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 Brian,

Haven't spoken for a while, but was so glad to see from your post that your recent results were good.  Think of you often and of all the support you have given me over the past year.  Take care.  Hope x

Hi Jules,  Hope all good with you, will reply to your PM soon.  Hope x

Hi Gill

So pleased to read your good news from the scan and am sure the three monthly check ups will soon be thing of the past too. Consultant sounds really positive too and once your precautionary liver scan appointment done and dusted no doubt life will feel settled again.  Hope your other half and Alice are able to help with the celebrations.

Have been without a washing machine since last September and with just the two of us and the launderette just 10 mins walk away its not on the list of 'must haves'  at present.  My daughter always offers bless her but it was just because there was a load of sodden towels from keeping the water at bay which were heavy that I gave in this time! (also gives her an excuse to pop back in to see her Dad without it looking like she's checking on him and he loves the interaction with Zack).

Normal work routine today and the ongoing support of my workmates to keep me 'coping' will be welcome.  It's been a weird spell of annual leave but we coped and I was lucky with the weather. 

Look after yourself, sending virtual hugs. Jules x

Morning Hope

Am back to work routine today but have been so lucky with the weather during my annual leave (could have done without the cold and house traumas but at least I was around to deal with them).  Mind you think Hubby will enjoy a break from me now even though I spent more time in the garden than indoors as was not going to waste the opportunity of the good weather.  He actually only went out once the whole time I was off and that was to visit the GP though before I went anywhere I always checked if he wanted to do anything so I did my best.

Hope you and the family and all keeping well. Jules x

Good morning ladies,

I hope you don't mind a joint reply. Thanks for taking the time to reply to me and for the kind words re my results. Though I expected them, it is always reassuring to hear them.

Jules, I hope your first day back at work after your holiday goes well and not too hectic. I also hope your cold has almost gone. I hope to re-paint the garage back door today as earlier this year with all the rain it swelled so much I couldn't get it open.

Gill, So pleased that you also got good results.

Jo, it was so nice to hear from you again.

Hope, likewise and glad to read that you are dealing with your loss better as time goes by.

I don't think Mrs B knows that I chat to so many lovely ladies on here. I will chat again soon.

Big hugs to you all, and thank again for all the support you give me, Brian.

Morning Brian

First day back to work and its like the holiday  never happened!!  Same old,same old as they say but good to catch up with regular customers and have workmates to chat to again. After work today I am having coffee with  my late friends husband so we can catch up on family news.  He has returned to work but had this week booked as annual leave and decided to take it anyway so is using the time to 'stay in touch'.  Its two months since she passed away and it only seems like yesterday that I was sitting holding her hand.

Hope you managed the painting before the rain turned up.  Got the brolly handy for today as weather looks changeable but its already very humid (really pleased I found a 'mac' on my shopping trip but did not realise I would be wearing it quite so soon).

Think hubby pleased I am back to normal hours so he has some rest from the 'do you want food?' question but it seems thats the only thing I am able to try and help with (perhaps Iam in danger of 'overkill').  He just has no interest in it as the tastebuds seem to have been 'trashed' by the chemo.  Still bought him in some jelly babies yesterday and he had a few after I had gone to bed.  His weight loss is the main issue at present as says his pain is still under control for which we must be thankful.  Has refused to go on the build up drinks and still not bothering with 'little walks'as exercise which the consultant and GP recommended.  I am wondering if he thinks that by sitting all day he wont use up the food energy he is getting but the weight is still falling nevertheless which in turn is leading to weakness. (been crafty this morning in leaving him extra bowl of fruit ready prepared beside his cereal (sounds bad that unless I put it under his nose he just pours a glass of milk and does not eat whilst I am out!!) because I will not be home till late afternoon.

Sending kind thoughts to your and Mrs B and must now get off to work.  Jules x

Hi Jules,

Managed to get door painted okay and luckily we didn't get any rain here yesterday. Am going out to turn some larger cord pulls , something I have been meaning to do for the last five years or so but have never got around to doing it. Went to see grandson last night and found he had slipped over at school and cut his head. So he was having to sit still and watch a video. He wanted me to sit next to him and the video was Kung Foo Panda. After it had finished he said, "Now you have seen it, next time you come to visit me, would you do me a story about him. There are no flies on him.

You say your hubby is glad you are back to work but I bet he appreciates all that you do for him in trying to encourage him. We men don't say "thank you" as much as we should do to our women folk. You must get very frustrated at times. Hope you have a good chat with your late best friends husband,

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

See below for new range of cord pulls.

                [[]]

Hello Jules Just catching up on your post .What a worry

watching hubby losing weight and eating very little I cant remember if he is on steriods ,only when Tony was feeling rotten and not eating a lot the macmillan nurse suggested steriods and his appetite increased and he felt a lot better ,and he put on weight too so they helped a lot . I am so sorry you had so many problems and bills when you were on leave it never rains but it poors , still all sorted now .Well Rustyand I went for a lovely walk on the beach this morning we did stay dry but got back just in time because it decided   to rain but now 24degs and sunshine .Little James is doing well he weighs 13 lbs and is 11 weeks old now smiling and cooing he is so lovely I wish Tony could see him .I miss him so much .Jules I was wondering have  book sales dropped  Tony bought me a kindle a 4 years ago and I havnt bought a book since  well only on kindle I either get free books or sped no more than 99 pence for one and my 3 daughters have kindles too so just wondered ,I thought I would miss a book to hold but I didnt ..I hope you and hubby have a lovely weekend and the weather is kind to you .Hugs as usual Susananne ..

Hi Susananne,

Have spoken for a while so nice to see your name crop up. Pleased to read rusty and you are still enjoying your walks on the beach. I cant believe little James is 11 weeks old now. I know what you mean about wishing Tony could see him for I often think the same about my mother and my youngest grandson. He was born while she was very ill in hospital and he was also in and out of different hospitals so she never got to see him or hold him. She would have loved to see how all three grandchildren are growing up and would have been so proud of them. I still miss talking to her and having a laugh like we used to do so I do understand how you must miss Tony even more.

Take care now Susananne, have a great weekend, big hugs being sent your way, Brian.

Hi Brian,

Sorry to read that your grandson has hurt his head and hope he will soon be recovered and enjoying a new story from Grandad (he is certainly crafty in the way he twists a story out of you).

The cord pulls are looking very happy and would cheer up any home - wood is so tactile and I am sure your love of nuts is now truly reflected in the work you produce.  It would seem that you 'go to work on a NUT' rather than an egg thus keeping Brainitus alive and well.

I spent a lovely hour and a half with my late friends husband and we put the world to rights and caught up on family news.  I even had coffee and cake (just to keep him company you understand).  He has re-arranged his part time hours so that he is out three days a week instead of the two he was doing whilst his wife was sick (he had a heart atttack a few years back, took early retirement and now works because he wanted something to do!).  He loves to chat so it was a very social visit and will keep in touch occasionally (told him it was my turn to make the coffee next time).

Thanks for your kind words, appreciated always and hope you and Mrs B have a good weekend ahead. Jules x

Hi Susananne

Lovely to see your name pop up and envy you and Rusty those Cornish walks - many happy memories of walking in that part of the world (have been known to take a 'hotel dog' for a walk too!!!).  How quickly time goes by with little James being nearly 3 months already (our youngest almost 9mths and they bring so much sunshine into our lives.  Tony would have loved it too I am sure from what you have written and feel  your loss in your words.  I spent an hour or so with my late friends other half today and know he is feeling the same way but like you he has grandchildren which are 'lighting up' his life and told me they help enormously.

My hubby is not currently on steroids though has had a course in the past (last time we had a weekend away) to help with appetite issues.  He raised this with his GP last week but she feels he could benefit with more exercise first!  He has next consultant's appointment at end of August and think we will raise the question with her and get her opinion.  Trouble seems to stem from the fact that food is uninteresting (its not my cooking honest) as nothing tastes like it used to.  He does still enjoy fish and chips but you cannot have the same thing every day.  He managed a small plate of Chinese yesterday and we have managed some cold platters that seem to work but its not an exact science as some days he eats more than others just as, in the same way, some days he sleeps more.  Thanks for your kind words and hope you are keeping well  yourself.  Jules x

Hi Susananne

Lovely to see your name pop up and envy you and Rusty those Cornish walks - many happy memories of walking in that part of the world (have been known to take a 'hotel dog' for a walk too!!!).  How quickly time goes by with little James being nearly 3 months already (our youngest almost 9mths and they bring so much sunshine into our lives.  Tony would have loved it too I am sure from what you have written and feel  your loss in your words.  I spent an hour or so with my late friends other half today and know he is feeling the same way but like you he has grandchildren which are 'lighting up' his life and told me they help enormously.

My hubby is not currently on steroids though has had a course in the past (last time we had a weekend away) to help with appetite issues.  He raised this with his GP last week but she feels he could benefit with more exercise first!  He has next consultant's appointment at end of August and think we will raise the question with her and get her opinion.  Trouble seems to stem from the fact that food is uninteresting (its not my cooking honest) as nothing tastes like it used to.  He does still enjoy fish and chips but you cannot have the same thing every day.  He managed a small plate of Chinese yesterday and we have managed some cold platters that seem to work but its not an exact science as some days he eats more than others just as, in the same way, some days he sleeps more.  Thanks for your kind words and hope you are keeping well  yourself.  Jules x