Well

Dr Atomic was interesting. Not a single tune you could hum though. But the staging was fantastic, the singers were good (and made the best of the material they'd been given) and the story itself was interesting. But I really wouldn't recommend it. Act 1 just about passed muster (hence I stayed for Act 2). But Act 2. Bugger only knows what most of it was about. Mrs Oppenheimer appeared to have completely lost her mind and was just ranting about anything that came into her head (at least that's how it appeared). Mr Oppenheimer wandered round the stage quoting from the Bhagavad Gita (it says in my programme). No, me either. And then a whole tribe of native americans turns up and sings some stuff and wears antlers. I kid you not. Anyway, high point of the evening was my first vodka martini since New Years Eve. There was no falling over. Twelfth Night tomorrow and the possibility of the Saatchi Gallery. That's all. J x

Picasso

What a fabulous exhibition. It is all about paintings done by Picasso that were based on or influenced by earlier paintings done by the great historical painters - El Greco, Goya, Rembrandt etc. And it is just displayed so well and the audio commentary is so good and the paintings themselves are just so stunning that it completely blows you away. At least it did for me. It was a little too crowded (even with timed tickets) but that was probably inevitable given how popular it was always going to be. If you get a chance, go and see it. Dr Atomic tonight. That's all. J x

Hats

Went to see the hats this afternoon. Fab. Really good, really interesting and really impressive. Cost a fiver though but well worth the money. Bought a book if you can't afford the fiver (see how Northern I've become?). Ma and Pa gone to see my aunty (still in the hospital following her stroke last year) and to have a meal with my uncle. I'll meet them in the bar (Hilton, Green Park) later. Picasso, god-mother and Dr Atomic tomorrow. That's all. J x

Swansea-->London-->Manchester

Went to Cardiff Saturday night to see The Marriage of Figaro at the Millennium Centre. Impressive building, crap opera. Like my cousin, we walked out at the interval. Its a shame because Welsh National Opera are normally very good. And we like Rebecca Evans (who was the best thing in it). But my back was playing up too so we didn't stay.

Its a bit of a bowls-fest this week so I don't expect to see too much of the Ageds. But then we're off to London on Friday. Itinerary (for me) includes an hat exhibition at the V&A, the Picasso exhibition at the National Gallery, Dr Atomic (a new opera at ENO) and Twelfth Night with Derek Jacobi. Quite a full itinerary so I hope my (poor, battered, sickly) body doesn't let me down.

And then back to Manchester on Monday to see all my old chums. Hurrah!

For anyone interested, I walked all the way to the shops and back today. That's all. J x

Home Alone

It was only a matter of time before the need to look after their son clashed with the social commitments of the Aged Ps. Needles to say, I'm sat at home on my own and they're out playing bowls.

We have had a good today though. We went to Aberglasney as a birthday treat for my father. The garden is lovely (if a little bare at the moment) and we had a really nice lunch there. And of course the Ninfarium is wonderful what ever the time of year.

Health-wise I'm feeling really good although I do still get tired really quickly. I've also started to put on weight (one whole pound! - I'm now 11 stone 9 pounds, which isn't far off what I was following the cancer treatment). My breathing is also a bit easier and I'm losing the tenderness on my right side (which is the side of the pneumonia infection). Yesterday I managed a 15 minute walk up a hill but was completely knackered at the end of it.

And guess what? There's a cricket match going on. Morning, noon and night. Bloody cricket. Still its a small price to pay for the care and attention I'm receiving. That's all for now. J x

A Surprise

I've had a valentine's card from someone and I don't know who its from! It has to be someone who knows my parent's address and yet doesn't know how to spell my name... (JonathAn).

The card was posted in Guernsey so I'm guessing its been done over the internet (trained investigator you know). And its a perfectly lovely card with pictures of baked cookies in the shape of men's underwear - boxers, Y-fronts, thongs that sort of thing. So thank you mystery person, the card is much appreciated.

Just sat through Swansea v Fulham - 1 all so there's a replay (oh joy) - and have the rugby to look forward to now. Temperature normal (although a little raised last night). Have also had an appointment for a CT scan when I'm back in Manchester so it looks like the doctors decided they wanted me to have one anyway. I see my chicken pox/pneumonia consultant on 22/04. And that's about it except to inform those interested that I have booked to see the opera Dr Atomic at ENO in London when I'm up with the Ageds to see Derek Jacobi in Twelfth Night at the end of February. They're not interested in the opera. Its a UK premiere so I'll let y'all know how I get on. And that really is all. J x

All Quiet on the Welsh Front

So, I'm just generally taking things easy at the moment. Not a lot to report. Went to PC World this morning (new monitor for my father's birthday - we saw one we liked and then came home and bought it online!). Followed by Sainsburys. And that was more than enough for me.

Aged Ps are dining out tonight with friends and so I've been left to fend for myself. Bugger all on television (Jonathan Ross later though - by which time they'll be back and talking through it!). And that's all there is to say really apart from to thank both Fig an Sarah for lovely Valentines Cards - I love getting and sending them. They're just so pretty. Never mind all that lurve bunkum...That's all. J x

Welsh Wales

So here I am, safe and sound in Swansea. The journey down was good - no snow or ice. Think I've overdone it a little today though as I feel quite knackered and my temperature has just crept over 37 degrees (for the first time in 3 days). I promise I'll take things easier tomorrow. No plans for anything yet but I'll keep you updated with my full itinerary as soon as I've got one.

Doctor has given me a sick note until 20/03 (which is 6 weeks recuperation - the hospital recommended 6 - 8 weeks but I don't thnk it will take that long). I'll review the situation nearer the time. This period does however cover the long weekend DD and I had planned for Valencia which (hopefully) I'll be fit enough to go on. Will probably cancel Portugal this year though as it will be too soon after starting the new job. And that's all I think. J x

Current Plans

So it looks like we'll be attempting the journey to Swansea on Wednesday since the latest weather forecasts show this as the best day for traveling this week. It all changes daily though so watch this space. Aged Ps have booked into the hotel over the road because sleeping on the floor is no good for them and they refuse to allow me to give up my bed. Hopefully though they'll now have a good night's sleep and a decent breakfast They'll come over afterwards.

Feeling quite good although I had a shower this morning and it exhausted me. How quickly we lose fitness and muscle tone. Jane A popped round tonight (good to see her and hear all her news) and said that I look thin. This is no bad thing though as I had started to put on a bit of weight before all this kicked off and some of my new clothes were starting to feel a little tight. I really do need to come up with a less dramatic weight-loss programme for the future though...

That's all. J x

Home Sweet Home

Am now back in the flat for a brief period. Will be travelling to Swansea for a couple of weeks recuperation once the roads clear. If you want to visit now then you only have a window of a few days. But let me know and I'll see if I can fit you in. Otherwise it's likely to be early March before I'm back. Thanks for all your cards, messages and support. They've made a huge difference. That's all. J x

End in Sight?

Doctors say nothing is growing in my cultures yet (which means the fluid isn't heavily infected). They want a CT scan though. If that takes place today then I could be home tonight. If it's scheduled for tomorrow then they'll keep me overnight. If it's scheduled for Monday then they'll send me home for the weekend. When I know more, you'll know more. J x

No News

I was ultrasounded and had fluid drained this morning - there seemed an awful lot of fluid to my eyes but the consultant said it wasn't a lot. Anyway they've sent the fluid off to the microbiology lab for various tests. Not seen a doctor since. Presumably will find out tomorrow on normal ward rounds where we go from here. When I know more, you'll know more. J x

Endless

Well. The good news is that I remain HIV negative. The bad news is I have a few more days in hospital yet whilst they drain some fluid that has collected around my lungs. Better safe than sorry of course but it's all a bit frustrating. When I know more, you'll know more. J x

Tuesday's child is free from hospital!

Yes, I've managed to piss off so many people with my complaints about the dietician service (or lack thereof) that they've decided to throw me out. I'm off the oxygen now and they're keeping me in tonight to make sure my blood oxygen saturation holds up. Have seen a dietician today and informed her of each of the separate occasions on which she and the system have failed me. I feel better for this. Will also be having a chest x-ray today to see if they need to drain any fluid. That's all. J x

A Better Day

Managed to get a few hours sleep last night. And the fact that I'm now receiving food parcels from home is helping to build my strength (I still haven't seen a dietician herewhich means that "officially" I should be surviving on the 600 calories a day prescribed by the pharmacist - don't even get me started). Had a shower and spent about 2 hours off the oxygen. Ma and Pa have just been to see me and The Saint arrives shortly. Of course, because it's the weekend I haven't seen hide nor hair of a doctor. Still, no doubt, everything will kick off tomorrow. When I know more, you'll know more. J x