Soop' s warm and welcoming kitchen.

I can only thank everyone for being so kind and not judgemental in any way. What it is to converse with you people xx

I do seem to have a bit of a reputation!
Soop is correct, I'm partial to a man in a uniform! .
I do hope Santa will be around at the Edinburgh lunch next week. . I will be able to share my good news.

Reading all the recent posts has made me realise that my worries and ailments are nothing compared to other people's lives. I pray that you all find the strength to cope.

Thank you. It is funny just how much it helps to be able to let it out and know that there are 'us lot' listening and being there for each other.

Ellan this is THE most amazing place. There are so many lovely people here. It is a real haven on GN.

Synonymous just hugs for you and your DH, what a shock and the feeling you must have at being back at square one.
I know you have a very strong faith, it will help you and see you through this very dark time.
Charleygirl, I am almost blind in one eye now and watch the otherone anxiously for signs of it getting worse. Ellan* very kind thoughts to you too.
So much depressing news it it is all so sad.
My H had a contrast CT scan of his bladder on Tuesday ,waiting for the results and to see if he needs a cystoscopy, it may or may not be serious.
I went to the hospital 4 times in the first 12 days he was in care.
The better news is that he seems content at the moment.always delighted to see me but not unhappy when I leave.
Try to be positive everyone, I have to say that Molly is a delight, very good, very clean and very affectionate, she has me wrapped round her little finger already.

annsixty so pleased to hear DH is settling down. When my parents first went it was the same and I also spent many hours at the hospital, in fact I was there with my mother this pm. It took a little while before everybody got used to each other and things settled down. I really hope DH is okay.
So pleased Molly is affectionate. My son has two cats and both are very standoffish.

I have left a bottomless box of tissues on the table - lots of tears at some of your posts. Ann so glad your husband is settling and hope the investigations go well.

Synonymous, what rotten news for your DH. If amputation has become inevitable it's best if they get on with it. A cousin in her late 80s had a foot amputated last year as a result of Type2 Diabetes. She made a remarkable recovery with the help of the physios at the hospital and is now able to cope around the house without her crutches and can walk well outside with her crutches. Wonderful things can be done with prosthetics nowadays and age seems to be no barrier. I do hope your DH gets excellent treatment and a good recovery.
Ann, it's good news that your H is settling down, but a pity that you keep having to go to the hospital. I hope they find out what is wrong with his waterworks and find a suitable remedy. A cystoscopy might be traumatic for him. I'm sure we are going to hear much more about Molly in future. She sounds like a perfect pet. I am quite envious - there is nothing that relieves stress better than stroking a kitten!

The Kitchen is certainly reeling from all these heartbreaking stories, and thank goodness we are as a team strong with huge caring hearts.

Not only still reeling following Morethan`s post and on returning to catch up, I am further stunned by hearing about this new added dilemna hitting your family Synonymous.
To have this news, added to all the pains and hardship of coping up to now, I feel for you with all that is within me.
Such an almost no choice situation, and at a time when you know only too well the outside help is virtually non existant...... as we have recently found out.
However I also know you are made of firm stuff, and I know that if anyone can battle through...... you will.
Nevertheless it is heartbreaking, and I only wish that more than ever I had a silver wand to grant all of you going through these hardships........ great relief.

I can but add a huge virtual hug along with some but please know you both are very much in my heart and prayers.

Whilst Ellavannin I read your post and I could actually feel the pain as you wrote and indeed some of these stories must indeed stir up painful memories for you.
Again please know we care and are here for each one of you.

Charley I read your post with a heavy heart again for as you know, I too have been diagnosed with the dreaded MAD........and to hear you have had your worst fears confirmed at Moorfields Hospital is heart breaking, and believe me,my heart goes out to you.

Every single morning I feel my eyes are certainly worsening,and need upwards of an hour`s treatment before I can use them properly....... but to hear the news confirmed by those that really know,as you have done, must be devastating............. and Charley I only wish I could give you a physical hug.

Not forgetting you for one moment Ann......bad enough also hearing of your vision issues,but I am so delighted that your H seems to be settling well into his new abode,with Molly now taking care of you!!

Many with such problems and I have merely picked a few, but for each one in the Kitchen here, I can only suggest we carry on sharing and caring for each other...........a trouble shared is certainly the way to go.

Further to help at home when the need is great, we still have not heard from the SS,however the one body ....“Hospice at home” have visited and pointed us in the direction of other various bodies, which as you well know seems to take forever.
At the moment we are “ticking over” and it is uplifting that there are a few areas that might ....eventually.... be able to lend a ear, and perhaps that hand we need.

Time to pack up after that little lot, but dear Kitchen friends............. whatever else hold onto Hope ...........wishing you all a peaceful evening.

I have said so before...and I shall say so again - You lot are truly amazing. Thank goodness that there are those who understand another person's pain. PLEASE carry on the good work.

Ann I am thankful to hear that your husband is feeling more settled. It will be a blessing when he gets the repeated bladder troubles investigated and treated. Please update us.

Marydoll I so wish that I could join in the fun next week. As an expectant mother, please remember to stick to cordial. And, should you happen across you-know-who, I hope that you break the news gently. He must reserve his stamina for the delivering of gifts.

Time for feeding Tabitha. She will be visiting very shortly. She has a hearty appetite and licks her dish clean.

Until tomorrow, take good care of yourselves.

So many sad stories in the kitchen today, my heart goes out to all of you. This is such a wonderful place to off load and to know that there is always someone around to lend an ear or hold a hand. Big hugs and to anyone who needs a shoulder today.

Just back from a foray across the bridge visiting friends for a pre Christmas get together. Enjoyable catch up but I’m so sad at all the difficulties my kitchen friends are experiencing.

There’s truly nothing else you could do morethan, very wise words to your granddaughter. Please, please look after yourself as much as you can.

Sounds a positive dental visit greyd. T-day for me is 15th, I’ll appreciate all fingers crossed for me that morning.

marydoll you raised a smile here, think I may creep into the argy and see what goes on, that’s if I dare .

So sorry the wheels are turning slowly panache but also relieved they are beginning to turn. Wishing you and your husband a peaceful night.

That must have been a huge shock for you both synonymous, mobility is so important, you’re right strange though it may sound improved mobility and comfort will be the outcome. I’m so sorry life has been so tough for you both.

Such good news your husband is more contented now ann, it must be a relief to see him relaxed. Here’s hoping for a positive outcome from the testing.

Oh dear Charley not what you wanted to hear. Please be careful out and about, keep safe.

Goodness ellan what a time your family has had. I’m in awe of everyone who can stay strong through such difficult times. I hope you can all begin to heal.

Hope there was artistic success soop, I’m in admiration of your persistence.

Must be off. Apologies to anyone I’ve missed. Before I go a quick hello to grandmashe, good to see you.

A hug to everyone managing burdens, sleep well.

Just back from a lovely meal at an Italian restaurant with my GD and her friend.
A lovely relaxed evening, good food and better wine with a cocktail thrown in.
There is life after trauma , we may not think it is possible but we must take it when it comes, the sadness will be there tomorrow but take the good moments when they arise.
Life goes on, always.

So many kitcheners struggling with some awful problems. soop I think your kitchen has been of so much comfort to us. More this year than any year since I joined GN.
morethan your whole family are going through such a worrying time I don't know how you cope. I think you are such a caring person that whatever you say will be the right thing.
synonymous I don't know what to say. That must have been such a shock for you and your DH. Any change of health circumstances takes some time to adjust to. Hope things work out for the best.
ann so pleased to hear your DH has settled in well and a certain young kitten is taking good care of you ?
charleygirl sorry to hear you are having such problems with your eyesight. Hope you enjoyed your MacDonalds. I had kale yesterday. I would have preferred MacDonalds too!
Ellan you certainly have had a tough year too. I hope your young GC are ok. It seems very unkind of their father to tell them such horror stories. Depression is a terrible thing but loading things on young minds is just not right.
Take care dear kitcheners and anyone who pops in for a visit. I wish you all a peaceful night.

annsixty just seen your post. So glad you had a such a nice time with your GD.

Me too. X

Well marydoll you've done it now.? I thought you were up to no good in the Argy cellar when I found a herd of reindeer tied up outside the door ? Ho Ho Ho indeed!

Doodle, I'm mortified that this news is now public. ?
How am I going to face the Edinburgh grans on Wednesday?
?

A peaceful night to all.?

Ann, what a lovely evening out. Your GD really is a treasure. Hope you are sleeping well these days.
Good night all.

Thank you all for your wise and comforting words. My DiL usually bounces back quite quickly after a crisis but that hasn’t happened this time. Perhaps we’re all reading too much into that. It’s the first time I’ve heard her admit that her time is limited so it was a shock to us all. Hopefully we can find some Christmas spirit over the next few weeks. Your all so very kind.

Good morning! There are so many folk, both here and in my “real world” experiencing very sad and challenging times on the run up to Christmas this year. It always seems more of a challenge when all around is the frantic, seasonal glitteriness that advent has become. We all gladly support those we love, but somtimes caring and loving can carry a high price for our own wellbeing. Thinking especially of synonomous and morethan and I’m sure others too who I’ve missed.

Christmas prep in queenieland carries on apace, am I winning, who knows? My bp continues to misbehave, After an assertive conversation with a receptionist followed by a telephone conversation with a GP I’ve secured an appointment with a nurse practitioner next Friday. In the neantime I’ve to check it at the surgery twice daily......yesterday the machine was out of order!

It's been a dull and watery week here, dreich is the word I’d use. I see there’s a chance of an hour or so without rain this afternoon and maybe even a smattering of sunshine too. Heres hoping....,! Have a good day kitcheners. xx

Morning all! I’ve just heard that my big brother’s arthritic knee collapsed on Tuesday, causing him to fall and break his hip, which was fine until then. Bad luck but he is assured he will be ok for their golden wedding party next weekend. You don’t often hear of men with a hip replacement.
The granddog arrives tomorrow for a month - I know we need the rain but can you wonderful lot please arrange for my corner of Leicester to be dry? I know you can work miracles ? - just look at Marydoll!

Just to add insult to injury the whole of the electrics went off at my GD's house so she had to ring the emergency electric board. GD had kept saying that her bulbs ( lifelong ) kept going and the kettle was " tripping " as I'd bought two thinking that hers was faulty.
Anyway the fault is apparently in the road and work started straight away because of there being children so now she's managing with a generator that's been set up but at least they're not in the dark. If it's not one thing--

One of the school " absentees " ( GGS ) has at least been attending half days recently but the 12 year old who is a sensitive soul, hasn't. We don't know what the final solution is apart from professional help.

I did go and speak with his class teacher a couple of weeks ago who was very understanding as I'd put him in the picture of the problems that the children had faced over the year.
Really and truthfully they could do with being counselled but the backlog for appointments of this kind is proving hard to shift as there's a long wait.

Anyway I'm managing to keep abreast of all you ladies with your trials and tribulations this life brings and it appears that your coping skills for all your ills etc is amazing. I also know that it knocks the stuffing out of you too and it's important to stay as strong as we all possibly can. Part of that strength is being able to open up on here to sympathetic, understanding folk such as yourselves.xx

Thank you to everyone for their supportive messages as they have helped so much. I have read them out to Himself and he really appreciates them too. Better day all round today starting with some sunshine which always makes everything look better. Yesterday evening we went to one of our regular monthly meetings, a photography group, at our Church centre and naturally DH was asked how everything was and so it all came out including him being a bit tearful which was good and cathartic and they were very supportive. This morning Himself said that he thinks he should phone his own case surgeon and get an appointment with him so that he can discuss everything properly which is a huge step forward and hopefully means that he is starting to get his head round the whole thing. This is quite a relief to me as I think if it really needs to be done it would be best in the warmer weather anyway and it takes quite a while between the discussions with the surgeon to any actual operation. I am afraid that this might be quite a saga in the next few months - so apologies in advance.
My car came home yesterday after all those repairs, the repair sheet was shockingly lengthy and all because the garage door came down on the roof and I 'twitched' catching the wheel arch on one of the big tools standing at the side! Pleased to have my lovely car back anyway.
My coz is coming to visit today so I am planning to take her and Himself out for a tootle in the car with a cup of tea and a slice of cake on the way home. Will be good to put mind in neutral and just relax.

Sorry that my post doesn't reflect all that I have been reading on here but be assured that I am keeping you all in thought and prayer. So much going on for so many of us but also so many being truly lovely and supportive. Big (((hugs))) and to one and all! X

Syn I am so pleased your DH is getting his head around it.
It is hard for me and men are so much more worried by things I find.

My husband had Legionnaires disease three years ago and it knocked him for six. He had never been ill in his life and certainly never in hospital. It knocked his sugars off the chart which meant he now has to inject twice a day with insulin. If you had told me he would do this when he was younger I would never have believed you but now he does it as a matter of course. There is always an upside as well - when he was in hospital he vowed never to smoke again so he went from being a 2 packet a day man to zero. That changed my life. No more constantly looking for the nearest door for a quick fag. Maybe you will find an upside - I do hope so.