Hi and welcome to the forum which I hope you will find supportive.  My story is more that of my late husband as I joined when he was diagnosed and the support of the forum for nearly three years during his illness helped me considerably.  Since he passed away in January 2015  the virtual friends I made here continue to chat and show me kindness just by listening to me rabbit on!!

You are more than welcome to post on my thread but it may also be worth starting a thread of your own and perhaps mentioning the kind of cancer you have in the title.  This way others who may relate to your own personal journey can respond and I am sure there are many who will definitely understand the sleepless nights along with all the emotions you go through as you undergo treatment and wish you all the best with your treatment plan and hope you have family and friends who can also be there for a support network. Jules

Hi George

Poor Anne; that was a long day for her at the hospital but lucky to have the company of your daughter Bev (hope she is keeping well too now).  Really hope the scan shows what is going on with her knee and she can receive quick treatment/relief.

Wishing you all the best for your scan appointment today and no doubt you are taking it all in your stride and keeping the staff happy too. I can still remember well the time my Dad was in hospital just before his bypass and we arrived for visiting hours to find him making toast in the nurse's kitchen because he said they did not have time and he was bored!!!!  Such a character and I think they missed him when he moved hospitals for his op ha ha.

Do let us know how you both are when you have a spare moment my friend.  Hugs from Jules

HI Flower.I think all went well with the scan just have to wait now for the results from the lab ,yesterday I went to our local blood clinic in Altrincham hospital they took some blood so again waiting for results .But its all down to diverteculites ? or something hole or pockets in the colon/bowel.Anne is a bit better we did the big shop this morning at our local tesco she used the trolly as a walker and she did well ,the swelling is down a bit but still in pain .And as I said we are both waiting for results for blood and such.As for weather up here in timperley very cold but  dry had RIA out twice  and two more to go,she is on water  tablets and has to wee a lot to take the urin away we are both on the same tablet but I have to pay for hers .Well that is it for now regards  to all ,george anne and ria .

Hi George,

Just back from a short break and glad to hear that the scan and blood tests are done and dusted.  Waiting is frustrating but hope the news is good for you when the results come in.  Pleased that Anne is showing progress and fingers cross the pain/swelling clears up fully soon.

Weather in Middlesex slowly warming up and it seems the next few days could be a bonus at this time of year.  I am hoping to get into the garden after visiting Mum tomorrow (lawn really needs mowing now) but here is a shot from my trip which can far outweigh anything I could produce  ha ha.  Take care.Jules

Hi Jules,

Hope you enjoyed your long weekend trip. Well done to you for ticking another box. Thanks for sharing your great photos. 

Since Monday I have laid several paving slabs in our back garden  The turf I had to lift to make way for them was so heavy but I did it and have taken it plus sawdust and other rubbish to the tip as well. There was so much I had to make two trips but at least they did let me back out. Have also cut the hedge and mowed the lawns  so feeling rather weary now. Garden looks so much better now but just have a few gaps between the slabs whice I need to fill with cement so will try and do this tommorow. 

I also took Mrs B to a local farm shop/garden centre this afternoon and went through the country lanes. It was a lovely drive and with the car windows opens we could hear  the birds singing and saw lots of primroses decorating the hedgerows.and we both thoroughly enjoyed the drive.

This week is going by very quickly. Hope you mun was okay and did you show her your photos? Glad you managed to get your lawns mowed.

My china rose radishs are growing well now and nearly every seed I planted has come up so had to thin them out and cant wait for them to be ready. Havent been able to buy any for many years now.

Hope you manage to fiend some time to relax in your garden. Sending kind thoughts to you and your family, Brian.

Hi Brian,

It was a lovely few days away and so well organised; stayed dry throughout and beautiful surroundings.

You have been busy outside and do not envy you the lugging of paving slabs let alone the  turf removal but am sure you were shattered but satisfied by the time it was all done and bet it looks lovely too.  I never get tired of wandering round a garden centre but it is hard to resist the temptation of spending just a little too much.  I need compost for my new hanging basket and also more bird food so may well have to fit in a trip this weekend.  Have both blackbird and sparrows nesting in the ivy at the end of my garden and they are forever hungry.

Visited Mum though no response to my visit so did not get the chance this week to show my photos but as I have some on social media and am friends with the activity lady at the residential home she talks with Mum about them (though again no response back).  Must be so hard for Mum to be feeling this way though she is in no pain and still eating at meal times.

Glad you radishes are growing well and it will be great for you to taste them when ready.  Funny, I have never been a fan of any kind of radish and can only think must have been put off them at some point as a child.  It is one of the few things I dont eat as far as salad goes.

The evening before I went away my sister in law phone to let me know she had been diagnosed with breast cancer (very early and caught through Mammogram screening).  She  has her op next week and the consultant surgeon is expecting it to be straightforward.  Will have my fingers crossed for her.  He has told her that her planned visit over here in May should be no problem.  She is coming to stay with me for a week  mid May and then my summer holiday is booked in June when I will go to the Isle of Man and catch up with her plus my brother in law and his wife (have booked flight and a B&B so I can be independent and also, despite them having been there over three years there is still work going on with the house and that is not my idea of 'a rest'.

Spent this morning weeding and dead heading in the front garden as cannot go out as have a parcel due to be delivered.  Tempted to put a chair out there as cannot sit in the back garden as would not hear the bell (extension unit is useless ha ha).

Look after yourself and hope Mrs B and the family are doing well.  Jules

Hi Jules, 

Just a quick post to let you know I should be posting as normal from now

The garden is now finished (and so am I ha ha). After that rain yesterday afternoon, the lawn squelches when you walk on it but I mananged to finnish the last few bits this morning. I can now get back to my woodturning. Our back lawn sloped up to my garargeand was akward to mow. So now I havw two rows of paving slabs set at differnt levels tp work as steps.

I have recieved confirmation our 3 day August show is going ahead so I can now conform it to our members. Still in contact withmy late friend and club members widow. She is coping better but reading between the line dont think finacially she is in a very good place. 

This afternoon I have taken Mrs B to a couple of garden centres to see what plants she wants to put in the new extra bit of garden. She has chosen a tall fushia for the first item. It will be in the shade all day

Sending kind thoughts to you and your family, Brian..

Hi Jules,,

Forgot the mention while at the garden centre, I bought some books, some by Cliive Cussler and some by Stephen Leather so will look forward to reading the,, Brian.

Hi Brian

Just reading what you had been up to in your garden made me feel tired!  I do love it when a project comes to an end and you can just stand back and enjoy the results.  Think the few lovely days we had kind of spurred people on to get outside.Now temperatures and April showers are back so your new planting may be like a game of 'dodgems'.  I always love visits to a garden centre (even have a loyalty card for the local one which really helps!!) and these days they are like minefield of lovely things and ideal for gifts too.

Good news that the August 3rd show can go ahead and so you will be busy advising the Club members and getting plans in place for your own stall I am sure.  Look forward to seeing the results of your 'shed time' and hope that leak gets sorted too.  Always take's a time to make those day to day adjustments as we go through the grieving process and worrying when the financial sums do not add up. Unfortunately these days there is no widow's pension, just benefit for a year and a small lump sum which is supposed to help with funeral expenses (does  not even meet the most basic costs).I was fortunate indeed that hubby had death benefit pension plan otherwise I would be  back out working full time (when in my head I should have retired at 60!!).  Hope your friend's widow has someone to help her with the financial minefield (with my hubby often working away when he was alive I was used to dealing with day to day stuff but also chose to use professionals to deal with his Estate as my head just could not take it all in).  Not easy at all.

No plans in plaace this weekend so far but will no doubt be out walking once the showers stop and must get some fruit and veg in too.Have a good weekend. Take care and enjoy your new reading material. I like Stephen Leather and my Dad used to like Cussler though I have never read him myself. Have a new novel to start by Baldacci at some point. Jules

Hi all,

Just wanted to share that my sister in law has just had her results following a lumpectomy for the removal of malignant breast cancer. So relieved to say that the 'nasty' was fully removed and no spread to lymph nodes.  She is now on a course of tablets to be followed by three monthly injections and some radiotherapy (no timeline for the latter yet) as well as physio.  At 70 years of age she is delighted that her mammogram picked this up as even the consultant could not 'feel it'.  Ladies please keep those appointments.  From intial mammogram to this conclusion ...............just four weeks. Amazing service NHS.  She is coming to stay (pre planned before this news) next weekend for a week and it will be good to see her.

Hope everyone staying dry whilst it is currently chucking it down with rain where I live.  Jules

Hi Jules.good new for you and yours as for rain I have watered my gardens every day for a week no problem I like to spend time out there .And as for me I got two letters in the post yesterday,the top man said no sinister symptoms but he needs to reassess me again to see if he can improve my symptoms .The second was  to  confirman a appointment for tuesday 5th of June ,so i feel a lot better .

Take care lol george 

Hi Jules.good new for you and yours as for rain I have watered my gardens every day for a week no problem I like to spend time out there .And as for me I got two letters in the post yesterday,the top man said no sinister symptoms but he needs to reassess me again to see if he can improve my symptoms .The second was  to  confirman a appointment for tuesday 5th of June ,so i feel a lot better .

Take care lol george 

Hi George,

Very pleased that yo have learnt that no sinister 'goings on' and do hope that once re-assessed they can make you feel  more comfortable.  All the best with your next appointment which is not too far away.  Not sure where the time goes recently as the days quickly passing by.

Beautiful start here this morning and I have purple alliums and white poppies doing well in the  back garden with bright pink peonies and my ground cover flowers bringing colour between the 'grasses'in my front space.  Just my work shift to get through today and then can relax for a few days. Sister in law arrives later today and weather looking good so feet up in the garden should help her recovery though she has quite a few plans visiting friends whilst she is over from the Isle of Man (I am her B&B ha ha).

Hope Anne's knee problems have been improving and best regards to you both. Jules

HI Young lady went to see the top man today and all went well discharged all is well so just the old age thing 85 in  July ,Bev took me and stayed with me ,like I said just an old man with pain in the spine and neck .Hope all is well with you ,take care ,lol 

Great news George and very pleased all is well. I am sure you will still be enjoying life with the family and faithful Ria.  My garden birds are eating there way through  my supplies and this morning had a fox wander through so camera has been busy. Best regards. Jules

Hi Jules,

have had a busy week. I took Mrs B out for a ride last Sunday  and my cars low oil pressur light came on so we had to come back home slowly. ]So Monday I had to take my car to the garage. Luckily it was just the oil pressure switch but with an oil change and new filter cost me £122.00 Och. Wednesday we had our club meeting and had two new people turn up, one from our last show and one from my stint at the library. Membership is at last going up.  Everyone seemed to like the new items I took along to show them. Its something we encorouge and we even take along some of our failures as we can all learn from mistakes.

Am getting ready as I am due to give a talk/slide show about beautuful and unusual trees of the world to my sisters gardening club in Chichester next Thursday. Still not completly got the hand of my new projector so still working on that.

Have also been busy in my workshop, working on new lines. Have got a good idea how to turn a meercat now. Its head and ears has been the problem but thing I have an idea how to do it now.

Mrs B has been picking strawberries from out garden and has said so much tastier than the shop bought ones.

Hope you have had a reasonable couple of days at work and bet you have been looking forward to the weekend. Glad you had a good visit with family. I send kind thoughts to you and your family, Brian

. 

Hi Brian

Ouch indeed as far as your car bill was concerned. Often the case that the labouring involved in repair represents the major part of the cost. I do not drive but luckily hubby, being an engineer, sorted most of his car repairs himself (and friends and family over many years).  It certainly saved a few bob over the  years!

Am pleased to hear that your Wood Club is seeing new interest and that your numbers will be boosted, in no small part due to all the work you have been putting in to raise awareness.  How satisfying that you can inform, encourage and all learn from each other.  I look forward to seeing the meerkat in wood as I amsure you will conquer any issues  - trial and error brings satisfaction eventually (I have no such skills Imight add ha ha).

  Our monthly Artisan and Craft Market is on tomorrow and if I get back from my son's in time (as planned)  hope to pop in for a browse.  Will not be purchasing my usual cheeses as due to be away soon. However I will find it hard to walk past without a little taster session!!

Hope your tree talk goes well (of course it will) and that more practice with the projector sees smooth running.  Your passion for the subject will help.

I m still finding it hard seeing Mum 'fading' but think she has amazed everyone with the strength her body is showing these past months (doctors pretty baffled too!!).  She continues to refuse treatment of any kind but eats her meals when offered them and the morphine patch keeps her pain free. At my visit this week she was awake and able to look at recent pictures of her great grandchldren though there is little other response.For the first time in three weeks she did ask me if it was 'Tuesday again already'.  I think her need for routine prevents me from going on different days as this would completely throw her though she would only need to ask.

Off to the gym shortly and then spending quality time with my son and family so really looking forward to that. Hopefully the weather will be on our side and there will be walks aplenty with both grand-daughter and their dog. New edition is due towards the end of next month so in about three weeks my daughter inlaw will begin maternity leave. i think she plans to take a little longer before returning to work this time round and also my son will take allowable paternity leave.Her Dad retires at the end of this month so she will have both her parents able to pitch in (her Mum already childminds one day a week to help keep nursery costs down) and once baby is here I will be helping where I can too of course.

Iknow tomorrow is an emotional day for many but wish you a pleasant weekend and hope you get to catch up with your son and grandchildren at some point.Jules

Good morning Jules,

Hope you are well. My talk about trees went off okay but there was a big problem with the slide show. The screen that comes down from the ceiling was right under a large skylight and allthough it had a built in roller blind, no one knew how to close it so my poor projecter looked like a gloworm in a jam pot. It got better as the evening went on but was nothing like I had hoped for. But everyone was very kind and said it was not my fault. I had several nice comments about the talk however and one woman asked me how I remembered everything as I didnt refer to my notes once. I told her I still have a very good memory but its a selective one.She asked me what I meant so I told her I can remember anything to do with my hobbies or wood, but utterley fail to remember what my dear wife has asked me to do ha ha. I also had some very nice comments about the small wooden items I had on display and people found it hard to believe the timber all came from palletts. 

My sister was over the moon with the wooden elephant I gave her and insited on showing it to all her friends. My car passed its MOT on Monday and they were able to sort out my reversing lights which broke two years ago. Instead of haveing to buy a new wiring loom which is very expensive, they were able to mend the broken wire by putting in a connector and only took 1/2 hrs work so well pleased 

My son is doing very well and has set another new sales record and the month isnt even finnished yet. I knew he would do well and I am very proud of him. He is selling products they didnt expect him to sell and has even sold more then one of the other depots that specializes in these items. They have a big display while he doesnt have anything much. My grandson is getting cheekier than ever and just loves winding me and his dad up. My grandaughter has been going through her exams at the moment so is feeling a bit stressed. She hope to go to Warwick University to do creative writing amongst other things.

Am having a break from wood turning today as it is allready quite warm in my workshop. I Have ordered some more miniture sanding belts and drums to go with my small dremell type tool as it will help speed things up. I can use them to further shape my turnings like grinding in the elephants legs. They remove wood very quickly and with very little effort.

I can truley understand what you say about it being hard watching your mother slowly fading as I felt exactly the same with my mother. The worst part is the knowing there is nothing much you can do to help. 

I hope you have a great time on your holiday. Sending kind thoughts to you and your family, Brian.

Hi Brian,

Lovely to read that your son and the family are doing well. Congratulations on his results (hard work pays!!) on his sales and I amsure your grand-daughter will have been very relieved when the exams were over.Have several friends whose children been feeling much the same.

Such a shame about the screen problems when you gave your talk but so pleased that your knowledge was appreciated and your wood ware admired.  

I had a lovely break away and am now trying to get out of holiday mode and back to the usual routine. Was back to the gym this morning and have done some shopping so meals planned for the week ahead.

My daughter in law has been feeling the heat (now 37 weeks pregnant) but had her final day at work yesterday and during the week  my son surprised and delighted her by arriving home with a portable air conditioning unit so her final weeks should be more comfortable (think the whole family are appreciating it!!!).My lounge only gets the sun at the end of the afternoon so I came home to a lovely cool room and  today there is a slight breeze which is very pleasant so hopefully will sit in the shade with my book in the coming days.  Back to work Wednesday but trying not to think about it!!

Best wishes to you and the family. Jules

Hi Jules, 

Glad you had a good holiday and thanks for the photos on the other thread. After coming home from being away, I have always found it seems strange for a day or two until we get back into our daily routine. Just bet you have been for your usual Sunday walk.

I have just finished writing two more stories and now have the job of transfering them to my book printing program which is reasonably easy. I have two more almost finished. One of them gave me a quandry as I had two differnt endings in my head, but decided in the end to leave the original ending as it give me the oppotunity to make a sequal to explain the parts I had left open. We have lost another club member to cancer he was a regular exhibiter and will be missed. It all happened very quickly.  

Its been far to hot to work in my garage. I tried it one day and started sweating even though I was just labeling up some boxes. But it now looks a whole lot tidier. This hot weather just doesnt suit Mrs B so she will be pleased when our weather returns to normal!!!!!!. Twice this week I have had to take her for r appointments, once to the vampires den for a blood test and once to see the diabetic nurse who was very pleased with her results.

Garden badley needs some rain but at least I havent had to mow the front lawn.

That was nice of your son to bring home that surprise for your daughter in law. Take care and sending kind thoughts to you and your family, Brian

Hi Brian

Well already a week since I returned from my holiday and the weather has certainly helped make me feel that I am still on it!!  Have managed to do a little bit of gardening as some of the spring shrubs definitely needed a 'haircut'.  I am hoping to have a section of fencing replaced so hae been clearing the area immediately in front of it to make it look tidier.  Once installed will have a think as to what to plant up against it as it will have full sun (when its out) for most of the day. So another little project to give me something to think about.

Glad Mrs B's results were pleasing though I do feel sorry for those who struggle in this spell of hot weather. I am lucky that my lounge is  cool place to be but my loft bedroom reached 31degs lst night so did switch on the fan for a bit.  If nothing else I have cut down my food intake and upped the water so, along with visits to the gym, hoping to see a reward by the end of the month ha ha. My daughter in law is now 38 eight weeks pregnant so will definitely be glad to see the back of the extreme heat or for baby to come a bit early now.  Just this week our butterfly emblem for hubby (small toitoiseshell) paid a visit to the proposed nursery so it appears we are being kept an eye on which gae us much pleasure as a family and of course the moment was captured on her phone.

Difficult days for my Mum and they had the emergency doctor out yesterday as she become completely unresponsive with erratic breathing.  Low and behold when the doctor examined her she responded and he has prescribed antibiotics for a possible urine infection.  We now have to see whether she will agree to taking her medicine.  She is 'quietly angry' but polite that her body continues to disobey her wishes to be at peace.

Well done with all your writings and those still to be finalised.  I really do not know where you find the time to fit everything into your day.

Sad to read that yet another member of the Club has succumbed to cancer. My mum always told me that as you aged yourself you attended more funerals that weddings/births but losing friends/relatives does, in mymind, remind us of how precious our own lives are.

Well another hot day in store so am going to the gym soon and then visiting the garden centre as they have their 20%off weekend and I am sure I can find a few gifts for upcoming birthdays (plus a visit to the coffee shop!).

Take care of yourself and Mrs B and hope the rest of your family are keeping ok.  Jules

Good morning Jules

Glad to hear you feel You are still on holiday ha ha. 

Mrs B was sorting out her china display cabinet this morning when she lost her ballance and has broken a lot of her treasured items. I manager to glue a couple of bit back together but most were to far gone to do anythinh with.She is feeling very very annoyed with herself but its all down to her hearing loss in one ear. I have tried telling her this and that its not her fault but it isnt making any differnce. 

Have finnished another two of my stories and am now almost up to date until I start some more. I have done the odd bit in my workshop but its too darned hot for most of the day so writing is all I can do for now. But I have found a use for our old oil spray bottles. I have thined some of my celliulose laquer down and with the pump action button, it makes a good spray gun. I used to buy my spray laquer from Wilco but it was water based and took a long time to dry where as the celluilose one dries very very quickly. So pleased about this. I have experimented with a new idea (see photo below) Using my dremel type mini drill I have doen a dolphin. It not as good as I want but it was only an experiment so know I can do better next time as I will do things a differnt way. Have another club meeting on Wednesday so will have to send out a reminder e-mail to our members as soon as I finnish this. 

My son has his club archery championships today so hope its not to hot for him and that he does well. Garden is very dry and needs some rain but at least the grass doesnt need mowing. Grand daughter now has a part time job working two days a week for a publishing company but is having problems with the trains at times. 

Sorry to read about your mother. She seems very resiliant as she always seem to recovery quickly so she must have a hidden strength somewhere Jules. I dont envy your daughter in law as it cant be nice with this hot weather. 

Take care and am sending kind thoughts to you and your family, Brian. 

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A couple more engravings Ive done. Still have a lot to learn regarding this.