Hi Jules,

Sorry for my absence on the site lately, things have been quite hectic (in a good way). I do hope things are going OK for you.

I read that your hubby isn't going out to a planned meal, can understand that sitting for long time would be painful with his sore.  I hope you can have some quality time at home together and maybe you can entice him to eat with some Christmas goodies.  The goodies always seem to get opened way before Christmas in my house!  Although I still find Christmas sad without my parents whom I always shared it with, I realise that I've come a long way since this time last year.  I have been out and about at various Christmas functions and am looking forward to spending time with my family and friends over the holidays. But although I am on the site less than I used to be, I will never forget the support that all my virtual friends gave me when I needed it most, and will always try and touch base.

Hope you too are looking forward to spending Christmas with your family, I'm sure the grandkids will bring you lots of joy, they are at a wonderful age for all the excitement.  Take care and sending you virtual hugs.  Hope x

Hi Hope

Nice to see you popping into my thread but equally good to read that you are enjoying yourself and coping better as time moves forward.  We never forget our loved ones but come to know that they would want us to try and make the most of what we have been given. 

Hubby is indeed very frail and we have to accept that he can no longer manage much food but are doing our best to cope best we can.  Kids as usual being totally awesome despite their own feelings.  We are due to spend Christmas quietly with our son and girlfriend and her parents.  We are get on very well and am looking forward to the break, especially as I will have no cooking to worry about.  Our daughter and family are with the inlaws in Wigan this year and of course our 6yr old grandson is enjoying end of term activities at school and has already had his part in the school Christmas play which his parents went to see yesterday.  Little Zack now 14 mths brings lots of smiles and chatter and doing well.

Hope you all have a peaceful and healthy Christmas and wish you all the  best for 2015.   The forum, though still somewhat lacking the 'old flavour' if that makes sense, continues to offer a source of invaluable support as and when needed and I too shall be forever grateful to my virtual buddies, old and new, who pass through on their own journies but still find the time to support me.  All the very best  Jules xx

Hi Jo

So nice to hear from you.  How are you doing?

Am counting down the hours to our appointment this afternoon and just feels like we are jumping hurdles towards Christmas at the moment.  Cannot believe I have managed to be organised though keeping busy seems the only way forward. So lucky to have supportive children close by as I know they must be struggling inside whilst bravely carrying on (we all know that feeling here).

Our 'Friday night socials' have continued so far though I am doubtful about  hubby making the walk to the pub this week though he is hoping to at least sit in with his mate over a glass of something whilt I am out with his wife.  Bingo prizes remain much the same (but depends on footfall) though to be honest the winning has become less important as its the getting out that offers the release just now.  Our friends also popped round for a cuppa yesterday afternoon.  As we could not attend the Christmas meal we were hoping to support on Tuesday I had asked them to buy raffle tickets on my behalf (raising funds for local hospice) and they turned up with three prizes for us!  The evening raised over £1200 so although not there in person we heard all about it which was lovely.

This Saturday is my work's Christmas meal so will see if I get to it. Its only for staff anyway but it will depend how things are.  I know hubby will want me to go as he tried to get me to go alone on Tuesday but that just did not feel right and have to go with my 'heart' at the moment.

With Christmas fast approaching work is understandably busy but their support has also been amazing and its helping with my coping mechanism as less time to think!

That new Aldi cheese sounds weird but wonderful and I have treated 'our table' to a basket of shortbread and fudge (both things that are very naughty but can be shared when people drop in). Hubby trying to up the amount of 'shakes' though know he is struggling (far to stubborn to admit it) and continues to refuse 'outside assistance/aids' (understand his need for independence but it would  make it easy for him and his body).

Take care and hope you are enjoying some peace and quiet before the festivities and maybe getting some strolls with partner and puppy (probably growing up fast - dog not other half ).  Sending hugs  Jules x

HI Jules,

I hope this afternoons meeting with gp weny well. Pleased to read you feel more in the knoe now;I feel it is always a help. I bet you and hubby will be pleased this is the last appointment before Christmas.

I have been a bit late on site  the last couple of days as Mrs B has also had her last appointment before Christmas, She is however a bit upset as she has been told her kidneys are not working as well as they should due in part to her diabetes.One more problem to add to her list and brings it up to about twelve health problems she faces on top of having to put up with me????? 

Sorry you did not feel like going to the charity do the other evening but can understand you felt you couldnt go without hubby as I often feel like this with Mrs B. Trouble is you can often feel guilty either way. Brother in law was in hospital again last weekend. He suffers from aterial fibrilation and collaped on Sunday morning. They have altered his heart medication and will just have to wait and see what happens. He got home on Tuesday and so far so good. My son has beten his personal best for his longbow by 41 points and is getting close to the county record.

I started writting this about a hour ago and had to stop for tea. Hope you enjoy your evening out tommorow and hubby enjoys a drink with his friend. Take care jules, Sending big hugs, Brian.

Hi Jo

By the time I posted this morning I had already been up an hour!!!  My usual get up time is 6 am and I leave for work at 7.30 but somehow my body clock does not differentiate between work and non work days lol.

Visit to GP had mixed results in that his bloods showed better levels than last time in most respects (a surprise even to the doctor!).  However it also flagged raised white cells which usually indicates an infection so she has prescribed antibiotics just in case which I can collect in the morning.  Another plus was that swab of his coccyx sore shows no infection present.  By the time we got home (he insisted on driving himself despite offer of a lift) he was shattered and is now curled up in front of the fire.  Unless things change he goes back in three weeks and must try and eat/drink as and when he can to try and improve energy levels.

Wishing you a peaceful and happy weekend.  Seasonal hugs.  Jules x

Hi Brian

Thanks for your kind words and GP check up had mixed results - good points were that ulcer is infection free (they took a swab to check) and also his blood tests showed improvement in some areas (so should not require blood transfusion) but also evidence of possible infection.  As he has been coughing a lot more in recent days she has prescribed a course of antibiotics to be on the safe side (especially with Christmas now fast approaching).  He is pretty wobbly on his pins (but refusing help as usual) so may not make it down the pub (too far to walk) but I am hoping he will feel up to keeping his mate company indoors as it will do him good to have some one else to chat with.   All staying stable his next check up will be in  mid January though district nurses will still come in twice a week for dressings.

Sorry to hear that Mrs B is experiencing kidney problems and hope new medication will help her out.  I know diabetes can have so many different affects on the body and I am sure you will be keeping an eye on her whilst she keeps as eye on the nut supplies!!!  Also hope the brother in law will continue to improve following his collapse which must be worrying for all concerned.

Have heard today that hubby's siblings arrived safely on the Isle of Man and his sister is now settling herself in (with her two cats) whilst brother and sister in law return to collect rest of belongings and their two dogs.  At least now we have an address and landline and before long they will be back online too so can keep them updated.

Well our daughter is taking me shopping in the morning (after I have been to launderette) so that should be my last trip before Christmas (will  just get in basic supplies as in theory we are away from Xmas Eve through to the 27th).  I only have two days left to do at work next week before a four day break though expect to be kept pretty busy.  Think we are non uniform on the 24th so may have to break out Christmas hat/jumper ha ha.

Have a peaceful weekend with Mrs B and good to see that your son is doing well.  Regards Jules x

Hi Jules,

Just wanted to drop you a quick line after being somewhat absent for the last week.  Work has been crazy and problematic to put it mildly and it's all too long winded to go into here.  I have also been doing some investigative work into Dad's past this last week.

I always knew that he served in the merchant navy and sailed up and down the east coast of America but I found out recently what shipping company he worked for.  As a result I have downloaded a great picture of the ship he was on but there is also a website that is still going run by the people who once worked for Manchester Shipping even though it has been out of business since the early eighties. I have given them as much detail as I can and I am hoping to be contacted by someone who knew him althouhg I know it is a long shot as there were many ships at the time that sailed all over the world.

Right I have to get back but I will send the compulsory hugs and best wishes to you both.

Garf. xx