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May 31, 2003
Who Is Formy?
"So who is Formy?" Jules asked this morning. He keeps sending me postcards, this time from New Zealand of all places.
Do we have a stalker in our midst?
Posted by alan at 9:55 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 29, 2003
Choo! Choooo !
A surprise trip upto York followed by a steam train to Scarborough. Fish and chips how it should be, all cooked Northern style with proper fat like 
Photo's in the extended entry, click away!
We left Stevenage early, much to Jules disappointment! ("I want to stay in bed, Zzz, Zzz, Zzz, Zzz...") Had a wander around York, found a pub or 2 and had a beer. Then back to the station for the royal send-off to Scarborough. Lots of people obviously knew about the steam loco, and turned up for pics and to wave us off. Jules was amazed 
A great day out, and Jules enjoyed every bit, including the pate, cheese and biscuits - must take more next time Sy
Posted by alan at 11:19 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 28, 2003
You're discharged... (so no static shocks then?)
We've been to see the radiotherapist today to chat about Jules ' scans she had a fortnight ago. Basically because all appears well at the mo', and the risks of damage from having radiotherapy, they believe the best course of action is to keep an eye on things and if it suddenly grows out of control (highly unlikely we're told) they'll tackle it then. Oh, and if you've yet to get the hang of this, there's a link on the next line that takes you to the HUGE report on it all!!!
"But it's a malignant tumour, and it's nasty!"
With these tumours the biopsy can show a nasty high grade tumour, which Jules has, yet in reality it will exhibit the growth and spread of a low grade one, which it appears Jules one is doing. This explains why we've been told it's nasty, and it's not nasty. And also why they're suggesting wait and see rather than BANG BANG BANG with the radiotherapy treatment.
"Why no radiotherapy then?"
As for the reasoning behind no radiotherapy, the big problem for Jules is that she had about 30gray of radiotherapy to the brain when having the leukaemia treatment. And this only leaves another 30gray to tackle the current tumour, which they've calculated as being borderline. And their fear is that simply doing it because they can, JUST, it'll trip something up later on, in months, years time, and Jules will be suffering unecessarily.
So, we've an appointment with the surgeon in a fortnight's time, and then I guess she'll be popping back regularly for check-ups to make sure it's not going out of control and causing more problems. I'm assuming she'll have to undergo surgery again sometime in the future, but at the mo' I've not asked this since there's enough for her to tackle at the mo'.
Posted by alan at 9:43 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 27, 2003
Ring, ring.....ring, ring
If you're at a loose end anytime, give Jules a shout at home, she'll be happy for the call, given we've had a glut of bloody double glazing, gas, and bank telesales calling every day!!!!
Posted by alan at 11:46 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 26, 2003
Interpersonal Skills
Thanks to the wonders of the web we can keep in regular touch with people all over, including our great friend Chaz, who emigrated to the far side of the world a few years back.
On hearing the news and reading the site he made comment that he was glad to hear that Jules hasn't lost any of her interpersonal skills.
When I told Jules , she remarked, "Cheeky sh@~, what does he mean I've still got my f&^%ing interpersonal skills". Hmmm, point made I think 
I have to agree with her mum that if it wasn't for us knowing her old quiet (ehem!) outspoken character there might be grounds for believing she's developed turrets syndrome. However we all know it's the old Jules coming back, maybe just a bit too strongly none the less
Posted by alan at 1:03 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 21, 2003
Sleep..zzz..zzz..
It's getting to a head. Jules wants lots of sleep, and we're all trying to get her up and about. And she ain't happy about this
Today, just before I left, she told me, "F&^% off, and don't come home until you've calmed down". Hmmmmm....
It's not like there's nothing for her to do. I mean, I've no clean clothes now
Posted by alan at 1:33 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
May 20, 2003
Grapefruit!
The surgeon described the meningioma as the same as a large grapefruit. And thanks to our friend, Sy, Jules now has one in the fridge.
For those without access to our fridge, here's a pic:
Also, more pics will appear in past and future posts so keep reading the archives!
Posted by alan at 8:29 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 19, 2003
A Killer Is On The Loose
Now, owning a cat is one thing, you get used to the little presents he brings in the house. Only last year he helped redecorate the front room with Dove down, much to the detrement of the former Collared Dove. It is an ex-dove, it is no more, etc....
But, when you've had serious surgery, and want your sleep, it doesn't help if your beloved pet brings in a bird, or 3
The killer, Spitfire, resting after another terror wreaking night on the tiles...
About 8am he brings in a blackbird, waking Jules , and wreaking havoc around the house, as the pics show.
The crap up the walls...
... up the door...
...feathers on the floor...
...and all over the window sill
The bird, shocked and ruffled, was quickly wisked to the vets, and released back later that day.
Of course, Spitfire then goes and grabs another 2 birds, chicks, on Sunday night, which we drop off to the vets.
Posted by alan at 1:28 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 16, 2003
Small is beautiful!
I think I've cracked the problem with the font sizes being nice and even at home and MASSIVE at work. So the site should all fit nicely on a 1048x768 screen, and even on 800x600, if anyone still has one of those!
Oh, and if you're ever bored, wondering if the rain's gonna stop (in the UK that is!), take a look at Posted by alan at 1:51 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 14, 2003
Scanning..
Off to the Royal Free again today for another MRI scan. A bit more scary than before, Jules says, the scanner was bigger and louder than the previous one. I could hear it from the receiption area.
But there was a nice Mancunian nurse to hold her hand for her, " He had a gorgeous accent", she told me on the way out 
Hmmm, what with this and the bed baths I need to have a word. That's assuming she stops hitting me for being a pig trying to get her out of bed every day 
Posted by alan at 10:38 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 11, 2003
A Weekend of Car Show
The biggest VW GTI show in the UK, if not Europe, hit Suffolk this weekend. Being on the Club GTI committee it was a natural assumption Jules and I would be actively involved doing something, well, except for the circumstances.
So Jules stayed at her Mum's whilst I went out and played with me cars
But, she didn't get out of it that easily, as the picture will show. Well, she couldn't stand and hand out programmes, but there was nothing stopping her stuff 'em!
Posted by alan at 11:38 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
May 6, 2003
Inspection
The landlord's agent's been round to inspect the house. All's fine, except the carpets. They need replacing, EXCELLENT !! So that's new windows, carpets, and an empty shed for storage. Best start moving those car bits out the house before Jules does ;-)
Posted by alan at 3:42 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
May 2, 2003
What Is It Then?
So it's a meningothelial meningioma
· malignant due to transitional pattern
· mitoses
· nuclear atypia
· necrosis
· brain invasion
(progesterone receptor + M18-1 > 10%)
Well, glad we've got THAT cleared up (???)
Websites:
Posted by alan at 11:29 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack