Morning Jules,

Was just wondering how you got on when you visited your Mum this week, and also how your daughter got on at hospital?  I do hope things are not too stressful for you and that you can try and have a relaxing weekend.

I'm waiting for my eldest to come home, he has spent somewhat of Freshers sleeping on fellow pupils floors after social events - latest was a toga party last night!  I'm off to my counsellor this morning, had originally been thinking I wouldn't need to see her for too much longer but have been so emotional this week so will talk things over with her.

The weather is forecast to be nice this weekend but is looking a bit gloomy at present.  Here's hoping it brightens up and the sun shines on us all.  Take care  Hope x

Hi Hope

Hope you visit to the counsellor was helpful and its good for you to be able to talk things through and this should last as long as you need it.

I have just returned from visiting Mum and she was ok though I am sure a little concerned at how long she will be able to stay where she.  She has amazed the staff at how forthright she was when social worker 'interviewed' her and they are left in no doubt as to what she wants. All the care staff came to see me whilst I was visiting to make sure I was okay too - very sweet.  I stayed until she was due to go into lunch and we even managed a bit of a laugh when I showed her latest photos of her great grandson.  He has really enjoyed his first week in Reception and keeps telling his mum that his teacher is the most beautiful one in the school!!

Hubby and I picked him up from school on Friday as my daughter had to return to hospital for a second day of tests and monitoring.  Specialist blood tests with regard to her liver function have been sent off and unless she hears otherwise she returns to clinic next Friday.  The last set of bloods were borderline but all readings for the baby were good.  If the new blood tests show certain 'rises' she may have to be taken in and possibly induced (she is now 37 weeks and would probably welcome is being over and done with!!).  Anyway so far so good.  I have an overnight bag ready and waiting and she has several friends on standby to get her to the hospital if her hubby is at work.  Mind you she is still driving herself at present!!

When we met our grandson at school (its only 10mins to his home) he told Grandad that he could meet us there as it was healthier to walk!!!  My hubby's face was a picture as he drove off and I walked the little tyke home!!

Life's stresses seem to come and go but having the forum to offload certainly helped me to see things in perspective this week though I think my mood swings are more due to hormones than current circumstances.

Sounds like your eldest having a great time during Freshers but will no doubt be looking forward to some home cooking.  Have a great weekend with the family and will catch up again soon.  All the best and look after yourself. Jules xx

Hi Hope

Spoke too soon about my waterworks. Felt like a wrung out dishrag at work today and so been to the GP this evening.  There is an infection and I have a course of antibiotics to take whilst they send sample off for analysis - results should be back  by Monday and they will let me know if I need specific medication or whether what I am on will do the trick - deep joy!!

Yes, the eldest grandson has been going through the catalogues and ticking what he fancies re Christmas but as his birthday (5th) is at the end of this  month he is more excited about that at the moment.  We usually wait and see what he gets birthdaywise and then decide on his Christmas gift but this year we are doing clothes as he has had a growing spurt .  He is currently really enjoying drawing and colouring so expect this will feature too.  There are some great bargains to be had at The Works locally so I try and get a couple of things each week (he also has a playbox at our house).

Sounds like your eldest will have his head to the grindstone with exams but if all goes well what a wonderful profession to be entering into.  Your younger son obviously also has his mum's caring nature with his voluntary work.

My hubby is having physio tomorrow which is offered by volunteers at the local hospice day care treatment centre.  He has been told he can drop in between 9.30 and 3.00.  Really hope this will help with his upper arm movement though expect it will take a few sessions to see a difference.  At least his consultant does not think its linked to his cancer which was a relief.

Take care Hope and no doubt the school is getting ready for the festive season.  Chat again soon. Jules x

Hi Brian

Glad to read that your bug is almost gone now (they really seem to be hanging around this year) and that you may now be suffering from 'keyboard finger syndrome' after completing the new directory for your Wood  Club.

It too have had to visit to the GP as waterworks problems left me feeling like a washed out dishrag at work today and knew I could put it off no longer.  Have antibiotics for the infection and await results from sample analysis which should be back byMonday.  Typical to get this when I really need to be helping with my daughter (very tired trying to cope with new baby which is not settling so well at the moment).  Tonight my son in law has sent her to bed early and is doing the late evening feed so she can get some proper sleep.  She is such a good Mum but trying to do too much too soon!!!

Hubby has his first appointment for physio at the local hospice day treatment centre tomorrow and hopefully this will aid his restricted arm movement.  His consultant does not think its linked to his cancer and could be due to muscle wastage.  Fingers crossed physio session will eventually prove useful.  He is also having blood tests repeated so they can monitor any changes prior to his next scheduled appointment in January.  Did you have yours repeated yet?  If so hope all is well foryou.

Take care and best wishes to  you and the family.  Jules xx

Morning Jules,  I do hope your antibiotics are kicking in, water infections are a nightmare.  I know when I had a bad one last year my GP said I'd been battling on with the over-counter medicines for too long and the infection had got a good hold.  I had to have 2 courses of antibiotics to get rid of it, but once she hit on the 2nd antibiotic it worked almost instantly.  Like you I had sample sent to the hospital but all was OK thankfully.  Hope the same happens for you, nothing worse than having to stay near to the toilet for the never ending trips!

I've just returned from the gym which always makes me feel better, I'm desperately trying to regain some control over my life again, somedays are harder than others.  Hubby tells me I am beginning to look more like my usual self (that's a relief as this year I feel like I've aged about 20 years!).  To be honest I don't know if I'll ever be my "usual" self, I'm someone different now.  My youngest summed it up really well, he said it was harder for me being an only child because if I had had a sibling there would still be another part of my parents alive and our childhood memories would still be together. I think he is so right as it feels like my past has been swept away in one fail swoop.  People tell me I'm doing really well and I suppose I'm doing OK, but nobody knows how I often feel inwardly. Still one day at a time, as I'm always advising others, and the better days are a little more frequent now.

How sweet your grandson looking through the catalogues, I remember mine doing the same thing.  My youngest's birthday is 1 Dec so like you we always wait until after his birthday to really think about his Christmas pressies. Mind you gone are the days when they were little and you could get a big sack of toys relatively cheap - plastic toy soliders were always a big feature in our house!  Nowadays it is one technology present which usually costs a small fortune!

Really hope your hubby gets on OK with his physio today, the hospice provide so many wonderful treatments don't they?  Ours even offered me complimentary stress relief treatments but unfortunately I didn't have time to take up their offer.  I expect hubby will probably need a few sessions to improve but I'm sure it will help. Anyway have a good weekend.  Take care.  Hope x

Hi Hope

Sorry for the delayed reply. Have felt rather weary (night-time was bad enough but getting up more frequently has taken its toll).  Managed to complete my shift at work yesterday but was shattered by time I got in.  Happily my hubby spent a few hours at my daughters and she and the baby were having a better day but think it did him good to be there rather than sitting alone indoors!!  He did go to his appointment but it turned out just to be an 'introducation to what was on offer at the Hospice day centre'. He did get a massage but was not particualy bothered about staying. Says its not what he needs at the moment.  Think he just finds going there is another reminder of his illness.  He did bring the leaflets home for me to read!!  Whilst he was there, another physio left a message on our house phone for him to arrange an appointment and he tried getting in touch but so far just an answerphone so have to wait and try and sort it out next week.

Glad you enjoyed getting back to the gym and good that your husband thinks its helping you get back to 'being you' if that makes sense.  Its all a case of making the most of the better days isn't it and I see you are also responding to Ian and can understand his anguish at the ever-changing emotional pain.  Thats what I love about this forum - so many (unfortunately) can relate to what others are feeling and the mutual support is wonderful.

Hope your boys' exams/tests go well and that  you all have a peaceful weekend.  Virtual hugs  Jules x

Hi Jules,

I hope you are feeling better and that the antibiotics have meant that you have to get up less frequently during the night.  A decent sleep always makes us more able to cope with anything life throws at us, so I hope you can get one soon.  Can understand that the hospice visit was to your hubby a reminder of his illness; I guess the time needs to be right to embark on what's on offer there but good to know that there is a lot of support together with therapies available.  Hopefully he will be able to get in touch with the other physio soon and start to make some progress.

I'm having a fairly quiet time this weekend, eldest home but studying and youngest will be doing football - have to go to a match on Sunday so fingers crossed for dry weather!  Hope you have a good weekend.  Hope x

Morning Hope

Well, feeling somewhat amazed was out for the evening (had one glass of wine) and did  not go to bed till 1 a.m. Got disturbed for loo break just once and then it was 8.10. Cannot believe I was in bed that late in the  morning!!!  Now I am running behind with my chores before we do the weekly shop (postponed from yesterday as had family here).  Never mind seems the body needed the lay in even if it messed up my routine (only because I like to get things done before hubby surfaces). 

Our local High Street has a fun day today ending with the switching on of the Christmas Lights so after shopping and then lunch we are hoping to go with daughter and grandchildren as all the shops put stalls outside and its usually a lot of fun (and a few bargains to be had).  Unfortunately once again the weather is likely to spoil our comfort but it would not stop us going. 

Enjoy your peaceful weekend, you certainly due for a quiet one.  Think tomorrow is supposed to  be the best day weatherwise so hope you can watch the football in the dry.  Take care, sending virtual  hugs and hope to chat again. Jules x

Morning(just) Jules,

There you are saying you have got up late at 8am and there's me still in bed (albeit reading) until 10am.!!!!

I have to say I am geneally tired and sometimes it's good to go with the flow and listen to what your body is telling you.

It sounds to me like you need to look after yourself as well as everybody else Jules.

You've had an infection and it will be a little while after you have finished the antibiotics that you'll get back to normal.

What fun for you all this afternoon, I am sure you'll have a lovely time.

The weather up here is sunny but threatening rain.!!

Back to my upholstery to be finished for Mondays inspection.

Have a lovely weekend

Annabel.xx

Good morning Jules,

Glad you had a good nights sleep for once and as you say it's your body's way of telling you that you badly needed the extra sleep. Glad you liked the quotation on the other thread.

It's Mrs B's birthday today so my son arrived with our two youngest grandchildren to give her birthday presents.  My youngest grandson who has all the problems came in and hugged me saying  "Hello old man". I call him young man and this now is his reply to me every time. He and his brother then sang Happy Birthday to Mrs B after which he went up to her and kissed her. It's hard to believe this is the same little boy who was told he would never talk and I could see my wife was not only very pleased with this but has admitted to me since she is very proud of him.

I went to see him the on Thursday and made up a short story for him as he was off school as he was not feeling well. After I had finished the story he opened his front door and went out into the porch. I told him to come back in several time but he told me he was looking for something. He came back in and handed me a small chestnut and said, "That's for you granddad for making me up a story and as I know you like chestnuts".  He told me he had saved this one especially for me. I was quite touched by this.

Hope the weather allows you to go and enjoy the Christmas festivities this afternoon with your family.  It's always a great time of year especially when you have young ones around you for they make Christmas what is is.

Take care and enjoy your weekend Jules. Talk again soon, Brian

Afternoon Brian

Firstly belated happy birthday to your wife. Do hope you and all the family helped with her celebrations and am really pleased that your bug cleared up in time for you to enjoy them too.  No doubt nuts are now firmly back on the menu.

Could really relate to the hello old man greetings.  Many months ago my eldest grandson asked why I was out of puff after playing footie in the back garden (at my age I should know better) and I said it was just that I was old!!  Now every time I  am slow, at doing something or cannot immediately answer his questions the quote is always ' its okay, it's just cos you are old'.    Shamefully this usually finds me and my daughter in stitches which just means he says it even more!! 

The weekend has seen me feeling a little better (less time in the loo too) so hope the antibiotics doing the trick (due to get results Monday as to whether I need more/different prescription).  Our daughter and the children were around for the day yesterday and son in law joined us when he finished work early afternoon.  Baby was in cuddly mode (so I made the most of that) and our eldest went with my hubby and 'helped' him do the weekly shop.  Strange there were a few 'new' items in the trolley though he ate my grapes rather than moan for sweets (he did get a chocolate bar from Grandad's box though (so did my daughter!!!).  Later  in the afternoon we went to the local fun day/switch on of our High St.'s Christmas lights and it was lovely that all the shops had set up stalls on the pavement (few pounds went missing on the tombolla and I found a couple of gifts too- bought not won).  We then all trooped into the fish and chippie restaurant and tucked in!!  Hubby managed a VERY LARGE piece of Skate with chips and his ever present glass of milk (I then realised why he had 'missed' lunch!!)

Today he is catching up on his 'dozes' and I have once again trotted to and from the launderette and got the washing dry outside in such beautiful autumnal sunshine - really lifts the spirits.  Having ironed it all I am now sitting down for the afternoon before returning to the routine of work tomorrow.

Hope you enjoyed your woodturning and managed to get it all done despite it being a bit chilly.  Have often wished I had practical skills but am too ham-fisted!!!

Take care and enjoy that precious family time.  Best regards Jules x

Hi Jules,

Glad to hear that you are feeling a bit better, hopefully results tomorrow will be fine.  Also good for you for having a well deserved lie in this weekend - perhaps the glass of wine aided your extra sleep!  Well youngest's football match got cancelled for some reason but it gave me a chance to catch up on some chores.  Have been meaning to ask you how your Mum is doing lately?  I hope all is going OK. Speak soon, Hope x

Hi Jules,

Glad to hear that you are feeling a bit better, hopefully results tomorrow will be fine.  Also good for you for having a well deserved lie in this weekend - perhaps the glass of wine aided your extra sleep!  Well youngest's football match got cancelled for some reason but it gave me a chance to catch up on some chores.  Have been meaning to ask you how your Mum is doing lately?  I hope all is going OK. Speak soon, Hope x

Hi Hope

I suppose the only consolation that the football match was cancelled is that you did not have to stand around in the cold!  Still you would think they would say why. Wonder if, like us, you have had lots of rain the last couple of days and the ground was waterlogged.  Its a long time since I have had puddles on the lawn, such was the force of the downpours on Friday!!  Still today it was beautiful sunshine and I love the autumn colours of the trees right now.  Strangely though we still have a lovely yellow rose flowering in our front garden (planted 21 yrs ago in memory of hubby's mum).

Thank you so much for taking the time to ask about my Mum.  My last visit to her was last Tuesday and it was  one of the better days for a long time.  It did not start well as the home had rung to say she had for some reason decided to get herself up and dressed early (did not ring her bell for assistance) and had fallen.  However a thorough check over revealed all was well thankfully. I had already planned to go down so kept to the plan and quite honestly expected the usual sad trip.  However I was met with a smile and she was in chatty mode and had been joining in with a couple of activities.  She showed interest for the first time in months and it was a rather surreal visit as she was making plans to 'be better'.  Whilst lovely to have a positive visit, this has happened 'for 1 day only' before so I made the most of it and will see how things are when I pop in again this week.

I read that your eldest is studying hard and wish him the very best of luck when he sits his exams.  He sounds so dedicated to what he wants to become and I am sure he will do very well.  Take care of yourself. Jules x

Hi Jules,

Glad to hear that things seem to be going well for you at the moment (apart from the hot flushes at night of which I sympathise with!); and sounds like hubby is doing well and his appetite is good. I bet eldest grandson enjoyed the switiching on of the Christmas Tree lights in town.  You must feel relieved too that your Mum was on good form, and I notice you will be seeing her again tomorrow so fingers crossed the good mood continues.

Yes water-logged pitch ended up being the reason for footie being cancelled - I didn't mind too much though LOL!

I now have grant of probate so am beginning to tie up finances.  I went to meetings with the banks by myslef last week which is something I wouldn't have felt strong enough to do a while ago.  Still lots to do regarding the house and I still get upset when I'm there, but have to remind myself of how far I've come.

Wishing you a good week.  Hope x

Hi Brian, Jules, Hope and Everyone

Sorry I haven't been on the forums until now.  Hope Mrs B had a lovely birthday and the little bit about your little grandson Brian handing you a few chestnuts for telling him a story brought tears to my eyes.  He is such a lovely thoughtful young man - very much like his grandad I must add.

Jules I pity you with a urine infection.  They are awful.  I had a few myself this year and they can be unbearable.  The day I spent in Dublin with my mum I must have spent most of the day running about looking for toilets.  Hopefully you are on the mend now.  Hope hubby and daughter and new baby are doing OK not forgetting mum.

Hope - hope you are keeping well too.  We had a lovely day here on Sunday.  Apparently it was 13 but today a more chilly 9.  Time to keep wrapped up.  Started the deaded Christmas shopping well I only bought a Playdoh Dress Me Up set on Amazon but nothing else for now.  My eldest will be 13 on Saturday so we are going out for a quiet meal but my youngest one seems to have invited half of the family along too - kids were would you be without them.

Well take care everyone and chat soon

Mickied

Hi Mickied, Jules and Hope,

Hope the work situation sorts itself out Mickied. My young grandson has told me he was supposed to born with his problems so he could make people laugh. Everywhere he goes he is the same, cinema, school, shops hospitals, doctors, even walking in the street, he always ends up leaving people with a smile on their faces. People stop my daughter-in-law and ask her if she is Stuart's mother and tell her nice stories about him. He is one very special little lad. Thanks you for the kind words about me as well. I read this out to my wife and all she said was she thought you must have mixed me up with someone else. See what insults I have to put up with from Mrs B. You can all say Ow now. Mind you, I do wind her up quite a bit so I suppose I do ask for it !!!!!!!

Take care best wishes as always, Brian

Hi Mickied

Lovely to hear from you and I see you are gearing up for the 13th birthday celebrations. Difficult to think of Christmas presents when you have birthdays to attend to first.  Our grandson will be 5 on the 29th (party on 1st Dec) and we are going along to look after baby (no excuse needed) so that his Mum and Dad can given him undivided attention (as well as his classmates/friends - around 25-30 expected).  Thankfully only for 2hrs in the afternoon and one of the Dads at his school, whose daughter is coming, does magic and balloon making so is helping with keeping them amused.

Hubby is having physio tomorrow to try and loosen up his upper arm/shoulder stiffness (consultant says not linked to cancer but more likely because he does nothing but sit about!!!) Can you imagine if I spoke to him like that.

Mum'smood changes like the wind - last week full on gale, very chatty full of plans; this week a cool breeze, a few words and then goodbye as she was having her hair done (after refusing last week!!).  You learn to just take things as they come.  I had a wonder round the shops on the way home and in beautiful sunshine too (and a new jumper for Christmas fell into my basket - bright red with little reindeers all over - will do for Christmas morning  - think my hubby more interested in seeing the family than what we will be wearing but I love the fun aspect!!!).

Hope the birthday goes well.  Chat again soon.  Take care and sending virtual hugs  Jules. x 

Hi Brian

Your little grandson is a credit to his family and it must be virtually impossible not to enjoy life when he has endured so much and yet offers everyone the chance to keep smiling - truly humbling.

Sounds like you have a fantastic relationship with Mrs B and you know each other inside out (how else would you get away with 'nuts in your trolley'). This only works for me if I shop alone(like today when a jumper appeared in my basket).  I also picked up a bag of sweets but then felt guilty (as supposed to  be good) so walked half way round the store to put them back in the right place (thats what happened when you work in a shop for a living!!).

Beautiful sunshine here now after a miserably damp start so enjoyed the half hour walk each way to see Mum (not too bad in herself today though not quite as 'with it' as last week). Felt like a kid for a while as I walked through fallen leaves but managed to kerb the urge to kick them about (have to wait until I am with my grandson in the park).

Have a good day.  Jules x

Hi Jules, Mickied & Brian,

It is great to read all your posts about the young people.  Brian your grandson sounds so sweet, I bet you enjoy every minute you spend with him.  Mickied, hope your eldest has a lovely birthday on Saturday - the terrible teens eh!  Jules, your eldest's grandson's birthday party sounds great!  I will be thinking of you as that is my youngest's birthday, mind you at 17 he will just be doing his own thing, which since it is a Sunday will be playing football!  Take care everybody and speak soon.   Hope x

Hi Brian

Thanks for thinking about me.  I had a chat with my boss this morning and he told me there will be changes after Christmas more hours being cut etc as he doesn't want to make anyone redundant.

I felt sorry for him Brian while a few others didn't but that's me all over Brian.  He is honestly trying his best but you can't please everyone.

You can tell Mrs B that we didn't mix you up with someone else.  She probably sees a different side to the one we all see (only joking).  You sound like a good strong couple who put up with each other's faults and your bouts of Brianitus.  Haven't heard you mention those lately.

Take care Brian and regards to Mrs B.  Poor woman having to put up with you ha ha

Mickied

Hi Jules

I asked my daughter if she wanted to do anything for her 13th and she said just to go out for a meal.  Her sister by accident invited my mother-in-law along too.

I see your grandson will be 5 at the end of this month and a big party planned.  I remember doing the same for my eldest and all the kids you came behaved really well.  He will feel really special as his mum and dad will be there and baby will be getting looked after by grandma and grand-dad.

Hope the physio helps your husband.  Having a stiff shoulder is no laughing matter.  I had that myself a few months ago and you are restricted from doing anything with that arm.

That was some comment to come from a consultant obviously no beside manner towards his patient.

Glad to see your mum is keeping OK and looking after herself too by agreeing to getting her hair done.  You are just right Jules treating yourself to a new jumper for Christmas Day.

I treated myself too today to a mousse for the roots of my hair.  When the assistant explained it worked out at £2.50 for each application I agreed I had done the right thing and bought it.

It was £10.99.  I have never paid that much before for a colour for my hair usually the £5.00 mark is my norm but it needs it.

Well take care for now and chat soon

Mickied

Hi Hope

Thanks for the reply - the terrible teens more like Kevin and Perry.  If you ask her to do something she can't be bothered or will do it later. Hope your son enjoys his birthday.

How is your eldest getting on at Medical School?.  My friend's daughter is doing her course too which can last up to 7 years but she said it will be worth it in the end.

How's work going Hope?

Take care and chat soon

Mickied