Hi Jo

Just to let you know 'you got through'.  You are a mindreader - have just stuck potatoes in the oven ready for jackets topped with prawns in sauce later.  Am doing a buffet lunch on Sunday when family come round and will watch with interest as to what hubby 'helps himself to'. Son's other half bringing home made quiche (always well received) and am sure the grandchildren will demolish whatever is going spare. 

Only own a laptop and a very basic phone (for emergency use) so not at all computer savvy!  Hope you enjoy acting as guinea pig for us forum users and am sure they will appreciate your imput along with anyone else taking part.  Look forward to feedback in due course.  Have a peaceful evening. Hugs returned. Jules x

Hi Jules, 

Many apologies. I  remember about to start writing on your thread this morning and i clearly got disturbed and forgot to come back and finish the post. Gosh this aging thing is really worrying at times. Who did you say you were?????LOL.:D:grin:

I am glad to hear your news of hubby and that you will be receiving a dietician referral for him . Very difficult to work out how to get him to eat a bit more and drink his milkshakes as well. The real thing is probably the amont he is sleeping as well. Using the least amount of energy.

Jacket potatoes are wonderful things as once you've put them in the oven you don't have to do anything further to them, they just cook themselves. ;)

Hope you have a lovely time at the weekend with your family. Don't go catching bugs from the little ones, mind you you probably have more immmunity to their bugs as you see them so frquently by comparison.

Yake care jules,

Hugs Annabel. xx

Hi Jo, 

The smiley face(s) is in the grey area immediately above where you are writing a post. Press on it and the choice will open up. Hope that helps, 

hugs Annabel. xx:):D:p;):|>:):blush::confused::cool::devil::grin::love::mischief::(:shocked:That's your lot. xx

Morning Annabel

Thanks for your post (and its amazing how often we start something and then move on to another - its called multi-tasking.) - no apoligies needed.

Hubby is actually suffering from all the classic effects of Mesothelioma but his consultant is full of suggestions to try and help - she is a lovely lady.  It was me that was in a 'wobble moment' at this appointment - why  after so long of holding it together when we go is anybody's guess!!! . Needless to say recovered myself but was offered access to counselling if required - nice to know its there if needed. I suppose its always a bit of a build up in the days before the appointment though it does  not help hubby when I 'struggle' - he has always been an emotional man by nature and this can't help him. Hey ho!

I enjoyed my 'jacket' though hubby did not manage his even though he had  been looking forward to it.  He ended up with a bowl of ice cream - better than nothing.  Think he was probably emotionally drained on the inside which 'turned his stomach'.  He sees his GPnext week (with me in tow again by request) to keep him 'monitored'!

Am certainly looking forward to Sunday family lunch and some chit chat. So far so good as regards 'catching bugs'  and hope you are now feeling tons better.  We do not have central heating and on the whole seem to be better for it (kids do not seem to have suffered over the years as they only missed school when they had chicken pox!).  Though with double glazing they never experienced 'frost on the inside of the window' like I did when I was small.

Saw your post to Jo and had said more or less the same on her thread but apparently her Ipad presents a different look - all beyond me I am afraid.

Stay well and hugs returned. Jules x

Morning Annabel

Thanks for your post (and its amazing how often we start something and then move on to another - its called multi-tasking.) - no apologies needed.

Hubby is actually suffering from all the classic effects of Mesothelioma but his consultant is full of suggestions to try and help - she is a lovely lady.  It was me that was in a 'wobble moment' at this appointment - why  after so long of holding it together when we go is anybody's guess!!! . Needless to say recovered myself but was offered access to counselling if required(during my chat with support worker who has been with our team since the outset and knows the bigger family picture) - nice to know its there if needed. I suppose its always a bit of a build up in the days before the appointment though it does  not help hubby when I 'struggle' - he has always been an emotional man by nature and this can't help him. Hey ho!

I enjoyed my 'jacket' though hubby did not manage his even though he had  been looking forward to it.  He ended up with a bowl of ice cream - better than nothing.  Think he was probably emotionally drained on the inside which 'turned his stomach'.  He sees his GPnext week (with me in tow again by her request) to keep him 'monitored'!

Am certainly looking forward to Sunday family lunch and some chit chat. So far so good as regards 'catching bugs'  and hope you are now feeling tons better.  We do not have central heating and on the whole seem to be better for it (kids do not seem to have suffered over the years as they only missed school when they had chicken pox!).  Though with double glazing they never experienced 'frost on the inside of the window' like I did when I was small.

Saw your post to Jo and had said more or less the same on her thread but apparently her Ipad presents a different look - all beyond me I am afraid.

Stay well and hugs returned. Jules x

Thanks very much Jo, now I can't get rid of this image of a nativity donkey drinking milkshakes mixed with Bovril! :D but it's good to be reminded of your sense of humour.  You have always managed to make me smile! :)

Jules I wish I could help with the emotional problems you get before hubby's appoinments and the rest of the time come to that.  All I can do is confirm the advantages of counselling since you know I have been there myself.  Talking to friends and family is very important and helpful but going over things with an expert is very different and it also seemed to help to talk to someone who I didn't know.  It seemed to make it easier. In the meantime don't work too hard and just try and look forward to the last F1 of the season this weekend.  Fingers crossed for a classic race!

Hugs to you and everyone!

Garf xx

Hi Sueanne

Its lovely to have your imput and ideas when I appreciate how hard it must be to recall what you and the family went through yourselves.  He does have soup occasionally but we are really at a stage when he just does not enjoy anything!I thought I could 'hide' cream in things but he knows and says its not the same .  He has a bowl of 'once enjoyed' sweets and snacks  sitting untouched now beside him and after three mouthfuls of dinner (smaller portion than the children eat) last night gave up though he says its not my coooking bless him. Managed to encourage him to have a second  'shake'  in the evening but is just not really interested in anything other than sleeping (came to bed at 5.30 this  morning having been asleep downstairs!).

The nurse is in today to re-dress, what is a very small sore spot now thankfully - I picked up a large bag of dressings stuff from the pharmacy yesterday so all is ready for her.  Hopefully  with the family popping in for a few hours on Sunday we can get his mind 'elsewhere' for a bit.  He has not seen his sister for a couple of months as she has been enjoying her recent retirement and catching up with old workmates and friends.  She will no doubt have news about her and their brother's move to the Isle of Man which could still even be before Christmas.

Well early start today and with growing numbers shopping for the season am expecting to be kept on my toes if yesterday was anything to go by!  Take care and I hope little James is keeping you entertained and that Andrea continues to make steady progress.Jules x

Hi Garf

Emotional stuff affects us all throughout our lives in one way or another doesn't it? Still very happy that I have you and my other forum buddies to chat to and I am currently lucky to still be able to do my 'little job' where I am also really well supported when I have a 'wobble'.  Will certainly take advantage of 'carers' support' locally when my work commitments allow and as you have probably realised I do not have a problem talking (hubby would say I suffer from verbal diahrreah(sp?) ha ha) but is pretty one sided indoors.  Fingers crossed he is able to enjoy family visiting for a few hours on Sunday.  Wishing you a peaceful week. Jules x

Hi Brian

Glad that people like you and Jo are able to come up with ideas for the forum.  Not sure it will ever feel quite the same to 'motor round' but just glad to be able to stay in touch with forum buddies.  I would like to have given some time to them too but our phone is emergency line for care home and could not bring  myself to 'tie it up' for 40 mins', silly I know.  I really do not have any major gripes now as I can find what I need but still feel that it was perhaps too bigger task to improve on what we considered to be 'great' in the first place. Those 'readers' who liked to chat 'in private' have lost a huge link and in this day and age of technology 'if it worked in the previous format why change it!'.  Still so pleased to be able to access it though and the moderators work so hard to help us all cope.

Hope all goes well with your  next craft event and I will be preparing for family visiting on Sunday whilst you are 'enjoying wood' in all its forms. (no doubt we will  both be a little weary but for all the right reasons.  Sending good wishes for a peaceful day  to you and Mrs B and hope your elderly  neighbour is feeling a little  better now.  Jules x