Hi Dita and all

[Andere Richtingen]

Hi, everyone - just checking in to say hello on this drizzly, grizzly day. Ugh - I'm almost pleased that it's dark now so I've pulled the curtains and can't see the gloom outside any longer. Lucy K is fed up and has decided to curl up on a chair and pretend she's not here. That'll last until I shake the cat-bikkies container! Hope everyone's OK and keeping warm. Fingers x-ed for Penny at the doc's tomorrow. I do sympathise - been there, took the tablets, still got the stupidly high reading because the sight of that cuff sends the BP into the stratosphere ....
OH continues to make some progress, although it's very slow. The inflammation is receding very gradually but the poor man is so-o-o-o-o fed up of sitting with his leg elevated and is complaining that it aches almost unbearably.
I'm fed up also because I was supposed to be meeting an old friend for a really nice lunch and a day of women-behaving-quite-badly. She moved to Sussex a few years ago so we don't often get together these days. Alas, she emailed last night that she's caught this wretched cold/chest infection that's doing the rounds and has lost her voice, feels dreadful and had to cancel. So, get well card to her and a share of OH's meatloaf for me!

[Penny]

Oh Dear, I am sorry your news too is not that good. What a dreadful time of year. Do hope your OH gets back to normal soon, Mine just sits or plays on his computer, so I know what it is like. Been trying to keep calm ready for tomorrow but can feel tension rising. Will be pleased when the visit is over. Give puss a big kiss. Do hope Dita is still getting on the mend. Keeping fingers crossed that this bug does not keep extending. Take care and don't forget to watch Gareth at 9.oclock on BBC1. cheers Penny

[Penny]

Hi Dita and all, sorry, missed your posting last night Dita, never do remember to look back a page. Hope you are feeling better each day. Night and bright today, tummy upset, guess why. Stupid me. Appointment at 2.20. Would feel better if doggie could come along too. Hope she is o.k. today. Big hugs from me. Ideal weather for walkies but very very cold. Kisses for puss. Catch you later. chees Penny

[dita]

Afternoon Penny and all. Doggie and I sending big hugs it was better walkies today but colder. Your appointment must be over now, sigh of relief for you here. Hope all is ok.
My throat is still congested, not only that my voice has gone as well.( Hubby well pleased I'm sure). It is almost 3 weeks now, hoping for drastic improvement by the weekend. Seems like Penny, Andere, Dita have OH's with the same problem Keep your chin up Penny and all

[Penny]

I'm back. Doctor said, her words, I am delighted with your blood pressure. Only one hitch, I have an internal infection. All the worry I expect. Anyway, she has given me tablets for a week and I am to send a sample after that. She remarked how bright and sunny I looked today, I said, I got fed up with looking drab so put on some spring colours. She also mention something or another about how did I feel, I said I am too busy to feel anything, she laughed her head off when I said, I don't have time to worry about me, I have a husband who wants a maid, a housewife and a dogs body. He doesn't want a wife. She looked at me as tho' she knew exactly what I meant. So looks like we are all in the same boat. Shall we stage a strike. ha ha. Dita, your throat problem is going on a bit long, do take care. Have you seen the doc.I think my old hairdresser is having problems too. She was bringing another box of apples but her son delivered them yesterday afternoon. I didn't catch him to ask how she is. Big hugs for doggie. Keep warm. cheers Penny

[dita]

Pleased all ok Penny apart from that horrible infection, which as you say is likely to be stress based. Had to laugh at your remarks to her about how you feel, I could have said exactly the same. Don't know about strike....lets empty the bank and sugar off somewhere nice without men Sounds like your hairdresser has same as me and it dont arf drag one down. Keep warm, hugs here to help you just do that.xx

[Andere Richtingen]

I thought I'd better look in here and say hi before I hit the hay. Penny, well done - your BP is OK. Maybe that means you'll relax and it'll be OK next time as well and your white-coat syndrome will be gone forever ... Sorry to hear about the infection; hope the antibiotics do their stuff without too many horrible side effects.
I think Dita's virus is probably the same one that's going around here - the normal duration seems to be around 3 to 4 weeks. It was horrible when I had it in October - kept thinking it was getting better then it would come back for another go. Get well hugs all round..
It's been really cold here but beautiful with a gorgeous sunset this afternoon. Lucy K seems to have spent most of the day sleeping; OH is still eating well but aching and fed -up. Can't say I blame him; I'd be fed up if I was ill and had to be nursed by me!! Patience and compassion aren't things I do well ..... He has a hospital appointment on Thursday and has learned that one of his drinking buddies also has an outpatient appointment that day in another dept and a third boozy buddy is currently an in-patient at the same hospital so they're planning to go and sit at his bedside afterwards to swap medical stories. I've pointed out that they probably won't be permitted to take in a firkin of Batemans' finest product but I'm not sure anyone's listening .....

[Penny]

Morning all, hope Dita has recovered now. What a horrible day, had a terrific storm here with hail stones simply battering the place. Hope Dita was not caught out with poor doggie. Big hugs in case .My washing up machine packed up last night, would not turn off. Guess who got the blame. As usual. OH sitting and not available for any jobs today. (any day) Have a load of apples to get ready for the freezer. Now put off until Friday. Hope puss is o.k. and in a warm place, not the day to venture out. big kisses from me. Take care all and fingers crossed that we get only good news from now. Hope your OH is still on the mend Andere, bad enough having them indoors, even worse when they are off colour. cheers Penny

[dita]

Hi Ya! Penny, Andere and all. Just managed to get on here today, afraid this bug is still with me. It does sound very like what has been descibed by both of you, it is still all in my throat, chest and head and it has made my voice very hoarse, hubby taking advantage too Grr!, when you already have chest problems and asthma it takes advantage of that. We too had hail this morning, hubby took doggie for a quick walk, we also had to drag her to the vets this afternoon for her booster, claws clip and new chip, so she is very grateful for all those hugs today. After we came back I decided to do an online shop this week, spent ages doing that and spent way too much money, oh! well you cannot take it with you. At least you'll get peace if your hubby spends time with his buddies hospital visiting Andere. Hope you got your apples ready for the freezer Penny, you and your hubby sound just like us Sorry to hear your washing machine has conked out, it is always when you least expect it. I see Lucy Katt is typical of her breed, life of purrrrfect. Keep your chin up Penny:) and take care Andere and all.

[Penny]

Morning Dita and all, just a quickie to send doggie hugs for walkies today, lovely and sunny for it. Hope you and all are feeling better Dita, do take care. Seems to be so many people with the same complaint. Off for the weekly shop and hopefully lunch with son. Wanted to get all sorted this morning, decided to prepare oranges etc to make marmalade in the morning. Hubby loves it and eats so much,Itell him not to piles o much on his toast but to no avail. I have already made two batches this year, only two jars left. Off we go, take care all, hugs and kisses winging their way. cheers Penny

[dita]

Morning Penny and all. I am a bit earlier today, clouds keep coming and going, walkies not too bad but very nippy, big hugs on their way to you ,she is feeling no after affects after visiting the vets yesterday thanks to your hugs. Hope you have a good lunch with your son today and pick up some good bargains on your weekly shop. I am waiting a delivery from Tesco very shortly. You will have to ration hubby and his passion for your marmalade or you will be making it every day, bet it is good so maybe I'm being unkind poor man. Keep your chin up and take care Penny and all.

[Andere Richtingen]

Hi, all and greetings from miserable cold Essex. It's that depressing NE wind that goes through you not round you ... horrible. We need hugs today - OH been feeing rough and the infection creeping back up his leg again and he's developed a weird rash. His doctor at the hospital says the antibiotic's not working and he's developed an allergy to it, hence the rash. He's now had the first dose of a different antibiotic intravenously; a district nurse has been booked for 10pm tonight to give the second dose then he has to go back to the hospital at 10 in the morning for them to do the third dose and assess progress.
He didn't even stop to visit his friend, just came straight home and fell asleep in the chair (with his leg up!); he's just completely wiped out so I'm leaving him to rest and hoping the new treatment takes effect soon. I feel so helpless; wish there was something I could do to make it better for him. Funny how kissing-it-better only works until you're about 5!
Lucy K avoiding Out today because it's too cold for civilised cats. She sends greetings to Doggie and recommends one of those nice tartan dog coats for the walkies. Big hugs to everyone from here

[Penny]

S sorry about your OH. do hope he manages to get rid of this soon. Doesn't want to be laid up for Xmas. I usually have four cats come round to seem me but not one today. Too windy and cold now. So kisses for sensible pussy. Take care. cheers Penny

[Andere Richtingen]

Thanks, Penny. I've just heard him moving around so I'll go and cook him something nice for dinner if he's hungry.

[vannin]

Hello everyone, on this grey day. Andere, I am sorry to hear your hubby is going through more pain with this horrible condition.

Regarding the family I described a few days ago when I said the widow (Pat) had collapsed with a massive stroke before her husband's funeral. There was never going to be good news, and tragically she died yesterday morning. Just three weeks after Ray's passing and a week after his funeral.

Their son said he will contact me at the weekend, but I just feel so much for him and his sister, and think they may still feel shellshocked for a while to come, trying to face up to this double tragedy.

Viv