I found this photo that I took of my beautiful hibiscus last summer and it made me smile! Not long to go until it is time for it to bloom again.
And there are now three solar lamps lit in the garden...
Monday, 18 February 2008
Thursday, 20 December 2007
Busy, busy, busy....
Just trying my best to fit in all the things that have to happen before Christmas - and trying not to worry about the things that don't! It's amazing how much pressure we put on ourselves in trying to create the perfect Christmas...
Anyway, just wanted to take the time to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2008. See you all next year!
Friday, 23 November 2007
Cold Feet!
There can be no more denying it - winter is definitely here. The gloves, scarf and hat have made a re-apperance and my feet are constantly cold! But the sun is shining today so the cold doesn't seem to matter so much...
I went for a progress report at the hospital this week, and good news - my blood count appears to be stabilising. I can finally reduce my steroids again and have been given a six week reprieve, which is a great early Xmas present.
I went for a progress report at the hospital this week, and good news - my blood count appears to be stabilising. I can finally reduce my steroids again and have been given a six week reprieve, which is a great early Xmas present.
So all I need to do now is warm my feet up somehow... I was fortunate enough to take a holiday at the end of October (my attempt to keep the onset of SAD symptoms at bay for as long as possible). So I have some lovely memories to help to keep me warm - and loads of photos to remind me what a great time I had. This is one of my favourites so I thought I would share it with you - but I bet you can't work out where it is!
Thursday, 2 August 2007
Onwards and upwards!
Went back to the hospital for a recount yesterday and was relieved to find that my treatment is working. My count is now at 116 (which is about 30% of where it should be) but it's high enough to be generally safe - and a vast improvement on the 11 that it was at last week. So I get to avoid the transfusions - yay!! :)
The only down side is that I am looking at long term steroids - and the side effects are starting to really kick in now - but I can start to reduce the dose from today so they shouldn't get any worse.
My parents have been in a bit of a panic for the last week (it doesn't matter how old you are does it?) and my Mum wanted to come with me yesterday "just in case". I had to point out to her that she hadn't been to a doctors appointment with me for well over 20 years and I didn't think that she really needed to start again now. I thought that I had done a good job of convincing myself that "of course there would be an improvement", but my relief when I saw the results was immense. It's funny how after the event it is easier to admit that I was actually, for the first time in a long time, felling pretty scared about the whole thing.
I think that the hardest bit has been my concern over how my daughter has taken it all. She has always known that there was something ticking along in the background - but this is the first time that I've had a relapse and she's been old enough to understand what's been going on - it must have been quite a shock for her. She is a such a star, and has a wonderful way of lifting my spirits.
Thanks to everyone for the messages of support and offers of help and assistance - they were all very much appreciated. What a lovely bunch of folks you all are!!!
The only down side is that I am looking at long term steroids - and the side effects are starting to really kick in now - but I can start to reduce the dose from today so they shouldn't get any worse.
My parents have been in a bit of a panic for the last week (it doesn't matter how old you are does it?) and my Mum wanted to come with me yesterday "just in case". I had to point out to her that she hadn't been to a doctors appointment with me for well over 20 years and I didn't think that she really needed to start again now. I thought that I had done a good job of convincing myself that "of course there would be an improvement", but my relief when I saw the results was immense. It's funny how after the event it is easier to admit that I was actually, for the first time in a long time, felling pretty scared about the whole thing.
I think that the hardest bit has been my concern over how my daughter has taken it all. She has always known that there was something ticking along in the background - but this is the first time that I've had a relapse and she's been old enough to understand what's been going on - it must have been quite a shock for her. She is a such a star, and has a wonderful way of lifting my spirits.
Thanks to everyone for the messages of support and offers of help and assistance - they were all very much appreciated. What a lovely bunch of folks you all are!!!
Thursday, 26 July 2007
Not the best news...
I always try to share positive things on my blog - but today I have to say that I am feeling somewhat crap - so can I take this opportunity to apologise in advance.
I had a bit of a shock yesterday. I went along for a routine 6 monthly monitoring appointment for my blood disorder to discover (totally unexpectedly) that all is not well. In fact, all is worse than it has been in over 20 years.
So, I was given two treatment options - neither of which are particularly appealing. The first (and most effective one) involves a few days in hospital followed by several weeks of illness and unpleasant side effects, and the second involves large doses of unpleasant steriods (for a prolonged period of time) and all of the asscociated side effects that come with them. The problem is, having been through both of these options several times before, I am only too aware of the fact that each time I go through this, the less effective the treatment gets - but the side effects seem to only get worse. Ho-hum...
I chose option 2 - and I have to go and be checked again next week to make sure that it's working. If not, I'll have to accept that the greater of the two evils really is neccessary. Anyway, to those of you who are unfortunate enough to have have to put up with me (and my mood swings, shivers, aching limbs, vomiting etc.) over the next few weeks - I'm Sorry!!!!
But on an entirely different note - can I just say what a great time I was having before my trip to the hospital. I had the pleasure of meeting a really genuine bunch of new folks and spending an interesting few hours with them - it made me realise how much I miss being in the middle of it all. So, thanks to all of you for making it such an enjoyable expereince for me - and I hope that I'll see you all again soon!
I had a bit of a shock yesterday. I went along for a routine 6 monthly monitoring appointment for my blood disorder to discover (totally unexpectedly) that all is not well. In fact, all is worse than it has been in over 20 years.
So, I was given two treatment options - neither of which are particularly appealing. The first (and most effective one) involves a few days in hospital followed by several weeks of illness and unpleasant side effects, and the second involves large doses of unpleasant steriods (for a prolonged period of time) and all of the asscociated side effects that come with them. The problem is, having been through both of these options several times before, I am only too aware of the fact that each time I go through this, the less effective the treatment gets - but the side effects seem to only get worse. Ho-hum...
I chose option 2 - and I have to go and be checked again next week to make sure that it's working. If not, I'll have to accept that the greater of the two evils really is neccessary. Anyway, to those of you who are unfortunate enough to have have to put up with me (and my mood swings, shivers, aching limbs, vomiting etc.) over the next few weeks - I'm Sorry!!!!
But on an entirely different note - can I just say what a great time I was having before my trip to the hospital. I had the pleasure of meeting a really genuine bunch of new folks and spending an interesting few hours with them - it made me realise how much I miss being in the middle of it all. So, thanks to all of you for making it such an enjoyable expereince for me - and I hope that I'll see you all again soon!
Monday, 9 July 2007
'Ups' and 'Downs'...
What a week it's been - highs and lows all over the place! Wednesday was my wedding anniversary - and my lovely husband treated me to a wonderful meal out (an opportunity to not have to cook is always the best present).
On Friday, I went to see Russell Brand (not everyone's cup of tea I know - but he always makes me laugh - and he has the most amazing eyes) and on Saturday I was fortunate enough to be at the Genesis concert in Manchester (again, not everyone's cup of tea, but undoubtably three hours of some of the most amazing performances I have ever heard). Great!!
Unfortunately, this week has also seen me say a fond farewell to my lovely co-worker of over four years - and the place just isn't the same without her... But, for her, the move onwards and upwards is a fantastic opportunity to shine somewhere new as much as she did here, and I'm sure that her new team will appreciate her as much as I did . So well done lovely Em - I'll miss you!
On Friday, I went to see Russell Brand (not everyone's cup of tea I know - but he always makes me laugh - and he has the most amazing eyes) and on Saturday I was fortunate enough to be at the Genesis concert in Manchester (again, not everyone's cup of tea, but undoubtably three hours of some of the most amazing performances I have ever heard). Great!!
Unfortunately, this week has also seen me say a fond farewell to my lovely co-worker of over four years - and the place just isn't the same without her... But, for her, the move onwards and upwards is a fantastic opportunity to shine somewhere new as much as she did here, and I'm sure that her new team will appreciate her as much as I did . So well done lovely Em - I'll miss you!
Sunday, 1 July 2007
How Long???
I can't believe that it's been over two months since my last blog. When I stopped to think about all the things that have happened since then (some good, some not so good, some absolutely awful) it made me feel a little better about my lack of commitment - as I realised that my life has been a little chaotic of late, and something had to fall by the wayside...
But, one very positive thing that has happened was the safe arrival of my Great Nephew. Ethan David Jay arrived safe and sound on Sunday 27th May weighing in at a whopping 8lb 13oz - and I have to say that holding this wonderful little new being in your arms has an amazing way of making you realise exactly what it is that's important in life - and how quickly you can miss it if you're too busy looking elsewhere.
Life is all about balance I think - and the one thing that we never have enough of is time. So, please accept my apologies for my lack of posts and lack of comments - I'll try to come back on board again soon.
But, one very positive thing that has happened was the safe arrival of my Great Nephew. Ethan David Jay arrived safe and sound on Sunday 27th May weighing in at a whopping 8lb 13oz - and I have to say that holding this wonderful little new being in your arms has an amazing way of making you realise exactly what it is that's important in life - and how quickly you can miss it if you're too busy looking elsewhere.
Life is all about balance I think - and the one thing that we never have enough of is time. So, please accept my apologies for my lack of posts and lack of comments - I'll try to come back on board again soon.
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