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 Jules

Just read your post and I am sorry to see that your hubby is in pain I do hope when you go on Tuesday they can sort it out for you both.  Thinking of you.

Love always

Beryl xxx

Thanks Susananne, having the forum to turn to on this emotional rollercoaster has become a great source of comfort to me.  So far so good as far as symptoms (breakthrough pain only which his medical team have so far managed really well so hopefully can be sorted again on Tuesday).  With my hubby its not so much the physical symptoms more his devastation at not being able to continue working.  He always said he would never retire and I now understand why. His work was his life and nothing comes close to replacing it.  He tries to make an effort when we have visitors but mainly switches off by spending hours staring at the tv.  At diagnosis he said everything must remain normal and the family its doing its best.  He is fully able to do everything still for himself and his consultant says there is no reason why he cannot be out and about enjoying things but he is not interested and is actively encouraging me to do things alone (which is why I am so looking forward to the weekend away with our friends - hoping it will lift him too). I feel sad that he cannot enjoy life whilst he has the ability.  I have a friend whose father in law had mesothelioma (quite a few cases recently in this area) but who actually died with it rather than from it  and he did so much in the six months he knew about it.

Rest assured I am very grateful for your offer of support though a little worried 'going there' will be a difficult reminder of your dear Tony.  Well off to work shortly and brrrrrrrrrrr its cold this morning.  Look after yourself and once again thank you for your kind words.  Jules xx

Thanks for your kind words Beryl. Its lovely to have the support of my virtual friends as we take this journey.  ITs a case of hoping for the best though with much apprehension as you can imagine.  Off to work soon and have a lot on this week so hoping keeping busy will keep me on track and that if its meant to be we will have our weekend away.  Look after yourself and those cats.Jules xx

Morning Jules,

I'm glad to read that the forum is helping you cope at the moment, I'm sure you are nervous about hubby's appointment tomorrow; I will be keeping everything crossed for you.  Speak soon.  Hope x

Hi Jules,

Hope everything goes well for you and your husband tomorrow at the appointmtent.

Will hope they get the pain relief right so that you can both enjoy the weekend with your good friends.

Will be keeping fingers crossed.

Hugs

Annabel. xx

Hi Jules,

...........My thoughts are with you today ....I know xxx

Big virtual hug

Ian x

Hi Jules

You probably heard my hours at work have now been changed so I don't get to check in on the forum as I used to.  I just noticed your hubby has an appointment today and I just want to wish you and him all the best.

Hopefully you will get the go ahead for your proposed weekend away.  It will do the both of you the world of good.

Take care and let me know how the appointment goes.  I will check in again on Thursday.

Mickied

Hi all

Firstly hope you dont mind a joint update - repeating myself over and over seems a bit silly!!

Secondly thank you all so much for  your continued support - wow am overwhelmed at how my virtual buddies manage this day in day out despite their own ups and downs - its so much appreciated and I am sending one huge group hug to encompass you all.

Lastly and by no means least we have returned from hubby's appointment with their blessing to go away which in itself gives us something to look forward to.  We were with the consultant nearly an hour and she was as usual very thorough and can now read hubby almost as well as I can!!!!!  With the right kind of questions she learnt that the breakthrough pain he has been experiencing is not in the region of his cancer as he told her this pain is still covered by his medication but in fact resembles backache .  She discussed his options and ideas and noted his disinterest in food (apparently not uncommon with his form of cancer).  He has to continue on his current meds but she has also arranged a 'standby liquid medication' that he can take a couple of hours before his other evening painkiller when he has the backache and they will keep an eye on how this works for him as there are plenty of other options medicationwise.  He has also been offered a week's course of steroids to see if that helps with appetite but left it up to him as to whether he takes them (she is getting crafty too).  Instead of a 3mthly check up he is to go back in 2 months though of course he can get in touch anytime should he need assistance/support.  General health still seems okay though she thought he looked pale and has had him have repeat blood tests today too which may result in one of his other drugs being stopped/replaced.  All in all not so bad and once again I have a clearer picture of what is happening.

Following this appointment hubby dropped me off to visit Mum and I spent nearly an hour chatting (to myself  mostly) and now its back with the shopping and hubby is asleep (am sure .like me, he is happy the appointment is out of the way and we have been in touch with our friends to let them know all is okay for our Bournemouth trip - will get to wear my gladrags after all).

Hope all you guys/girls are having a good day and taking care of yourselves - the sun is shining on us today.  Thanks for all being along for the ride. peaceful thoughts and Max if you get to read this ramble wishing you all the luck int he world with your op.    Jules xx  

Hi Jules,

So glad to read hubby had a positive outcome from his appointment.  I'm sure you are both feeling very relieved; what about a celebration?  A big bar of chocolate could be good?  I'm sure you didn't even mind "talking to yourself" at your Mum's visit today!  Glad you will be able to go to see your friends in Bournemouth too. Lucky you with the sun shining, it's pretty dull and rainy here but hey my day off tomorrow so don't really care!   Take care.  Hope x

Oh Jules,

Thanks for the update. I bet you are relieved with the result of your meeting with hubby's consultant. She does seem to be very thorough. Hope what she has proposed works well. Lets hope it reduces his back pain. At least for a while you know how hubby is feeling and it good you get to go back in a couple of months. So pleased to hear you should be able to get away at the weekend too and will be able to put your posh clothes.on. 

Sorry to hear your mother was not that talkative today, it must be difficult having a conversation with yourself.  Mrs B latest Warfarin check was okay this morning and she doesn't have to go back for two weeks. Have spent this afternoon making a bigger table top for our new over-bed table so Mrs B can do her bigger jigsaw puzzles. Have made it so it can be fitted over the top of the existing one.

Take care Jules, best wishes to you and your husband and family. Brian.

Oh Jules,

Thanks for the update. I bet you are relieved with the result of your meeting with hubby's consultant. She does seem to be very thorough. Hope what she has proposed works well. Lets hope it reduces his back pain. At least for a while you know how hubby is feeling and it good you get to go back in a couple of months. So pleased to hear you should be able to get away at the weekend too and will be able to put your posh clothes.on. 

Sorry to hear your mother was not that talkative today, it must be difficult having a conversation with yourself.  Mrs B latest Warfarin check was okay this morning and she doesn't have to go back for two weeks. Have spent this afternoon making a bigger table top for our new over-bed table so Mrs B can do her bigger jigsaw puzzles. Have made it so it can be fitted over the top of the existing one.

Take care Jules, best wishes to you and your husband and family. Brian.

Hi Brian

Thanks for your kind response, yes a certain amount of relief thats for sure.

Glad MrsB warfarin check went well (Mum also on this drug so know how important it is to keep levels right).  How is your brother in law at the moment and also your Dad?

Also seee you are being kept busy making things and writing.  You certainly make the most of your time or is it the wife's way of keeping you busy so as to ward off Brianitus!!

Am working longer hours today so wont be home till evening so that should keep me out of mischief.   Have a peaceful day.  Jules xx

Hi Jules,

Hope you are not too tired after work today. Brother in law will see the specialist on Friday and I will be pleased for I don't think his new local doctor has much knowledge of prostate cancer. For he should have had his second hormone injection about two/three weeks ago and yet this doctor has said he doesn't need it for another month. Sister in law has no faith in him either. Haven't heard wither my father had heard when his operation can go ahead.

My wife likes her new table top for her puzzles as she has been able to put all the pieces on it at once. Have not been able to see my grandchildren tonight as two of them have bad colds. Tomorow night I have another meeting of the small local cancer charity.

I bet you are looking forward to your weekend away. How did hubby get onwhen he drove in to work on Monday? Hope it all went well.

Hope work starts to be a little easier for you tomorow. Do take care, Brian.

Hi Brian

Well.have to say doing over 2hrs extra on my feet has left its mark!!!!  ( I was lucky some of the staff have been doing 12hr shifts during this audit)  Was so glad to get home and flop in chair but it did not last long as we both needed a drink and there is only one person in this house who knows where the kitchen is.

How annoying for your brother and sister in law that they feel let down by their local GP.Trouble with new faces is they do not know family history etc and really hope his appointment on Friday goes well and his injection programme can be sorted quickly.  Added stress is not what the doctor ordered!! Iam sure you will h ear from Canada as soon as they know anything - it cant be easy worrying from a distance.

Hubby managed reasonably well with the trip into work though was tired by time he got back (still know he would rather be there than here but nothing to be done about that - at least they are keeping his brain active by phoning when they need advice).

Well its only 24hrs since his appointment and already the consultant has been in touch with the GP to set the wheels turning so to speak.  He also gets to see the GPnext week so that she is kept in the loop.  Still waiting to see if he gets new medication before we go away.  Have been very impressed with his hospital consultant and her support team which apparently also now includes community nurses attached to her so when that need arises she will arrange that to as she says that will save some trips to the hospital later on.  I know how lucky we are to be be within a 20min drive (when traffic light).

Hope your grandchildrens'colds soon clear up as I am sure you all miss seeing each other and it great that MrsB can now spread her puzzle pieces out as it makes it much easier to see whats going on. Keep sayingI will get us one to do (I quite enjoyed doing the ones with our grandson though they were only 100 pieces - he 'let me start them' as long as he put in the last couple of pieces when he then announced 'he had finished it!! ).

Well looking forward to a quiet evening as we have just finished dinner and myManager  wondered whether I would like to start at 6.30 a.m. tomorrow (he knows I have trouble sleeping) - needless to say I dont think I will be that eager to leave the comfort of home!!!

Have a lovely weekend.  Jules xx

Hi Jules,

It's yet another wet day here today, not raining hard but enough to get you wet and it's quite dark so if I have any typos it's because I am having trouble seeing the keyboard.

Hope your back is not so bad today; books are deceptively heavy. Don't blame you for not going in for 6.30 a.m. and glad you didn't have the 12 hour shift. I am very impressed with your husbands specialist and pleased you have someone who cares so much. It makes such a difference.

My youngest grandson was quite upset that he didnt get his story last night. He told his dad to phone me up so I could do one over the telephone for him, cheeky monkey.

Hope you both have an enjoyable weekend, take care and look forward to talking again soon, Brian.

Hi all my lovely buddies. Just a quick message before we get away to thank you all for your kind words once again. With so much going on in your own lives it is very much appreciated to receive such support and understanding.

Well here to sing the praises once again of the NHS.  Consultant personally contacted GP(as well as faxing!!) and yesterday arranged for hubby to be able to pick up the steroids direct from pharmacy  which he has now started.  He was also called by his GP to drop by yesterday to pick up prescription for the extra pain medication which will be available at pharmacy by mid-day today so we will delay leaving until after lunch.(it would be an added bonus if he can enjoy his food and be in less pain - who knows might manage a dance).  His latest round of  blood tests showed slight improvement to kidney function (they are keeping a close eye as one of the tablets can cause contra-indications when taken alongside new meds so has to repeat bloods in a month in case alternative needed) so all good news for us to take away with us. It's a shame that today's journey looks like being hampered by weather conditions so will need to take it easy but even if the sun doesn't shine outside I aim to make sure that we will have the best time once we arrive and with everything laid on without having to lift a finger will enjoy every single minute of it.  If the sun does show its face it will be the icing on the cake

Hope you all enjoy peaceful weekends and look after yourselves. Hope to be back to chat next week.  Hugs to all Jules xx

Hi Jules,

Really good news about the meds. Good consultant.!!

Have a wonderful weekend, take the driving easy, you'll get there.

Weathers not important, having a lovely time and being with good friends and laughter is.

Look forward to hearing about it next week.

Hugs

Annabel. xx

Morning Jules,

So glad to read the NHS are looking are hubby so well and really hope he is feeling more comfortable.  Hope you enjoyed your trip to Bournemouth and that the weather was kind to you.  It has been raining heavily here but this morning looks bright.  Speak soon.  Hope x