Anyone due to start chemo April 14??

[Wildpurl]

I finally managed to see how to do it. 

Ok I managed to find the right button.

[Wildpurl]

I’m very sorry to hear about the death of your DD's friend Rosie. I’m sure she and her friends family are devastated.

I have finished the cardigan, let’s see if I can still upload photos on the new site

Well, no, I can’t see how to upload a photo from my iPad, sorry. I click on the camera icon (there is no image icon) and I get a dialogue which asks me to name the source of the photo, which I assume wants a url. My photos are not hosted at another site but are stored on the iPad. With all other sites I use, there is an option to upload a photo from the iPad library, in this case not.

Not impressed

oh and now I have to prove I’m not a robot before I can post.

[rosie14]

Good morning ladies!

My DD is devasted about the loss of her friend. She had her mastectomy 2 weeks ago then was rushed back to hospital very sick on Monday and it was found that the cancer had spread everywhere!🙀😢 I spent about 3 hours on messenger to my DD yesterday and will be skyping in about an hour! She is like me and wants answers to everything to picture it all together. She has the empathy too for the family and she has the anger for what her friend has gone through! Very sad!😢

Cassie you were very brave to face a walk out in such icy conditions! Lovely news to have a wedding to look forward to!

Lovewine so sad for your OH’s friend who has made a good recovery to have his wife diagnosed with Alzheimer’s when she is so young at heart!😔

Joan I hope that you are home by now and your ED is still with you how useful to have a daughter in the medical profession! I think between us on our thread we could keep her in a job!

Wildpurl hopefully you got the cardigan finished waiting for a photograph! 

DH arrived safely back in Cyprus he is off to get the dog this morning! She must think I have left home haven’t seen her since Dec 19th! 😔

Ladies take care!

[Cassie86]

Good Evening Ladies,

Sorry to hear you have been through so much Joan, its time to be looked after now, I wish you a swift recovery.

I meet ED today for an early lunch and it was very slippery underfoot, we had about an inch of snow overnight which did settle, we met at Archway which has a tall tower block and the wind and snow was almost unbearable. The snow turned to rain at about 3 ish and it is has now all melted. My sister in law phoned this evening to say they have about 6 inches of snow in Dorset which has stayed all day, she also told me she is going to get remarried in the summer and wondered how my YB would  take the news. My EB died 6 years ago now, I just said I was happy for her and she has her life to lead and not to worry what YB thinks. She seemed happy with that and said all of the extended family would get an invite which was nice of her, some good news for a change.

I was asked if I was a robot too and had about 5 screens to choose items to prove it very annoying.

I have talked to one of the BBC site about the changes and although helpful and apologetic it seems as soon as one proble is solved another one crops up ....oh no, that sounds familiar, its just the same at work, a complete nightmare!

[Lovewine]

Rosie , I am so sorry to hear the sad news about DDs friend , what a shock and how awful for the family ,I can remember you telling us about her having treatment - how young she was too . I bumped into a friend of OHs today who had had extensive chemo etc for bowel cancer and he was very ill but is now doing very well and in remission , sadly his wife who is very glamorous and vivacious has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at the young age of 65 🙁.

Joan I hope you are recovering well and also DH has not had any more episodes of bad health too .

rosie I have Just had to say I am not a robot also😡!

No snow here thank goodness , but bitterly cold . 

[rosie14]

Hating this new site I have just had to verify I wasn’t a robot!!!!! 🙀😬😡

[rosie14]

Ladies I am feeling devasted! DD’s friend who had BC and is 38 died this morning leaving a husband and 2 young sons! 😢 She had chemo and had a mastectomy 2 weeks ago. On Monday she was taken to theatre with a secondary that was too far advanced! Her mother had BC and survived her father had bowel cancer and died two years ago and he brother died of unexplained causes three years ago! 

On a more positive note I have to attend for pre op assessment on 6/2 so have had to postpone my flight tomorrow to next Saturday. Scheduled date for op is 6/3.So when I come back for oncology 20/2 will have to stay here.

Joan I hope you are feeling much better.

Lovewine I hope that you are feeling stronger.

Cassie and Wildpurl have you had snow? We had a smattering this morning- all gone by 11am! 👍

[Wildpurl]

Oh goodness, Joan, what an experience, but so glad to hear that they have removed all the cancer and that you are now stable and recovering. Sending big hugs

[Wildpurl]

Hi Becca, I am using the forum on an iPad. Seeing your post I tried zooming out but it is already as zoomed out as it can go, trying to go further just zooms to a view of all open apps on the screen. The normal view appears to be just each post filling the screen, I can scroll of course, but previously I could see several posts at once, which reduces scrolling and provides context. The new look is really unattractive to read, like reading a child’s board book!

[rosie14]

Dear Joan I am so sorry that you have had a very frightening few days and think like Lovewine that your OH may have had the funny turn due to him being very worried about you! I am pleased that your ED is supporting you for the next few days. You must be selfish now and look after yourself to fully recover. It sounds like you and OH need some time and space to restore harmony to your health and well-being. Take care and keep us posted! Sending you very best wishes for a speedy recovery! 💐xx

Lovewine it is very sad about your friend but he seems to be very sensible in giving himself the best chance in terms of well being. Let’s hope he can have a miraculous few more years!

You need to listen to your body and if you need to sleep in the afternoon do so! You should be feeling much better after the weekend.

We enjoyed our 2 nights away and were cosy in the motorhome. We saw a number of birds around the site and I spotted a big fat rabbit! 🐰

We return to Cyprus on Saturday! I will be back Feb 20th for oncology appointment!

No snow here yet! Stay well and safe ladies!

[Lovewine]

Joan, you certainly have been through a lot this week , how frightening for your family you being in intensive care, maybe your  DH had a funny turn caused by all of the worry , anyway good news surgeon feels the cancer is all out , definitely very helpful having a doctor in the family as everything can be frightening and hard to understand. Take each day as it comes and take it easy and accept all offers of help! You have had a tough time so you need to heal physically and emotionally, sending you much love and best wishes, thankyou for letting us know how you are getting on.💐

[joan47]

Hi ladies, just a brief message to update you,  the op was rather more complex than expected althgough tge surgeon thinks he got all the cancer out. Unfortunately in the course of it they had to do CPR twice so I was moved to intensive care where I had further episodes of a ‘pause’ in the heartbeat so yesterday had a pacemaker fitted, which has been successful. So lots of drama. In the midst of it OH threw another funny turn so spent an afternoon in A and E. Doesnt seem to have another mini stroke though. It been brilluant having a doctor daughter there to explain things to me and the doctors. Shes now staying till Sunday, whi h is great. Hopefully drama now over and its a matter of recovery now. 

[Lovewine]

Hello ladies, Joan, i hope by now you are recovering well from your operation and ready to go home? How are you feeling ? 

I have only been working a couple of hours each day and my sister has mainly been keeping the business going , i have had to sleep every afternoon, still totally drained, am finding it very frustrating now.

Rosie, hope you have enjoyed your trip to the Cotswolds , have you had much snow? So far we have avoided too much of it here, but its bitterly cold and not risen much above freezing all day, we are expected quite a bit thursday afternoon , I absolutely hate it and hope its short lived.

Our friend started his oral chemotherapy tablets at the end of last week, he is still carrying on as normal , working full time etc, i think thats important for his sanity too, macmillan have been very good with sorting things out and hes been advised to cash in on his life assurances etc, my heart breaks for him as hes been given 18 months maximum , even on the tablets , he is a wonderful father and i cant bear to think he wont be there for his daughters wedding or graduation, same with his son, the family has had a lot of tragedy , several years ago his sister whom i went through school with hanged herself over the canal fields where we walk our dogs , nobody really knew why as she didnt leave a note. I am feeling quite angry at the whole situation. 

Stay warm ladies.

[Becca_BCC]

Hello, 

Just to respond to those couple of questions: 

1) I totally agree that 'latest topics' isn't necessary, as I say we have their standard package which includes this but there are lots of things we want to turn off, we'll work through them! 

2) It sounds as though you're seeing things quite zoomed in, on a desktop if you hold down CTRL and move your mouse scroll wheel up and down you'll be able to zoom in and out - it sounds like some people's browsers are set to bigger than 100%, which would make everything quite big! Give that a go and it should make everything smaller. 

Any more, let me know! 

Becca at Breast Cancer Care. 

[rosie14]

Good Morning ladies!

Lovewine I am so glad that you are improving and managed to leave your bed! I had a bout of real flu several years ago and was in my bed and then on the sofa! I got myself in the bath and hadn’t got the strength to get out and I was home alone I remembering sitting there for ages until I finally managed to haul myself out!🙀 

As Joan said ease yourself back into work slowly it will take you another week to feel normal again! 

Cassie glad that you enjoyed your birthday the Greek dessert you described is baklava and it is delicious! I am not surprised that you needed to go for a walk afterwards!

Joan I am glad that YD’s dog is better let’s hope the medication keeps it well!

I guess you are either at the hospital or on the way, we will all be thinking of you and look forward to hearing from you when you are back home!💐

We are going to spend a couple of nights in the motorhome tomorrow, we are just going to Moreton in Marsh our nearest Caravan and Motorhome sites that is open all year. Let’s hope it doesn’t snow!🙀

[Cassie86]

Good Evening Ladies,

We are all thinking of you Joan, sending you our love. I must admit I have mistakenly bought 2 pairs of short sleeved pajamas from M&S without realising that they were on separate occasions, exactly as you did Joan tied in a bundle, I never took them back though I think on pair was only about £7 reduced they will get worn eventually. I have bought a couple of bras online as well and when I unpacked them they had a massive amount of padding, push up bras I think that they are known as, lol at my size not required they did go back, I do buy the slightly padded type to even up what I do have but enhancement no thanks.

Lovewine I had a lovely meal starter spanakopita, tabouleh, artichoke with gigante beans in tomato sauce which we all shared then I had grilled scallops one of which was swapped for a prawn from ED (she just wanted one of my scallops) we finished of with three deserts chocolate torte, which was delicious, tiramisu which is Italian so not sure why it was on the menu but also delicious the third one I cannot remember the name of but Rosie probably knows its a pastry that looks a little like shredded wheat soaked in honey and nuts sometimes rose flavoured. We went for a walk up Primrose Hill after, we needed it. We nearly got blown away but felt better for it.

[joan47]

Lovewine, I’m glad you are now able to get up. It must have been a really nasty bout to keep you immobilised for 5 days. I hope you are not going to rush back to work, although it must be difficult when you are self employed you are going to need time to get back to health. Rosie, hope OH has a less disturbed night and you are able to have a better one as a result. Like the jigsaw. 

Its been a strange day today, getting ready to go in tomorrow but feeling a bit at a loose end. I think ordinarily we would have gone out somewhere but I dont have my car because ED and partner had jt so they could drive over to look after the GCn and I dont feeling confident driving OHs - and he would be on the edge of his seat. YDs party went very well -they had a murder mystery evening which sounded good fun, and her friends organised the main meals.  and her dog is much better - though that may just be the result of medication, and we still dont know whether it is just pancreatitis or something worse. 

Hopefully I should be back on the forum in a few days. I’m expected to be out of hospital in two days, though I’m not sure if that means Tuesday or Wednesday. Thank you all for the good wishes. 

[Lovewine]

Good afternoon ladies , I have made it out of bed finally on Saturday but still feel very rough and absolutely exhausted ... I have never in all of my 56 years spent 5 days in bed ill ☹️, it certainly is an awful bug and one I hope I never revisit ever again .
Rosie , I love the jigsaw puzzle , I agree about the new lay out of the forum and am finding it very user unfriendly , I hope DH doesn’t bring any nasty bugs with him from the plane too 😲
Joan , you will be very much in my thoughts tomorrow and sending you all the very best for a quick recovery which certainly seems it will be so with the keyhole surgery, although of course you will be anxious waiting for the results - hoping you will be up and about before too long .💐
Cassie I hope you enjoyed your birthday meal out - what did you have to eat ?
Wildpurl, how is the knitting going ? Definitely a photo would be lovely !

[rosie14]

Good Morning ladies!

Lovewine I do hope that you are recovering and feeling more like your self! There seem to be some very nasty flu type bugs about! Our friend upstairs developed one last week so I didn’t meet up with them. DH who returned very late last night said that several people on the plane were coughing! 😬

I had a very disturbed night after having had the bed to myself for 2 weeks! He got out three times due to the fact he had eaten too much bread, always difficult to eat properly on flight days.🙀 He doesn’t get out out quietly and as soon as he is back in the bed he is soon snoring! 😡 He is still sleeping in bed!

Joan wishing you all the very best for tomorrow and a speedy recovery! How long will you be in hospital for? I expect that you will be glad to be the other side of the op now?

Cassie hope you enjoyed celebrating your birthday this weekend I think you said you were going out with ED, can’t scroll back on this thread to find out whilst typing! 😫

Wildpurl did you get the sleeve finished and are you wearing it? Attach a picture if you can!Not sure how you put pictures up on this site may try now just to test it!

My work this week only 500 pieces!

[rosie14]

Good Morning Ladies we all seem to be struggling with this new format. I did send a message to the admin team but I expect that have been inundated with comments!

I think we have all slightly panicked as this forum has been such a lifeline to the 5 of us and it is such a source of comfort to us all and changing the appearance of it is rather a shock! I have found the best way to deal with it to scroll through the posts on the phone and reply on the iPad! This is fine unless you are away and only have your phone!! 😒

Joan glad to hear that you got your pyjamas sorted and managed to source some joggers. My friend nearly made the same mistake as you as she was looking at men’s long sleeved shirts in M&S yesterday and they were on the same display as short sleeved shirts but the only way you could tell was by the cuff with the button in! It should be very clearly marked on the product I am sure lots of customers have made the same mistake! 

I am so sorry to hear that your YD dog is so poorly and that they may have to make a difficult decision! 

Lovewine I do hope that you are turning the corner a real bout of flu really knocks you off your feet! 😔 Don’t rush back to work I am sure that your customerers will understand you bravely struggled on during your cancer treatment, they know you will be back when you can! Hopefully you feel more like reading and maybe watching a film or two? Sending you get well wishes! 🌺🌼🌷 Spring flowers to cheer you up! X

Ladies we will overcome the new board!😬

[Wildpurl]

Goodness, the forum is almost unreadable, each post is enormous and you can’t see the overall thread easily, not good for catching up. 

[Cassie86]

Hello Ladies,

I panicked when I found I no longer could locate our thread on my phone, but luckily I found you on my PC, otherwise it would have been plan B text lovewine directly!

It sounds like you have swine flu lovewine, you poor thing

[Lovewine]

Hello ladies. No I am not a fan of the new changes either !
Thankyou everyone for your good wishes, I am still bedridden and after a telephone conversation with G.P it seems I have the proper flu with vomiting - still feel terrible .
Joan , you had a long day at the hospital , certainly a good idea to use the patient car service . Sorry to hear about YDs dog too- sadly my friend with Inka lost her Labrador a year ago to cancer of the spleen and pancreas , he went on with medication for about 3 months and she sadly had to have him put to sleep - it’s very traumatic losing a much loved pet. Glad your friend is ok and also your OH seems to be alright now too .
Cassie what lovely flowers , glad you had a lovely birthday , enjoy your meal out at the weekend.
Wildpurl good news you can make our meet up , it soon comes around again .
Rosie I hope you enjoyed your meet up with your friend today .

[joan47]

Lovewine, so sorry to hear you are poorly. Hope you are feeling at least a bit better now and will soon be fully recovered. 

Cassie, beautiful flowers. I’m sure you enjoyed your glass of Prosecco. I hadnt realised you had snow n London. We have none here but can just see some on the Welsh hills. 

Wildpurl, great you are going to be able to make the summer meet up. 

Rosie, I’m not much enamoured of the new set up either, what happened to the general reply button. When I need to be able to look through all the recent posts I click on the ‘view discussion in pop up’ button which then brings up the name of our group at the top of the screen and then you can toggle between that and reply. 

Rosie, yes, I did get the pyjamas changed. Have also ordered some joggers from M and S. News about YDs dog not good. Inflamed pancreas, possibly cancer, and lesions on liver and spleen. I do hope they don't have to put him to sleep, YD will be distraught and she’s having her 40th birthday party this weekend. 

[rosie14]

Good Morning ladies!

What a shock the forum has been updated! I did reply to a request to take part in the changes which is supposed to improve use on our phones! The first problem I have hit is there is no quick reply so you can’t go scrolling through all the posts above your last post which means you either have to reply individually or remember everyone’s news! 🙀

Lovewine I do hope that you are feeling much better today? Maybe another day in the warm resting will do you good.

Cassie what lovely flowers hope you enjoyed your Prosecco with YD! 

Wildpurl that’s great that the Festival is the week before our meet up in Oxford on July 20th! I had to go ahead and book our time here around it. I will arrive on the train and DH will pick me up in motorhome somewhere in Oxford and we are going on to Newhaven to cross to France on the Sunday morning!

Glad to hear the cardigan is almost finished! We have a dusting of snow here this morning! I am meeting my friend from Bredon in town this morning so hope it’s not too slippery!🙀

Joan did you get your pyjamas changed? What a long day you had at the hospital I don’t blame you taking advantage of the voluntary hospital driver service. Glad to hear that your friend that fell down the stairs is home and there was no internal bleeding. Do hope that YD’s dog will soon be better and be back home.

First impressions of this new layout- not good I have had to open the forum on my phone to read posts to make sure I respond to them all!😬 It’s no good complaining because I could have had the chance to take part, but it looked a bit complicated and I never got round to it! 😔

[Wildpurl]

Happy birthday Cassie, what beautiful flowers!

sorry you are unwell Lovewine

rosie I have nearly finished the cardigan, just on the last sleeve now

glad the pre-op went ok joan. I am thinking of you

just seen the date for the village rock festival and it is the 13th July, so our meet-up on 20th July is fine for me.

[Cassie86]

Hello Ladies,

Sorry you are feeling unwell lovewine. I am sure you are feeling apprehensive Joan but well done for getting your work done. I have posted pictures of my lovely flowers I hope you find them cheery the bright ones are from ED for my birthday today but are not open yet and the other bunch are my usual ones from last Wednesday, I am having a glass of prosseco while waiting for YD to return from work we will celebrate at the weekend with a nice meal at a restaurant on Primrose Hill. Its snowing quite heavily at the moment outside its only settling on the grass though I don't think it is quite cold enough for a coating yet, maybe overnight!

[Cassie86]

[rosie14]

Lovewine sorry you are so unwell, get better soon! 💐
Joan I got some very cheap joggers when I had my knee replacement from Peacocks!

[joan47]

Hope you are having a good birthday, Cassie, and that work is not too demanding. Is there a convention that you take cake in to share? 

Rosie, when we drive down to weston on Sunday we passed a field which must have had more than 50 swans in it. Ive never seen so many. 

Lovewine what a blow for your friend. Ive never heard of muscle cancer. I dont know whether there is more cancer around now, or diagnosis is better or we talk about it more. But so many people seem to be affected, and its not just older people so it cant be just that the average life span is longer. 

The pre op assessment yesterday went fine although it was a lot to take in because it started with an hours presentation by a specialist nurse on the Enhanced Recovery Programme, followed by sessions with 4 different practitioners. We left home at 10 and got back at 5! Though part of this was getting the bus from the park and ride to the hospital, which is very convenient and avoids the nightmare parking arrangements but takes a roundabout route. I have to go back tomorrow for a iron infusion because the blood tests showed I had virtually none. This time we are making use of our local voluntary hospital driver service, which is wonderful. They are also going to take us in on Monday because we have to be there for 9. OH seems fine. The friend who had us so worried is now home, no internal bleeding other than around his injured knee. YD’s dog is poorly though so in doggy hospital. Cant seem to keep away from these places! 

I managed to finish both the pieces of work I needed to get in by the end of the month, which is just as well because I dont think I could concentrate on them now. Now need to get on the internet to see if I can source some comfortable joggers (as recommended yesterday) which arent going to be too hot for hospital and dont look as if I’m about to run a marathon. 

[Lovewine]

Hello ladies . I have been off work since Monday with a dreadful cough, fever and vomiting , feel dreadful so I am just lying either in bed or on the sofa 🤒.. will post when I feel a little better !

[rosie14]

Good Morning ladies!
Joan I hope all went well with your pre op assesment I always worry in case my blood pressure is too high, which it has been since cancer treatment! Sometimes when I went for herceptin they used to tell me it was rather high! When I went for my leg op last year they took it twice before they did the op and asked me if I had ever taken blood pressure tablets!🙀 I expect this week will speed by and you will be glad when the op is over? How is OH? Do hope that all is well with him. Will your YD take you in for your op?
Cassie hoppy, ha ha,happy (I noticed that predictive text change 😂) birthday! 💐🎊🎉🍸
Lovewine how is your workload this week? I had to tackle DH ironing yesterday again and bed linen it wasn’t quite as bad as my previous session! I was cursing the shirts with the tiny buttons either side of the collar and the shirt he had flung in the wash with most of the buttons still done up. 😡
My sister came to Worcester on Sunday and we went to have lunch at the Diglis Hotel which was pleasant. We had a table in the conservatory overlooking the river and saw a couple of swans in flight down the river in addition to the many gliding down the river!🦢🦢🦢🦢🦢🦢🦢
It looks a sunny day outside today but the temperature it 2 at the moment! 🙀

[rosie14]

Oh my goodness Joan it never seems to just rain but pour!🙀 I am glad to hear that your friend hasn’t broken anything and that he will soon be discharged from hospital!
Sorry about your theatre visit you could have done with a day out! Could you go on the train? I have just checked the Trainline and you can get from Bristol to Stratford but it is 2 changes! 😬 I hope you find something else relaxing to do!
Cassie maybe you will be celebrating your birthday this weekend with family? If so have a great time!
Wildpurl, have you finished the cardigan?🤔
Lovewine sorry to hear about your friend’s sister let’s hope that with chemo she will gain some extra years! Cancer’s are being diagnosed so frequently these days I do wander how long people would live if they left undiagnosed and untreated? Are we are own worst enemies with our lifestyles?
Whatever you are doing this weekend ladies make sure that you have some relaxation!

[Lovewine]

Goodness me Joan , what an awful week you have had with hospitals and now your poor friend , hope his scan doesn’t show anything too serious , shame about your theatre trip too . Maybe you could do something else instead ?
Yes I must say we are very subdued after our friends news , it certainly has been a rollercoaster for him , I did source relevant information from Macmillan and they saw an advisor , I expect they will need extra support for the whole family now .
Cassie , how annoying about the change to travel passes etc, I am 57 this year so I suppose I will be waiting longer too !
Have a lovely birthday on Tuesday 💐🍷!
It was my friends birthday today - the one who has Inka the Labrador I helped with when he was a puppy , she had the day off work today as did I - so I picked her up and we went to a garden centre cafe for coffee and cake which was very nice , but more bad news came from her too - her sister who is 50 has been diagnosed with an aggressive muscle cancer in her groin .. she sees the oncologist on Monday .
It’s been very cold here today , we have escaped any snow but next week I think it’s on it’s way 🙄
Have a nice weekend ladies !

[joan47]

Lovewine, what very sad news about your friend. Its been such an up and down journey for him and his wife and the news seemed so good before Xmas. Its particularly awful when it happens to younger people and those with young children. Like Rosie, I hope the chemo manages to slow down the progression. 

Cassie, happy birthday for next Tuesday, in case I forget on the day. Are you doing anything to celebrate. I agree with you on the frustrations of the new age rules on bus passes, changing it by 5 years is a big jump. 

Rosie, we were planning to go to the theatre in Stratford tomorrow but thats now off. The husband in the couple we go with, who was going to drive is now in hospital, having fallen down the stairs last night. He hasnt broken anything but has subsequently fainted a couple of times so is about to have a whole body CT scan to check for internal bleeding. All very worrying. He takes warfarin so thats an added risk. It seems like nothing but hospitals this week. 

[rosie14]

Good Morning ladies!
Lovewine I am so sorry to read about the decline in your friend and the spread of his cancer such an awful thing to deal with at such a young age with a young wife and family! 😢 I expect there are organisations that will help the children as he deteriorates. We had one in Plymouth that was called Jerrmiah’s Journey and supported children and their parents with a parent who had a terminal illness and ongoing support after the death. Let’s hope that the chemo tablets will buy him a bit more quality time!
Cassie unfortunately the bus pass age is 65 here also! DH can get his this year but I can’t get mine until next year! 60 does bring some benefits. Senior tickets can be purchased at theatres and cinemas and you can buy a rail card for £30 a year which saves 1/3 off all train fares! DH and I benefit from this and it soon pays for itself!
Joan I hope that you and OH will manage your visit to Stratford tomorrow. I know you were going to exchange your pyjamas are you going to the theatre also?
Wildpurl maybe the latest cold snap will encourage you to finish the cardigan!
I have got a jigsaw on the go, but only 500 pieces this time! MIL gave it me.

[Cassie86]

Good Evening Ladies,

All is well here thanks for your concern just busy as usual, glad I have finished now until Monday.

Joan sorry to hear of the health problems OH has been experiencing it must be a very worrying time for the both of you.

I have been reading the posts on my phone but not had the time to get on my PC. It will be my birthday next Tuesday it will be my 59th I looked up when I might be able to get a freedom bus lol, not till 2026! I felt really disappointed and a little cheated when I read it on the gov website, slightly older people in London have had them from age 60. The age has changed to bring it in line with the retirement age which I don't feel ready for yet but maybe winding down a bit.

I agree with the getting bored with plain knitting wildpurl YD decided she would like a plain knit black cotton scarf with pom poms which is growing but really boring to knit.

Keep warm ladies

[Lovewine]

, by Joan i too just saw your post, i am so sorry you are having these health issues both of you, what a worry for you, my dad takes warfarin for his heart problems and also for vascular issues too.Thinking of you and your family.💐

Had some bad news regarding our friend with the kidney cancer, he as had a lump removed fom his chest wall and also his abdominal wall, after being told before Christmas his original kidney cancer from 8 years ago was slow growing and manageable, he was told yesterday he has secondary cancer popping up in several places which can no longer be cured, OH and myself apart from the family are the only ones to be told as the chikdren know he is ill with cancer, but dont know how serious it is now. I feel so sad for them, he is only 48, his wife is 35 and 2 children. He is being started on chemo by tablet form.

[rosie14]

Joan I have just read your post! Words fail me you couldn’t write the book! However we must be positive in that OH seems back to normal! Hopefully the medication he will be taking will prevent another stroke! What a worry for you!
I am so sorry that you and OH are having these medical difficulties and do hope that in a few weeks time you will both studying holiday brochures! Thinking of you, stay strong! 💐x

[joan47]

StiWell its been a more dramatic week than expected and certainly distracting but not in a pleasant way. Monday evening OH suddenly was unable to put his thoughts into words, it only lasted for a few minutes but it was clearly abnormal, not just the ‘senior moments’ we joke about. I was pretty sure he was experiencing a mini stroke, which was confirmed by the paramedic who came so it was back into the hospital we’d left only a few hours ago, this time to A and E. Got home about 3 am, with aspirin and a referral to the TIA clinic which deals with these things. First thing in the morning we got a phone call with an appt for 12 oclock so back into the hospital for more tests and to see a consultant. Several hours later got back home with a prescription for something like warfarin, statins, a referral to the cardio clinic to check for atrial fibrillation and 4 week prohibition on driving. Talk about bad timing. But at least this happened after his hernia op, because blood thinners can make surgery more complicated and worrying. He seems back to normal now although I’m a bit on tenderhooks because the risk of recurrence is higher in the few days after one of these attacks. 

Lovewine, glad you managed to snatch a bit of time to read. I’m like you, I tend to mainly read on Kindle because I do most of my reading in the early morning while OH is still asleep so its less disturbing than putting the light on. Its getting very cold here too but hopefully no snow. 

Rosie, well done being on the radio. We ate goat for the first time, knowingly at least, in Crete, and loved it. We recently ate it from a street stall at Bath Xmas market, which was again quite delicious. Havent seen any in the local supermarkets though. I like the idea of having nymph nodes, sounds so much more ethereal than lymph nodes! Hope your eye appt was useful.

Wildpurl, well done persisting with the cardigan. I get bored by the time I get to the sleeves. Baby items are more to my liking. 

Cassie, hope all is well with you. 

[Lovewine]

Morning ladies, Rosie, well done on the radio interview, i think i would struggle to get my words out, its something i still do even this long after the chemo , i do it several times a day😮, before BC i was vegetarian for that very reason , wasnt sure what i was eating , also animal welfare reasons too.

I used to be a member of the library, but our village one is quite small, one of my dog walking friends is a retired head teacher and she volunteers in the library several times a week and also does a weekly reading session with small children, because our library was earmarked for closure its now staffed by volunteers like her. I use the kindle a lot as most of my reading is done early in the morning or night and i can read without disturbing OH😊!

my week has continued to be quiet, very nice, but it will all arrive next week and then i will be flat out again !

We have had a light dusting of snow here earlier this morning, it was very cold on my walk, Wildpurl you will definitely need your warm cardigan !

Have a good day ladies.

[rosie14]

Good morning ladies!
Lovewine so glad that you got an hour to read during the day! Do you belong to the library? We have a fantastic university library here with 4 floors! One is given over to the main lending library which is all fiction! I love going in it gives you a sense of comfort to be surrounded by so many books! There are comfy chairs where you can inspect the books you have chosen before borrowing them! It also has a special area where recommended reads are displayed. I usually select at least one from that area. They also display quick reads and I usually grab a couple of those! I have a kindle but find it a nuisance remembering to keep it charged! Since moving to the city I have used the library as I can walk there in half an hour, that includes seating on the odd seat or two en route to let my unoperated leg recover!😔
There is even a cafe facility in there and of course the very necessary toilet!
Wildpurl it’s going to get colder so you will be glad of your warm cardigan!
On the local radio in the morning they have a phone in line or text to comment on the topics of the day! Yesterday they discussed Brexit and eating exotic animals and goat was mentioned! I sent a text about how I used to buy what I thought was lamb in Cyprus for several years only to discover we had been eating goat! Also the local specialty of kleftiko is also goat! 🙀 One of the radio team called my number and asked if I would be willing to speak to the presenter live on the radio about my experience!🙀 I agreed to do it and fortunately only had 10 mins to wait! 😬 I managed to do it without stuttering and stumbling over words and put on my best telephone voice!😂
Cassie hope all is well with you?
Joan hope you are finding time for relaxation this week?

[Wildpurl]

Evening everyone, I am very pleased to hear your good news, Joan, that must be a weight off your mind that they will be able to repair the bowel. I had keyhole surgery when I had my oophorectomy, the incisions were tiny, I can’t even see where they were now, and the healing was very fast.

rosie it is good you are able to stay in the UK where you have central heating. I’m glad OH's 3rd endoscopy was clear.

im also glad to hear your workload has settled down Lovewine.

we switched to super fast broadband today, it really is much faster, and the changeover was quite straightforward.

i am knitting a warm cardigan at the moment, I have one more piece to knit, I like the result but am finding it a bit boring to knit! I’ll be glad when it is finished. I have a baby blanket to knit next for another of DD's friends who has had a little girl.

i am currently reading Why We Sleep on the kindle, absolutely fascinating.

[Lovewine]

Hello ladies, Joan, glad to hear things are going ok , or at least as well as they can do , having keyhole surgery will be a much quicker recovery time too, OH had his gall bladder removed this way 2 years ago. Shame you have to miss your monday activities though for pre op, it always seems to fall this way doesnt it 😏. As Rosie says we all keep everything crossed you will not need any chemo, it must have been found very early. Annoying about the Pajamas , i have done the same thing in M&S with a t shirt.

Rosie, hope the eye test went ok, something i need to do too! 

I have had a steady working  day surprisingly today which is nice for a change, actually managed to sit and read for an hour this afternoon, which i really enjoyed, although i am struggling to find something good to read at the moment.

Cassie and Wildpurl, hope you are both well.

[rosie14]

Good morning ladies!
Joan at least there is some good news along with the not so good. One has to look for the positives. I am sure that we are all hoping very much that chemo will not be necessary for you and that the nymph nodes will be clear!
What a nuisance about your pyjamas beintpg the wrong sleeve length. They will exchange them for you, just pick up the ones you need and take them with the ones you are returning to the pay desk and they will make the exchange for you!
Joan DH did have a colonoscopy last year when he was diagnosed with diverticulosis. He was signed off unless he goes back again to the doctor with severe symptoms!
He lives on adrenaline and stress and always has done!😬 He is better when we are motorhoming and away from a computer!
Will loook our for Crimes on the Nile it may well come to Malvern?
I am glad you have been doing some pleasant activities. Rest next weekend before your pre op assessment you don’t want your blood pressure up!😳
I have booked an eye appointment today as I am struggling with my distance viewing!😬 It has been 2 years so it’s time to go!
Lovewine hope you will be a bit quieter today?
The weather in Cyprus is still wet and stormy and everyone is saying it is the worst winter they have known! So lucky to be in a warm apartment here!😊 I hope the sun comes back before I return on Feb 2nd!😕

[joan47]

Hello ladies. Saw the surgeon today and he had a bit more positive news in that a) hes intending to do keyhole surgery and b) he is going to join the bits of bowel together internally so I wont have to have a bag.  Whether or not I will have chemo will depend on the analysis of the lymph nodes they remove, the results of which will take a couple of weeks. So fingers crossed. So so far Ive been lucky, apart from having it in the first place of course. Pre-op next Monday. Bit annoying that today’s appt and the pre op are on Mondays which is my nice, completely non work day when I do Qi Gong and pier archive. 

Rosie, good news that OH’s third screening test was clear. In the light of my experience, however, when all my tests were clear, do you think it would be advisable for him to have his symptoms checked out. I dont want to be presumptuous and perhaps he has already had advice on this but..... Glad your trip to London went well, love the picture from the top of the Sky garden. I hope you are now over your virus and that your feared ear infection did not materialise. Sensible not to risk the flight though and you were clearly right about the weather over there. I did manage to get some pyjamas, in M & S, but like you with your jumper have to change one pair. They were wrapped, in the same packaging and position as the other pair, with no indication that one was short sleeved, the other long. Didnt realise till I’d unpacked them at home. Maddening. Hopefully will be able to exchange in Stratford at the weekend. 

Lovewine, full of admiration for the spring clean and declutter. Shame that you have another very busy week ahead, hope it slows down soon. I was thinking of you yesterday in M & S yesterday, looking at the racks if sale clothes. I managed to get a bargain but only accidentally. I chose a black cardigan which was marked as full price but at the till it came up as reduced and when the girl checked with the floor manager he said it had just been marked down but they hadnt had time to alter the price tag. Very welcome. 

Done a few enjoyable things this week. Went to the theatre in Bath on Thursday to see anAgatha Christie spoof- Crimes on the Nile- which was very funny and extremely well done. Its on tour from next month so if it comes anywhere near any of who I’d recommend it. Friday evening went out for dinner with friends. Saturday it was GDs 9th birthday party, to which we were invited. It was a trip to Wookey Hole caves for her, 6 other girls her age and one boy. The caves were very interesting and there was lots else for them to do, not all of it tacky. They seem to have enjoyed it and were very well behaved though at times boisterous and unbelievably noisy. Fortunately we had a couple of hours to recuperate before going to see The Favourite’! In the evening. This week isnt quite so full of nice distractions but I do need to complete a couple of pieces of work so its just as well. 

Hope you all have good weeks. 

[rosie14]

Good Morning Lovewine it’s very quiet on our board again!
Yes DH got back without any dramas! He said the house is very cold and was down to 12 inside!😱 The rain has been horrendous and they have had daytime temperatures as low as 9!! So glad I didn’t go back I would have been as miserable as sin! 🙁
I walked into town on Saturday and changed a jumper I had purchased in the sale that was the wrong size! It was on a 16 hanger and it was 22!!! The sale price had been stuck on the label.
Yesterday I went for a walk along the river and back along the canal. There seemed to be a lot of men out with young children in pushchairs! I guess the woman had pushed them out whilst they got on with some jobs?!😏
All three children Skyped me and DH so this took up a good part of the day!
Our friends upstairs will come down for coffee one morning and my friend from Bredon will contact me next week after the weekend!
The weather looks quite pleasant so I will be having a walk to the cheap toiletries shop to stock up on soap and toothpaste! Exciting!😂 I have motorhoming holidays to plan and library books to read and a jigsaw! So plenty to keep me occupied!
I hope all your startching of tablecloths has finished?😬
We didn’t have any rain but it was a little windy! I suppose you weren’t able to have your bonfire then? 😒
Hope the week gets less busy for you!

[Lovewine]

Morning ladies, Rosie it really is a stunning view from up there. Hope DH got off to Cyprus without any delays, did you do much at the weekend ? The weather here was wet and windy all weekend so we didnt do much at all.

Joan, how are you? Have you had any appointments yet ? Pre op etc. 

I thought i would be quieter this week, but today is looking horrendously busy, better get off and make a start ! 

[rosie14]

Same view! 😂

[rosie14]