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 Annabel

Thanks for your kind message and I am counting down the hours till tomorrow I can tell  you.  Just need to get through work today (more book moving about to make sure we get our returns done on time).  My manager actually wanted me to get in early today and possibly stay on again but I have politely refused as I would like to enjoy my short break, not spend it recovering!!!

Hope you are keeping okay and that your son is enjoying his new job and Ava is giving you some lovely smiles 'over the web'.  How long before the family visits again?  My daughter was happy earlier in the week as Zack slept through the night two nights running (she hope it carries on this time - that last time he did this it did not last long!!!).  They are enjoying baby massage classes locally for four weeks and then she will re-join mum and baby group (has a couple to go to) much the same as she used to with her eldest.  Time is passing all too quickly but they bring a lot of joy.

Have a peaceful weekend, speak when I return.  Jules xx 

Hi Jules,

Hope you didn't work too hard yesterday and that you and hubby have a relaxing time in Bournemouth tomorrow.  Fingers crossed the weather is better for you.  I am a little nervous today as I have a meeting at the hospital with the consultant who was in charge of my Mum.  Won't go into detail but there were some issues when both my Mum and Dad were diagnosed and I wrote a letter a short while ago.  A&E have already replied regarding my Dad admitting that I was correct and that errors were made, which I still fail to understand; but my Mum's consultant wants to meet with me.  People have told me I will make myself feel worse by going over things again, but I just want to highlight things so that hopefully nobody else has to go through what I did.  Anyway wishing you a peaceful weekend.  Hope x

Hi Jules,

Hope today flies by at work and all that book shifting doesn't leave you sore!

Enjoy your pre-weekend pamper tomorrow (hair appt and manicure,)  have a safe trip to Bournemouth and enjoy a fabulous weekend!

Look forward to hearing about it when you return!

Love and hugs to you and hubby, Jo xxx

P.S. Annabel, have PM'd you xx

Hi Jules

Great news you can still make your weekend away which you truly deserve.  Forgot to ask have you now recovered from your tumble on the stairs.

Hope hubby gets some relief from the backache he has been experiencing and hopefully the steroids will give him more of an appetite.

I don't know how you do it Jules and then having to visit your mum and then hold down a job at the same time.

You are one true superwoman.

Take care and enjoy your weekend and chat soon

Mickied

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 Hope,

Just read your post to Jules. I think you are doing the right thing by making the hospitals aware of the errors. Too many people seem to be prepared to accept bad treatment which in my humble opinion only makes things worse in the long term. I admire you for for taking action for as you say it may stop it happening again. Yes there is the possibility it may brings things back that you would perhaps sooner like to try and forget but if what you are doing changes the system, it may even make you feel better. For if you had done nothing and had just accepted what had happenned, that in itself could have played on your mind and end up being something you had regrets about in time to come. So well done Hope and as always, if today's meeting does cause you upset, your forum friends are here ready and willing to try and help you, you have only to let us know.

Best wishes, Brian.

Hi Hope

I haven't spoke to you in ages now.  Just saw your reply to Jules and noticed you have a meeting at the hospital today with your mum's consultant.

Sending you thoughts of staying strong throughout the meeting.

Take care and chat soon

Mickied

Hi Brian & Mickied,

Thank you both so much for thinking of me today.  The meeting went well, and went on for an hour.  The consultant was nice and agreed that the complaints I had made were very valid and that practice needs to change.  He made suggestions for change and asked me what I thought; now he wants me to write a letter to him to clarify what we discussed so he can take it higher.  So I am very glad that I followed my gut feeling and went ahead with the complaint; although I felt a little emotional after I also feel quite proud and that I have done right by my Mum and Dad.  Brian, hope all is good with you ad Mrs B and that your brother-in-law gets on OK with his new consultant.  Mickied, hope all is good with you and that you haven't had too much rain. 

Jules - sorry for hijacking your thread, hope you have had a good day too.  Hope xx

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

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