mesothelioma

Thursday, 15 March 2012

Work, lunch and blood test.

I went into work today, so pleased to be asked to go on the team night out. We will be going bowling and then off for something to eat. I learnt about swapables which are apps on Orange, android and an ice cream sandwich (????) ...... yes, you heard right!!! It is a version of android which is a google system that works with phones and tablet computer. Also included in that are ginger bread and lollipop, what ever next : )

After work I met my friend, Mandy, for lunch. I met Mandy at Endsleigh garden centre, she is such good company, we have been friends a long time.

After lunch it was off to the Dr's for a blood test. I will get the results next week. Work next week is Monday, Tuesday and Thursday again. 2 hours each day, the week after it goes up to 3 hours. I am amazed at how much has changed with mobiles in 2 and 1/2 years.

Tuesday, 13 March 2012

Mothers day activities with Kieran.

I have work this morning, Just for 2 hours, I am enjoying being back and am making new friends.

This afternoon I am going to see Kieran in his school. The school has a mothers day activities afternoon. I am looking forward to it, not many more days left like this as he is growing up so fast. I might just squeeze one in next year : )

Kieran talked to me about when he leaves school this morning. So lovely, he said "I bet your happy that you may see me leave school next year and see my leavers assembly". Yes I am happy, it is just over a year away, I don't usually like thinking that far ahead but thought how lovely of him to think of that. I am so proud of him, he has had a lot to come through and is coping well.

I am very happy about getting to another Mothers day and I know I always say it but I do have the best gift ever. I hope to see many more, I am very proud of my children. Siobhan is doing well with her business, Rich is settled with his new family and the Bean, well, always surprising me. I am also very proud that I am still here with you all. Theo has ben a gem, I hope he continues to look after me. : )

Monday, 12 March 2012

Work again today.

I was only in work for an hour and a half today as I had a medical assessment at 12pm.

All went well with the Dr. He is going to write a report to occupational health. It looks like I will be on reduced hours for 8 weeks and then build up to the normal amount.

I went to Kieran's school and sorted out the issues that he had and then went home, had a bite of lunch and crashed out on the sofa. I slept like a log, must have needed it.

Tomorrow is going to be lovely, I am in school with Kieran having a mothers, sisters, aunties and grandma's afternoon. I will be making cakes with him. I will take the camera and get some pictures. I am so pleased to be spending another mothers day with my children.

Sunday, 11 March 2012

Lovely sunny day.

Stork and Amber sunning themselves today.

Stork is fascinated by a ladybug. : )

Yesterday I felt miserable, could have cried all day long. I feel so lonely even though I have my children and my friends around me. I look at my hair all curly and I know I shouldn't moan as there are people worse off than me. I feel so unattractive and unwanted. Having this illness sometimes makes me more angry than other times. The usual questions, why me, why now, why anyone? Well, it is me, it is now and anyone could be exposed. I have to get positive again. I am going to focus on LA and make sure I have a fabulous time. Going first class on the plane will be wonderful, something else to tick off the bucket list. Meeting Barbara McQueen will be an absolute honour, she is the widow of the king of cool, Steve McQueen. Meeting Linda again will be fantastic and meeting USA warriors that I only get to speak to on FB.

Today the sun has been shining beautifully. The cats were sunning themselves in the garden, so lovely to be able to sit there and watch them play.

Kieran went to his friends for a couple of hours. I picked him up as he missed his bus and dropped him back home then went on to my friend Jayne's house for a lovely roast, well mine is all veg but still lovely.

Tomorrow I am back to work but first, over to school.

Tuesday I ahve the medical assessment were I will have to think about Theo again. He has been quiet which is great but I hate being reminded that he is around.

I have been feeling so tired in the afternoons, fell asleep today, I must need it. Going back to work has been tiring although I haven't done much. I think it is getting back into a more structured day.

Friday, 9 March 2012

Home today.

No work today, just going to chill out. Next week i will be at work for the 2 hours each day again, that is Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Got Kieran's school mothers day afternoon which I am looking forward too.

I have been in touch with Virgin about my mesothelioma and am going to have support from them to get from check in to the gate, oooohhh, might be on one of those buggies watching all the other people walk to their destination. I know I will feel a fraud but as the lady said on the phone, it is a 15 minute walk to some gates. Will get support in LA too.

It will also help with my anxiety as I know i will panic not getting to the gate, Heathrow is huge.

Not long to go, I am so excited.

Thursday, 8 March 2012

Work again today.

I am back in work again today, 10-12 not on the phones but learning about all the changes in the 2 and 1/2 years I haven't been there. I am enjoying but am feeling the fatigue afterwards. This week has been quite hard but I will get through, it ready for the next one.

I have seen many of my friends, so good to be in touch again.

I am going to see my lovely friend, Becky, afterwards. She has just had a little baby, a sister for her little boy. She is a sweet girl and I have missed her. Not sure if she will be returning to work. I am sure we will have a good chat and a catch up later.

I have my E-ticket for LA, at last!!! I rang and rang yesterday, got no where. One call from Linda in the US and there it was. She is so good, can't wait to see her again.

Visa nearly sorted and insurance cover, always a difficult one, to be sorted. £144 for the year which is good but I need to find out if I am covered as terminal illnesses are given thousands of pounds for cover. It is to do with having less than a year to live. I think I maybe outside of that bracket, my oncologist seems to think so anyway. If not, I will find one that will.

Oh well.... time to go and do my hair, it's driving me crazy but it is growing fast. I am getting to a good point with it now so it is safe from the clippers, I do so miss my wigs though.

Tuesday, 6 March 2012

Morning from a facebook free house.

I logged on this morning and found that facebook was down. I will now have to get a life : )

I am not working today, back in tomorrow. I can certainly feel the difference. I feel wiped out when I come home and I can hear all my warrior friends shouting at the screen, "take it easy" as that is what I do ; )

The meso meeting is today, it will be good to catch up with all the local warriors. Siobhan is doing so well setting up the website for the group. We went to see Kate, the specialist nurse yesterday. The charity is going well too, All added to companies house, Richard from the National asbestos helpline (NAH) and I are seeing our plans come into fruition. We both hope it takes off and is a success.

Still waiting for my E-ticket from Virgin. I am a panic merchant and will be OCD'd up soon if it doesn't come through. I have a new passport so hope that it will calm me a bit and stop me continuously looking at the date!

So much going on this month, all for the good : )

Work today, off tomorrow.

I went to work for a couple of hours yesterday and off agin today. I am doing 10 to 12 at the moment. I am waiting to see what the medical assessment Dr says as this will gauge what my work place puts in place for me. It is good getting back to work and I have to say that Orange have been amazing, so very supportive.

kieran is doing well with his travel training, he is keen to go on every route possible with the buses. I am not sure i am ready for that yet. I know he wants to do it but one step at a time : )

Siobhan and I are meeting the specialist nurse at the mustard tree this afternoon. Siobhan is creating a web page for the new group. The new charity I am setting up with Richard from the National Asbestos Helpline is moving forward too, we have it all registered at companies house, just a matter of time now before we launch it. Such an exciting time.

Sunday, 4 March 2012

ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THIS BLOG IS A SURVEY CREATED BY MESOTHELIOMA UK.

IT IS A PATIENT/CARER EXPERIENCE SURVEY. PLEASE FILL IT IN AS IT WILL BE EXPIRING SOON.

MESSAGE FROM LIZ DARLISON, MESO UK.

"On behalf of Mesothelioma UK I would like to thank you very much for taking the time to complete the survey. I confirm that any details that you give on the survey that may identify you will be anonymised.

I would like to also thank the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund for providing a grant to assist with the funding of this project. If you would like to receive a summary of the final report please provide your email or postal address at the end of the survey".

Yours sincerely
Liz Darlison
Macmillan Consultant Nurse

Saturday, 3 March 2012

What a great week.

Work yesterday was good. I had 2 hours of finding out what had changed and seeing more faces I knew. So good to be back, I have missed being in work. I have a medical assessment on 12th March with the Dr appointed by occupational health. Until I see the Dr, things will be very easy as my manager wants to be guided on how to re-train me.

I am back in again on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 2 hours each day. Yesterday I came home and fell asleep on the sofa. I will soon get used to the work routine.

Today has been pretty quiet, Kieran was supposed to be with his dad for the weekend but they have had a disagreement so he is back home. While writing this, Kieran has decided to go back to his dad's. I think he just loves the bus rides. He got a bus from his dad's, went into the city centre, got a bus to ours. He is now getting a bus to Crownhill, a village near us and then down to St budo. So I will be Beanless this weekend.

All is very quiet, I am just going to enjoy it before Monday's return to work. I am looking forward to Friday as Kieran has a mother's day afternoon at his school for Mum's, Sister's and Aunties. Should be fun : )

Good luck to my lovely friend Mavis who had her scan yesterday, I hope all is good with the results.

Thursday, 1 March 2012

Back to work.

My verion of the Phantom of the opera, Masks on sale at Plymouth Garden Centre.

A dear little toad found in our garden.

New cat flap, not sure they like it.

Kaz, the canteen manager and I in Orange call centre.

Yesterday was a lovely day, the sun was shining and I made arrangements to go to lunch with my friend, Mandy. She is an amazing lady who does her own dialysis at home.

I admire who so much. She has coped with a lot of illnesses and inspires me to be as brave and strong as she is.

We went to the local garden centre. We had a chat about our families and watched 2 little robins look for scraps at the tables, I got home around 2 and got myself ready to see my other friend, Carolyn. I haven't seen her for a while so it was another catch up.

I got home in time to meet Kieran, he has been travel training and is doing very well to sort out his bus to and from school. We have road resurfacing work going on at the moment so he has a longer walk to the bus stop.

Today has been exciting. I went back to work!! It has been 2 and 1/2 years since I last worked. I have to say that Orange has been very supportive with my time off. I went in today to do a return to work and check out what has changed in the time I have been away. It was lovely to see so many friendly and familiar faces who had a cherry smile and a welcome.

I am going back in tomorrow for a couple of hours. I am on a phase return which means I will gradually build up to my hours.

I got home to see that Mr Right price windows had been and changed our back door window. We had glass in the bottom part of the door and I thought it would be better to get a cat flap put in the bottom as the door has to be left open so the cats can get in. We have a cat flap in the conservatory but having the back door open all the time makes the house very chilly. Not sure the cats are too keen, they hate change.

One of my childhood heros died yesterday. Davy Jones from the Monkees passed away. He was my very first love, I would have been about 8 years old when the Monkees were on TV in the 60's and I fell in love. RIP Davy, may sleepy Jean live on in heaven x x

Tributes also to David Rathband, he was blinded Moat, an idiot who decided he would play God. Moat took the easy way out and killed himself but this poor man was left with torment and pain. No one would blame him for wanting to get out of this prison. RIP David, such a brave soul. Be at peace now x x x

Tuesday, 28 February 2012

Another fabulous day.

Before the tattooing.

Anesthetic cream on, This is my Oompa Loompa look : )

Teresa doing her stuff.

One down and one to go.

All done. Well done Teresa, Fabulous job.

A fish finger sandwich in the Berkley for lunch.

Ladies who lunch, Jayne and Chrissy ...............

........... Avis and I.

Time for the Phantom : )

In our seats and waiting for the show to start.

I got up early and sorted Kieran out for school. We have road works going on so one of the roads is shut off. He has to walk quite a way to get his bus but I must sat that the travel training team have been wonderful. They have been supporting him as he gets very anxious, especially with any changes.

I then got my self ready and went onto school for a meeting. All went well with that and I hope Kieran feels a lot happier.

I got in my little Halo car and went into town to meet my friends at Havana's. The wonderful Teresa is doing my eyebrow tattoos. Jayne and Chrissy were in the salon waiting for me.

Teresa kindly said that they could come in and watch. While they were in there, Chrissy took some pictures of the procedure.

Eyebrows done, it was then off to lunch. We went to the Berkley and met Avis who was going to see the phantom of the opera with us. Jayne couldn't go as she had to pick up her little girl from school. Such a shame, she made us all smile as she bowed her head and did a sad face as she said goodbye to us.

We got to the theatre and were told that the performance would now be at 2:30pm and not 2:00pm. We were happy with that. The show was cancelled yesterday and the theatre very kindly gave everyone their money back and also a chance to see the dress rehearsal for free which is what we were doing. We met Viki, another friend, who gave us our tickets for the rehearsal and gave us our money for tickets purchased.

We were all waiting outide when the tannoy went on and a gentleman's voice apologised for the delay. There was a gasp of anticipation, everyone, I am sure, thought it was going to be cancelled again. Phew.... relief as he continued his message. He reminded everyone it was now at 2:30pm. I think if they had of cancelled it again, there would have been a mutiny in the theatre !!

We saw the doors open and made our way to our seats, we were at the very back. I forgot my glasses ...... D'oh ..... me being short sighted would have a blurred experience.

No matter, this was a free show and we were all looking forward to seeing it. Cameron Mackinsosh came out and explained the reasons there were problems. The chandelier was not ready. It wouldn't be available for 2 weeks so we would have to use our imaginations. Sand bags were used instead. The music, the players, the sets and lighting more than made up for the lack of the chandelier. The main players have the most beautiful voices. The only complaint I have is that as we were at the back, the top of the scenery was obscures by the low ceiling and lights. We leant forward to see what was going on. The stairs were wonderful, they eerily appeared from the wall and when the actors had walked down, they slowly returned to the place they had appeared from. The gondola and candles were beautiful, such a dark, beautiful and mysterious scene. The music was phenomenal, typical Andrew Lloyd Webber. So passionate and spine chilling. What more can I say, well done everyone involved.

We left about 5:30pm, Chrissy and I said goodbye to Avis, I dropped Chrissy to her place, had a quick cuppa and then went off home, what a fantastic day, I hope I have many more.

Monday, 27 February 2012

Time to see the Phantom of the opera......

..... ooooohh no it isn't ........ oooohhhh yes it is : )

Today has been busy, I had my shower taken out and a bath put in. So pleased to have a bath back as I miss having a relaxing moment to myself in the bath. New candles me thinks : )

Yesterday my friends and I were told that the Phantom of the opera show we were seeing oningt was cancelled. The chandelier, which is a very important part of the show, hadn't arrived. There were health and safety issues so the tickets were all cancelled. The theatre offered a refund and a chance to see the dress rehearsal for free. So I will be seeing the Phantom of the opera for nothing, zero, nought!!

Tomorrow morning, before the show, I am off to school and then off to town to get my eyebrows redone. Then off to lunch and then the theatre.

It is going to be a fabulous day.

Sunday, 26 February 2012

Mike

Today's blog is dedicated to Mike. I met him and his wife, Amanda, through facebook.

It is with sadness that I add on here that Mike fell sleep yesterday. Love and strength are sent to Amanda and family who are reeling from losing their warrior.

Condolences to all who loved Mike and blessings to him as he enters another room to gain his angel wings.

Death leaves a heart ache no one can heal,

Love leaves a memory no-one can steal x x

Friday, 24 February 2012

Busy week next week.

My acknowledgement from Tescos that I got to the top 50 in the Tescos mum of the year 2012.

Thank you so much Tracey for nominating me, I am blessed to have so many wonderful friends : )

I met Kirstie for the first time after talking to her for such a long time on facebook.

Bye, bye shed, hope you like your new home : )

The last couple of days have been quite quiet. Kieran has finished his travel training and on Friday got 2 buses to school all on his own. This is a great acheivement for him. I am still very nervous about it as he gets such bad anxiety attacks but am happy that this is what he wants to do. He has been a joy to be around this last week. He got himself up and ready for school, made his breakfast and on a couple of occassions even got his own lunch ready, Well done Bean : )

Yesterday I met warrior Kirstie, we have been chatting on facebook for a while, she lives in Cornwall so I didn;t have far to travel. Kirstie lost her dad to Mesothelioma 5 years ago so we had a lot in common.

Next week is a full calendar, Sunday the garden shed is going, I am getting a summer house for Siobhan so she can use it as a work shop. Business is busy for her and she needs somewhere to store her merchaendise. I go on a free cycle site and someone on there wanted a garden shed, great, saves me having to dismatle it and wait for someone to pick it up. The ladie's son is going to do all that and I would rather it went to someone who needed one than to scrap it.

Monday I am having a bath fitted. We only have a shower in our bathroon so getting a bath in will be wonderful. Many times I and the children have felt like we would love a good, relaxing soak. Well....now we can.

I am also off out to see the Phantom of the opera and the Theatre Royal Plymouth.

Tuesday, Eyebrows, I am getting them redone. My eyebrows left the building 8 years ago when I had alopecia. They have never come back. I had them tattoed by a fabulous lady called Theresa (She is featured in the soap box part of the blog) in 2008. She is a fantastic artist who can re-create nipples for breast cancer warriors and cover scars so beautifully.

It will be great to chat to her again.

Wednesday, old chemo brain has forgotten what I am doing but I know there is something.

Thursday, I am returning to work !!!

Yes, back to work, I will be doing part time hours but will go back on a phase return which means it will be a gradual process. So much happening next week.

As for today, I am not sure what is happening. I have to get some shopping in, May pop in town and will be going out with friends this evening for a bite to eat ....... can't be bad : )

Wednesday, 22 February 2012

Raining today.

Not much happening today, I had a delightful smear test this morning.

I haven't done much else today, it is very wet outside. I don't think that we will be seeing any snow in our area. It is too warm now and also very wet.

I have been making plans about what I want to do for my birthday. I was thinking of having a party but Rich won't be here so I have decided to take Siobhan and Kieran to Ireland to visit Rich and spend my birthday there. It will be so lovely having them all together.

I sent my friend Mavis a little gift from London. When I went in the Westminster abbey shop I saw some little Victoris Crosses.

The Victoria cross is Britains highest award for gallantry which means nobility of spirit or action, courage.

As soon as I saw it I thought of 2 gallant women there and then, there were on ly 2 on the shelf otherwise I would have got a few more.

I gave one to Linda Reinstein and one to the lovely Mavis Nye. Both are courageous and gallant.

I gave Linda hers while we were in London, Mavis recieved hers yesterday, I hope she shows it off with pride.

Tuesday, 21 February 2012

Back to normal.

My curly bonce and I at the Chaddlewood pub, Plympton.

Veggie burger for lunch.

Kieran and I went in to Plymouth City Centre yesterday to get our pass port photos done, buy him trainers for school and have a bite of lunch. Again, we had a lovely day, such a good boy lately.

Today I was surprised to hear the clattering of cat dishes and the ripping of the cat food pouches, Kieran was up!!

He had given the kitties their breakfast, done his own breakfast and made his lunch for school, Wow ....... I was so impressed, My alarm hadn't even gone off.

He got himself off to school in good time, I wonder what will happen tomorrow. : )

I went into town today and put my passport through its checks. I am hoping it is all accepted, cost me £77 for the privilege.

Tomorrow I have the lovely smear test.... yuk.... it has to be done though. I am not feeling at my best at the moment as I have a little bit of a sore throat and cold, it seems to be holding off though, this is the third one now and still no chest infection, hope I haven't spoken too soon.

I booked in to get my eyebrows tattooed today, they are very faded now, I had them done in 2008 as I had lost them through alopecia and they have never frown back. It was so good to see Theresa again, she is fantastic at what she does. I have an article of hers in my soap box section of the blog, check it out if you want to.

I met Siobhan and David, her boyfriend, in town, we went to the Chaddlewood pub at Plympton and had lunch, we had a really lovely veggie burger made with sweet potato.

Then it was home to meet Kieran as he was due home from school. I wonder if my little Bean will do everything himself tomorrow : )

Sunday, 19 February 2012

Have a break-DOWN, have a kit-kat !!!

Well what a fun time I had after picking my car up from Chrissies house! Jayne and I got in my car, no problems starting her. We got to Jayne's, she went off in doors and then what happens???

Pfftttt..... engine stops at the bottom of Jayne's road.

Typical, it is 2:30 am in the morning, freezing cold and Halo (My car) has decided she doesn't want to play.

I rang Jayne as I know she would have told me off if I hadn't and being the master of arms in the Navy, I don't want to argue with her : )

The lovely girl came up, in her high heels still, and looked over what had happened, the battery was completely flat.

Jayne went home, got her flat shoes on while I phoned the RAC to tell them of my plight. Jayne brought back a blanket, flask of tea, and tin of biscuits (Biscwits in Jayne's language) and we then snuggled up in my car and waited for the RAC to get back in touch.

She then remembered she had a jump starter at home so we thought we should give it a try. Off she goes again and comes back with the leads. We got Halo started, brilliant, we thought, until we turned her light on.... bluegh....nothing. I was going nowhere till rescue got here.

In the mean time, I am now bursting to go for a wee, Jayne sat in the car while I made my way back to her place. When I was leaving, at aroung 3:35am, the phone went, rescue is on the way..... hooray.... he would be with us in about 10-15 minutes.

I got back to the car just as he was approaching.

The guy was such a helpful person, he got Halo started, loaded her up on his truck, I said good bye to super Jayne and suoer break donw man towed us home. At 4:20am, I got in the door, I am now ready for my bed and will be snuggling up with mu electric blanket and my kitty : )

Thank you so much Jayne and to the very, very nice man who came to my rescue.... your a knight in shining armour....thank you!!!

Coming home.

Breakfast before we leave London and go home.

On the train from London to Tiverton.

On the coach from Tiverton to Plymouth.

More surprises when I got home, can this week get any better?

Out with me girlies, no pictures of Avis though : (

Neet's arm wrestling some random man, she won : )

Kieran and I had breakfast, checked out and made our way to Paddington station. We were going to meet my cousin, such a shame, there was a fire on the underground and she couldn't get to us. We have said we will meet up in June when she is down south for a break.

We had lunch in the station and Kieran watched the trains go in and out, off to take all the Commuters to their destinations. One of Kieran's favourite things to do is to go to a station and train watch. This mad it even easier to pass the time. I have to say he has been an abosolute pleasure to be with. Even though there have been hour long meetings, he has been patient and thoughtful all the way through, Having an iPad probably helps, but seriously, thank you Bean for all your support over these past few days.

We had to change at Tiverton to get to Plymouth, we went from the train to a coach to continue our journey. There were rail works so Plymouth was shut down.

We got home around 4:30pm and relaxed before I got ready to go out with the girls. Such a wonderful memory, I would like to think the guardian angel from George and Ann last week had something to do with it : )