Friday, March 21, 2003

Friday what happened to the week

I got into see Frank He confirmed that it looks like I'm too high and may well be suffering from Bipolar affective disorder. First thing he stopped the anti-depressants, and prescribed three new meds. Aim being to slow me down and try to stabilise my mood. Two weeks off work, at least. Bit frustrated at having to slow down being high sure beats being low. I realise though untreated I will only get worse and head for trouble. A very upsetting time and the news takes a few days to sink in. Still not sure it has sunk in properly. Feel like it has knocked me sideways. Feeling like not taking the tablets but surprisingly compliant. Went to the gym on Wednesday Frank has banned me from exercise but I have lost another kilogram. Jean and I go for a walk in Sefton Park and have a picnic lunch outside the Palm House.Thursday and Friday pass in a blur but I have slowed down and a sleeping better. Going to see Frank on Tuesday. He has signed Jean off work, which I am glad a bout as I would suffer in the house without her.
Frank rang at 7 last night to see how we are doing, what a star. He advises we wait a week or so for the meds to kick in then do some research. He will also be sending me to see Prof Morris at the Royal. Taking it easier with visitors in case I get too excited, the rule is ring Jean first.

Tuesday, March 18, 2003

Tuesday

Normal service should be resumed soon. People following the blog and the bloke will know I am a bit high at the minute. Not sure if its a normal reaction or pathological. The worry of Bipolar Affective disorder always lurks in the back of an insightful depressives mind. Worrying bit is I feel great but the girls look worn out. Just emailed Frank and trying to get in to see him with Jean tonight. Hopefully I can stop bouncing long enough to survive the consultation. Hopefully the anxiety is the worst element of whats going on and Frank can sort me out.
Later.
A small tip if you see me today tell me to calm down and dont encourage my excesses of behaviour.

Sunday, March 16, 2003

Sunday up late

Tut tut, wlsinfo taking up more time. but satisfying work.Off to Ruth and Pauls for lunch, Ally and I sit in the third row of seats in the car just coz I can.Nice lunch and back home to emails and phonecalls. Went for a walk with Jean after tea while ally is out . Had good fun nosing through the posh peoples windows. Net curtains are a godsend. Given out dietary advice and exercise guidance. A lot of people have had the op privately and I feel they get a poor follow up service. Written an email to Mr K about moving some things forward for the website. Convinced I need a hearing aid, and these two mad women I live with keep picking on me

Saturday

Girls off to town so messing about on website for me. Busy day trying to catch upwith stuff. Picked mum up from Nannys both look ill to me. Back home and Jeans mum is round for a chinese. I get to eat soup duck chicken and feel good. Busy on the web later and try to wreck the website, almost succeed. But recover it in the end.

Friday, March 14, 2003

Friday try to replay the week.

Wednesday, bit of a blank must consult my diary - It says I was at a meeting about desktop roll out, it went well with Christine and Mike. Got .a new badge made and had a meeting with the boss.Lots to do and must prioritise.
Thursday Back to Blackburne House for another meeting of the great and good in informatics. not surewhat it was all about, though clearly getting less money than we thought. Spooky time in the afternoon. Attended a PROPEL session, attended a very good session about supporting primary care with mental health difficulties. It was at the Bridge Chapel and Cozzie sorted me out some soup for dinner.He also gave me some of his old clothes that no longer fit him. Kept seeing people I knew from years ago and getting lots of double take looks. Met a girl who I last saw in the nurses home in 1982 - my god you have put on weight she said - if only she knew. Popped into mums on the way home where her and Mary were eating a roast dinner. It smelt divine. Then back to Childwall Park Avenue to see Sam Veronica and Jane, all working hard and doing a good job. Dropped Sam off at home and back for pasta bolognese very good. Chilled out watched a very strange back to front ER on E4. In between I promoted Mick to Admin on wlsinfo because of his sterling work (and I need the help).Very tired and off to bed
Friday up early Jean off, but I was in for a meeting about HR websites. Very interesting. Then off to the gym, glass of milk and a workout. Did more walking and enjoyed it. Full workout today and great shower after. New jogging pants in size 2XL fit well, I was in 7xl.

Thursday, March 13, 2003

Thursday Night

Alarmed at the lack of blogging this week. Is this a reflection of my busy life, is there still a maket for this study of the minutiae of my life. Lots done to be written up tomorrow I think

Wednesday, March 12, 2003

Wednesday Morning

Good result at the gym, now only a spit away from plain old severe obesity according to WHO tables. Super (>50 was a better sounding place) Being Morbidly Obese (40-49), has a branding problem for me. Severe just sounds better to me mines 40.something now. So nearly there, to the unititiated I am Talking Body Mass Index BMI. Calculate yours and worry at My calculators page.
Lots to do today so better move - Later.

Tuesday, March 11, 2003

Tuesday Night

Don't know if it was hypoglycaemia, or just a funny turn - Who knows felt better today though.Early start at Blackburne House, protracted meeting with other heads of Informatics. Made some progress though, I think. Certainly understood what has been happening whilst I was off. Had lentil soup and bread for lunch. Called in at a General practice to deliver a phone for the care manager. lots to do and the backlog of emails etc seems to be getting worse not better. Try and get things sorted tomorrow.Went to the gym on the way home, good workout and another 5 lb gone, over 12 and half stone gone now. Home then dropped the car at Daves to get the mirror fixed and and radio sorted still no news on the new car and thats a worry. Went to Ruth and Pauls for his 52nd birthday, then back home. Feeling good, 22 members on wlsinfo now. It seems to be making a difference and thats good. Busy day tomorrow,quiz trip cancelled due to mothers tiredness and me pacing meself. Can't do it all.

Tuesday morning

Good day yesterday. Funny turn in the night, woke up drenched in sweat, a bit confused, rambling incoherent. Took about an hour to settle not sure what it was.Have to watch it today. Will post more at lunchtime.

Monday, March 10, 2003

Monday morning

Restless nights sleep, woke up the news that Clare Short has threatened to resign - good on her. Jean Ally and I are irate about this war stuff. So I send Tony a letter
text here
"Copy of a letter I sent to Tony Blair this morning by post


Dear Tony, I was born in 1961, voted at my first election in 1979, then suffered for how many years under two tory leaders, and sat through two wars of dubious necessity. One of the happiest, proudest days of my life was the day you were elected. I thought at last a chance, for someone who cares to run the country. I was peturbed by the tuition fees for university, but stood by you. Some other things you have done have worried me, but above I felt you were a principalled man who would do the right thing. You even looked capable of bridge building with the Europeans, which would have been an impressive feat.
Take a look at where you are now, This american president is plum crazy, do us a favour stand up and tell him, war - no way. You could forever be remembered as the man who saved us from war. He is a nasty bully, he doesn't need us and you could lead the revolt. Think about it a united europe, I have yet to meet many people who think this war is a good idea. Granted I tend to mix with pinko guardian readers, but we are the people who have stood by you. If we go to war, they will be no one to vote for at the next election. Too many people will die, some of my friends have gone over there, and I am worried. This year I have had life saving surgery, go on make my remaining years happy ones. Say no to George. Jean,Ken and Ally Clare

I know its not that good a letter but someone has to tell him - is it treason to call Dubya plum crazy, I have told the girls that I will do the time if required. I copied it to the guardian letters page and I know its not much but I feel better for it. Do you know you cannot email the primeminister - e-government my A**E.
Anyway off to work now via the opticians and the Asda. Bananas required.

Sunday report

Email webbing and all sorts done this morning. Girls went to church. Then its off to mums where Mary (sister) and her daughter ann(who lives in London) is up. She is my niece and godaughter, top girl. Drop off some big clothes for cozzie to have first shout on. On the way back I whackily suggest we go for a walk in the park. Jean is shocked Ally thinks I have flipped.But we go for a walk around calderstones. Top place lots of nature, I used to fish there when I was a boy. As well as many happy hours just walking round looking for romance. I caught more fish than girls. 1 perch in fact I nearly died it was slimy and prickly. Me mates dad had to take it off the hook.
Back at home for a bit more webbing before pickin me mum up from Nanny Banks. Auntie Betty my mothers asthmatic senior service smoking sister was there. I haven't seen since the op and all she could say was the jogging pants made me look fat. I've lost 12 stone odd doh! Went to Ali and pauls for some time with the cool dude Archie, who has discovered walking. He seemed happy to see us, but looked confused as we aint been there before. Top house with some interesting features, the bog is well worth a visit. Several cool pictures and good reading matter, plus a lifebelt on the wall. Study was cool replete with table football machine. Top of the shop for me however was Pauls german firefighters helmet. He entered the room, which he had pre darkened, to reveal its best quality. It glows in the dark -spooky or what. Jealousy raised its ugly head - I want one. We also share a bit of a passion for fire-engines. I used to be a retained firefighter - more of that another time. What a hoot we had. Back home where Jean and I shared a chinese banquet for one, sort of precooked thing but the chiken was good. Telephone calls to Mick, and Tina who has her weight loss surgery at 6.30 ish in Leeds today. Absolutely knakkered by the end of it and we retire to bed.

Sunday, March 09, 2003

Sunday Night

What a busy weekend, full of life and energy. Off to the gym, limited time so only fitted in cardiovascular exercise. Still thats the important bit, now up to 40 mins met Kath who is a nurse from Bridge Chapel, nice person too. Met a geezer visiting the gym and promised to send him some images of the accessible machines. After that its off to the opticians and meet Jean and Ally. Interesting chats with the opitician who has a relative who is overweight.Some problems with visual fields and I need another test. Boots in town do hearing tests so I am going for one. I'll finish this later 24 is on now. Change in plan record 24 Ally and jean get into heavy hairwashing. So opticians was a big job, dead nice people dead interested in wls. And I like to talk so thats fine. When I came out of the test my style advisers had dissapeared, no way I am making decisions like that. So wander around asda, found jean, oops she said I didn't realise we should have waited. She has a half filled trolley so I buy an egg butty and sit outside opticians. Some time later, I had had my dinner and read the echo the two of them turn up separately. Into shop girls pick I agree sorted. Wait a while for someone to be free, to measure up etc. All done, sunglasses ordered for jols 195squid. Off to PC world to buy Paul (bro-in-laws) birthday pressie. Then Borders for Paul S prezzie. Then off to Nannys to pick up mum, nanny looks fine mum looks terrible.Drop mum off then pop into see my mate cozzie the cook at bridge chapel. He lifts me (as he always does) and agree to see him tomorrow to give him first shout on my old clothes. Time for some food before off to Paul S party. Childwall Golf Club, posh place nice night with several old friends. Had nearly two guinness and three red wines and a whole lot of water. Seriously giddy by then. Left early and home to Mrs C.

Saturday, March 08, 2003

Saturday Morning

After that delicious tea it was off to Grandmas for the usual Friday night pilgrimage. Now 8.30 on a Friday after a busy week in work used to mean curry telly and a shed full of beer and wine. Last night I was meant to go to Ally Butts leaving party at 9.30, to be truthful I didn't have the energy to get a bath, never mind go out. So it was a grated cheese red wine and a chill out. I felt bad, tried to ring Sandra so I called let them know but she missed the call. Felt guilty but need energy, also need to spend time with family. Ally will understand anyway, I'll pop round to her house in the next week or two to apologise.
Another strange thing happened in the night - my legs, which were very chunky have changed. They look like bits of cotton, hanging from my shorts, Jean says I look very eric morcambe (only geezers of a certain age will understand the reference). I also have a hard lump clearly palpable at the top of my thigh. After extensive probing and confirmation from Jean we have agreed on a diagnosis - femur (which is apparently a bone) It is time to buy new shorts as these are 4 sizes too big. Lying in bed last night I discovered a lump in my chest, clearly palpable on the right hand side just below my xiphisternum. I was a bit worried, lipoma, sarcoma, ?? extensive fiddling reveals a matching patner on the left after, writing my will and wondering what to tell Ally I remember back to anatomy classes, they could be ribs, I suppose. Jean confirms my diagnosis in a flash. My only experience of ribs in the last 25 years has been either bacon ones or chinese style. I had forgotten I had any. To understand the crop of new words that appeared today look here Online Medical dictionary

Friday, March 07, 2003

Friday teatime

Whahay, prawn foo yong for tea and three chips. Busy day, netted, spoke to mick on phone, went to post office, then off to rathbone to sort out the new car. Then to Tescos then to matchworks for twelve. Presentation for Ali B who is off on mat leave today.She did well, for prezzies but she truly is one of lifes good people. I have never met anyone who said anything that is negative about her. I'll miss her for sure. Messed around setting up a few techie things in the matchworks but ended up tired. Then it was back home and chillingout .

Thursday, March 06, 2003

Thursday night

Busy day, feel good sorted some stuff out. Post in Guardian online about blogging bit of a scathing article. I don't know, its done me good and several people have said it done them good to read it. It is good to have a record of it anyway. Work is busy, but starting to get some stuff moving. Lots to do but good, supposed to be off tomorrow but will be in. Got to go ER on E4

No time to lose

HEADLINE 12 stone weight loss barier smashed last night 12 stone three and cardiovascular exercise up to 40 minutes last night From 7 pre op. Watch out world I'm back

Wednesday, March 05, 2003

Wednesday - Shirt crisis

Oh no I must have lost stones overnight, all my shirts have suddenly become five sizes too big - I can't wear them. Jean and Ally have gone - Found Birthday party shirt - but what about a tie? Those of you that know me will realise I haven't got a clue. I'll take a few into work and seek the sartorial advice of Gail and Sandra, top girls from the Matchworks who I would never "diss" on the blog. How could I, I don't know what it means - must ask Ally. I think she has accussed me of it too. Bit sad last night and upset about Peter. Got an email back from the blogging curate who seems lke a cool dude. So off to work, a steering group meeting where I will look bewildered and the first time proper sit down with Andrea, the PA I share with Ali the gravid pharmacist. She goes on Mat leave on Friday I will miss her, but at least I'll get me chair back. I may donate it to the pregnancy camp when I get under the weight limit for a normal chair.Targets, targets, Targets.

Tuesday, March 04, 2003

Tuesday PM

Got into work about 9.30, meeting went well. Off to Peters funeral, it clearly hadn't struck me that he was really dead. Terribly upsetting funeral, I know thats obvious but this was big league. 37 not ill, then bumf dead, serious ruminations about mortality during the service. Old folks who have lived good lives, or people who have been ill and in pain I can handle but this seems too rough. Jean is really upset. Met up with John (brother in law)on the way in, met By pass Simon and Gibbo on the way out. Service was killer one of his workmates broke down while giving a tribute about him. Clearly a popular bloke the church was standing room only a beautiful church Holy Trinity. The Curate did a top job and it was one of the best talks I have heard at a funeral and I have just been wandering round and found out he does a blog top man, I'm going to send him an email
Managed to work out the last time I was with Peter was the night before I got married 15 years ago. Mike and I had gone to the Coffee House for a quiet couple of steadiers, and we met Pete and Si in there. That was one of many good nights I had in there with those boys. So it seemed apt when Gibbo suggested going there after the service. We raised a glass and toasted him and recalled old times. Had some laughs about him and the old days. We went in what was left of the old bar and there was a country/blues band practising in there. That put the top hat on a surreal day.

Tuesday Am

Early start - seems to be working breakfast on board before 8. Just need to sit still for 30 mins or so. Is work before 9 feasible? Before going out last night I went for a walk, once round the block in the rain, most enjoyable. Had a good night last night with Mick Ian and Gordon. First round I got a pint of guiness, recomended to me for its lack of fizz. (Being a child of the 60's I am convinced it has strange medicinal powers).Got about 60% of it down, not an unpleasant taste. Can't drinks halves of beer, I aint no Ken Barlow. Then went on to red wine and a tap water chaser. There was football on, real ale, and a lively atmosphere. Won a few CAMRA awards good place, just down from the ASDA, opposite the old workhouse which was a hospital I proudly closed, (one of my better achievments in mental health work). Can't beat a rant with a bunch of old mates, top stuff - world to rights and all that. For four of us the last round was tapwater. 2 tonic waters and a pint of draught bass. Ian is diabetic, I am a health nut (haha) , Mick was driving and Gordon had a pint.
Get to work team meeting, better cobble an agenda or something, funeral then work from Home. Fit in a gym attack as well. 19 members on the site now -its taking off.

Monday, March 03, 2003

Monday night

Forgot to tell you, me mam rang at 3am having a hypoglycaemic/panic attack, my counselling skills at the time are never good. She settled eventually after some mikk and food and reassurance from her semi-comatose son. Got back to sleep then next suddenly awoken needed to be in work by 9.30. Forgot my tablets, bananas and wallet. Got there expecting a team briefing of about half an hour, ended up in a another meeting didn't finish till one. At what I thought was about 10.30 (it was noon) I put out an emergency request for bananas, got one from Gail, and two from Janet. Better, ate lunch at 2.30, then fell asleep at my desk, oops tiddled with some emails but went home at 3.30. Knakkered fell asleep, woke up by the girls and feeling better. Funeral tomorrow - not looking forward to that. Also going to have to sort mywork stuff out.
18 members now registered atWLS Info site I was especially pleased to see a posting that said finally I am not alone. Someone who like all the people felt isolated and was made up to find our site.
You blogwatchers are a fickle lot complaints today (sandra and Gail) that the postings are too long. Like I care, anyway I'm going out to the Willowbank for a drink and an old mans natter.

Monday Morning

What a busy day yesterday. Lunch went well, though it was the first time the team have performed on such a scale since the op. I have to admit I was so wound up by the time it arrived I couldn't eat much. Watched the cricket an saw England lose to the Aussies, very sad. Good lunch and company. Tina and Chris and their two youngsters arrived about 4.30 and stayed till eightish. I hope we helped them the kids enjoyed watching men in black 2 while we sat in the dining room discussing more serious issues. Every time I meet someone pre-op it brings back everything I was feeling before. Fear trepidation etc. I also promised to add Tina to my positive vibes list. Several of you reading this are on it and at quiet moments I say a few prayers and stuff, and it seems to work. (Expect the headline tomorrow Ken Clare in prayer shocker). Ok enough religious ranting but have a positive vibe for Tina nad her family next Monday.
I learnt a lot from them and opening your home to almost strangers is an uplifting experience. As a safety guideline I only see people from the net with Jean and accompanied by a friend partner or significant other. We laughed too, mainly at me because since the op I can't shut up and I was bad before but now......
Anyway everyone is different but I recommend anyone having the op to speak to as many people as possible and soak up info like a sponge. Also anyone reading this blog my post op complications were unusually large and longlasting. I have met 3 people who have never barfed since the op. I was unlucky, and I would still do it all again.
New plan to day work full time this week. Change in routine and breakfast before pills today. Pills in work, so thats a mid morning snack of prozac, vioxx and zoton finished off with a multivit. Ok prozac and religion I know I'm a bad case. I'd rather tell people though rather than them finding my pills and wondering. Anyway off to the team brief, where the boss hands out news like tablets of stone, or some thing like that. Might be a few people I aint seen for months.

Sunday, March 02, 2003

Sunday Morning

Busy again yesterday, so where do I start, messed on the PC most of the morning. Still got an inbox full to sort. Hang on the England batting collapse has started so better go downstairs. England now 75 for 4 after 14 overs bit of a mess. Still thanks to the beauty of wireless networking I can sit in front of the telly and watch it.
Good food day yesterday, plenty in no barfing. Got to the gym lost one and a bit pounds, felt a bit miserable that I hadnt broke the 12 stone lost barrier, did break the 22 stone barrier though. Got to devise a way to monitor progress thats bigger than just weight loss. My weight loss was poor but, overall I had a top week. But you still think weight is the main criteria by which you should judge yourself. Me thinks there is something about personality in there as well. Great work out at the gym, increase cardiovascular workout by 1 minute. (another achievment). Had a good talk with Jack my guru, and steve the original trainer who did my induction some months ago. Also had a good natter with Mark, No 1 in the world in wheelchair tennis. A great bloke and an inspiration, his modest attitude and professional approach to training impressed me. Never met a world number one at anything so I was well chuffed. He really encouraged me, He is currently training to make the paralympic team for Athens 2004. Every one tells him he will get gold but his focus is on making the squad.
Went off to asda and booked eyetest appointment for me and Ally for next week. These gigs keep falling down coz my head has shrunk. Another wicket gone 87-5 now. Went into Asda had a good mooch around bought Jean some flowers and Ally Busteds new single - which I really like Year 3000, especially the acoustic version. Stuck a heap of newspapers in the recyclng bins. Back home and soup for lunch at 4, off to Nanny Banks for 5.30 accompanied by Ally. Jean took eleanor in to see her sister her sister still very poorly. Nanny Banks looks better for being at home and dressed. Mum feels better about her being at home, so thats good for me.
Got back home did a bit of messing around on the website, Jean arrived back about 8 and we had pasta and meatballs for tea - tasty and meaty. Watched Parky with Jamie Oliver very good. Should have gone to Kathrins party but too tired to be honest.
So today ruth, paul, catherine, bea, alan for lunch, pork and chicken roast dinner, followed by visit from Tina and her family a pre-op from bury. Plus webbing a walk and catching up with emails.

Saturday, March 01, 2003

Saturday Morning

A busy day yesterday, in work for 10. Good meeting with Paul, a practice manager, felt at times like I knew what I was talking about, spooky. Then went to Eileens dads funeral, glad to see the NHS represented in force, by me and veronica from south and Chris and Val from Central. Very nice service, obviously a popular guy, his son did a tribute, it was really good and moved me. Some of the words of the hymns were very poignant. The church was lovely, Our lady of Mount Carmel off Park road. I struggled a bit with the catholic liturgical approach but I wasn't the only one. Bobby was a soldier and British legion member they had a standard bearer there, He had been very ill for a long time so it seemed like a relief and the faith of the family helped them believe he was in a better place.
Back to work, stopping off at thoughtful foods on the way. A sort of butty shop for the landed gentry (yes we have posh parts of Liverpool), stood in the queue oggling pies and pasta dishes, looking for signs of soup. Found the sign oxtail soup that's not for me - I'm out and microwaving in the matchworks before you know it.
Upstairs for a bit of work, got a clear plan on my PC replacement program, a few things then off to Leeds to beat the traffic.
Left Liverpool at half three traffic was terrible stopped at Hartshead moor services and bought an egg and cress butty. Eat the middle bit, no crusts delicious and stayed where it should. Now Leeds, I have Leedsophobia, For several years we holidayed in Scarborough, which involved going through Leeds to find the A64 York road. I always got lost, I have been around Leeds several times. I am always suspicious of cities that aren't on the coast, at least in Liverpool the river stops you. I think in Leeds you could go for miles and miles. I did I had directions from the web from Clair, and some notes from Tinas husband. Anyway the hospitals tend to be well sign posted and I found it. Or at least one bit of it. The security guy didn't now where I wanted but I got there anyway. Parked in a place that said permit holders only and entered the place. Fine old Victorian establishment with an imposing architectural sign. Following notes from Tina I found the place up to the sixth floor.LIMIT bingo. The door was opened by a local person, who said you must be Ken I recognise your crutch. Fame at last, are you Tina, no Paula with her mum. A member of the wlsinfo site closed Roux-en-y November last year. Nice to put a face to a name. We were made a drink by a theatre nurse, who works in LIMIT and shown into a boss conference room. Two pre-ops arrived, they looked nervous. Paula had already lifted her clothes to show the amazing minimal scars from lap surgery. I responded to this secret sign by giving her a tantalising glimpse of the Grand Canyon (my scar don't worry). Another pre op and his partner arrived. Tina and Paul her partner, then another preop and her partner. All there, but the speaker didn't show, Mr Dexter, in theatre we found out later saving lives, didn't he know I had come all the way from Liverpool. For me that was no problem, and the quality of support and peer group stuff was the best bit.
Leeds is a funny place with a lot of hospitals and two weight loss surgery centres - and never the twain shall meet (or so it looks). Tina had tried to join the support group at the other place and was told it was only for patients of surgeon X. So good on her she set up her own, and anyone is welcome, any surgery approach, any doctor. I fully endorse this approach, there is so little support and info that we should be working co-operatively. I spoke to everyone and handed out cards. The two pre-oppers were nervous (just like I was) I hoped it helped them to meet people who had been there and lived to tell the tale. I found it a stimulating session, and was brimming full of ideas for our own group in Liverpool. Got an email yesterday from someone who is keen to set it up, and I am all for spreading the work. A big public thanks to Tina and Paul and the other folk for inviting and sharing feelings so openly. Hope to collaborate with Tina on the website stuff as well. Left the hospital found the car. I ate the rest of the egg butty, scared that I may never get home again. Only took me twenty five minutes to find the right road, the signposting was abysmal, I ended up on the road to York though. Got on the motorway, the wind and rain were lashing down. Accident just outside Leeds, terrible night got home and safe about 10.30. Relaxing with Jean watching Billy Connolly when got a phone call at ten to twelve. It was Eleanor one of the two sisters from next door, both retired nurses in the 90's they are an amazing pair. Anyway the younger sister Pat has had kidney trouble recently, been readmitted to the Royal and is very ill. Eleanor seemed agitated and upset, so I dispatched Jean, who donned a coat over her jimjams and went next door. I adopted a supportive approach by falling asleep in the chair. Jean woke me later at 1am and dragged me up to bed. The morning has disappeared and its off to the gym for a weigh in and workout. Shopping, and then to Nanny Banks' tonight. Discharge today if all goes well. Rang me mum who tells me they gave Nanny two bags of blood last night. I did ask about it 2 weeks she has a chronic anaemia, for which they can't find a reason. Seems the correct treatment is now part of the discharge process. She is better off at home.

Speech and language therapist says there is improvement

I have been practicing writing emails on both the keyboard and my phone. Apparently the practice is paying off. I am really lucky that we ha...