Thanks for the hugs Jo,

When I booked the week off from work I took the opportunity to sit down and have a real heart-to-heart with my Sky Box. It is now incabable of showing any programmes at all that has or may have Jeremy Kyle in it

Take care and keep those hands soft.

Garf. xx

Hi Garf,

Just wanted to drop you a post to say you're never far from my thoughts and I hope you're doing ok?  (No, I'm not a weird stalker!   )

I think about so many folks on here and the things they're all dealing with on a day to day basis.

Am I right in thinking you've got next week off? Or was it last week?

Either way, if it was last week, hope you had plenty of R and R . . . And if it's next week, hope you get lots of R and R!

Also remember that one of the R's could stand for Retail !! 

Sure your wife would like that one

Hugs to you and your wife, Jo xx

Hi Jo,

Thank you so much, I am touched that I am in your thoughts and I promise I don't think you are a stalker

I am off next week for some much needed R and R and to be honest with the back log of motor racing I have to watch and the golf game on Wednesday I simply won't have time for any retail you-know-what.  It's hard to fit anything else in while I am spending so much time doing absolutely nothing.  I have actually been feeling a little more like myself the last few days since speaking to my councillor on Tuesday but I have no idea whether I am sorting anything out or just going through a good patch, I am just making the most of it for as long as it lasts.

Thanks for the hugs and I send a whole bunch right back to you.

Have a great weekend and don't spend too much .

Garf. xx

Hi Garf,

Your resident stalker here! How are things going?

Just wanted to say 'Hi' and that I'm thinking about you.

Love and hugs to you and your wife,

Jo xx

Hi there Jo,

Thanks so much again for thinking of me.  I can tell you that my phone conselling sessions finished a couple of weeks ago and I have had the first of six face to face sessions with a new counsellor which will take me up to Christmas.

Right now I would have to say I have reached a sort of plateau where some days are better than others but even on my best days the "demons" as Jules so accurately calls them are always there.  My week off was good as was the golf which I played again this morning actually.  The game really does seem to be a real escape for me as I am too busy smacking a defenceless white ball around a field to think about my problems -- mostly!

How are you doing at the moment and how goes the treatment?  I hope the tingling sensation you were getting has gone away by now.

Wishing you a pleasant weekend.

Garf. x

Hi Garf

Glad you were able to hit some balls today!  Am now imagining you 'blasting' demons along the fairway, onto the green and down the hole into oblivion - did you miss the rough and the bunkers? Beautiful sunshine here first thing (went for a walk to clear my head but ended up buying a hot chocolate to keep me warm as I walked round local farmer'smarket.). Ended up feeling very pleased with  myself, having found a bargain or two clotheswise in the charity shops!!!  Think we I next go out for a walk I should leave my purse at home and then I would be less inclined to be side-tracked.  Will chat again later as hubby just waking from another sleep and will probably require refreshment!!.  Enjoy a peaceful weekend. Jules x

Hi everyone,

Just thought I would post a quick update on what seems to have been something of a set-back.

I have had six phone sessions with a counsellor called Christine and had just started the first of six face to face sessions with Sandra, all based on an entitlement through the company I work for.  I have just found out today that I am actually not entitled to any counselling at all and so the rest of my sessions from tomorrow onwards have been cancelled. The sessions were due to finish in four weeks and I was hoping to spend Christmas feeling a bit more like myself but now I don't know what is going to happen.

Everyone here have been so helpful and supportive and over the last two or three weeks I have had a great deal of help from someone in particular - (Thank you Jules) - so for the time being I will continue to use you all as my counsillors.

Thank you again so much and take care.

Garf.

Oh Garf,

What a blow to hear about your counselling sessions! I can't imagine how you feel. It's such a shame that in the circumstances, your company can't 'honour' their commitment to you. Seems ironic that they can just stop the sessions that are meant to help support their employees!

I so hope we can all help you through this, Jules is so supportive isn't she? (Always knows the right thing to say!)

Please don't let this set you back too much, we're all here for you! Do offload to us!

Much love to you, Jo xxx

Hi Garf

Will respond on our other link later but was so shocked to see your latest post on the forum had to reply straight away.  Its rotten that your company have pulled 'the rug from under your feet' so to speak as I know how much the sessions had moved you forward.  Having said that its not all the counsellor's hard work that has got you this far (and please stop giving me compliments as we all help each other in so many ways) you need to take credit for recognising you had difficulties and acting on suggestions thrown your way.  Not everything we are told sinks in straight away and you  may see further battles ahead. You are not alone for as Jo has said there are many here who reach out to others when we all seem a little lost.  I would not be able to help others if I had not had the support from the forum over many  months (and still need it as you all know when things get on top of me!!).

As you have found those therapy sessions helpful please refer back to your GP and see if he can help in any way with referral  but you will not be alone. Keep posting and the forum (and I) will try and do our bit too.  When feelings come into your mind, write them down (keep a diary if it helps) and then discuss it when you are ready.

You may have to take it out on the golf course for a while longer even if its only hitting the balls into oblivion.  Will chat soon.  Jules xx