Open for Visitors…..

After ‘a funny day’ on Monday, things turned even funnier on Tuesday.

We went to meet the oncologist at Heartlands Hospital to hear the latest on John’s condition. As it turns out, the tablets he’s been taking are not doing the trick. John’s PSA levels are going up and there are a few more areas in the pelvic area showing signs of the disease. Oh. Ah. Hmmmm….. so the consultant advised that the tablets will be withdrawn after this last batch. ‘What next?’ we wondered. Apparently, nothing next. No more treatment.

Great disappointment and obviously, upset at the news. Neither of us has taken it very well. But one day at a time, eh?

Tuesday hadn’t started well and didn’t finish well either. I visited Mum in the afternoon to find that she’s not doing brilliantly.

The OT was determined to get her out of bed so, between us we managed it and sat her in the chair. “We could leave her in the chair until tea-time,” suggested the OT. I demurred. Tea-time was five o’clock. It was three o’clock at the time of transfer. “OK, let’s try an hour then, shall we?” I still thought that was too long, but I am not an OT, so nodded in agreement. “We can always put her back into bed if she gets tired,” continued the OT, “but I’m off now. I’ll keep in touch.” Great…..

Twenty minutes in and I could see that Mum was tiring fast. However, there weren’t enough nurses around to help her back into bed. It was the full hour before we got her back there. I wasn’t happy.

The following day the OT phoned me to say they were going to try and transfer Mum to a nursing home and….oh, by the way, the bed sore that had been Grade Two on Tuesday was now a Grade Three…..great… (again).

However, despite the setbacks, we packed our bags and set off on the road to Taunton on Wednesday, where we were meeting the ‘Old Gang’ from our teenage years. I wondered whether John would want to go after the pasting we’d taken on Tuesday, but he was up for it. And it turned out to be the best medicine possible. So lovely to be among dear friends who love us as much as we love them.

We had the most uplifting time. A meal out on Wednesday at a pub where the landlady was as delightful as she could possibly be. Nothing was too much trouble and she offered us a Table Quiz to boot. I had originally thought that after a day’s travelling and then eating fairly late, John might find the Quiz too daunting – but no, he joined in and a good time was had by all.

On Thursday it was our Day Out. Choo! Choo! The Great Western Steam Railway was calling. Fabulous. We had a smashing journey into Minehead where we tumbled from the carriage straight into The Turntable Café where we had toasted teacakes and coffee, before meandering along to the Esplanade.

Here we all are, grinning like Cheshire Cats… (Dave was taking the photo):

Despite the ominous clouds, the weather was great. Very warm and the rain held off. By the time we got to the Esplanade, where we intended to play Crazy Golf, the sun had come out and we had to divest some of our outer layers to keep cool.

What fun we had on the Crazy Golf Course!! Oh, my! Talk about giggle, ooh and aah at the shots played! Thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!! And guess who won? The ‘ol man himself!!

Richard joined us at the café after we’d finished our game, having had a walk into town for pint instead, and we all piled into the Jubilee Café for ice creams/afternoon teas. Yum! Sunned ourselves, too, as it was very warm by then! (Managed to get Dave in on this one!)

Ah, yes! Time with friends – definitely a tonic for the soul.

We came home on Friday, after a leisurely breakfast together. We sat for a couple of hours at the breakfast table just chatting, which was so enjoyable. Hugged everyone good bye and then wended our way home just after mid-day.

We had a good journey home, and flopped into the house not long after three o’clock. Boy, we were tired. The week had caught up with us. Time for an early night? Well, we thought so, but neither of us could sleep so we were both up and wandering around at about one o’clock in the morning. Honestly, you can’t predict anything, can you?

We’re now planning to take life as it comes and enjoy it as much as we can. Although we’ve got a few things planned, we’ll see how the mood takes us at the time. In the meantime, we’re open for visitors, folks……….

Take care everyone. God bless.