Hi You All .Just thought I would up date you with our Bevs cancer she as just about finished her first two weeks on Carecitabine  she is keeping busy and well .

We took her  out for lunch yesterday to the guverners cheadle hulme all had a good meal and a chat.she has it all  right in  her  head talking about it and that is the right thing to do .bring it out into the open .

She will be alright I know she is a fitgher .regards forn now george

Lovely to have the update on Bev, thank you George.  She sounds as though she is doing great and having a good supportive family around certainly helps.  Hope you are keeping okay in yourself. Our garden is currently benefitting (a little too much) from torrential downpours so, given the chance, will have some weeding to attend to. Currently have a beautiful bouquet of pink gerberas and mixed carnations/roses brightening our lounge (a gift from my workmates) which really cheers the soul.  Look after yourself and hope Bev continues to cope well.  Jules x

Hi George,

So pleased to hear your daughter is doing okay but having a supportive family helps enormously as I know from first hand experience. Hope you are keeping well, take care and best wishes to you and your family, Brian.

Hi Jules,

I just wanted to wish you a belated happy birthday. I am so pleased you had a good time and were spoilt with flowers and presents. I just had a vague memory from last year that your birthday was some when in August but like a typical man couldnt remember exactly when. Cant send you flowers so will send a picture of them instead.

Hope you have a great week, Take care and sending best wishes to you and all your family, Brian.

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Hi Brian

Thanks you for my beautiful virtual flowers and kind thoughts. Back down to earth today and into work and quite busy learning new technology inbetween usual 'helping' role.  It is lovely to be able to assist many grandparents who are obviously summer holiday childminders and trying to keep the youngsters occupied and equipped for when school begins again.  Hope you and Mrs B had a relaxing weekend. Jules x

Hi Jules,

Quite a lot has happened in the last few days. On Saturday I was invited to a BBQ, not really my scene but it was all the committee for the local charity I belong to. Had a nice evening chatting and getting to know the other members better, not something we get time for when we have a committee meeting. Two of the lady committee members have asked to meet up with me one evening as they want to know more about what it's like to have cancer or to lose a family member to cancer as they both do house visits to people affected by cancer and feel they need to understand more about it. I was also recently asked if I would consider becoming a trustee for the charity and I have agreed. Have also had Macmillan phone me up as they wanted to do a case study on me and was on the phone for ages. (Think I will be consigned to an asylum shortly)

Have also turned a load more light cord pulls with part of them textured with my newly made tool and must admit, they do look something out of the ordinary which is always a good selling point. Garage is still neat and tidy, much to Mrs B's astonishment (and mine)  Only bought a small packet of peanuts today, well they just happen to levitate up from the bottom shelf into our trolley, at least that's what I tried telling Mrs B.

Good news at last regarding my brother-in-law. With the additional new tablet he is taking, his psa has come down from 204 to 88 which is quite a drop. Sister-in-law was over the moon when she rang to tell us. I do hope it continues to drop for they are both such nice really people and apart from my son (and me of course), he is the last close relative Mrs B has left. Bought 15 new test tubes for my mini bud vases and when they arrived I found they had sent 24 for the same price. Not that I am complaining

I hope your visit went well this morning and that the sun is shining, allowing you to spend some time in the garden. Finally taken to wearing trousers instead of my shorts this week as the temperature has dropped and found it a bit chilly in my garage in the Balearic region if you understand my meaning.

Anyway hope your day is a pleasant one and the rest of the week is too. Best wishes to you and your hubby, Brian

Hi Brian and Jules

Just trying to catch up on the thread.  Just do not know where the time goes at present.  Am hoping the job hunting will be over fairly soon as it is very time comsuming.  I do not remeber it being as bad as this before but then it is some years since I atively looked for a job.

Brian - great news on the test tubes and am glad the garage is still tidy.  15 November is in the diary.  Am not surprised you are back in trousers as the temperature drop has been quite a shock.  Hopefully it will rise again soon.

Jules - glad to hear hubby is still able to drive and enjoy ice cream. Hope the shakes are helping him as well.  I think you are probalby right about your Mum feeling safe where she is and knows.  No doubt it will be horrible for her if she does have to move.  with most people it seems the older they get the less they like change and this would be a mjor one for your Mum.

Love and hugs to you both.

Gill

Morning Brian

Wow you have been a busy boy with your good causes and woodturning and there was me thinking retirement was relaxing!!  Both the charities you are involved with will, I am sure, be all the better for your imput/advice/personal knowledge and its great that you can pass this on and give others an insight .  I think your wood club will be delighted with all the items you will be adding to your  next show/exhibition.  We had a local wood club represented at the Artisan market on Sunday and there were many interested people around the stall admiring the craftsmanship displayed.  Our daughter and I spent several hours wandering the stalls (Zack happily tucked up in his pushchair) though we did have to make a dash inside for drinks/baby's lunch as the heavens opened!!  Sun was soon backout and we returned to the Market as there was also a Medieval Event taking place so plenty to watch and enjoy. Managed to buy a few bits (including some of my favourite cheese - cheddar with ginger - naughty but nice) and will soon start sourcing Christmas gifts there no doubt.

We have changes afoot at work which mean more cuts and its going to take some getting used to as will be working all my hours on my own on the department with just technology for company. Feels quite stressful at the moment as there is nothing like 'human' support for helping get you through the difficult days (more sleepless nights - grrrr). Will just have to bite the bullet and hope I manage.  I will definitely miss having my mate working alongside me but we will have to have more 'social outings' to catch up!!

Spent some time with Mum yesterday though she remains mainly silent and disinterested bless her.  Came home and mowed the lawn and was so pleased I had as half hour later the rain came down in stair-rods and I was delighted I had managed to cut the grass beforehand.  Hubby continues to eat small amounts at present, says little but we have hospital consult next week and expect he is 'dreading' it as it means he will have to talk about himself.

Well, cannot say I am looking forward to going into work today - the atmosphere is not great with so many staff having hours cut (as I only do just over 15hrs so far I am keeping those) and I would  not be surprised to see a few departures in the coming months (wish I could afford to go but think I need to hang on for as long as possible as I don't think I could cope with more changes in my life just now).

Have a good week and kind regards to your and Mrs B  (glad you were allowed a small treat of peanuts after all your hard work).  Take care of yoruselves.Jules x

Hi Gill

Nice to hear from you and do hope that you soon get the job situation sorted to your satisfaction - can imagine how stressful it must be in today's market as often listen to others saying how different applying for jobs has become these days with a lot of 'vetting' by technology going on.  We have major changes at work too and cannot say I am best pleased with how things are going but I really cannot afford to walk away at present.

Hope you are keeping well and that your daughter is enjoying her summer break - seems to be passing very quickly.  My daughter has been having some lovely free days out in the park with picnics - she has a good band of friends and it so reminds me  of when I used to do with my children - good memories.

We have check up looming for hubby next week so 'silence is golden' indoors at present but no doubt I will hear his up to date 'feelings/symptoms'.  Physical changes are plain to see but he still keeps his inner thoughts close to his chest.

Take care and stay well.  Jules x