I don't know but do know poor art tutor who has had worst news in the world from Christies - cancer has spread to liver, gall-bladder, thyroid and lymph nodes so no radiotherapy but maybe chemo will be able to help. Christies are wondering if it might be a mutation (?) so are sending biopsies to Belgium for definitive answer; if it is, it might be possible to control it better. So fingers crossed for Belgium. Who'd have thought it?
Got the above news at art class where someone else was waiting to take it for our dear art tutor. At the same time, we were trying to discuss plans to start up an independent tutor-led art class to take over from MAES when they close the doors on any leisure classes in Manchester. MAES obviously expecting us all to fall at the first hurdle of starting our own classes, preferably in a MAES classroom. They of course have other ideas, intending to change the pottery room (with kiln), art rooms, sewing rooms, etc into more ESOL classrooms. Where is the money coming from for all these damned classes? Why are we paying for classes to make immigrants more attractive on the job market by giving them art/english etc ESOL classes instead of doing this for our home-grown people living on benefits? Did I sound like the Iron Lady? Who cares?
All the cuts that Manchester Council are making are to make people scream against the current government so that in fact they are making political statements, not looking after the ratepayers who keep the city solvent. If they want to go head to head with the government, they should be honest about it, give up their well-paid council jobs and put themselves in the front line by standing as Labour candidates in local and general elections. But it is so much easier for them to deviously spread their political ideas from a paid position of position. I don't think any politicians today, of whatever party, has any honesty or integrity. They are all like pigs at a trough and this is replicated all over the EU world.
Anyway, enough ranting. Am hoping to see art tutor very soon, perhaps next week, and tomorrow MBF and I go to planthunters' fair at Bramall Hall.
Yesterday new fridge/freezer arrived. Good fridge area - lots of room for fresh vegetables, etc but freezer exceedingly small with very flimsy drawers. It's almost like a refrigeration unit of two halves.
Yesterday also, Hattie decided to eat her own poo which upset me beyond all measure. Bad enough she licks her own bum. Man at pet shop told me to try mixing a little pineapple in with her food which is meant to deter this kind of behaviour. how that can work is a mystery but anything is worth a try, as the actress said to the bishop..
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Mad news, glad news, sad news...
Since my last posting, had annual general meeting of art group - very tense, much suppressed anger and attempted bullying. MBF and I and sick art tutor all sitting there coughing and breathless but determined not to be bullied. Eventually won a reprieve for art group from being forced into either becoming a satellite of the Salford Art Club or taking over responsibility for MAES classes now that Manchester Council has decided leisure classes are simply not important and they can spend their (our) money better on ESOL classes which actually take in art and leisure time facilities but for non-English speakers....some twisted thinking here but as it's rabid Labour Manchester Council, should I be surprised? Also discovered that one of the MAES paid tutors does lots of art classes in prison. So prisoners can take leisure classes but not the rate and tax-payers who pay for their time in gaol and for the tutors? More twisted thinking? More liberal leftie loonies organising our money and pastimes.
As for art club, much pushing to raise money for permanent base so that everyone can meet on a weekly basis to chat and paint without any guidance from a tutor and with no projects..hmmm. Again managed to get this put off until September and proposed raise in subscriptions fees deferred until September too. Might have to take shotgun to next meeting...
Good news for me from consultant who says COPD is mild and that although I am weird, I am not too weird. Huh? New inhaler which delightful Dutch pharmacist at MRI demonstrated to me. Should open up lungs and airways to allow me to get rid of this blasted infection which is still lingering on. DD
now suffering from terrible sinus problems, nose-bleeds, etc, dizziness. Hope she will contact GP tomorrow to make a serious attempt at discovering the cause of these problems.
MBF and I escaped to Fryer's Roses at Mere on Friday as a treat for being ill and for having survived the foul AGM on Monday. Sent out minutes and got usual snidey reply from Chair. Grrrr. Good time at the nursery, bought some plants, had a nice meal and called into The Parsonage to leave flyers for print workshop next month and managed to get home before the hailstones and rain hit us.
DD took cats to vet for annual checkup and jabs, he said they were in fine fettle for old cats (they're 10), suggested tablets to check Hattie's incontinence and agreed to fillet the little feral cat (Errol) if we can catch her during the week when they operate.
Dear art tutor has been diagnosed with lung cancer and the Macmillan nurse told her she had two years at most. Most surprised, would have thought consultant would have seen her to discuss this. She has a date at Christies on Wednesday to discuss radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Cannot really take it in and I think she cannot either.
have arranged for dwarf fridge/freezer to be returned to Tesco and will try to sort something else out with a bit more room in the fridge which I use more than the freezer to house lots of fresh vegetables etc. And chocolate.
Am desperate for a good recipe for gluten-free pastry. Bought a proprietary brand last week and made mince pies and they were like rock. Although since I have put half a stone back on, perhaps I shouldn't be so eager to make and eat more sinful things. But the gluten-free pizza bases are very good...and must surely be more healthy since the ingredients I am using are all very good and healthy...?
As for art club, much pushing to raise money for permanent base so that everyone can meet on a weekly basis to chat and paint without any guidance from a tutor and with no projects..hmmm. Again managed to get this put off until September and proposed raise in subscriptions fees deferred until September too. Might have to take shotgun to next meeting...
Good news for me from consultant who says COPD is mild and that although I am weird, I am not too weird. Huh? New inhaler which delightful Dutch pharmacist at MRI demonstrated to me. Should open up lungs and airways to allow me to get rid of this blasted infection which is still lingering on. DD
now suffering from terrible sinus problems, nose-bleeds, etc, dizziness. Hope she will contact GP tomorrow to make a serious attempt at discovering the cause of these problems.
MBF and I escaped to Fryer's Roses at Mere on Friday as a treat for being ill and for having survived the foul AGM on Monday. Sent out minutes and got usual snidey reply from Chair. Grrrr. Good time at the nursery, bought some plants, had a nice meal and called into The Parsonage to leave flyers for print workshop next month and managed to get home before the hailstones and rain hit us.
DD took cats to vet for annual checkup and jabs, he said they were in fine fettle for old cats (they're 10), suggested tablets to check Hattie's incontinence and agreed to fillet the little feral cat (Errol) if we can catch her during the week when they operate.
Dear art tutor has been diagnosed with lung cancer and the Macmillan nurse told her she had two years at most. Most surprised, would have thought consultant would have seen her to discuss this. She has a date at Christies on Wednesday to discuss radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Cannot really take it in and I think she cannot either.
have arranged for dwarf fridge/freezer to be returned to Tesco and will try to sort something else out with a bit more room in the fridge which I use more than the freezer to house lots of fresh vegetables etc. And chocolate.
Am desperate for a good recipe for gluten-free pastry. Bought a proprietary brand last week and made mince pies and they were like rock. Although since I have put half a stone back on, perhaps I shouldn't be so eager to make and eat more sinful things. But the gluten-free pizza bases are very good...and must surely be more healthy since the ingredients I am using are all very good and healthy...?
Saturday, April 06, 2013
Where to start?
In the intervening time since my last posting, my mad best friend has been diagnosed with a tumour in her lung (never or very rarely smoked) and has since has tumour and top lobe of lung removed, my art tutor has been diagnosed with some sort of lung cancer (has never smoked) or at least they may be able to tell after messing her about for weeks and two biopsies. What is going on? I suppose it may simply be that they are diagnosing things earlier and thus one hears more of them. Same thing has happened with oral cancers and prostate cancers, I think.
MBF pragmatic as the consultant said he thought there would be no further problem - ah where have we heard that before? MBF's eldest son eminent cancer research doctor in USA from whence he has requested that the removed tumour be sent to the tumour bank (did you know they had one? Is it better than HBOS?) so MBF feels he will be doing his own investigations and reporting back to her. Quite comforting in a way, I suppose.
Poor art tutor frantically worried and who wouldn't be? She had a brain bleed some years ago necessitating huge operation, has a slight heart problem and is on warfarin - none of which is calculated to make her feel anything other than nervous and worried. Both awaiting biopsy results due in several weeks - are we short of lab technicians or is there some time period which must elapse before results apparent? Answers on a postcard.
BH recovering slowly from lung infection but feeling more and more dizzy. GP says no magic pill to help unfortunately. He is due for his annual heart check-up this month.
As for me, a nightmare period of night sweats, inflamed sinuses - cue hectic sneezing fits, nose-bleeds, hoarseness. GP says sinuses viral infection which means must just wait for it to go but lung infection (bacterial) still not wholly cleared and on yet another round of antibiotics so at the moment am experiencing a couple of good days followed by four or five bad ones. GP suggests a move to the suburbs(!) or the seaside would do us both good as air in Manchester not good......wouldn't that be nice? Not tenable though.
Animals - ah the disgusting Hattie has been discovered eating cat poo - don't ask. Completely revolting. As she eats anything she can find on the field when out walking, am considering buying light muzzle so she can't eat things that are not put on her plate. No wonders she stinks. Yuk.
Big cat losing her marbles, little cat losing her appetite, feral cat (Errol) eating us out of house and home.
Art club in disarray as have revolted against Chair who is a bully and an idle sod. AGM on Monday when all comes to a head like a pulsating pimple. Shall not be too upset if club disbands or if unseated on committee as MBF and I are quite capable of doing our own thing in regard to group outings and events without being driven mad by committees and their supposed workings. MBF, DD and I have all rehearsed possible outcomes and speeches but in the end, it will probably turn out quite differently from what we expect. If I do stay with club and they proceed with intention to turn it into a regular tea party with no tutor, I shall abdicate all responsibility and probably resign. Which is a shame as we have a couple of lovely things awaiting us in the future. Hey-ho.
So Monday also dentist day and Wednesday respiratory clinic. How exciting life gets in one's old age. At least have done a little painting. Not much exercise though.
Fridge/freezer packed up - no-one to repair it or at least no-one sensible - so ordered replacement from Tesco. Disappointment all round. Not only did they not take away previous FF for eco-disposal but the thing is so small, it qualifies as a dwarf fridge - and no, Happy isn't living in it, nor Doc. Also door doesn't shut properly on fridge. Freezer compartments tiny too. ~So think it will have to go back and this weekend must trawl around to eye up other FFs to see which brand it is I really need. Was very tempted to get Beko until read reports of faulty wiring causing fires - don 't need that in the refrigeration department - in stove, perhaps.
Am awaiting confirmation from stove installers that they will come and do a survey on our wood stove to find out fault, measure up for replacement gas stove and eye up chimney etc and possibly decide if they wish to buy back stove to tart up and resell. Wish they'd be quick as CH on all day and every day since beginning of Feb and when I tried to read the meters, they seem to have gone mad and on-line meter readings refused! Calamity. Am awaiting phone call from energy suppliers for advice.
DD and partner looking at houses to buy this weekend and she is getting traumatised by bad estate agents, etc. More anon
MBF pragmatic as the consultant said he thought there would be no further problem - ah where have we heard that before? MBF's eldest son eminent cancer research doctor in USA from whence he has requested that the removed tumour be sent to the tumour bank (did you know they had one? Is it better than HBOS?) so MBF feels he will be doing his own investigations and reporting back to her. Quite comforting in a way, I suppose.
Poor art tutor frantically worried and who wouldn't be? She had a brain bleed some years ago necessitating huge operation, has a slight heart problem and is on warfarin - none of which is calculated to make her feel anything other than nervous and worried. Both awaiting biopsy results due in several weeks - are we short of lab technicians or is there some time period which must elapse before results apparent? Answers on a postcard.
BH recovering slowly from lung infection but feeling more and more dizzy. GP says no magic pill to help unfortunately. He is due for his annual heart check-up this month.
As for me, a nightmare period of night sweats, inflamed sinuses - cue hectic sneezing fits, nose-bleeds, hoarseness. GP says sinuses viral infection which means must just wait for it to go but lung infection (bacterial) still not wholly cleared and on yet another round of antibiotics so at the moment am experiencing a couple of good days followed by four or five bad ones. GP suggests a move to the suburbs(!) or the seaside would do us both good as air in Manchester not good......wouldn't that be nice? Not tenable though.
Animals - ah the disgusting Hattie has been discovered eating cat poo - don't ask. Completely revolting. As she eats anything she can find on the field when out walking, am considering buying light muzzle so she can't eat things that are not put on her plate. No wonders she stinks. Yuk.
Big cat losing her marbles, little cat losing her appetite, feral cat (Errol) eating us out of house and home.
Art club in disarray as have revolted against Chair who is a bully and an idle sod. AGM on Monday when all comes to a head like a pulsating pimple. Shall not be too upset if club disbands or if unseated on committee as MBF and I are quite capable of doing our own thing in regard to group outings and events without being driven mad by committees and their supposed workings. MBF, DD and I have all rehearsed possible outcomes and speeches but in the end, it will probably turn out quite differently from what we expect. If I do stay with club and they proceed with intention to turn it into a regular tea party with no tutor, I shall abdicate all responsibility and probably resign. Which is a shame as we have a couple of lovely things awaiting us in the future. Hey-ho.
So Monday also dentist day and Wednesday respiratory clinic. How exciting life gets in one's old age. At least have done a little painting. Not much exercise though.
Fridge/freezer packed up - no-one to repair it or at least no-one sensible - so ordered replacement from Tesco. Disappointment all round. Not only did they not take away previous FF for eco-disposal but the thing is so small, it qualifies as a dwarf fridge - and no, Happy isn't living in it, nor Doc. Also door doesn't shut properly on fridge. Freezer compartments tiny too. ~So think it will have to go back and this weekend must trawl around to eye up other FFs to see which brand it is I really need. Was very tempted to get Beko until read reports of faulty wiring causing fires - don 't need that in the refrigeration department - in stove, perhaps.
Am awaiting confirmation from stove installers that they will come and do a survey on our wood stove to find out fault, measure up for replacement gas stove and eye up chimney etc and possibly decide if they wish to buy back stove to tart up and resell. Wish they'd be quick as CH on all day and every day since beginning of Feb and when I tried to read the meters, they seem to have gone mad and on-line meter readings refused! Calamity. Am awaiting phone call from energy suppliers for advice.
DD and partner looking at houses to buy this weekend and she is getting traumatised by bad estate agents, etc. More anon
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