[HelenRParticipant]

Hi Maureen,

What a lot of adjustments you're having to make all at once… Retiring in itself I know normally takes people a lot of time to get used to, I was just at my parents' house the last day or two after my flight back, and talking with them and their friends I learnt that nowadays there are even 'retirement courses' which some people go on to learn how to handle i!! You're having to do all that on top of adjusting to Ian being home and everything being so different and stressful! It sounds like you're doing a lot though, do take some time out for yourself and try to find time just to switch off from it all – you must be thinking the whole time about what is right and what to do and that can be exhausting in itself.

Great though that he's home and that the physio was encouraging – I look forward to hearing about all the progress he makes! Hang on in there through the tricky bit – I always think with myeloma how one of the hard things is there's nobody who can tell you how it will be for you, so it's like flying blind all the time without a map – but you'll get there.

Helen x

[HelenRParticipant]

Hi Maureen!

Yes, the holiday was really great – couldn't ask for more! Lots of sunshine and lovely food and drink and good friends, and I was really positively surprised by how nice Naples was as well as Sorrento and Capri which were just beautiful. We went to Positano for a day trip by boat, not to the rest of the Amalfi coast – so I definitely have an excuse to go back and see the rest 🙂

I'm sorry to hear you and Slim are having such a rough time – it must just feel relentless. But he's so lucky to have you there fighting his corner – well done for getting him to A&E and of course you were right, women always are 🙂 .

Hang on in there and take good care of yourself – I hope there are some breaks in there for you both between all the dreaded hospital trips.

Helen x

[bandityogaParticipant]

Hi Helen

We have also been to the Amalfi Coast and thought it was beautiful. We didn't visit Naples but did Pompei .Put on weight with the lovely pasta and wine. Hopefully we can go back some day.

We are both now adjusting better and I am slowing down. I will have to find another hobby and encourage Ian to do something too. We can't keep going out for coffee every day. Ian likes to play games on his tablet but I prefer going out. I am going go back to Rock Choir which is fun and I also do pilates but I need to do something else perhaps arty.

Ian is walking more with the zimmer. We have had a trip to the shops for shoes and Ian got a badly needed haircut today. He is getting stronger and gaining more confidence. Kappa light chains are rising slowly, now324 but no treatment needed yet.

Take care.

Maureen x

[tomParticipant]

Hi Maureen and Ian

Well you two have had a rough ride since last I was here (bless)
Am Pleased you are getting stronger Ian and the much needed haircut will make you feel better, hope the shoe's get a good few walks before this bloomin bad weather changes or you will have to get Wellie's he he.

Keep it going Ian it will get better.

Tom Onwards and Upwards x

[dickbParticipant]

This might sound silly, but having a haircut can be so good for self esteem. Nothing worse than feeling that you are scruffy and unkempt if you like to take a bit of pride in your appearence.

After my first two hospital stays I was in such a need of a haircut, normally have one every 5 weeks, the previous one was nearly 3 months earlier. Did I feel better afterwards. I suppose it's all about feeling better in yourself and more confident to face the world. Good news about being out and about.

Every little step counts.

[eveParticipant]

Hi Maureen,

I spend more hours in than I like,so have made big adjustments to my life style,to keep Slim interested in what is going on in the world,I get him to try to do some research into things,for example told him we needed new car,for mobility scooter,asked him to research it.keeps him occupied plus looking to the future ,

Just thought I would pop in to give you some new ideas,Slim is in hospital again,was in over night for platelets on Saturday,came home Sunday,bloods taken Monday,had platelets Tuesday,Ambulance job Wednesday,rang him this morning,he sounds much better,so life is full on at this moment,and I am suppose to collect this new car on Friday!!!!! So much for doing research,so if you go along a route of research with Ian,expect to throw money at it,in the end.love Eve

[bandityogaParticipant]

Hi Dick

Ian looked and felt much better after his much needed haircut. We went to the cinema yesterday to see Sunshine on Leith. We both enjoyed it very much. Laughed and cried. Good Scottish humour. Had lunch at an Indian restaurant today but there were no disabled toilets. We didn't realise we would have to research restaurants and parking before going out.

Maureen

[bandityogaParticipant]

Hi Eve

Sorry you are both having a rough time. Hopefully it won't be long till Slim is back in good health.

Ian has done some research and we went to a mobility shop yesterday. He wants to buy a mobility4 wheeler with a seat as it is easier to use outside. Contacting occupational therapist to ask her opinion.

We have now cancelled the carer at night too as I am capable seeing Ian into bed. He does most of it himself. Now only coming in on morning to help him shower but Ian does most of it too and it is better for his morale if he is independant. We have to pay for the carers as Ian has a percentage of his wage and he US under 65.

Getting out and about more and we have adjusted better.

Take care

Maureen x

[BeverleysParticipant]

Hi Maureen
Have just spent the last hour reading all your threads. What a horrible time you and your husband have had Shed a tear or two for you. Am so glad he is at home. It'll be a tough time for you both but you sound so hopeful and optimistic.Hope you manage to get out and about..guess it't colder up north than in balmy Devon!!
Keep smiling and enjoy those glasses of Rioja

Beverley
Xx

[bandityogaParticipant]

Hi Beverly

Had our wine quota this week and also went to the cinema to see Sunshine on Leith. Great feelgood movie. We have had a hard time but are now adjusting to each other fairly well.

Not so cold as wet here at the moment. I find comfort in my faith.

Maureen x

[tomParticipant]

Hi Maureen and Ian

Well am a little bit scared to be fair at the moment :-0 :-/ :-S it says in your post [quote]Had our wine quota this week [/quote] good heavens tell me there is no quota on my vodka 😛 as am sure I will have run out for the next 12 years Lol.

Pleased your both getting used to each other again it will work out.

Love and Hugs to you both

Tom Onwards and Upwards xx

[bandityogaParticipant]

Hi Tom

Ah wine quota yes but Ian has a glass of malt and a brandy for me.

Onwards and upwards

Maureen

[tomParticipant]

Hi Maureen and Ian

Well if you look at me I am doing great Stem Cells are comming up to having their 4th Birthday 😀 and what do I put that down to, well am sure the vodka has helped but it's in my mind that yes I will collect my pension in 8 years time at the grand old age of 66 (thanks government for the increase )

Love to you both

Tom Onwards and Upwards xx

[HelenRParticipant]

Hi Maureen and Ian,

Wow – I bet it feels like ages to you, but I think it's only been a week since I last wrote and you've already kicked out the carer in the evening, got on the case with mobility scooters, been to the cinema, started to learn all the stuff you'll need to do with parking and restaurants etc. Leaps and bounds!! I look forward to reading about you cruising off to Amalfi in the summer 🙂

For me tomorrow is the anniversary of when I had my stem cell harvest – I didn't do an SCT so they'll be having their birthday party in the freezer 🙂 and I'll be celebrating it by a day's work in the office…. And amazed at how 'normal' things can be. I am ashamed to confess that this weekend at a friend's wedding in Somerset I definitely didn't stick to any quota and, er, there might have been a little vomiting and not for medical reasons this time!! Ahem. I think I need to re-learn my limits after a lot of time off drinking. But it was quite funny as a group of us were staying in a cottage and my friend's husband and I woke up at exactly the same time in the night feeling terrible and ended up carrying out synchronised sicking up in the upstairs and downstairs bathrooms. Hmm. Must have been the hog roast… or perhaps the endless drinking. Anyway, I've learnt my lesson now and the wedding was great fun.

Anyway, that was a bit of a digression but my point is that back last June I was bedbound in hospital for a month, and it all began with the first step of even getting to the loo in my room, which felt pretty monumental at the time. Not half as hard as what Ian has had to do, but it's amazing how far you can get with small steps one after the other, even with the odd few backwards steps at times.

I've also just re-started my pilates class at work – and used to sing in a choir too which I found great but is the same evening as pilates so I'll have to figure out what to do about that. Good luck with all those hobbies – but also learning just to do nothing which can be very nice too 🙂

Helen

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