Friday runaround.

Busy day in halfterm popped into Hammy House for Ian Connollys last day also known as saucy. Top manand curry club devotee. Saw too many people to mention. Plan was to take mother to sisters but she was too tired so sat round in her house I take the laptop and she watches telly. Dog wouldn't even go for a walk she was too hot. home for lasagne.
Discover that the spare wheel has been nicked off my new car grrr. Interface with the police call centre, and then the crime bureau. Very helpful coming round tomorrow to fingerprint.
Then out to drop Jean off for a night out at the Liverpool Marriot. Ally and I dissapear into Borders for coffe Fappucino and shopping.
Back home for Have I got News for you, Johnny Ross with Dirty Den and Shania Twain, followed by Jools Holland with the entertaining Blind boys of alabama amongst others.

Thursday

Investing in Bluetooth short range wireless technology. Seems like fun and cheap from ebay. Out into the garden to till the earh, well plant hanging baskets, Jean runs round like teacher scolding errant pupils which we deserve. Make a good old mess and a bit vomitty after dinner. Jean goes off to buy more pots plants etc. I cill for a bit ring a woman needing support then go to gym. Walk 2 kilometres at nearly 5 K an hour a personal best for me. Increase weights on dumbells. feel sense of warmth and achievment. Drop prescription in at Tesco then forget it oh very poor. Mess in garden then watch season finale of ER on E4 very strange post Iraq stuff Hmmm.

Wednesday, a walk in the Black Forest or erm Childwall woods

A walk with the park ranger in Childwall woods top man with vast knowledge of trees. See plenty of things I didnt know about in a nice bit of woods in walking distance from the house. There are woodpeckers and foxes, and a load of trees. I was well impressed this is scary new stuff and only 15 minutes from our ouse. Go to Tescos Woolton for dinner, girls happy but me less so. So I buy a pasta salad from the shop and hope they will try to evict me for eatingit there. Brace myself for a special diet protest that never comes. Round to mothers, she don't look so clever. Just wants to sit around so that aint good. Me and Ally take sue mums dog for a walk. Me and dogs not a good combination, Sue has acquired the personality of one of my mothers younger sisters dont ask. Basically you have to carry her like a baby to a point out of site of the house then she will walk. Walk a mile somewhere along the line she poohs, not impressed. Ungracious bending and cleaning, teflon it aint.
Back to the house mother is delighted the dog has crapped - a sign of greast honour and total respect. Us back home called at the docs to pick up script which is shut. Go home eat ravenously within my diet (I have walked three miles today). Water the garden and chill.

Tuesday More rushing

Doctors appointment 8.50 Frank showing off his new printer which didnt work. Call techie after I thought trying the obvious. Didn't try the paper tray as I foolishly thought he would have checked, he hadn't it was empty but worked better afterwards. Off to see a friend feeling a bit down, move them on a bit I think. Back home lunch, then off to Speke retail park. New shoes in Brantano. Stout walking shoes for our outdoor pursuits planned for tomorrow. More to follow. Then in to Borders, coffee at starbucks then into the shop properly. They have a chuckout corner in there, wow did I have a good root. Got an outlook 2000 book for work. Bought a book by the Dalai Lama - the little book of wisdom. He is a wise old git. A Susie Orbach number called on eating seems a bit of a gem she used to do a bit in the guardian cant remember much about her.
Off to Greenbank for tea new chef the chicken penne pasta is greatly improved by the addition of more (some) chicken. Jean goes off to mothers and I have an online meeting, which greatly occupies me.
Good nights sleep though I sense Jean is having troubles when she wakes me telling me to call the police as we have people in the loft. I feel considerably settled once we establish it is a dream

Monday Busted

Nanna duty today she wanted to visit Nanny Banks her mum. A stubborn stoical character on a good day. This was not a good day. I absent myself to maplins and console myself to a small bit of spending and a large bit of browsing. On return I sit in the kitchen messing on the laptop. Listening to my mum and her mum arguing at the top of their voices. i am transported back to my childhood. Nannas house is in the centre of Urban regeneration capital of liverpool and all round scary place. Take mum home and back to our house to see Lizzie Alls mate and our house guest had arrived. Drive them to Manchester to the Carling Apollo to see Busted. I sod off to Leeds to see my mate Gordon who had WLS on 1/5/03 and is still in. He has had all sorts of probs leaks and infections and MRSA. The Leeds General Infirmary is the maddest place I have ever been (hospital wise). Eventually find him and he looks pleased to see me. Find my way out and get lost going back into Manchester I see it more as an interesting diversion. Find the place again and nibble some chicken whilst waiting for them. Ardwick looks like the Kensington of Liverpool. On the way home have to stop the car and chuck up. Get home blow up an airbed and sleep well

Sunday

Rushed to Tesco en route to gym. Thought why am I rushing it Sunday lets chill, went back home, and decided to walk to Ruth and Pauls instead. dunno har far but took 30 mins at good pace felt good as an achievment. Nice lunch but bit ropey feeling after. Sunday night means 24 in Clare towers to tlly show of the mo. So good we watched the next episode on Beeb 3. We will see it again on Beeb 2 next week. Late night. feel good.

Saturday sounds like parent trap

Saturday morning hang about then gone to see Mum and sister at mums. Seems her Liver function tests are back to normal and the test is suddenly risky and he doesnt want to do it. Need to get her sorted next week Mary is staying for tonight. The dog is out of kennels and fairly happy seems pleased to see me as well. watched the scoring on eurovision null points.

Day Off my ****

Website work while Mrs C relaxes. Engage the services of Rebecca a post opper who has volunteered to help with admin top woman. Feel relieved. Approached by Dr Pinkney consultant physician with specialist interest in obesity. Need him to do some stuff for the site and it makes me start thinking what can we do to support people for whom surgery is not an option. Hmmmmmmm. Go to see Paul Johnson local GP who I have known for too many years.Social chit chat with business edge. Business cards for the site arrived another 1000. That will be 2000 given out. Go to the gym walk a mile, feel top see Mary Bowman a woman I worked with years ago. go home post some papers to Jen for admin support. Go to The ship and Mitre the web site is out odf date but the beer is tops. Met Mickey, George, and terry three geezers all nurses from the JMU the other university. Had a good talk, Terry is a writer on the quiet and is interested in writing this up, the experience of bariatric surgery I mean. Had a few pints watched them eat chips had a few 3 in fact and didn't lose control. Walked up the hill to Lime Street and got a cab. Got home to the strange news that my mother hadnt had the test and had been discharged. Too late to ring by the time I got in.

Look back with no anger

Looking back bit of a theme for the week. Since the time away I seem to have done a lot or reflection and its working out well. I am developing a real sense of inner calm and being happy with myself. Looking back on the week now is hard a lot has happened so I made some notes. Bought some new threads check them out here. I personally thought the tie shirt comb was a non-starter but was overuled by the style police. Went to work on Thursday good stuff natter with Kim and Andrew financial manager types. Cool dudes. Ali P's leaving doo. Meeting with Val my boss, sort out some stuff. Scoot off home to pick up butties to take into mum. Call in to fruit shop, ordered a basket for Jack and the gym staff, say thanks for helping me get below 20 stone. They are well pleased strikes me thanks are big for them. Off to see my mother and she is preparing for the transjugular liver biopsy read more tommorrow. Doc has said she can go home and await the results. Go home, got some admin help running the North West support group, talk to her on the phone, Jen is a top girl. Relax watch a head spinning episode of ER. No spoilers here the terrestial brethrern are a few weeks behind.

A raft of new experiences(white water style)

Off to town for lunch which is scary in extremis. I wanted to give Jean and I a treat, end up here The other place Bistro located in the former Bechers Brook in the heart of the cultural quarter I am nervous but excited. Not the best with food and my mini belly. There is a light lunch menu which contains several options for both of us. None of which seem extremely right for me, I settle for the Chicken Satay salad, Jean for the Chicken Milanese Sandwhich. Mine arrives small mound of some of the most beautiful chicken with a peanutty toothsome sauce. Gustatory pleasures on a level which I thought would be unachivable post op. Jeans is boss too. I savour and enjoy every delicious mouthful. Good service 12.15 for two. Pre op I would have to have fries and bread and salad extras and still not felt full. This opens up new opportunities. Small microportioned bistros abound. I always avoided em for the very reason they seem so attractive. Head struggles with new possibilities of social eating. Just when it looks like it can get no better the waiter gives us a buy one get one free voucher for our next meal . He gets a better than average tip.
Pop into the Imagine office on Hope street, a housing and care provider I was a trustee there for a few years. See a couple of folk who nearly recognise me. Drive down into the city and Park in the NCP on Paradise Street, The exit into the street scares me, it is five years plus since I was able to go there because of my mobility impairment. It is busy, to me anyway. But I wander around like an openmouthed child, I keep bumping in to people the concept of pedestrian is strange, is there a book I can read. Find Harvey Malcolm my first goal. Strike up a rapport with the geezer, he is a tailor, not camp but older than me jobbing tailor. I explain the history he assess the case makes the diagnosis and whisks me off to choose - er choose whats that about. In to Jacket department, there is a very nice blue job wich is a good tight fit, hell my weight is only going one way. Eighty quid yes please. 3 work shirts, two casuals a tie a belt down 170 suits me sir. The shirt tie combo seems a little girlie but Jean assures me I'll be OK. Glad she is there.Need to buy Ally a present, and Me and Jean. Confession time now for the last 15 years I have never worn a watch and developed a time doesnt govern me approach. It was coz I couldn't get a timepiece that would suit the expanded limbs. With the recent 15th anniversary designatedas the watch anniversary I take the plunge and go on a hunt. We take coffee in Clayton square which I aint seen before. Wander a bit I go into tesco metro alone which I end up abandoning my trolley in due to close proximity of too many folk and insufficient space. Nearly have a panic attack but avoid and regroup outside.Jean has by now caught up with Me. Its raining but I am glad to be alive. Purveyors of fine watches seem to fall into categories, extremely cheap or extremely dear. I am looking for a 30 pound an item budget. Argos says Jean, Argos says Ken poxy distributor of brown boxed items? I appreciate my intelligence may be somewhat out of date. Lo and behold we find the necessarys and purchase three fine time pieces. The strap fits comfortably in the third hole that will do me.
Away home and Ally is pleased with hers. Bum about on the PC, before a delicious cold chicken and meat collation with a bit of xheese thrown in. Visited by Colin Jeans brother with whom we will holiday in August. Phone call from sister with news of mother basically none but she is upset and uncertain what tests they are doing. Sister Mary is upset that the nurses on the ward don't know I tell her not to worry I will pick this up tomorrow.
A walk in the rain for 35 minutes I feel good new places I aint never seen on foot, roads are scary though. Back home and phone call to Jane, Jane is from South Africa living here for 10 years, she had a Duodenal switch, read about it here explains it well. She was the first real person I came across in the UK DS community - I think she was it. our site is developing a membership of pre and post op switchers. Se is a woman I feel a great respect for and I am thrilled when she accepts a position as moderator on our soon to be created DS forum. Top stuff warm glow another good day, watch some football I dont understand and then go to sleep.

Thanks to Kim for medication and spell checking suggestions.

Wednesday - Bloody computers

Relax , whivh means big to do list. Shopping for work gear this pm,luch out I guess. Talk to Bob Informatics boss sound geezer, talk about work but lapse into our views on politics. Good geezer, wouldn't work too close too him though, he is too much like me. Glad he doesn't read these pages. The website went down for an hour last night and weird things happen again. The main desktop here is grinding under the strain of the industrial class punishment it is taking. Keeps freezing aint got time mony or inclination build a new one.

Tuesday

Rearranged the week - should be off but the search for robust information and the dependency on me to provide mean otherwise. Work today off wednesday in thursday off friday. I see myself as the light infantry of the informatics world and flexibility is key. Spend a frustrating morning not getting far but tell a lot of people I have broken the twenty stone barrier. Go for lunch at the Greenbank which is good. Mousaaka, which I had never eaten before, Kim and I put several aspects of the world to rights and I return to the matchworks refreshed. Arrive home and see the girls poached salmon and cauliflower cheese for tea. A small chill out then off to see Mother in the Royal.
Where is she up:- difficult question
Liver biopsy - by jugular approach, Friday, drainage of ascites, sometimes right leg still swollen , daily blood tests, more scan activity. Basically not much further on. She looks better and not as tired. Worried about dog and getting stuck in hospital. All the patients that she had become friendly with have now moved on or home. Some sick looking geezers in there at the minute.Confidentiality prevents discussion here.
The thought of impending guilt about not visiting Nanny Banks looms but dissapears thankfully quickly. Speak to sister have a bit of an online meeting with Nell and Teen from wlsinfo. The weekend away has impacted on us all emotionally.Helping Nell to set up a blog which reminds me - Gail Campbell oh super girl o SLPCT email us summaries of any communications for Sandra B and I'll post them up in the appropriate place.

Manic Monday (not)

Start the day with a visit to the matchworks before bombing up the M57 to Aintree hospital. Need to see the Occ Health Physician. Doc Hibbert is he off the simpsons? Top geezer. Knows what a Roux en Y is - incredible listens to me, asks me what I think? Is he a doc, Interested in mental health aspects of life, my perspective as a manager, and me as person. He clearly cannot be allowed to continue I feel sure he will be dissapeared. He seems to me to be what improving working lives is all about. Read the blurb here. It was something that happened when I was off and seems long on talk short on action. To be fair my old mate Elaine B top geezer in HR did a sound talk about it last week. I realise that my skills as a manager managing sick peoples return to work need updating. The doc thinks it is way to soon to consider me bipolar but suggests my return to work should be more phased - cool by me. Pop in to Westmoreland a GP practice in the grounds of Aintree where the District Nurse project I used to work on was born See I am famous people are astounded by my appearance.
Then over, in my own time to see a patient on the Sefton suite who had the same op as me on Wednesday. She lives on the Isle of Man and Feels a bit alone. She aint got the internet and I tell her she can write to me.
Back to matchworks grab a bite of lunch purchased from Aintree Hospitals canteen, lunch talking to Olive deeply sound character and Michelle who grew up in South Africa during the changes, she hadn't that Walter Sisulu had died. The British press coverage was poor. Popped into the Clinical Governance meeting run by Maurice. Top Geezer.
Off to Rathbone and begin to understand the mysteries of Delphi.
Then Off to the gym and guess what i have broken the twenty stone barrier. thats 14 stone off. Wow and thanks to all.

Sundays report

Sun didn't last long the hotel was sat in the grounds of a park which is locked so meander around the streets of Mansfield. Back to the hotel and meet the cook. Explain to her about WLS and my breakfast needs. Back to the room Bob Marley and bath. Downstairs walk round the park with Nell, breakfast and back to work. Jenny and Colin the partners are great. Productive mornin and get sorted. Bye to Mick, drop nell at Nottingham and find station for emotional goodbye. Find M1 and head up lunch at services. Encounter deeply bad weather on the way home torrential rain. Drop Teen in bury, talk her husband and daughter who makes me laff so much it moves me. I get quite emotional on the way home when I realise I may be around to see her and everyone else get older coz of the op. Stop the car weep for joy and drive on. Arrive home, pleased to see the girls and chill watch 24, top telly at the moment. Contemplate two new bits of the blog, whats on our telly, and what I am listening to in the car.

Saturday, old friends new bodies

Off to Bury pick up Teen, M60,62,1,to Mansfield meet Nell at the station. Then tried to find the hotel from the station, compounded by the fact that there are two stations in Mansfield Get to the hotel and meet Mick. Book in to this quaint georgian place with a nice garden, Bit Fawly towers with a very camp maitre d. Then off to find our venue. For the day Run by Colin and Jenny a pair of cool dudes and fat friendly to boot. The surgery doors are open all weekend and people can come in and get free fruit. Really productive day and get to know people really well. Back to the hotel and then a drink, carvery and bloody good laff. Watch the cup final Pleased for the only gooner I know. Going for a walk in the sun now while it lasts and before brekkie.
Later mebbe

Friday wake up late and pushing everything back

The new me doesn't oversleep. Me and Jean have discussed whether or not I had undiagnosed sleep apnoea before the op. Since my full recovery I like to be up with the lark and enjoying the day. When we wake up late it is not good. Wander into work late. Fortunateley my current workload affords flexibility, and the project I am working on with my finance buddy Kim means my planned half day can be fairly flexible. Arrive at the matchworks via tesco and talk to a few people. Tescos irritates me as someone hoping to graduate from bluebadge ownership the attitude of the general public (and supermarket management) to accessible parking irritates the life out of me. (Disabled parking and orange badge are so out as terms). One thing I have learnt is not to make judgements. People with mobility impairments and other blue badge holders can look remarkably OK. They can for instance be transporting someone else. In theory porsche 911's are available under the Motability scheme but I am yet to see one. The spaces are wide and it is wet. People dont want their heavy Guardians getting wet, so lets cut them a bit of slack and not get annoyed when they park across two accessible spaces. Its better for me at the minute but at my worst 10metres without stopping was my limit. Gits, I saw a badge today in Tesco it said "You have my space, do you want my disability?" I might buy some for distribution. Just think on and look.
Great day at work we sort out the network our multithousand pound system has crashed on four desks, one of which is mine (not good), its been pooh all week the irrepressible George replaces a 15quid box and its peachy. Me and kim work well together and eventually make heaps of progress. Moves are afoot in the Matchworks I am moving over to the West wing. Just when I got comfy in the east. Good lunch kept down. Olive our deep housekeep is again a constant souce of surprise and amazement. More system games in the afternoon and Kim and I are caught chuckling out loud. I feel certain there will be complaints. Off home at just after 4 and relax, fish for tea, out to mother in laws mess with computers and watch Jonty Ross and Jools Holland, Have I got news for you makes me wet. Some very un PC gags about the obese, which appeal to the dark side of my comic stance in a league of gentlemen way. Paul Merton is hypomanic but makes me laff.
Busy weekend WLSINFO moderators planning time in darkest Notts better go.

Thursday more whirling, Tai chi with swords

Started off well, good interview, cabinet taking another bashing on today, Naughtie v John Reid I believe most enjoyable. Met Ann Molton queen of chiropody in the Matchworks, she was interviewing, Ann and I met in maghull and worked well together. She was overwhelmed by my appearance. Up to the desk and down to business. Informal chat with Andy a GP chair of the PEC (Professional Executive Committee). Then met Kim a new accountant type dude who sits next to me, talk about hidden depth what a star, we got on real good. Had a meeting in Starbucks over the road, or matchworks 2 as I prefer to call it.
Off to the Royal to see Mother and then Doctor at 12. No news basically the jury is still out. Liver function Tests still goosed and ECG not right. They dont know but they are continuing to dig, she missed the liver biopsy due to a communication cock up, but a complicated organism like the Royal must have them all the time. Fairly relaxed about that looks like it will be a week. Cool doc very good manner and open approach, told mum who was cheesed off they keep in her in. Went to the Glaxo centre for the disabled workers networker thing, not sure what it was about and I am part of it. Bit patronising in parts, but us disabled folk have well patted heads (not). Steve Marsh worth amention at this point, geezer who advises (not patronises) top bloke, organising Laurence Clarks read his work here stag night. Doubt I'll be going as it is in Amsterdam.
Call in at Bridge chapel on the way back to the matchworks as I am a great supporter of "events" I organise a lot and it is pooh if noone turns up. There is Tai chi with swords, I nearly get skewered, new deal, hope uni, library Kieran unison, chd and some other bits. The CHD had a stall with 5lb of fat on it. What a cool thing. I want some.It was a plastic model but very interesting. Congrats about the support group keep coming in what a good meeting.
Back to the matchworks and sort a few basics for people. Good feeling.
off home arrive early, nice tea with weird veg, chill a bit phonecalls then off to hospital. Jean drops me there, see mum then go out on the razzz. Taxi into town, then meet the curry club confidentiality and common decency prevents me discussing the details but a couple of pints (nearly I couldn't finish em) a glass of red two paapadums , a piece of chicken tikka good laffs and a few hours later I arrive home.

Wednesday was a whirl

Heard an interview with Humphries and Jack Straw on today. He gives good value that Humphries geezer, what about these weapons of mass destruction then. Straw wriggled, spin aint no good here. I even found myself laughing with Chris Patten (now that is scary). Sorry for the politics creeping in - a sure sign I am returning to an even keel. A meeting about training first thing. Then for a briefing with the boss about what I need to do. Think it might do me good to have few quck wins. Gawd knows there is plenty to do. Andreas last day, didnt work with her much but by the frost helluva of a star person. Felt relaxed about her first time we met. Will be missed by me. Need someone in the PA role otherwise I will just wander amidst the world.
Went to Maghull saw loads of the old gang and plenty of the new buzzing off the positive vibe. Called at Rathbone on the wayback trying to unravel the mysteries of Delphi, I system I was involved in the procurement of a 100 years ago. It is a funny old beast, no one one likes it much but everyone says it belongs to them. It is a system which provides Human resource information and feeds the payroll. So they both claim it - wrong. IT used to claim it was theirs coz it runs on the "boxes" - wrong they might own my box they dont own information. Finance want a slice coz out of the bottom drops useful info - Hmmmm. I think they are all wrong it was bought as designed as a MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM it works best when owned locally and used as such. I just need to persuade them (and everyone else now).
In my view all the others are stakeholders who get their bit as a benefit when all the other stuff drops out the bottom. When will people realise that some geezer designed these things to a job and understand they will deliver best when asked to do the job they were desned for. Have you tried mowing the lawn with a vacuum cleaner, or hoovering the carpet with a lawnmower. It is a goodjob nobody reads this.
Went to Rathbone met the King and Queen of Delphi who with the appropriate paperwork and careful handling and good relationships nurtured over years gave me all I wanted and more (bit of a lesson there). Got young George to install the goods on two machines in the matchworks and tomorrow project South PCT/Delphi begins. Take Kim the budget woman off to starbucks in the morning for a meeting. Finance people need nurturing too. Who knows a cool mill might slip into my budget line ( a big joke)
Got home off my half day at 4pm bit tired. Small snoozette and face the world.
Support group preparation, got there in the end, resounding success 31 people turned up. Room too small, humbled by the whole thing, angered by the lack of support for the obese and pleased to see something happened.
mum never had the biopsy, don't really why going to see the registrar at 12 noon, not looking forward to that.

Tuesday, mixed messages from the Royal

Messing about on the computer and Nanna rings. They havent done it coz its too high. Oh right, presumably she means her liver biopsy but what being high is another guess. Dawdle about doing housework on the computer, spend half the morning on the phone to telewest and squeeze some money out of them by way of refund.In the meantime contacted by a woman called Rebecca from the site who wants to help with admin taks. This could be a godsend Go the gym and have an immensely satisfying workout, see my ex-boss Bernie who is somewhat surprised by my appearance. .Back in and a delicious nutritious meal of high protein salmon and cauliflower cheese. I enjoyed it. Off to the Royal for further intrigue. Stopped at Owens restaurant on the way where Sam and Veronica are having a birthday meal with some other team members. At first glance looks like I could eat there - mental note made. Somerfield for scratchcards and inadequate provisions for mum. Arrive at the Royal where Ally and I have a race to get there first?? Confusion reigns there mum says two doctors said something was too high?? gall bladder. And she is having another op tomorrow. Nurses say it was routinely cancelled. The mess that is her notes is examined, though how they find anything surprises me in that sheaf of disorganised rubbish. Nothing there mum must be confused, no she is annoyed that they think she is confused. Slight difference. Get home and try to figure it out Mums next door neighbour, who is a retired nurse was present. Find her through the miracle of the internet and ring her. Mum was right her gall bladder has moved they want to do the biopsy under xray control, on wednesday, Nanna 1 nurses 0. Back home tell everyone what is going on and try to relax. Internet connection breaks, 6 minutes waiting to report it. Watch a bit of telly and chiil. Work today. House waking up better motor - traffic whats that.

2 megabytes

Upgraded my internet connection to 2 megs it celebrated by breaking several times funny old world. Good early start and plenty done. More details tomorrow.

Monday, litter, grandmothers and mothers.

The internet - great when it work sucks when it dont. Did a great post to the blog this morning posted it then plop crash lost forever. Where has it gone, packets flying round in cyberspace forever.
Yesterday had a good start, some books arrived the magic pill - a mental health companion for the gastric bypass patient. I read it straight off. Tinkered in cyberspace then off to Nanny Banks'. Met the street sweeper for my nans road going about his work. Bill Bryson once described Liverpool as the litter capital of the world then Nanny Banks drive is the Mayfair or Park Lane. It is possible to cross the street without seeing paving stones. Underneath the litter lies the doog pooh problem much reported in these pages already. Quite a hum in the summer. She was booked in for a chair aseessmet with the OT at the Liverpool Centre for disabled living. He was a top man, Phil he also supplied the big boys chair when I had my op settled on a electric riser recliner aftermuch tooing and froing. Looked like the Rolls royce of chairland to me. Got a good deal with a halfprice trial for the first month returned no questions asked. It costs 855 ukp to buy is that VAT inc I ask No says Nanny it is exempt. Fair doo's sharp cookie she was right. Felt guitly about taking her home so off to Mcdonalds for some accessible nan friendly food. I had an ice cream she had a mcchicken sandwich and Jean a yoghurt and a drink. I appreciated Jeans skills in getting Nanny and her equipment in and out of the car. Back home for Nanny to see Auntie Betty, my mums asthmatic younger sister, off to convalesce at Colwyn Bay this weekend.
Back home for us Ally sat on doorstep forgot her keys, quick nap for em then off to see me mum. Took Ally in Sister mary and her husband John there. Mum needs a liverbiopsy, asked why and the nurse said make an appointment to see her consultant Dr Smart. Fair enuff. Went to winwick for a pint with Gordon, Mickey and Adair.

Sunday sausage and mash

I think I miss sausages and bacon more than anything since the op.... but we cooked well today and we gave a great lunch. i had some chicken, cabbage and mash and followed up witha morsel of fruit and cheese. Off to see mother shortly got a busy week ahead and a lot to sort. Big job tomorrow is taking Nanny Banks for chair assessment at the independent living centre. Her mobility is getting so impaired even getting her out of the house is a big job. Her morning carer is the tops and I'll talk to her in tthe morning. Sister back from lakes this tonight so I am having a night off visiting tomorrow. Got this support group meeting coming up on Wednesday night and a couple of days at work to throw in. Need to see GP and negotiate a visit to Glaxo for disabled workers network and Bridge chapel for some gig to celebrate Adult learners week. Going to Maghull where I used to workso they can see how much weight I have lost. Busy time.

Saturday, web work visit, shop gym, visit.

A sleeping house big mug of tea and a warm PC. Thats me sorted. Double hospital visiting and a bit of a workout today. Got guests for dinner tomorrow so need a sausage treat for that. Maybe off to Sainsburys later.

Friday - busy delete delete delete

In to work and enjoy it but not too much. A long tiring day, perked up a bit in the middle by a walk twice around the matchworks with Veronica, talking about my return and how work splits between us. A meeting with a few of our tech guys and an attempt to sort out where thats up to. We have a project called desktop rollout. I wanna see where that is going. Our target figures dont seem good and our name is in red on the list, which is bad. Saw a few people who haven't seen me for ages and still feels odd when people look at you differently/strangely. Problem with District Nurses phones which I am over keen to get involved with. Problem linked to my reluctance to go to the Royal. End up there eventually to discover that it could be Monday or Tuesday before we find out anything about mums scan. she is fed up, I am relieved, as is Brother David and Sister Mary who is in Lake district. Pop in at mother in laws, on way home Ally out at wild west disco. Relief of tension in the house palpable, even though hearing anything has just moved Some books arrive from the states for the wlsinfo library.

Friday Morning a parcel arrives

More plants arrive we look the Liverpool branch of Kew - Jean is in charge, I will be allowed to plant some pots or something. Off to work once breakfast is onboard. Hopefully a tad more prepared than last time. Thoughts of my mums results sort of hang in the air. But got to knuckle down. Andreas last day on Friday. Gonna write up what I plan to do for the next couple of weeks today and circulate it that should wind people up. I am determined to get more out of the existing investment we have made in PC's etc. I am sure ther are huge quick wins we can get which improve peoples quality of life. Reducing Keystrokes is one of my key aims.

One door closes and another opens

The curry club was cancelled. they are an apathetic bunch. But I miss them terribly. They are a gang of old and young geezers who enjoy a few pints in the dispensary a real ale pub in town, then off to the Masterchef for the cheapest best curry in town. it is bring your own so you can drink and eat as much as you want for about a tenner. To be fair they aint apathetic but getting a group a people together regularly is hard. The only thing that kept me going through the return to serious dieting and weight loss was the thought of a couple of pints of real beer and some pappadums. About as good as it gets for me I'm afraid.
We have tried various combinations of people but there is a core group group emerged.
Dr John McCoy - small technical wizard who eats the hottest food in the world.
Paul "Salty" Smith a practice manager, who wants to work for EMIS
Gareth "The Baron" Jones a gentleman of Cheshire, Lord Hale
Ian "Saucy" Connolly The Access database king
Chris "The Living dead "Sneddon though since he got married last year Lynn has sorted him out
Dave "Sleepy Head" Bray who works in the north and falls asleep.
Mike"Sharp dressed man" Thwaite who co-ordinates the desktop roll out.
There are more including me who have drifted in and out. I have only been once since September.
By way of consolation Jean took me to the Willowbank - I had a pint of draught Bass, and then Gales Crowning glory 4.5 ABV. Then picked Ally up and watched ER on E4. Still powerful TV after all these years.
We then sat together looking back through the Blog and laffing, seeing what we had been through. It was all worth it.

A workout then off to see Frank

What a top workout cardiovascular excersise now at 35 minutes and greatly increased effort. felt great. What a feeling of satisfaction. Full series of weights as well but limited to just one set of each. Did cheat a bit and do a bit more, but felt great afterwards. Inspired to go and see Frank the barber on the high a great dispenser of wisdom wit and counselling. Vastly cheaper than a therapist and shown to have almost the same effect (for me anyway). His wife aint been well, with well serious nosebleeds, she got hospitalised which means they were bad. Frank is a bit like a taxi driver and it is great to sit in his shop and watch him weigh customers up, he has trigger subjects though which are best avoided. Drink driving and the vat man/inland revenue, I think they hound him. He works with an elderly deaf guy called Peter who is clearly his subordinate and they clearly dont get on. Peters daughter recently died unexpectedly and Frank shut the shop for an hour. Frank also has the mail and express delivered to his shop everyday. I have stopped reading them. Fascist crap generally.

working on the site

Busy morning updating things here and there wlsinfo

None for me thank you

No work, no visiting today, so what plans? A gym session I think fairly handy and maybe lunch at the Greenbank. Need a good session in the gym as I had to step down my workout. Discussed with Lady Clare and lazy morning which means me webbing, her sleeping lunch here then gym this afternoon. Need to go back to basics and workout with guru Jack. Parcel of clothes expected today, welcome as underwear situation is dire. But not dire here (terrible joke which needs out loud delivery to work). All clothes officially too big and need to buy in. i refuse to buy a suit and if I need one I think I'll rent it. Waist is down 20inches since the op which is fairly shocking.Lots of paperwork etc to sort. Also had new information line for NW Weight Loss Surgery Support Group installed yesterday. Things are coming together.

and tires you out as well

Long day mixed news,bits have changed much has not. Andrea our teams PA is going and will be much missed. Off to warrington for a better job and more hours. Another good one gone. See a nice piece of work developing for me around productivity and getting things sorted a bit. Spent some time with the prescribing team and delivered them what they want they were pleased. Seems we have techs/trainers but nobody in the middle.
Work Friday on getting my stuff together. Curry club tomorrow night hope to go could be a treat. Got another day off tomorrow from Nanna so gym and a rest before busy weekend visiting coz sister is away.

Work is a four letter word

Back to work today and jolly grateful I am too. If a little apprehensive though. Still lucky to have one and all that. Mike and sandra fly off to china for a year out today, didnt hear from them before but presume its all green light.
Had an email from Asaad, salaam to him. My friend from Sheffield. I have learnt more about peace and love from him ....but thats another story. He is from the Sudan and we fell in together at college me coz I was the fat old mature student geezer, him coz he was dirfferent in a new culture. Our acceptance of all people and a shared interest in Bob Marley drew us together. He has taught me a lot about Islam and tolerance. I am looking forward to seeing him soon.
My mum continues unwell, they are doing a CT scan on Thursday though to be honest, i am not sure with what they are looking for. They told her but it went throughwhat we call the Nanna scrambler. What emerged at he otherside was a tale about offal that sounded more like a mixed grill than a diagnosis.
Weight continues to be shed, broken the 21stone barrier. Now done to 21stone 8lbs. Thats over 13 stone lost. I feel great and last night I walked a kilometre in one go on the treadmill at a briskish pace without stopping. I had to hold on to the rails a couple of times but when I first went I could only do 70metres at half the speed I go now. Problem with a kilometre is it is metric - and that is bad, I am unable to grasp it fully in the way my mum cannot grasp decimal currency (32 years on). So I think I have walked a bag of sugar, five eighths of a mile or half a pint. Then again I dont know what half a mile looks like laid out on the ground. In the fat world I learned only two meausres near, (walkable) and far (not). Now that walkable has got further new horizons open to me.

Blogging is good for you

But only as part of a calorie controlled well balanced diet.
Everything seems to be going well, and looking forward to phased return to the matchworks tomorrow. My initial focus is gonna be on how we use sytems to improve proctivity within the office. With lessons learnt for clinical practice. etc. A 6 day report.Then some implementation work. A lot of talking and listening. Which will hopefully ease me in.
Need to think about getting Sheffield course back on track too.
Today then Ally getting picked up by her mates we have joined a school run club I think. I hope. I am picking them up tonight. Mother visit, gym, Online meeting at 8pm get pencil case ready for tomorrows start. Few phone calls and catch up. Plenty to do but lots of plans.

Walk walk and walk again

I'll feel good - but not too good. My walking is improving at a rapid pace. And strangely the more you do the better it gets. Last night went for a walk with Jean and Ally, who insisted on walking miles in front ended up at the newsagent, I like a good magazine browse. Bought something called living britain something about historical places to go. And boy am I gonna go for it this summer. After so many years on the sidelines things are out there waiting to be done. Ann niece and goddaughter home from London yesterday. Cant understand why I dont want to pay 33 pound to spen three hours each way to get there on the train when Paris is an hour away by plane and I'll soon be fitting in for a tenner. Yahoo.
Went to John Scanlons Nursery at Scarisbrook this morning. It is an annual pilgrimage and we always buy loads. Managed to mess with the seats to fill max space with plants. Then dropped off excess plants at Ruth and Pauls then realised there were three of us and only two seats and a load of plants in the car. No probs says I I'll walk home, three stops and I did it. Success.
I feel good. This afternoon then Jean crashed, me catching up on computer business Ally watching Junk TV all happy. Off to visit mama this pm picking up mother in law and then chinese takeaway for tea.
Kewl or what. Email from Marta my American weight loss mate, glad to see me blogging again. Also posted to Asaad my sudanese friend from Sheffield. I bad mouthed various world leaders so if I dissapear please ask someone about me.

Another few weeks another Sandra Bagnall leaving doo

Toe back in water
Mother in hospital long story
Back at work next week Physical and mental health back on even keel for the first time in 7 months I feel good, but dont worry, appropriately good. No promises but the blogger may be back.
What did you miss 15th wedding anniversary party good time had by all.
New swank car - which I can now drive, generally on the up.
Sandra and Mike off to china next week checkout their blog at http://mikeandsandrachina.blogspot.com/
Some stars at their send off, Katherine Thomas, Paul Dickenson,, Claire Dooley, Paula Wells, even me