Saturday

Start the day with a sleeping house and catch up on things. Wlsinfo contines to grow and the work is pleasing. Lunch in the yard and off to the gym. Ally and Jean been out to purchase Harry Potter.Ally is reading it.Gym for the pleasant company of guru Jack in an otherwise empty gym. Learn a new exercise involve squatting for the inside of my thighs - it hurts. The squat maneouvre causes spontaneous wind release. Good job its empty and jack is deaf. Take some juice afterwards in the bar then off to pick mum up from Nanny Banks'. How frustrating are parents? Ask my daughter? and my mother? Back hoe via tesco for flowers and pick mum in law up. Chinese supper, I have scrambled egg. very pleasant. Not much on telly. Bad news from the Midlands friend made redundant out of the blue. not good.

Friday

Appreciate a lie in till after 8 Jean goes back to bed and I sort some stuff out. A couple of phone calls good productive one to Nell fro the site. Off to The other place for lunch. Top meal skate wings in black butter followed by strawberry ice cream, jean has an onion and anchovy tart, and red orange ice cream top meal. Jean drops me at the library and I start a few jobs for the college work. Walk down to The Ship and Mitre meet Mickey old friend. We put the world to rights over a few pints of Outlaw Phantom. Picked up by Jean at 8 then home give Ally 20 squid to buy the new Harry Potter book. Visited by Colin for Holiday talk. I feel good.

Thursday

Early start Doctor Mc the diminuitive senior tech from central arrives after 8.30 for our trip to planet emis in Leeds. We have a good laugh with Jean are joine by Linda then its off. M62, hartshead moor for bog break and then Bradford turn off. As usual the last 200 yards are the worst part of any journey. Posh golf club with no sign, must be a top joint. Good meeting, thrashing out systems development issues. Saunter down to the golf course to deal with nausea at lunchtime and see a very interesting cliff thing. A plaque says in 1680 non-conformists used to hold secret meetings there. Top spot. Good journey home and back before 5. Get to the gym for 5 and bloomin good work out. Weight down 3lb in a fortnight feeling good.Mile time down to 17m 30secs. Have a pint of juice then back home for lasagne. Chill with da family.

Wednesday

Start the day at Hamilton House arrive in good time for a 9.30 meeting, saunter round catching up and dealing with a few things tip up at 9.25 to fin it in full swing having started at 9. Its a planning sesh for training and stuff. Sign up to facilitate, some workshops with the the director of Informatics which I am sure will amuse some of the paticipants. Hope it goes some way to breaching the gulf between planet informatics and planet earth. Not hopeful, planet training and development has a weird language all of its own.
A few productive meetings round the joint and lunch over a meeting with Fran the LIS primary care lead. Back to the matchworks and chill with a coffee then continue to sort backlog.
Getting there. Meeting with the new lead for EMIS our main clinical systems supplier. Have an interesting debate in which I air my forthright views.
Gym proves difficult and spend some time with Jean and Ally before Jean goes to house group and we go to Tescos for a few essentials and diesel. Speak to an interesting pre-opper from Hull. Watch trash TV and talk to Jean.

Tuesday

A good busy hot day, achieve quite a bit at work and keep moving in the right direction.
Tuesday night is online moderators meeting always a challenge. My victorian technology craks along but sees me thro to the end.

Monday

After a few hours work last night and a few consternated phone calls in desperation thanks to Chris and Dr McC get it limping home on one engine. It is not well if it was a horse it would be giving pleasure rides to small children instead I daily act it to perform as a cross between a shire horse and a thoroughbred racer. To be honest it aint up to it.
Work consists of sorting emails hundreds of em and not much else.Still vital work that is much required. Nip to Boots to get lunch and stand on these scale things which say I am 19 stone 7lbs cool will cross reference them with gym scales tomorrow.
Off home then speak to the good Gordon and Mickey. Mickey forced into preparing a lecture for tomorrow, Gordon and I proceed to the willowbank and partake of some real beer.

Sunday

Fathers day, I get up before them and go back to bed to be greted by drinks in bed and and a starbucks insulated mug a top quality notebook and a bottle of beer in addition to two very nice cards. Off to Frontline for a lengthy baptism service see several people I know from around the city. Back home for lunch in the garden and a debate about what to do. My choice - fathers day - lying in the garden seems number one plan today. Alright apart from the inevitable lawn mowers and music being played loud. Tempted to find out the source of said fairground style side effects and submit requests. Showaddywaddy and the beach boys get an unfair share of the airtime.
Try to block it out and enjoy the sun and cold beer in the gardenshare some crisps with Ally and for brief moments feel almost normal in a dietary sense.
Early evening fine until the computer upstairs convulses and throws a ma major wobbler not good for the stress levels

Saturday

Fairly gentle dawadle following a lie infor us all. Read peacefully on waking before facing the world after 10. Gentle mooching in the house debating the relative options and merits of a day with potential glorious weather. Lauren the small child next door has her first communion today which is a big gig. Parking will be at a premium later her parents have been furiously busy redecorating in preparation. John seems to work round the clock on home improvements with the unintentional goal of revealing me as the cack handed homer simpson character next door. Tesco home shopping arrives - no problems this week. Off to the gym after light lunch and a pleasant soaking of the rays in the garden. The girls embark on a mission to purchase fathers day gifts. I complete a mile on the treadmill in 17.5 minutes a new personal best. The heat is sweltering I consume 1.5 litres of water during the sesiion and two pints of orange juice afterwards. Off to see mum and Nanny and drop mum off. Flowers for Jean from Tesco then back home a really nice relaxing day.

Friday

Start the day with a visit to Tescos for petrol, on to the doctors to drop a specimen off - don't ask. Then to lookers the vauxhall dealer for a quote for the stolen wheel 204 quid ooer.
Off to sheffers for the day. Talk to doctor john mccoy on way there, and lots of other people. Arrive 10 mins late and meet Assad. my muslim brother, a man from Sudan who could show us all a way to leave. he is truly peaceful and merciful. We became friends when we all started at Sheffield in the first year I was there. Basically it was the older guys in the group, and a Jordanian, A sudanese and an Omani. Hear that Mubarik our Omani friend died recently of a snakebite, early 30's. Asaad and I catch up over lunch, so much is happening for both of us. Off to see a tutor and the department administrator in the Department of Information studies. Hatch a cunning plan to enable me to emerge with something at the end of this Plenty of work to do between now and holiday time and then A dissertation next year.
More time with Asaad and then drive home, keep in touch with folk at work and home via my Blackberry. Have to say the new car is tops it is comfortable, like sitting in an armchair for driving.
Arrive home and dont really want much tea, have some boiled egg and go to ma in laws friday night. Have I got news for you, Jonty Ross double bill. Johnny Vegas as entertaining as ever

Thursday

Busy at work but achieving things very satisfying

Wednesday

Tuesday

Very busy at work but start to sort things. Go to gym on way home see Ann M podiatry queen and Neil N jobbing podiatrist and PEC member. Good session at Gynm arrive home family out cook eat vomit . INTERNET IS BROKEN BIG TIME BAD NEWS. still more time for family and garden.

Monday

Should have gone to Hammy House first but went to matchworks. Try to sort a lot of things. Bum burning from heat which I am sensing. I think some quick results will help my ratings. Get a working deal brokered then retire with Eileen to Greenbank for lunch. Return to Matchworks and sort out stuff busy. Enjoyable. Arrive home sort family things and off to Greenbank to meet John a fellow wls friend. Who is organising the doo on Friday 19th September at the dockers club.The party is sort of one year post op gig for me, celebration for him and fundraiser for wlsinfo.org.uk

Sunday wake up late

Dont like this start to the day, 9.30 and food hygeine etc are all a rush. Off to the frontline for a 10.30 kick off it isn't what I am used to but there is clearly something good going on. Meet adamski from work and stroll in the sunshine into the kirk. Lively time good talk must read up onit later this week. Have to leave prematurely at 12.20 the heavens have opened. Get soaked to the skin literally, guests for lunch and disaster strikes the chicken aint cooked not good Jean bombs off to local supermarket for precooked jobbies. Lunch goes well small turnout today big boy paul is on school course thing. Onl us Bea Alan and ruth. All goes well and after Lunch we are out in the yard soaking up the rays. They leave at 4 and its on to wlsinfo riting difficult emails responding to support talking to mick busy. At it till 10 relax and family time. Busy.

Saturday

More WLSINFO shenanigans. Oh dear I spend a lot of time on this young Mick is discharge from hospital safe sound and furious.Eat lunch in the garden awaiting Tesco home delivery then off to the gym. Good workout, get weighed result 19stone 8lb over 200lbs or 14 stone 4lb gone reet chuffed see the graphic evidence at Personal progress if you cant see all the pics doube click where they should be and the do come up honest. Reet chuffed, walk a mile in 22 mins on the treadmill and feel good.Off to Asda for the shopping that Tesco man lost and which we were refunded. Off to Nanny Banks to pick up mum. She feels better, though she is keeping me away from Nanny banks.
Take her up to Speke Retail Park and visit Borders and a few other places. She announces her immediate disgust on entering the shop the specially piped in cooffee aroma which she screws her face up and shouts "I bloody hate that smell" I adopt the look of an understanding Care in the Community worker.She is not a great reader English is not her first language - I am not sure what is but if she was at school now I feel sure it she would have a syndrome. I ask her what she likes books about Dogs she says. She dissapears like a guided missle and locks on a heavily discounted DVD which she wants to purchase - Closer examination reveals it is reservoir dogs -Tarantino -not for you mum. She buys me a 99 an icecream from a street vendor with a stick of chocolate in. She has struggled since my op as she saw part of her personal mission in life to load me with several thousand calories and abuse about my diet at every visit. She also claims I was potty trained at six weeks -anywonder I am screwed up and have "issues."
Return home then off to the tip - alays a good gig. Shut the door get wound up by wlsinfo then relax.

Friday is that the sky falling in

Loads more gubbins to sort on wlsinfo the schism seems to be getting worse wonder if the community thats developed will be rent asunder. Spend a morning firefighting and trying to sort stuff miss the gym and stress levels increase. Its a day off but I field a few work things. I don't think there is much malice in the stuff on the site just a lot of stuff going on where needy people are doing things that they haven't thought through and several people start reacting to the pecieved threat. Feel pleased that Mick isnt around he and I can wind each other up and we would be polishing up the tomahawks now if he was here decide to take some time out.
Jean and I go off to town and find our way into the Anglican cathedral a find old gaff which was only finished a few years ago. Jeans dad did some work on the roof where now peregrine falcons live. I sit in the quiet and contemplate and offer some prayers. I need some guidance and it seems an appropriate place to do it, worried about weight loss Mick and the site generally and the health of those around me. Feeling better we split to the bookshop which seems to be like a shop in any tourist place buy a couple of books and some small gifts. Cant resist some cheesy coasters with the meanings of our names on - buy one each for Ally Jean and me. Ken - the diplomat brother in law later suggest glueing to my forehead to remind people. Have a defining moment on the way out when I exit through a side passage which we both think I wouldn't have been able fit in pre-op suddenly dawns that shape really has changed.
Off to the Other place in Hope street for lunch to use our BOGOF voucher. Jean orders sausage mash and gravy, wild brown trout and new spuds for me. Far too much and I ask the geezer to wrap the half of fish up for me and I have it for tea. Pop into cozzies new gaff to show my support for this top geezer.
The crap on wlsinfo continues to develop, storm clouds gather. Off to Frank the barbers, looking a bit straggly and need trim and counselling session. He aint there so spend a pleasant 15 minutes waiting whilst reading gems from the dalais little book of wisdom. I dont agree with it all but some good stuff none the less that helps me focus. Frank is on form as ever and I leave considerably lighter. Scalped to the bone and with my burdens laid down. I hope he doesn't trip over it in the shop. To be fair we don't talk about any of it but chatting to him seems to bring me up to the right spot.Driving to Nanny Banks' I wonder what I'll do when Frank retires....hmmmm.
Nanny Banks clealy my mum has had a hard time as she is locking the door and climbing into the car before I stop. Nanny has been giving her a hard time about the new chair. Which has decided is unsuitable. I think she really upsets me mam and that hurts me. I really dont know how to deal with that...answers on a postcard please. Mum has been interviewed by a girl from India in the street about which way she came? It take half the journey home to tease out whats going on. Some body was doing a survey in Nannys street to see where people had come from. I would have like to videod that poor interviewer. Presumably its the Ordnance survey trying to map the litter and dog muck for a city of culture heritage trail. Drop me off and get profound on wlsinfo - that helps. Go to Bea's for the friday night sess. It is Jeans brother Alans birthday. Paul leaves early for a meeting at Bridge chapel. We take Ruth to Tescos on Allerton road to meet him later. I see Heather fizzio terrorist (physio therapist) obergruppenfurher by the bananas shopping with her mum. She has been around for about as long as me, she used to be a superintendent but I think she is now the chiefconstable. She is a blog watcher and is based in a cupboard somewhere in the North, Netherfield Road if memory serves.
I continue my discussion with the cheese operative a new face this week, the graveyard shift there on a friday doesn't seem a cool gig. Home to be visited by Colin for further holiday planning, watch Johnny Ross with Cheese and wine.................nice.

Thursday night

Falling behind again -left for my half day at 4pm but feel I am getting on top of some fundmentals at the matchworks. Its only been open for 10 months. Progress in sight dont make the gym and dont sort out the insurance claim.
Call in at mums to see her she is out obviously just missed her and sister mary before they jet to asda. Go to see my mate steve who is a big geezer leaves near mum. He is on the front page of the christian herald. He has a new job co running a cafe and centre for the city mission in town. Top work he is a great man, very eavy, very umble, as Uriah Heep the rock band would say. We have exchanged clothes several times in the past. Must find a way to send him some dosh to support the work. Have a look here Click cafe on the home page It is next to the Beehive Pub on Mount Pleasant. Starbucks it aint cheap cheerful and doing some valuable work with groups of vulnerable people it is. Go in have a drink say hello to Steve and pay Starbucks prices. It will make you feel better and it will help them. They give subsidised food to the vulnerable funded by the takings from the caff.
Take Ally of to Borders meet with Kieran aka loopylibrarian
in Starbucks and sort out some serious stuff round intranets and library access. Sometimes wonder if he is the only geezer in the health service who can see my vision of the beautiful garden that is knowledge information management. Sometimes it seems like one of those walled places in Old houses. Lots of swag going on but only for a few who have the keys. It also seems that only the gardners can plant things. (stick with me its going somewhere - honest) me and him want a public park with loads going on easily signposted - ok some laid out formal bits where you cant walk on the grass, but also some planting bits. More like the International Garden Festival than walled garden. 10000 visitors a day and loads of good thing to see and do interactive different needsand all go home happy. See three Buddhist monks in Starbucks I wonder if the Dalai Lama is reading the blog and having me stalked. Yo dude. Exile must be tough but the internet must help. Kieran is also going to sort out the the wlsinfo library when in doubt see a specialist I say.
Sort me some wearisome stuff on wlsinfo which is eating in to family time and the real issue of giving people support. Looks like a schism though and it needs to be dealt with. Good job Mick is in hospital , he might well favour a different approach to the rest of us. I miss the git but I wouldn't tell him and as he thinks this is a load of cack not much danger of him finding out.
Speak to sister and Phil my mate who I went to Romania with a few years ago, he is an old geezer but our relationship transcends the generation gap, we have supported each other through some tough times. He is a bit like the dalai lama - old wears glasses a bit puddled and profound, highly spiritual and in exile. His daughter reads the blog, she used to send encouraging words by email but not many sent recently but from Phils knowledge of my life someone is feeding him the gen - Jen?
Tomorrow is another day

Thursday am

Half a day today aand need to work a day a week from home I think. Need to sort insurance claim and get to the gym after work today. Lots to do but enjoying the challenge.

Wednesday

Matchworks and get involved in lots of techie things that aint my job. No one else to do it must sort that. Get hardly any of my work done. Off to Goodison for a clinical system user group good opportunity to get alongside clinicians and people doing the job on the ground. Cope well with the buffet one of my sneaking fears since the surgery. Too tired to go the gym go home and arrive to see Mick of Wlsinfo fame has been hospitalised and all sorts of crap going down. Not good and sorting takes most of the evening. Colin visits and holiday plans are well underway. Jean goes to house group we are all tired. Mother doing more and says she is better.

Tuesday

Another busy day lots of things to sort out and end up acting like a junior techie again, for most of the morning, satisfying though and it pays well. Needs sorting as I can't do this for ever. Met the heavily gravid Ali P for lunch what a good geezer she is. Back to work then off to see Prof Morris top psychiatrist a truly gifted man. Once again count my bessings for the quality of health care I get.
Off to greenbank for tea then a North West Support group steering group committee. Top stuff and moving forward. Sleep well after that.

Monday Busy Busy

Started with an appointment to see my surgeon, 9 month follow up. Somehow end up in the wrong pile and see the junior, have I been dissed. Telephone and email apology which arrive later reveal not. Wonder why I go though - bloods taken met a lady who was at the support group. Them meet John geezer who is famous in Weight Loss Surgery world. Total respect.
Back to work, full day. Met new nurse in Marchworks, cardiobetes nurse. Huh neologism or what. I know your sister she says, oh our Mary (best said in Scouse accent), no your Kathy. Small wome with a dog, thats my 73 year old mother I say, doh not happy. I have moved desks over to the west wing of the building. Stillpartmered with Caroline and Clare but have joined Angela a quiet but acutely funny project who is up to no good in West Speke. THere is loads to do and I end up staying till 6.15, few good chats along the way Maurice a GP who is big in Clinical Governance, and also the LIverpool over 40 Jewish Tennis Champion . A fact of which he is very proud.
Call at mothers on way home she looks a bit brighter but has been upchucking. Off to gym walk a mile in 19 minutes, you athletes may not be impressed but I am well pleased. Do a couple of exercises and decide I have done enough. Get weighed and dissapointed to see I have gained three pound since 19/05 but what the hell. Get home and eat, fail to make two calls then off for three pints of real ale with the irrepressible Gordon. A man whose company is as good as any tonic.Sleep well with a smile on my face

Sunday AM

Mick partner in crimes birthday today. He is webmaster/admin and personal support on wlsinfo. He hates the blog so he wont read this. Sent him birthday greetings. Off to Frontline church. Blogwatchers will know that my spirituality is in need of an overhaul. Kicking happening place went with my mate Frank. top experience which I wont elaborate on too much here but I felt well better when I came out.
Back for a light lunch and head buzzing with energy and feeling quite peaceful. (A strange combination). Chillout afternoon and off to see mummy at 6 she declined much of a visit but I was worried about incurring the wrath of big sis if I didn't at least pop in. Big sis Mary is off to see Sir Paul of McCartney at the dock tonight,John queued for ages for tickets. Back home girls are out at the Parish Church bit of web admin, and a natter to Mick chill in the garden talk to Jean about balancing everything and await 24 on the pigs (pigs belly=telly).

Saturday

Awoke around 8 start the day with a sleeping house and mugs of tea and gentle surfing. Bobby arrives at 9.15 to dust the car for dabs, very sun hill. To be fair she was a very young civilian support worker but a really nice waywith her and she seemed awfully young to gazing through a magnifyng glass at muder scenes. Job done I load the car and set off for the tip. Not the best of jobs I get the manual out to help decide which of the numerous seat combinations I should go for. Settle on Maxing the load space and I'm off. Saturday am you can usually queue for an hour I nearly died of shocjk when I was straight in and out. Great stuff. Accosted by an eastern european screen washer on the way out. She appealed for cash, in a very plaintive way, I never know what to do but was helped by the fact I had nothing on me. She didn't appear to speak english but I was rewarded with a very loud fook off as I pulled away. Relaxed and a snooze, Jean had got in late after last night, and I had been disturbed in the night. Awoke refreshed after an hour then off to the gym great work out gym was deserted just me and crazy Eva a really nice Belgian who works there she got the best out of me. I gave in and got weighed, bad news I have put on 200g like I am bothered. HAHA.
A chill out evening at home enjoying the new improved no rubbish filled garden.

Friday runaround.

Busy day in halfterm popped into Hammy House for Ian Connollys last day also known as saucy. Top manand curry club devotee. Saw too many people to mention. Plan was to take mother to sisters but she was too tired so sat round in her house I take the laptop and she watches telly. Dog wouldn't even go for a walk she was too hot. home for lasagne.
Discover that the spare wheel has been nicked off my new car grrr. Interface with the police call centre, and then the crime bureau. Very helpful coming round tomorrow to fingerprint.
Then out to drop Jean off for a night out at the Liverpool Marriot. Ally and I dissapear into Borders for coffe Fappucino and shopping.
Back home for Have I got News for you, Johnny Ross with Dirty Den and Shania Twain, followed by Jools Holland with the entertaining Blind boys of alabama amongst others.

Thursday

Investing in Bluetooth short range wireless technology. Seems like fun and cheap from ebay. Out into the garden to till the earh, well plant hanging baskets, Jean runs round like teacher scolding errant pupils which we deserve. Make a good old mess and a bit vomitty after dinner. Jean goes off to buy more pots plants etc. I cill for a bit ring a woman needing support then go to gym. Walk 2 kilometres at nearly 5 K an hour a personal best for me. Increase weights on dumbells. feel sense of warmth and achievment. Drop prescription in at Tesco then forget it oh very poor. Mess in garden then watch season finale of ER on E4 very strange post Iraq stuff Hmmm.

Wednesday, a walk in the Black Forest or erm Childwall woods

A walk with the park ranger in Childwall woods top man with vast knowledge of trees. See plenty of things I didnt know about in a nice bit of woods in walking distance from the house. There are woodpeckers and foxes, and a load of trees. I was well impressed this is scary new stuff and only 15 minutes from our ouse. Go to Tescos Woolton for dinner, girls happy but me less so. So I buy a pasta salad from the shop and hope they will try to evict me for eatingit there. Brace myself for a special diet protest that never comes. Round to mothers, she don't look so clever. Just wants to sit around so that aint good. Me and Ally take sue mums dog for a walk. Me and dogs not a good combination, Sue has acquired the personality of one of my mothers younger sisters dont ask. Basically you have to carry her like a baby to a point out of site of the house then she will walk. Walk a mile somewhere along the line she poohs, not impressed. Ungracious bending and cleaning, teflon it aint.
Back to the house mother is delighted the dog has crapped - a sign of greast honour and total respect. Us back home called at the docs to pick up script which is shut. Go home eat ravenously within my diet (I have walked three miles today). Water the garden and chill.

Tuesday More rushing

Doctors appointment 8.50 Frank showing off his new printer which didnt work. Call techie after I thought trying the obvious. Didn't try the paper tray as I foolishly thought he would have checked, he hadn't it was empty but worked better afterwards. Off to see a friend feeling a bit down, move them on a bit I think. Back home lunch, then off to Speke retail park. New shoes in Brantano. Stout walking shoes for our outdoor pursuits planned for tomorrow. More to follow. Then in to Borders, coffee at starbucks then into the shop properly. They have a chuckout corner in there, wow did I have a good root. Got an outlook 2000 book for work. Bought a book by the Dalai Lama - the little book of wisdom. He is a wise old git. A Susie Orbach number called on eating seems a bit of a gem she used to do a bit in the guardian cant remember much about her.
Off to Greenbank for tea new chef the chicken penne pasta is greatly improved by the addition of more (some) chicken. Jean goes off to mothers and I have an online meeting, which greatly occupies me.
Good nights sleep though I sense Jean is having troubles when she wakes me telling me to call the police as we have people in the loft. I feel considerably settled once we establish it is a dream

Monday Busted

Nanna duty today she wanted to visit Nanny Banks her mum. A stubborn stoical character on a good day. This was not a good day. I absent myself to maplins and console myself to a small bit of spending and a large bit of browsing. On return I sit in the kitchen messing on the laptop. Listening to my mum and her mum arguing at the top of their voices. i am transported back to my childhood. Nannas house is in the centre of Urban regeneration capital of liverpool and all round scary place. Take mum home and back to our house to see Lizzie Alls mate and our house guest had arrived. Drive them to Manchester to the Carling Apollo to see Busted. I sod off to Leeds to see my mate Gordon who had WLS on 1/5/03 and is still in. He has had all sorts of probs leaks and infections and MRSA. The Leeds General Infirmary is the maddest place I have ever been (hospital wise). Eventually find him and he looks pleased to see me. Find my way out and get lost going back into Manchester I see it more as an interesting diversion. Find the place again and nibble some chicken whilst waiting for them. Ardwick looks like the Kensington of Liverpool. On the way home have to stop the car and chuck up. Get home blow up an airbed and sleep well

Sunday

Rushed to Tesco en route to gym. Thought why am I rushing it Sunday lets chill, went back home, and decided to walk to Ruth and Pauls instead. dunno har far but took 30 mins at good pace felt good as an achievment. Nice lunch but bit ropey feeling after. Sunday night means 24 in Clare towers to tlly show of the mo. So good we watched the next episode on Beeb 3. We will see it again on Beeb 2 next week. Late night. feel good.

Saturday sounds like parent trap

Saturday morning hang about then gone to see Mum and sister at mums. Seems her Liver function tests are back to normal and the test is suddenly risky and he doesnt want to do it. Need to get her sorted next week Mary is staying for tonight. The dog is out of kennels and fairly happy seems pleased to see me as well. watched the scoring on eurovision null points.

Day Off my ****

Website work while Mrs C relaxes. Engage the services of Rebecca a post opper who has volunteered to help with admin top woman. Feel relieved. Approached by Dr Pinkney consultant physician with specialist interest in obesity. Need him to do some stuff for the site and it makes me start thinking what can we do to support people for whom surgery is not an option. Hmmmmmmm. Go to see Paul Johnson local GP who I have known for too many years.Social chit chat with business edge. Business cards for the site arrived another 1000. That will be 2000 given out. Go to the gym walk a mile, feel top see Mary Bowman a woman I worked with years ago. go home post some papers to Jen for admin support. Go to The ship and Mitre the web site is out odf date but the beer is tops. Met Mickey, George, and terry three geezers all nurses from the JMU the other university. Had a good talk, Terry is a writer on the quiet and is interested in writing this up, the experience of bariatric surgery I mean. Had a few pints watched them eat chips had a few 3 in fact and didn't lose control. Walked up the hill to Lime Street and got a cab. Got home to the strange news that my mother hadnt had the test and had been discharged. Too late to ring by the time I got in.

Look back with no anger

Looking back bit of a theme for the week. Since the time away I seem to have done a lot or reflection and its working out well. I am developing a real sense of inner calm and being happy with myself. Looking back on the week now is hard a lot has happened so I made some notes. Bought some new threads check them out here. I personally thought the tie shirt comb was a non-starter but was overuled by the style police. Went to work on Thursday good stuff natter with Kim and Andrew financial manager types. Cool dudes. Ali P's leaving doo. Meeting with Val my boss, sort out some stuff. Scoot off home to pick up butties to take into mum. Call in to fruit shop, ordered a basket for Jack and the gym staff, say thanks for helping me get below 20 stone. They are well pleased strikes me thanks are big for them. Off to see my mother and she is preparing for the transjugular liver biopsy read more tommorrow. Doc has said she can go home and await the results. Go home, got some admin help running the North West support group, talk to her on the phone, Jen is a top girl. Relax watch a head spinning episode of ER. No spoilers here the terrestial brethrern are a few weeks behind.

A raft of new experiences(white water style)

Off to town for lunch which is scary in extremis. I wanted to give Jean and I a treat, end up here The other place Bistro located in the former Bechers Brook in the heart of the cultural quarter I am nervous but excited. Not the best with food and my mini belly. There is a light lunch menu which contains several options for both of us. None of which seem extremely right for me, I settle for the Chicken Satay salad, Jean for the Chicken Milanese Sandwhich. Mine arrives small mound of some of the most beautiful chicken with a peanutty toothsome sauce. Gustatory pleasures on a level which I thought would be unachivable post op. Jeans is boss too. I savour and enjoy every delicious mouthful. Good service 12.15 for two. Pre op I would have to have fries and bread and salad extras and still not felt full. This opens up new opportunities. Small microportioned bistros abound. I always avoided em for the very reason they seem so attractive. Head struggles with new possibilities of social eating. Just when it looks like it can get no better the waiter gives us a buy one get one free voucher for our next meal . He gets a better than average tip.
Pop into the Imagine office on Hope street, a housing and care provider I was a trustee there for a few years. See a couple of folk who nearly recognise me. Drive down into the city and Park in the NCP on Paradise Street, The exit into the street scares me, it is five years plus since I was able to go there because of my mobility impairment. It is busy, to me anyway. But I wander around like an openmouthed child, I keep bumping in to people the concept of pedestrian is strange, is there a book I can read. Find Harvey Malcolm my first goal. Strike up a rapport with the geezer, he is a tailor, not camp but older than me jobbing tailor. I explain the history he assess the case makes the diagnosis and whisks me off to choose - er choose whats that about. In to Jacket department, there is a very nice blue job wich is a good tight fit, hell my weight is only going one way. Eighty quid yes please. 3 work shirts, two casuals a tie a belt down 170 suits me sir. The shirt tie combo seems a little girlie but Jean assures me I'll be OK. Glad she is there.Need to buy Ally a present, and Me and Jean. Confession time now for the last 15 years I have never worn a watch and developed a time doesnt govern me approach. It was coz I couldn't get a timepiece that would suit the expanded limbs. With the recent 15th anniversary designatedas the watch anniversary I take the plunge and go on a hunt. We take coffee in Clayton square which I aint seen before. Wander a bit I go into tesco metro alone which I end up abandoning my trolley in due to close proximity of too many folk and insufficient space. Nearly have a panic attack but avoid and regroup outside.Jean has by now caught up with Me. Its raining but I am glad to be alive. Purveyors of fine watches seem to fall into categories, extremely cheap or extremely dear. I am looking for a 30 pound an item budget. Argos says Jean, Argos says Ken poxy distributor of brown boxed items? I appreciate my intelligence may be somewhat out of date. Lo and behold we find the necessarys and purchase three fine time pieces. The strap fits comfortably in the third hole that will do me.
Away home and Ally is pleased with hers. Bum about on the PC, before a delicious cold chicken and meat collation with a bit of xheese thrown in. Visited by Colin Jeans brother with whom we will holiday in August. Phone call from sister with news of mother basically none but she is upset and uncertain what tests they are doing. Sister Mary is upset that the nurses on the ward don't know I tell her not to worry I will pick this up tomorrow.
A walk in the rain for 35 minutes I feel good new places I aint never seen on foot, roads are scary though. Back home and phone call to Jane, Jane is from South Africa living here for 10 years, she had a Duodenal switch, read about it here explains it well. She was the first real person I came across in the UK DS community - I think she was it. our site is developing a membership of pre and post op switchers. Se is a woman I feel a great respect for and I am thrilled when she accepts a position as moderator on our soon to be created DS forum. Top stuff warm glow another good day, watch some football I dont understand and then go to sleep.

Thanks to Kim for medication and spell checking suggestions.

Wednesday - Bloody computers

Relax , whivh means big to do list. Shopping for work gear this pm,luch out I guess. Talk to Bob Informatics boss sound geezer, talk about work but lapse into our views on politics. Good geezer, wouldn't work too close too him though, he is too much like me. Glad he doesn't read these pages. The website went down for an hour last night and weird things happen again. The main desktop here is grinding under the strain of the industrial class punishment it is taking. Keeps freezing aint got time mony or inclination build a new one.

Tuesday

Rearranged the week - should be off but the search for robust information and the dependency on me to provide mean otherwise. Work today off wednesday in thursday off friday. I see myself as the light infantry of the informatics world and flexibility is key. Spend a frustrating morning not getting far but tell a lot of people I have broken the twenty stone barrier. Go for lunch at the Greenbank which is good. Mousaaka, which I had never eaten before, Kim and I put several aspects of the world to rights and I return to the matchworks refreshed. Arrive home and see the girls poached salmon and cauliflower cheese for tea. A small chill out then off to see Mother in the Royal.
Where is she up:- difficult question
Liver biopsy - by jugular approach, Friday, drainage of ascites, sometimes right leg still swollen , daily blood tests, more scan activity. Basically not much further on. She looks better and not as tired. Worried about dog and getting stuck in hospital. All the patients that she had become friendly with have now moved on or home. Some sick looking geezers in there at the minute.Confidentiality prevents discussion here.
The thought of impending guilt about not visiting Nanny Banks looms but dissapears thankfully quickly. Speak to sister have a bit of an online meeting with Nell and Teen from wlsinfo. The weekend away has impacted on us all emotionally.Helping Nell to set up a blog which reminds me - Gail Campbell oh super girl o SLPCT email us summaries of any communications for Sandra B and I'll post them up in the appropriate place.

Manic Monday (not)

Start the day with a visit to the matchworks before bombing up the M57 to Aintree hospital. Need to see the Occ Health Physician. Doc Hibbert is he off the simpsons? Top geezer. Knows what a Roux en Y is - incredible listens to me, asks me what I think? Is he a doc, Interested in mental health aspects of life, my perspective as a manager, and me as person. He clearly cannot be allowed to continue I feel sure he will be dissapeared. He seems to me to be what improving working lives is all about. Read the blurb here. It was something that happened when I was off and seems long on talk short on action. To be fair my old mate Elaine B top geezer in HR did a sound talk about it last week. I realise that my skills as a manager managing sick peoples return to work need updating. The doc thinks it is way to soon to consider me bipolar but suggests my return to work should be more phased - cool by me. Pop in to Westmoreland a GP practice in the grounds of Aintree where the District Nurse project I used to work on was born See I am famous people are astounded by my appearance.
Then over, in my own time to see a patient on the Sefton suite who had the same op as me on Wednesday. She lives on the Isle of Man and Feels a bit alone. She aint got the internet and I tell her she can write to me.
Back to matchworks grab a bite of lunch purchased from Aintree Hospitals canteen, lunch talking to Olive deeply sound character and Michelle who grew up in South Africa during the changes, she hadn't that Walter Sisulu had died. The British press coverage was poor. Popped into the Clinical Governance meeting run by Maurice. Top Geezer.
Off to Rathbone and begin to understand the mysteries of Delphi.
Then Off to the gym and guess what i have broken the twenty stone barrier. thats 14 stone off. Wow and thanks to all.

Sundays report

Sun didn't last long the hotel was sat in the grounds of a park which is locked so meander around the streets of Mansfield. Back to the hotel and meet the cook. Explain to her about WLS and my breakfast needs. Back to the room Bob Marley and bath. Downstairs walk round the park with Nell, breakfast and back to work. Jenny and Colin the partners are great. Productive mornin and get sorted. Bye to Mick, drop nell at Nottingham and find station for emotional goodbye. Find M1 and head up lunch at services. Encounter deeply bad weather on the way home torrential rain. Drop Teen in bury, talk her husband and daughter who makes me laff so much it moves me. I get quite emotional on the way home when I realise I may be around to see her and everyone else get older coz of the op. Stop the car weep for joy and drive on. Arrive home, pleased to see the girls and chill watch 24, top telly at the moment. Contemplate two new bits of the blog, whats on our telly, and what I am listening to in the car.

Saturday, old friends new bodies

Off to Bury pick up Teen, M60,62,1,to Mansfield meet Nell at the station. Then tried to find the hotel from the station, compounded by the fact that there are two stations in Mansfield Get to the hotel and meet Mick. Book in to this quaint georgian place with a nice garden, Bit Fawly towers with a very camp maitre d. Then off to find our venue. For the day Run by Colin and Jenny a pair of cool dudes and fat friendly to boot. The surgery doors are open all weekend and people can come in and get free fruit. Really productive day and get to know people really well. Back to the hotel and then a drink, carvery and bloody good laff. Watch the cup final Pleased for the only gooner I know. Going for a walk in the sun now while it lasts and before brekkie.
Later mebbe

Friday wake up late and pushing everything back

The new me doesn't oversleep. Me and Jean have discussed whether or not I had undiagnosed sleep apnoea before the op. Since my full recovery I like to be up with the lark and enjoying the day. When we wake up late it is not good. Wander into work late. Fortunateley my current workload affords flexibility, and the project I am working on with my finance buddy Kim means my planned half day can be fairly flexible. Arrive at the matchworks via tesco and talk to a few people. Tescos irritates me as someone hoping to graduate from bluebadge ownership the attitude of the general public (and supermarket management) to accessible parking irritates the life out of me. (Disabled parking and orange badge are so out as terms). One thing I have learnt is not to make judgements. People with mobility impairments and other blue badge holders can look remarkably OK. They can for instance be transporting someone else. In theory porsche 911's are available under the Motability scheme but I am yet to see one. The spaces are wide and it is wet. People dont want their heavy Guardians getting wet, so lets cut them a bit of slack and not get annoyed when they park across two accessible spaces. Its better for me at the minute but at my worst 10metres without stopping was my limit. Gits, I saw a badge today in Tesco it said "You have my space, do you want my disability?" I might buy some for distribution. Just think on and look.
Great day at work we sort out the network our multithousand pound system has crashed on four desks, one of which is mine (not good), its been pooh all week the irrepressible George replaces a 15quid box and its peachy. Me and kim work well together and eventually make heaps of progress. Moves are afoot in the Matchworks I am moving over to the West wing. Just when I got comfy in the east. Good lunch kept down. Olive our deep housekeep is again a constant souce of surprise and amazement. More system games in the afternoon and Kim and I are caught chuckling out loud. I feel certain there will be complaints. Off home at just after 4 and relax, fish for tea, out to mother in laws mess with computers and watch Jonty Ross and Jools Holland, Have I got news for you makes me wet. Some very un PC gags about the obese, which appeal to the dark side of my comic stance in a league of gentlemen way. Paul Merton is hypomanic but makes me laff.
Busy weekend WLSINFO moderators planning time in darkest Notts better go.

Thursday more whirling, Tai chi with swords

Started off well, good interview, cabinet taking another bashing on today, Naughtie v John Reid I believe most enjoyable. Met Ann Molton queen of chiropody in the Matchworks, she was interviewing, Ann and I met in maghull and worked well together. She was overwhelmed by my appearance. Up to the desk and down to business. Informal chat with Andy a GP chair of the PEC (Professional Executive Committee). Then met Kim a new accountant type dude who sits next to me, talk about hidden depth what a star, we got on real good. Had a meeting in Starbucks over the road, or matchworks 2 as I prefer to call it.
Off to the Royal to see Mother and then Doctor at 12. No news basically the jury is still out. Liver function Tests still goosed and ECG not right. They dont know but they are continuing to dig, she missed the liver biopsy due to a communication cock up, but a complicated organism like the Royal must have them all the time. Fairly relaxed about that looks like it will be a week. Cool doc very good manner and open approach, told mum who was cheesed off they keep in her in. Went to the Glaxo centre for the disabled workers networker thing, not sure what it was about and I am part of it. Bit patronising in parts, but us disabled folk have well patted heads (not). Steve Marsh worth amention at this point, geezer who advises (not patronises) top bloke, organising Laurence Clarks read his work here stag night. Doubt I'll be going as it is in Amsterdam.
Call in at Bridge chapel on the way back to the matchworks as I am a great supporter of "events" I organise a lot and it is pooh if noone turns up. There is Tai chi with swords, I nearly get skewered, new deal, hope uni, library Kieran unison, chd and some other bits. The CHD had a stall with 5lb of fat on it. What a cool thing. I want some.It was a plastic model but very interesting. Congrats about the support group keep coming in what a good meeting.
Back to the matchworks and sort a few basics for people. Good feeling.
off home arrive early, nice tea with weird veg, chill a bit phonecalls then off to hospital. Jean drops me there, see mum then go out on the razzz. Taxi into town, then meet the curry club confidentiality and common decency prevents me discussing the details but a couple of pints (nearly I couldn't finish em) a glass of red two paapadums , a piece of chicken tikka good laffs and a few hours later I arrive home.

Wednesday was a whirl

Heard an interview with Humphries and Jack Straw on today. He gives good value that Humphries geezer, what about these weapons of mass destruction then. Straw wriggled, spin aint no good here. I even found myself laughing with Chris Patten (now that is scary). Sorry for the politics creeping in - a sure sign I am returning to an even keel. A meeting about training first thing. Then for a briefing with the boss about what I need to do. Think it might do me good to have few quck wins. Gawd knows there is plenty to do. Andreas last day, didnt work with her much but by the frost helluva of a star person. Felt relaxed about her first time we met. Will be missed by me. Need someone in the PA role otherwise I will just wander amidst the world.
Went to Maghull saw loads of the old gang and plenty of the new buzzing off the positive vibe. Called at Rathbone on the wayback trying to unravel the mysteries of Delphi, I system I was involved in the procurement of a 100 years ago. It is a funny old beast, no one one likes it much but everyone says it belongs to them. It is a system which provides Human resource information and feeds the payroll. So they both claim it - wrong. IT used to claim it was theirs coz it runs on the "boxes" - wrong they might own my box they dont own information. Finance want a slice coz out of the bottom drops useful info - Hmmmm. I think they are all wrong it was bought as designed as a MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM it works best when owned locally and used as such. I just need to persuade them (and everyone else now).
In my view all the others are stakeholders who get their bit as a benefit when all the other stuff drops out the bottom. When will people realise that some geezer designed these things to a job and understand they will deliver best when asked to do the job they were desned for. Have you tried mowing the lawn with a vacuum cleaner, or hoovering the carpet with a lawnmower. It is a goodjob nobody reads this.
Went to Rathbone met the King and Queen of Delphi who with the appropriate paperwork and careful handling and good relationships nurtured over years gave me all I wanted and more (bit of a lesson there). Got young George to install the goods on two machines in the matchworks and tomorrow project South PCT/Delphi begins. Take Kim the budget woman off to starbucks in the morning for a meeting. Finance people need nurturing too. Who knows a cool mill might slip into my budget line ( a big joke)
Got home off my half day at 4pm bit tired. Small snoozette and face the world.
Support group preparation, got there in the end, resounding success 31 people turned up. Room too small, humbled by the whole thing, angered by the lack of support for the obese and pleased to see something happened.
mum never had the biopsy, don't really why going to see the registrar at 12 noon, not looking forward to that.

Tuesday, mixed messages from the Royal

Messing about on the computer and Nanna rings. They havent done it coz its too high. Oh right, presumably she means her liver biopsy but what being high is another guess. Dawdle about doing housework on the computer, spend half the morning on the phone to telewest and squeeze some money out of them by way of refund.In the meantime contacted by a woman called Rebecca from the site who wants to help with admin taks. This could be a godsend Go the gym and have an immensely satisfying workout, see my ex-boss Bernie who is somewhat surprised by my appearance. .Back in and a delicious nutritious meal of high protein salmon and cauliflower cheese. I enjoyed it. Off to the Royal for further intrigue. Stopped at Owens restaurant on the way where Sam and Veronica are having a birthday meal with some other team members. At first glance looks like I could eat there - mental note made. Somerfield for scratchcards and inadequate provisions for mum. Arrive at the Royal where Ally and I have a race to get there first?? Confusion reigns there mum says two doctors said something was too high?? gall bladder. And she is having another op tomorrow. Nurses say it was routinely cancelled. The mess that is her notes is examined, though how they find anything surprises me in that sheaf of disorganised rubbish. Nothing there mum must be confused, no she is annoyed that they think she is confused. Slight difference. Get home and try to figure it out Mums next door neighbour, who is a retired nurse was present. Find her through the miracle of the internet and ring her. Mum was right her gall bladder has moved they want to do the biopsy under xray control, on wednesday, Nanna 1 nurses 0. Back home tell everyone what is going on and try to relax. Internet connection breaks, 6 minutes waiting to report it. Watch a bit of telly and chiil. Work today. House waking up better motor - traffic whats that.

2 megabytes

Upgraded my internet connection to 2 megs it celebrated by breaking several times funny old world. Good early start and plenty done. More details tomorrow.

Monday, litter, grandmothers and mothers.

The internet - great when it work sucks when it dont. Did a great post to the blog this morning posted it then plop crash lost forever. Where has it gone, packets flying round in cyberspace forever.
Yesterday had a good start, some books arrived the magic pill - a mental health companion for the gastric bypass patient. I read it straight off. Tinkered in cyberspace then off to Nanny Banks'. Met the street sweeper for my nans road going about his work. Bill Bryson once described Liverpool as the litter capital of the world then Nanny Banks drive is the Mayfair or Park Lane. It is possible to cross the street without seeing paving stones. Underneath the litter lies the doog pooh problem much reported in these pages already. Quite a hum in the summer. She was booked in for a chair aseessmet with the OT at the Liverpool Centre for disabled living. He was a top man, Phil he also supplied the big boys chair when I had my op settled on a electric riser recliner aftermuch tooing and froing. Looked like the Rolls royce of chairland to me. Got a good deal with a halfprice trial for the first month returned no questions asked. It costs 855 ukp to buy is that VAT inc I ask No says Nanny it is exempt. Fair doo's sharp cookie she was right. Felt guitly about taking her home so off to Mcdonalds for some accessible nan friendly food. I had an ice cream she had a mcchicken sandwich and Jean a yoghurt and a drink. I appreciated Jeans skills in getting Nanny and her equipment in and out of the car. Back home for Nanny to see Auntie Betty, my mums asthmatic younger sister, off to convalesce at Colwyn Bay this weekend.
Back home for us Ally sat on doorstep forgot her keys, quick nap for em then off to see me mum. Took Ally in Sister mary and her husband John there. Mum needs a liverbiopsy, asked why and the nurse said make an appointment to see her consultant Dr Smart. Fair enuff. Went to winwick for a pint with Gordon, Mickey and Adair.

Sunday sausage and mash

I think I miss sausages and bacon more than anything since the op.... but we cooked well today and we gave a great lunch. i had some chicken, cabbage and mash and followed up witha morsel of fruit and cheese. Off to see mother shortly got a busy week ahead and a lot to sort. Big job tomorrow is taking Nanny Banks for chair assessment at the independent living centre. Her mobility is getting so impaired even getting her out of the house is a big job. Her morning carer is the tops and I'll talk to her in tthe morning. Sister back from lakes this tonight so I am having a night off visiting tomorrow. Got this support group meeting coming up on Wednesday night and a couple of days at work to throw in. Need to see GP and negotiate a visit to Glaxo for disabled workers network and Bridge chapel for some gig to celebrate Adult learners week. Going to Maghull where I used to workso they can see how much weight I have lost. Busy time.

Saturday, web work visit, shop gym, visit.

A sleeping house big mug of tea and a warm PC. Thats me sorted. Double hospital visiting and a bit of a workout today. Got guests for dinner tomorrow so need a sausage treat for that. Maybe off to Sainsburys later.

Friday - busy delete delete delete

In to work and enjoy it but not too much. A long tiring day, perked up a bit in the middle by a walk twice around the matchworks with Veronica, talking about my return and how work splits between us. A meeting with a few of our tech guys and an attempt to sort out where thats up to. We have a project called desktop rollout. I wanna see where that is going. Our target figures dont seem good and our name is in red on the list, which is bad. Saw a few people who haven't seen me for ages and still feels odd when people look at you differently/strangely. Problem with District Nurses phones which I am over keen to get involved with. Problem linked to my reluctance to go to the Royal. End up there eventually to discover that it could be Monday or Tuesday before we find out anything about mums scan. she is fed up, I am relieved, as is Brother David and Sister Mary who is in Lake district. Pop in at mother in laws, on way home Ally out at wild west disco. Relief of tension in the house palpable, even though hearing anything has just moved Some books arrive from the states for the wlsinfo library.

Friday Morning a parcel arrives

More plants arrive we look the Liverpool branch of Kew - Jean is in charge, I will be allowed to plant some pots or something. Off to work once breakfast is onboard. Hopefully a tad more prepared than last time. Thoughts of my mums results sort of hang in the air. But got to knuckle down. Andreas last day on Friday. Gonna write up what I plan to do for the next couple of weeks today and circulate it that should wind people up. I am determined to get more out of the existing investment we have made in PC's etc. I am sure ther are huge quick wins we can get which improve peoples quality of life. Reducing Keystrokes is one of my key aims.

One door closes and another opens

The curry club was cancelled. they are an apathetic bunch. But I miss them terribly. They are a gang of old and young geezers who enjoy a few pints in the dispensary a real ale pub in town, then off to the Masterchef for the cheapest best curry in town. it is bring your own so you can drink and eat as much as you want for about a tenner. To be fair they aint apathetic but getting a group a people together regularly is hard. The only thing that kept me going through the return to serious dieting and weight loss was the thought of a couple of pints of real beer and some pappadums. About as good as it gets for me I'm afraid.
We have tried various combinations of people but there is a core group group emerged.
Dr John McCoy - small technical wizard who eats the hottest food in the world.
Paul "Salty" Smith a practice manager, who wants to work for EMIS
Gareth "The Baron" Jones a gentleman of Cheshire, Lord Hale
Ian "Saucy" Connolly The Access database king
Chris "The Living dead "Sneddon though since he got married last year Lynn has sorted him out
Dave "Sleepy Head" Bray who works in the north and falls asleep.
Mike"Sharp dressed man" Thwaite who co-ordinates the desktop roll out.
There are more including me who have drifted in and out. I have only been once since September.
By way of consolation Jean took me to the Willowbank - I had a pint of draught Bass, and then Gales Crowning glory 4.5 ABV. Then picked Ally up and watched ER on E4. Still powerful TV after all these years.
We then sat together looking back through the Blog and laffing, seeing what we had been through. It was all worth it.

A workout then off to see Frank

What a top workout cardiovascular excersise now at 35 minutes and greatly increased effort. felt great. What a feeling of satisfaction. Full series of weights as well but limited to just one set of each. Did cheat a bit and do a bit more, but felt great afterwards. Inspired to go and see Frank the barber on the high a great dispenser of wisdom wit and counselling. Vastly cheaper than a therapist and shown to have almost the same effect (for me anyway). His wife aint been well, with well serious nosebleeds, she got hospitalised which means they were bad. Frank is a bit like a taxi driver and it is great to sit in his shop and watch him weigh customers up, he has trigger subjects though which are best avoided. Drink driving and the vat man/inland revenue, I think they hound him. He works with an elderly deaf guy called Peter who is clearly his subordinate and they clearly dont get on. Peters daughter recently died unexpectedly and Frank shut the shop for an hour. Frank also has the mail and express delivered to his shop everyday. I have stopped reading them. Fascist crap generally.

working on the site

Busy morning updating things here and there wlsinfo

None for me thank you

No work, no visiting today, so what plans? A gym session I think fairly handy and maybe lunch at the Greenbank. Need a good session in the gym as I had to step down my workout. Discussed with Lady Clare and lazy morning which means me webbing, her sleeping lunch here then gym this afternoon. Need to go back to basics and workout with guru Jack. Parcel of clothes expected today, welcome as underwear situation is dire. But not dire here (terrible joke which needs out loud delivery to work). All clothes officially too big and need to buy in. i refuse to buy a suit and if I need one I think I'll rent it. Waist is down 20inches since the op which is fairly shocking.Lots of paperwork etc to sort. Also had new information line for NW Weight Loss Surgery Support Group installed yesterday. Things are coming together.

and tires you out as well

Long day mixed news,bits have changed much has not. Andrea our teams PA is going and will be much missed. Off to warrington for a better job and more hours. Another good one gone. See a nice piece of work developing for me around productivity and getting things sorted a bit. Spent some time with the prescribing team and delivered them what they want they were pleased. Seems we have techs/trainers but nobody in the middle.
Work Friday on getting my stuff together. Curry club tomorrow night hope to go could be a treat. Got another day off tomorrow from Nanna so gym and a rest before busy weekend visiting coz sister is away.

Work is a four letter word

Back to work today and jolly grateful I am too. If a little apprehensive though. Still lucky to have one and all that. Mike and sandra fly off to china for a year out today, didnt hear from them before but presume its all green light.
Had an email from Asaad, salaam to him. My friend from Sheffield. I have learnt more about peace and love from him ....but thats another story. He is from the Sudan and we fell in together at college me coz I was the fat old mature student geezer, him coz he was dirfferent in a new culture. Our acceptance of all people and a shared interest in Bob Marley drew us together. He has taught me a lot about Islam and tolerance. I am looking forward to seeing him soon.
My mum continues unwell, they are doing a CT scan on Thursday though to be honest, i am not sure with what they are looking for. They told her but it went throughwhat we call the Nanna scrambler. What emerged at he otherside was a tale about offal that sounded more like a mixed grill than a diagnosis.
Weight continues to be shed, broken the 21stone barrier. Now done to 21stone 8lbs. Thats over 13 stone lost. I feel great and last night I walked a kilometre in one go on the treadmill at a briskish pace without stopping. I had to hold on to the rails a couple of times but when I first went I could only do 70metres at half the speed I go now. Problem with a kilometre is it is metric - and that is bad, I am unable to grasp it fully in the way my mum cannot grasp decimal currency (32 years on). So I think I have walked a bag of sugar, five eighths of a mile or half a pint. Then again I dont know what half a mile looks like laid out on the ground. In the fat world I learned only two meausres near, (walkable) and far (not). Now that walkable has got further new horizons open to me.

Blogging is good for you

But only as part of a calorie controlled well balanced diet.
Everything seems to be going well, and looking forward to phased return to the matchworks tomorrow. My initial focus is gonna be on how we use sytems to improve proctivity within the office. With lessons learnt for clinical practice. etc. A 6 day report.Then some implementation work. A lot of talking and listening. Which will hopefully ease me in.
Need to think about getting Sheffield course back on track too.
Today then Ally getting picked up by her mates we have joined a school run club I think. I hope. I am picking them up tonight. Mother visit, gym, Online meeting at 8pm get pencil case ready for tomorrows start. Few phone calls and catch up. Plenty to do but lots of plans.

Walk walk and walk again

I'll feel good - but not too good. My walking is improving at a rapid pace. And strangely the more you do the better it gets. Last night went for a walk with Jean and Ally, who insisted on walking miles in front ended up at the newsagent, I like a good magazine browse. Bought something called living britain something about historical places to go. And boy am I gonna go for it this summer. After so many years on the sidelines things are out there waiting to be done. Ann niece and goddaughter home from London yesterday. Cant understand why I dont want to pay 33 pound to spen three hours each way to get there on the train when Paris is an hour away by plane and I'll soon be fitting in for a tenner. Yahoo.
Went to John Scanlons Nursery at Scarisbrook this morning. It is an annual pilgrimage and we always buy loads. Managed to mess with the seats to fill max space with plants. Then dropped off excess plants at Ruth and Pauls then realised there were three of us and only two seats and a load of plants in the car. No probs says I I'll walk home, three stops and I did it. Success.
I feel good. This afternoon then Jean crashed, me catching up on computer business Ally watching Junk TV all happy. Off to visit mama this pm picking up mother in law and then chinese takeaway for tea.
Kewl or what. Email from Marta my American weight loss mate, glad to see me blogging again. Also posted to Asaad my sudanese friend from Sheffield. I bad mouthed various world leaders so if I dissapear please ask someone about me.

Another few weeks another Sandra Bagnall leaving doo

Toe back in water
Mother in hospital long story
Back at work next week Physical and mental health back on even keel for the first time in 7 months I feel good, but dont worry, appropriately good. No promises but the blogger may be back.
What did you miss 15th wedding anniversary party good time had by all.
New swank car - which I can now drive, generally on the up.
Sandra and Mike off to china next week checkout their blog at http://mikeandsandrachina.blogspot.com/
Some stars at their send off, Katherine Thomas, Paul Dickenson,, Claire Dooley, Paula Wells, even me

Blogging at once a week and oh what a week

Site taking offf, Sandra Bagnalls night out Thursday, my what scanty gear the girls wear these days. Article in Echo Tuesday looked OK I think. Green bank for lunch on Thursdy. Marys(sister) on Friday . Ruth and Pauls Sunday busy still gazing longingly at car, family round tomorrow for Nanny Banks 91st birthday doo. That will be a corker - not must get my stuff together around bingo.

More blogging

New car arrived today the dogs doodahs - not allowed to drive due to medication :-( . Then Susan Lee the echo Reporter rings up and reads back the piece she has written. Will be in tomorrow. It sounded ok. She said it may get edited down.
Sandra Bagnall leaves the Liverpool this month and her leaving do is on Thursday night. She'll be missed, good sort and done a lot for mental health in South Liverpool. She is off to China teaching for a year. Says she will blog when out there.
Weight Loss Info site taking off we are getting there - trying to get somefemales to help out as mods on the forums and generally improve the site.
Wife and daughter out spending - scrambled egg for my dinner.
More later

Blogging makes a come back

Watch out world we are tryig to get a head of steam up. It may have been quiet in Blogville but the real world has been to fastly paced. Settling down nicely now with help from Health care team. Hope to be back to blogging next week and working a couple of weeks after that. Lots to do and lots to tell you about though.

More time passed - blog is withering

Been to see Prof Morriss, top man. Needs to get me less overactive, then I'll be better placed to sort my stuff out. He was the sort of doc I liked negotiating, patrnership based enabling. erm not like most docs. Though in Docs, Barbers and librarians I have been singularly fortunate. Dont expect much here for another week or two.

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

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 - 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 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 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 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 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.