History Schmistory

Went to see The History Boys at The Lowry. What a marvelous and, in places, unexpected play. We were in one of the upper circles but given the lay out of The Lowry still had a good view of the stage apart from the screen at the back. The Lowry had rather thoughtfully provided 2 small televisions to compensate for not being able to see the screen but it wasn't quite the same...

Went for a drink with Denise to The Deansgate afterwards. Despite the refurb its still as rough as ever so we only had one. Spent Sunday cleaning and putting up Xmas decorations ready for John's arrival on Friday.

Sorry I haven't been making daily entries to the blog but really its because my life is pretty boring at the moment. Not because I'm whizzing around doing all sorts of exciting things. Even the medical appointments are dropping off now. Have decided that I'm better leaving yoga until after Xmas though as there's too much present shopping to do. Will see about joining the gym before Xmas though. Or perhaps I'll just go along to a line dancing class? J x

Saturday

Had my last physiotherapy class yesterday. I've really enjoyed the classes and I'm sure they've done me some good in terms of strength and stamina. Have a reassessment in a fortnight so I'll be able to see whether they have or not. Then saw Frances . Only saw her a fortnight ago so yesterday's appointment was really just to check up that I'm managing the semi-solids OK - which I seem to be apart from mashed potato. Not quite sure why I can't manage mash but it somehow seems too "sticky". Anyway, all the other stuff I manage to puree seems to be going down alright although not without effort. Beer seems to be happening a bit easier now as well - I can manage a bottle in under an hour! Whoopee. Will now see Frances again after the New Year.

Had my haircut and have decided to try growing it a bit longer than I have had it in the past. Hopefully this will distract from the lump on my neck...

Off to the theatre tonight with Denise and her posse to see The History Boys. She thinks its the same cast as is in the film but I'm not so sure...

Have decided to take up yoga (as recommended by my physiotherapist) so if anyone knows of any good classes, please let me know. Apparently I need to start with Hatha Yoga which is a nice gentle one rather than Ashtanga which is quite vigorous. Am also considering joining a gym (again) but actually going this time... J x

Home Early

Left work early today as could not face the pain of "moving day". Apparently all the computers have been put back in the wrong place. left them to it. It also didn't help that my painkillers were in my crate which I couldn't unpack until I knew what desk I was going to be sitting at.

Walked round the shops on Sunday. There was a geek alert in force outside the G-Mex as there was a Collector's Fair on with the personal appearance of "stars" from minor cable channel sci-fi shows. This allied with the fact that there were 2 storm troopers on the doors was enough to guaranteee that outside was knee deep in acne and anoraks. Harvey Nicks was also chock-a-block but with a much better class of customer sweetie. The Christms Market is the usual array of wooden German toys and food stalls selling all manner of unpronounceable wares.

Met Denise for a drink on Saturday (Dimitris, where else?). She was in a good mood because of City's win. Afterwards met Jim for a drink on Canal Street (my first drink on Canal Street for over 8 months). Nothing had changed there. Still as grimy and dirty as ever. All it would take is one upmarket place with a cleaner and all the other places would be out of business...

Am having to dealy my physiotherapy assessment as have been asked to attend a Risk Conference (its not anywhere exciting). Should be fun though. J x

Medical Visits

To Christies this morning to see Young Sean. He's looking well and chipper. The lovely lovely Debbie was with him too. Who needed anyone else? YS was happy with the way things are looking. Had still not heard from dentist so YS said he'd write to him (was this not done first time round?). The lovely lovely Debbie had held up her end of the bargain though because I have a referral to the scar clinic for the 19 December and she'd even managed to come up with a couple of the very expensive (thank you) plasters for me to try on my arm. I'll let y'all know if they do any good.

To MRI this afternoon to see Laura the physiotherapist (the one for for my back and my shoulder). She's also very happy with the way things have gone and she thinks there is nothing left she can teach me. So I'm to keep on keeping on with the exercises she's given me and good luck and merry christmas. So that was good news too. I'm still at the Friday classes though for another 3 weeks. J x

Mash & Daal

Sunday lunch was a bit of a disaster. I thought I'd made the mash quite runny but even so as soon as I put it in my mouth it was like trying to eat sawdust. It just felt so dry and once it was at the back of my throat trying to swallow it was virtually impossible. So after much choking I had to throw it away. Did manage 2 beers though - I'm down to about a beer an hour now.

Had a lentil daal for tea tonight. I heated it in a saucepan and added water and then pureed it using my new hand held blender. It was, I think, about the same consistency as the mash yesterday (although I used a spoon to eat it I could have easily used a fork) but for some reason it was much easier to eat and I managed to finish it all. Hurrah. Progress.

Watch this space for further pureed culinary delights.... J x

Shopping Is So Much Fun

Went shopping for semi-solids today. Had a full shopping trolley - the first time in over 8 months. Tried a chocolate mousse this afternoon (a bit claggy and had to have a cup of hot tea to wash it all down) and am having mashed potatoes, peas, pureed carrots and brown sauce for Sunday lunch! Also bought one of those hand held blenders so am expecting to have kitchen walls decorated with half pureed carrots tomorrow.

I lied about it being the last ever time I would see Mrs T since I'm going to the cinema with her tonight (Marie Antoinette) so tonight will be the last ever time...

DD is off to the wilds of Richmond (which is in Yorkshire apparently rather than on the Thames). Hope its warmer there than it is here. Bloody freezing. Aged Ps are safely back from Portugal (where it rained all the time) and they're coming up with their friends to stay at the Hilton in December.

Seeing Sean next week which will be nice although I've still heard nothing from the scar clinic. Charlotte (the new Caroline) assures me I've been referred though so its not as if she's falling into Caroline's old ways and simply forgetting me... Also seeing Laura who is muy other physiotherapist (specifically for my back and shoulder). I think she's doing some good and my back may be improving slightly. Managed to sleep for 7 hours the other night without waking up for painkillers which is a first since I left hospital.

That's all for now. TTFN. J x

Oh What A Perfect Day (So Far)

Met DD for coffee first thing at Caffe Nero on Oxford Road followed by physiotherapy where I was put up to Level 4 (the highest level) so I must be doing something right. There was also one old biddie and one new guy (younger than me!) there today so I wasn't all on my own. Also Hannah was one of the physios and we like her.

Then saw Frances who says its still too early to say how far my swallow will develop. I think this is encouraging becasue I was beginning to worry that it might not develop much further than it has to date. She's said that i should now move onto "semi-solids" (doesn't that sound appetising!). This includes mashed up vegetables, fish in sauce, scrambled eggs (but I don't eat eggs) and cuury sauces. So will go shopping tomorrow for a whole new larder...

Frances also said that I can keep my tummy tube as long as I want to which is good news since its become a sort of a comfort blanket for me. I'd hate to think of life without it at the moment. Its just so much easier to put painkillers and the Ensure Plus through it at the moment than it is to try and drink them.

Went to see the Xmas lights tuned on yesterday with Mr and Mrs T. Simon Webb was crap. John Savident was crap (the man has no idea how to improvise so I've no idea what he'll be like in panto, I say, I've no idea what he'll be like in panto!) even the 7 bloody dwarves were crap. And as for the mayor, don't even get me started... However the much anticipated "Mamma Mia Firework Finale" was worth all the hype. It was spectacular. Afterwards we walked down Deansgate to see the lights there but they'd forgotten to turn those on!

Seeing Mr & Mrs T for the last time evr tomoprrow. Its going to be emotional.... J x

I'm Back!

At last. The man from Sky has been and twiddled my knobs and I'm back. God I've missed the internet.

Anyway, not a huge amount has happened since I was last here. Went to Chatsworth to see the sculptures (very nice - have some photos I'll try and post). Saw The Devil Wears Prada - enjoyed. Have had 2 physiotherapy sessions - on my own, I think I scared all the old biddies away. My back is playong up a bit, don't know why but still on the painkillers. And that's about it.

Sorry to hear about your friend Roger. Its a terrible thing when someone takes their own life, particularly when you don't know the reason and don't know whether there was anything you could have done to help. I'm thinking of you. J x