Bowel cancer CARERS, FAMILY & FRIENDS chat

Hi everyone. Sorry I have been absent for a few days I have had a weekend full of birthdays so I will tell you a bit about them as it is nice to have some happy news for a time. Please feel free to scroll past if you want to.

Yesterday it was a good friends 70th and she had a surprise afternoon tea party. We were both invited but Barry not well enough to go. I went though and in a way it was better as I didn’t have to worry about him not eating etc etc. I feel awful saying that but it was nice to just be able to relax. I had an idea in the morning and emailed the Michael ball show on radio 2 for a request and he actually read it out. I was delighted as was she. 

Today it was my granddaughters 11th birthday and although we went to visit on Saturday for a family BBQ I still went today as it was her leavers school play. I was so pleased to be able to see it. She has her own health problems, 4 open heart surgeries, pacemaker and various other conditions which I won’t bore you with now lol. It was so nice seeing the play and despite the rain on Saturday we did have a lovely afternoon, just my two sons and their respective families and us but that worked great as Barry felt more comfortable with it being just family. 

My niece’s autistic son had a party on Saturday, his birthday was today too. He had a strange one with snakes and reptiles and various other animals. Not my cup of tea to be honest but he enjoyed it. 

Kleigh have you thought about applying for attendance allowance, I am not sure of the rules exactly but I think you can apply without it being means tested which might make it quicker. I am sure the hospice nurse will be able to give you advice and maybe even fill out the forms for you. 

Maggie good luck to Les for his chemo tomorrow. Please look after yourself though, you shouldn’t be trying to do all this work with the hedges on your own. If you hurt yourself who is going to hold everything together then. I also have arthritis in my fingers and it can be very painful so take care. 

Helen I can’t believe what your sister in law has told you, how could anyone be so cold hearted. Just concentrate on your own well being karma has a strange way of dealing with things sometimes.

jKee. So pleased you were able to go to the beach with Simon and the puppy, I think you must be a martyr taking on a puppy at the moment but hopefully in the fullness of time you will come to love him lol. 

sending big hugs and cwtches to all you strong ladies

Pauline xxx

Hi Pauline good to hear from you it must have been nice to visit family Simon is the same able to deal with family here but parties are no more not that he ever enjoyed them. I have not been anywhere without him and don't feel I can leave him of course his bloody puppy as well but my dream would be a day on my own no family just me at a spa having full treatment and relaxing just a dream I have been years ago with sister and loved it Simon hates anything like that sill keep finding in everyday that makes us smile xx

For Mother’s Day the kids treat me to a massage and nails done etc - it was sheer bliss being pampered and would love to have a spa day again, maybe I will with Sally sometime. 
Going to cement the flags down on the step tomorrow - got to keep going!!

Take care ladies 

Helen x

Hi everyone. What a busy weekend you had Pauline. That must have been lovely to get out. Did not get round to doing the tress started on a massive flower bed. One of son in laws came and started to take the 20 ft pond down. He is coming back on Thursday to have another go at it. 

I agree Jkee it would be lovely to spend a day at the spa like Helen.

pauline you have had a lovely weekend (a little envious).  To bring those days back would be great. 

torry you take care and be careful. 

les chemo went okay apart from his hands, feet, sneezing and high voice.  I must admit I don’t know how he does it he must be a tough cookie. Obviously his bloods have gone down but still in the range for chemo. He can’t stand the cold etc and the tingling in his feet he had to take his shoes off in hospital. 

Giving everyone a huge hug Maggie xx

Well done Helen that's sounds like my perfect day maybe I will suggest it to my daughter for the future.Well done in everything you are doing xx

Hi Maggie Les is doing amazing sad Simon couldn't have chemo after it effected his heart it would still be on it was suppose to be for 6 months and yes he is a tough cookie bless him xx

I am really shocked at the way he handles things. Just after the chemo IV he sneezes a lot and his nose never stops running but with all the other symptoms he has not once complained only that he is frustrated at not being able to what he used to. 

1. I send all my hugs to everyone Maggie xx

Feeling very weepy today as it would have been our 48th wedding anniversary. It’s just not fair, I just want him to be here

Oh Helen I am sorry to read this today must have really bought it home the sadness of him not being here but how wonderful you got 48 years together bet you have some wonderful memories to sit and think about today raise a glass to him anyway and yes life is unfair isn't it love to you xx

Helen I do feel for you today. As Jkee says raise a glass. I do know ours is in July but not sure of the date as we have never celebrated it. Les does not know either but I might get the marriage certificate out and find out if I don’t forget. Raise that glass.  Sending you a huge hug  

I hope pattyk is okay and everyone else. 

sending huge hugs Maggie xx