Hi, Carol,

In our situation, I think an absence, for a few days, or even longer, means we are getting on with other things in our lives and should probably be welcomed, but in cases like Billy's and other people who we know are still fighting the battle against cancer it is so scary. All the people on here who have been consoled, cheered up or just comforted by Billy's constant kindness and good humour are, like us, worried and distressed at not hearing from him.  Billy, if you are able to read this but perhaps not able to respond, there are so many people who love you and wish you well, and who hope that knowing this might be of a little comfort to you.  We miss you!

Carol, well done you!  Good service from the new surgery and an NHS cancellation, whoopee! Good luck for tomorrow, although given the date is Norman's anniversary, I have no doubt he will be looking down and guiding the surgeon's hand to ensure the operation is a success!  I went on a patients' protest on Thursday at our health centre. (Shades of student days)  I thought there was going to be someone there to protest to but it was just a gathering of mainly pensioner patients with dogs. A couple of people there had professional looking video equipment, but one of them left soon after shooting a panorama of the crowd.  The other person stayed a bit longer, but had gone by the time one of our retired doctors who is now a councillor gave a little speech thanking us for turning up in the freezing cold and made a little statement about our health centre being one of the last bastions of family doctors. There weren't as many people as hoped, as a percentage of the total number registered there, but there were a couple of hundred, and the whole length of the road was plastered with posters and banners demanding the decision to award the contract to a consortium be reconsidered.  A neighbour said there was a little bit about it on local radio but I have been watching tv local news but there has been no mention.  It was a big news day for the North that day with the Levelling up money being announced for several towns with visits from politicians and even the King, so a little demo wouldn't even be considered newsworthy enough.

Had a lovely day yesterday with my daughter, we left both dogs at my house, so they wouldn't be lonely while we went to a lovely craft workshop and social gathering at her cousin's house.  The dogs must have been well behaved as there was nothing out of place when we got back but they were delirious with joy to see us, which made us wonder if they had thought they were going to be left living together forever. 

As I said before, Carol, good luck for tomorrow!

love

Christine x

Well done on the protest Christine. That's quite something given how cold it's been recently.

Carol, I missed the fact your op date is Norman's Anniversary. Have been a bit out of it recently (my friend is waiting on an urgent colonoscopy having recently seen a colorectal cancer specialist). That's surreal. I don't think it's a bad omen and agree with Christine's take. But you may feel extra emotional because of it, so maybe make sure the nursing staff are aware that they may need to give some extra support... Once again, good luck! x

I'm on the mid afternoon list, so  not long now.  As usual all the things that can go wrong have been explained but I'm ignoring them!  Everyone has been very kind and considering where I am that is a bonus for me.  Faye said last night that her Dad had sorted this out as he didn't want me spending all that money!   she's right as he hated wasting his hard earned money.  I'll update you all tomorrow. Thank you so much for the best wishes.  Xx

So pleased you are on today's list and that people are being kind. It makes such a difference. I love Faye's comment. Thinking of you this afternoon. Best wishes Rose xx

Well I survived!!  It was just after 4pm when I went into pre op theatre room, the Consultant came into see me all smiles, looked at the purple arrow and said oh it's grown slightly but a small cut and it will just pop out, famous last words.  So I only had one small novacaine injection and once they'd wrapped me up in waterproof pads, covered me in a big green cloth I was ready to go.  The operating guy to my left asked me if I watched many medical programs, had I watched ER, because he was sorry but George Clooney wasn't in the theatre with me he said no I said I can see that as I've got you lot instead, everyone laughed and I was extremely relaxed until all went quiet and everyone ended down my nether regions discussing what what was going on, it's alright being awake but my goodness you know  exactly what is going on, so it turns out that yes I was right to say my hip had been hurting and I felt  like a nerve was trapped as this 2.5cm lump was actually the size of my fist!  Make a fist he says coming back to my head end, that's the size of it and its going to take some getting out!  I won't go into the gory details but it wasn't pleasant and I had to have another five injections and fifteen stitches, I told Lisa and she said, Mum that's not keyhole surgery, I know, fifteen stitches in your nether regions is no fun. The cover kept falling over my face and covering my nose, can you take this off I said I'm suffocating, oh don't do that he says the amount of paperwork we have to fill in will make us all late home for tea.  Anyway, stitched up, told I'd been extremely brave and that even men have got off the operating table because they couldn't take it, do you want to see it they asked, oh my god, no I don't thank you, its now gone to the lab for inspection, they can have it.  Can you imagine getting off an operating table, the poor doctors must feel awful.  Anyway a nice touch, do you like music the funny one asks because this bit is going to be a lot of pulling and tugging, have you got Ed Sheeran, Perfect I ask,  he did, so I concentrated on the words to the song, the nurse said it was her first dance at her wedding, it was my last goodbye at my husband's funeral I said, but it helped me a lot and was very kind of them.  A cup of tea, a biscuit and I was dressed and home by 6.45pm, soup and toast, electric blanket on, numerous phone calls from the girls and friends, painkillers and not a bad night's sleep.  The final reply to my complaint came yesterday, 24th, Norman's last day on earth a year ago.  They now blame me for never answering the phone, so no one could communicate with me.  I need to make a decision, I'll sleep on it first.  Take care, Carol x 

Thank you Pet, I've just looked you up to see your story.  Thank you for reading my posts.  Xx

Hi Carol,

Have you never watched Dr Pimple Popper or Bad skin clinic?  They show lipomas being removed all the time. I always feel for the patient afterwards with all the tugging and squeezing, they must really be bruised and hurt after the anaesthetic wears off!  I must admit I quite enjoy watching them, though.  

Glad it was removed, hopefully you can go forward without that pain.
 
I'm having a duvet day today, it was so dark and dreary outside this morning that even Archie didn't want to go out. I am finally able to wear the rather glamorous loungewear outfit my daughter bought me. If someone were to come to the door I could answer it without any embarrassment.  I've done two lots of laundry and some baking so I haven't been totally lazy.

Hope you soon recover from your pummelling without too many bruises.

lots of love

Christine xx

No I have not!!  I'm quite squeamish but could have been one of their star customers.  I'm so not used to sitting around so I've tidied my wardrobe, done some washing, ordered some new clothes as I finally received the RAC pension payment.  I expect you look very film starrsh in your outfit, Lisa bought me silk pj's but its too bloody cold to wear them, so I'm back to bottoms and a thermal vest in bed, having got my gas and electric bill yesterday its back to no heating again, it's extortionate and I'm careful, Margaret said I need a miners lamp on my head for bedtime as I'm not putting lights on!  Lovely to hear from you.  Xx

Not stylish enough. I need something with a polo neck to hide my loose skin. Do you remember Amanda Barrie? She used to be in Coronation Street in the day. Whenever you saw her as herself, in other programmes she always had something glamorous billowing round and hiding her neck.  I'm going to have to do the same, My peach coloured velvet lounging outfit is nice and warm and quite smart so I will forgive its one failing.  As it gets colder I will have to put on my yeti coat. (One of those snuggly wearable blankets). It is so snuggly but I'd die of embarrassment if anyone saw me wearing it.  I, too, am struggling to keep ahead of my fuel bills.  My house is so tiny and well insulated but costs the earth these days.  Fortunately, I am still in credit from before the prices surge and because of the government money, but once we are having to pay the full amount in April I think I'll switch everything off!  At least it should be getting warmer by then. Thank heavens for electric blankets! 
Take care,

love

Christine xx