Tuesday, 13 July 2010

where has she been?

Picture taken in San Juan islands near Seattle on last year's holiday.


I am afraid that google/ blogger decided to lock me out of my blog for a while. It kept saying that my password or user name was wrong. Eventually I tried the 'forgotten password' route and it has worked. Very odd. Anything like that ever happened to anyone else?

Anyway, quite a bit has been happening at this end. I spent a few days last week in Newcastle ( upon Tyne) seeing other half's family. It was a lovely trip. A couple of nights with my mum in law, and then a couple of nights with our friend Martin who has a flat in the city. Other half was working so I had a chance to hit the city centre for a few hours alone. I had a lovely time. Lunch in Yo Sushi, a chocolate shot at a chocolate fountain at Thornton's, coffee in a fab coffee shop called Central Bean, visited a new part of the Eldon Square shopping centre... bought books and clothes. Found out that Jo Malone is coming to Fenwicks, and that White Company is already there. Heaven.

Ok, so I overdid it a bit. Walked further than I had for an age, didn't take as many breaks as I could have done, didn't take enough heed of the warm temperatures AND I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT. WHAT A TONIC.

We had a nice meal out in a restaurant called the Black Door brasserie. Very good. We had lunch in a vietanemese restaurant called Little Saigon. All in all, very successful.

It was hard to walk into chemo again on Monday morning after all that fun and sensory delight. But I did it and day two is now complete. One more and it's done for another four weeks. Reaction to chemo has been mild,so that is great news.

Meanwhile I have a referral to a hospital in London. It is the Royal Marsden and is the main cancer hospital in the UK. A second opinion. I am hoping for a consultation date soon so fingers crossed and prayers this way please. It has been a big decision because of the logistics but I feel I need to seek some more answers and perhaps some other avenues. What will be, will be, but I have everything to gain and nothing to lose.

Teenager is in Chicago with Expat Mum and is having a ball. She is a good friend to us. What an opportunity for a fifteen year old. He is very happy and settled and I get to chat to him every day on facebook- easy and relaxed. Bless it- for all the criticism of it it has many advantages.

10 comments:

l'optimiste said...

great to go to the Royal Marsden. I am sure they will have answers for you. Supposed to be amazing.

Your time away sounds just the thing! Food, shopping, walking - woop! Great stuff.

And yes, google sometimes goes mad and locks me out too - most irritating...
x

Busy Bee Suz said...

I have never bee locked out of blogger...yet.
Your trip does sound wonderful, and it is normal to overdo it right? that is what we do.
Take it easy..sending good thoughts and prayers for some wonderful health news.

Pam said...

What a lovely trip! Glad you enjoyed it. Your son will love Chicago!
Good luck with the chemo. X

Angie said...

What a great time you had. Does you good to do exactly as you like for a few hours.

Hadriana's Treasures said...

Hello Lakeland Jo,

Extremely sorry that I have not been visiting your blog in ages and you have been putting some lovely comments on mine. Gosh! Your news. I'll try and read your archives to try and find out a bit more.

Wishing you all the very best with the Royal Marsden. I know that it has a very good reputation. It is always good to get a second opinion. My fingers are crossed for you.

You sound like you had a fabulous day in Newcastle and well deserved too. Have you ever tried the Blackfriars restaurant in the medieval part? We like it very much.

There is some stuff about last year which I have not blogged about because it was too near the knuckle. Some things in life really help us change our priorities. I care much less about money now and much more about my family and friends.

I'm not saying any of this very well but my thoughts are definitely with you. Good luck! Hugs Hadriana xx xx

Tracey said...

Don't you just love Newcastle centre. I love going there about once a month for a slow saunter round.
I really hope something gets sorted very soon for you healthwise matey. stay strong xxx

Expat mum said...

He is the perfect guest too.

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Don't know what to say(not like me). But it doesn't matter, thinking of you is enough. Keep positive.

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear you had a lovely day out - go girl!

Sending you lots of positive thoughts x

Clippy Mat said...

Hey Jo: That trip around good old Newcastle sounds like my idea of heaven. It sounds like you had a great time too. Good stuff.
hugs,
Pat :-)