Another meet up in York on 16th November

Looks like you all had a good meet up, sorry i couldn't get there but my hubby went to the heart clinic on friday and was told he needs his aortic valve replaced within the next 3 months as one side of his heart is enlarged. To say he was upset is an understatement and i didn't feel i could leave him on his own on saturday. He is ok now and we are just waiting for a date. I have an app to see the oncologist on Monday next to see if i am having the radiotherapy or not. All the best. Lynn 2 xx

So, I called Macmillan on Friday as they helped me fill it out last time and I hoped they'd be able to help me again. Unfortunately the team who do that were closed by the time I got through to talk to someone, so I had to wait until Monday to call. Spoke to a lady who said she'd fill out the form and have someone from the appropriate team call me back - they should have called me back by now though. So not sure what's going on there.

Apparently they are seeing most folks getting their renewals this soon because it takes them so long to be processed and then assessed. I'm not on the 6 months to live form, so I get the full works of form filling out, then they contact all my medical people for confirmation, then they have to assess me to make sure they agree with the medics. Last time, they penalised me and reduced my benefits because I smiled and answered their questions, and so everything I'd said about my anxiety and forgetfulness was false.....

I have the letter from last time, I think, but I've absolutely no idea where. It was awarded in 2016, so that's when I got the letter. So who knows which pile of papers in which room it might be in. But asking me 'what's changed' in the last 3 years and me going 'I don't know', might work in my favour as it's all blended into one big bleh.

Gragon - Seasonal is a mulled wine, not a hot chocolate... ;)

Flowerlady - Spent 2 days clearing and cleaning my path and the pots down the side of the path, so that bit looks amazing, and the path looks so much wider! Still need to weed the main pots, plant some bulbs, and google when to prune what. Out back is looking clearer too, as I spent a day or two binning the plants that were done. Still need to clean the ground to try and stop it from getting slippy, then I need to work out how to improve water retention in my big pot and maybe pick a cabbage that I think might be as big as it's going to get. If you're ever in Leeds, you're welcome to pop round and have a nose - though it's not very exciting this time of year.

Lynn2 - I'm at Jimmy's on Monday too! 3pm to see the endocrinologist and check all my numbers out - and there are a few wonky ones that need looked at! I hope your husband is feeling a bit more positive now?

Lass

xx

Hi Lass, yes he has got over the shock now and is resigned to the fact he needs the op or will die in the near future. At nearly 70 he is still working and is self employed so worried about income ect but we will manage, others do. Our local hospice have offered to help with claiming benefits if it comes to that. I think my PIP needs renewing next year too but not had a letter yet.   All the best. Lynn 2.

Hi Lass,

I'm afraid I'm one of those strange few who don't really like wine at any time of the year but I could go for a mulled cider.

Gragon x

I'm not a big wine drinker as I find it very drying, so I usually pick a pint of a G+T when I'm in the pub. But when it comes to Cava and Mulled Wine - stick it on tap! lol. I don't think there's mulled cider at the Leeds market this year, which is disappointing. But there is Mead?

In fact, there's a bottle of mulled wine in the kitchen that might get warmed and drunk this afternoon, it's a bit chilly after all!

Lass

xx

Hi Gragon

Welcome to the club. I’ve never liked wine. I used to like a cold beer but Pazopanib doesn’t agree with it!

Hi folks,

I won't ever probably be in York again at least not at the same time as a meet, I have only been twice and both times in the last 3 years. Once with my son in law at the UK snooker semis and once with my wife when we scooted up by train from Peterborough when we were staying a while with our daughter and family. That time we went to the Yorvik Centre and I met a lady that works there who was also born in Belfast, when I was buying mead. What a coincidence! 

That's a roundabout way of asking to join the party/club. I am very fond of a cold beer and enjoy a few glasses of wine, red or white,  whether with a meal or not. I stay away from spirits because it's too easy to drink too much especially when a mixer masks the alcohol strength. 

If there's anyone else in the incurable cancer group who lives in Northern Ireland then please let me know.

Tvman x

Hi Lynn2, I was sorry to read about your husband needing surgery but at least it sounds as if his consultant is acting quickly, which makes all the difference! Do you expect him to get a date before Christmas or early in the new year! The sooner the better!

Aw Lynn

It never rains but it pours. The last news you want is that your husband needs an aortic valve replaced. If I were you I'd have made the same decision not to go.i hope he gets his op asap and all goes well.

I asked a while ago in the group, What is the worst thing can happen to someone with a cancer diagnosis? That their partner becomes ill. That is so true. I had thought that a few months ago when I had a small stroke and my wife had fallen ill with something. We had to get a carer for the carer! And for me too! 

Good luck for Monday, Lynn. 

Tvman x

Hi Lynn2

If it helps my stepdad had his aortic valve replaced in July at the age of 82. He had the procedure done through an incision in his groin and was home the same day. He recovered very well despite my mam passing away 4 days later. He attended a cardiac rehabilitation course and very quickly was back doing the gardening, shopping etc.

I hope your husbands procedure and his recovery go as smoothly x