31 August, 2011

Flowers

My mum and dad sent me a big bunch of roses this morning - aren't they beautiful! Made my day :-)



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

30 August, 2011

Jobs and Ops

There's lots to tell you today!

The first thing is that I have a job...it's working for the same company through the same agency, just in a different department, so I only had about ten days out of work. I have to say that the recruitment consultant has done a sterling job and I really appreciate all her help. I can't tell you much more about it as it's working for a bank, but I think I'm going to enjoy it. I'm working in the middle of Edinburgh now, rather than on the outskirts, so I have to use the Park & Ride. It's a brilliant and convenient service, but I don't think I'll ever be convrted to being a public transport lover!

The second piece of news is that I had my operation yesterday! I had been told it would be the middle of September, and when I got the letter from the hospital it said the 25th August, so I was all prepared to go in last Thursday, having organised time off work etc despite only having started on Tuesday! As I walked out of the office on Wednesday afternoon the hospital called to tell me that there was now an emergency booked in for Thursday so could we delay until Monday. It was a bit of a disappointment having got myself all psyched up for it, but it did mean that we could have a nice relaxing weekend with more than a few drinks on Friday evening!

So, at 7.30 yesterday morning we prresented ourselves at Borders General Hospital in Melrose. We spoke to two or three different doctors and nurses to fill in various different forms, and I was informed that there was a good chance they would have to perform open surgery rather than keyhole, so theere were a few tears as I had got myself a little worked up by that point! I was meant to be second on the list but got moved down to third, so I had to sit around in the most attractive get up you've ever seen! 1) a hospital gown, 2) Frazer's dressing gown, 3) surgical stockings - white and 4) my red slippers! Highly appealing! They let Frazer stay while we were waiting, and then they kicked him out as it was only a day ward and there was nowhere for him to wait. He walked me down as far as the theatre doors then we had to say goodbye. That was scary. They put me into a little ante room, beyond which was thr theatre itself. I had to remove the dressing gown and sit on a trolley while they did blood pressure etc all the while flashing my bum to the world through the back of the hospital gown! I was having a lovely little chat with the quite handsome nurse while he put in the venflow etc, and the next thing I knew was waking up in the recovery ward!

It hurt...a lot! I kind of drifted for a while - no idea how long as I wasn't exactly with it - but after a bit the surgeon came to see me. They did manage to perform keyhole surgery luckily, but the surgeon said that the gall bladder was extremely big and full of stones. Sometimes when there's something wrong with you you're not quite sure if you actually are in that much pain or if you're being a bit of a hypochondriac, so it's quite a relief to learn that there was actually something quite wrong with me! Strange logic perhaps, but it makes sense to me! Apparently the operation took about 2 hrs which is a long time for keyhole, and the nurse had told Frazer that because of the time she thought that it was probably open surgery. But no, they just had to hoik out a massive gallbladder!

Frazer and Isla came to collect me in the evening. I could have stayed in if I thought I needed to, but I thought I would be better off at home in my own surroundings and with the people who love me. And there was a bunch of flowers waiting for me! I never stop thinking how lucky I am!

So, I'm in quite significant pain, on a scale of 1 to 10 it's probably around a 6 having taken painkillers. So, I'm just taking it easy! I stayed in bed watching rubbish this morning, and sat on the couch watching rubbish this afternoon. Isn't daytime tv rubbish! I have got a bit addicted to Come Dine With Me though! I love how bitchy they are behind each others' backs, I love seeing what they consider to be fine dining, and I love love love the narrator!! He makes the programme! It's mindless nonsense that requires no brain power to watch - perfect recuperation watching.

I have a freezer full of home made soup, and am going to give Isla some cooking lessons over the week so I don't stretch myself. But doing nothing is boring...oh well, hopefully recovery won't be long!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

15 August, 2011

Banana Bread



12 August, 2011

On The Hunt Again

I had my pre-op appointment at the hospital yesterday. Apparently I'm fit and healthy enough to go ahead with the op, and it will happen mid-September but they can't be more specific than that just now because the bloody surgeon is on holiday. Ah well, I guess I'll find out soon enough.

After the hospital, which took all morning, I went up to Edinburgh Airport to collect Isla, my nephews and their mum. I had to take them into town to Waverley Station, which was immense fun at rush hour!! Trying to find my way around the new one way system in Edinburgh (due to the bloody tram works) with three bickering children in the back was less than fun!

After we dropped them off, Isla and I went to the cinema, just the two of us. We went to see The Smurfs, which was pants! Don't bother with it - it's one of those family friendly typically american supposedly heartwarming saccharine sweet movies! We had fajitas afterwards and then came home! It's nice to have Isla home - I miss her when she's not here! It's too quiet without her and I miss her huggles!

I felt a bit crap this morning after the doctor poking my stomach about yesterday, but I got up to go to work as normal. When I got there, the team leader asked to have a word and it turned out that they had had word from head office last night that the work was running out and they had to lose some staff, one of which was me. Today. As I was feeling 100% I didn't take the news very well and couldn't stop the tears, although I did try. I did feel a bit sorry for them though, as this one sprung on them last night, and it wasn't fair on them to have to give people the boot today with no notice. They did say I could go home and they would still pay me for today, so I did. Why stay after being treated so shoddily? The problem was that I was the first one they told, so when I went back to my desk to collect my things, everyone was asking me what was happening and I couldn't tell them because it was going to happen to some of them too but I didn't know who. They asked if I'd been transferred to another team and all I could say was "in a manner of speaking"!! I did tell them to facebook me to tell me what else happened today.

We always knew that the job was only going to last until the end of August, mid September at the lastest, so we were expecting that, but we weren't expecting at any point to come in to work and be told that was it on the same day. It's a crappy way to treat people.

I left the building and had a cigarette before I did anything else! I wasn't feeling at my calmest! I phoned Frazer and told him through sniffles, and he told me to come and get him fro, work and we went to a local pub for breakfast - sometimes there is nothing like a roll and sausage to make you feel better! We sat and had a chat, and I felt a little better. Got a big hug too, which was the main thing I needed!

I phoned the agency when I got home, and there is the possibility of another job in the centre of Edinburgh in a few weeks, but there's no start date yet, so I'm not counting on that. I have also applied for ten jobs today, which I think is a good start. I hope something comes up soon. I've got road tax to buy at the end of the month!

So, watch this space. The dole won't give me a penny because Frazer has a job, which I think is crappy considering all the lowlifes who live completely on benefits, but hey ho, such is life. No point moaning about something that's not likely to change any time soon!

I do have a couple of recipes for you that I will upload over the next couple of days. They're not diet ones, as they were tried before the diet started, but they are yummy!

So until then guys...happy jobhunting!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

04 August, 2011

Flipping gall bladder!

Well, I've just had another day off work sick. Honestly, I can't wait to get this gallbladder out now - it's got to the point where I don't ever actually feel well, I have a constant aching stomach. Some days are better than others, but I am so fed up of feeling like this. Doesn't do much for the bank balance either as if I don't go to work I don't get paid. I have an appointment at the hospital next week - a pre-op appointment, where I should find out when the operation is going to take place. Sooner rather than later I hope.

On the plus side the weight loss is still going well. We had a bit of a naughty weekend, but it was Frazer's mum's birthday so we didn't stint on anything. I don't have the figures to hand, but when I post this weeks (we're doing it on Fridays now) you'll definitely see some improvement! In a way the gallbladder thing has been a blessing in disguise because due to the fat free diet I have to be on, it's pushed us into dieting, which we both need. It is immensely boring though! Although, Ben and Jerry's do low fat frozen ice cream, and it's £2 per tub in Morrisons at the moment! Happy days!

Isla's back on Thursday next week which will be good. I've missed her, and the house seems awfully quiet without her, although she's far from noisy! I cleaned her bedroom today in oreoaration for her coming home - not something I plan on doing often! Three hours, one whole load of laundry and a full black bin bag later and I was half way there! In the future she is going to clean her bedroom every single weekend before she's allowed to go out with her friends, and her pocket money will depend on it! Grrrr!

Will update over the weekend with this weeks weigh in.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad