Hi Lorraine

Would be a plus for you if they can get surgery out of the way a.s.a.p. as it cuts waiting/thinking time!  It is such a bonus when you are happy with your doctor.  Its something we are so grateful for in my hubby's palliative care.  Though there is little they can offer other than monitoring/pain control (so very important) the understanding/care we receive (no time limit on appointments so we can talk things through) is so re-assuring.  Today we have meeting with his GP and then a dietician visiting us at home (to save his need to journey to hospital) as his appetite is now very poor and they hope to be able to assist in this respect.  Its a difficult one as we have plenty to offer him (including prescribed drinks) but he finds nothing tastes good(not my cooking, honest) and his palliative care community nurse, who called in yesterday, says it very much the 'illness' and not the man.

Stay and touch and I know the forum offers us all somewhere supportive to vent/chat.  Take care.Jules x

Hi Lorraine

Your quick and kind response, despite your own situation, is what this forum is all about - mutual respect and understanding (not rambling at all) of what cancer does to all who come in contact with it all it entails. Your reply bought tears to my eyes and then a smile to my face when you mentioned first name terms! Our local pharmacy greets us in this way!  Yesterday the harsh reality of our situation (deep down you know where we are leading) was tempered by hubby's GP addressing him as Mr and my man responding by saying 'it's ok you can still call me by my first name even though the wife is here' - we all had a laugh at that. I am trying to think 'in the now' but switching off  last night was hard and only a couple of hours sleep achieved - bet you know all about too much thinking. I prefer to use 'be hopeful' than be positive but 'being honest' with my own thinking has made it easier for my real friends and family to be 'open' with me (I am the channel to my hubby as he cannot bring himself to discuss his situation unless he is called upon and who can blame him really). His GP called him 'her very private man'.

All that being said virtual buddies are an extremely 'positive' side of my journey and the hugs are returned with the hope that you have dates soon to take you forward.  Regards Jules x

Hi Lorraine .... how are you doing? x

Hi there Max, I'm counting the days; part of me wants it to come and the other part of me doesn't want it. I did have a really hard time with the last lung surgery and I went into that one not knowing what to expect. This time I know how its' going to be .I have a confirmation date - Dec. 11 but I don't have a time. Christmas is a washout for sure. I'll try to get my cards out before hand, and I have a small table tree that is already decorated and covered up in the spare closet. I'll just take that out and set it up on a small table and put my candles in the window and I'm done. Everyone is getting gift certificates this year, although my grandkids will get a little something extra that I've already picked up for them. A good friend has invited us for dinner Christmas Day and as long as I'm feeling okay, we'll go to her place, otherwise, she said she'll bring dinner here to us. She's a lovely person and a really good friend. I don't know if there's a good time of year to have major surgery. Right now it is frigid cold here, so a person can't even get out for a little walk. I think after surgery, its' good if one can get out for a walk and some fresh air, but goodness, how do you do that in this cold. Oh well, there I go again, rambling. I just want this over with. I hate living with uncertainty. After I recover from this surgery, I'll be having another surgery in Jan. for this bladder cancer. It never ends!!  I'm having a CT scan tomorrow for that problem. This health issue is keeping me busier and worse than having a full-time job.

Thanks for being there for me and thinking about me. Its'' just so good to know you're out there. Now I'm going to go and have a pity party for myself.

Hugs to all of you.

Lorraine

Hi Jo, when are you having your procedure and what are they doing this time ? As I recall, like me, you're likely thinking you should have your own room in the hospital. At least it would be more convenient because we could just leave some belongings right there and wouldn't have to pack every time we went in.

Are you likely to go in before Christmas, or are they waiting until afterwards for yours?  Its' a heck of a time to be having surgery, but there isn't much we can do about it. Its' often said that misery loves company, but that isn't the case for me. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.

Take care of yourself. Lots of hugs across the miles.

Lorraine

Dear lorraine - I'm not surprised you are having a pity party - you certainly are going through it!  Although I know that lung surgery is the last thing you want, I guess you are glad to have a date so you can plan things especially at this time of the year. I am so sorry that you have to go through so much in the coming months and wish I could pop and give you a hug!  How long will you be in hospital?

Hubbie' s brother lives in Vancouver but I haven't asked him how the weather is lately. Have you got snow or just cold temperatures?  It is lovely to walk in the snow - as long as you don't slide over of course!  It's still very mild here in the UK but quite wet, as always. Wellies are a must !

I know what you mean about cancer becoming a full-time occupation. Sometimes it definitely feels that way and sadly becomes a way of life that many can't comprehend. Thank God for good friends - yours sounds an angel. Last year I was in hospital  unexpectedly for the week leading up to Christmas and all my ex work colleagues got baking and came round with Gammon, sausage rolls, cheese straws, mince pies, cakes, quiches etc because I hadn't had the opportunity. I shed a lot of tears and was so thankful for their thoughtfulness. My siblings are never in touch but my friends keep me going.

I wish you luck with your card writing and will speak soon. Sending much love x

Dear lorraine - I'm not surprised you are having a pity party - you certainly are going through it!  Although I know that lung surgery is the last thing you want, I guess you are glad to have a date so you can plan things especially at this time of the year. I am so sorry that you have to go through so much in the coming months and wish I could pop and give you a hug!  How long will you be in hospital?

Hubbie' s brother lives in Vancouver but I haven't asked him how the weather is lately. Have you got snow or just cold temperatures?  It is lovely to walk in the snow - as long as you don't slide over of course!  It's still very mild here in the UK but quite wet, as always. Wellies are a must !

I know what you mean about cancer becoming a full-time occupation. Sometimes it definitely feels that way and sadly becomes a way of life that many can't comprehend. Thank God for good friends - yours sounds an angel. Last year I was in hospital  unexpectedly for the week leading up to Christmas and all my ex work colleagues got baking and came round with Gammon, sausage rolls, cheese straws, mince pies, cakes, quiches etc because I hadn't had the opportunity. I shed a lot of tears and was so thankful for their thoughtfulness. My siblings are never in touch but my friends keep me going.

I wish you luck with your card writing and will speak soon. Sending much love x

Hi Lorraine

Will raise a virtual glass to your 'pity party'.  Like Max wish it was possible to gatecrash and give you proper hug but am keeping you in my thoughts.  Make sure you have time for some treats before your 'due date' - my mate last year had her celebrations early (and then again on the day as she continued her journey through cancer - double whammy!).

My hubby has been threatened with hospital for Christmas dinner if he does not eat more and get some weight on and so if  we are lucky  our son and other half are collecting us Christmas Eve for a few days. I am hoping to finish last  bits of shopping this week and then set about writing cards as I want others to  have smiles on their faces when they open them and see they are remembered (but have to admit not finding it easy emotionally).

Your forum buddies are hear to listen as always when you need to offload - its not rambling, its sharing and caring.  Big Hugs  Jules x