We Talk Brain Tumours

Sue...think we all know where you coming from...You be over protective all you like!!!

PEABS XXX

Evening all. Talk about sleeping beuty, Jan has pretty much been out for the count for three daya now, nothing I suggest is apealing enough to get out of bed for ! Martin - Hope things are ok in your camp with Becky. Could do with a chat if you have a mo and feel up to it. Best wishes all - Robin Ps - Martyn - hope the boiler re-riverting isn't too uncomfortable.

Martyn Just wanted to send my best wishes. Mandy explained your recent absence & it is very understandable. It is incredible what you have done to support Doreen all this time but it is bound to take its toll on you.  I hope your batteries are recharged soon, the train is not quite the same without you. XX

SuzieQ Know exactly how you are feeling right now. Stay strong.xx

Skeete. So sorry that you are also having a difficult time. xx

To everyone Big hugs xx

Sue

"Top of the mornin' to you all" as Sir Terry might say.

Despite my apparent absence, I am still lurking these pages, but as we all appreciate, it has become more difficult to find the time.

Daisie, I am very sorry to read about Graham, but in equal measure I am inspired by your strength. For two years now, Becky has had the option to go to the local hospice day unit on a Friday, but she has never bonded with the place and has taken every opportunity to opt out. Now that she faces more serious deterioration and the reality of palliative care, we are sure that the last thing she wants is to contemplate being taken away from home. You were so right in your support of Graham in your home and we will take strength from what you and Graham achieved.

Debs, when we went for MRI's, Becky used to go to oncology first for the oncology nurses to insert the canula. Simply, they are the best at it. If that's not possible, the thing that always helped the most was submerging the arms in a bowl of hot water. That always brought a good vein into view. All the best for the MRI.

Mandy, Yin & Yang, hope you are both hanging in there. Mandy, how are the Kids. My Joe is coming home each W/E. It's not far away and this works pretty well. I know it must be harder for you as Reading? is miles away. Izzy has just done mocks and seems to be OK but things are getting closer to crisis point. Her best buddy is about to lose her Mum who is now under high sedation and on high dose morphine and is no longer able to communicate with her family. Her end of life is imminent. I hope Izzy will be strong for her friend. Becky and this lady are great friends and her death will almost be a great sadness to Becky.

For Becky, we seem to have found a good balance at the moment. She has dropped from 12mg dex to 8mg, but has increased from 20mg bd morphine sulphate to 40mg bd (twice a day). As a result she is less agitated, but seems quite happy. Her right side is now totally functionless. she spends her days between her bed and a glide commode, but despite being restricted to our room for the last two weeks, she seems remarkably content. Communication is very difficulty with a lower hit rate than charades or twenty questions etc.....

Becky's sister, Barbara has been amazing, but she is under a great strain. Next W/E my brothers wife is coming for a week to relieve Barbara, who will fly to Spain to meet her husband. He will be in Spain attending to his elderly Spanish parents. The family/friend network has been really important to me and I would feel totally helpless without it.

SusiiQ, I know that you must be terribly worried by Col's current symptoms. I have learned to hate weekends, half terms etc that always seem to get in our way, but in the long run, it is best to just stay calm and wait for the time when we get to speak to the people we know and can rely on. .love and best wishe s to you both. 

Robin and Jan, I hope things are Ok for you as I understand the treatment Jan is having must be very difficult. My understanding is that the combined treatment you have been offered is absolutely spot on, but can prove to be very difficult. I wish you all the best with it. 

Thinking of all the rest of you, you are the people who know what this is like! 

Martin.

Martin-thinking of you often in these difficult days. Your love and devotion shine through in every post. Glad Becky is comfortable. That will be a comforting memory in the weeks and months ahead. x

Good afternoon to you all,

I'm still here although not enough hours in the day. Stoker Miggins seems to have taken a sabbatical,  so no pies and extra shovelling!  Unfortunately Robin my riveting days are long past, but I'm still checking the CCTV so keep it clean, if you must!

Thank you so much for your thoughts, it means a lot.  Best wishes to you all.

Martyn XXXX

Afternoon (or is it evening??) all,

Well, Col was well enough to go back to work today (or so he said).  I just about got myself into work, only for one of my colleagues to tell me that I 'looked liked crap' (in the nicest possible way!) & to go home again.  I got in and fell straight asleep on the sofa at 8:30am and didn't wake up until 2pm!!  Guess I was a bit tired.  Feel a bit more human now - just have to wait to see how the 'Superhero' feels when he gets in after his archery committee meeting tonight.

Thanks for all your kind words & good wishes - I know you all know how it feels to be a worry-wort!

Love to you all

Sue xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Good morning to all,

Still awaiting my pies, can't  Miggins entice anyone into her barbers chair?

Best wishes.  Martyn XXXX

Ah ha!

Martyn you said:
"Finished polishing the woodwork Miggins? You talentless person you. Quickly serve the pies"

But I thought you said:
"Fine shine on that chromework Miggins. You take a sabbatical. You deserve a pay rise."

Good to have you back boss!

Miggins xx

And there was me thinking that a sabbatical was a "planned leave of absence" that university professors could take for travel and/or study reasons (perhaps pie making courses count).

Alternatively it is the seventh year of service in which slaves and debtors are released.

Take your pick !

Best wishes - Robin

p.s. - looking forward to tea and crumpets in the guards van today.