Soop's kitchen refuge for the sharing of...

Letter arrived in post. I have a telephone appointment later in the month with the prolapse surgeon.

A hug for you both from me, soop. A sad day for you.

How are you feeling about the medical appointment? I hope it will be positive for you.

Thank you all for your kind thoughts. My cat feeding days are over as the cat has gone to a quiet location to live with people known to the family. Its helped the family to know the cat will be well looked after.

Flipping hot here today. As we’re due rain tomorrow, just wish it was a little cooler to make sitting outside comfortable. I know, no pleasing me .

TOYA

corner Thank you for updating us with the happy cat news. That has made me .

I also am pleased that the cat has a new home and over time she settles down there and is well cared for.

What a sad day for you soop. My sincere condolences.

Good news, however, that you are going to have an appointment with the consultant albeit on the phone. I have an appointment with my oncologist on the 22nd but not heard how it will be conducted. I rather hope I see his registrar as I get on much better with him. He seems to listen better.

I am still upset by my neighbour who came and lambasted me last night for cutting the overhanging branches from his tree. I did explain to him that if (when) the roots go under our house he is liable. I hope he heard and will take steps to either reduce its height or take it down altogether.

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Apparently the weather is about to change. I have last night's sunset to share with. Enjoy!

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Here they are...

ooops!

Well, you've made my day. How wonderful you were able to share a family's sadness and now you have a telephone appointment, dear soop. Hope you will remind Mac to remind you NOT to underplay your symptoms and problems when you speak to your Consultant. This nonsense must stop and normal life needs to get going again chez Soop!!

Wonderful news cornergran. All your good work and kind deeds are to be continued for the little cat. How grateful your friend would be. I'm so pleased and especially if solving that problem gives the grieving family some peace of mind.

Be glad of the sunshine. Yes, I bet it is hot but try to think how good it is for you - all that Vitamin D and your Serotonin levels will get a boost and you'll be much more cheery. The Great Greyness will return soon enough, I expect.

I told my Eye Doc the other day (a man who has worked in the UK and who loves England), the old joke about English weather. He roared with laughter :

How do you know when it's summer in England ?
The rain's warmer !

Hope that raised a small smile.

I am irritable today but for a different reason. For days I have been scratching at my sides and middle like an old tramp - not a good look. Even the dogs are giving me the side eye now !!

Then this morning I recalled that whilst sitting sewing the other afternoon, I noticed (without the aid of my currently missing double glazing!!!) a tiny orange creature on my white table. A creature that I recognised from days in the fields of Normandy but normally so tiny that it's impossible to see unless it's in a group with hundreds of others and then it can still look only the size of a pin head - usually on the noses or between the toes of dogs and cats or anything that sits around on the grass. They burrow for a couple of days somewhere warm, like an armpit or worse, a legpit ! Then they leave, and the scratching that they cause is enough to drive one mad. One year I went to my Vet for the dog's treatment with some special shampoo. Wish there was a shampoo for humans, said my Vet, as we both danced around and scratched and fidgeted fit to burst.

The insects in France that do this are called Aoûtats (Ootah)
and only normally occur in the month of Août (Oot) - August after the harvests. They are so much smaller than mites or chiggers and they are a nightmare. So I am sitting in a cool room with an ice pack on my middle, before attacking some ironing. All the wonderful creams we have in our cabinet - most containing small amount of Cortisone and which work for every known bite, don't work for these critters.

One year I found some lotion made by Avon and which was used by the British Army for keeping most insect life away. It worked like a dream. It contained a chemical called Picaridin. Now they only sell it in the USA and it can't be flown anywhere. My girl friend there bought 8 bottles to send to me and was almost thrown out of the post office when she tried to mail it. Fortunately in insect riddled Florida, she was able to sell it all to other friends, but it is obviously a problem which I am not going to easily overcome. And it's June and I've not been near any dry grass, so am doubly indignant.

Happy today though, and so happy with your news. Let's hope that we get some more good things happen on this thread.

Sending (only) Greek yoghurt and fresh fruit to the Kitchen because The Diet has started. No more excuses. Still keeping away from real life until we have the chance to test whether incoming tourists will bring problems here, but in the meantime must lose some of the weight I have happily gained munching my way through cares and worries and being shut in.

Have a good afternoon, all. Hugs from France. x

soop a sad day for you all. . Those sunset photos are beautiful. You ought to make an album of the view throughout the seasons. ?
So you now have an appointment soop. Is the prolapse surgeon one you have seen before? Hope this time it’s more helpful.
corner glad your friends cat is now being looked after by someone close to the family. I expect they are grateful for you looking after her till now.?
TOYA?

Just saw your post dragonfly. So pleased that things of ordinary life seem to be getting moving again. You need your treatment and hope that you get your wish - and the Registrar.

As for the know-nothing neighbour and his wretched tree, you have every right to take down, cut, trim, prune, lop or whatever, anything that is in your garden, hanging over your boundary. He's entitled to the bits back that you cut....that's all. Your garden, your property. He will of course be liable for serious damage caused by his trees, but is probably not able to even to think about that. It's not much comfort being in the right, if you are dealing with someone who won't listen, but you are - and he's stuck with that, however he rages or stomps about. Keep safe. x

grannyfrench so sorry for your itches. Do these little creatures cause harm or infection or is it just itching. That must drive you mad. Do you have some antihistamines that you can take? It might help. (I’ve just started scratching ?) hope the itritation goes away soon. We’re on a diet too ?. Take care.

for Soop &Corner - I have only just seen your posts. I was up early to finish painting a window before the sun came round to it and now I have finished the back of the house. I will get a man to do upstairs at some point.
Letters to elderly aunts to write, strawberry jam to make and ironing to finish so I must dash. Look after yourselves.

No, Doodle, they are just something to drive me mad - and thousands of others. No infection and I have slathered myself in cream to prevent me from getting into the itch/scratch syndrome. A few days and those tiny little marks that they leave will disappear. Hope your diet is a success. Once I have got through, say, 10 days and can see that no longer eating nice home made bread (which always badly affects my energy levels and causes bloating) is making a difference to my shape - I shall be thrilled. I shall concentrate on something other than food for the foreseeable ! Take care of yourself, please.

NannyT Wow, didn't you have a poorly foot? Hope that is fully better now - as if you'd even notice with all that you are doing. Bet the house is looking fabulous. Don't overdo things!

A hug from me too soop a sad and emotional day for you.
Good to hear that you have a telephone appointment. Just when you think those sunsets can't get any better, they do, they are just wonderful.
Glad the cat has a new home corner.
I think that we are all starting to scratch in sympathy grandmafrench those Aoutats sound like real little blighters ( how do you do the accent over the u? I failed ? )
We have spent many holidays in Southern France and have had many mozzie bites but not those. Hope you have some relief soon.
? For you dragonfly I'm sorry that your neighbour has upset you, sometimes you just can't reason with people.

?for you soop on what must be a very emotional day for you and your family.
So pleased you have an appointment and thank you for the lovely sunset pictures,I miss the sea so much!

Am pleased the cat has gone to a loving new home,a comfort to the family and to you?

Our young neighbour has just called over to my husband to tell us he has had the all clear after his latest cancer treatment.We are so happy for him.His treatment finished just before lockdown.He hasn’t seen his young son for twelve weeks and is hoping to be able to see him at the start of July now??

Grandmafrench,I feel for you with the itchiness ?is itchiness a word?!

Cherry and callgirl,hope you are both doing ok?

Thinking of you all.

Thank you Grandmafrench. The foot is fine now but the knees are getting into the act after the step ladders! Losing a few stones would help but I am off to make strawberry jam and scones. At least the ironing is done.

Earlier today, as we virually attended the funeral, we were sad. Thank you for your kind words. And yet, the family agree that it was a blessing. Had my ex husband survived, his quality of life would have been negligible. His wife was not fully aware of what was happening. Her lovely carer of ten years, remained beside her. Sadly, her own husband's funeral is to be held next week. Not Covid related.

My eldest son has phoned and we have had a most enjoyable blether. He is one of the kindest people we know. In fact, all three sons are super special. Just saying. I'm not biased...

Susan Marvellous news of your neighbour's all clear status. Being reunited with his son will be a very special and prcious moment. Lovely news.

Grandmafrench I am in itching/scratching mode. All your fault. Not really...the Scottish midges are being annoying buggerations right now.

An email has come through for MacSporran. He will want to read it. I will therefore say farewell until tomorrow. Thank you for your support.

A big hug from me to you Soop and all who are suffering.

I have had a couple of jittery days and I will be glad when this whole thing is over, as others will as well.

Tomorrow we are supposed to be going to look at another car as ours is on the blink. I honestly cannot muster up the enthusiasm to do this and infact feel really anxious. I know this is nothing to what others are going through but I am battling depression at the moment.

Some baking therapy is needed and a virtual hug. I’m making Carrot soup for tea with homemade walnut shortbread.

Sending love and hugs to you all and stay safe.

Oh and thank you Soop for the fantastic photos of the sunsets, they are beautiful. X

Good morning all.

I am still here but haven't posted as so little to say.
soop condolences on your sad news but as I felt about my own H it really was a blessing for all.
I am sad also about you all with problems with health, depression , worries about loved ones etc.

I get so depressed when I read of everyone getting on with their lives ,even in lockdown.
What am I doing? B....r all.
I cannot walk anywhere, even from bed to dressing table, I have to lean over to reach support, my legs will not support me.
I use a walker outside in the garden and a trolley in the house as I cannot carry anything.
I can sit on a stool and prepare food if it is all in front of me but to go to fridge, freezer or cupboards is so painful .
My GD cooks when she finishes work, I couldn't manage without her now.

My sleep is disturbed by pain now, this never happened in the run up to my TKR.

I have had a phone call from the hospital to say elective surgery should be starting in July,
I will receive a letter in due course.

After all that moaning and sad tale I am pleased to say I am in the best of health in every other way.

Eating too much, no exercise at all and I am not getting any slimmer.
Fortunately no one is seeing me and I have plenty of big comfortable clothes.

I send kindly thoughts to all of and sincerely life improves for us, whilst being very aware that for some of us this is not going to happen.
I have been there and know it can be a very lonely and difficult place and I send my love to those in that situation.

TOYA.

Hello Kitcheners

Your Son is one of the kindest people you know, soop ? Well, no prizes for guessing where he gets that from!

You made my DH laugh out loud purplepixie. I wouldn't worry about the neighbours if you feel like streaking up the road. This situation is enough to drive anyone a little strange! Hope that your feeling so down will shift very soon. We try so hard to adapt and adjust don't we, but it's awful not feeling in control of our lives. As for the new car - I would feel just the same. It just seems sometimes that the pleasure has been knocked out of almost everything.

Ann I wonder if it would pay to get in touch with your Doctor - soon. You say you are in good health and that's some consolation but, and it's a big but, you have had to be so strong to face the disappointment of not having surgery when you so needed it. You need it more than ever now and suffering constant pain is hardly going to improve your health or your chances of a rapid recovery once you have had the surgery.

If anyone needs to be on the elective list and damned soon, it's you. I should imagine you'd be putting on weight if you were eating almost nothing, because you're unable to move or take any exercise at all.

I'm trying to remember - do you have a Son as well as a GD living with you? Would they be able to put your case to the Doctor on your behalf ? It does sound that you would be a much bigger problem for the agencies involved if you were not being cared for by your family now. You possibly would prefer to do it yourself, and you're articulate and probably the best person to know how you feel, but when we are ill or in pain we still tend to play down our symptoms or problems. I think you'd agree with that. We also get very upset if we feel that someone who ought to be able to improve our situation doesn't seem to seriously address the problems or treat them as urgent.

I doubt you would be jumping any queue by speaking to your Doctor, but a letter from him to update your referral ought to be something he would be willing to do, since your situation has clearly worsened over the months. The hospital getting a letter from him might just get you seen earlier. You need your life back and your independence and you certainly need to be out of pain as soon as anyone is willing to deal with it.

Be brave, push yourself forward and stop feeling that you are moaning. Why not give your Doctor, or whoever, the biggest nudge you can and be able to feel happier that you are actually not forgotten about, in the queue, on the list and that your torment will soon be coming to an end.

Take care and keep safe - and keep posting!

Good afternoon darling peoples.

Purplrpixie Should you want company please may I join you for a bowl of the delicious sounding soup and walnut shorbread? I promise not to be a nuisance. I will wash the dishes and, should you have ironing waiting to be attended to...I'll step in and do that too.

annsixty This is a bloody awful time. Is it any wonder that we have days during which we feel utterly deflated and quite often, defeated. There is no shame in expressing our frustrations. In fact, the kitchen was created for the sharing of the entire gamit of stuff that delights/dismays/depresses us lot.

Grandmafrench As always, your wise words make perfect sense. Thank you x

Correction - gamut.

MacSporran was expecting a telephone consultation with the oncologist today. A call came through earlier this morning to say that this has to be cancelled and a new appointment arranged.