Good News Good News Good News

The scan was clear. I was so relieved. And bless him Sean told me the scan was clear before he'd even said hello. This is such a weight off my shoulders. I don't think I should type anything else now but I know what a group you are for minutiae so I suppose I ought to expand on the rest of the meeting for you. The lovely lovely Debbie was there briefly. Has she coloured her hair a different colour? Hard to tell but I though I detected a subtle lightening of tone. Suits her. Frances was there too wanting to put the tube up my nose and down my throat (that woman is obsessed) but we agreed that we'd do it at my next consultation with her when she'll be able to record it. I think she's making a series. I expect to see my inner workings on You Tube any day now. Sean enquired after my weight and for those of you interested I am currently stable and fluctuating between 11 10 and 12 1. This is what Sean weighs apparently which makes him overweight on the BMI scale (he's a tiny bit shorter than me). Just the odd foot or 2! But his hips are bigger than his waistline so that's OK. Apparently. According to the TV it means you're a rower or something. Whilst in Portugal I will have to be aware of the sun (Ha!) but I don't have to avoid it altogether which is good news (should there be any sun). And that's all folks. But I'm sure you'll agree a momentous day. Oh and I also got some vouchers through the post - money off at Livebait (that's the Aged Ps happy) and money off Chez Gerrard (that's the book group happy because we're meeting there on Monday). TTFN. J x

Good Golly Miss Dolly

Well Ms Parton was OK. I think she was let down by the venue by which I mean that I don't think large arenas were built for country & western music. Big arenas are for shows like Kylie or Take That where they're full of screaming pre-pubesence or at least filled by a spectacular light show. Country and western is actually about listening to the music. And its a bit harder to do that in a very large venue. The place was packed out though. Who knew she had so many fans? Went for pre-show cocktails in Harvey Nicks with Jane first. They had the Dolce & Gabbana spring/summer menswear show on continuous loop on the DVD player so there was something pretty to look at whilst downing my espresso martini. In fact we enjoyed Messrs D & G so much that we ate there as well. I had broccoli and stilton soup followed by black treacle, cinnamon and calvados ice cream (three separate flavours rather than all in one). Jane had chicken a la king followed by some sort of rhubarb. All very tasty. And the toilets in HN are fab too. You really must go. After that to Zinc for a drink and to meet Cath followed by the concert. Had to have a medical before they'd let me past the doors with my bottle of water (yes, really). After Ms Parton met up with Gordon & Lizzie for a drink in Label (how appropriate given that I was wearing so many of them) and then home by 11.30.

Scan this morning - not as bad as I was expecting. Having your head bolted to a table for radiotherapy treatment every day for 6 weeks means that half an hour/40 minutes in an MRI scanner isn't quite as scary as you remember it. I'll get the results next Thursday when I see Sean. Also have to see my GP next Thursday as he needs to review my drugs habit - he better not be thinking of making me go cold turkey (which I understand is one of UKIP's main policies) or there'll be trouble. Night night everyone. J x

Update

Didn't have MRI as machine was broken. They claimed they tried to contact me before I drove all the way down there and paid my £1.50 for parking but there was nothing on my machine... Now got MRI scan on Wednesday (day after Dolly).

Saw eye doctor today and they don't think I have cancer in my eye (whoopee). Instead they think I have eyelash dandruff (there is a technical term but the leaflet is in the front room and I really can't be doing with walking all the way there to get it so eyelash dandruff will have to do for now). Anyway, this ED can clog your pores and cause a "sty-like" infection which is what they think has happened to me. I'm now armed with a cream and cotton buds which should clear it all up pronto (whoopee again).

Nothing planned for weekend at the moment so will enjoy myself at gym and cinema unless something else comes up. Also need to do some cleaning though (boo). Hope everyone out there in cyberland has a good time (Jane, don't forget to decide on which shows you want to see). J x

Now got MRI scan (now with improved gadolinium - whatever the hell that is) tomorrow at 1200. The othalmologist has been rescheduled for Friday at 0845. Stoke was a blast. No, really. They should take a stick of dynamite and blast it to kingdom come. What a depressing place. And what a depressing meeting. HMRC is off to hell in a handcart I'm afraid. You heard it here first... J x

Back

Mum still in hospital. She's had an op to clear out the infection from her foot and, after 5 days, they've finally decided what antibiotics she should be on. She's now on a drip for the antibiotics and we don't yet know how long for. She's keeping her spirits up though and thanks everyone for their cards and kind wishes. We've managed to reschedule the Porgy & Bess tickets for April so that's good news. I'm feeling fine but nothing to report chez moi apart from the fact that I've had an appointment through for the opthalmologist and its for tomorrow. When I'm in Stoke. So will have to reschedule that too. Damn. J x

Change of Plans

Mum has had to go into hospital for an operation on her foot. They also want to put her on intravenous antibiotics. Therefore no longer going to London & Brighton but going to Swansea instead. Good job I already had this week booked off for leave. Will know more when I've seen my parents and will blog from Swansea if I get a chance so that you all know what's happening. J x

Phil Lethby

My friend died on Friday. His name was Phil and I met him when I first started working for the Revenue in 1993. We dated for a while but not for long. I like to think that I helped a bit in allowing him to come to terms with his sexuality. Back in the days when I first started in the Revenue Inspectors had their own offices (none of this open plan nonsense) and Phil used to come in a talk to me for ages - so much so that my DI at the time had to give me a ticking off. Phil and I stayed in touch on and off following my departure from Brighton office and, in fact, I think he was a contributor to this blog in the early days. He certainly sent me some cards whilst I was in hospital and going through treatment. He was diagnosed with Hepatitis C about 10 years ago and lived quite happily with the disease for a while but over the last couple of years he had some long spells of sickness. He died on Friday from multiple complications - they don't know exactly what yet. He was in his mid 30s which is far too young for anyone to die. I'll miss him. Rest in peace honey. J x

Open Wide

To the hospital dentist this morning. He says that he could give me dentures if I insist but that having dentures would mean possibly accelerating the decay of the rest of my teeth. Decided therefore not to have them for the moment. Since I can't swallow at the moment, chewing isn't really an issue. I'll reconsider if and when I get my swallow back. The dentist also took an X-ray of my teeth. This showed firstly that the radiotherapy hasn't done too much damage to my jaw bones (the good news) but also showed that another screw appears to have worked loose from the metal piece holding my jaw together (the bad news). Will have to speak to Sean about this. Who was handling the bloody screwderiver in that operating theatre?

Met the lovely newcastlewench for a drink after work as she was passing through this fair city of ours. She's fit and well and had bought me a goody bag of presents (thank you). These included some lovely smelly bath stuff, some pretty stones (I've no idea what I'm going to do with them) some baby food (mostly fruit based so will be nice with custard although one was "cottage pie - not sure I fancy that) and a magazine showing me how to put on muscle in 12 easy steps (well at least i can look at the pictures!).

Also had a letter from my GP saying he'd had a referral from my optician but that he thought the optician was overreacting (how does he know?). Anyway, he didn't think it was worth a referral to the oncologist or opthalmologist. Hadn't the heart to tell him I'd already seen my oncologist and had been given a referral to the opthalmologist (although not heard anything yet). Also had a letter giving me an appointment for an MRI scan which is next Wednesday which is lucky as that is the day I see Frances and the nutritionist too.

And I think that's about everything apart from mentioning my mum who has a bad foot. The blood tests appear to show that she may have Type 2 diabetes. We think she'll go for a second opinion though. I'll keep you posted.

Spoke to DD tonight. She's still feeling a little poorly but better than she was so fingers crossed for her too. And that's your lot folks... J x