THE BUSINESS OF BEING ILL!

The business of illness is extraordinary, I have visited hospitals on my own behalf more in the last 5 weeks than ever in my life. As a patient you view things very differently from when visiting or working (as I have many times in the past) it is a strange world of machines and test. Today is my bone scan, a nuclear x-ray very 'Dr Who'. I cannot imagine it but would love to look at what my body looks like inside, what my structure is.

Happy Hoque the Breast surgeon, yes that is his name, did a lovely sewing up job, if only I was not so lazy at the physio. This meant a visit to see 'The Physio' a lovely girl called Nerys who could have fitted under my arm pit, I felt so tall and small at the same time as she told me off for not stretching enough. I also got to rub my scar, the first time I had touched it (I was afraid to you see) it is as if part of me while there physically is not connected to my brain, numb but not numb.

More tests next week prior to chemo (19th July) this time an abdominal scan and chest x-ray. Apparently the Breast Cancer cells like to migrate to the bones, chest or liver. This made me think of 'Silence of the Lambs' but no Chianti with this liver. As I said a business, but let me say this for the record the treatment, and staff from GP to the cleaner in the ward has been kind and efficient. Well done the NHS in very difficult circumstances. Remember to be a patient patient, there are always those worse off than yourself.


Am I scared? yes I am afraid that I am but I try not to cry, no time for self pity but actually you do need to cry sometimes so I watch 'Touched by an Angel' it allows me to cry for others. I have to say Della Reece has always been a favourite. My other sources of comfort are a book of prayers religon non specific, and the work of Maya Angelou which is inspirational and I am proud to say I saw her in London in conversation on stage and she was stunning and wise.

I read the other day in a paper that if you said you had been a hippy, then you probably had not been. I dispute this, I was one and remain one - proud to be for peace, love and flowers in my hair.

Sentimental oh very definately, I love happy endings to wonderful dreams.

The song that I have chosen to help me through this period is 'stand by me' by Shane Ward he has a fab voice and it means something to Mick and I, I will also listen to the tango, fado music and classical music to lift my spirits on down days.

Let's not forget that 90 years ago during the battle of the Somme the flower of the worlds men died so that there would be no more war, they died it appears in vain because war continues.

In the spirit of the forgiveness let us lay down our arms, we die quick enough as it is.

BREAST CANCER UPDATE

I have a grade 2 cancer and must have chemotherapy which I am 'happy' to have (well you know what I mean) I am dealing with this in an as upfront way as I can. No time for tears, get on and get the job done. I have posted a couple of pictures for reference and wonder what my new self might look like. Chemo date is 19th July. Love to all.

THE MOST RECENT PHOTO OF ME - BEFORE CHEMO.
Posted by Picasa

FLOWERS FROM THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN MY CLOSE, AFTER I CAME OUT OF HOSPITAL.
Posted by Picasa

BREAST CANCER

Hello out there, I have been diagnosed with breast cancer recently and I have just had the op to remove both lump and lymph glands. Feeling sore. I am determined to be positive and not let this get to me and stop me doing things. My husband has been so supportive as have Family, Friends and Neighbours. I won't bang on about it either, other than to say Men and Women should check themselves for Breast abnormalities and men should examine testicles regularly. I will get more time for my blog now so I hope it will be more interesting. Love to all.

Mick and I ham it up with Big John at Christmas Party.
Posted by Picasa

CHRISTMAS FOR COWBOYS

Hello everyone, peace to anybody to stops by and to those that don't.

I have had a wonderful christmas away with my husband. We stayed at Cornerways on the Isle of Wight and I do recommend it. It really would not suit the disabled traveller since it is located in Ventnor, which is very steep. Steve and Carol are excellent hosts and have a sweet bar 'The Trafagar' and lovely sitting room and the food is excellent, well cooked and tasty. They run this 8 bedroom B and B by themselves. They took great time and effort over the christmas break with excellent attention to detail. We had a Wild West themed evening party after a huge lunch and buffet. I hope to attach a picture of the 'Man in Black' and myself the 'Tart with a Heart' which made a wonderful leaving gift.

We enjoyed walking on the beach and the fresh air away from the crowds. I recommend also the pub called The Volunteer' a short walk from the hotel and just past a house that Winston Churchill stayed in several times.

The pub is very small, but perfectly formed with great landlord and great customers, it was our sort of non chain type of place - Long live individuality and down the brewery owned establishments that have no character. I recommend a beer called 'Penny Black' delicious. This is a traditional English seaside town, there are no over the top venues but the antique shops are a good hunting ground and there is a wine bar if you prefer.

I loved this place, I found my dream house but at this time a move is not on the cards (are well maybe when I retire) If you go please take time to visit Godshill Church a perfect place to pray.

HAPPY NEW YEAR -

I am hugely proud to be English and a Londoner. Recently a new memorial (on Embankment) has been unvailed to the Battle of Britain few, the picture is of the most extra ordinary element. The pilots are scrambling right out of the memorial on to the pavement. I urge visitors to have a look. I want to urge women visitors to see the new memorial (Whitehall) to the Women who served during World War Two. Both Memorials are within walking distance of each other. Sixty years have past since the struggle to defeat Facisim - allowing those who survived to create a new world. These memorials are sixty years to late, for those who took part to know they were admired.


I hope I can encourage visitors to look around London off the tourist trail, there are some excellent guide books to facilitate this.

Anyone out there?

Vain hope, I would like to hear from any one who remembers or is a family member of Mrs Sophia Stanley or Alice Bertha Clayden or Dorothy Olivia Georgiana PETO. For research purposes only.

PAT AND SARAH SULLY

Worried about you guys...last heard of you Galveston Texas.
update, phoned them and they were evacuating from path of Hurrican Rita, we are praying for all you guys.

DEFEAT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

I am passionate about the issue of all forms of violence committed against women. Women must unite to speak out against breaches of womens rights across the world. Murder, Rape, sexual assaults and other violence are a violation of a womens right to 'be'. Much goes unreported in many parts of the world. In many cases where such a report exists the authorities do not act. If we don't act men never will - it is in their interest to remain silent. It goes without saying that violence against children is equally reprehensible and should actively be fought where ever it is committed. Love to all from the devine granny.

UPDATE

I have been away for a while, and am now back (no surprise there then)

Work has taken a priority.

Can anyone help with further information on Jane Kitchen (d 1658) a woman village constable. I have the info from Sharon Howard. Has anybody else come across this woman.

MA LAWRENCE 'BIKER CHICK'
Posted by Hello

MY BROTHER AND I (not in Pink)
Posted by Hello

NEIL AND GILL
Posted by Hello

CATCHING UP.

Hello World.

Big apology, Prince Charles and Camilas wedding was fine - and the The Duchess of Cornwell is doing very well - I take it all back.

My brother Neil's wedding was wonderful, Gill looked radiant and my brother happy and casual in a cream 'our man in Havana' suit. We all had fun and danced all night to a great blues band called 'Madison Heights' Their honemoon in Vienna was a dream come true and they had such a happy romantic time.

I am feeling very well and I love life. Mick is retired and we are going to CUBA next week - a place I have always wanted to go.

I would welcome comments and contact.

SAMUEL AND RACHEL
Posted by Hello

HOW COULD I BE SO STUPID

Alan and Julie now have a son called Samuel now 5 weeks old. I am posting a picture of Sam with his big sister Rachel. I love them all. Granny

THE ENTRANCE WAY TO FLINT HOUSE
Posted by Hello

THINKING ON MY FEET

I am always in a rush it seems and since returning to work I have been hard at it. I have added a picture to my blog of Flint House where I was in convalesing. In addition to being tied to the mill I have been preparing and submitting work on my PhD.

My darling husband Mick has now retired and has planned a special trip away, to CUBA a place I have always dreamed of going. So it seems that I shall have another little break from work quite soon - I cannot help but look forward to it. It will sadly only be a 'tourist' look and I would love to meet the people and understand their way of life. I shall try to get the old body to Salsa a bit and I aim to have romantic beach side walks with 'Mick'

My beloved brother Neil marries his Gill on 28th May and I shall do the 'pink' thing (my favourite colour) and dress up smart. They have planned a quiet wedding ceremony and a splendid evening with a live band - a tribute to my late father Ralph a pianist who always said "keep music live" he would be so proud and we all wish he could be with us.

With Gill's entry into our family we gain two boys and a girl and their partners (Gills sons and daughter from her previous marriage) They are really great fun, I have along way to go however to catch up with Ben's tattoos (I have two and he has more)

Hope everyone in Blog land is well and happy. Happy May Day. Love Granny