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

Gormley? Where?

Got to Crosby only to find that the tide was in. Not a bleeding figure to be seen anywhere! We therefore diverted to Southport to have a look round the shops and a cup of coffee. When we got back to Crosby some 2 hours later the tide had gone out somewhat which allowed us to stroll along the beach (well, those of us not in heels strolled whereas those of us in heels had a rather harder time of it) and examine figure number 13 and figure number 9 in close up. I shall endeavour to post a photo of our intrepid troupe with figure number 13. It was also pouring with rain by this time. Still, all in all a good day out methinks. Fell asleep on the sofa upon my return immediately after taking painkillers. J x

My Physiotherapy Hell

Actually, it wasn't that bad although it was quite tough. We (me and various old ladies) had to do a circuit of 10 different exercises at a level between one and four (depending on your own fitness) doing one minute on each exercise. We had to do the circuit twice so that was 20 minutes of exercise not counting the warm up and warm down. I was OK on the exercises that involved my legs (all that walking has clearly helped) but I was hopeless when it came to the upper body exercises - particularly those involving my right shoulder. Clearly quite a bit of work needed there. The physiotherapists were very nice and helpful though (as were the old ladies).

Had some ice cream last night but it tatsted of nothing although I did, on the whole, manage to swallow it OK. Will try some soup tonight.

Saw Mrs T this week (she's fine - we're off to Crosby on Sunday to see the Gormley statues before they're shipped to New York). Spoke to Denise tonight who is just back from another holiday (in Italy). She had a nice time and the weather was good. Got Sky calling round tomorrow to convert me from AOL to their broadband although I think I may still keep the same e-mail address. I'll let you know.

Have a good weekend everybody. J x P.S. Think I'll do 4 mornings nest week and see how I cope with that. P.P.S. Would like to thank Fig for the gift of a book - To The Devil - A Diva. Sounds intriguing. Lets hope it lives up to Cowboys... J x

Me? Swallow?

Did the barium swallow with no problems. It doesn't taste particularly nice but it doesn't make you retch either. Its worse when mixed with chocolate mousse (which I also had to swallow). Frances was quite pleased with the results and has told me that I can now move onto semi-solids - soup, yoghurt and ice cream. This is where the weight loss ends!

Caroline has now gone to Australia (she flew last Tuesday). Expect a posting from her letting us know she arrived safely any minute... J x

And So I'm Back...

...from outer space.

Friday: after hours of delay (fog) finally arrive at Gatwick where I'm met by John. Spend very pleasant afternoon strolling along the seafront and round the shops (Brighton has loads of independant shops that you won't find anywhere else). Its really good to see him again but I'm knackered by the evening and so retire to my hotel.

Saturday: meet Figgy (and Mark who'd come along to say hello) at the station and off up to London to see Wicked. Show is just Fabulous with a capital f. Idina Menzel (who plays the wicked witch) has an incredible voice. Manage to drink one third of a G & T before pouring remainder into Fig's glass. Poor Fig has to drink three and two thrids gins as we'd already ordered interval drinks. I can report that he struggled manfully. Then back to Brighton but because I'm too knackered we are unable to go out round the bars waving our programmes for all to see (this is what we usually do and we get ignored by everyone but it doesn't matter because we think we're important).

Sunday: round to Figs house to watch him and his Mum and Dad and Mark eating lunch. We then go for a stroll along the sea front in glorious weather and settle in one of the sea front bars drinking and listening to the buskers. In the evening I watch Dirty Dancing (fab) and Prime Suspect (even fabber) from my hotel bed!

All in all a fantastic weekend marred only by the flight delays both ways.

Got a barium swallow at 0930 tomorrow (so Jane, if you're reading this I won't be in work first thing although I'll come along once evrything's been done) and also need to pick up the letter saying its OK for me to start work.

Food finally arrived tonight. Hurrah.

And that's all folks. J x

Last Post...

... before Brighton.

Had physiotherapy this morning. Exhausting. This session focussed on my general fitness and stamina. In order to do that they needed to know how fit I am now. So I had to do various tests before, during and after which they would measure my pulse, blood pressure etc. Even had to do the bleep test which is knackering. Anyway, turns out that I'm not totally unfit although they still recommend that I do a course of 6 weekly exercise classes which they run. So that's every Friday morning for the next 6 weeks. Unable to make it into work after the workout (nothing to do with a "night on the town" thank you Ms Murray).

Had a call this afternoon from Debbie (a nurse at Christies). Instead of just giving me a gel for my scars they're referring me to a scar clinic at Wythenshawe hospital where I get assessed by a consultant plastic surgeon. Apparently they won't do my nose at the same time...

Bloody food delivery people have cocked up my food delivery (again). Not being delivered until Monday now. Luckily I have enough food (just) to last.

Leaving for the airport at 8 tomorrow morning so this will be my last posting until I get back. Have a nice weekend everyone. J x

Busy Busy Busy

Another v busy day. Work from 0715 until 1145 (walked there and back) followed by a trip to the GP (walked there and back) to obtain letter allowing me to start back at work. The went to Cloud 23 with Denise. Cloud 23 is the new bar in the Hilton hotel at the bottom of Deansgate and boy is it spectacular. Located on the 23rd floor (hence the name) it has its own dedicated lift with just two buttons - 0 and 23. How cool is that? The bar itself is really sumptuous although DD complained about the furniture since it is possible for one to catch ones clothing on it (which she duly did!). But the really breathtaking part of it is the views over Manchester. Incredible- and it wasn't even a particularly clear day today. The really scary bit is a hole in the floor (covered in toughened glass) that allows you to look directly down to street level. Makes you dizzy just to look. The other thing that makes you dizzy is the prices. £2.50 for a fizzy water (me, of course) whilst DD's vodka and orange was £8.00! Not the sort of place one goes to every day therefore but certainly worth a trip for special occasions. Work and (more) physio tomorrow and then off to Brighton on Friday. I'll be glad of the rest! J x

Absolutely Knackered

Was in work by 7 this morning (walked in) and left at 1145 (walked home). Went to MRI for physio (walked there) which was really good (walked home). Fell asleep. Just woken up but still knackered.

Physio was good because we discussed my bad back and it looks as though it could be down to my posture which isn't good as a result of my tight hamstrings. Now have exercises to do to stretch the hamstrings. Fingers crossed this improves my back.

Work aagain tomorrow morning and then seeing doctor in the afternoon to find out if its OK for me to go to work! Hope he says yes... J x

Its All So Bloody Complicated

Stayed in the flat all day today expecting a delivery of food. Was sent 60 syringes but no food. When I phoned the delivery company they informed me they hadn't sent food because they had no vanilla flavour left. Hello? No taste buds? Did no-one tell you? They'll be sent tomorrow now when I will either be at work (am) or at the physio (pm). Or they'll come the day after when I'll be at work (am) or the GPs (pm) or the day after that - work (am) second set of physios (pm). And then I go to London. Bloody bloody. I just hope the concierge takes delivery otherwise I'll be losing a whole lot more weight in the near future...

Looking forward to work though. Officially I'll have to be just a visitor tomorrow as don't see the GP until Wednesday to get signed back on and I'm not insured to work until they have it in writing that I'm fit for purpose.

Spoke to Figgy today for the first time in ages and we're both dead excited about Wicked. Looking forward to seeing him and his Mum at the weekend. Hopefully also seeing John on Friday.

And thank you Sarah for the good luck in work card. Its like starting work all over again. Can anyone else remember those first precious days in the Inland Revenue? Ah, what joy... J x

Just Bought a Prada Tie

Am I wicked? J x

Grand Designs

Gill and I attended the NEC today. Traffic was a nightmare (there and back) but the show itself was good. Pretty much what you'd expect really in the way of stalls etc although I did think that it might have been bigger. Anyway, picked up leaflets etc on loads of different stuff and just need to sort through it all and decide what it is I like and what I don't (and which is the cheapest).

Forgot to phone doctor today so will have to do that Monday. Apparently it is not enough for myself and my manager to be happy for me to start back at work but my GP has to agree (in writing) too. Expect I'll get charged for the letter... J x

Yippee

Saw Indu first at Christies. She's lovely. I'm not sure of her status - registrar, junior doc etc but she always seemed to be on the ward when I was there and has always been really helpful and aware of a patient's needs. Anyway, she felt my neck, examined my mouth and, from nowhere, produced a tube to stick up my nose and down my throat (I'm thinking of having one of these fitted permanently). She professed herself very happy with everything she observed and said I looked fantastic (which I do - I was all in black and looking like a size zero). Young Sean bobbed in and had a chat. He thinks I may be able to have implants to replace my back teeth but he wasn't sure. They'll arrange for me to see the Christies dentist. Sean seemed very happy with everything too. Then Debbie and Charlotte (who is the new Caroline) popped in. Debbie was the one who was supposed to be getting me some gel for my scarring. She said she thought Caroline had given me the gel... I asked if she knew Caroline which was the only comment I needed to make! She's going to see if we can source it through Christies (apparently it costs £50 per tube!).

The really good news is that everyone is happy for me to start work (slowly) so its confirmed that I'll be in 3 mornings a week from next Tuesday (bunting not required although big hugs would be nice). Off to Birmingham tomorrow with Gill for the Grand Designs show at the NEC. Looking forward to that. And that's about all. Toodle pip. j x

Progress

Drank some black coffee today. It was quite weak and very sweet and I only managed half a cup but it didn't kill me or even make me choke so I was pleased. Also had an appointment to see the physios by way of referral from the Intensive Care Unit. It sounds as though this referral concentrates more on general fitness, stamina etc rather than focussing on specifics (i.e. shoulder, back) like the original referral. The 2 separate courses should therefore be complimentary to each other. Also spoke to Dave (temporary manager) and have agreed, subject to Sean's approval, to start work next week doing 3 mornings a week (this, according to Dave, is also known as a "Dave Black week").

Also bought some work shoes. Night everyone. J x

Busy Busy Busy

A relatively busy weekend which included buying a suit that fits (starting work a week today hopefully subject to the OK from young Sean on Thursday), taking a tour round Victoria baths (the one that won that Restoration programme) helping Denise buy a jacket (we didn't get one but will be launching another attempt on Sunday) going to the theatre to see Me and My Girl (not the best production ever but enjoyable nevertheless) and a visit from Karen (the most exhausting of the lot - just joking, it was great to see her). Phew. Bit of a rest day today. Spoke to Mrs T who is currently on holiday in Amble in Northumberland. What a fantastic name for a place. Amble. You imagine that not a lot goes on there. Also did some washing and not much else. Slept for three hours this afternoon. And that's about it. Nothing much happening now until Thursday so I'll let you have a report then. Night everyone. J x