We like this too...

Completely Gratuitous Long Hair and Rock Music - just because I can...

.... for all those feeling too far from home tonight. J x

Thank Fuck

So talked to my old Ma this afternoon and the news is all good. Looks like the "5cm abnormality" is not in the lymph gland but is in fact a "quite common" cyst/growth/thingy next to the adrenal gland. And its benign. There may need to be a biopsy to make sure and there will undoubtedly be further scans in the future to check everything is still OK but bloody hell. How good is all that? I can't tell you how relieved I am (and that can only be a tenth of what my old Ma (God bless 'er) is feeling). Phew. Should be able to sleep tonight at least... Peace to all and thank you for your prayers (if you prayed). That's all for now.

And Happy Pride everyone. J x

Back In Manc

Took mother for CT scan this morning. All went well. She gets results on 26/08. I then drove back to Manchester (ready for work tomorrow). Roads were freakily clear especially since I drove through rush hour. Father went back to the eye clinic this afternoon and its all looking good. He doesn't need to see the doctor for another month now. Which means we can concentrate on my Mum. We'll know - hopefully - the full extent of everything, what the recommended treatment is, the prognosis etc a week on Friday. Fingers crossed everyone. You pulled me through the Big C now I'm asking you to do it for my Mum too. Thanks. J x

Hurrah

Operation was a success. Waited for ages (with nurses running up every two minutes to put drops in his eyes) and then it was all over in 20 minutes. He's got some dos and don'ts to observe over the next 4 weeks (and loads more eye drops to administer) but, fingers crossed, its all looking good at the moment.

Tomorrow is Mum's CT Scan which, I imagine, doesn't appear quite so intimidating now as we already pretty much know the bad news. I suspect that Mum is harbouring a secret hope that the scan shows up something benign but the oncologist seemed quite certain of his diagnosis. Anyway, the appointment is for 1120 and once that is over I'l be heading back to Manchester and then back to work on Thursday where I'm sure there'll be all manner of stuff waiting for me. But its been a pretty gruelling few days here in Swansea for all of us. Highs and lows all round. That's life though. I'l update everyone when I have more news. J x

Another Day, Another Waiting Room

So this time it's the Day Surgery Unit and we're waiting for Dad to go in for his cataract operation. He's feeling a little nervous (as are we all) so I'll try and distract him by talking about the Swans performance last night... J x

Not Good News

So attended the consultation with the oncologist with my mother this afternoon. It sounds as though her cancer is back. They don't know too much without a CT scan and a biopsy (CT scan will happen on Wednesday with the results of that known on 26/08). But the oncologist is talking about a 5cm "abnormality" in my Mum's lymph nodes. This is in the same general area as the first two instances of cancer she had so, fingers crossed, if it is cancer, its the same type and can be cured simply by chemotherapy without the need for surgery. Of course, as anyone who has been through it knows, "simply" by chemotherapy doesn't begin to explain what its like to go through. All we can say really is that it is better than having surgery and the chemotherapy.

The last time she had chemotherapy she lost all her hair and it was at the same tine as my sister died (and it will be the 10th anniversary of Sally's death on 23/08 this year) so it is difficult to know what it will be like for her this time. Hopefully she is strong enough to come through it again like last time. Rest assured me and my Dad and anyone who knows her will be doing their level best to ensure that this is what happens. I know my Mum is scared - who wouldn't be - and putting a brave face on this which makes it difficult to offer help. But she knows I'll be there to do whatever I can.

Don't know what else to say really. We can't make any decisions or plans until we know what to expect from her treatment and we can't know this with any certainty until 26/08. Fingers crossed until then. If you do pray, please remember us in your prayers. Thanks. J x

Looting is just buying without money...

And look at it now....

How Could They?

This is how beautiful it all looked beforehand...

Kate Adie Central

I'm determined to get through this blog posting without using the phrase "kicking off"

Well its all kicking off (damn) in central Manchester tonight dear readers. Me and DD even had to alter our cocktailing plans to avoid all the stuff kicking off (bugger) in Piccadilly Gardens. We'd originally been planning to go to The Grill On New York Street only according to the police it was more like Grill in the Bronx tonight on account of stuff all kicking off (bloody hell) on Portland Street. The policewoman on Piccadilly Station actually said to me "well you might be safe if you walk down Portland Street. But frankly honey is a Chase Vodka martini worth it?" (I might have made the second sentence up).

So we went to Felicinis instead but even they locked and barred the front doors and made us leave by the fire exit on account of stuff all kicking off (aaaaaargh) on Oxford Street. And that bloody police helicopter won't shut the f%^$ up so there"ll be no sleep for me tonight.

Anyway, I'm too giddy with the excitement of everything kicking off (what the hell) tonight to sleep anyway. Rest assured though dear readers that I'm home safe and sound in my pyjamas and very nearly tucked up in bed with a good George R R Martin. That's all. J x