Hi Nicola

Glad to hear your dad is improving. You are a super daughter and he must be so proud of you. Please try and look after yourself too although I know it´s really hard when life is so difficult and busy.
Best Wishes
Carol

dear Dai,
So sorry to hear your news what a bug***.
I am sure by now you have both got over the blow you were dealt, but as always pick yourself up dust yourself off and head off for the next adventure.
the MM journey for some is so unfair, and the hope that the next new drug will work is amazing in the way it makes us bounce back ready for the…[Read more]

Hi Dai
Should add that our Dr at the behest of the Macmillan nurse issued a form for Peter which was normaly given to patients who have only 6 months to live. Cant remember its name but in essence it provided a short cut to benefits without filling in too much paperwork.
I was upset about this as I worried that as he started to get better they…[Read more]

I?m really pleased for you both, enjoy the rest of your life
Min

Good MOrning Bridget and Happy and better New Year for you all. Including me!

Will you still speak you when you are famous? Brilliant idea to take part and good on you.

I recall when Peter was first diagnosed with mm that the ?cancer ? social worker was in Peters room chatting to him about what he could claim. and when I interrupted them to…[Read more]

Dear Michelle
I am so sorry that you and your children and of course your husband have been struck down by this blu_y awful illness.
It is a very rough ride you have been on and I sincerely hope that this is not the end of the story or the journey for you both. I have heard that going back to the beginning is helpful, ie if he was on CDT at the…[Read more]

Beautiful bride and wedding dress and just right for the winter.
It sounds like it was all worth the effort and so pleased for you both. Back to some kind of normality now for everyone.
I came home yesterday and it was not as bad as I thought, must be getting used to being on my own though was exhausted form being with the grand children…[Read more]

I survived my first Christmas without peter with many moments of reflection, a small amount of tears,and lots of children's laughter.
My tears were mostly seeing my grandson playing with one of Peters tanks in the way I know he planned to do with him had he been here.
But on the whole not as bad as i had imagined, but have yet to go home and…[Read more]

Whilst your angry let it simmer under a hot fire of anger then get in there and insist on all the money he signed cheque on being put back in the account. That will make them sit up then go to the financial ombudsman and get them to get you compensation for the additional distress.
On a lighter and more seasonal note merry Christmas
Love
Min

Happy birthday to ya, as the song goes. And many more too.
With Christmas wishes too to everyone
Luv
Min

Oh Sarah
Dont these people just know how much distress they are causing. I would be asking them why they accepted the cheques that have already cleared over the years.
Cant imagine how your going to get out of this but i imagine its going to need a solicitor and more unnecessary expense.
When i used to work, I could have belonged to a union…[Read more]

AMARYLLIS a lovely house plant for the spring to look forward to
LIS next player
min

Dear Tom
The lantern is a lovely idea[b] but big bu[/b]t make sure it does not have a metal ring on it as they are lethal to animals in the countryside.
It was an item on Countryfile on the BBC that cows for instance have died as a result of the metal frame on lanterns.
There are some available with fine wood of some kind that are far kinder…[Read more]

Hi Keith I am sorry your feeling so wretched with your cough.
When I was very much younger and up to a few years go I used to get very bad bronchitis ( my dad was a heavy smoker as indeed I was prior to peter getting ill)
The coughing was a nightmare and it went on for weeks and weeks particularly when I was warm or well wrapped up.
Someone…[Read more]

AH DAVID AND DAI
Fear not, its old age.
I have not had a single drug of the type you two must of had, I have not had any of the proceedures you have had to endure.(Thank God)
But I do have a terrible memory of late ( But I can remember I will be an official old age pensioner next month)
I used to call all of my moment of forgetfulness senior…[Read more]

Dear Roz
I would urge you to take that invite up, and dont put it off for another day , it just gets harder, dont worry if you end up in tears, it is absolutely allowed.
Furthermore its a wonderful escape valve, I cry and laugh and scream and shout and cry some more and then tell Peter off for getting me in this state.
Who else can I blame?…[Read more]

Hi Eve,
Its true I don't want to but I never refuse an invitation. I know all too well how I could turn inwards and never speak to another soul but feeling sorry for myself is not going to move me forward.
I know I am in pain?. both mentally and physically but feeling sorry for myself will not make it better. Although I think I am allowed, the…[Read more]

Dear Jean.
The important thing here is Frank has recognised that things are not right and has rung the hospital.
Those two things are the correct things to do and he knows it. What he does not know is how his not telling you is affecting you? or perhaps he knows you better than you think and knows you will worry worry worry. and rightly so.…[Read more]

Dear Roz,
mushrooms does not have an E in it Im afraid. But I do understand ?.. my head is similar to that of a pregnant woman if its at all possible to make that analagy..
I am learning that grief is painful experience, not just psychological, but genuinly painful and the memory plays non stop tricks but its recognised as being real. So??..…[Read more]

Ball in a Jar

One day I saw a notice for a talk on helping people through bereavement by Barbara Monroe, the Chief Executive of St Christopher's Hospice in London. When I arrived, what I saw resembled a physics lesson. On the table before her was a very large glass jar. Beside were three balls: one large, one medium-sized, one small. Without a…[Read more]