A Secret Revealed

Well I had no idea that including the phrase "a top secret adventure" in a blog post would have such an effect on everyone.  Clearly you don't like me having secrets...

Anyway, I can now reveal that the secret adventure was, in fact, a trip to a garden centre to buy a couple of rose bushes.  These were gifts for Ev and Michele for them to remember the people they have lost recently.  I wasn't going to mention this fact before we'd given the gifts obviously. Both Michele and Ev were very appreciative of the nice surprise so it was worth the trip and the hassle of receiving endless texts demanding to know what the big secret was...!

Mum had her first chemo session yesterday which went quite well apart from the fact that the nurse had problems getting the cannula in.  Why aren't all nurses proficient at this skill?  It's an absolute basic requirement of hospital treatment (especially on a chemo ward) and so they should all be good at it but a surprising number of them aren't. And as far as I can see no-one cares or checks up. We'll just have to wait and see now how hard the side effects hit her this time round.  Fingers crossed it won't be too bad.

A nice lunch yesterday with Gill and Cath and then DD was round in the evening to catch up on some recorded TV. Lunch again today, this time with Daniel and Jane, but not much else.  Never fear though, I have a long list of stuff that I need to do so wont be sitting around idly feeling sorry for myself.  That's all for now. May blog later providing I get some of the way through my long list. :-) J x

Catch Up

So, to stay outwith the World of Gay for the moment, the football was good, and exciting and we won which is always good.  In addition Swansea won the cup which was good to see even if the match itself was a bit of a walkover. Here endeth the sports news.

And back in the World of Gay am somewhat wishing I'd recorded the Oscars if only for the musical interludes which, in addition to my diva La Bassey, included Danny Radcliffe and Katie Zeta-Jones. May see if I can find the programme on catch-up this afternoon as am out for lunch today with the lovely Gill and the lovely Cath.

Yesterday was excellent fun too with the lovely Sarah & Sarah (from Leeds and London respectively). We met in Restaurant Bar & Grill, then went to Alchemist for some food and thence to Harvey Nichols for far too many espresso martinis.  But it was great to see them both and I had a lovely time although am suffering somewhat this morning.

Still unable to divulge reasons for secret adventure so,please stop nagging. All will be made clear shortly... That's all for now.  J x

P.S. it's my Mum's first chemotherapy session this afternoon so I'm sure you'll all join me in wishing her all the best for that.  Thanks.

Football

Off to the Chelsea match today. On the new tram service. Very exciting. Will blog later. J x

Woo Hoo

70,021 as at this moment.  Fucking brilliant. Never mind that most of those hits are probably me...!

Very pleasant evening round at Madame's last night. Soup all round and copious episodes of soap.  Then had to solve the problem of the stereo not working (why does everyone think I'm a technical genius?). Anyway, problem was solved by - you guessed it - switching it off and then switching it on again... Calm restored.  Madame is a little deaf at the moment as a result of her cold (which seems a lot better otherwise I'm pleased to report) but given that I'd just spent 4 days with the Aged Ps, speaking at the top of my voice is not a problem for me.

Me and her are off one top secret adventure this afternoon so look out for future reports

Incidentally...

.... this blog is 17 page views off from having 70,000 hits. Thank you blog-lurkers everywhere.... :-) J x

Home Safe

Journey was fine. Round to DD's for soup and catch/check up tonight.... J x

A Win and a Fail

So I managed to sort out my Dad's computer problems.  Essentially I just pressed lots of buttons until it seemed to work OK and the rogue messages just disappeared :-) However, I was unable to set up his Sky Box for catch up TV because I was unable to set up his computer to operate wirelessly (and yes, I did turn it off and then turn it on again). Even having bought a wireless adapter and followed all the instructions I couldn't get it to operate wirelessly which meant I couldn't move the router so that it plugged into the Sky Box. Hey ho. He just have to get a man out to do it.

Not much else to report.  DD still ill and bored. She's even been reduced to doing the ironing and washing up.  Will this illness turn her into a domestic goddess?  Watch this space... That's all. J x

Spring-Like

Yesterday was a beautiful day here in Welsh Wales. We went to the National Botanic Gardens (no trip to Swansea is complete without a visit). They've done a lot of work in the glasshouse tidying up and cutting back and it looks much better for it.  Just proves the adage that less is more.  We also had a lovely lunch and a browse around the shop before returning home to watch Bargain Hunt and Pointless!

Have decided on a number of holidays en famille for some of my mother's "good weeks" during her chemotherapy (London and the Forest of Dean) and a trip to Edinburgh in July once she's (hopefully) over the treatment. Malta is off the agenda for now.  And, assuming we're all still here and well enough we fancy a Scandanavian cruise next summer.

DD has seen the doctor and learned she has a virus. All well and good and she just needs to wait it out therefore but that doesn't help her with feeling crap - which she does.  Hope you're all sending her good wishes and looking after her until I get back on Friday and can resume my caring duties.  We have a Mutually Assured Caring pact... Have various family duties to undertake today (coffee with neighbours and visits to cousins) and then tomorrow I put on my tech hat I order to sort out father's computer and set the telly up for receiving catch-up telly on the telly. Wish me luck with that. :-) And that's all for now. Sunshine has just disappeared down here so that's the Swansea summer over and done with. Hope it's warmer where you are. J x

Good News

Saw mum's oncologist this morning. Whilst they cannot provide a cure for her cancer they think that she responds brilliantly to chemotherapy and so she should have many years ahead of her.  She will therefore start chemotherapy straight away.  And if this shrinks her tumour sufficiently then she may qualify for the enhanced radiotherapy treatment now available (aka the "cyber-knife" - which sounds very scary but probably isn't). Unfortunately this means that she'll miss being able to go to Portugal for the time share. But we can arrange a family holiday for later in the year when she gets her strength back.  Dad fancies Malta. Anyone know anything about Malta?

We can also perhaps look at the Forest of Dean (where I'd like to go) on one of her "good weeks". That's all for now. J x

Arrived

Now safely in Swansea.  Journey was good as the roads were really quiet. Was unable to take my normal route though as the M50 was closed.  This meant taking the M4 and crossing the Severn Bridge and paying £6.20 to get into Wales.  Into Wales.  Any amount is too much but £6.20 is just having a laugh. They should charge it to get out. In fact they cold charge pretty much an amount they liked to get out...

Aged Ps doing as well as can be expected.  Seeing Mum's oncologist tomorrow so should know more then. That's all for now. J x

Priscilla, Fab

Don't get me wrong.  Priscilla was never going to be great theatre and it isn't.  But as a fun night out its hard to beat.  Just accept that what you are seeing is a drag show on stage and you'll have a great time - as did all three of us.  And if anyone ever needed proof that Jason Donovan isn't gay then just watch this show. He hasn't a clue how to play gay.  In fact he's the worst thing in this show.

And it's saved from being as appalling as Mamma Mia by having a story and fitting the (additional) songs around that rather than concocting a story to match the songs.  And it's full of drag queens.  What more could you ask for? And it was the start of the second half of the new season of The Walking Dead last night too.  Just fab-a-rooney.

Have just completed the first of today's two mercy missions to DD. Medication on the first run and groceries on the second. But I'm off to Swansea tomorrow for a week and so won't be around to keep an eye on her.  Could people just check up on her from time to time to make sure she's alright?  Thank you.  That's all for now.  Next blog may be from Swansea... J x

Third Time Lucky

So it was back to the dentist today. He's used so much glue sticking the tooth back in this (third) time that I think I may be high for a whole month!

Last night was a lovely night out with DD and Michele to celebrate the end of this chemotherapy cycle. Started in The Midland followed by a meal in Carluccio's (where we were the only "group" - everyone else was in a couple: must have had something to do with the date). And then nightcaps at the Radisson.  Got home about 0130. Lovely.

I've just been reminded by Madame La T that I've omitted to post a review of Lincoln.  I really enjoyed the film and am convinced that Daniel Day Lewis deserves an Oscar for his performance. The film focuses on a quite short period in Lincoln's life - his struggle to get the necessary votes to pass the 13th amendment - but that means that you get sufficient detail to really get under the skin of the principle characters. Very good.

Off to see Priscilla Queen of the Desert tonight.  I don't hold out great hopes for it and sadly DD is too unwell to come along. So just me, Lesley and Sara. We'll just have to make the best of it... :-) J x

David Beckham Pants

What do we reckon? J x

Not So Good News

My tooth has fallen out again. I suspect I may have to just get used to the gap... Am seeing the lovely Lance again tomorrow.  J x

Good News

Saw Dr Yvonne at the clinic this morning and she thinks I'm doing "brilliantly". She says I've responded really well to treatment and that augurs well for any future treatments I may have. She said that despite lowering the chemotherapy dose after the first cycle, I'd still had a really tough chemotherapy regime and she was happy with how I'd responded to that. I'm dead chuffed about all this.

Also, have had my ill health retirement approved. I've not received my copy of the paperwork yet but my boss has. I'm pleased (and also not pleased at the same time) about this. I'm really going to miss work. And what the hell am I going to do with the time available me when I'm not abroad? Will need to come up with a cunning plan. Dr Yvonne doesn't recommend the gym though which is a relief as I could see that is where the carer-in-chief's thoughts were going... She thinks I just need gentle exercise which is just fine by me. Carer in chief has therefore picked me up a leaflet on complementary therapies so we're looking at yoga and meditation and massage....

Off out tonight with DD and Michele to celebrate the end of this cycle of chemo. I won't be seeing the doctor for 6 weeks now. I'll also need to have an MRI scan to check out my spine as the last CT scan showed something up even though the PET scan hadn't. Dr Yvonne doesn't think this is anything to worry about but wants to check it out anyway. MRI scan will happen some time in the next 6 weeks.

And that's all for the moment. Have to get out of the flat now as my cleaner is here and I don't want to get in her way so I'm off to the Whitworth gallery for a look at the Piper exhibition. J x

Toothsome

Saw Lance yesterday and now have my tooth glued back in again. :-) No hug this time though. :-( I knew it was probably a mistake to hang onto him for quite so long last time...

Still feeling good and have last clinic appointment tomorrow. Not entirely sure what happens after that but I'll let you know when I know.

Saw the lovely Lesley for coffee after the dentist and then put DD on a train to London. She's back late tonight.  Seeing Gill later to go and see Lincoln. I'm really looking forward to that.

On he news front, the pope thing was a bit of a surprise. Who knew he was allowed to resign? Let's hope we get a liberal one next time round...

And that's all for now. Talking to my boss later and apparently the ill health retirement stuff has arrived in the office and its been approved. Yay. Now just need to work out dates and stuff. Again, you'll get the details as soon as I have them. J x

P.S. Much love to Penny who is now recovering at home.  Thinking of you honey. J xxx

Morning All

Yesterday was a good day. Still feeling OK.  Had a night sweat (not had one for ages now) but otherwise no symptoms of anything. Went out for lunch with Jim followed by a few drinks on Canal Street which was nice (not been there in ages). Then DD, fresh from Nottingham, came round to watch the BAFTAs. Thought most of the winners were the right choices but thought Stephen Fry was dreadful. I'm not a fan of his at the best of times but thought his presentation was excruciating and very unfunny.  Liked the very bright yellow dress (Dior) but little else.  Anne Hathaway looked good though. As did George Clooney.

Hygienist appointment this morning and will need to try and get an emergency appointment with my dentist (the very beautiful Lance) to see if there's anything else he can do about my missing tooth.  That's all for now. J x

Who'd Have Thought?

Absolutely fabulous meal at Mum&Dad's last night. Delicious vegetable curry and, given that everything was so delicious, I decided to have a go at the chicken.  First meat I've eaten (pâté apart) since my cancer treatment last time.  The chicken satay and tandoori chicken were gorgeous too.  The evening was brilliant marred only by the fact that I lost my tooth again.  I once more have a gap in the front of my mouth and am speaking with a whistle. So that's another trip to the dentist. :-(

Feeling a little hungover this morning but nothing too bad.  Which is just as well as I'm out with Jim lunchtime today. :-) That's all. J x

More Evil Drink Please

Off to Maggie & Paul's (Manchester Mum& Dad) for dinner tonight. Beer, champagne and vodka on the menu. Oh, and curry. Yum!

Have a plan to spend today cleaning out my kitchen cupboards. It's still at the planning stage at the moment. I'll let you know if it ever gets off the ground.

Spoke to the lovely Fig today. You'll all be pleased to know he is well. We discussed Skyrim, A Chorus Line and public transport. All subjects dear to my heart. :-) Must get back into Skyrim actually.  More fun than kitchen cupboards. Not as much fun as beer, champagne and vodka though.

That's all for now. J x

Evil Drink

So went to Restaurant Bar & Grill yesterday evening and stayed probably longer than we should have. Consequently am hungover today. But no other ill effects so that is quite good.  Carer in Chief has departed for Nottingham and so I have the rest of the day to myself. If the weather improves I may wander into town with my vouchers to see if I can find a shop to spend them in. And that's all so far.

Oh, an email from work says that a decision on my ill health retirement is "in the post" but it didn't arrive today. Bet it's been sent second class... I'll let you know what the outcome is as soon as I know.  That's all. J x

P.S. My condolences to Kev (and Sue) whose sister has died. They are back in the area at the moment dealing with the stuff that needs dealing with. On top of that Penny, Sue's sister, has been taken into hospital with breathing difficulties. Hopefully it's nothing too serious and. I wish her a speedy recovery.

Morning All

Still improving in how I feel.  Hopefully this will just continue now that the chemo has stopped.  Not got clinic tomorrow but rather a week tomorrow. I think this was a  booking error but it makes no odds really. This will be my last clinic for a couple of months unless I develop any symptoms.

Not much planned today beyond meeting one of my trainees for a drink later. Will need to start thinking about how I intend filling my days when, as looks increasingly likely, my ill health retirement is approved.  All suggestions v welcome.

Went to see Zero Dark Thrity at the cinema last night. It's an excellent and interesting film that throws up lots of interesting questions: Can torture ever be justified (I don't think that's an easy question to answer)? Are there limits to what a country is justified in doing to protect its citizens? Etc.

Looks quite sunny out there at the moment but I don't think that's the forecast for the whole day.  Never mind, Spring is on the way - I can feel it in my bones.

Oh, and while I remember, the three line whip put out by the carer in chief regarding filling my weekend with things to do has been satisfied i.e. ino longer have a free second all weekend :-) Thank you all. J x

On The Mend

Had a good night's sleep last night and consequently feeling much better today. No real plans as such yet beyond reading my paper that Denise dropped off for me earlier on her way to the gym (she is determined to hone her body into that of an Amazon warrior). I may do some shredding (can't tell you how excited I am about that), I may catch up on Homes Down Under and Homes Under the Hammer (which strikes me as even less exciting than shredding) or I may venture out on a big adventure although it does look pretty cold out there - but then I do have some vouchers to spend given to me by HMRC in recognition of the sterling efforts I put in when I was there (to be fair they were given to me for something I was hardly involved in at all but hey ho, what's a boy to do?). They are however spendable in shops such as Matalan and Iceland. I wonder what they sell? I suppose if I had contributed something significant I would have been given vouchers for Harvey Nicks. Must try harder next time...

If I have an adventure il be sure to let you all know about it on here. That's all for now. J x

Sunday Bloody Sunday

Borgen Spoiler Alert: if you're watching the series and haven't seen the final episode yet read no further.  Go away and come back once you've seen it.

It's now Sunday afternoon and I haven't seen a soul (oops, nearly typed "sole" there - that would have been amusing: are you getting the idea that I'm bored yet?).  Have sorted all my DVDs into alphabetical order following the shambles of me and my carer trying to choose a film to watch last night: a million DVDs and she didn't like any of them.  In the end we plumped for Babette's Feast which meant a lot of fiddling around with remote controls (long story) (long boring story actually). It's a good film though. All those subtitles then set us up nicely for Borgen. Luckily I happen to know that there is a third series of this already filmed so hopefully we won't be left hanging on for too long before finding out how the election goes.  Bet she wins...

Texted my friend Lesley who used the excuse of too much work to do so that she couldn't come and see me.  And the carer was last seen heading to the gym and hasn't been seen or heard from since.  Hey ho.  May catch up on some "Being Human" as I see there's a new series starting tonight.  Vampires, werewolves and ghosts. What more could a boy ask for? That's all. J x

Thank you

I just want to take the opportunity today to say thank you to all my friends out in blogger land for the help and support you've given me over these past few months. I know many of you don't comment on the site but I also know from talking to you that many of you are nevertheless regular readers of this site. Just knowing that helps. Many you, of course, also phone me and text me and send best wishes via third parties. It all helps and it all counts. I just wanted you all to know that. And before you start to worry, no, I'm not feeling maudlin it's just a good opportunity (no more chemo for a while) to say it.

In other news, Ev's mum's funeral yesterday was rather lovely. Lots of family, obviously, and many of the grandchildren gave readings and shared personal memories. It really brought home what a lovely woman she was. Of course, anyone who has ever met Ev would have no doubts that she came from a close and loving family but it doesn't do any harm to say these things out loud from time to time. Unfortunately the funeral took it out of me a bit (catholic funerals are not brief affairs) and so I had to come home straight away afterwards but I'm glad I was there all the same.

Plans for today include taking it easy and being visited by carer in chief. And who could ask for more than that? Have a nice day everyone. J x