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