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

Dear Jo and Lorraine

I've seen many of your posts and I have commented from time to time. However, I've just read your "stories" and I wanted to say that your cheerfulness and positivity is inspiring. I'm sure you both have your bad days (which is understandable) but your positive comments really do help others.

Good luck with the op, Jo!

Debbie

Hi there Jo and thanks for the summary of your journey with this terrible disease. I really appreciate you taking the time to recall all those events for me, so I didn't have to trace back to figure it out for myself. There really are similarities in our journeys, but still different in some ways. I have been into this longer than you have, but what's a few years between friends. Talking about years between friends; I am also qute a bit older than you, not that I know your age, but you are still working, so I'm guessing in your forties or fifties. I've been "officially retired"  for ten years, but I had a private practice for a few years after I retired and would still have it if I was well.

I'll be thinking about you on the 7th when you go for your surgery and wish you the best outcome. Until then, don't over do it. Get rested up so you're able to recuperate faster and easier after the surgery.

Take care.

Lorraine  

Hi Debbie, thank you for your kind words. You are right that I have bad days, (I can't speak for Jo on this) and the encouragement I get from others on here, (Jo included) are a big help to me during those times. I guess that's what this forum is all about - helping you, helps me and vice versa. Just knowing that I'm not on this journey alone, not that I'd ever wish this on anyone, takes away some of the "isolation" of it because it is a lonely journey. Certainly our loved ones try to help, but often they just don't understand. Besides, they have their own struggles with trying to deal with it. It will be a red letter day when a cure for cancer is found.

Take care.

Lorraine 

Hi Jo

Hope the half term means lots of lie ins/relaxation for you.  The shed cake was a great invention rather than a 'cobbled attempt' -  thats not cheating but innovation (whereas I rely on the bakers in our family or shop buy!!!).  I am sure you will be getting plenty of tlc leading up to your op but like all your forum buddies wish you well and will be thinking of you on the 7th.  Not sure what day she goes away but Hope is going away during half term and will hopefully find plenty of sun and 'wind down' time prior to coping with the children in the build up to Christmas next term.  Our eldest has his 6th birthday at the end of November so he is already excited!!!  Virtual hugs and here to listen any time.Jules xx

Hey Jo

Seems that 7th will be a fact finding mission for both of us as this is the day that im having my contrast enema to see if i have healed well and can have my stoma reversed.

I must admit that i am looking forward to returning to work on the run up to christmas, our children too get excited as i work in a Junior School, and the magic is still there (year 5 are at the stage where they have doubts about santa but dont want to admit it just incase he doesnt come   )

we take teach year group on a trip to the Geman Market (in Birmingham)  Our choir also make visits to the local old folkes homes to sing some carols.  I always accompany the children on activities as they were my idea and they have now become somewhat of a tradition (10 years on)

Anyway, i will keep my fingers crossed for you on the 7th, until then, enjoy half term and keep well   

Hi Debbie,

Ah, thanks for your kind words. I'm definitely with Lorraine in that I too do have low days, but they tend to be when I'm overtired. This forum ( and the wonderful folks on it) has certainly been a saviour many times, knowing its a place where others understand how you're feeling.

You always send out positive vibes in your posts, Debbie (Ive seen many a supportive comment from you on various threads!) and reading your story, you've been through the grinder too!

The news about Access on the Branchial Cyst thread has saddened me. I've been a follower rather than a contributor on that thread. I did hijack Nicola's thread though, way back when she first posted, even though our cancers are anatomically, poles apart. I'm sure this is where we first 'met' Debbie.

Thanks for the good luck wishes too. It's strange, but even though this surgery is far simpler than the rest, I'm more anxious about it! I think it's the fear of what they'll find! Ever the optimist eh?

Take care, Jo xx

Hi again, Lorraine,

You should be a detective You guessed right with my age . . . I'm fast approaching my half century! It's just into the new year, so I intend to have a small celebration of some sort - though riding on the back of Christmas, most people are on diets or detox regimes in January! I'll start mine in February! Haha!

Well, I'm off to grab a cuppa - my lovely man has made some meringues (yes I know sugary things are bad!) but one will be a treat!

Take care, lovely lady,

Jo xxx

Hi Jules,

Managed a lie in today - well until 8 when the dog 'found me' in the spare room and jumped on me! (Partner decided to swap sides, pull covers off, snore etc, so at 3am I threw in the towel and snook into the spare bed!

We've not planned much this week, and as you've rightly guessed, I'll be taking it easy, pottering and catching up with the mundane things like booking the car in for a service and arranging a sick note! Ah, life in the fast lane!

Well, as I said to Lorraine, I'm about to indulge in a homemade meringue (with cream and strawberries)

A friend was due to call at 4 but at half 3, rang to say she was just in from work, had to take the car for a service (spooky coincidence!) and had last minute packing to do for her delayed honeymoon, tomorrow! She'll be a bit miffed when I post a picture on FB of what she's missed out on!

Take care, Jo xx

Hi Jayne,

There's obviously something about the 7th for medical procedures!

If you need to know the ins and outs (pardon the pun) of the contrast enema procedure, fire away!

It was fairly 'routine' after what we've already been through! The doctor who did mine, was able to say at the time, that it looked fine, but I did then have a follow up consultation with my colorectal surgeon who confirmed everything was nicely healed.

I'm just waiting to get all the other bits of surgery done before I can contemplate becoming a Dyson once more. I'll be following your progress with interest, Jayne.

A trip to the Christmas market sounds wonderful! Our school doesn't venture too far in the run up to Christmas, though the Y2's go and sing carols at our local Sainsburys and raise money for our local hospice. Some 'carefully selected' Y2s also go along to the hospice and sing for the staff, patients and visitors. They are always well received and staff have said what a joy it is to have the children in to sing.

It sounds as if your ideas, all those years ago, have stood the test of time. Traditions are great and I bet each visit/trip gets easier (I'm saying that with tongue in cheek - does any school trip ever get easier? Haha!)

No doubt we'll chat before the 7th, but I hope your appointment goes well . . . I'll be out for the count, so will have to catch up with you, a few days after the event!

Enjoy the rest of your week, speak soon,

Hugs, Jo xx

Hi Jo,

I wanted to wish you luck for your procedure next Friday. I'll be thinking of you. I love your humorous approach to everything, "hotel NHS" made me laugh! I hope you didn't give yourself too many stern words when you gave yourself a talking to. You have dealt with so much and it's impossible to be upbeat all of the time. I still have down days when I cry about everything that happened but that's allowed. I hope you had a good rest during half term and that you can stay relaxed for next week (and bug free from the children!) You have lots of people on here wishing you well. I'll look forward to hearing form you when you are back at home.

Nicola xx

Hi Jo,

I wanted to wish you luck for your procedure next Friday. I'll be thinking of you. I love your humorous approach to everything, "hotel NHS" made me laugh! I hope you didn't give yourself too many stern words when you gave yourself a talking to. You have dealt with so much and it's impossible to be upbeat all of the time. I still have down days when I cry about everything that happened but that's allowed. I hope you had a good rest during half term and that you can stay relaxed for next week (and bug free from the children!) You have lots of people on here wishing you well. I'll look forward to hearing form you when you are back at home.

Nicola xx