Pessimistic and no faith!

Morning Marie, last day Boooo, firstly on the way to Salcombe, which is beautiful, look out for a village called Ashprington, you should find those cheeses there, or the Ticklemore cheese dairy just north of it, check its open 1st.

I can't believe how many places you manage to visit in a day, I hope you remembered the fish restaurant on the beach at Brixhan, and Ashburton is lovely if a little hilly, sadly a lot of attractions are shut in the off season, but the  scenery and fab food are enough, not surprised your tired.

Enjoy Salcombe, the beach and shopping, I'm glad your all having a wonderful time.

Mandys week of chemo, 5 cycles done, so a scan today to see if the other 5 are needed, though as we know cured doesn't always mean forever, it would be good to have those 5 remaining cycles in the bank so to speak, my cancer is in my spine, but the new meds are controlling it, and my PSA is down 90% in 6 weeks which is good. Have fun.

love Eddie xx 

Good morning and home sweet home. 

Journey went well. I have to say I'm glad to be home. So very very tired. But we had an absolutely wonderful time. We did Salcombe, gorgeous, Buckfastleigh and Buckfast, including the abbey. Widdecombe in the Moor. It was all so picturesque and gorgeous. Finished up with a gorgeous meal in a local village pub. Yummy!!

Hospital yesterday. Bloods done ready for chemo on Monday ughhhh!!! It wasn't a good start but turned out okay. The registrar came to see me too to confirm it was okay to proceed and decided it was. She said this would rule out our appointment on Thursday so that will save a job. It is my intention to rest today and do nothing but potter. 

The registrar is putting me forward for a scan to see where we're at with the tumour. My arm has puffed up. She believes it's lymphedema. She has asked if I will pick this back up with PN Helen. I've already spoken to her about it as it swelled before I went away. I shall do this this coming week. 

Well, that's all my news. So pleased to hear about Mandy's chemo. And your news too. That's awesome. Puts a smile on my face. How are you and how are things going?

Big love x

Hi Marie,  and good to hear your home safely, if knackered, but as you say, if it's by having fun  that's fine. Isn't Salcombe beautiful,  we've been a few times but always stayed at Hope Cove, 4 miles away at the most dog friendly place I know, and how did you go with the cheese search, I hope you found some as it's  delightful. Isn't Devon the best place for pub food, especially in the summer when you can eat outside, I'm so pleased you and the gang had a wonderful time.

Straight back to hospitals, booo, but good to hear bloods went well eventually, and an unexpected day off, fab, and taking it easy today, your wising up my friend.

I will have everything crossed for your scan, and Helen helping with the lymphoedema, Marie, I get lymphoedema occasionally in my feet and see a specialist lymphoedema nurse at my hospice, maybe Hayward  has someone similar. My nurse showed Sheila some very simple techniques to help with mine, but I know your puffed up arm Is in a much more sensitive place than my feet.

I'm doing ok now my friend, confirmation of cancer in my spine and Lesleys news, was a shock, but feeling better now, done the usual things this week, sadly the trip to Scotland has been put back, giving Lesley, me and our two oldest daughters the time to go and see the twins, we  are their now, arrived yesterday evening, my son, has gone with the boys on some school outing which is sad, but we knew this, so we can stop with DIL, and have our own bed, wonderful. 

Mandys fab news has been a huge lift to the family, after my news, and more importantly Lesleys, even though the news was always likely, it's been tough, but things seem a little better today, and we're all looking forward to J+Js  wedding at the Scilly's next month.

I hope your restful day has recharged your batteries, and you get a good night's sleep 

love Eddie xx 

Good morning. 

I didn't get the cheese. I know booo!!!! Just didn't get round to it. Amy says I'm eating too much lol it does upset my tummy when I've eaten it. What do you do when you love something so much. 

Yes, when I speak to Helen I'll find out more about this lymphoedema and as to what they can do about it. I believe she is on holiday this coming week and mentioned she would be only in one day. I'll drop her a text in the morning. My arm is puffed but both my feet are slightly too. Hayward are due to contact me. I'll pick that up with Helen too. The chappy came yesterday to fix me a stair handle to help me with the top of the stairs. It's fab!! Really helps me.

I'm sorry to hear about the cancer in the spine. Makes me sad. But I'm glad to hear medication is keeping it at bay. Eddie please accept my apologies if I'm meant to know but I can't see in previous posts that you've discussed with me Lesley's news. Am I meant to know? Please accept my ignorance should you have told me this, I am a little confused. 

Sorry about the Scotland trip. But I know you will get there eventually. Enjoy though the time with the twins. That's awesome you're there and have a wonderful time. Scilly will be amazing. I imagine you're so excited. You're going to have the best time ever.

I didn't sleep bad at all thank you. Just happy to potter again today. How are you and yours?

Big love x

Awww, no cheese, maybe next time, though Amy could be right, cheese is full or bacteria which are ok as long as your not eating loads lol.

That's good, have a word with Hayward, I'm sure they can help, the massage techniques are simple you just need to be shown the right ones.

Im glad you have your stair handle in, they make such a difference, l put some 3 inch longer feet on the sofa's recently and it helps especially later in the day when your tired.

Thanks Marie, I'm so lucky my cancer took 3 years to get to my spine, and it's been caught early, anticipated at the right time as my change of meds happened just when they could be most effective.

A little sad about Scotland, my friend wasn't very well, but will hopefully be up in a few weeks to see my aunties, as we will be driving down together  to Exeter, via  the twins, to get the plane to the Scilly's for J+Js wedding, and hopefully I will be able to visit a couple of friends on the way to my aunties.

I'm doing ok, the family are fine, a little down with recent news, but there a resilient and supportive bunch and are not new to bad news.

It's good to hear your sleeping well my friend, as am I, I'm enjoying my lie ins when I get the chance, Mandy and I baked some yummys for today's dinner, and DILs family are joining us too, fab, as we don't get to see each other much.

Marie, Lesleys diagnosis is very recent,  but sadly always likely, she has ovarian cancer, not sure if it's 4a or 4b,  she's due surgery this week to find out, I'm not 100% certain, but I think everyone on Lesleys side of the family has been taken by this cancer including her sister and mum, and even being tested 6 monthly it is not curable, but hoping with 'good ', news post Op, 5 years may be possible.

Enjoy your pottering, and your family, I'm looking forward to catching up with th in-laws, and more cuddles from the twins 

love Eddie xx 

Morning Marie, best wishes and good luck with chemotherapy, and happy anniversary. must dash 

love Eddie 

Good morning. 

Yes, it would seem unfortunately that cheese is not good for me. The other evening we had camembert and that didn't agree. Which is a first. Looks like it's a new thing. Not fair pahhhh lol

Not sure where we're at with the lymphoedema. Helen has moved tomorrow's appointment to Friday. I'll guess I'll find out more then. She's ongoing with the Hayward thing too so all on the burner till Friday I'm afraid. And yes, will hopefully have some options then to deal with it. 

The getting up from seated to upright is a big deal for me. I've been told the settee is low and we've been discussing options. I'll have a look at these feet Eddie thanks for that top. I've sent for a 5 inch cushion see if that will help. Not expecting miracles mind. 

I'm sorry about Scotland too. But hoping it will all come right. I know it will. And then you have much to look forward too. I'm extremely excited for you. All sounds so wonderful. The cancer in the spine is such rubbish news but I hope meds keep it at bay. I have everything crossed for you.

Sorry for Lesley's news too. So sad. I honestly can't believe as a family how much of this you take. Absolutely unbelievable. So much respect for you all. 

So chemo went well, not lol My appointment was at 10am, they rung me to come in at 2pm lol Thank goodness I was at home chilling. Went to leave, car completely broke down. Had to get taxi there and back. All things considered chemo went well, picc line was fine. Dave's just rung actually. The repairs are not worth the cost. It's looking like he'd be better getting a new car. Not a happy bunny. 

Aside from that all good here at present. How are you and what news?

Big love x

Is it your anniversary Eddie? Ahhhh happy happy happy anniversary. Much love x

Hi Marie,you forgot our anniversary LOL, the thread is a year old, you now have a chees intolerance, that's so unfair my friend, you should see an allergist as maybe your lactose intolerant and if so, some cheeses are ok 

There are lymphoedema trained nurses, which I'm sure do home visits, but good luck for Friday and Hayward, what were your first impressions of Hayward, do you hope to go regularly.

There are lots of aids to help you stand up, and a 5 inch cushion is a good start, and every little helps, not only have I put longer feet on, I've stiffened the springs and have a firmer pressure relieving cushion as well, but keep at the exercises, they are important.

Sad about Scotland, but meant we could Lesley, 2 girls and I, could visit the twins, which was lovely, I'm looking forward to seeing my aunties, then visiting the twins with them on our way to the Scilly's for the wedding, sadly my hoped for 3 weeks is likely to be 10 days, but will  make the most of it.

I was lucky they thought the markers on my ribs were cancer, so changed my treatment at the time they did, I got my full scan report yesterday, good! news tumours T7, 10, 12 and L1, so away from the damaged area so  SBRT an option, other news I have spinal stenosis and my osteoporosis has been upgraded to chronic.

Marie, there are 23 in the family, so as a whole we do ok, though as I write this Lesley is in surgery to remove all visible signs of cancer, she went in at 8am, and as you know my friend, everything is easier with the love and support of family 

Well I'm pleased to hear chemo went well, and that was good of them to call you, but I'm sorry the cars had it, a good opportunity to get one to more suit your needs going forward, Marie are you on PIP?,

My time at present is focused on Lesley, if Op goes as hoped, she will be in hospital for a week, before going home, and having done a few years in rehabilitation, can help her family through the first 3 weeks, though I'm not sure with only 27 days to the wedding she will be up for it, but she's strong and fit, my  bums sore, so time for more pacing 

love Eddie xx 

Good afternoon 

Ohhhhhhh OUR anniversary lol Happy anniversary to us. Wow a year old. Unbelievable!! That's awesome.

Oh no I don't want no cheese intolerance. I'm withdrawing lol That makes me sad. I dare not have any incase of the consequences. I may try a little. 

I'm not going to Hayward, Helen is coming here. To discuss the lymphoedema, the tumour growth and the new found pain. She's due around 2 ish. It would be good to have some tips to help me with the lymphoedema and a nurse coming here would be wonderful. I'll see what she says. 

The settee cushion is quite good. The bed is the only thing I can get up and down from comfortably. Otherwise things are really difficult. I've been doing the exercises as and when I can but I don't do them all the time and don't do everything I should either. Unfortunately it's too difficult for me. 

Sad for you for Scotland too. But still, aunties, twins, wedding and Scilly. All so wonderful. It's going to be ace. That's awesome news re your cancer too. There is some rubbish news thrown in too but I'm hoping the good overrides it. 

How is Lesley and how did her surgery go? I'm sure with you and yours intervention she'll be ready for anything. 

Yes, I am on pip. Dave has a new car. He's just gone to pick it up actually. 

How are you today how's things going?

Big love x