So how has a whole week gone by so quickly?
P was on a First Aid course on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and I had plans.
What actually happened though was that in the middle of the sermon on Sunday I started sniffling. On Monday I woke up and thought 'I don't feel very well I'll have a bit of a lie-in' and woke up in the midde of the afternoon. I felt quite a lot better on Tuesday and on Wednesday was well enough to go out for lunch with a friend.
Thursday morning we went to a Christmas Fayre (!) where we bought just a couple of presents and got in lots of peoples' way with the wheelchair. Thursday afternoon I made a load of tuna pasta bake and veggie sausage rolls for J.
Friday morning it was German again and discovered that the two new people have both done a lot of German before as in she has a degree in it and his mum was German but they say they've forgotten a lot of it. Both seem very nice.
Then it was home for lunch, four hours in a traffic jam and a visit to J. We were staying in a different B & B and we had an annexe with a living area and kitchen as well as a bedroom and bathroom. Luxury!
Only problem was the bed. We spent the night feeling like we were each sliding down a slope into the centre. This was because that's exactly what we were doing as we disovered in the morning when P realised the central spine supporting the slats had collapsed. I hadn't had much sleep.
Of course just because a student's parents have spent the cost of a B & B, several hours in traffic and exhausted themselves making pasta bake is no reason for that student to get up early. After our continental breakfast, checking out of the B & B and hanging around in the uni coffee shop J finally got up.
We headed into town and discovered that the route to our usual parking place was blocked by a road closure. At this point my satnav had a brainstorm and led us several miles out of our way. Finally we found a parking place and had lunch in our favourite café. I had vegan shepherd's pie because I am trying to be healthy. This is to do with my cholesterol level apparently being sky high (!).
Then we tried to navigate to an outdoors shop, in order for J to buy some walking shoes, guided by P's satnav. Only slight problem was that it hadn't picked up on the fact that the shop closed down two years ago. Never mind.
Journey home was good.
Then we went to a quiz in the village and we were on my friend Becky's team which is good because she's brilliant at quizzes. P got quite a lot right as well and I did ok-ish really. Anyway we won which made me feel ridiculously excited.
(Fact to remember for the future: the smallest state of the USA is Rhode Island).
My brain having been activated so late in the evening was reluctant to switch off and go to sleep - as in I got to sleep about 5.30.
Somehow I got out of bed this morning in time for church which was good because it was all about trusting God to keep His promises to us. Which is something I really need to do.
Sunday 14 October 2018
Friday 5 October 2018
First day back at German
This is me blogging again after six months. Quite a lot has happened and not all of it has been easy. Some of it has been really difficult. I can't really talk about most of it though.
Anyway here I am on October 5th 2018 and today I went back to German for the new academic year and P didn't. He's given up. Feels he hasn't got time. To my surprise three of the others have also given up but two new people are apparently going to join us.
P dropped me off with my scooter and I managed fine, with the others holding doors open for me. The first day we have to do lots of assessments to see where we are at. The teacher said I am doing well with my speaking because even though I can't always remember what changes at the end of the word I know that something does change. Actually (don't tell anyone) she's going to give me some extension homework which she isn't giving to the others. Wow. To be honest though I do work at German. Could work even harder really; perhaps I will.
It was nice to catch up with the others anyway.
P picked me up afterwards, we had a quick lunch then went to visit Mavis. There is a bit of a long saga to do with Mavis. Been a bit stressful. May write about it later.
Then we went to the tip to get rid of a few bits and pieces. Then we had a lovely 'walk' along the river in the sunshine.
Anyway here I am on October 5th 2018 and today I went back to German for the new academic year and P didn't. He's given up. Feels he hasn't got time. To my surprise three of the others have also given up but two new people are apparently going to join us.
P dropped me off with my scooter and I managed fine, with the others holding doors open for me. The first day we have to do lots of assessments to see where we are at. The teacher said I am doing well with my speaking because even though I can't always remember what changes at the end of the word I know that something does change. Actually (don't tell anyone) she's going to give me some extension homework which she isn't giving to the others. Wow. To be honest though I do work at German. Could work even harder really; perhaps I will.
It was nice to catch up with the others anyway.
P picked me up afterwards, we had a quick lunch then went to visit Mavis. There is a bit of a long saga to do with Mavis. Been a bit stressful. May write about it later.
Then we went to the tip to get rid of a few bits and pieces. Then we had a lovely 'walk' along the river in the sunshine.
Wednesday 11 April 2018
Digestive issues
Sorry haven't blogged for a while.
Quite a lot has been happening but it's actually past my bedtime so I'll just write a little bit for now.
Well the ultrasound appointment came through really quickly. It was in a private clinic - our GP surgery seems to have a contract with them. There's not much to an ultrasound but I had to keep holding my breath which wasn't easy. They didn't tell me anything but at one point the sonographer called out to the woman sitting at the desk "Can you write these measurements down" and called out several figures. The only thing I could think that they might have been was gallstones and when I went back to the GP she said yes they were so she would refer me to a doctor at the hospital to decide what to do about them.
Then I had the endoscopy. You get a choice with this - a local anaesthetic and a tube down your nose or sedation and a tube down your throat and you're not so aware of what's going on. I've had one before and went for the down the nose option and it was fine - not much to it at all really although the anaesthetic didn't seem to really work very well and I could feel it go down my throat but it was just a moment's discomfort. Apparently that feeling does make some people panic though.
There was quite a long wait - about an hour which made me feel a bit nervous really. Anyway the staff were all really nice. Nurse put some stuff in my nose to dilate it a bit. Waited a bit more then taken into a room and told to lie on the trolley. Then the doctor said he would squirt some anaesthetic into my nose and throat and it would sting a bit but it stung a LOT. In fact I would describe it as acutely painful and I think it was actually the worst part of the whole thing. He spent what felt like a long time exploring my stomach during which I wished I'd gone for sedation but I was confident he wouldn't find anything cos gallstones is enough to be going on with but then he said:
"You have a 5 cm hiatus hernia."
I have a what???
Totally not expecting that.
Apparently it's a bit of my stomach which is moving up into my oesophagus through a hole in my diaphragm. The problem is that my stomach contains acid producing cells so I now have acid at the base of my oesophagus which can very easily travel upwards causing acid reflux symptoms.
Usually they don't operate for hiatus hernias and often they don't cause problems but it seems that mine is. It's a matter of 'lifestyle management' ie working out which foods trigger symptoms and taking drugs to reduce stomach acid and avoiding lying down or bending after eating and not eating very large meals or less than three hours before bedtime and some other stuff I can't remember.
On Saturday I saw a doctor at the hospital who said my gallbaldder isn't inflamed or thickened - it just has gallstones floating in it. He thinks the hernia is the main cause of my symptoms and it's impossible to tell what effect the gallstones are having. He recommended a low fat diet and other lifestyle changes plus medication.
So that's where I'm at. A low fat diet isn't all that easy really but I'm trying to get to grips with it especially now I'm back from my holidays.
More about the holidays to follow.
Quite a lot has been happening but it's actually past my bedtime so I'll just write a little bit for now.
Well the ultrasound appointment came through really quickly. It was in a private clinic - our GP surgery seems to have a contract with them. There's not much to an ultrasound but I had to keep holding my breath which wasn't easy. They didn't tell me anything but at one point the sonographer called out to the woman sitting at the desk "Can you write these measurements down" and called out several figures. The only thing I could think that they might have been was gallstones and when I went back to the GP she said yes they were so she would refer me to a doctor at the hospital to decide what to do about them.
Then I had the endoscopy. You get a choice with this - a local anaesthetic and a tube down your nose or sedation and a tube down your throat and you're not so aware of what's going on. I've had one before and went for the down the nose option and it was fine - not much to it at all really although the anaesthetic didn't seem to really work very well and I could feel it go down my throat but it was just a moment's discomfort. Apparently that feeling does make some people panic though.
There was quite a long wait - about an hour which made me feel a bit nervous really. Anyway the staff were all really nice. Nurse put some stuff in my nose to dilate it a bit. Waited a bit more then taken into a room and told to lie on the trolley. Then the doctor said he would squirt some anaesthetic into my nose and throat and it would sting a bit but it stung a LOT. In fact I would describe it as acutely painful and I think it was actually the worst part of the whole thing. He spent what felt like a long time exploring my stomach during which I wished I'd gone for sedation but I was confident he wouldn't find anything cos gallstones is enough to be going on with but then he said:
"You have a 5 cm hiatus hernia."
I have a what???
Totally not expecting that.
Apparently it's a bit of my stomach which is moving up into my oesophagus through a hole in my diaphragm. The problem is that my stomach contains acid producing cells so I now have acid at the base of my oesophagus which can very easily travel upwards causing acid reflux symptoms.
Usually they don't operate for hiatus hernias and often they don't cause problems but it seems that mine is. It's a matter of 'lifestyle management' ie working out which foods trigger symptoms and taking drugs to reduce stomach acid and avoiding lying down or bending after eating and not eating very large meals or less than three hours before bedtime and some other stuff I can't remember.
On Saturday I saw a doctor at the hospital who said my gallbaldder isn't inflamed or thickened - it just has gallstones floating in it. He thinks the hernia is the main cause of my symptoms and it's impossible to tell what effect the gallstones are having. He recommended a low fat diet and other lifestyle changes plus medication.
So that's where I'm at. A low fat diet isn't all that easy really but I'm trying to get to grips with it especially now I'm back from my holidays.
More about the holidays to follow.
Thursday 15 February 2018
Flu brain
I'm not writing about anything very intelligent at the moment because the flu took my brain. Hoping it will soon return.
Valentine's Day
Then Wednesday was Valentine's Day.
We decided to have another Waitrose Valentine's Meal (as in had one last year as well). Photos don't do it justice but it was very nice and very good value.
We decided to have another Waitrose Valentine's Meal (as in had one last year as well). Photos don't do it justice but it was very nice and very good value.
Crab mousse starter (with added celery).
Butternut squash ravioli with roast diced potatoes and mixed vegetables.
And finally Sicilian lemon cheesecake.
With a surprise blob of lemon jelly in the centre.
All very nice. I could have had a box of chocolates instead as there was a wine or chocolates option but I let P pick a bottle of wine instead because this was Day Two of giving up chocolate. I don't know if there was any link but I had a headache for most of the day yesterday. Today is Day Three and it's been easier except when we go shopping and there is chocolate everywhere.
Above meal was only £20 by the way.
A bit pancaked out
Tuesday was Pancake Day. P made some very nice crepes for lunch.
My favourite savoury filling is tuna and humous and I like 'sweet' ones with just lemon juice.
In the evening we went to the pancake supper at Becky's church. A very pleasant evening. Melon to start, chicken casserole then pancakes for dessert and some good conversation and a quiz.
My favourite savoury filling is tuna and humous and I like 'sweet' ones with just lemon juice.
In the evening we went to the pancake supper at Becky's church. A very pleasant evening. Melon to start, chicken casserole then pancakes for dessert and some good conversation and a quiz.
Tuesday 13 February 2018
Today
Gradually the flu symptoms have lessened. The cough has definitely been the most persistent but that seems to be on the way out now. Yay!
Today I went to the doctor because I have persistent indigestion. I need to have an ultrasound and a gastroscopy she said.
Today I have decided to stop eating chocolate because it's really not helping.
Today it has been really cold and right now I'm snuggled up under a fleecy blanket on the sofa.
Today I went to the doctor because I have persistent indigestion. I need to have an ultrasound and a gastroscopy she said.
Today I have decided to stop eating chocolate because it's really not helping.
Today it has been really cold and right now I'm snuggled up under a fleecy blanket on the sofa.
Friday 9 February 2018
Flu drags on
The thing with this flu is you feel a bit better and decide to go out. Then you feel really tired and washed out. Then your cough gets worse.
I will eventually get better I suppose.
I will eventually get better I suppose.
Sunday 4 February 2018
Not such a fun time
Sooo...
Thursday last week (as in January 25th) I woke up feeling a bit headachey and under the weather. I got up ok though and did a few things throughout the day.
When I woke on Friday there was an axe in my head.
And I was shivering with the cold.
Even under a doubled over duvet, four blankets and wearing a fleecy dressing gown and nightie I was freezing.
The reality that I'd got flu began to seep into my aching brain.
I spent Friday and Saturday alternately sleeping and counting the minutes until my next dose of painkiller. I was supposed to be going to a healing course on Saturday but that went out of the window (as they say).
On Sunday P went to church leaving me in bed. I managed to get out to the bathroom then felt very sick and faint. At this point I should have sat or lain down on the floor until I felt better but I just wanted to get back to bed. As I got onto the bed everything went black in front of my eyes.
Anyway since then it has been a slow recovery. After a while of being up I start to feel dizzy, I have a horrible cough which is gradually lessening and I feel low and grumpy (which happens to me after flu). I missed church again this morning but P picked me up for the after-church lunch and I felt spaced-out and not really like talking to anyone and wasn't hungry anyway. It was nice to get out though.
So that has been what the last week or so has been like.
Thursday last week (as in January 25th) I woke up feeling a bit headachey and under the weather. I got up ok though and did a few things throughout the day.
When I woke on Friday there was an axe in my head.
And I was shivering with the cold.
Even under a doubled over duvet, four blankets and wearing a fleecy dressing gown and nightie I was freezing.
The reality that I'd got flu began to seep into my aching brain.
I spent Friday and Saturday alternately sleeping and counting the minutes until my next dose of painkiller. I was supposed to be going to a healing course on Saturday but that went out of the window (as they say).
On Sunday P went to church leaving me in bed. I managed to get out to the bathroom then felt very sick and faint. At this point I should have sat or lain down on the floor until I felt better but I just wanted to get back to bed. As I got onto the bed everything went black in front of my eyes.
Anyway since then it has been a slow recovery. After a while of being up I start to feel dizzy, I have a horrible cough which is gradually lessening and I feel low and grumpy (which happens to me after flu). I missed church again this morning but P picked me up for the after-church lunch and I felt spaced-out and not really like talking to anyone and wasn't hungry anyway. It was nice to get out though.
So that has been what the last week or so has been like.
Tuesday 23 January 2018
Snow!
And when we came out from Church on Sunday morning this was the view through the car windscreen:
Brrr. Didn't last long though. Then it turned to rain.
(I'm British ok. We Brits talk about the weather).
Brrr. Didn't last long though. Then it turned to rain.
(I'm British ok. We Brits talk about the weather).
We all enjoy Italian food
We went to see J at the weekend. His uni is further north than we live and I've learnt that I need to wrap up warm when we visit. Just as well because the weather was awful. Rain all the way then when we got ther the delights of sleet then it turned to snow. However despite that we had a lovely time with him and all went out to an Italian for lunch. Seriously nice risotto.
And this was J's dessert:
The photo doesn't really convey the sheer hugeness of it. This was a nutella filled calzone. P meanwhile had tiramisu and I had ... a decaff latte while feeling very virtuous. Well I need to be virtuous because the weight loss plan sort of went a bit wrong last year. I think deciding to make my own Easter eggs was a mistake - required far too much tasting and set me off on a downwards slope. Sooo... New Year new start.
And this was J's dessert:
The photo doesn't really convey the sheer hugeness of it. This was a nutella filled calzone. P meanwhile had tiramisu and I had ... a decaff latte while feeling very virtuous. Well I need to be virtuous because the weight loss plan sort of went a bit wrong last year. I think deciding to make my own Easter eggs was a mistake - required far too much tasting and set me off on a downwards slope. Sooo... New Year new start.
Friday 19 January 2018
Hello Again
Ok six months has passed since I blogged. Part of the reason for this has been that for quite a lot of that time my laptop has been faulty. It took quite a while to convince P that it was functionally challenged because for a time whenever he switched it on it worked. I decided that the problem was that it just didn't like me. In fact the hard drive had 'an intermittent fault'. It has now been replaced so here I am again.
I can't really recount the whole of the last six months in a post. I'll just see what I feel like writing when I post.
Anyway J is in his second year at uni. He was ill at the end of lst term and has been ill since he went back this term which is concerning me quite a bit.
Things with P and me are ticking along much the same really. Church is going well. German lessons are going well and I have just about mastered subordinate clauses.
We had a good Christmas. Mavis was with us for Christmas Day and Boxing Day. She has been slowly deteriorating a bit over the last year - gradually getting a bit more confused and a bit more tired - with occasional admissions to hospital.
We spent New Year with my brother and family in Wales and had a great time. We went to a New Year's Eve party which was really nice but we were sooo tired the next day. Can't take the pace any more.
I can't really recount the whole of the last six months in a post. I'll just see what I feel like writing when I post.
Anyway J is in his second year at uni. He was ill at the end of lst term and has been ill since he went back this term which is concerning me quite a bit.
Things with P and me are ticking along much the same really. Church is going well. German lessons are going well and I have just about mastered subordinate clauses.
We had a good Christmas. Mavis was with us for Christmas Day and Boxing Day. She has been slowly deteriorating a bit over the last year - gradually getting a bit more confused and a bit more tired - with occasional admissions to hospital.
We spent New Year with my brother and family in Wales and had a great time. We went to a New Year's Eve party which was really nice but we were sooo tired the next day. Can't take the pace any more.
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