Hi girls, it’s difficult not having my own communication but I’m struggling to get it repaired because I haven’t had time to go to town.  So Norman is out and I’ve nabbed his!  Sue it’s so much easy to forget special events when you are still struggling to cope with your own situation.  I keep thinking I have forgotten things with all I do for Norman but up to now it’s not happened.  Our lovely neighbors came in for a drink yesterday afternoon, Debb and I have decided to go and see the Simon and Garfunkel story at the theatre this month, so one thing booked.  I messaged all our Malvern girls for a night out, Alisa has put seven pounds on and been fined ten pounds by slimming world, Maureen skint as her kitchen is being updated, Mary is going out anyway so I gave up!!  We’re off to James Cook Monday for his RA, hopefully medicine can be prescribed to help.  My family are meeting Matt tomorrow in London, I texted his Mum wishing her happy new year, said what lucky people we were with such lovely families, back came, you may have a lovely family but I wish Matt had a nicer wife, the ***!  To say I was gobsmacked is putting it politely.  This woman has lost every friend she ever had, broke our family in half by stopping us seeing our Dad and now her only child has to choose between his wife or his Mum, no wonder he lives in Australia!  I don’t have time for such bitterness I couldn’t live that way.  Signing off now.  See you tomorrow xx

Sorry but I had to laugh about Matt's mum; you should reply in the same kind of frankness!  It must be tempting sometimes.  Right, now Christmas is more of less officially over I have to stop making excuses for putting things off.   Paul is down the pub; the first time he has gone there on his scooter for a while now but he was worried if would run down or something that I don't understand if he doesn't use it regularly.  I have charged the battery every couple of days and dried it out when heavy rain got under the cover so hopefully it is okay.    We have to make an effort to actually move to Somerset if the estate agents ever send us something that looks like the kind of bungalow we need.  My son is very patient but he wouldn't half like a lump sum of cash and it was me who - like a fool - suggested it!    (Sue, property prices are much higher in London than in Somerset so I thought it would be nice to give him the difference now.)  I am still getting rid of bits and pieces in various directions but need to double my efforts. Cancer or dementia - god, what a decision - cancer I suppose - at least you don't lose your marbles.  Gloria - I do hope you are feeling better now.

I had really weird dreams last night and although I’ve been for a body massage with Dorothy I am struggling with truth and non reality which has left me with a feeling of da ja vue, which feels weird.  My massage was uncomfortable because I had to lie on my front for thirty minutes which flattened my boobs and my head got stuck on the plastic hole, peaceful it was not!  Anyway back down stairs I was offered a complimentary wash and blow dry, you mean free I asked in amazement, yes while your friend finishes her facial.  Wow. We don’t get much free in this life, so a lovely half massage a blow dry all for £25.  (Well a full massage but I only enjoyed half of it!). Hubby has been to knock a few balls about plus fresh air.  I’ve not heard from any family today as they are all out so I’ll update you tomorrow on how it went.  I don’t understand people who never learn from past mistakes, last Christmas Enid told me Lisa never said thank you for her gifts straight away and snapped her fingers in my face to prove her point, this was whilst Lisa was preparing Harry to hand her a present, she was suitably embarrassed I’m pleased to say!   I knew using hubbys I pad would cause problems, he’s just asked me why I am looking at cancer web sites, nosy so and so, just because we’re married doesn’t mean he has to know everything I do!  We’re having take a way tonight, prawn curry here I come.  Take care all of you.  PS you’re very generous handing over all that money Annie, I hope that they appreciate your generosity. Xx

Hi Ladies,

Still can't believe I forgot the twins birthday.  Bree was fine when I rang and I spoke to both the boys, despite it being the day after Colby was adamant it was still his birthday.  Bless him.  Present sorted, Bree said they love going to the movies, so I bought movie vouchers for them and a t-shirt each.  They are having a bbq to celebrate their birthday on the 12th.

The Simon and Garfunkel sotry should be good Carol.  Matt's mum sounds like my mil.  She doesn't think much of any of her children's partners, me included.

Paul would have been happy he could finally get out on his scooter, and I'm sure it was fine despite its lack of use.  Much the same here Annie, with house prices.  I've just been looking at some houses in Somerset.  I love all the different types you have,  We don't really have some of them.  Converted barns and churches.  They are gorgeous.  Hope you find one that suits.

I've had a couple of really lazy days.  Not done much of anything, although I did cal;l in to see Deana, Nick and Eli today.  Picked up some more figs while I was there,

Have a great weekend.

Love to all.  Sue xx


 

Dear girls, I have been so busy today.  I took down all the decorations and asked hubby to hold the ladders while I put it all away in the loft, cue him chucking things about that I’ve had for years, I asked him to be more careful, it’s all right for you he says with your two legs, blah, blah, I’ve heard it a thousand times before!  Off he struts so it’s back to me again but he must have realised he’d been unfair and asks how he can help, so we work together and get it done.  Lisa texts, Matts boys are very difficult she says tactfully!  You mean spoilt I reply, they take after their Grandma, we send each other silly Emojiis showing our true thoughts on the subject!  Hubby has actually been to the Pub on his own this afternoon and came back quite upbeat, it’s nice to see a flash of my old man as he was before cancer and losing his confidence.  He actually thanked me tonight for all I’ve done to help him.  Sarah starts cleaning for me tomorrow so that’s good, I’m so far behind with jobs having been ill and then Christmas, my garden needs attention the garage needs tidying up and shrubs need cutting back.  James Cook for his RA tomorrow, I hope we get some help.  Mind I don’t have problems with my hands but in the last two days I’ve struggled getting into toothpaste that was seal packaged, stupid foil tabs that snap so scissors are needed, cuticle cream that I’ve taken my nail varnish off trying to open and hubbys ball shagger Christmas present that was sealed in hard plastic that once off I could have cut my throat with!!  Perhaps we should start a campaign for easy opening packing I think we would get a million hits.  I’m pleased you managed to get around the missed birthday Sue, family will understand how you have a lot to cope with at present.  I love figs but they don’t love my tummy!    Take care all of you, write soon so we know how you are.  Love Carol xx

Hi Ladies,

That was a win getting a wash and blow dry after your massage.  as you said we don't often get something for nothing anymore.  Shame only half the massage was good.  Getting your hair done would have help make up for that though.  Prawn curry sounds nice for tea.  I made a vegetable curry and had the last of that last night, 3rd night in a row.  Tonight was chicken, and I bought a pork roast so I;ll do that in the crockpot tomorrow.. sort of a pulled pork with asian flavours instead of the usual BBQ.  My Christmas tree is down but I haven't taken the wreath of the front door yet.  It would be lovely to see Norman as he used to be.  His thanks would have been very welcome and appreciated too.  Hopefully Sarah will be better than the last cleaner,  I hate the seal on the toothpaste, I usually get it off with a pair of tweezers now, they are just too hard to lift enough so you can take it off.  I bought cards and wrap today for the boys presents,  Bree is having a bbq lunch for their birthdays this Saturday. 

I went to Deana's to watch Eli this afternoon,  She had walked to the butchers and fruit shop and Eli went to sleep in the pram on the way back, so she rang to see if I'd come there instead of waking him, getting him in the car. HE is so different at home with all his toys.  Very independant, climbs in and out of his ball pit, plays in his tunnel, and of course chases Jasper (cat) as soon as he sees him.  Gypsy, the other cat tends to keep out of Eli;s way, she is not so keen.  Jasper is great with him, lets Eli cuddle him, and even at the age he is he doesn't hit Jasper, he's gentle and just pats or cuddles.

Take care all, lots of love, Sue xx

Hi girls I’m happy to read your news, Sue it gets to the stage where you eat the same meal for days because you can’t get used to cooking less!  Annie I’m sorry your house members are not doing well, it’s upsetting when animals are unwell as they can’t tell you what is wrong!  Yesterday’s RA appointment turned into five hours of hell.  Could honestly write a book about what happened and I’m summoning up the courage to put a complaint in.  We left home at one thirty and by the time we found the right department I couldn’t park anywhere.  I abandoned hubby and parked so far away I wasn’t sure that I knew my way back.  Hubby tried to walk but it was so far I had to get a wheelchair, these will Not go forwards so I had to drag him backwards everywhere we went.  The X-ray department was the other side of the hospital, to get my parking validated I walked the full length of the hospital again.  We didn’t leave until 6pm by which time it was pitch black.  I found the car, put my ticket in and the barrier stayed put.  Help button pushed, disembodied voice, re park your car, walk to maternity and pay at the machine as you have a disabled ticket!!  Serco seriously needs lessons on what disabled means, I was nearly in tears and still had to get around the one way system to pick him up.  He was so unwell in the car that I had to stop at the road side so he could throw up.  We arrived home at 6.45pm after leaving home over four hours earlier.  Hospital layouts are definitely not suitable to the people that visit.  Hubby is a little better now but after amputation, chemo and radiotherapy, yesterday was the worst of them all.  The only good thing is tea is cooked for tonight as we were too exhausted to eat it last night!  Take care all of you.  Love Carol xx

Hi all you lovely girls. Not been on lately. Not been too good. Before Christmas I had Cystitis which kept returning. I was on Antibiotics and strong painkillers from Dr then developed dreadful constipation from taking all the meds. I’m on laxitive powders and tablets from Dr and not right yet. Think things are able to attack you when the immune system is low after Chemo. Not been out since Christmas Day and feeling low but hoping to get stronger and feel better soon. Carol what a terrible time you had at the hospital. I hate hospital car parks. Always a worry if you can get in near enough if you are not well to walk. You you are both ok now. I’ve got an appointment to see my oncologist next Tuesday for check up. Hope everything will be ok. Lots of love to everyone. Happy and Healthy New Year all. Gloria xxx

Gloria it’s so lovely to hear from you, I’m so sorry you are having a rotten time of it, it must really drag you down and make you feel like not facing anyone.  It’s obviously the after effects of chemo I wrote a complaint to PALS but I honestly don’t expect much to be done, it’s sad but I really don’t have much faith in them, I complained once before when hubby had his leg amputated, nothing happened just a lot of bluster. I spent my afternoon trying to finish the on going cardigan but the pattern has disappeared!  So it’s being done by memory, that should be fun.  I’m off out tomorrow and Friday as trying to get my life back to normal.  We’re going to see Olivia Colman in The Favourite then food and wine after.  Christine and I wanted to see Mary Queen of Scots, Florence thought we were going to say Mary Poppins, I said I thought it was rubbish the first time round and definitely would not go and see a remake, we laughed at how different we were in our choices but that we all were such good friends.  So my day is done, a glass of wine, feet up and chill out.  Love to you all.  Carol xx