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January 31, 2004
Birthday Party
Going over the Hospice tonight for a pre-Birthday party. Only 2 people going to be there, and it'll be an all night affair 
Posted by alan at 2:09 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 30, 2004
Surfing(ish)
I recently changed jobs at work, and as a result now have a laptop. Which does have its advantages outside of work (shhh )
To see why, click away into the extended bit...
Although the works laptop can't connect directly to the web, it does have the ability to display sites offline. So Jules caught up on the pics and news I've been posting up. She even tried to type up a quick email, but struggled because of her tunnel vision problems, and the fact it's hard to see clearly on a LCD display. The Hospice have a PC, so she might try and see if she can fair better on a normal computer.
Trying desperately to snap a pic of Jules without sticking up the finger
It just ain't happening, is it
AT LAST She's in a really chirpy mood, and the docs are happy with her progress too.
Posted by alan at 10:31 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Urgh!
Hopefully this won't put you off your lunch:
BBC NEWS Science-Nature Whale explodes in Taiwanese city
Posted by alan at 1:29 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 29, 2004
Hello
Been to see Jules after a night off due to the bad weather.
She's really getting into the treatment and drinking all the fluids she needs to. And her appetite's growing, eating more each day
A few pics in the extended bit
Cup of tea in hand, Jules was messing about not drinking it properly
Janet asked her to try and drink properly, only for Jules to give her the "tongue" response
So I told Jules she needs to close her mouth and drink. So, full of sarcasm, she did
Having got a CD player for Christmas I'd said to everyone to get Jules some dance CD's. And my Mum bought her a selection, which had her away pretty much for the rest of the night
And so, before I left, I asked Jules for a message to her online fans... Need I say more
Posted by alan at 10:43 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
No News Is Good News!
Been mega busy with lots of different things, not helped by the sudden, unexpected arrival yesterday of an inch of snow.
Pics, news, and blog entries forthcoming soon
Posted by alan at 1:11 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 28, 2004
Snow!!!!
It's snowing 
A few pics of the "heavy" snowfall in the extended bit...
Walking down the street, early morning view.
The car, covered in snow.
A side view of the car, looking like it's been sprayed with silly foam
The rest of the fleet, equally sprayed up
Spitfire, finding the only place free of snow, up a tree
Posted by alan at 8:50 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 27, 2004
Nothing New
Popped into see Jules with Janet, having missed out over the weekend sorting the PC problems.
She's still doing great. Spoke to the nurses and they said they've noticed she's making more of an effort to try and do things for herself. And really trying to get sat up and turn round so she's sitting on the bedside.
I really think the environment has had a real effect on her, and it's great seeing her talk more, listen more, and laugh looooooads more
Posted by alan at 10:50 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 26, 2004
Night Off
Monday nights, as mentioned before, are a night off for visiting. So I'm home, beer in hand, waiting for the bath to finish running. Then off to bed to recover some of the sleep lost over the weekend partying
Posted by alan at 8:19 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 25, 2004
Bang Goes The PC
My Mum's work PC blew up on Thursday, and was very much Dead On Arrival when we took it out the car today. Fortunately Phil had managed to sort a new one, so todays job was to rebuild all the files and software onto the new one.
It took all day, and I'm just finishing off the final install now. Mum's planning to be up at 4am tomorrow to get back to Hull, brave woman.
Didn't manage to get over to see Jules , but Janet's old neighbour Collette and her baby, Morgan, popped by, along with Uncle Tony and Aunt Jenny.
Posted by alan at 9:58 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 24, 2004
Popped In, Drunk Out!
Ian and Nig popped over to see Jules with me this afternoon, after spending most of the morning in bed whilst I slaved away in work.
Mum turned up around 8pm so we decided against a big night out and just popped down the Old Town. And a monster Chinese, which is downstairs getting cold, so I'm off
Pics in the extended bit
Ian, having trouble with his nose, or so he said
A jug of Vodka Red Bull each, and Ian sucking away on his
Nige enjoying his jug, having not had chance to drink the night before (driving)
Mum having a swift pint whilst waiting for Ian to return with more jugs
Mum enjoying a jugful
Posted by alan at 11:48 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 23, 2004
Surprise!
What was intended to be a quiet afternoon out with the FiP posse turned into a surprise night out after my brothers just appeared in the Exchange bar
Pics, news, etc... in the extended bit
The Don, puzzled again as to why he's not won anything this year 
Alphabet Boy, the shock of the season, not winning as expected
Once the awards were over, it was time to catch up with Chris and go for a few beers down the Leisure Park...
Chris, downing yet another bottle of Miller in Exchange
The surprise of the night, thro the fuzzy vision of drunkeness, Nig and Ian turning up
Once we'd got into Chicago's the barstaff were less than accomodating. A stare from Ian, and the beers flowed once more
Ian and Nig, brothers-in-arms, headbutting each other... It's a Northern thing
Soon the punches were flying...
Ian, slowly turning into the Devil, shouting for another drink
Probably the stupidest thing all night, somone letting off a small nuclear device on the dance floor..... or a flashing light - take your pick
Chris has many skills.... Taking a picture whilst drunk isn't one of them
Whilst Chris cleans Ian's head another explosion
Posted by alan at 11:58 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 21, 2004
What A Great Time!
Staying over was great, that's all I can say
As promised, pics from last night in the extended bit - be aware, there's quite a few
Everyone popped by, including Jules close work friend from Lister. Celia was able to fill Jules in on all the latest gossip, and take back some messages for them too
A Forever Friends teddy bear from Celia, and a big grin from Jules
Chris and Laura, Jules bruv and sis from the weblog comments fame, watch on as Jules rips her presents to shreds
Jules , ripping away into the next present.
Stuart, his better half, Lisa, and Lisa's mum Carol popped by too.
Jules , happy as ever, enjoying a great birthday
"What's this?", Jules puzzles over her last present off her Mum and family.
She soon realises what they are - Condoms
Laughing away, "Thank You"
After we'd opened the presents it was time for tea. Chris ordered, and then Janet popped back over to Stevenage to pick up Jules fav from her fav place.
Jules tucking into her fav, Chicken Tikka Masala, Mushroom Pilau, and Peshwari Nan
While we'd been finishing off tea, Laura had been busy away in Jules room sorting out the bed, decorations, and just making the place look really pretty. Jules expression says it all, she was really happy
"Wakey-wakey" The nurses gave us a loooong lie-in, and Jules was really reluctant to get out of bed. Yesterday was a long day, and took it out of her.
Time for the B17 cocktail, and the face says it all. She's a real trooper, drinking the stuff, coz I'm pretty sure I'd be struggling to. It smells awful
Posted by alan at 11:48 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
January 20, 2004
Happy Birthday!
Today's Jules ' birthday. I've got the afternoon off, and will be off up the Hopsice as soon as the washing's done, and the last prezzie's are wrapped.
I'm also staying the night, so won't be posting any pics up until tomorrow
Posted by alan at 3:14 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 19, 2004
Only 1 Day To Go!
The Hospice don't have visiting on Monday's, giving families and patients a chance to catch up on rest. But if there's good reason for someone to have to visit, and the patient is happy, then they'll accomodate it. So today Father Frank popped in, and her cousin Jo, on her only day off. Also with Jo were her Aunt Lynn and her danger-seeking cousin Mark, who's off abroad once more to try and break another limb
Jules is getting all ready for her birthday tomorrow. And I've got permission to stay over, so will be booking the afternoon off to sort out stuff, as well as the Wednesday morning.
Still cracking on with the treatment, although Jules is finding it heavy going with the taste.
Posted by alan at 10:12 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 18, 2004
The End of A Great Weekend
Jules has been in a cheerful mood all weekend, full of energy, and eager to keep going with the B17 treatment, even if it's a bit tasteless
To give you an idea of her feelings, have a look in the extended bit for a pic...
Urgh!
Posted by alan at 11:08 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 17, 2004
Good Night!
Popped back tonight, having popped home for a bite to eat, bath, and bring in the clean clothes for Jules .
She's now had her second installment of the treatment. She's also really coming out of herself, which I'm guessing must be down to the friendly warm environment at the Hospice. No more simple nodding, thumbs up, but regular yes, no, and even words describing what she wants.
A few pics in the extended bit
Jules , really happy, smiling lots, oh, and still giving it the finger
The treatment requires lots of fluids, not particularly tasty ones, so everything's being washed down with pineapple juice, or the odd drop of Smirnoff Ice
Fast asleep
It's been a busy day, lots of people visiting. But the best bit for me was being able to stay and fall asleep with her. Something I haven't done since August
Posted by alan at 10:44 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The Treatment Has Started
After many weeks and months sorting out, the alternative treatment using B-17 started today. Jules wasn't too keen on the taste, but as I said, most things that are good for you tend not to have that processed nice taste to them.
Some pics in the extended bit...
Jules , after her first proper bath in 5 months. A bit of a major exercise getting her in and out, but as she says, well worth the effort
"Bottoms Up"
Almost finished, most of it is soluble so Jules can drink it down, but it ain't the best tasting stuff in the world
So what do you think of the taste? It says it all, don't it
Posted by alan at 6:25 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 16, 2004
Settled In
Popped up straight from work to see Jules, all settled in and feeling happy at the Hospice.
Pics in the extended bit
Jules, extremely happy with the move, all settled in and smiling
"Shhhhh", time for sleep, so we left her to doze off.
Posted by alan at 7:23 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Chopper Returns!
The bike of my childhood is back Never owned one myself, and my brother had the cheap copy.
BBC NEWS UK Design classic that entranced kids
A chance to own one, I better start saving
Posted by alan at 1:05 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 15, 2004
Back from Paris!
Arrived home tonight, wet and tired, after a long day away in Paris with work.
Jules is now over at the hospice in Letchworth, settled in. She had her first piece of toast in over 5 months, which went down well. And lots of chocolate cake for tea.
I'm off to bed now, but I've posted up a few pics of the trip just so you all get an idea of the terrible suffering I had to endure....
First off the Business Lounge, and all the food you can eat Bang goes the diet!
Champagne at 180mph, in the UK!! The speed was amazing, it really feels you're zooming along, and only 20 minutes in the tunnel!
Dinner on the way over, not that you have much time to enjoy it. The journey was only 2 hours 20 minutes, and it went past in no time
Main course, and another bottle of wine
All in all a fantastic trip, a real experience and something I'd love to do again. Rumours are we'll be going to Rome next time
Posted by alan at 10:48 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 13, 2004
Fish!
Yet again the staff forgot the golden rule and served fish at lunchtime today. Jules was none too pleased, but dinner came up trumphs. And the chocolate cakes I brought in yesterday filled a hole
I'll post pics on Friday as I'm trying to find my passport, which I pray to God I haven't lost
UPDATE: Pic there now!
The DVLA have caught up with Jules and we got a fine through the post for not taxing her car last year. Jules won't sign anything without reading it first
Posted by alan at 11:47 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 12, 2004
Quiet
Jules was quite quiet tonight, probably a sign of the return to a day's physio after a weekend of rest. Plus the move around the ward and getting used to the new environment has taken its toll.
We also popped over to the Hospice to have a look around and meet the staff. It's a leap above what the Lister is offering, with her own HUGE room, tv, and really relaxed atmosphere. Also they're happy for Spitfire to come and visit, and for me to stay over too.
Jules move's on Thursday morning, so if you're planning on visiting after Wednesday best watch this space, or give Janet or me a shout.
Posted by alan at 10:44 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 11, 2004
Hello God
Taken from the Brain Tumour egroup tonight, cheered me up, hope it cheers you too
Hello God
Hello God, I called tonight,
To talk a little while..
I need a friend who'll listen
To my anxiety and trial..
You see, I can't quite make it
Through a day just on my own...
I need your love to guide me,
So I'll never feel alone.
I want to ask you please to keep,
My family safe and sound.
Come and fill their lives with confidence
For whatever fate they're bound.
Give me faith, dear God, to face
Each hour throughout the day,
And not to worry over things
I can't change in any way.
I thank you God, for being home
And listening to my call,
For giving me such good advice
When I stumble and fall.
Your number, God, is the only one
That answers every time.
I never get a busy signal,
Never had to pay a dime.
So thank you, God, for listening
To my troubles and my sorrow.
Good night, God, I love You, too,
and I'll call again tomorrow!
www.caringbridge.org/nm/zach
Posted by alan at 11:36 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Asleep In The Bath
Was how I found myself tonight. Must've needed it, because I feel as bright as a button now
Janet, Stuart and Lisa popped to the hospital to see Jules . She was quite tired, no surprise after yesterday, so they didn't stay too long. But she was happy, which is the important thing
Posted by alan at 9:31 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December's Stats
Quickly doing the admin thing today, tidying up around here, cleaning away the cobwebs...
This was December's most viewed page:
Tired
Posted by alan at 1:03 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 10, 2004
Curry Night!
Jules has been going on about having a curry all week just about, in particular:
Mushroom Pilau
Peshwari Nann
Bombay Potatoes
So, after helping her move (see earlier) I popped down the Taj Mahal and bought the lot
Jules, tucking into her curry, and giving it the "fingers" up
I got a cuddle out of it, and the definate thumbs up, although I was hoping to get a bit of curry myself
By 9pm the food and Bailey's was taking effect and she was out like a light. It's been a long day for her, and time to catch up on some rest.
Posted by alan at 10:06 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
All Move Again
Unfortunately someone on the ward took a turn for the worst last night so when I got there today the nursing staff had asked Jules if she minded moving out of her side room and into another part of the ward so that that patient's family could have a little peace and privacy. Of course, Jules had no objections so we popped downstairs whilst the staff sorted out the beds.
Jules even wanted to pop outside, so we went for a little wander round the carpark before it got too cold.
Anyway's, can't chat for long as I'm off to take delivery of our tea from the takeaway and get it back to the ward before it goes cold
Posted by alan at 6:15 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
January 9, 2004
Full of Beans
Just the best description of Jules this afternoon. I left work early (you can on Friday's, which is great ), and went straight over to the hospital, having not been up on Thursday night. And she was really awake, chatty, and full of beans
Pics in the extended bit...
Big, cheesy grins when I got there, soon replaced with orders to, "go get me a Sprite"
It was Janet's idea to give her the waterpistol, and she soon realised that that wasn't as good an idea as it first seemed
No night is complete without "it"
Although when I did ask for a smile, I'm not sure if this was any better
By end of visiting she was zonked, so we left her to catch up on some rest. She needed it, being more awake today than I've seen her in a long time
Posted by alan at 9:25 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 8, 2004
Throat On Fire!
Throats been on fire all day at work so I rang Janet and gave seeing Jules a miss tonight.
Off to bed, medicinal whisky in hand, to see if an early night will put the fires out
Posted by alan at 7:24 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 7, 2004
All Is Forgiven!
Popped in to see Jules today and she's had a really good day. She was really chatty, speaking a lot more than normal. And, it seems, we're back on talking terms once more
Pics and news in the extended bit...
This was Jules last night when I popped my head round the door and got told to "Bugger off" The face says it all really, don't it.
But tonight You don't know hoooow much I've missed that hug
She seems really awake, even after we'd got her changed and ready for bed. Chatty too, speaking more than normal. And she didn't seem as tired as in the past few days. A lot must be down to shaking off the cold she's had I guess.
Other news. She'll be moving soon, in order to improve and increase her care levels. It'll also mean a change in environment. So, if you're planning on visiting let either me or her mum know as she might have moved already. After Monday's episode the staff are reluctant to let anyone see her unannounced now, so it's even more important to let us know if you're planning on visiting. And once she's moved you won't be able to visit without prior notice.
Posted by alan at 11:13 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 6, 2004
F^%$ OFF!
Popped in to see Jules over lunch, see if she's okay after yesterday's turn. And I was told to go, in her usual fruitful language.
Happy? Not really 
. Someone I've never met, having explictly been told what his daughter's wishes currently are, has ruined things it would seem. I'm told by Jules family that this isn't unusual, but I'd been cutting him some slack, having never met him myself, and was trying to talk Jules into changing her mind. Instead, he's gone against her wishes and made us all out to be liars. Something I'm certainly not happy about .
Hopefully she'll have calmed down a bit by tonight. As for talking her round to seeing her dad, I'll leave you to work out my views on that now
Posted by alan at 1:59 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
January 5, 2004
Why Can't Some People Just Do As They're Told?
It started off with me feeling like crap, still full of cold (), and finishing with me getting accused of lying by Jules
She had a dizzy spell during physio which disorientated her and made her feel sick for most of the rest of the day, so she hasn't been on top form.
The other problem was that her dad decided to turn up at the hospital, despite her continual requests that he didn't. And, of course, that made me out to be a liar, since I'd promised her that we wouldn't tell him it was okay to see her if she didn't want him there. So because he did turn up, Jules is now accusing me, her mum, and the ward staff of lying, and is refusing to talk to me.
So, Jules now doesn't trust me or her mum, the nurses are in an awkward position with her dad threatening to turn up, unannounced, and against her wishes, and her dad doesn't seem to be getting the message that, thanks to his actions today, he's now the last person she wants to see at the moment.
Funny really, because on Saturday she'd said she'd think about seeing her dad after I'd explained how much he wants to see her. Having lost my dad when I was only 14 I was fairly convinced that despite everything that has gone on she should at least see him once. It now looks, after today's unannounced visit, that Jules is even more adamant that she never wants to see him. And with the trust in me and her mum gone for the moment, I can't see us talking her out of it.
It's amazing how one thing can spoil it for everyone
Posted by alan at 10:55 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 4, 2004
Long Day
I awoke today feeling rougher than I have for a while, this cold really getting to grips. Planning to spend the day sorting the house ready for next week, I instead didn't get up until 1pm, and that was only because Jules mum, Janet, had called to ask if my PC could be borrowed for some of Laura's school work.
I eventually managed to surface and pop into Argos to get a shelving unit for Jules hospital room. We popped in around 4pm, meeting up with Stu and Lisa, and just missing Tony and Jenny by a few minutes.
Pics in the extended bit...
Don't ask what the 2 frogs are doing, it's Tony's fault for putting them there like that. Jules just kept giggling when we asked exactly what where they doing?
She seemed quite bright and alert again, and we watched another couple of episodes of Fawlty Towers before she started to feel tired.
The chesty cough she's had for the last few days isn't a chest infection. The doctor saw her this morning and put it down to a cold, which I've no doubt given her. Tomorrow they'll hopefully sort out some medication, and I'm going to keep my distance, hard as it is.
Posted by alan at 9:47 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
January 3, 2004
Venturing Out!
Once finished seeing Jules it was my chance to catch up with some of the old Ventures as they were all back from Uni for the hol's. I'd already bumped into Nathan and Naomi on Christmas Eve, but tonight was the chance to catch up with Chris Neilson and the infamous MR COLE!
Some pics in the extended bit...
Chris, and Nathan, listening intently to another of James' wierd stories. I tried getting a picture of him, but the phone kept saying "Memory overload".
I did, however, manage to get a picture of his beer, which I hope to sell for big profit when he becomes rich and famous
Posted by alan at 11:40 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Urgh! Not Fish!
Back up on the ward we watched some Fawlty Towers, which had Jules laughing once more. Her energy seemed to return as we sat there watching TV. Once her mum was there dinner soon arrived. But horrors - A TUNA SANDWICH!
Pics in the extended bit...
"Urgh" The face says it all, and despite the notice on the wall, the tuna sandwich had got thro'
"Sick" - one bite and Jules was feeling bad. Fortunately a spare Sausage and chips was found and mealtime recovered
Posted by alan at 11:30 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The Gang's In Town!
Some of Jules ' college mates popped in to see her today. Chris, Lee, Dan and Adriano from her times at North Herts College had got in touch shortly before Christmas.
Jules was quite awake too, so we popped down the cafe for a catch-up and chat about the old days. It soon had her giggling
Pics in the extended bit...
Jules was soon downing her first Sprite, and listening in on what everyone had been upto in the last couple of years.
Chris and Dan, explaining where they've been, and what they're been up to
Adriano and Lee, listening intently to another of Chris's stories
Not sure what Chris was explaining at this point, but it had Jules in stitches
And no visit would be complete without witness to Jules now infamous gesture
Posted by alan at 11:29 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
January 2, 2004
Added Online
As so many have been asking I've added a complete file of Jules pics online. It can be found here:
Jules' Pics Online
Posted by alan at 12:12 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Reading The News
Two bits of news caught my eye today:
BBC NEWS Health £12m pledged for terminally ill
BBC NEWS Health Warning over bed-blocking fines
Good and bad moves perhaps? Certainly giving patients more options and support for the family is good. And as long as each Bed-blocker circumstance is reviewed, and it's not turned into a "bums on seats" count.
But the news I still can't get my head around:
BBC NEWS UK Armed air marshals on UK flights
Being in the aerospace industry one of our product line's aim's to shoot down enemy aircraft. A good way to do this is with guns. Which is why I can't understand what they hope to achieve by having guns on board, other than piercing the aircraft skin and blowing everything out of the air. Which is kinda what the terrorists want, isn't it?
Posted by alan at 11:23 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 1, 2004
The First One of 2004
Urgh Full of cold, great way to start the New Year
Jules seemed well with it today, very chatty and awake. She's still writing out the shopping list, so I've a few days grace before being instructed to jump to it
Off back to bed to try and shake off the sniffels
Posted by alan at 4:00 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Happy New Year!
The door's are open, the coal and bread have been brought in by the first footer, the house is cleaned of the old and ready for the new.
2004 is going to be a hard year. Lets just hope some of the luck this time of year can bring comes Jules' way.
Happy New Year From Us Both!Posted by alan at 12:00 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack