The Lockdown Gang still chatting

DH was saying today that it was almost impossible to keep track of all these hospital appointments. We had a phone call this morning from a nurse who wanted to book a barium swallow for DH and we had a job fitting it in between all the other appointments. CT scan went well today but won’t know results for a while. Poor DH in agony with his legs but can’t take painkillers until after Thursday when he’s had his colonoscopy. It doesn’t bode well for a good night. I think the dye in todays scan may have set his legs off,
Kaimoana every now and then I get a tissue in my wash and every time I swear it won’t happen again. Do you have one of those sticky roller things to get the bits off your black clothes?
Hope your blood results will be ok. A busy day for you. Do you have a deadline for the book?
Grammaretto that’s very inconsiderate of your French helper to let you down at the last minute. Not surprised you’re cross, I would be too. Glad your MiL is feeling a bit better hope they are making her comfortable.
Hope you enjoyed your walk. Any photos? You usually go to such lovely places. Glad you enjoyed your concert.
Mamissimo that’s a classic 🤣. Just shows how little minds work. Good to hear your DD is blooming. 😊
Hope Honey beagle is getting on ok after her holiday.
Cherry 12 days of seizures. No wonder you weren’t up to posting. You must have wondered if they were ever going to stop. DH is managing to get through the diet mainly because it includes cheese. Tonight he had cheese omelette which he always enjoys. Wednesday will be the difficult day when it’s clear liquid only. He did suggest to the nurse he could have a few bottles of white wine but she didn’t seem to think that was a good idea. 🤣
I didn’t know you were a Led Zeppelin fan. It’s a shame you didn’t get to see them. There is something about a live performance that can’t be captured on film. We’ve been to Wembley Stadium a few times and my overriding memory is of coming out not able to hear anything other than the buzzing in my ears and during the performance feeling my heart was banging in time with the drums.
I’m beginning to wonder if there will be any part of DHs insides that won’t have been scanned or checked by the time we’ve finished all these tests. Had two already and got 5 more to go. I definitely think a camper van in the hospital car park is the way to go.

I'm pleased and astonished after all that's been said about the NHS, that your DH is getting such meticulous care Doodle. The only thing to do I suppose is look forward to the end of all these tests.
So hard for you both but I'm hoping for light at the end of this very long tunnel.

No, I don't have one of those sticky rollers, nor a deadline for the book. It hasn't actually been accepted yet and typing with my fingers crossed is quite difficult.

Oh Cherry how awful for you dear girl, I am so very sorry this happened. Do you know why this sudden surge occurred?

I've been able to work solidly on the book today, with some self-imposed breaks which are necessary to ease my bones and brains.

I made a meatloaf, had a non-sleeping lie down and cleaned the kitchen. All the while, my mind is still writing and correcting so I go back and revise.

Tomorrow is the Blind support group then Artoa in the arvo; Thursday Te Ropu Kaumatua and Friday a doctor's appointment and my lovely Mepa. So not a snowball's chance of any more writing this week.

Dgs is not coming over after all, his schedule is full as well.

St George's Day on Sunday, must look out for some dragons for him to slay.

Then ANZAC Day and we'll hear on Thursday if we kaumatua are going to any commemorations. We usually do.

Wishing everyone a good week and weekend; anyone heard how Nfk is doing?

Hello Lobstars,

Such busy bees you all are !
Mamissimo what did you tell her! I hope she won't be disappointed with her new baby cousin. I'm so glad DD is blooming.

Cherry I don't know how you cope with all those seizures 😔. Good to see you posting .

Kaimoana is St George's day celebrated much? I always think of the mushrooms. Those and the morels you find in April are edible and delicious.

Doodle Are you at the hospital again today?

I shall go in to visit DMiL and hope she is getting better and coming home soon. It's too confusing for her to be moving about from ward to ward with all the new faces .

I think I have an optician appointment but I didn't write it down. perhaps Doodle has a note of it?

The walk yesterday was a good one. East Lothian is always a bit warmer than here. We saw the Bass Rock and smelled the coconut of the gorse .

Morning All!

'Tis I.

The emotional roller coaster of DH's horrible disease has continued - feeling relatively human after transfusions but being knocked back and like death with the chemotherapy injections with the chemo often negating any benefit of the transfusion. Then before the last chemo cycle he had an appointment (face to face!) with one of his haematology consultants. Six cycles of chemo and time to see if it was working. So, a bone biopsy (which was horrible), and yesterday we got the result. Nothing. All those painful injections and side effects and misery and none of it had any effect on the cancer. His readings are much the same as they were at the start, but it wasn't the chemo holding things in check, they'd just had no effect at all. I suppose it was worth a shot but I'm not sure if he'd have gone through it knowing what we know now. So now it's just transfusions to top up the red blood cells as and when he gets anaemic and wobbly. The cancer will slowly get worse, he'll get more frail and tired and eventually no extra blood will help. And no idea how long this will be. This cancer seems a relatively newly diagnosed one and will / may morph into full leukemia eventually. Or not. No one knows. How long? No one knows. There are five different sorts of MDS and the one he has is aggressive and a sub- branch of one of the five. There may be more!

The up side is of course that the only appointments now will be for transfusions about once a fortnight (for now) and he will actually feel the benefit from them. And - he can chase the appointment to have his sore tooth removed, And, we'll have more time although he doesn't want to go away in Camperbubble we can go out for long days.

Our little boat went up for sale and we've had a good offer (subject to survey, so a bit in the balance). DH can't get on board anymore as his leg never really recovered from the vein 'harvesting' during the heart by-pass op. That's nearly a year ago now. We're looking at getting a smaller camper once the boat is sold which will fit onto more car parks - and as DH says, will be better for when it's just me.

The re-adjusting has all been rather emotionally up and down but I should be around a bit more now. And the sun is shining!

I've read back a couple of pages and am sending big squidgy gentle hugs to all still soldiering on. Especially plastered Jan, Cherry and The Doodles. DH was supposed to have had that restart operation. They were arguing as to whether it should be a cardioversion, which is the electric shock, or an ablation which is what Mr D is having. The later was more likely. However, the cancer put pay to any thought of that as he couldn't have a blood thinner for a month before and a month afterwards as required. There was a bit of conflicting advice between the two departments as to whether he should continue with the thinner due to the danger of post op clots versus the need for as much blood as he could get! In the event he gave up the Clopidogrel (love that name) - and the fibrillation stopped! He immediately was restored to a nice regular heart beat and no AF! He was looking forward to telling the heart consultant at his phone consultation (the only contact for six months), but it clashed with the doctors' strike so he's got to wait another few weeks.

I do hope Mr D's op goes well and promise to be a more visible presence on here. I should have more time and with any luck will be a more interesting person with a bit more to chat about than my DH's health problems. Promise!

Oh NfkD you sound exhausted with it all.
I totally empathise. The disappointment must have been dreadful. All that for nothing!
As you say you'll have more time now and can concentrate on doing nice things in the time you have left together.
♥️♥️♥️
We had those 2 little holidays - so lovely.
How kind your DH is to think of you when he's gone!
I'm not quite ready to go on holiday alone but I'm building up to it. I have decided I will go to NZ next year.

Great to hear from Nfk and Cherry even though we had all hoped for better news from both. So sorry your DH went through all that to no avail Nfk but you have to try these things don’t you in the hope there will be a miracle. Good that you will be able to have long days out in your Camperbubble and you do live in a beautiful part of Norfolk. We are hoping to be back to the Broads in June but of course it all depends on how I am. Walking is very slow and a bit wobbly but I’m still here! Poor Cherry. I have no idea what having seizures for 12 days must feel like but you are one brave lady and I’m so pleased you are feeling better now.
Doodle your poor man. It’s just never ending for him and poor you too. It’s horrible watching the one you love suffer - you must be worn out. Suppose cruises are not happening this year? We cancelled the one we had booked. Was never going to work walking wise plus I have a horror of ending up in a foreign hospital!
My news is that I’m no longer plastered! Cast came off this afternoon leaving me with a useless arm and hand - partly because of the stroke- and it’s b….y painful! Was good to hear the Consultants verdict - your wrist will never be the same again, it will be painful, and you’ve got arthritis in that hand. Really? Think I will drown myself now! Talk about cheer a patient up!
Well I will finish now. Hope everyone keeps as healthy and happy as possible and remember the saying “getting old is not for wimps!”

That's just not cricket Nfk. Your DH to go through all that and then have no gain, you must have both felt deflated and desperately upset. You could not have known. You are in a different position now, not the one you had hoped and with some unknowns but in the time that he's "feeling relatively human" you can have your long days out and should be more sunny days, besides today, to come to enjoy and share together.

Crikey, five more tests/scans to go for your DH Doodle. Does that include the barium swallow as well?
Cheese is definitely a bonus in any diet in my book! A day purely of liquid which I've had the misfortune of having had to do too not so much. It's okay for one day I suppose.
I hope you had a better night than you anticipated 🤞

Shame you won't get to see your dgs but you have a lovely sounding apart from the Dr's appointment busy week *Kaimoana.
Wish you hadn't mentioned meatloaf ... it meant I just had to nip out to the shops today as you put my mouth in trim for it 😉. Didn't have time to make it today but that's tomorrow's dinner sorted.
I have these long seizure clusters every now and then but thankfully not as often as I used to. At one time I had quite a regular seizure pattern, I'd go three weeks without having any then have clusters lasting 5-8 days with at least one seizure every day. Now my seizures are much more random but I still have the odd prolonged cluster.

Grammaretto thanks for the beautiful photo of Bass Rock. I hope you haven't missed an optician appointment. I find it's so much easier to remember an appointment if I'm given an appointment card for something even if I lose the card 🤣
How was your DMiL today?

I want to shout 'House" because I was in hospital for the day to have my regular few hours on a drip - and I think that means all the UK Lobstar regulars had hospital or doctors in their lives today. A sobering thought!

I think we'll be giving the King's soggy spinach Quiche a miss and I'm trying to rework the Platinum Pudding into a strawberry trifle with a jewelled top with gold pointy bits to look like a crown to follow coronation chicken....seems like an easier plan for the ten of us. I think I'll get ten card crowns from McDonald's so that we can all pop ours on at the appropriate time and join in. I will wear purple.......

And now for an early night to sleep off the druggy feeling. Tomorrow I will make some sense!

Jan, you're no longer plastered 🙂
Oh, you've got one of those consultants, bedbug manner and glib to boot sounds like my GP. I remember one consultant I saw at the burns unit (I saw a few) told me that my hand wouldn't be the same again, I'd have arthritis if I didn't keep up with the hand exercises but that I'd likely develop it anyway and cold weather would cut to the bone in that hand. Oh yes, some can be real charmers. Remember what I said when you said you couldn't stand up after you'd had your stroke. You are walking again 😁

Well, the news from the battlefront is both heartbreaking and heartwarming.

Nfk, Jan, Cherry, Mamissimo, Doodle and Grammaretto you all have such awful things to deal with and all I can say is that I send loving thought and good vibes to you all. I can't imagine how anyone copes with health problems like these. You are all quite magnificent.

The BLV support group was lively today, several new members and it seemed as if everyone spoke at the same time - very jolly but aurally confusing

I'm glad to be seeing he doctor on Friday as I really do need to get my own health issues sorted out. The chest pains are getting worse, so I may have to reverse my decision and go back onto Warfarin. I'll take advice from a new doctor who's been recommended.

Tomorrow I am collected early for a Kawe Mate (memorial) and on Monday we'll be at Te Mahurehure, for the ANZAC service and splendid luncheon.

No Grammaretto there are no official celebrations for St George's Day here, just our family, still proud to be English

What's that about mushrooms? How are they linked to St G?

Dear Lobstars,

All battling on. Hang on in there Jan. The plaster is off at least. We must be grateful for small victories.

After my series of broken wrists 2 I found that gentle kneading of dough was excellent exercise and there was a nice loaf as a reward.

Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned the mushrooms Kaimoana as now I shall be out staring at the ground at every opportunity.
Not to do with dragons, just that they appear either side of St George's day.

www.wildfooduk.com/mushroom-guide/st-georges-mushroom/

DMiL was in better form yesterday in a sunny ward. Whilst there her DD, 2 nurses, a doctor, a young trainie physio, and the tea trolley came round. I found a crossword for us to do but that sent her to sleep.

The optician is today and I had a text reminder from them but you're right Cherry it seems to help if you have seen it written down.

I haven't clocked the coronation yet Mamissimo but who suggested a soggy spinach tart? I am probably going out foraging that day so more likely to be coltsfoot tart or guelder rose syrup.

Yarn group this morning. I'm now knitting a scarf which may be for me or for DMiL

When you are so pleased when the cast comes off but then you wake up the next morning to find your hand swollen to at least twice its normal size and its bloomin painful! Grrrrrr

Oh gosh, Jan were you warned it might do that? It sounds scary! Are you putting it in a sling to keep it high?

It's not just a soggy spinach tart Grammaretto, it has broad beans in it too. Perhaps really big old mealy ones to absorb the extra spinach water. I had wondered if maybe it's a royal type prank.

I've just got back from a wonderful reflexology session and am floating on clouds. DH has taken himself off to bed and I think I may just curl up with the nice murder mystery book a friend has just lent me.

Nfk and Jan lovely to see you posting.
I am so sorry I can’t reply to you all tonight. DH has taken his bowel prep for tomorrow and what with that and upping his BP meds he is very out of it and unsteady on his feet, with trips to the loo every 10 minutes I daren’t let him out of my sight.
I promise to catch up with you all tomorrow. Much love x

Nfk. Consultant said and I quote “your wrist will never be the same again”. “It will be painful and stiff for weeks” “you’ve got arthritis in that hand which will make it more difficult”. I very nearly said “I’ll go off and shoot myself now”! Ok he was telling the facts but really a little bit of cheerfulness would help! Yes I’ve got a sling and a splint! Never had reflexology but it sounds helpful. Hope you enjoyed the new book. Kaimoana hope the Dr is helpful on Friday and gets you sorted and back to good health. Chest pains are scary and definitely need investigation.
Gramarretto hope the optician appt went well and it’s good to hear your MiL is improving. Agree with you and * Mamissimo* really can’t fancy a spinach and broad bean tart!

Has any of the swelling gone down from this morning Jan, it shouldn't be like that should it. Stiff yes, painful even, but badly swollen? It sounds 'orrible. Have you spoken to your GP surgery about it? I would have. Hope it settles down for you.

Is there such a thing as a nice murder mystery thought they're meant to be grisly Nfk 😉 What's the book you're reading called? Your reflexology session sounds lovely and relaxing* and just the sort of thing you need, I'm glad you enjoyed it 🙂

No apology required Doodle, just take care of you and your DH. Unfortunately I know what that bowel prep is like and it's not pleasant and it can't be easy when your DH is unsteady on his feet. Know that we're thinking of you and care x

I know this is a phrase usually used when nobody wants to say anything Kaimoana but don't all talk at once comes to mind about your BLV support group. It does sound jolly and somewhat a babble, a bit like my Epilepsy support group meet ups ☺️. How did the Kawe Mata go?

It sounds like your DMiL is improving a bit now she's receiving treatment on a ward Grammaretto. I hope so.
I'm glad you didn't miss your optician appointment. How did it go?

I was meant to have my hair cut today but it didn't happen 🙁. It's badly in need of a cut but not in need of a bad cut. I had an appointment, even had a card to prove it, and arrived on time only to be told that as I hadn't responded to a text message 🤨 asking me to confirm I'd be attending they'd cancelled it and given the slot to someone else. 🤔, I hadn't received any text and I told them and proved that I hadn't Didn't make any difference. Perhaps even a bad haircut will do after all its couldn't possibly look any worse than it does at the moment 🤣

Hello Lobstars. I hope you both had some sleep Doodle and NfkD Jan, Cherry, Kaimoana, Mamissim and all
I slept well for me and am procrastinating . I have calls to make and things to do
The optician was disappointing. I asked about going private but the £3.5k I was quoted was for one eye (gulp) so that's that.
I have ordered new long distance glasses which may help a tiny bit and I will get used to not driving. So be it.
There are buses every 10 minutes from here so I'm really very lucky.

Cherry that's so rude of the hairdresser! Sounds like the same person who gave our badminton court to cheerleaders. Perhaps they are twins

Jan I hope the swelling has gone down?
You do wonder how and why some of these people become doctors!
Which reminds me I must find out how DMiL is today. By odd coincidence her late DB estranged DGD is a doctor at that hospital. It was such a sad rift years ago I doubt the girl knows her gt aunt is a patient. or even knows she has a gt aunt

Kaimoana how was the Kawe Mate? I hope your doc appointment goes well

Doodle wishing you and DH the best for today

I shan't comment on what's happened to our Lobstars as others have said it all and better than I.

Cheerful news only from here today.
When you leave childhood behind, in my experience at least, there are not so many occasions of boundless joy when you feel you might burst with it.
Besides, these days I'm a little more restrained, so I just cry.

The first lovely thing: we were back in our old, familiar rooms after 3 years away. 'Welcome Home' sang two of our kuia and we all said how it felt as if the very building was embracing us and saying the same thing. ‘Come in, you’re home where you belong.’

Then the weather was perfect - cloudless skies and sunshine so we could all sit outside - and despite the solemn occasion (a memorial) it seemed everyone was full of geniality and gentle gratitude.

The food was wonderful, the conversation affectionate and of course I was surrounded by wonderful friends whom I like and admire.

Not a single thing could have made it better.

What? 3.5k for one eye Grammaretto 😬. That's ridiculous! It's not fair that you're having to wait so long for the op' on the nhs. It should not be this way. You shouldn't have to be put in the position whereby you have to give up driving. When you're used to be able to just get in the car and go from a to b to have that taken away because you have to wait for an op' seems so unfair. I'm glad you have a good local bus service.
That is a sad rift. In both my and my WP's families there are rifts, it's all too common. Families, eh!

It sounds like you went to a lovely memorial Kaimoana. As for solemnity, I don't think a memorial has to be that way. The Kawe Mata doesn't sound like it was solemn at all. I'm glad it wasn't, personally I much prefer a heartwarming one, one that's convivial. I can certainly feel your joy at being home ☺️

I hope your DH's colonoscopy went well Doodle and you are home and comfortable now.

I've got my 🤞 for a win for my team in the European Conference League tonight. It's a decisive match to see which one of us makes it into the semi-final. We got to a European semi-final last season I'm saying nothing further.

Sorry for my flying visit last night. I had to keep my eye in DH as he was very unsteady on his feet. The colonoscopy went well today and nothing untoward seen. He is now fast asleep in the chair and I have no idea how I’m going to get him to bed as he is completely out of it,
Kaimoana I wish I could send you a sticky roller. I have lots. I use them to pick up stray threads when I’m sewing.
Yes we have had really good care from the NHS. Despite all that is said they have taken good care of DH and all have been very kind.
I guess your book is very much at the front of your mind and you want to get on with it.
I’m glad you have some other things to do I think a break will do you good. Shame your DGS isn’t going to make it this week but nice to know he has things to do. I missed mine so much in lockdown. Before lockdown they were children I played with and after they were grown up and had moved on. Glad for them but I miss our fun.
You talk about the rest of us being brave with ailments but I think you are the wonder. You have so much to cope with day to day but always inject fun and joy into your posts. You’re the magnificent one lovely lady 😊
Please do make sure you’re well looked after and listen to the new doctor. Is he young………and handsome?
Your meeting today sounds a lovely one. Home indeed 😊
grammaretto glad your MIl was a bit better. Your afternoon with her sounds busy with so many people popping in. A sunny ward always lifts the spirits. Hope they’re taking good care of her,
That walk is another lovely one. You live In such a beautiful part of the country and seem so close to so many picturesque places.
Sorry I haven’t written down your appointments. I’m having a hard time keeping track of DH’s,
Thank you for your kind thoughts. Surprisingly, despite the upheaval of drinking all the prep for the colonoscopy, DH had several hours good sleep. Bliss.
Yes cataract surgery is expensive. Could you try a second opinion. DH kept being told his weren’t bad enough but he explained he was having trouble reading and looking at things and got referred. When the ophthalmologist saw him he said both eyes needed doing. I would try pushing a little harder if I were you.
I do hope you get to go to NZ next year. It would be something to really look forward to and I’m sure the family would love you to visit.
NFK it’s a joy to hear from you but what a torrid time you have both been through. Your DHs treatment sounds awful and to have no positive news at the end must have been so upsetting and disappointing.
I hope the transfusions help. It’s a hard choice to make but sometimes accepting what will be but making the most out of the time you’ve got is the best choice. My DH has blood cancer which tuned into anaemia recently so he’s had 2 blood transfusions and 2 iron transfusions. He has a bone marrow disorder.. I do feel for you, such and emotional time. It is hard to come to terms with things. Since DH had his anaemia he has had so many tests booked and each time I worry about hat they might find. Today was good news but Monday they found some sort of gastric fold that they seemed surprised DH was living with. They impressed upon us that if he was ever sick or vomited with fever we should go to A&E immediately.
Would you use a camper on your own? You’d be brave if you did. You will miss your boat.
DH can’t have the blood thinner either at the moment because they don’t know what caused his anaemia. Thank you for your kind thoughts. It would be lovely to have you with us more often but only if you’re up to it. Hope you enjoy your book.
Jan I do hope you get your holiday in June. We were very much looking forward to a cruise in Norway but have serious doubts that will happen now. Even if DH is well enough the insurance might not cover us. If we can’t go we are looking at a few days on the south coast. I’d love to paddle in the sea again.
Well you’ve still got your sense of humour. Not being plastered indeed. Some consultants just don’t have a clue how to talk to people do they. Perhaps with time physio and care you will get better use of your hand and arm. Do you ever read Melanie (forgotten her surname) in the Times. The horse rider who is severely disabled after a fall. She has had good results from a new exercise regime even thought it’s many years post accident for her.
Ouch your wrist sounds painful. Is it worth checking with your GP that all is well?
Cherry hello lovely Cherry. Yes we did have a better night than expected. DH is a good patient and followed the prep instructions to the letter. He was very pleased they managed to see all the way to the end of the colon today. First time they have been able to do that for him. Your cluster seizures sound awful but I’m glad at least things aren’t as bad as they were, does it get you down wondering when the next lot will come?
When things happen now and again I think we can cope but to have this ongoing problem is a bit like DH and his pain in his legs. He says he used to look forward to going to bed at night but now with the pains in his legs he just wonders how long it will be before he wakes up in pain again.
I like appointment cards too. I don’t trust my online diary I think it eats my appointments sometimes,
Oooh what a cheek about your hair appointment. I would be furious. Only a suggestion, but I have cut DHs hair a few times and he has some special clipper he bought during lockdown. I could whip over and give you a trim. I did a good job with his…….apart from the bit over his ears where there is a bit missing……..and at the back where there seems to be some sort of ridge along the middle…….. and on top where there’s a sort of gap…a bald bit, it’s fine 🤣
Mamissimo hope you’re appointment went well today too. Shame we couldn’t all have had a hospital face time group session.
I was given a booklet in church it’s prayers for the King's Coronation. I feel guilty I haven’t even looked at it yet. Am I for the tower do you think? I don’t like the look of that quiche either.
Cherry I’ve just read your final post. How are we doing? Is our team winning. I’ve crossed my fingers and legs too……but that’s because I’ve been typing too long and need the loo

Morning All

It's a horrible day here today. The rain gauge seems to have about two inches of water in it, but I'm not going outside to see the numbers.

I'm really pleased to hear that Mr D survived his colonoscopy. It's not a nice procedure but necessary and a relief and reassurance when it shows no problems. I remember sympathising with a couple who said their only outings were to the hospital appointments which were taking over their lives and here we are, in the same place. Still, our newish hospital has lovely grounds and a nice cafeteria so its a nice little outing for us 😂. This afternoon's excursion is to Cromer hospital which has easy parking. So I'll drop him off for his transfusion (much needed, he slept most of yesterday and went giddy every time he tried to stand up), and maybe have a look at the sea - if the rain stops!

I can't believe the cost of a cataract operation. Grammaretto although I shouldn't be surprised. My four new capped front teeth cost over £2,000 seven years ago. I couldn't have them done on the NHS because I wasn't in extreme pain, just running out of tooth, but I'd just inherited after my DM had died so splashed out!

The lovely gory murder mystery I've just finished Cherry is To Die For by J M Dalgleish. I quite like Elly Griffiths too. Both based in Norfolk so its interesting to try to distinguish factual places from fictional. I can't read real murder stories but love the pretend ones!

It seems to have stopped raining. And I'm very relieved that the leak in the conservatory hasn't leaked! We'd thought it was the joint in the guttering and water was streaming through - inside! But then DH had a lateral thought and wondered if it was the soakaway pipe which had blocked. So last week I dug down, found the bend where the pipe went into the soakaway and DS came to heave the end off and extract a large wad of rotting pine needles! The guttering was overflowing under the roof! And now it's not leaking! It's certainly had a good test. I must tell the company which fitted the guttering. They've been back twice and couldn't figure it out.

Have a good day everyone.

There's a whole new career ahead of you Nfk! You can sort my gutters any time
I am familiar with life revolving around hospital visits . We did it for 4 years but like you tried to fit in nice things whilst there.
The Western General Hospital, where DMiL is and DH was, is close to the botanic gardens, the gallery of modern art and there are 2 (nay only one left) independent cinemas on the way so not the seaside but lovely. There is the Maggie's centre too where cancer sufferers and their kin can receive tea, sympathy and all kinds of therapy. Reflexology possibly!

Kaimoana your post was so upbeat it was a delight to read .

I daren't ask after your team Cherry.
Doodle I'm glad that hurdle is over.

I had better get going. I have my shift at the Storehouse today. I think I've managed to recruit one of the yarners, a newly retired teacher, to the volunteer rota poor soul

That's good news about the colonoscopy Doodle. I hope after your DH falling fast asleep being so ^zonked out^ in the chair that you both had a good night's sleep in bed.
In answer to your question does it get me down wondering when the next lot of seizures will come ? My answer is really no. I can't worry about it because I'll inevitably have them at some point, whether that's a random one or a cluster. The clusters are mentally and physically tiring I admit but I can have as many randomly throughout the month as I do in a cluster so having a prolonged cluster means I can get them out of the way in theory at least. I am fortunate in a way, a seizure passes, unlike my WP's pain which is constant. One way of looking at for me is that a good part of every month will be fine 😊

I'm not familiar with 'To Die For^ nor indeed any of J M Dalgleish's books if I'm honest Nfk but I see you're a fan of Elly Griffiths. A friend of mine loves her books. I'm not sure if she's read any of Dalgleish's, would you say they're similar in any way or if she likes Griffiths she'd more than likely like Dalgleish?

How did your shift (and new career as a headhunter) go at the Storehouse go today Grammaretto? When do you think your recruit will start her new post?
I've been meaning to ask - have the hospital managed to get to the root of your DMiL's issue?
Nosey today ain't I!

You said you didn't dare ask after my team Grammaretto 😉but I guess that since Doodle asked I can answer. Before the kick off yesterday things were in the balance because the first leg ended in a draw. Yesterday the opposition scored to take the lead ... but then we had a penalty and at halftime it was all square again. In the second half ... we scored 3 goals in under 8 minutes! Yippee, we won 😁.
I'm still decluttering 🙄, why does it all take so long?! Where does all the stuff come from? I thought at Christmas I'd be done by April --but the month is fast disappearing--🤣. Anyone have any tips to offer? I'm going to need to do a car boot sale at the end of all this I think.

Meant to say, I hope your Dr's appointment went well Kaimoana.

NFK your weather sounds like ours here. It was pouring most of the morning and didn’t let up till mid afternoon when we had the brief excitement of a trip to Sainsbugs. During checkout DH was getting annoyed that the automatic till wouldn’t accept his loyalty card. The supervisor came over and pointed out he was trying to use his Tesco’s card oops!
I’m glad you have a nice hospital locally. It makes a difference. It’s a good idea for you to have a break while your DH is getting his transfusion and nothing like some sea air to help clear the mind.
I had to have my two front teeth capped years ago but I’ve always felt a bit like a rabbit ever since. I’m sure they stick out further than my original ones did.
Grammaretto what’s parking like at the hospital where your Dmil is? I really like our local hospital and they have been very good to DH but the parking is abysmal. You can join a trail of cars driving round and round trying to find a parking space. DH and I are so unused to having a blue badge that we forgot we could park in a disabled bay until we were on our fourth trip round the car park.