Black Dogs 27

Good evening everyone. Thought I would say hello while I'm able. I've read all your posts.
Sorry I can't always chat and reply to them.
Sweetpeasue I'm so glad your DH has had his op. Poor man, he's so brave having that done without sedation. Is he home now? I do hope it makes a difference for him. 🙏.
You both need to rest well now and concentrate on his recovery. .
HVDY that was a good shopping trip. You seem very good at choosing presents. I'm useless, my presents are boring. I'm glad your hip feels better. I hope you got the tree etc done and your house looks Christmassy now. 🎄
Your time with LG sounds busy but she gives you such joy, you're very lucky.

EllieAnne the little blessing is lovely. I looked up the verse in Isaiah. It's lovely too.
You said about not coping with Christmas stuff. Is it the practical stuff? Have you any plans for Christmas day?

Wyllow3 Be careful with that knee. Don't take any more risks.
It must be difficult during the night. You're doing very well with coping and getting MrA dealt with to your satisfaction but it's difficult to control your thoughts at night, hopefully it will ease with time. But you have made a lot of progress.
Scaredycat It must be so sad, visiting your friend with the other couple and remembering the good times you all shared together, and so sad she doesn't mention her husband, but as HVDY said, perhaps its good in a way. Its so very sad for her and her DH to end up like this.
I like how you refer to your cats as your "boys"😊

Doodle I'm glad the evening went well. I feel the same about loud music. I can't see the point unless it's a concert. It's not pleasant having to shout to chat. I hope you're rested and recovered after your late night. I can't do evenings either. I miss evenings out.
Sorry about your hip and knees. Probably the cold weather isn't helping.

I've booked the OGD (gastroscopy) for early January. Was offered 22 December which I declined. And said I would wait for result of that before deciding on the colonoscopy. My consultant won't be pleased but I don't care.
Thanks for comments and advice.
Have done very little recently, but have decorations up and mist of the presents bought and wrapped and cards nearly sorted. DH helped a lot this year.
Hoping I make art tomorrow. Didn't last week.

Hope I haven't forgotten anyone.
Sending love to you all, and thanks for helping me feel I am not alone.xx

I’m so glad you were able to come in, Sweetpeasue. It sounds as if what was necessary has at last been done. I’m guessing it was done without anaesthetic as it has risks?
Is he at home with you now? I’m presuming it? Do keep in touch about how he is in the morning!

I hope that the Christmas Tree is now up and glowing, HVDY. You’ve done well with the presents. I’m glad your hip has eased. Just as well Jaffa isnt too interested the Christmas Tree.

It is very sad, Scaredycat that she has apparently forgotten her own husband. This slow wiping out of self hood, in a friend, must very hard to witness, although it does give a little comfort that she was calmer. It would be good if she becomes someone who remembers some “happy bits”. Its a lottery, isnt it, that it can go either way.

The boys are giving so much back, aren’t they? (I just know that I would not deal well with the responsibility..and am uncertain what life may hold as things are very unsettled) Will I end up on my own or will there be someone else? I just don.t know. However I am getting mostly better managing evenings especially, on my own, despite the current run of really bad nights.

I bet you were really tired, Doodle, thats a lot in one day. That music would annoy me rather…I’m glad the buffet was nice. (I like “choose all by yourself” food most of all. You are probably right that the weight makes it more difficult to manage older joints. The X rays really matter, to see if there is any damage, before you can know what you can hope to improve or not.

Mine are very flexible because of the nearly 50 years of yoga. Today some nice things happened. I got a free 15 mins starter appointment with one of the gym physios and he was really excellent.
The meniscus damage as I suspected was made a lot worse by my neglect of my left shorter leg and the turned ankle as a result of it. It takes 2 months for meniscus damage to heal, and I’m a lot clearer about how to handle it after the chat and I might buy one session where he comes upstairs to the work out area to do the exercises so I remember them fully. They are small but significant ones, and I have to urgently shell out for specially cut risers in the left shoe. I just had a nice short backstroke swim.

Aqua aerobics, I observed, was done to tunes like jingle bells, HVDY!!

And when I passed the computer shop in the car I spotted it was empty, so nipped in to get some things sorted out. And I admired an ink tip pen so much in the PO she actually just gave me one from her drawer- little things like that are so nice.

Rather too windy and rain for a walk today, Ellie Anne - are you getting out at all?

Night night to all BDs.

Sweetpeasue so pleased the operation has at last happened. I do so hope your Dh makes a good recovery now and it makes an improvement to his pain. You must be exhausted. Try and get some sleep. 💕
Ellie Anne that was so lovely thank you for sharing.
Scaredycat I hope the boys nails are done satisfactorily. Good job they don’t need nail varnish too.
So sorry about your friend. I know how hard it is to see someone you care about not recognise you or not know where they are. It is a cruel disease.
Had a nice time at the party thank you. Music was far too loud so we couldn’t talk without shouting. We had a two course meal buffet style. Plenty to eat and very nice. I’m not used to be put in the evening and what with being st church all weekend I was so tired when I got home.
HVDY Jaffa sounds the perfect cat (tempted to write purrfect 🤣 🐈‍⬛) no god he isn’t troubled having other people around.
Did you put your tree up? Do you have a colour theme or just put up whatever decorations you have?
Wyllow glad you enjoyed the botanical gardens. Sorry your overdid things after and now have a sore knee. I walked from the car park to town today (not far at all) walked round the shops but had to go really slowly. My right hip and both knees ache a lot. Go is sending me for X-rays of both . I need to go on a diet. I’m sure extra weight isn’t helping.

ScaredyCat Dementia is terrible. It sounds as though perhaps your friend forgets that her husband is still around (out of sight, out of mind). In a way, that's perhaps just as well, as she can't miss him and feel sad that he's somewhere else. Yes, we had Jaffa in September last year. He doesn't even look at the Christmas tree, and he won't mind everyone being here on Boxing Day. My hip is fine, thanks. Hope you've had a good day today.

SweeetpeaSue Thank goodness that's over with. I hope your husband will start to feel better than he did, very soon, now that it's been done. He needs to rest and recover a bit (and so do you).

Thankyou everyone for your thoughts n best wishes. Just got back 20 mins ago.
Absolutely shattered but DH is through it thank goodness. He was in theatre 2hrs. They all said what a bad case it was and they've had to put 2 stents in , one inside the other as one wasnt enough
All done without sedation, poor DH , but nurses on ward were wonderful and he was well looked after.

Hope all have a peaceful night.x

Hi all

Wyllow- our visit with our friend went as well as it could. We often go with her brother and his wife and then go for a bite to eat afterwards. Her memory is almost non existent and she asks the same things repeatedly. But at least she was calmer than she has been of late. It is so sad- we had such good times together as a foursome. Her DH is very poorly in a different home but she didn’t even mention him.
Yes the trouble with having a lovely walk like you had in the Gardens you then feel on a roll and want to keep going- hence the big shop!! The return of mild CFS is not surprising . You have expended a lot of energy fretting about the MrA stuff and got a bit overtired.
Keep on with the good days and your mind will gradually settle- read EllieAnnes lovely prayer.
EllieAnne- beautiful words thank you.
HVDY- you’re right we love our boys so much . They have found their way right into our hearts.
Today the weather was a bit damp but not the dramatic weather forecast yesterday . It meant a nice easy hours drive to see our friend. My friend remembers the odd random thing from the past but basically conversation is very difficult. Such a shame as she had a lovely life.
Hope you enjoyed doing your tree- did you have Jaffa last Xmas?
Sorry your hip played up yesterday hope it was less trouble today.
Doodle- hope you enjoyed the party.
Nadateturbe- wishing you a peaceful sleep in return.
SweetPeaSue- you have been in all our thoughts today.

Love to all

SweetpeaSue Thinking of you both today. Hope everything goes well. xx
Doodle Did you enjoy the art class's party? I hope there was cake or something equally delicious.
ScaredyCat Aww, your boys are so loved. Jaffa's claws will need clipping soon - he only uses them on the settees, the little sod. The weather's not great here - raining, probably for the rest of the day. Are you anywhere near where the storm is due? Do you chat with your friends about things from the past? My SIL only remembers things from her childhood - nothing of her working life.
Wyllow3 It's always lovely to spend time with LG. She's such a happy child. Do you wear a support brace or anything on your knee? My hip was very painful yesterday, after only 20 minutes of walking. Not the weather for it today, though.

It's a wet day, so DH is going to get the tree and decorations from the loft and we'll put it up later. Bought presents for everyone - 4 adults, 5 children, plus 1 adult's birthday, and 1 child's birthday. Hope everyone manages to have a decent day x

Its simply lovely, Ellie Anne, and thank you.

SweetPeaSue- you are both in my thoughtsxx

I found this on Facebook. Think it is beautiful and has something for everyone, believers and non believers. I hope no one minds.
Sweet pea sue you are in my thoughts today.

Thankyou Wyllow , Nadateturbe.
Beautiful photo. 🙏

Will be thinking about you all tomorrow Sweetpeasue.
Goodnight everyone, may you have a peaceful one.xx

I'm sorry, I got interrupted earlier by my sis, Sweetpeasue

As its the night before your DH's procedure, I'll be thinking of you both and your son too.

No, you're facing high winds. I hope the visit goes as well as it can -it will be so sad for you tho.
I'm glad the boys took to it well - it bodes well for nay further contact.

I'm sorry to hear that, Ellie Anne. I guessed. this year it will be Ok, but the dread just even last year -profound.

And as you say Doodle, it doesn't get easier for you.

That fish sounded totally yummy, HVDY, and most of today with LG a delight/; I expect it was tiring.

Today there was some sun, so I set out to have a walk in the Botanical Gardens. I wanted to see how my knee held up walking. I did have a lovely walk maybe 45 mins in total, and that was OK knee wise, but then I went and did a very big shop (which could have waited!) and my knee is swollen and painful again. It was a stupid thing to so.

sigh - there is a real risk of permanent damage if I don't take care all the time. (any knee twist at all twigs it or overdoing walking or standing.
.
I have developed low level CFS (had it on and off for years, recent strains/stresses have made it return)
All I can try and do is rest a lot more but keep essential exercise going and somehow get over the assault.

Its not for the lack of trying - I have a decent day, then the night brings memories and angers and I cant stop how my subconscious works try as I might.

Hi all
EllieAnne Anne- hold that thought - it’s just one day. Get in some nice food and have a drink or 3.
SweetPeaSue- will be another thinking of you both tomorrow.
So hope there will be a successful outcome.
Doodle-hope you’re enjoying the party tonight. Lovely to have people who you share your interest and are friends too.
HVDY- I wanted Tom to win too. He was the dearest soul.
Ah I,m not surprised LG wasn’t struck on Santa- I,ve often thought he must look scary to tots.
The boys had their claws trimmed today- they were really good. The lady does my grandcats too.

We,re off to see our friend with Alzheimer’s tomorrow. Weather forcast not too good though.
Love to allxxxx

Nadateturbe Such a shame you missed out on the family meal together. Hope you can do it another time. Ove not heard of 2 ' oscopys ' together but do understand your apprehension.
HVDY Santa's can be frightening to little ones - remember my DGS not being keen. She loves her time with you, so precious. They grow so fast.
Doodle Hope you have an enjoyable time with your art class tonight.
Thanks , so anxious, yes.
EllieAnne Sorry the run up to Christmas is so difficult for you. There will be many that feel the same way, I know.

Thanks everyone for kind wishes. Just trying to distract today.
Peaceful night to all. X

sweetpeasue like HVDY said, we will all be thinking of you and your DH tomorrow. Hope all goes well and you have a positive outcome from the procedure. I know you’ll be nervous and anxious. It’s only natural. You’ve been waiting for this for a long time.
HVDY sounds like a perfect day for LG. Particularly the bit at home with you.
Ellie Anne I’m finding Christmas troublesome too. I used to love it. Hope you’re ok.
Scaredycat it’s my art class party tonight. Nice to have a get together now thi term has finished.
wyllow are you out at Quakers today? Hope things are beginning to settle down for you.

nadateturbe Those procedures sound daunting, but the Consultant would have mentioned the risk of perforation because he has to warn patients of anything that may go wrong. The chances of it happening might be very small. EllieAnne and *Wyllow3 have given good accounts of their experience.
EllieAnene All the build-up to Christmas is too much and for too long. I like buying thins for the family, but it's all really only one day, after all.

Busy day with LG. It was the Christmas party at the playgroup - she enjoyed the lovely buffet but not the loud singer or Santa. We painted at home, played with toys, then fed the ducks at the park. She went early, 4pm. How's everyone been? x

SweetpeaSue I liked watching the I'm a Celebrity eating challenges. Tom did exceptionally well at them. I hoped he'd win, but Ginge is funny and down to Earth. We on here will all be thinking of you and your husband tomorrow. It'll be a relief for you both, to get it over with.
Wyllow3 I'm glad you had such a good time at the gym and found like-minded people there. I had Talapia Amritsari - pieces of fish in batter, which had garlic, chilli flakes and Carom seeds in. DH had lamb Madras.

Thanks for your views Wyllow3.
Thank you both. Very helpful.

I was a bit younger but not much.
Wyllow not coping with all the Christmas stuff 😥

You’re in the right place to share the sadnesses of what you cannot do, nadateturbe. At ease.

Well done for “going for it” Ellie Anne Sending warmest wishes, I’m guessing things havent been good x

I had them separately in the first 6 months in 2023. In advance, I couldn’t have imagined coping with them one after the other …. and cant imagine having both at the same time with your exhaustion

…but now I know what they were like (they went fine) I would have chosen to get them done to get worries out of the way.

I was 72 when they were done, btw. I was so relaxed after the pain killers ......(had a feel good high afterwards from them just to make it all more weird)

(My problems were actually caused by the shedloads of meds that I had been on so different we found in the end)

…… I imagine that long term ME wouldn’t mean things don’t work well “down there” either

*EllieAnne, thank you for that. Very kind of you. Its good to know that both together is ok. Thats reassuring.
But I'm wondering are you younger. Apparently as you reach 75 there's more chance of perforation. Im almost there. That frightens me.

Just in to say Nadateturbe that I had both oscopies together with sedation. Got it over with and was home shortly afterwards.

Evening all. Just popping in to say hello. I’ve been at church all day and didn’t get home till 7. Just has something to eat now I’m off to bed., catch up tomorrow. Hope everyone is ok