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,

How are you today?  Just to reiterate Brian's words, "you will always support your husband and will never fail him".  I hope his visit tomorrow lifts his spirits and perhaps he will share his day with you when he returns.  It must be difficult to talk when every day is the same and I know he doesn't want to talk about his illness.  That said it is equally difficult for you to "carry on as normal"; however it sounds like you are doing a very good job - you are a star.  Take care.  Hope x

Hi Jules

So pleased to hear that your daughter will be with you when you meet your Mum's team.  I am sure just having her there will be a help.  It is also nice to know that your Son in Law will help with the paperwork if you need it.  I know having gone through the same for my mother it is not a quick and easy process and only takes effect once it is registered with the Public Guardianship Office which can take some weeks.

I really hope hubby has a good day tomorrow at your son's work.  He must really be looking forward to it and as you say hopefully it will give him a lift before the next big appointment.

Big Hugs to you.

Gill

Hello Jules ,I am so sorry you have so many worries ,of course hubby must be your priority,and glad he has the visit with sons boss to look forward to things like that can be a great benefit to him and with your familys  support will help too .I would like to say hope all goes well on Tuesday  too .I can remember when Tony was first diagnosed I had to say to my children dad is my priorty now as i was taking one of my daughters to and from work picking grandchildren from school busy all the time with one thing or another , so with chemo lasting most of the day hospital visits and things something had to give ,so I know how you feel being torn from pillar to post .Hard I know but you need some me time and hope you have a relaxing weekend , and that the weather is good ,its awful here in Cornwall today rain rain rain so fingers crossed for more sunshine  , take care Jules  and a big hug  x Susananne

Morning Brian

Just a quick line to thank you for your kind words. Like everyone here says its a relief to have the forum for an outlet.

Hope the woodturning has gone well and your 'wood family' is growing.  Hope you enjoyed the time with the grandchildren (even though it leaves us grandparents weary their young outlook and generally happy outlooks bring so much into our lives) and those visits are so precious and rewarding.  Hope too that you and Mrs B are keeping okay and that you will manage that call (if not done so already) with your Dad.

Am pleased to report that today my hubby has managed very well to get himself out of the house and off to enjoy visit to our son's place of work.  He left with a smile on his face and you all know how much that can mean. (I am, for a little while, in charge of the remote  and the tv is OFF!!!).

Wishing you a very pleasant weekend though think we may be dodging the showers.  Sending hugs.  Jules x

Hi Jules

So pleased hubby left smiling and looking forward to hiis day.  Can't say I blame you for turning the tv off.  Having seen quite a lot of daytime tv over the past few months I can attest to the fact that whilst it has improved from years ago it still has a long way to go.

Make the most of today.

Gill

Morning Hope

Thanks for your kind thoughts.  Have decided that when 'times are tough' need to 'deal with it' and move forward. Easier said than done of course.  Very quiet here at present (I am in alone and its a small blessing that I can  switch off TV for a few hours)  and despite the time of day have a scented candle on the go. You may have guessed (or read post to Brian) that hubby has gone on his 'sightseeing/factfinding' trip to our son's workplace so fingers crossed that his returning smile is as big as his departing one.  We are also looking forward to our usual 'socials' this evening.

Am still keeping you in my thoughts and know the coming days will be emotional rollercoaster for you - take your own time to do what you want to do when you want to do it.  Am here if you need to chat.  Sending big hugs and thanks again for your continued support. Jules xx

Morning Gill,

There's me just catching up with my posts and you already on the ball this morning.  Am having a lazy morning now (have done washing ironing and daughter has borrowed my 'Henry' so have good excuse not to hoover.  Have made myself a huge bowl of mixed fresh fruit and got my feet up - what a change a day makes!!   At least I can give the old  bones a rest (still trying to compartmentalise my thoughts but not complaining!!).

Hope you are feeling okay and taking things slowly yourself.  Bet you are now beginning the countdown to your phased return to work and no doubt your daughter will soon be home from uni for the summer break.  My son works at a research facility at Brunel and always says that campus suddenly seems like a ghost town when the students leave for home (but parking is easier!!).

Hope you have a good weekend and that we all manage to see some good weather. Got caught in hail/thunder storm on my way home from work yesterday and was greeted by the man of the house saying 'did you get wet?'  with me dripping all over the carpet despite a brolly.

Thanks for your continued support - the forum community is amazing place to be part of.  Sending hugs  Jules xx

Hi Jules

Love the comment of your hubby as you stand there dripping wet!  I was really lucky as I was about to head out when the thunder started.  I thought I would wait a bit to see what happened.  Needless to say I did not bother to go out at all as it was not absolutely necessary.

Alice is coming home this weekend and then back for summer on 14 June and starting work on 16 June.  As she has to be out of her flat on campus by 10am we are going up the weekend before to pack most of her stuff and bring it back then so there is only the minimum to bring back on 14.  Apparently if they do not hand their keys in by 10am they are fined.

Make the most of your day of rest.  You deserve it.

Gill

Morning Susananne

Thanks somuch for your continued kind thoughts and understanding.  It means a lot to be able to chat to people 'in the know' even though I am sure it is never easy reading posts when you  have such insight from a personal point of view.

Hope you and the family are all doing well and am sure  baby is thriving.  I love the first year - such a cute and cuddly time - though of course every age brings its own rewards.

Have a reasonable weekend ahead and if the weather allows will relax outside if possible.  Yesterday dealt me a drenching as I walked home from the station in a hail and thunderstorm which even a brolly could not totally keep at bay.  Today so far is dry but the clouds are gathering (and some are very dark indeed)  but its keeping the roses happy having been well watered.

Take care and sending hugs. Jules x

Hi Jules

Sorry I haven't responded sooner but have been in loads of pain with back problems again.

I think with all the lovely weather we have had I have done too much digging so soon after the back went when I was with Ava.

I have been reading your thread and keeping up to date with things.

I just want you to know I haven't forgotten you my friend and I hope things go a bit better for a while to give you a bit of respite. You deserve it as you are such a giver in life.

Hugs

Annabel. xx

Hi Jules

Sorry I haven't responded sooner but have been in loads of pain with back problems again.

I think with all the lovely weather we have had I have done too much digging so soon after the back went when I was with Ava.

I have been reading your thread and keeping up to date with things.

I just want you to know I haven't forgotten you my friend and I hope things go a bit better for a while to give you a bit of respite. You deserve it as you are such a giver in life.

Hugs

Annabel. xx

Hi Annabel

Thanks for your kind words/thoughts.  Really sorry to hear that  you not doing so well with your back.  I remember only too well how bad it feels as a few years ago something 'pinged' in mine which resulted in me crawling in agony until I could get upright and then found it virtually impossible to sit for any length of time asI would seize up. Ended up at the docs who prescribed heavy duty painkillers and special exercises but it was a good three months before it felt 'right' and now does not take much to leave me 'achy and stiff' though some of this is now due to mild arthritis.  Of course 'tossing' a 20lb+ 7mth old in the air has its drawbacks but he does give wonderful giggles.  Do take care and with the look of the weather here this morning (sheeting rain) you will be best served resting indoors.(am so relieved I decided to do the weekly shop yesterday after all!!).  Must be a little difficult when you are running the cottages (no doubt full for the half term break) so am thinking of you and hoping you feel better soon.  Sending hugs.  Jules x

Hi Annabel,

I hope Jules doesn't mind me replying to you on her thread. I am sorry to read you have a bad back. Its not until you have suffer from this you realize just how painful even simple movements are. So you have my full sympathy. Just take thing easy although I appreciate it's not easy to do when you have a business to run.

Take care and I send best wishes to you, Hugs Brian.

Hi Brian,

Thank you so much for your kind words. I really appreciate them.

I think the back is slowly getting better, it's amazing how it slows you down as well.

Today I found i had to pace myself and have quite a number of rests in between the jobs.

And whilst resting `I wanted to go to sleep, and of course this was the effect of the pain whilst doing jobs.

This is an old injury which has been set off again more recently. Will now have to take greater care because of age.

I do find it hard when I cannot do what I would normally do. HE HO.

Love your wooden owls Brian.

Would give them pride of place in our home so I hope Mrs B does. !!!

You are exceedingly skilled.

Take care Brian

Annabel. xx

Hi Brian/Annabel

Just wanted to reassure you that its great to be 'gatecrashed' on my thread as feel that is one of the really good things about the forum community - 'talking'.

Yesterday was very very quiet and therefore relaxing (though this was because hubby spent around 75% of the day sleeping (probably having put so much effort into 'managing' his Friday outings).  I also received a call from Mum's Care Home so have a confirmed date for a 'team/family' meeting for 3 June and also been notified that they have had a hospital appointment come through (following doc referral) for 4 August to look into various symptoms she has been displaying which may or may not be due to onset of Parkinsons.Good to know they are keeping a close eye on her.  Its sad that most of her agitation at present (she is  now mainly conversing with nods and shakes of head rather than speaking) is because they are 'making her live' and there is every reason to monitor this (she has been regularly assessed by their mental health dept since she went into residential care as she has been since the age of 27).

Its beautifully sunny in Middlesex this morning and we are off to friends just a few minutes drive away later so more 'relaxing' with maybe the chance of sitting outside (between showers if  necessary).  Lawn is too wet to mow so can get out of that chore for now ha ha!!

Look after your back Annabel and Brian, am loving the 'caption bubbles' - you have so many talents.  Hugs   Jules xx 

Hi Jules,

After visiting our elderly next door neighbour as usual, she asked me if I could take her and her daughters cameras back with me and put both lots of photos taken of their recent holiday onto a dvd for her. So have spent the later part of the morning and early part of the afternoon doing this for her and have made them into slide shows she can watch on her tv/video player. I have put music, titles and credits on it for her. There is one photo of her on a very up-market mobility scooter which she used while visiting a stately home. So I have added a caption that say, "Look at me on my rocket powered go-cart". She always like's a good laugh.Just as well having me for a neighbour

Hope you and hubby have a quiet but enjoyable day out at your friends. The sun is now shining brightly by the way. Sorry to hear about your mother but in a way I am not that surprised. None the less however it just one more thing that's of concern to you as if you don't have enough already. It does sound like a good home where your mother is staying. When Mrs B's parent had to go in a home years ago we looked at some where to be honest Jules, I wouldn't want my worst enemy to go to. One the person in charge looked and acted like she was ex gestapo. I took an instant major dislike to her and her attitude to the patients. We walked out half way through the tour it was that bad.

Anyway I have rambled enough for one day. Will talk again soon, take care hugs, Brian.

Hi Jules

Not been on-line for a couple of days.  Alice was home from Uni.  Asked to bring "a little bit of wahsing" back with her.  One and a half machine loads and a dress that needed handwashing!  Not suprised about the dress as she has nowhere to drip dry this.  All I seem to have bben doing is washing and ironing.  Was on the go the whole of yesterday so am quite tired today but happy (if somewhat suprsied) at the amount I did manage to do.

So glad to hear that hubby enjoyed his visit and coffee with the top man.  Even more pleased that he managed your usual Friday nigght out as well.  No wonder he was tired next day.  Good news on the bingo win but perhaps next time it will have a few more zeros on it!

Saturday was quite wet until later afternoon but yesterday was nice and sunny. Has been raining most of today.  Cat keeps giving me dirty looks.  I open the door for her and when her nose gets wet I get a look that says "Well go on get rid of this becuase I want to go out".  I have explained to her many times that I do not control the weather but she seems to ignore this and blame me everytime it rains.  She is definitely a fair weather cat.

Hope all goes well on Tuesday with consultant.  Fingers will be crossed.

With regards to your Mum it is good that you have the dates and onlu hope that something positive comes out of both.  They seem to look after you mum very well where she  currently is so it must be a real worry about when and where she will have to move to.

Best wishes.

Gill

Morning Jules,

Thank you for your reply, so good to hear from you.

Reading about your Mum, I hope all goes well for you and her.

You've been with this stress before and I know things will probably change and that will be a worry for you.

She has been well looked after where she is and it's so convenient for you. If/When they do move her I just hope it's not too far from you.

Her low mood is difficult but understandable. She doesn't want to be uprooted either.

The weather here has been the same as Middlesex but just at slightly differing times.

Looked lovely first thing this morning but now threatening to rain.

I think the weather is the reason I have a bad back.

Always getting into the garden and doing it without stopping as you don't know when you'll get the chance to do it again.

Today we are off up to to Northumberland and Scotland with friends for 2 days. There will be 10 of us driving around the country lanes.

At least I get 2 nights off from cooking as we are staying in a hotel just outside of  Alston.

Anyway back is slowly getting better and sitting is painfree, so driving should be okay.

Hope you and your hubby have a good week Jules, will be back towards the end of week to chat then

Take care,

hugs

Annabel.xx

Morning Everyone

Just an update as have got back from hubby's check up a little while ago.  As anticipated he had lost a few pounds in weight and had low BP but otherwise learnt that he has no increased pain and is happy enough on current medicatin.  He will have repeat blood tests in June and unless anything changes his next apppointment is for three months time so am feeling a little relieved.  They also explained that the extreme fatigue goes hand in hand with his diagnosis but may well send a note to his GP with the possibility of giving a short course of steroids to 'tickle his appetite' as he still says the taste is still a problem though they were pretty impressed at how I am 'bulking up' what he does eat and had a few ideas for increasing liquids/snacks though he refused offer of prescription meals!!

Annabel

Hope you enjoy your short break and look forward to chatting on your return and glad your back is allowing you to sit 'pain free'.

Brian

Love that you can give your neighbour a lovely slide show to view of her snaps and am sure she is used to your sense of humour and will thoroughly enjoy your tricks with captions (just as much as we do on your quotes/photos).  How glad am I that I chose to mow the lawn after all at the weekend as its done nothing but rain since and I am in danger of going 'rusty' despite carrying a brolly everywhere!  Hope you and Mrs B have a relaxing day.

Hope

Thanks for the PM and will be keeping you in my thoughts as you travel the emotional road this week.

Gill

Hope you are relaxing after having to do all that washing and ironing for your daughter.  You really will need to show her 'the tricks of housework' when she comes home for her holidays.  I really must have been a 'hard' Mum as  both son and daughter did their own ironing from their mid teens and I never had 'dirty washing' when son came home from uni (though to be fair he rarely came home as he worked part time in Southampton during the first two years of his degree!!).  Hope you will soon be feeling a little less tired from the last treatment you had and its just as well you have a slow phased return to work planned.

Am taking it easy today (hubby already sleeping following our return from hospital consult) but will see the grandchildren on Friday after a couple of days at work.  Sadly the weather is keeping me indoors - seems like we have lost the sun for a while.

Hugs to all  Jules xx

Hi Jules,

Just a quick post to say I am pleased that hubby check went okay as I felt your were concerned that things were not so good. So I am very pleased for you both and you must feel a sense of relief. I know what its like when we have appointments for it's only natural to feel concerned. Hope you enjoyed your time at your friends place. I was pleased to see our strawberry's are coming on in leaps and bounds so Mrs B will soon be able to eat fresh ones.

Take care, best wishes, Hugs, Brian

Hi Jules

So pleased to hear hubby's checkup was ok and that his meds do not need to be upped at this time.  As always we cannot help worrying at times like this.

Am not so tired today thankfully.  Had a trip to Next to take some directory bits back and then on to Sainburys to stock up on a few bits that I forgot to increase to take account of Alice being home for three days.

The main reason for doing both the washing and ironing for Alice is that she was late getting up on Sunday and I wanted to ensure everything was dried before she went back to Uni on Monday lunchtime.  With the ironing I have a big steam generator iron that scares the living daylights out of her so she will not use it.  The flat she has at Uni already had an iron but she has said she will buy one over the summer to take to new rental house when she moves in and will do her own ironing while she is here.

This afternoon will be spent trying to tidy up my sewing area so I can get hubby to carry overlocker down.  It is currently in a cupboard in our bedroom and whilst I can lift it there is no way I can carry it down two flights of stairs.  Then it will be onwards with the duvet cover and pillowcases for Alice before she comes home on 14 June.  Have aslo been asked if I can make a cot quilt for a friend's first grandchild.  Said ok but it may take some little time.  As it is not due until September I think I have time!

Hope you have a restful (if somewhat wet) rest of the day.

Gill