Well, it isn't really the New Year yet is it but I need to tick this one off as I've not been out much recently. The weather has been dire and my health even worse. I've not even braved the gym.
I must have been desperate because the wind was bitter and there was rain. Rain FGS! You will have learned that I am usually a fair weather runner, but having a new cold weather running top from Father Christmas off we went; a close call on the ice at the bottom of the road foretold a slow and stuttering 5k. But we made it without toppling into the canal and it's good to be back out. Hopefully the year will see an improvement in both time and distance. Maybe.
Tuesday, 29 December 2009
Friday, 25 December 2009
Good Morning and a Very Merry Christmas.
What, you may ask, am I doing blogging on t'internet on Christmas morning? Well. All is calm and peaceful here - my husband is at work until noon and the children, if you can still call them children are languishing in their beds. He'll probably be back before they surface.
I'm having a cuppa (with the obligatory tot of whisky), have my Christmas socks on and my feet up. Tis the calm before the storm; I'll have to battle with a 14lb turkey shortly, plus all the trimmings so I'm making the best of it and refusing to be stressed at least for the time being. By 1.30 I'll probably be redfaced and the air will be blue as I'll have burnt the carrots and forgotten the cranberry. Wouldn't be Christmas without a bit of swearing!
Enjoy!
I'm having a cuppa (with the obligatory tot of whisky), have my Christmas socks on and my feet up. Tis the calm before the storm; I'll have to battle with a 14lb turkey shortly, plus all the trimmings so I'm making the best of it and refusing to be stressed at least for the time being. By 1.30 I'll probably be redfaced and the air will be blue as I'll have burnt the carrots and forgotten the cranberry. Wouldn't be Christmas without a bit of swearing!
Enjoy!
Friday, 11 December 2009
Greetings....
I am still here, just not finding the time to blog much. Plus since number2 son went off to uni I've had my computer time seriously curtailed by my other two offspring as we only have one other decent laptop in the house. He'll be back shortly though and the bloke in red may be bringing a new laptop too. Note to self - may need more download allowance :-o.
I've got a well-earned morning off on Saturday so I'll post an Autumn catch-up then.
Laters x
I've got a well-earned morning off on Saturday so I'll post an Autumn catch-up then.
Laters x
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
For Harry, My Father In Law.
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there, I did not die.
Mary Elizabeth Fry
Saturday, 24 October 2009
Not your average 16 year old
Emily is 16 today.
And she's not here - she's in Germany on a school History trip. Off they went at stupid o'clock this morning. I pity the staff I really do - just four of them here for a pizza party and the noise level was off the scale. If you flew Heathrow to Munich at around 7 am this morning I do apologise.
We didn't really get what it said on the tin when Emily arrived. For starters I thought she was going to be another boy, and she was supposed to be of average weight. She doesn't know the meaning of the word and weighed in from the off at just shy of 10lbs. And obviously she had some out of the ordinary plumbing and has developed an out of the ordinary attitude to life.
Happy Birthday Em. Enjoy. I know you will.
And she's not here - she's in Germany on a school History trip. Off they went at stupid o'clock this morning. I pity the staff I really do - just four of them here for a pizza party and the noise level was off the scale. If you flew Heathrow to Munich at around 7 am this morning I do apologise.
We didn't really get what it said on the tin when Emily arrived. For starters I thought she was going to be another boy, and she was supposed to be of average weight. She doesn't know the meaning of the word and weighed in from the off at just shy of 10lbs. And obviously she had some out of the ordinary plumbing and has developed an out of the ordinary attitude to life.
Happy Birthday Em. Enjoy. I know you will.
Monday, 5 October 2009
So a week has gone by and my purse is a little heavier, my washing basket a little less overflowing and the fridge a little fuller. But the house is a little more empty and not quite so insane. I do miss him.
Saturday, 26 September 2009
This week's news
We had a trip to cardiology this week (following our cancellation a short time ago) - and all is well. Actually, all is the same which is still good news. Emily has to go back in a couple of weeks for a treadmill test to measure her exercise tolerance (or lack of). This will be interesting. As is the way with many teenage girls, exercise is not very de riguer and she doesn't find getting redfaced and sweaty very appealling. Watch this space!
Another piece of news this week is that the DWP with their usual predictability have turned down our renewal request. I find it a little disconcerting that the same claim that produced an award last time is unsuccessful this time. I wouldn't mind so much if they were bloody consistent.
No2 son (and the no2 only describes the order in which they arrived, I must make this clear) is off to uni tomorrow. Sob. On the plus side my recycling bin will not be full of beer cans and the phone bill might be a little less. Every cloud and all that.
Another piece of news this week is that the DWP with their usual predictability have turned down our renewal request. I find it a little disconcerting that the same claim that produced an award last time is unsuccessful this time. I wouldn't mind so much if they were bloody consistent.
No2 son (and the no2 only describes the order in which they arrived, I must make this clear) is off to uni tomorrow. Sob. On the plus side my recycling bin will not be full of beer cans and the phone bill might be a little less. Every cloud and all that.
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
Extraordinary task #345 & Sod's Law
In order to keep on top of the mess that continually rises around me I set myself a couple of extraordinary tasks every week. You know the sort; tidying the linen cupboard (I'd enjoy that but I don't have one), the glory hole (under the stairs, to the uninitiated) and wiping the skirting boards (I don't look down for the rest of the time).
Today's task is the Man Drawer. You've heard of these haven't you? Even households without man in them have a Man Drawer.
Here's ours.
It contains many Useful Things, for example, expired Library Cards - for scraping ice from your windscreen. Mainly though it holds useless items that no-one takes responsibility for throwing away; Pencils (blunt) and pens (mostly with no ink), expired batteries, non working headphones, the 'gifts' from last Christmas's crackers.......ad infinitum.
Every so often I have a good clearout but you know what? The very next day I find that I need that Thing that was in the Man Drawer and I have to rummage through the bin for it and restore it to it's rightful home admidst much raised eyebrows and 'I told you so' from the Man of the House. Sod's Law.
Today's task is the Man Drawer. You've heard of these haven't you? Even households without man in them have a Man Drawer.
Here's ours.
It contains many Useful Things, for example, expired Library Cards - for scraping ice from your windscreen. Mainly though it holds useless items that no-one takes responsibility for throwing away; Pencils (blunt) and pens (mostly with no ink), expired batteries, non working headphones, the 'gifts' from last Christmas's crackers.......ad infinitum.
Every so often I have a good clearout but you know what? The very next day I find that I need that Thing that was in the Man Drawer and I have to rummage through the bin for it and restore it to it's rightful home admidst much raised eyebrows and 'I told you so' from the Man of the House. Sod's Law.
Friday, 4 September 2009
PAT has gone...
But in the worst possible way; the appointment was cancelled. This is most frustrating. Note that I'm being incredibly polite here and respecting that I may have sensitive readers who don't wish to read my effing and jeffing. It means that PAT hasn't truly gone and is just lurking in the corner ready to pounce.
I will Keep Calm and Carry On.
I will Keep Calm and Carry On.
Friday, 28 August 2009
I have a visitor. PAT is here.
PAT has arrived and is an unwelcome visitor. She came a little later this time as I've been busy and my head has been elsewhere, but she's here all the same.
PAT - Pre appoinment tension (this is an abridged version with all credit given to the lovely Sheran at Heartline)
PAT is a chronic condition suffered by parents with sick children. The symptoms of which are mild until the arrival of the brown envelope where by they become ever more acute leading up to the appointment day.
The arrival of the envelope and date is sometimes accompanied by the very early stages of the acute condition. Trembling hands, moist eyes, butterflies in tummies, feelings of both regret and sadness are common. As is an overwhelming physical urge to burn the blooming thing and run away with the child in question. Sensible sufferers can now go on the internet and book train tickets. The additional cost of transport can sometimes cause an additional strain on sufferers of PAT.
Shortly after the arrival of the envelope sufferers often report an increase in symptoms in their child. Common symptoms in CHD children include blueness, breathlessness and fatigue all of which increase in the weeks leading to the appointment.
It is not uncommon in sufferers whose children have the additional diagnosis of failure to thrive to start force feeding their children with a diet higher in fat, chocolate and rolo yoghurts. As panic sets in the childs consumption of double cream increases proportionately and can sometimes double. Older children may complain but can normally be bribed by playstation games. Do not forget to hide the dance mat and any favourite fruits! PAT sufferers are encouraged not to tell their partners the full cost of the shopping bill during these weeks.
PAT affects parents in different ways – a fortnight before the appointment (or as soon as the symptoms in your child are highlighted) it is not unheard of for parents to change. Appetites can increase (in the form of comfort eating) or decrease but rarely stay the same. Relationships are sometimes strained especially if one parent is more laid back that the other.
It is not uncommon for the slightest thing to cause major family rows especially if his friends or family insist that everything will be OK at the appointment. Things not to say to PAT sufferers include ‘it’s a miracle what they can do these days’ and ‘I don’t know how you cope’.
Other strange behaviour include poor sleep, lack of desire (female PAT sufferers often go through a stage of being petrified of getting pregnant), nightmares of the time your child was in hospital – or most commonly a fear that your childs symptoms have now developed at such an alarming rate you really should have booked a single train ticket to the hospital and will be packing an overnight bag.
Posting on Heartline is a great idea. As anxiety builds so does the consumption of chocolate, wine and cigarettes (if smoked). All of which leads to increased despair.
Once the aforementioned bag is packed expect to be up all night feeling like a condemned person. Your child will be so poorly by this time you will be up checking them every hour anyway!
The morning of the appointment!
Early morning appointments mean up at the crack of dawn – this is fun when you have had no sleep. Other sufferers recommend a cup of strong tea, two paracetamol and a shower in something zingy this seems to work well. As does the wearing of lucky clothing – top, pants, jewellery.
Wake the child up but do not expect it to eat. Feeding a pre appointment child at 5am together with its meds will lead to it throwing up at 8am in the middle of a packed commuter train (hence packing sanitary protection even if not normally required)! Far better to take some bread for them to eat later.
It is acceptable to put little ones in their hospital top the night before – you will be stressed enough without them being!
It is not uncommon to feel sick, nauseous or have an upset stomach the morning of appointment. Feelings of despair and great sadness are normal as are the ‘why the hell did this happen to ________’s/. Some suffers in advanced stages can suffer from shakes and numbness.
One thing that female sufferers should not do is wear make up. Because if the news is good at the appointment PAT makes you inappropriately friendly to medical staff (kissing and hugging can happen). I also recommend a very good deodorant as stress and hospitals can make you very hot and sweaty.
Post-appointment it doesn’t matter how it goes there will be tears – perhaps elation – but expect the next few days to be rough. You have been reminded that there is something wrong with your child and they will be getting away with murder. Travelling to the appointment is tiring for your child and they will be lethargic afterwards – this increase in fatigue will automatically be put down to whether it is their heart.
Once the clinic letter has arrived (which hopefully you can decipher) the symptoms of PAT gradually return from the acute to the chronic. This is normally about the same child as your child steps a bit too far over the line and you start telling them off again!
Until the next time...
PAT - Pre appoinment tension (this is an abridged version with all credit given to the lovely Sheran at Heartline)
PAT is a chronic condition suffered by parents with sick children. The symptoms of which are mild until the arrival of the brown envelope where by they become ever more acute leading up to the appointment day.
The arrival of the envelope and date is sometimes accompanied by the very early stages of the acute condition. Trembling hands, moist eyes, butterflies in tummies, feelings of both regret and sadness are common. As is an overwhelming physical urge to burn the blooming thing and run away with the child in question. Sensible sufferers can now go on the internet and book train tickets. The additional cost of transport can sometimes cause an additional strain on sufferers of PAT.
Shortly after the arrival of the envelope sufferers often report an increase in symptoms in their child. Common symptoms in CHD children include blueness, breathlessness and fatigue all of which increase in the weeks leading to the appointment.
It is not uncommon in sufferers whose children have the additional diagnosis of failure to thrive to start force feeding their children with a diet higher in fat, chocolate and rolo yoghurts. As panic sets in the childs consumption of double cream increases proportionately and can sometimes double. Older children may complain but can normally be bribed by playstation games. Do not forget to hide the dance mat and any favourite fruits! PAT sufferers are encouraged not to tell their partners the full cost of the shopping bill during these weeks.
PAT affects parents in different ways – a fortnight before the appointment (or as soon as the symptoms in your child are highlighted) it is not unheard of for parents to change. Appetites can increase (in the form of comfort eating) or decrease but rarely stay the same. Relationships are sometimes strained especially if one parent is more laid back that the other.
It is not uncommon for the slightest thing to cause major family rows especially if his friends or family insist that everything will be OK at the appointment. Things not to say to PAT sufferers include ‘it’s a miracle what they can do these days’ and ‘I don’t know how you cope’.
Other strange behaviour include poor sleep, lack of desire (female PAT sufferers often go through a stage of being petrified of getting pregnant), nightmares of the time your child was in hospital – or most commonly a fear that your childs symptoms have now developed at such an alarming rate you really should have booked a single train ticket to the hospital and will be packing an overnight bag.
Posting on Heartline is a great idea. As anxiety builds so does the consumption of chocolate, wine and cigarettes (if smoked). All of which leads to increased despair.
Once the aforementioned bag is packed expect to be up all night feeling like a condemned person. Your child will be so poorly by this time you will be up checking them every hour anyway!
The morning of the appointment!
Early morning appointments mean up at the crack of dawn – this is fun when you have had no sleep. Other sufferers recommend a cup of strong tea, two paracetamol and a shower in something zingy this seems to work well. As does the wearing of lucky clothing – top, pants, jewellery.
Wake the child up but do not expect it to eat. Feeding a pre appointment child at 5am together with its meds will lead to it throwing up at 8am in the middle of a packed commuter train (hence packing sanitary protection even if not normally required)! Far better to take some bread for them to eat later.
It is acceptable to put little ones in their hospital top the night before – you will be stressed enough without them being!
It is not uncommon to feel sick, nauseous or have an upset stomach the morning of appointment. Feelings of despair and great sadness are normal as are the ‘why the hell did this happen to ________’s/. Some suffers in advanced stages can suffer from shakes and numbness.
One thing that female sufferers should not do is wear make up. Because if the news is good at the appointment PAT makes you inappropriately friendly to medical staff (kissing and hugging can happen). I also recommend a very good deodorant as stress and hospitals can make you very hot and sweaty.
Post-appointment it doesn’t matter how it goes there will be tears – perhaps elation – but expect the next few days to be rough. You have been reminded that there is something wrong with your child and they will be getting away with murder. Travelling to the appointment is tiring for your child and they will be lethargic afterwards – this increase in fatigue will automatically be put down to whether it is their heart.
Once the clinic letter has arrived (which hopefully you can decipher) the symptoms of PAT gradually return from the acute to the chronic. This is normally about the same child as your child steps a bit too far over the line and you start telling them off again!
Until the next time...
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Friday, 21 August 2009
Good news.
My middle child (not so much of a child now) picked up his A level results yesterday. He got his grades and is off to Uni in September. Watch out Lancaster!
And Emily is back from Portugal, having had a fabulous time. I'm awaiting photos but I think she's vetting them first!
And Emily is back from Portugal, having had a fabulous time. I'm awaiting photos but I think she's vetting them first!
Sunday, 16 August 2009
Friday, 14 August 2009
More holiday photos...
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Children's Heart Federation - Project Portugal
Well, we've left Emily at Gatwick Airport in the care of the Children's Heart Federation - she's jetting off to Portugal with them as part of their Teen Forum Activity weekend. I was surprised to observe that her's wasn't the biggest suitcase on the trolley. She must have cut back on the number of pairs of shoes she intended to take.
They will be updating their Facebook page so feel free to check it out.
Children's Heart Federation on Facebook
As I have the laptop to myself for a few days I might be able to upload some more holiday photos shortly.
Edit :- I have just realised (whilst wandering the aisles in Sainsbury's) that I didn't tell Em that she'd need a travel adapter for her hairdryer and straighteners. I will be in Big Trouble if she's been unable to borrow one and her hair is like a bird's nest!
They will be updating their Facebook page so feel free to check it out.
Children's Heart Federation on Facebook
As I have the laptop to myself for a few days I might be able to upload some more holiday photos shortly.
Edit :- I have just realised (whilst wandering the aisles in Sainsbury's) that I didn't tell Em that she'd need a travel adapter for her hairdryer and straighteners. I will be in Big Trouble if she's been unable to borrow one and her hair is like a bird's nest!
Monday, 10 August 2009
The Walker with Heart
He's here on The Plinth raising awareness of Congenital Heart Disease and adding to his walking total.
WELL DONE PAUL! YOU'RE A STAR!
Paul Willgoss - The Walker with Heart
WELL DONE PAUL! YOU'RE A STAR!
Paul Willgoss - The Walker with Heart
Saturday, 8 August 2009
Back from holiday. Otherwise entitled 'What is that strange brown stuff on the living room ceiling and how did it get there?'
Yes, there are many similar questions which I suspect will go unanswered, for example....
How do you fill a 240 litre recycling bin, 4 carrier bags and a crisp box with beer cans in 10 days?
At what point does a 'small gathering' become a party?
Whose is the loose change I found in my bed and where is my extra pillow?
Why is there egg (hopefully it's egg) on my kitchen ceiling and what appears to be red wine in my tea caddy?
Who is the owner of the Nicorette gum in the bathroom cabinet?
And has there been an experiment to see how long it takes for the scraps in the windowsill recycling box to turn into penicillin?
On the upside, my lovely neighbours appear to have no complaints, the police weren't called and the house hasn't burned down. I'm grateful for small mercies but do appear to have been lax in teaching the boys the finer points of cleaning. This must be addressed.
As memories of a relaxing holiday appear to have been rudely ushered out of my mind and time short, here it is in pictures;
We went to the seaside
How do you fill a 240 litre recycling bin, 4 carrier bags and a crisp box with beer cans in 10 days?
At what point does a 'small gathering' become a party?
Whose is the loose change I found in my bed and where is my extra pillow?
Why is there egg (hopefully it's egg) on my kitchen ceiling and what appears to be red wine in my tea caddy?
Who is the owner of the Nicorette gum in the bathroom cabinet?
And has there been an experiment to see how long it takes for the scraps in the windowsill recycling box to turn into penicillin?
On the upside, my lovely neighbours appear to have no complaints, the police weren't called and the house hasn't burned down. I'm grateful for small mercies but do appear to have been lax in teaching the boys the finer points of cleaning. This must be addressed.
As memories of a relaxing holiday appear to have been rudely ushered out of my mind and time short, here it is in pictures;
We went to the seaside
The weather was unpredictable but we managed to sunbathe, go on the water and in the water and have some laughs.
We ate fish and chips and drank much wine (although it seems not as much as the boys).
This is Fred. He liked fish and chips too.
Hmm where did Fred's photo go? You're intrigued now aren't you?
More to come but I'm drowning in washing, the holiday stuff, plus what I left in the basket before I went, plus a large pile of ironing the boys haven't done. I'm ignoring that one. Still, they did wash and they didn't flood the house.
Thursday, 23 July 2009
This blog is closed for maintenance
No not really. My husband and I (arf I sound like the Queen) and our offspring are off down South for a couple of weeks. As I have neither the equipment nor the knowledge to blog from anywhere other than a computer I shall bid you all a fond, if temporary, farewell.
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
Good run this week - according to MapMyRun around 8k or 4.8 miles in old money. We did it in around 52 minutes which obviously isn't going to break any records but that did include a tactical 2 minute walk at halfway to take on some water as it was warm (the weather not the water).
This is something that I haven't mastered in 10 years of running - drinking whilst on the move. I know the mechanics; take a mouthful, hold it in your mouth, breathe out then swallow. But I just can't co-ordinate it. I either end up with most of it down my front or it goes down the wrong way and I go even redder in the face than I usually am. I will persevere.
This is something that I haven't mastered in 10 years of running - drinking whilst on the move. I know the mechanics; take a mouthful, hold it in your mouth, breathe out then swallow. But I just can't co-ordinate it. I either end up with most of it down my front or it goes down the wrong way and I go even redder in the face than I usually am. I will persevere.
Wednesday, 8 July 2009
Still busy...
Work is a bit full on at the moment - it's the end of term and whilst the rest of school are winding down the admin side cranks up a notch or two. It's great though, I like being busy and I have seven weeks holiday to look forward to.
Emily will be well travelled this summer - she's just got back from her Geography field trip, we have two weeks in Devon booked and then she goes from there pretty much straight to Portugal. In the Autumn she's off to Berlin with her school history group. The Portugal trip was a bit of a surprise. She applied to be part of the Children's Heart Federation Teen Forum - got accepted and the first thing they're doing is a team building jolly in the sunshine. I expect there'll be photos later. I notice that the blogged photos have been rather thin on the ground lately so I'll try to rectify that soonish.
Running is going well - two good runs last week, one of them in blazing sunshine resulting in one side of my face being browner than the other!
Emily will be well travelled this summer - she's just got back from her Geography field trip, we have two weeks in Devon booked and then she goes from there pretty much straight to Portugal. In the Autumn she's off to Berlin with her school history group. The Portugal trip was a bit of a surprise. She applied to be part of the Children's Heart Federation Teen Forum - got accepted and the first thing they're doing is a team building jolly in the sunshine. I expect there'll be photos later. I notice that the blogged photos have been rather thin on the ground lately so I'll try to rectify that soonish.
Running is going well - two good runs last week, one of them in blazing sunshine resulting in one side of my face being browner than the other!
Saturday, 27 June 2009
So much to do, so little time.....
.....so the blog got a little neglected.
Been busy at work as the end of term is approaching (15 days and counting), loads of home related admin too, plus Em and her brother have had exams, Student Finance to sort (honestly they want to know so much about you and it's only for a blimmin loan, anyone would think it didn't have to be paid back!), school trips........excuses, excuses. I have managed to keep up with the gym and the running though despite not blogging it.
Last weekend we did my favourite run, plus I walked the same route on Wednesday in the sunshine and I've been to the gym twice. This is all good as I've eaten out twice too and drunk more than necessary. As we're going on holiday 4 weeks today this is Not Good News. And we really need to up the mileage if we're going to enter a 10k or two. Must do better. I say that alot don't I?
Been busy at work as the end of term is approaching (15 days and counting), loads of home related admin too, plus Em and her brother have had exams, Student Finance to sort (honestly they want to know so much about you and it's only for a blimmin loan, anyone would think it didn't have to be paid back!), school trips........excuses, excuses. I have managed to keep up with the gym and the running though despite not blogging it.
Last weekend we did my favourite run, plus I walked the same route on Wednesday in the sunshine and I've been to the gym twice. This is all good as I've eaten out twice too and drunk more than necessary. As we're going on holiday 4 weeks today this is Not Good News. And we really need to up the mileage if we're going to enter a 10k or two. Must do better. I say that alot don't I?
Saturday, 6 June 2009
Sunday, 31 May 2009
Lovely weather we're having....
Sorry for the absence; it's been too nice to be tied to the laptop and also we've been away for a few days. We took Em to London. She loved it, felt very 'at home' and fancys going to Art College there. It looks like I'll have to start saving my pennies. More photos later.
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
So, running, yes, well.......
Ha! I thought that my promise to blog my miles would have helped me do a few extra. No such luck, or motivation come to that. I did go for a teensy little one at the weekend but it wasn't even worth blogging.
Must do better. And refrain from eating cake.
Must do better. And refrain from eating cake.
Sunday, 10 May 2009
A mother on the run
I run a little. I'm no Paula Radcliffe but I enjoy it. I've been running now for oh, over 10 years I suppose. It surprised me a little because it was something I hated when I was younger but getting out with a couple of friends, jogging and chatting, albeit in short sentences does me the world of good. I'll never see a race from the front of the pack that's for sure, my faster days are way past (if they ever existed) but 45 minutes out in the fresh air, getting red-faced and out of puff is just fab.
I'll try to get around to blogging my weekly run totals. They're not marathon distances :-D
This week
Monday 3 miles
Friday 2 1/2 miles (but fast)
Sunday 4 and a bit miles (big hill)
I've been to the gym twice too this week but I don't run there, I crosstrain, row and do some weights. For some reason I don't get on with treadmill running - I can't relax, it makes me tense and my legs ache (more than usual!) Hopefully I'm going to get out this week, walk my favourite route and take some photos.
I'll try to get around to blogging my weekly run totals. They're not marathon distances :-D
This week
Monday 3 miles
Friday 2 1/2 miles (but fast)
Sunday 4 and a bit miles (big hill)
I've been to the gym twice too this week but I don't run there, I crosstrain, row and do some weights. For some reason I don't get on with treadmill running - I can't relax, it makes me tense and my legs ache (more than usual!) Hopefully I'm going to get out this week, walk my favourite route and take some photos.
Saturday, 9 May 2009
Witterings and Procrastination
I've broken my mobile. Dropped it on the kitchen floor and now the screen is blank. I need a new hoover and a sandwich toaster.
That's the wittering over.
I'm still not doing. I'm procrastinating and dithering and being unproductive.
So today I need to; plant out some bedding (but first get some compost and a new pot), get the camera back from the repair shop (hurrah!), do some washing & ironing, think what to have for tea. I hate thinking what to have for tea (dinner if you're that way inclined) It is the bane of my life. I don't mind the buying and the cooking, just the actual decision making. And this, reader, is the root of the problem. Procrastination.
Update - tea is steak and roasted veg, the washing got done but only a little of the ironing, the camera is back. I haven't planted out because I refuse to pay £14.99 for a 'fake stone' plastic pot!! Well I tried.
That's the wittering over.
I'm still not doing. I'm procrastinating and dithering and being unproductive.
So today I need to; plant out some bedding (but first get some compost and a new pot), get the camera back from the repair shop (hurrah!), do some washing & ironing, think what to have for tea. I hate thinking what to have for tea (dinner if you're that way inclined) It is the bane of my life. I don't mind the buying and the cooking, just the actual decision making. And this, reader, is the root of the problem. Procrastination.
Update - tea is steak and roasted veg, the washing got done but only a little of the ironing, the camera is back. I haven't planted out because I refuse to pay £14.99 for a 'fake stone' plastic pot!! Well I tried.
Friday, 1 May 2009
Don't panic! Don't panic!
I'm picking up our new car today. Well, it's new for us being just 3 years old. Our other car had become less than reliable and it was making me nervous; the thought of breaking down in the middle of the rush hour puts me into a bit of a panic.
And talking of panic, all this talk of a swine flu pandemic is a little OTT isn't it? Or is it? Should we be worried? Should we be confined to barracks and stocking up on tinned goods? I'll be OK there though as my mum is always in readiness for the next disaster, be it a water shortage (she has lots of bottled), dirty bomb (duct tape for the windows) or a shortage of gas (camping gas canisters). Her house is the destination on the zombie plan.
Still, the Bank Holiday approaches and I have a lovely long weekend away from work. Don't worry, Be Happy!
And talking of panic, all this talk of a swine flu pandemic is a little OTT isn't it? Or is it? Should we be worried? Should we be confined to barracks and stocking up on tinned goods? I'll be OK there though as my mum is always in readiness for the next disaster, be it a water shortage (she has lots of bottled), dirty bomb (duct tape for the windows) or a shortage of gas (camping gas canisters). Her house is the destination on the zombie plan.
Still, the Bank Holiday approaches and I have a lovely long weekend away from work. Don't worry, Be Happy!
Sunday, 26 April 2009
Thursday, 16 April 2009
Time flies when you're having fun.......!?
I'm not sure where this week went. One moment it was there stretching in front of me and now it's almost over. I seem to have done very little. It's not been helped mind you by the car deciding that it's terminally ill and languishing in the garage. It's been grumpy for a while now but appears to have decided that enough is enough, and that we must aquire another. I like shopping but would prefer that it wasn't for a new motor. Emily's camera is also broken and as you can imagine she is somewhat bereft without it.
We did manage to get out for a good walk this week (for walk read 7 mile hike). Dovedale is a short drive from us and we walked from there up to Milldale, then up and over to Bunster Hill and Ilam. It was, well, invigorating shall we say?
Footbridge over the Dove.
This is the view of Dovedale from Bunster Hill.
Photographs courtesy of Neil Haslewood at www.walkthelakes.co.uk
We did manage to get out for a good walk this week (for walk read 7 mile hike). Dovedale is a short drive from us and we walked from there up to Milldale, then up and over to Bunster Hill and Ilam. It was, well, invigorating shall we say?
Footbridge over the Dove.
This is the view of Dovedale from Bunster Hill.Photographs courtesy of Neil Haslewood at www.walkthelakes.co.uk
Friday, 10 April 2009
Friday, 3 April 2009
Sunday, 29 March 2009
Em's leg surgery
A couple of people have e-mailed me recently about Emily's leg surgery so I thought I'd blog it.
Back at the beginning of the blog I wrote about an embolism that she had in her leg after her first surgery. The clot had to be surgically removed and as she was so tiny quite a bit of damage was done to her femoral artery. The upshot of it was that the leg didn't grow for a while and by the time she began to walk at around 17 months her right leg was obviously shorter and thinner than the left. She was having physio as she was generally a little delayed in her development and it was clear that she had a weakness in her leg that was hindering her mobility. After a referral to orthopaedics we had a 6 monthly checks and the growth in that leg continued to fall short for a while. Eventually it stablised and CT scans showed it to be around 3.5 cm shorter. She wore a raised shoe throughout her childhood and thankfully this minimised the development of scoliosis although she was plagued by hip and leg pain.
Our lovely surgeon suggested a procedure called epiphysiodesis; basically arresting the growth in the 'good' leg to allow the shorter leg to catch up. He kept an eye on her growth via the CT scans and she had bone age x-rays as the timing of the surgery is very important. She had the initial procedure done around her 12th birthday. The surgery involves placing pins (they look like mahoosive Frankenstien bolts on the x-ray) around the growth plates; two crossing the plate above the knee in the femur, two crossing the plate under the knee and a little one at the top of the little leg bone (I have no idea about the proper name of it). Around two years later she was deemed to have equal length legs and the pins were removed. Placing the pins was more painful and intrusive than removing them and recover was slower. She spent some time on crutches, about 3 weeks for the placement and also had physio but she quickly regained the range of movement in her knee although the physio commented that both her legs had global weakness. She has lost a little of her adult height through the procedure but is heading towards 5ft 5 so it is not a noticeable loss.
After many years of having to choose her footwear carefully to cope with the raise she can now wear shoes like those chosen by many teenagers. Even if her dad disapproves!
Back at the beginning of the blog I wrote about an embolism that she had in her leg after her first surgery. The clot had to be surgically removed and as she was so tiny quite a bit of damage was done to her femoral artery. The upshot of it was that the leg didn't grow for a while and by the time she began to walk at around 17 months her right leg was obviously shorter and thinner than the left. She was having physio as she was generally a little delayed in her development and it was clear that she had a weakness in her leg that was hindering her mobility. After a referral to orthopaedics we had a 6 monthly checks and the growth in that leg continued to fall short for a while. Eventually it stablised and CT scans showed it to be around 3.5 cm shorter. She wore a raised shoe throughout her childhood and thankfully this minimised the development of scoliosis although she was plagued by hip and leg pain.
Our lovely surgeon suggested a procedure called epiphysiodesis; basically arresting the growth in the 'good' leg to allow the shorter leg to catch up. He kept an eye on her growth via the CT scans and she had bone age x-rays as the timing of the surgery is very important. She had the initial procedure done around her 12th birthday. The surgery involves placing pins (they look like mahoosive Frankenstien bolts on the x-ray) around the growth plates; two crossing the plate above the knee in the femur, two crossing the plate under the knee and a little one at the top of the little leg bone (I have no idea about the proper name of it). Around two years later she was deemed to have equal length legs and the pins were removed. Placing the pins was more painful and intrusive than removing them and recover was slower. She spent some time on crutches, about 3 weeks for the placement and also had physio but she quickly regained the range of movement in her knee although the physio commented that both her legs had global weakness. She has lost a little of her adult height through the procedure but is heading towards 5ft 5 so it is not a noticeable loss.
After many years of having to choose her footwear carefully to cope with the raise she can now wear shoes like those chosen by many teenagers. Even if her dad disapproves!
Friday, 27 March 2009
Monday, 23 March 2009
A belated Happy Mother's Day and Coming Home Part 2
Happy Mother's Day for yesterday. Hope everyone had a lovely time and that you were well looked after by your children. Thoughts to those who no longer have their mums or their children with them.
The Coming Home Part 2 reminded me of a past Mother's Day. I've been in London over the weekend - quite a change from the norm for me as I don't get away often - on my return yesterday the house was filled with a most fabulous scent. It was the smell of the blue hyacinth sitting on my kitchen windowsill.
The smell brings back memories of a happy Mother's Day in 1994. This was the first Mothering Sunday after having Emily - she had been in hospital for many weeks and had just escaped from PICU on to the general cardiac ward. Her dad had brought down the boys to see us and they had presented me with a cut blue hyacinth for Mother's Day. I'm sure it was probably purchased from the service station on the M6 but it is the thought that counts. The flower lived for an age on the windowsill of my tiny room in the parent's accommodation block, filling the room with its scent and greeting me when I walked in of an evening. The smell reminds me of that time and they are happy memories because she was getting better and I knew by then that I would be bringing her home.
Friday, 20 March 2009
Spring. At last!
Evidence of Spring in the Friday photos. All these have been taken in our garden this week.
Thursday, 19 March 2009
I love coming home.....
The cardiac catheter went ahead as planned on Tuesday and we're now back home. Hurray!
The upshot of the test showed that the pressures in Emily's right ventricle we're way too high because of the narrowed pulmonary artery. The possibility of this had been discussed previously so the consultant went ahead and did a balloon dilation of the artery to stretch the narrowing and hopefully relieve some of the pressure. He was succesful and we will have to go back on a few months to check that the artery has remained stretched. Fingers crossed. In the meantime it will mean her heart is working less hard and she'll maybe have a bit more energy. More good news is that her coronary artery tunnel has excellent flow. Emily's left coronary is made up of pulmonary tissue and passes through her pulmonary artery which makes the balloon dilation more complex, as it wouldn't be good to cause it any injury.
We had our own room on the ward which was fab as it was busy and very noisy with lots of babies and toddlers making themselves heard. Not good when mixed with a fragile and slightly anxious teenager. As usual the staff were lovely and were very careful to maintain a degree of privacy for Emily. We also had a chat about making the transition to adult services which I think we're both feeling a little happier about now.
Best be off - she wants egg on toast!
The upshot of the test showed that the pressures in Emily's right ventricle we're way too high because of the narrowed pulmonary artery. The possibility of this had been discussed previously so the consultant went ahead and did a balloon dilation of the artery to stretch the narrowing and hopefully relieve some of the pressure. He was succesful and we will have to go back on a few months to check that the artery has remained stretched. Fingers crossed. In the meantime it will mean her heart is working less hard and she'll maybe have a bit more energy. More good news is that her coronary artery tunnel has excellent flow. Emily's left coronary is made up of pulmonary tissue and passes through her pulmonary artery which makes the balloon dilation more complex, as it wouldn't be good to cause it any injury.
We had our own room on the ward which was fab as it was busy and very noisy with lots of babies and toddlers making themselves heard. Not good when mixed with a fragile and slightly anxious teenager. As usual the staff were lovely and were very careful to maintain a degree of privacy for Emily. We also had a chat about making the transition to adult services which I think we're both feeling a little happier about now.
Best be off - she wants egg on toast!
Saturday, 14 March 2009
New date & the late Friday photo
New date is Tuesday 17th March. Third time lucky eh?
One from the garden. Still searching for Spring here.
One from the garden. Still searching for Spring here.
Friday, 6 March 2009
Being thankful.
I came online today with the intention of having a bit of a moan. We're still waiting for Emily's new cath date - that was the crux of it. But before I logged in here I went to check on a couple of blogs belonging to friends. The bottom line is that I'm not going to winge any longer. I have nothing to winge about, infact I have everything to be thankful for. Think on.
And on that note here are this Friday's photos....
And on that note here are this Friday's photos....
These were taken at the Trentham estate this week; the first is the view from the monument and the other two the Wheel currently residing by the lakeside.
Thursday, 5 March 2009
Spring? Where?
Well I thought that Spring had arrived at the beginning of the week but last night we had more snow!
We did go for a bracing walk yesterday around the Trentham Estate (photo tomorrow). It was bright but cold and not a little muddy underfoot. The Esate is the focus of much disgruntlement locally as the owners wish to charge for the Woodland Walks, which have in the past been free to access. I'm not completely against charging but personally think £5 for an adult (£7 in the summer) is a bit steep. There are plenty of free walks slightly further afield and I think that many will take their hiking boots elsewhere.
We did go for a bracing walk yesterday around the Trentham Estate (photo tomorrow). It was bright but cold and not a little muddy underfoot. The Esate is the focus of much disgruntlement locally as the owners wish to charge for the Woodland Walks, which have in the past been free to access. I'm not completely against charging but personally think £5 for an adult (£7 in the summer) is a bit steep. There are plenty of free walks slightly further afield and I think that many will take their hiking boots elsewhere.
Friday, 27 February 2009
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
Still here.....
Ha! So the title says it all really. We got cancelled; again. Emily is on the verge of losing the plot and I don't blame her. I'm doing a fairly good job of remaining composed but I'm not sure if it will last long. It seems that our lovely consultant is off sick - but not a 'back next week' type of sick, it's a 'for the forseeable future' type of sick. I do hope he's OK but am at the same time concerned as to where and with whom that leaves us. Am hopeful of more information later this week. Seems the blog title is very apt......
Keep Calm & Carry On.
Keep Calm & Carry On.
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Friday, 20 February 2009
The Friday photo.....
.....this week is not a photo, it's a link. This is Nia, she's the daughter of a friend of mine, Corinna. Nia has the same heart defect as Emily but was unlucky enough to be diagnosed some months ago with a rare form of leukaemia too. She's spent the best part of this last year 'kicking her cancer in the butt'. Go Nia!
Whilst on the subject perhaps anyone who hasn't yet done so would consider signing up to give blood. On the same site you can also find links to register as a bone marrow donor and as an organ donor. Go on, it will take you five minutes to register and you will be helping people like Nia and Emily whose treatment and surgical procedures couldn't go ahead without donors. Thanks.
Whilst on the subject perhaps anyone who hasn't yet done so would consider signing up to give blood. On the same site you can also find links to register as a bone marrow donor and as an organ donor. Go on, it will take you five minutes to register and you will be helping people like Nia and Emily whose treatment and surgical procedures couldn't go ahead without donors. Thanks.
Tuesday, 17 February 2009
Update
Pre admission was uneventful - lots of questions, but no bloods - wahey - they're going to do them under GA next week. It was quite a relaxing visit for a change. The train journey however was a different matter - 40 minutes stationary in the middle of nowhere on the way back and we couldn't even sit together because it was so packed. Still we were sitting which is something to be grateful for. Emily managed her usual task of grabbing a bargain and is now the proud owner of new boots. She can shop I'll say that for her.......
So we're back for the catheter next week - hopefully it will show that her pulmonary pressures are stable and we can tuck away any worries about further surgery. Cross your fingers for us.
So we're back for the catheter next week - hopefully it will show that her pulmonary pressures are stable and we can tuck away any worries about further surgery. Cross your fingers for us.
Monday, 16 February 2009
Hospital trip today
We're off to the hospital very shortly for pre-admission clinic in readiness for Emily's cath next week. The cath should have been this week as previously blogged but the snow and an emergency admission mean't we got bumped on to next week. It's a bit of a pain as Emily really needs to miss less school not more. Still, today's appointment is later this afternoon rather than the original silly o'clock, so we get to go down leisurely on the train, shop, eat lunch and shop some more.
Will update later. x
Will update later. x
Saturday, 14 February 2009
Happy Valentine's Day
This week's photo is a day late to celebrate Valentine's Day and also, more importantly, CHD Awareness Day If you are Anti-Valentine, here's something for you too. Have a good weekend.
Friday, 13 February 2009
Friday the 13th.....
Number 1 son is flying to Canada today.............flight was cheap.........I wonder why?
Wednesday, 11 February 2009
Friday, 6 February 2009
We got snow!
.......so this Friday's photo is of the snowman Em and her friend Sophie made (although apparently Soph drank tea and watched - sensible child).
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
Happy Heart Day.
Today is the 15th anniversary of Emily's diagnosis and heart surgery. But I'm not going to look back today - I'm looking forward and feeling proud of how she's turned out, how hard she works and the person she is.
Monday, 2 February 2009
Friday, 30 January 2009
Friday, 23 January 2009
A very appropriate photo
The 'corridor of colour' at the Children's Hospital. I think it's been taken down now as they are doing some remodelling, so I'm glad we have a photo of it. I wish we had some of the old hospital because, although other than the frontage it was visually dire, it holds many memories. The corridor photo is appropriate because we have had a date for Emily's next admission for cardiac catheter. 17th February. PAT* is here.
* PAT stands for Pre Appointment Tension :-).
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