Dear Jo,

Have only just read your post and want to give you a big hug friend.No need for apologies from you as you have been such a giver on here so our turn to listen.

Would also offer to rub your chest to make sure you've got it all off.LOL.

It's the classic the good news and the bad news syndrome.

We don't want some of each in this situation thank you, we just want good news.

So it's very understandable that you left hospital rather deflated.

That said it's time to pull yourself up again and takle the next stage.

Once you've had the scans and heard from the MDT I am sure you'll feel more positive as you will know the direction you will be taking.

and we will be here routing for you my friend, or even rooting.!!!!

Speak soon and anytime.

hugs

Annabel. xx

Hi Annabel,

Thank you for your lovely words and the offer to rub my chest to get it all off!

Having had today to 'get a grip' and realise that I need to keep things in perspective, I feel much calmer and just want to get on with the next phase of the journey!

I have a day off tomorrow and I'm going to give the specialist nurse a call and let her know I can get to hospital if any cancellations become available!

As I said to Lorraine and Hope, I function better with a plan in place! Maybe I'm a bit compulsive, but it would help to know whether we can book a holiday in October or whether I need to tell the head teacher to book some supply cover for me etc! Maybe 'organised' is a better description!

I hope your London visit went well and you had a lovely celebration of little Ava's first birthday! Will PM you soon.

Love and hugs, Jo xx

Hi Jo,

Apologies, I've only just come across this thread. I was saddened to learn of your latest news and that you face another operation but as the others have said, you sound upbeat which goes a long way. I hope the operation goes as well as it can do and that you will pop on here when you can to let us know how you are doing. Glad to hear that your employers are supportive, however you sound like a saint for continuing with your work whilst you have other things on your mind but I suppose it's a good distraction too.

Hope to hear from you soon Jo,

Nicola xx

Hi Hope,

Thank you for your continued support and kind words. Things are beginning to move as I've received an appointment for my pre-op assessment - the usual routine of swabs for MRSA, bloods, height, weight, many questions etc etc!

I always seem to be able to answer 'No' to so many of the questions they ask  (do you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems? etc etc) and I'm always amused at the irony of how healthy I appear to be . . . on paper at least!

I hope you and your family are well? Presumably, you and both your boys are well into the new academic term now?

We've just one more week to go before half term - it's been a long 8 weeks, but as I mentioned in another post, my Head has really lightened my work load by relieving me of teaching. Though I really miss the children!

Take care and we'll chat soon,

Jo xx

Hi Brian,

Thank you for the big hugs! I've been enjoying your Amazing Quotes each day. I don't always comment though, as these days, with being back at work, I seem to spend less time on the forum! Thankfully, half term is just a week away, so I will endeavour to 'catch up' with everyone!

Wishing you and Mrs B a lovely weekend,

hugs to you both, Jo xx

Hi Annabel,

So lovely to see your post.

My lovely man is being as lovely as ever! We went out for lunch today (my treat, giving him a day off from the kitchen, haha! )

We worked out it was nearly a year since we'd been out for a meal - mainly due to my 'stoma anxieties' but I'm much more confident about it these days - good job, as I get to keep it for at least a few months more!

Paddy the pup is pretty big now. I really hope he's stopped growing as he's certainly big enough as he is! He's still a very bad traveller and gets car sick when we take him anywhere! Not ideal as our families live 90 miles away!

I hope you're ok and not overdoing things at the cottages!

I'll PM you soon, but in the meantime, I'm off for a canter to get some training in for this next hurdle!

Love and hugs to you, Jo xx

Hi Nicola,

No apology needed, it's lovely to hear from you. I had meant to respond on your thread. I see you've been back at work today! Hope it went well and didn't leave you too worn out or overwhelmed! That's how I remember feeling in the early days . . . tired and overwhelmed by the pace that others seemed to be working at while I was still taking baby steps!

You'll soon find your natural rhythm again, but as always, take it steady and listen to that body of yours!

I have found work a good distraction, but this latest round of health news has begun to fill my thoughts - good job half term is just a week away!

My pre-op assessment is next Friday, so I'm hoping they may have an idea of when the op will be (if I haven't heard before then.)

Once I get a date, I'm planning to be signed off from work for the week before so that I can ensure I'm germ and infection free - even though I'm not in the classroom these days, it's amazing how many children still love to share their coughs and sneezes with me! Haha!

So many of my colleagues have already succumbed to the tummy bugs and colds that are doing the rounds - thankfully, I seem to have missed out. Maybe I shouldn't have said that!

Have a good weekend, Nicola, and I'll follow your thread to see how things are going.

Hugs to you, Jo xx

Hi Jo,

Was glad to read that things are moving for you, good luck for next Friday pre-op assessment.  Me and the family are well, thanks for asking - been all over the country recently looking at Unis for youngest now!  I'm glad you have a supportive Head Teacher and that you have a significantly lightened workload. Hope you get some rest over half-term and remember all your forum buddies are here for you.  Take care.  Hope x

Just sending best wishes and hugs for next Friday's pre-op; will be thinking of you.Jules x

Hi Hope and Jules,

Thanks for your kind thoughts.

I'm hoping the pre-op team will have some idea when the operation will be. Each day I hope the postman will bring a letter with a date - funny thing to hope for, but now it's been planned, I'd rather get it over!

I've finished school now for the week, although we had a twilight training session tonight so I got in at half six!

My lovely man was just putting the finishing touches to our evening meal!

To be honest, I've struggled this week. Reading the sad news about Lynda Bellingham, not sleeping well and having a daily stoma leak at work (think I've got a faulty batch of bags!) have reduced me to tears on a number of occasions! Hopefully, a few lie-ins, my nose in a book and walks with the dog, will regenerate the old mojo! And don't worry, I've also given myself a good talking to for good measure!

I hope you both have a good weekend - not sure what the forecast is, but whatever your plans, enjoy!

Hugs to you both, Jo xx

Hi Jo,

I laughed when I read you say you have given yourself a good talking to. As long as you didn't answer yourself otherwise I will be worried I manage to hold a conversation with myself at times. Mrs B laughs at me but I tell her it's the way I can get the best answers

I can understand what you say about wanting to get things underway for it's agreed by most of us on here that waiting is one of the worst times.

Have a great weekend and I would also like to wish you all the best for next week. Hugs, Brian.

Hi Jo,

Love and hugs for tomorrow. Keeping things crossed for an op appointment for you soon.

hugs

Annabel. xx

Hi Jo,

Love and hugs for tomorrow. Keeping things crossed for an op appointment for you soon.

hugs

Annabel. xx