a flying visit

I  arrived on Tuesday for a short drive by visit, keen to see Mum/Moannie and Dad/Jp face to face.
I haven't been down to visit this year and with all the drama's both here and in Kent, I knew only a visit would would comfort us all on many levels.


Mum is coping well with the treatments, drugs and ensuing symptoms and side effects. Compounded by changes in her mood and  limitations affecting her energy levels, l was pleased to see they have both now settled into new routines and managing better than anyone expected. Dad's newly diagnosed illness appears to have not daunted him. Like me he is fairly fatalistic and he is not, we are assured in any short term danger.

I am proud in how far they have come since November and how their human spirit and long marriage has served to give them strength over these sudden changes to their quiet and reportedly uneventful lives.

They are both an inspiration.

Alice x

update #12

Mum is back home!!

A weeks sojourn at the Hosepipe as she calls it (Hospice), she has had jacussi's andfoot massages, shopping trips, visitors and painting classes...I believe the tutor asked to keep her painting!

I do know she has relaxed some, slept some nights through and is now back tucked in her bed, under her beloved quilts.

Dad fussing suitably over her again and getting on each others nerves, well that's my understanding of marriage anyway! So all good then!

No more chemo until February, as Mum has a ct scan booked for the end of the month. 

I just spoke to Mum and she says Hello!! to y'all and as soon as her internet is sorted, hopefully at the weekend, she will be chatting to you herself..

back soon with more...

update #11

Mum/Moannie has no internet for some reason at home just now, so hasn't been able to update you herself.

Following her #3 chemo last friday, she has had a pamper day at the Hospice with a pal she met in hospital in November, Junie! They have the same wicked sense of humour and was surprised they got to stay the whole day, figured they would've been expelled!

That was wednesday, on thursday she was called into hospital for a blood transfusion and spent all day into mid evening there, coming home exhausted by the day, but already feeling a bit bouyed by the sudden influx of healthy jam packed bags of red blood cells. hence feeling so utterly tired, it wasn't just the chemo then!

Today she got a call to say, be here by noon if you want a weeks respite, so Mum is now wrapped up in the arms of the local hospice.

JP/Dad is on R & R for seven days with himself and Milou to tend and as he isn't too well right now (JP that is) it is good timing.

l am itching to go down but can't just now. So will have to itch a while longer. NOAOS is on hand and visiting her today and my sis is coming down on Sunday.

back soon with more....

(thank you for all your thought, prayers and messages, I pass them on to Mum asap, she misses you all too much!)

update #10

Mum has just had chemo #3 and if you follow her blog she is writing her own updates right now. Some complications from her recent PIC line but back to 'normailty' now for a few weeks, let hope.

She is up for a few hours a day and visiting blogland.

I haven't managed down since December unfortunately, though my priority wish is to go visit. The practicalities of getting down there haven't allowed me to do so. And so l can only relate really, that which is related to me and my impressions.

Mum is generally upbeat, though so tired and now JP/Dad has a touch of flu (man) or otherwise, so they must be careful around Mum as we all know germs are not helpful to Mum at this stage.

As Jim says back soon with more...

'Alice' x

update #9

hello all,
a rocky couple of weeks...and now l have a grip

Moannie/Mum is still home, resting, trying to build her strength. She is consumed with tiredness, and spends much of the day resting on her bed, cos she CAN!

She is in the middle of her second round of chemo and doesnt much like her new look..I daren't repeat how she described it, but suffice to say it was hilarious! Thank goodness for humour eh?

Mum will probably be reigning supreme from the couch on Christmas day (god its christmas day already!) with JP/Dad, NOAOS and Lita Mona in attendance. my sis will be in charge of the kitchen, apparently Dad/JP is her sous chef and NOAOS my brother will be in charge of the timetable, humour and games.

I'm sure you all wish Mum/Moannie along with me a very merry but gentle Christrmas in the midst of family.

Here it will be a very quite day, the morning spent with my son after which he joins his Dad for lunch and funny games, by which l mean charades of course! He'll be back with me on Boxing day to gorge on my own cooked christmas lunch.  Yum can't wait, as l have Mum;s/Moannie touch with the gravy.....

Happy Christmas one and all.

'alice' xx

update #8

Mum is home from the hospital today!  Her immune system dropped a bit too low and she cuaght an infection, but all is well now.

In fact she sounded very bright and cheery (the steroids had just been administered! LOL) first thing this morning.

Dad is well rested and caught up on his sleep. Milou seems unperturbed by it all, after his 'quiet' family routine and home being disrupted so frequently, that he is now above caring.

I am back in a very cold Cumbria, settling back to my routine; such as it is at the moment.

Mum will probably jump onto her computer soon, if she hasn't already!

'Alice'

UPDATE #7

Phew!!!

A hectic few days for Mumma, which has included three separate hospital appointments over three days, culminating in todays first chemo session.

The house has been cleaned (again, after my sister blitzed the place last week) by a team of Molly Mops (yes that's what they are REALLY called), visits from district nurse, Occ. Health, GP, Hospice at home carers and a regular morning and evening carer to help Mum with her ablutions and what nots.

I've spoken to Mum and she is tucked up in bed. Tired and a bit in awe of the amount of visitors through their front door, probably several more than they are used to in one year alone.

I'm driving down on Monday for the week and will record Mum's missives (posts) on her blog.

So back soon with more......

'Alice'