Rain, rain, rain!

Over two inches of rainfall in the last couple of days.  We had two lakes at the bottom of our garden and the pond overflowed at the top of it.

The poor flowers have been battered by the rain and the strong winds and are looking so sad, particularly the Geraniums which like warm and dry conditions.

I do not sleep all that well these days but last night I was in a very deep sleep when I was rudely awakened by Jesse jumping on top of me.  I thought he had gone mad but realised he was shaking.  The next minute the lightning filled the room.  The thunder was tremendous and each clap rumbled on and on. Poor Jesse has always been a dog terrified of storms, I am afraid he learned that from out late lamented Pip.   So I only slept fitfully after that. The storm lasted quite some time and the barometer is still right over in the storm position.  It is very overcast and now a high wind has got up again.  After the blistering start to May it is hard to believe that we are almost into June.

I had a letter from the hospital this morning about my bone density scan. They have arranged it for the same day as they said but have allowed very little time.  The scan is at 2.15 p.m. and takes fifteen minutes, if they are running to time it should be o.k. but  the letter says sometimes a wait is involved.  Remember I have to go to the big main hospital for this scan.  Quite some way from the breast unit where I have to be for my mammogram at 2.50p.m.  My days of sprinting are long over!

Of course I will remind them I have to be over at the breast unit and even show them the letter so hopefully I will get straight in.  Going to be hectic though and I am going to be very uptight because all my other appointments have been in the morning.  Now I have to wait until the afternoon and you know how difficult it is for me even going out and how I fear hospitals.  Will have to take extra tranquilisers on that day. 

At least I console myself that it will all be over with in one hit on one day - provided I get the all clear.  I know you will all be rooting for me.  I am already dreading it.

Missing the boys this week.  We normally have Daniel on Monday whilst Nathan goes swimming but it was Bank holiday.  Today we would have normally seen Becky and Daniel.  They always have lunch with us after Daniel has been swimming but it is half-term and there is no swimming but no doubt, we will see them in the next couple of days.

Thankfully my bruises are much better and hardly hurting at all now.  To be honest, looking back I am amazed I kept my appointment straight after the tumble I took, I must be mentally stronger than I realise.  Even the family thought it would be impossible for me to go.  However, I do not want a repeat performance on the 9th to get me through the bone density scan and the mammogram thank you very much.

Not much else to write about at this time but I do have some photos to share with you.  The first few were taken by Mike, the last two by myself.

Let us start with a tranquil scene a couple of miles from us:-

Next is a shot of our village taken from a nearby hill

Another peaceful shot showing the same church that features in the first photo

Next are a couple of bird photos

Lastly mine, snapped with a different camera through glass.  The first one I took just because I thought the flowers looked so pretty together

The bird feeders look askew in the next picture.  They are, we have been having such strong winds and the ground is so soft with all the rain that they keep tipping to an angle.

Well that is about all the news I have.  I am enjoying watching "Britain's Got Talent" and also "Springwatch" as I love all nature programmes.  The two clash so I usually tape one and watch it later.

I start my new tablets tonight so fingers crossed for less side effects and that I will be able to manage on them and obtain benefit.

Take care my dear friends and readers. I hope life is treating you well.

Tags: photos scenery England local

My Hospital Visit

No graphics from me today, dear friends and readers, for a reason which will become obvious.

For the last week I have been so tense about this appointment that it started my neck off, I had stayed off the computer in the hope that this would not happen but it did.  Last night I got no sleep with the pain and felt shattered when I rose this morning but was still determined to go even if I had to go wearing my neck brace.

We were ready to leave the house when Becky pointed out it was chillier than yesterday so I had better wear my jacket.  I went to the bedroom to get it and the next minute I found myself on the floor!  I can only assume I had not tightened the strap on my sensible sandles enough, it did feel a bit loose.  I must have turned my ankle which threw me off balance.  I had no time to try and save myself. I missed smashing my head on the bookcase by a tiny margin. There I was on the floor stunned.  Then the shock set in and I went to pieces.  I did not know whether I had broken my arm, I knew I had taken the full force (and I am not a small woman) on my left elbow - right on the bone itself and also on my left knee.

The family were in a panic, trying to get me off the floor, not knowing how much damage I had done.  Becky said she would phone the hospital and explain and change the appointment.  I told her no, I had had this hanging over my head for too long I wanted it out of the way.

So after drying my tears we set off.  I did the journey with a packet of frozen vegetables pressed against my left elbow and my knee throbbing like hell.

Becky and I went into the clinic as Mike could not find a parking space. He joined us about ten minutes later. They knew something was wrong the minute they looked at me, I must have been white as a sheet with swollen red eyes and a packet of veg pressed to my arm.  Would have been funny in any other circumstances.  What made it worse was this was the arm I always have trouble with when my neck is bad and also the side where I had the breast surgery.

They immediately asked if I needed to go to A and E.  I told them I would see how I was AFTER I had had my appointment as I was not going to miss it.  So they had a word with the nurse and they saw me within fifteen minutes.

As luck would have it I did not have to see Dr. Robinson, she who must be obeyed.  She was in the next room but it was her young female registrar who did the necessary, a lovely Chinese lady.  She examined both armpits and breasts very carefully and said she could not find any abnormalities but, of course, only the mammogram will really give the answer to that one. 

She looked at the bruise on my elbow and asked about my fall.  She asked again if I needed to go to A and E.  I pointed out that I could move my elbow and my arm and also my knee and I thought it was just bad bruising.  She agreed with me. She was very gentle when lifting that arm so as not to cause me more pain.  She ran backwards and forwards between myself and Dr. Robinson passing all information on.

Only one small problem arose.  They have decided to change my tablets now.  I simply cannot cope with Tamoxifen no matter how hard I have tried.  The only way I could manage was to take one tablet about every three days otherwise I just laid and cried all the time and shouted at everyone.  I was honest about it.  They decided therefore it is time for me to change.  Now, this means having a bone density scan because these other tablets can cause osteoporosis and they need to check the state of my bones. 

I did point out that I already have degeneration in the neck, lower back and also to some extent in the knees now so they considered it even more important in case I have to go on a supplement.

So this means that on the 9th June, I not only have to go for my mammogram but also for a bone density scan which they are going to try and arrange for the same day to save me making an extra journey.

I do appreciate that they are trying to help all they can but this has put more pressure on me.  The bone scans are done in the big main hospital X-ray department which is always full to capacity and very hot.  The breast unit on the other hand is at the back of the hospital in a small separate building and cooler, airier and nicer.

So now I need to go one place and strip off and then to another place and strip off all over again.

This is the appointment that really worries me.  It is only the mammogram that will show whether I am cancer free.  That will be bad enough in itself without the bone density scan.  Oh well, it cannot be helped and if it is to my benefit I will do it somehow.

I do so hope and pray the mammogram will be clear after having got this appointment out of the way.  If not, they will call someone immediately, there and then.  If nothing shows they will send it for evaluation I and will have to wait two to three weeks possibly longer before they write and tell me.

At least when the 9th is out of the way we have our new windows to look forward to, they will be going in a few days later.

I do so wish they could have done the mammogram today and I could have known both my that and my examination whether I am in the clear.  The endless waiting is the worst thing and very hard to bear.

You cannot know how painful it has been for me to sit and type this with my elbow which is black and blue.  My knee is throbbing fit to bust but I am putting Arnica cream on the bruises and should feel better after a few days. That is the reason for no graphics and no signature.

I would like to thank you all for your love and support and also thank those who e-mailed me.  I took your thoughts with me despite the pain of the fall.

I hope to be doing a more colourful entry in a couple of days when the bruises are less sore.

Love,

Jeannette

Summer Is A Comin' In

What blazing weather we have been having so early in the year, almost two weeks of it and I, for one, am glad it will be cooling down at least for a while.

Myself and him indoors have worked hard in the garden. We have got all the tubs planted and all we need now is for them to estabish.  Shrubs have been pruned and trees cut back, the lawn given a good mowing.

Mike has still found the time to go out and about with his camera.

I love this picture of Bluebells

Leo loves getting in with the rabbits.  I think he thinks they are other cats.

Here he is with his arms (paws) around Mrs. Miniver.

Whilst Jack looks on with interest

Jesse and Jack have been enjoying cooling off in the heat.

A week tomorrow (Thursday) I go to see my oncologist.  I am not looking forward to it particularly as I had assumed that my mammogram would have been done first and she would be able to tell me the results.  No so.  My mammogram is not until the 9th June!  Also, despite their assurances that with my problems getting to the hospital it was on my notes to give me the earliest possible appointments in the day, the one with the oncologist is not until late morning and my mammogram not until the middle of the afternoon.  Oh well, nothing I can do about it. I just hope it will not be too hot on both those days because I find it hard enough to cope going there at the best of times and heat would make it worse.

I just want it out of the way now.  I hope and pray with all my heart that no problems will be found and that I will require no further treatment.

We are also having our front windows and front door replaced.  Our double glazing is old, it was here long before we took possession.  Now the windows steam up and water runs down the inside.

Maybe I should have waited until all my results were in but Spring/Summer is a busy time for the installers so we decided to go ahead.  It is very frustrating not to be able to see out to the front unless you enjoy seeing it all through a fog.

So even more I hope there are no problems for me at my two medical appointments.  If I get the all clear then I have the installation of the new windows  and door to look forward to and will also be able to enjoy the summer unlike last year.

I know as the time approaches I shall be getting very nervous.  Right now I am trying not to think about it.  I know your thoughts, good wishes and prayers will be with me.  I will let you know how I get on.

Well, lunchtime is here and Becky will also be arriving with Daniel soon so I had better eat before then.

Hope you are all having a good week.

Love,

Photo Entry - Pictures By Mike

 

Next ones are taken in our own garden.

Nature is so wonderful.  Hope you enjoyed these shots.