Lovely morning chit chat - February 2026

Good morning, how are you all? I had an ENT appointment yesterday and he seemed happy though the collateral damage due to radiotherapy is extensive. Dermatology appt next week and thorax scan and consultation the week after. Are you making progress with the healing Stella. How did your consultation go Stacy? I am seriously considering getting a dog to accompany me on walks etc. I really like golden retrievers but it would probably not be fair to keep one in our flat. Any ideas from our dog experts? Have a good day.

I'm hanging in there, my amputation is on the 23rd, but I'll be admitted on 22nd. Ever since my appointment and the fact that we finally have my date, my sleep has been even more terrible, which I didn't think was humanly possible, as well as my depression. With less than three weeks to go, it's just me having second thoughts about the decisions I've made, the fear of not surviving the surgery, as well as just contemplating what my quality of life will be like after the surgery. My mind is just so overwhelmed, and it feels like these days are passing by so fast when I want them to last forever.

Patrick, I hope your upcoming appointments go well. I think getting a dog would be good for you to have on walks. If you don't mind me asking, why wouldn't it be fair to have one in your home? If you have experience with dogs, you could always think about getting into dog walking as more of a side hobby and not as a business if you didn't want one at home. Maybe see if any neighbors or friends would allow you to walk their dogs. We've always had smaller dogs, so I can't speak to having a large one, some people are worried about shedding, and just the overall care required. I really think it would be a great idea for you, but my answer is clearly biased in support of having a dog.

I truly hope you're seeing improvement with the healing Stella. I can't imagine how awful that wait was to be seen, I'm so sorry you had to stand there in pain before deciding to go home. It's hard being at the mercy of others time and time again, it mentally breaks you down, at least it does with me. Keep hanging in there, you're in my thoughts! 

~Stacy

I can only try and understand what you are going through at the moment. There seem to be so many downsides to the decision you have made. But I am sure you have weighed up the pros and cons before deciding so I suppose now you just need the discipline, love and faith to go through with it. I wish you good fortune. My appartment is spacious enough to keep a middle-sized dog but you have to climb a flight of stairs to get in the front door -not sure that is good for dogs. I'll find a solution.

Stacy I cannot even begin to imagine what you are going through. Are you having any counselling? I know I shared the teenage cancer trust with you before I realised you were in the USA, but is there anything similar where you are ? X 

Patrick Golden retrievers are wonderful dogs. Very trainable, loyal and loving. But puppy’s are full of energy and mischief! It is a year ago today since we lost our beautiful bichon frise Bella. She was my soul dog, such a joy to be with every day. She liked short walks, but liked nothing more than cuddling on the sofa. When we got her as a pup we lived in an apartment and she was trained to use training pads for her to go to toilet on if we were not quick enough to get her outside. We now have Alfie, who has been a challenge of a pup! And although we now live in a house he tends to only toilet on his walks, so it is possible if you are willing to do lots of little walks every day. I would say yes get a dog, they are so rewarding, but do your research on what breed you get! We didn’t with Alfie, he kind of chose us in the end. X 

Good morning 

Patrick I never owned a dog so no practical advice. What about a smaller dog such as a terrier? Norfolk terrier is really cute. Or Japanese breeds Shiba Inu? Do you have any dog shows near you to visit? 
Stacy you are facing an enormous challenge ahead. There are many unknowns and worries ahead. It is only normal to be anxious. However worrying is not preparation. Only preparation is preparation. Try to concentrate on the practical aspects of preparation. Eat well, exercise etc. you can do it! 
How is everyone else doing? Lee2 and Lucy? 
Mr Tvman - according to BBC it has been the wettest January in NI for 150 years! Hope your kitchen extension is near completion. 
I am Doing well , better mobility so hope to drive next week. 
S x

Hi Chelle,

With only a couple of exceptions like my surgery in December, I've been seeing a counselor once a week. The counseling is mandatory for anyone considering this surgery. I was also in counseling back when I was in high school after first becoming disabled. I just needed something more to help me get through that recovery while trying to maintain as much normalcy in my late teens as I could.

~Stacy 

Thanks for your dog tips. I think I am going in the direction of smallish, like the look of Shibu Inu but apparently difficult to train, sort of more catlike but no doubt adorable. Bichon frise look really cute. Stella, I hope you have got over the worst of it and and are raring to go again. You are tough. Not everyone is though. Angie, Guten Abend and I hope spring is around the corner for you so you can get out and about without risking breaking a leg. I wish everyone a good week whatever you are up to. 

Hi Stella, good to hear that you are doing well and your mobility is improving, once you begin driving you'll feel much better both mentally and physically. Did you need to have the second stoma fitted or were they able to avoid it?

Yes, we have had a lot of rain  lately, especially in County Down where we live. The weather man said that we have had more rain in January since records began. Honestly, our back garden is saturated and there's water sploshing as we walk through it with the dog. It's definitely wellies time for us and there's a permanent spot for a large towel to dry Conan's paws as we come in the back door from the garden.

O️ur new kitchen is almost finished, hopefully this week will finish it. New patio doors should be here this week, then the patio has to be built about 4ft high and tiles to go on top to be level with the kitchen but because there's been rain every day for weeks building has been paused. 

Thanks for asking Stella 

Hi Patrick 

Bichon Frise is so cute ! I don’t think I am tough but what choice do we really have? Everyone in the forum is so amazing and just shows we are stronger than we think we are. 
My two mottos are

It is what it is and  This too shall pass. It really helped me to cope with things. 

Angie and Lily how are you doing? Way too much rain this winter for us x