Hi Linda,
Dad's doing fine at the moment, thanks. Still got his numb/tingly arm and foot - apparently it's highly likely to be a result of his chemo/radiotherapy. Otherwise he's still 'chipper'. In fact we got an allotment this week, and he is raring to get started on it, but there's loads of weed-clearing to do first, and we don't want him tiring himself out, so it's little and often for him. He had a bit of a funny turn a couple of weeks ago after doing gardening again (like the time he had the seizure), and his speech went all odd, and his hand started twitching. Anyway, mam gave him some chocolate she had in the cupboard and water, and slowly his speech and hand went back to normal. She realised it was probably because he hadn't eaten for a while - normally they have their meals quite regularly, but because they'd been busy they were going to have their tea later than usual. Never again though!
Ah Callum's party sounds like a six-year-old boy's dream!! I bet he couldn't believe his eyes when the Scooby Doo van turned up!
Bev still has a couple of weeks to go before the baby is due (and even then it will probably be late if it's anything like its mother, ha ha) She is ready to burst though, so hopefully not long now.
How are you doing? Hope you're still coping ok with Debbie's tiredness - I know it's a worry, but tiredness does seem to be part and parcel of this illness, my dad will sleep in til 1pm some days.
Anyway, thanks for the message - I'm thinking of all of you too.
Lots of love,
Deb xxx

hey debs,
how are you hunni? and hows your lovely dad?
xxx

Hiya Gilly,
We're doing fine thanks - I am now an auntie! My sister had baby Annabel Eva two weeks ago today and she's just gorgeous. Dad is doing fine (touch wood) thanks. He still has problems with his right arm/hand and gets his words in a muddled state, but other than that he is getting on with life as normal really. Scans have been good so far (he has them every nine weeks now, not sure whether that's a good or a bad thing).
How are you doing now Gilly?
Lots of love xxxx

hi debs.
how is things with your dad debbie is not to bad at the moment
we had a scare the other week with her she took a bad seizure she had stroke like symt













hi debbie.
how is things with your dad debbie not to bad at the moment.
we got a bad scare the other week with her she took a bad seizure i thought she was having a stroke she was took into hospital for a few days they did a ct scan and said they found a bleed she has to go for a mri scan now as they are not sure what it is.did you read the story about callum and his award and its all thanks to natalya she has made a dream come true i am one proud nanny at the moment.
i will let you know how debbie gets on .
oh and i am going to be a nanny again its my youngest daughter ,
debbie love to all
linda xx

Hi Linda,
Great to hear from you - Debbie's seizure must have been a fright for you, am glad to hear she is doing ok now though. Fingers crossed it stays that way.
My dad is also doing fine thanks, he and mam went away last week on a break to Harrogate on the train, which did them the world of good.
His doctor was very pleased with him when she saw him in September, his speech is still a little muddled and he has a weakness on his right side (arm and leg) but is going about his daily business as normal and the tumour site is stable with no regrowth.
Congratulations on your news about your youngest daughter - I'm sure it will give you a real boost when the baby comes - and I bet Callum will love his new cousin!
My sister had her baby a month ago now, Annabel, and she is just gorgeous. She has brought so much joy to my mam and dad, and my kids adore their baby cousin too! Now we are looking forward to my sister's wedding in December. It's all go at the moment.
I didn't hear about Callum's award, what was it? Sounds brilliant! Lovely to hear from you Linda, stay strong, wishing you and all the family well.
Love Deb xxxx

debbie if you go into latest news on bt buddies you will see the story all about callums award .
debbie great to hear your dad is doing ok and gongrats on your sister's new daughter annabel .callum does not want a new cousin he said nanny i thought i was your we cherub haha debbie he will always be my we cherub he will come round when the baby comes i hope as its always just been him .
linda xx

Wow, that's a brilliant story! I love the fact that the award will always be named after Callum as well, you have every right to be proud! I'm sure he will love the baby, especially if he's given the chance to help out with him/her in some way. It makes them feel all important and grown up!
Deb xx

hey debs,
just checking in to see how u,your dad and the family are?
thinking of you x

Hi Gilly,
Thanks, dad's doing fine at the moment. He had a good scan result last week, so we were relieved he's starting 2012 on a good note.
He still has the 'gammy arm/hand', which I think he's kind of stuck with now - don't know if there's any kind of physio that might help him, his consultant hasn't suggested anything like that, anyway. He's just getting on with it and seems happy enough. We had my sister's wedding last month, which was absolutely fab. Dad did her proud, walking her down the aisle (and lots of steps!) and then gave his speech - slowly, but he did really well. We were chuffed with him, and I think he was quite chuffed with himself!
How are you doing, Gilly? Are things getting any easier? Hope you had a nice Christmas.
Lots of love, Deb xxx

hey debs,
so glad your dads doing well. sounds like that wedding day will be one to remembered.
i had a lovely christmas thx debs.
my dads 2nd anniversary on the 19th jan so im all over the place at the moment. still feels like a cruel dream if im honest.
you take care hunni
g xxx

Sorry to hear you're struggling, Gilly, I'll be thinking of you on the 19th. Can't believe it's two years. Are you doing something special for your dad? Deb xxx

hey debs,
how are you and your lovely dad? i still think of you often and so so hope hes doing well.
i wud say up until april of 2009 my life was pretty terrific,if only i cud rewind to that precise moment and press pause.
i lost my lovely mum 3 weeks yesterday to COPD and i know i need not say anymore.

anyhow still rooting for ya dad.
much love gill xxx

Oh Gilly, I'm so so sorry to hear your news.
You must be absolutely devastated to lose your dear mum so soon after losing your dad. I guess some comfort must come from the fact that she is not suffering any longer, and that she and your dad are together again. Small comfort, I know, when you were already struggling with the loss of your lovely dad.
I so hope your life will become terrific again some day - I know it will never be the same as it was, I guess that is life, as my own dad says, but I so hope you are able to find happiness and joy again in the months and years ahead.
Dad is doing ok, though he is struggling with his right side due to the effects, we think, of the drugs trial he's been on. His latest scan a couple of weeks ago showed no regrowth, but the eagle-eyed radiologist spotted an 'ischemic event', which is basically a mini-stroke. This would explain the increasing problems he's had with his mobility (he still walks, but drags his foot) and his speech has been really bad. Anyway, the consultant has taken him off the trial (apparently the same has happened with a young woman who was at a similar stage to dad). We were relieved, rather than disappointed, because obviously we were dreading the news that these symptoms were being caused by regrowth, but as things stand, we are hoping it means he has actually dodged a major stroke.
He has been referred for speech therapy and physio, so hopefully these will help him out. His spirits are still high, and he just celebrated his 65th birthday (hence got his pension lump sum... that put a smile on his face, at any rate!)
So hopefully onwards and upwards we go - though I'm forever aware of how quickly things can turn. I'm grateful for every day, week and month we have with him.
Thinking of you, Gilly, sending you a big big cuddle, and I'm always here to listen if you are struggling in the days ahead.
Lots of love, Deb xxxxxx

Hey Gilly,

So sorry to read here that you've recently lost your mum. My heart goes out to you. I know there is nothing I can say that will help but I just wanted to send my love and tell you I'm thinking of you.

Lots of love
Lou
xxxx

hi debbie
hows things with your dad
just to let you know samantha had a baby girl
on the 5 april and she has cauld her ava
debbie has just had her scan results and
they are stable its great news for us
i hope all is well at your end
love to you and your family
linda xx

Wow Linda, that's great news about both your girls! So pleased to hear that Debbie's scan was good, and thrilled to hear you have a beautiful granddaughter to spoil! Does Callum like her?!!
Dad is doing fine, though he has come off the drugs trial after his last scan showed he'd suffered some kind of mini stroke, which has affected his right side (foot, leg, arm, hand) and his speech got worse. The same thing happened to a younger woman who was on the same trial, so the consultant decided it was wiser to stop the trial. He will be having some speech therapy and has been visited by the physiotherapist who's given him a few tips on how to deal with the right-sided weakness. In himself, he's still chipper - I think he feared the worst when he was getting those worsening symptoms, but his scan result was clear, no regrowth, and we were all relieved that the radiologist spotted the mini-stroke symptoms. He just celebrated his 65th birthday (so got his long-awaited pension) so things are good at the mo.
Great to hear from you - lots of love to you and all the family.
Deb xxxxx

Hi Deb, hope you don't mind me nosing in, but its good to hear your dad is doing ok. Its gives us a boost and keeps our hopes up. Great news with the scan result. Best wishes Andy & Susan xx

Hi Andy and Susan,
Yes, keep the faith! He has had tough days along the way and downright scary days (like when he had a seizure and we thought we were going to lose him there and then) but he has come through these things, and even now with the difficulties he encounters, he remains laid-back and lives his life as normally as he can. If this dreadful disease has any positive points, it's that it makes us appreciate our loved ones, and not put off 'til tomorrow what we can do today. Keep smiling, both of you, and stay positive!
Lots of love, Debbie xxxxx

Hi guys,
Just a quick update on my dad. I'm afraid to report his scan results yesterday show some regrowth of the tumour. The doctor mentioned possible surgery (for a second time)and use of the chemo drug PCV. He goes back next Tuesday with mam to see what has been decided.
Obviously we are all feeling pretty down about it, but at the same time we knew this day would probably come some time and I for one count ourselves lucky compared to some patients who don't get 19 months in after treatment.
On a positive note, at least they think it is worth treating again - I guess if they didn't think that, they would let nature take its course. But hopefully he will get a little more time out of the next lot of treatment.
Love to all,
Debbie xxxx

hey debs ((hugs))
im so very sorry to hear about your dads regrowth.
you can only do what youve done all along my lovely and stay positive. all through your dads journey you have been so up beat and just because of this new development doesnt mean that its bad. just take it a day at a time.
i know i dont know u debs but having such a similar story i feel like ive come along with you on this journey.
sending you all the strength and love in the world.
if you need a proper gab heres my details you can look for me on facebook or just message me=
Gillian Lavelle
grl_x1973@yahoo.com

lotsa love Gilly xxx