Thank you so much Gloria.  I think the treatment for cancer is so often worse than the disease but that's down to catching it early, before we even know it's there. Glad you are on the mend. I used to think losing your hair would be the worst thing ever (I lost mine with chemo for beast cancer 15 years ago) but it grows back and at some point you actually do get back to normal.  The thing is to appreciate 'normal ' life!  Can't wait to get our normal life back.  Won't take it for granted again.... But we probably will.  We are impatient too, we expect everything instantly these days.  Your body takes time to heal and get strong again.  You will, and you won't be defined by your cancer.  You will be you again.

xxx

Hi Ladies,

Julie,  So sorry to hear Dave was rushed back into hospital.  So scary, for you both.  Hopefully the cause is only the anti coagulants, at least it's a relatively easy fix, although no less worrying.  The bit of metal is more of a concern, and whether they will deem it has to be removed at some stage  Even though I'm sure it's hard you will deal with whatever is dealt you.  As you said "what else can you do?"  Hopefully Dave will be doing so much better when you next see him.  Treatments are horrible, but you tolerate it all, to be cancer free at the end and have that "normal" life again.  

Gloria, It's good to hear you are getting some strength back now, and that your fair is growing back fast.    Stay strong and positive and heal, and eventually you will feel like you.

Such a lazy day here, it has been so cold and wet, we've had a really bitter cold front come in, snow has fallen in places it doesn't usually fall.  Top of 7 degrees today.  Best place to be was inside out of it all.

Take care, and love to all.  Sue xx
 

Hello Sue

You've had snow in Australia! That's amazing.  We have friends who live in Cornwall - their grandson is 7 and he's only seen snow once in his life.  The weather is mad at the moment isn't it?  We've had some extreme weather this summer, it's been warm in June and July but now in August, we seem to be having autumnal winds and heavy rain. The leaves are turning already.  Soon be Christmas!

Dave is recovering well.  His stats are all good but they still need to confirm what's caused the bleed. It is probably a haemorrhoid as he's had them before.  That together with a strong dose of anti coagulant might do it!  He really didn't need this just now, but we're picking ourselves up again and getting on with it.  They don't seem to be concerned about the mystery metal invader!

It's our 41st wedding anniversary tomorrow.  We went to Windsor last year (for the ruby) and looking back on it now, he was beginning to be ill then.  We had a good time but he wasn't himself.  We were never big on celebrating anniversaries but I might make an effort tomorrow!  

Sue, you seem to be keeping busy.  How are things for you?  

I sometimes feel guilty for just moaning about my situation but it's so good to get things off my chest.  That's what is so good about this forum.  You can say what you feel and know you're all out there being so generous with your love and support.

Much love

Julie xx

Hi Julia,

We do get snow here, we have 3 snow resorts in Victoria.  I avoid them, it's too cold for me.  Near where my eldest lives has been blanketed in snow, outer Melbourne and it doesn't usually see snow. The weather is quite extreme at present.  Weather bureau said it's a normal occurrence which happens approx every 5 years, I'm not so sure.  I've added a pic of my brother and sister in law taken today on a trip to find snow.  Tina is Philipino and hadn't seen snow.

Glad to hear Dave is recovering well,  Would have been better if it didn't happen anytime but now especially.  When you're on anti coagulants you can bleed quite a lot even from just a small scratch, Neil would bleed for ages even after a shaving nick, when he was on them.  

Happy Anniversary for tomorrow.  Make an effort tomorrow.  We never did for our anniversaries but I really wish we had now.  We nearly made our 35th Anniversary.  Neil said when he first started treatment that he was going to do things differently when he was better.  He always put work first,, missed family functions, all sorts of things,  He wasn't going to put work first all the time and do more with family, see more of the grandkids etc.  He missed that chance.  You and Dave have been given a 2nd chance, don't pass up an opportunity, do all that you want.

Things aren't too bad really, I think I'm coping well.  I do keep myself occupied.  Don't ever feel guilty "moaning" (as you say), it's always good to get it off your chest.  I think it helps us cope with what we're going through.  12 months ago I was "moaning" about Neil's treatment, and his symptoms, setbacks.  I was so given so much support, love  and even my sanity at times.

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Lots of love

Sue xxx

Hi my girls, what traumas have been occurring whilst I've been gone!  As I said to hubby this morning when he kept mentioning the news, having been with Harry for four days my TV has been Captain underpants and Horrible Histories!  So he managed to stay in one piece, despite the terrible storms and thunder and lightening, needless to say he's very happy I'm home and today is lovely, apparently I've brought the sunshine home.  We did have torrential rain on Friday in Surrey, Lisa and I walked the hill to fetch Harry from his summer club and the rain was going in the front if my sandals and running out of my heels, great, as I only had them with me.  So H was very happy to see me, lots of love, hugs and kisses and we didn't go to the theme park as Lisa's twisted foot is still playing her up, so we did the pictures instead, Hirrible Histories, it was hilarious.  Lots of food, drink and laughter, I feel quite refreshed.  Julie, I hope Dave is on the mend again, this cancer maalarky is a lot of ups and downs and quite often 80% of down and little up!  But as you said you've got to cope, giving up is not an option.  Gloria, you sound a little better, it is a long haul, Norman is still suffering from the treatments but he would have died without them.  Did the move go OK for them?  Sue, when I was struggling to get my bra on this morning after zumba and mowing the lawn, I was praying for cooler weather so my contortions would be over!!  I've just sat down as I had washing, ironing and the garden to see too, last night we went and got a take away as hubby said I should relax!?  It's nice to be back though, there's no where like your own bed.  Lisa has two cats Elvie and son Eddy, my bedroom is their day room but I shut them out when there, yesterday as I was packing Elvie sauntered in, jumped onto the window ledge, gave me a snooty look and promptly jumped out the open window, I nearly had a fit imagining her on the drive way, all four paws splayed out like a Tom and Jerry cartoon, I peered out with trepidation and the little horror was sat on the pitched roof, looked up at me and I could have sworn she was saying, that'll teach you to lock me out!!  So all well here at the moment, taking my sister in law for lunch out tomorrow.  Speak later all of you,  love Carol x 

Hi Ladies,

Carol, Love your TV selections while you have been away.  Actually Horrible Histories sounds pretty good, don't think I'd say the same for Captain Underpants though.  Can understand why Harry would love it.  Glad Norman stayed in one piece while you were gone.  Can't you visit here and bring the sunshine with you, I'm sick of our miserable weather, apparently this past weekend we had the heaviest snowfalls for 11 years.  Just lots of rain and a biting wind and very, very cold.  We had 3° the other morning.  Found out tonight we actually had a light snowfall Sunday night/Monday morning.  It didn't last long, but quite unusual for here.  Even though you are hoping for cooler weather I don't hink you want what we've had.  The worst part about going away is all the work you have once you get home.  Although it's always good to come home to your own bed, there really is nothing like it.
You have to love cats.. Elvie probably was saying that'll teach you to lock me out.  She probably doesn't think much of you locking her out of her day room.  Enjoy your lunch tomorrow with your sister in law,

A busy few days for me.  Yesterday I went to Geelong with Deana for Eli's hearing check.  The poor little mite has a naty cold so he had fluid in his ears, so another check in Dec.  Today I've made a pot of cauliflower and cheese soup.  the cheese will be added when I reheat to have for tea.  Went to Rotary tonight, then tomorrow I'll have Eli, and staying over at Deana's tomorrow night as she is off to the market Thursday, then Friday I'm off to Melbourne.  It is Jamie's Birthday (Bree's hubby), so we are out for dinner.  Should be good.

Remember when I said my Solar water panel on the roof burst with the frost we had.  I heard back from Rheem and they are replacing it under warranty.  Really pleased as the panel is roughly $1500-1600, I do have to pay for the plumber. but they are using the one I called and I don't mind paying him a couple of hundred to install it.  Just have to wait to hear from him once he receives the panel from Rheem.

Hope all are doing as well as possible.  Take care.

Love Sue xx

Dear friends, a good day here although the weather leaves a lot to be desired, so popping to Australia would just bring wind and rain to go with the snow.  We're pretty used to cold winters and rubbish summers so not such a shock for us Brits!!  My dance class was good, hubby seems good and my lunch out with Sue was very nice.  We meandered around Barkers upmarket store and then I bought a navy striped longline top for Autumn, its getting chilly on a night now.  Then we went to their furniture shop and ummed and ahed over the expensive sofas and tables, I spent the grand sum of ten pounds on a new light shade which had originally been twenty five it looks very nice in my spruced up conservatory.  Hubby has just ordered me a new Dolce gusto coffee machine, it's funny as mine has been leaking for ages but he's ignored my complaints until today, he'd made me one before I went out but I had no time so I suggested he drink it, guess what? It had leaked all over the worktop meaning he had to clean it up, the new one comes tomorrow!  Sue said that at the WI the other night they had a Burlesque dancer and fifty women turned up compared to the usual 17, they had to pretend their chair was the lover they were enticing, apparently at the end when they flung themselves over the back of the chair because of the age of most if them they struggled to get back up, she said she nearly wet her knickers laughing so much.  So we're fed and watered, hubby is shouting at the news and I'm watching The brides of Fu manchu, it's hilarious but obviously in 1966 it was scary.  See you soon, love Carol x 

Hello ladies

It's really windy here today and cool - might need to dig out a vest before I go visiting this afternoon.  Dave is fine but still in hospital as they want to restart the anti coagulant drugs while he's an in patient.  He's understandably frustrated as he feels almost back to normal, but better to be safe than sorry.  He'll have been in a week tomorrow (this time).  I'm getting used to sleeping on my own and watching what I like on TV.  Does that sounds like I don't want him to come home?  That's not the case!!  If he comes home tomorrow we might be in a position to have Matilda for a day or two.  She'll have to spend all week at her other grandparents otherwise as there are no spaces at holiday club.  It would be lovely to have her to stay for a little while.  Would cheer Dave up no end.

I must make more of an effort to see my friends.  We keep in touch via phone calls and texts but my world has shrunk to visiting Dave and the occasional trip to my parents and the supermarket! Maybe I'll join the WI, sounds like fun!! It's good to hear all about your busy lives especially when things are going smoothly for a change!

Well I'll sign off now and get ready to go.  Keep smiling.

Julie

Hi Ladies,

Carol, Shame your weather leaves a lot to be desired.  We had sunshine today, still cold though but the sun was very welcome.  I can't wait for summer, I'm so over cold weather.  It's good to hear that Norman seems good and your dance class and lunch out were enjoyable.  Your buying things for cooler weather, I bought sandals the other day in preparation for summer. I love looking at furniture, and could wander for hours just looking.  Funny how men do that, Neil used to also, I'd complain something wasn't working properly, but until he acutally experirenced it fail he was never in a rush to replace it. What a great WI meeting that would have been.  Would have loved to have been a fly on the wall watching the audience participation,  A girlfriends daughter does burlesque/pole dancing.  You need good core body strength to be able to do it.  She says it's a lot of fun.

Julie, I thought Dave woujld have been home by now but its probably best they know he is ok before they send him home, especially if they are going to restart the anti coagulants.  It will be great if you can have Matilda for a couple of days when Dave comes home.  With meetings like that one the WQi sounds like a lot of fun.  You should still make time to see friends, even if it is just for a cuppa. Of course fitting in with Dave's good days, and appointments.  It can be hard to do at times.

I spent the night at Deana's last night.  Eli was so sweet this morning, he didn't mind that it was me that got him up when he awoke.  He usually has a bit of a grumble when I'm there of a morning rather than Mum or Dad.  It doesn't take him long to get over his initial disappointment.  After he'd been dropped at day care I did Deana's banking for the shop.  Got in the garden this afternoon for a bit and pulled some weeds out.  Best time to do it after we've had rain.  So much easier.  Tomorrow I'm going to Melbourne for Jamie's Birthday dinner.  Saturday will be a quiet day.  Then I'm on the BBQ at the market on Sunday so an early start.  My cold or whatever it was is finally clearing up, I don't sound like a honking seal anymore, still have a bit of a cough buy nothing like it was.

Take care, lots of love to all.  Sue xx