Hi George,

So pleased to hear MRI scan was good, you must be so relieved. I wish her all the best. Take care and have a good weekend, Brian.

Hi George

Great to get your update regarding Bev and send you all best wishes and the hope that her treatment continues smoothly,  Hope you keeping okay yourself too. Regards Jules x

Hi Jules,

I trust you enjoyed your fish and chip supper last night. Have to admit, I was tempted to go and get some myself but once more resisted the temptation as I am still losing weight. Have even cut right back on the nut consumption. Better prepare for thunderstorms, hurricanes etc.

The last few weeks woodturning have not only been very productive but I have never produced so many new lines. The old brain box has been working overtime. I have tried involute turning where you temporarily glue four pieces of timber together, turn part of them, then take them apart, turn each piece so the turned part is facing inside and glue them together permanently. First time I have done this and quite pleased with the result and know I can improve on the second attempt. (fourth one in on the first picture re Christmas tree ornaments) Have got the time for turning the small snowmen right down and all these items use up a lot of small off cuts. Still have a couple more ideas yet to try out.

Next door neighbour has now fully recovered. Went to our son's for tea last night re grandsons birthday party and had a pleasant time. Last Thursdays cancer committee meeting was cancelled as the main man had flue so it will be this Thursday instead. Hope you have managed some time in the garden with your book during the past few hours and that hubby is eating a little better now it's not so hot.

Anyway, take care Jules, best wishes to you and your family, Brian

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Loving the growing supplies Brian, you really are being kept busy and your efforts are plain to see with such good results.  Well done you with the continuing weight loss (think the heat has made it easier for a few people to be a bit healthier as my daughter has also managed to lose a few pounds).  Had a very social Saturday seeing both our children, grandchildren and sister in law (she popped in for about 45mins en route home from putting some of her things in storage - still hoping to move sooner rather than later and back to the Isle of Man for 2 weeks on Saturday to, in her words, continue her dream).  Sunday was quieter and hubby spent much of the day sleeping (in recovery from the day before which I am sure left him a bit drained emotionally).  Managed the afternoon in the garden with my book (went walking in the morning so got some exercise) and today hubby has GP appointment so will perhaps find out how that goes when I return from work.  Hope all well your end.  Take care.Jules x

UPDATE

Hi all

Following hubby's monthly GP check up am now aware (not just second guessing) that the lack of appetite is due to him feeling full and breathless after a few mouthfuls of anything (so not my cooking then) which he discussed with  his doc this morning.  She has sent him home with a bag full of 'shakes' to try (in addition to any others he is already having and just to eat what he can when he can).  These are the same kind that he had during his chemo treatment and which his consultant recommended at his last hospital appointment (when he said he could manage without them) so we will now see if he manages them.  The tiredness is all tied in with his cancer and something we just have to accept will happen more and more.  Currently no change in his medication and in the last month, despite the odds, he has kept weight level.  He even showed a spark of humour when I got home from work saying the doctor had given him a free gift (his energy shakes) and at least after a few minutes of questions of answers I know what is occurring for now.  We are back to the hospital at the end of the month and if the 'shakes' are helping we can get them added to his long list of prescription goodies free of charge.

Hope everyone is keeping ok.  Jules x

Hi Jules,

Have just caught up with your thread. I'm glad hubby discussed his lack of appetite and tiredness with the docs yesterday and that you have a bit more knowledge now of his symptoms - I expect you are pretty good at knowing his symptoms now anyway, but always good to get the professionals to confirm.  I hope the shakes help him, hope they've given him a range of flavours to choose from!  I'm sure it must be difficult for you to watch his tiredness increasing, one of the awful things about this disease is that we feel helpless to be able to improve things for our loved ones; but please be reassured that I'm certain you are doing your very best.  Let's hope hubby enjoys the latest edition to his diet and also retains some of that humour.  Take care.  Hope x

Hello Jules I hope hubby enjoys the shakes I know they contain all the good things that are needed when food isnt always needed ,Tony didnt like them at all he did however enjoy all types of homemade soup I was forever liquidizing but better than tinned varity as you know exactly what is in it and full of goodness .Saying that his appetite was up and down energy and breathlessnes was a real problem until he was put on 24hr home oxygen and also small oxygen containers we could take out .by then he needed a wheelchair as energy levels were poor but he loved going out even just sitting in the garden .Im glad hubby has found his sence of humor to make you smile .Im glad you enjoy walking as its then you can take in the suroundings and clear your mind .I love walking with Rusty its when you can switch off and enjoy  ..Its beautiful weather today 25degs sunny ,although forcast a70percent chance of a shower so far so good.. Swimming day with baby James this afternoon so must get some lunch and feed Rusty ...Keep smiling Jules Thinking of you always ....Susananne x

Hi Susananne

Hope the afternoon's swim with James was great fun.  Little Zack and big brother  (plus their parents) are on a week's holiday with friends who live near the beach in Norfolk and weather currently being kind so hope the same in your neck of the woods.  We have certainly had a good summer this year.

Hubby has begun the shakes (strawberry) and though says they have a strange flavour (?) he made short work of the first one.  He has asked that we try meals as before (they are only kiddie's sized) and if he cannot manage them he will 'down a replacement shake'. Knowing what he wants me to do somehow makes it a bit easier to bear if that makes sense.  He does have soup and also managing large bowl of custard or icecream which obviously go down easier so trial and error to some degree but it will be easier if he at least guides me in to what he can manage.His taste buds have been up the creek ever since he had the chemo and think that it some of the problem but.  His GP was not too worried about the tiredness which is to be expected with mesothelioma but also caused by his current medication so she is going to consult with his medical team at the hospital before his next appointment at the end of the month to see if he can be switched (apparently many options they can try).

Had one bit of good news when I visited my Mum today.  She had an appointment with neurology dept yesterday as her GP was concerned that some of her symptoms could be the start of Parkinsons.  In the event it appears she has been having a reaction to one of her drugs (causing her to shake from time to time) and they are now going to change this particular tablet.  She was in a slightly easier mood today and had been taken to the local shops one day too do a little shopping.  They are so good at recognising her 'up' times that they act very quickly to give her a change of scene and have also arranged for the hairdresser to give her a perm this week (she has a lovely head of hair and loves having it 'pampered' when she feels up to it).

Glad you and Rusty are enjoying your walks and thank you again for taking time to give me words of support and encouragement - it means a lot.  Best wishes to you and the family.Jules x   

Hi Jules

Have been keeping up to date with your news. Glad the GP had some practical help to give, specially if it helps you to feel better.

I had a minor upset tonight, which struck a bit of a chord. My son eats in his room, he's always been a bit faddy (I blame my ex for being strict around meal times when he was tiny) so we let him eat in front of his own tv in peace, as at least he eats well. Tonight I heard the loo flush after he had eaten and as its not the first time, I quietly dashed upstairs and went into his room. No dinner plate. So I asked him why did he have it in the loo? He eventually admitted to flushing leftovers away, initially claiming to be too lazy to go to the "green bin". My mind went to the obvious, anorexia? Bulimia? After a calm chat, it emerged that he does have a small appetite but knows how much I worry if he leaves much on his plate. So to prevent me worrying, he gets rid of the evidence! As you can imagine I was so upset that he couldnt be honest and upset that my worrying causes him to worry!! It seems that us womenfolk are programmed to make sure our menfolk are well fed, but they just aren't built the same as us. My Joe would happily go without meals, unless its something special he loves. I feel its a constant battle and can totally understand how it worries you so much when you need hubby to keep his strength up.

On another note, when you said he'd be ok with a third party etc earlier. Do you remember that we first got friendly as Paul was non communicative and I struggled with it? You stepped in and shared your experiences ( forever grateful by the way:-) ). Anyway, when we were outside the hospital last week when we were told we were as I say, off the bus, he took my hand and looked straight into my eyes and just said "thank you, just thank you, for being there all the way for me". It was so sweet, and I have no doubt whatsoever that your hubby doesnt want anyone else along with him on his journey other than you. Just seems hard for people to say so when its all too close to home.

I shall leave you with a cheery note from Milton Keynes.  The hedgehogs are back in our garden and busily trying to make baby hedgehogs (eeeek) so maybe we will have babies in a few weeks. Not too late hopefully else I shall be watching out for them before it gets chilly. The collared doves are nesting in the gutter by our bedroom the daft things, so we expect a squab or two soon as well. The starlings and sparrows are enjoying several baths a day ,outside the kitchen window. Even Joe has to smile at that sight. And the housemartins are nothing short of glorious, as always!

Lots of love

Lisa xX

Good morning, Jules,

Great to read about your hubby enjoying the shakes his GP has provided. Do they come in a range of flavours? I know the post-op ones I was sent home with came in vanilla, chocolate and strawberry, but the community nurse brought me a bag full of more 'exotic' flavours, like orange and blackcurrant!

It must be reassuring to know that if hubby can't manage a meal as such, the shakes offer a nutritionally balanced alternative.

It was interesting to read that your mum's medication was the cause of her occasional shakes and that this can now be changed.

I hope she enjoys her 'pamper' session with the hairdresser this week.

Hope you're not working too hard - how do the summer school holidays impact on how busy you are? Feast or famine? Or do you find that every one of the 6 weeks is impossible to predict? ( I bet the shoe shops 'gird their loins' around the end of August   ) 

Personally, the hols seem to be whizzing by, but I have managed to achieve a lot of the jobs on my 'To Do' list (unfortunately, as I tick a job off, I remember another to add, so the list seems perpetual!)

At least I can put the job of gardening on the back burner, as overnight rain has made the soil too damp to work with! Well, that's my excuse!

I hope the sun is shining where you are, Jules!

Love and hugs, Jo xx

p.s. Lisa, your garden sounds like a little wildlife sanctuary - lovely!

Love and hugs to you too, xx