - even if you don't think you are. I'm not surprised they both want to be at home - we all know what a hospital stay is like and how much better we feel when at home. Unfortunately that isn't as simple for those who are caring for them.

I went to see my GP yesterday. Originally it was because I hadn't seen him since I first found the lump, but I have developed a rash type thing from radio - so two birds with one stone. I came away feeling very tearful - as he hadn't read any letters from the hospital so I gad to go through everything again. He couldn't really give me any words of comfort (hope I suppose) other than being very sympathetic. I mentioned that I can't remember the last time I slept through the night - and all he could suggest was anti-depressants. That made me bloody depressed! He said he is of the opinion that if something works, it doesn't matter what it's called - which made sense to me. anyway, he has referred me to a local counselling service and then said if you don't hear anything in a month, let me know!
Lovewine - I'm the same as you - I think every ache or twinge is something sinister. My anx arm isn't really getting any better, infact, it started to feel better, and now is worse. I have a dull ache and sometimes a sharp pain - dependant on which way I move it. Common sense tells me it's all,from the surgery, but given my predicament - common sense also tells me it could be something else. I have a onc appointment on 12th Dec, so shall mention it to her again!
Lisa - I'm sorry and cross to hear your recent appointment didn't go well. As Joan says, I can't believe any SE we have are unique to us and other ladies haven't presented with the same thing. Sometimes my team give me the impression I'm the only one and they've never heard of my symptoms before. I have heard from ladies on another forum that they have used the lady magnets for hot flushes - both with and without success. One lady has been referred to another department for,her hot flushes, so maybe that's the same as you? I can really sympathise with you as I only have what I would consider mild night sweats - so you are doing great coping with severe sweats and working at the same time. Re work, they have rang and asked if I mind HR becoming involved in the planning if return to work! which I'm fine with. But what I'm finding hard is knowing when I will feel ready to go back. I suppose I won't know until I try it.
Joan - it's amazing what us teachers come up with to make sure everyone is included and happy with thei role in the nativity. I usually have 120 parts to cast in the one production!
Wildpurl - I hope your book is helpful.
I'm off to take the dogs for a walk and I'm meeting a work friend for a pub tea this afternoon. It's absolutely freezing here, so all of us are going to wrap up warm. Poor spencer actively seeks out the radiator when he's been out!
Love to you all x x

[Jackie09]

Evening ladies,

I hope you've all had good days.
Lovewine - how was your visit with your Dad? I hope he continues to improve. My fish and chips were nice thank-you! Yes, returning to work is playing on my mind too. It's such a 'public' place to work, what with children, staff and parents! OH has been finding out if it is possible to maintain his business whilst in Cyprus, and is nearly 100% sure he can. My 2 concerns are will Oliver settle and what if I get ill? Hope your OH isn't suffering too badly with his flu. Have you christened your oven with baking yet?
Rosie - was this your first full day without rads? What a relief! And what an achievement finally finishing! My skin has developed very peculiar markings - like purple freckles of varying sizes, especially under my arm. I've asked on another forum and apparently is normal. I'm determined not to panic in the slightest over any rads SEs! My onc told me to use E 45 cream for my skin - which touch wood has held up so far. I hope you get a date soon for the extraction of your expanders - they have certainly caused you additional discomfort and pain you didn't need.
Wildpurl - my thoughts on your job front - for what it's worth - is take the job which will afford you the least amount of stress. I know that sounds simplistic, but we know that life's not all about work now.
Joan - good luck on the fitness trail. I try to cycle each day laps of the village and have a nutri-bullet drink every day - failed miserably on both counts today but did have a ripple! My current sick note runs out at the beginning of Feb, but due to all of the senior staffing changes at work, am keen to get a picture of now the new head sees my role (I'm assistant headteacher). I know that once I've been back a few days, it will be like I've never been away, but as I've said, I don't like any particular attention on me and I'm very conscious of my wig at the moment and am quite sure my hair won't be long enough for me to feel comfortable going without. I also hate to think that people feel sorry for me, or pity me. The course is weekly over about 6 weeks I think. I'm due to start the next round imthi

[rosie14]

Lovewine I am so sorry that to hear this and do hope they can get your dad's problem sorted out and get him home soon. I didn't sleep well at all and it will be a few hours before I hear any news! My sister will go in on the way to school and on the way back. She will not have internet until she gets home! I guess she would contact me if it were urgent'😂😂
1 for you and 1 for me!!!!
Let's hope we have better news today!
Hope everyone else is muddling through! X

[Lovewine]

My mum and sister been to see dad tonight, heart scan has picked up problems with his heart so he's being transferred to another hospital tomorrow, the same one that houses breast care clinic which was the start of my diagnosis and operations! He really has had enough now my mum says. Rosie , hope your dad can have a safe, peaceful night , don't think you and I will sleep that well😟

Wildpurl, can really understand you are fed up with work, it has been very stressful these last few weeks for you, look forward to your Friday off and doing some nice things that make you happy!

[rosie14]

Good evening Wildpurl,we all seem to be down at the moment! As you say hope things get sorted out for us by Christmas!
My sister has just let me know that the carers have got dad into his bed and made sure he has everything he will need for the night. I do hope he will sleep as he will be tired from the stress! My sister will go in on her way to school to see him.

[Wildpurl]

Oh rosie, how worrying for you about your Dad, it really does not seem ideal for him to be alone overnight. I hope he begins to feel less stressed now he is home though. I hope the aloe Vera helps your burn and that you have a better night tonight.

Lovewine, I totally understand your Dad wanting to come home, although it seems not yet the right moment, and I also understand how you feel about being in the hospital and seeing the chemo ward. It is just a very stressful time, I do hope your Dad continues to heal and will be able to come home soon.

Joan, the Nordic Walking sounds very enjoyable, and well done on the swimming. I went swimming and had a sauna last Friday for the first time since early Spring, I really enjoyed it and will be going again this Friday. I am sure one glass of wine a day cannot be a problem!

Lisa, sorry you are having such a difficult time with side effects, I hope the psycho oncologist can help. I have previously used homeopathy successfully for menopausal symptoms, if that is allowed, or I also think acupuncture could help and I can't see how that could be a problem. Or shiatsu, as Joan has had.

I feel as though I have been stressed now for months, there seems no end to it but I hope some things will be clearer before Christmas. I'm completely fed up with work and everything to do with it. I have bought a book for my kindle called Thrive, by Stephanie Butland. It is about moving on after Cancer. I've only just started it but it seems quite good so far.

[rosie14]

Indeed Lovewine I don't think they should have discharged him from hospital,he can't look after himself!

[Lovewine]

Oh Rosie, how worrying for you, hope your sister gets to speak to him and he's settled down a bit more.

[rosie14]

I have been using Aloe Vera in the day and the powder they gave me at night Joan. Glad you enjoyed your Nordic walking but I'm not too keen on a diet without wine! 🍷
Anything left in our family house when we left Plymouth ended up at the sale room and that included quite a few items that our 3 had left behind!!!
Just had a text from my sister to,say the lady that does,dad's shopping phoned her to,say he seemed rather stressed. My sister is going to phone him when she hopes,the carers will be there to give him the phone. I just have a nasty feeling this is going to work out! 👎😟

[Lovewine]

Joan, well done on the Nordic walking and the healthy diet plan! - I live up to my forum name I'm sorry to say, so really enjoy my evening glass of red wine, think I would really miss it if had to abandon it! Am very good in other ways and have quite a healthy diet and walk a lot( trying hard to make myself feel better about it!!).
Enjoy your swimming tomorrow 🏊, .
Your little granddaughter sounds very sweet, hope she manages her turn in the spotlight! It is quite over awing for the little ones- and the big ones too!