Back on the ferry again

Mum has her PET scan tomorrow. Although she was going to go on her own, I could tell she was getting nervous about it so I'm going over to be with her. Only for a couple of days - overnight ferry there, back on the day ferry a day later.
It all seems quite different from the CT scans she's had done in the past - for starters, she'll be radioactive afterwards and is not allowed to leave the hospital by the main entrance as she'll be causing interference with all the hospital machines! (causing almost 8 year old N. to comment that she's going to be like a robot...)
The results are due the following week on Thursday, so I'll be off to Holland for those as well. I haven't actually booked the trip yet, as so often in the past you'd make an appointment, only to be called back earlier than scheduled, and I don't want to waste a ferry trip.
The waiting and not knowing at the moment are the hardest part. It could well be that in 2 weeks' time, we know that the abnormality found on the CT scan is something totally innocent. It could also be that we know it is another tumor. We just don't know at the moment and that is what the PET scan is for.
I've been feeling very tired the last few days. Totally wiped out by about 6 in the evening. I'm sure it's just emotions. I'm having a quiet weekend this weekend. Enjoyed a day with the kids yesterday and today it's so wet that I haven't even bothered getting dressed yet. I'm hoping it will give me some much needed energy for the days ahead. Let's hope that that is all the energy I'm going to need.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For 23 February 2010
I started writing this early this morning. Then mum rang with dates of her scan/results, and things feel a bit different now, so I have rewritten it.

Outside my window... I can see the remains of the snow that fell unexpectedly all day yesterday.

I am thinking... that I am still enjoying the wintery weather but wouldn't mind a bit of Spring sunshine either.

I am thankful for... finally having a bit more clarity about mum's scan and next appointments. The waiting has been the worst. Also thankful that I made the decision to go away last week. I feel much better equipped to cope with whatever is going to happen in the next few weeks.

From the kitchen... will be coming some healthier meals again, after enjoying some comfort foods last week.

I am wearing... several layers as it's so cold!

I am going... to have a quiet week at home.

I am creating... a hooded scarf for mum. The fingerless gloves were abandoned as they didn't fit well enough and it wasn't cold enough for him to need them. I frogged them and typically, it has since got so cold that he could really do with some gloves! I want to finish the hooded scarf soon as I'll be seeing mum fairly soon (actually next Monday!).

I am reading... the latest issue of Yarn Forward - have read it from cover to cover and back again this time.

I am hoping... that in three weeks' time, things are completely back to normal and all this can be put behind us.

I am hearing... Woman's Hour on Radio 4.

Around the house... are lots of mementoes from last week's break: fossils, shells, stones, glass, postcards.

One of my favourite things... flour from the water mill in Lyme Regis - makes lovely bread.

A few plans for the rest of the week... nothing much apart from our everyday routine. Which suits me fine.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing

Taking time to get things right. N. will be 8 in April but dad and I bought him a simple digital camera as an early birthday present, as he is forever using mine. He took about 130 photos and some of them have come out really nicely. Lovely to see how he has been enjoying it and how he sees the world.

Instructions for the Simple Woman's Daybook

Lyme Regis VII

Last one!
There are more over on Flickr.

Lyme Regis VI

Lyme Regis V

Lyme Regis IV

Couldn't choose between these two... yes we were as cold as we look!

Lyme Regis III

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For 15 February

Outside my window... I can see the sea and all the way to the Golden Cap. If I wake up early enough, I can see the sunrise, which is spectacular here.

I am thinking... not too much about what the next few weeks and months are going to bring.

I am thankful for... being able to enjoy this holiday, being able to relax a little, having a beach nearby to walk on and blow some cobwebs away.

From the kitchen... we had Dutch split pea soup and there is far too much nice, local cheese there as we have found a little cheesemonger with more than 100 local cheeses.

I am wearing... jeans, a very thick lined fleece, thick socks - clothes for going outside in!

I am creating... still those fingerless gloves but losing a bit of enthusiasm for them.

I am reading... Rachel Allen's Bake - yes, another cookbook!

I am hoping... for more days like yesterday with a beautiful sunrise and equally beautiful sunset.

I am hearing... seagulls doing their best for the dawn chorus. Not sure you could call it a chorus when it's seagulls.

Around the house... are lots of seaside related objects. This cottage is decorated exactly as I would if I could redecorate my own house.

One of my favourite things... is strolling along the beach in unexpected sunshine with a strawberries and clotted cream icecream.

A few plans for the rest of the week... more walking, more icecream eating!

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing

N. climbing down the 'granny's teeth' on the Cobb at Lyme Regis. He was scared but did it anyway. Pushing his boundaries - I should try that myself sometimes.

The Simple Woman's Daybook can be found here

Lyme Regis II

Lyme Regis I

Having our annual break in Lyme Regis. Much needed break as mum's scan results came back on Thursday which have thrown up an abnormality. Lots of walks on the beach to blow some of the cobwebs away.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

I've been reading this on another blog and thought it'd be fun to take part. It makes you stop during a busy day and notice the things that would otherwise pass you by. The instructions and other entries can be found here: the Simple Woman's Daybook.

For today, Tuesday 9 February...

Outside my window... I am working from my kitchen table in the conservatory, I can see the snowdrops under the apple tree and the little robin pecking at the crumbs I've left on the garden table.

I am thinking... how to fit everything in today that needs to be done - work, laundry, exchanging some wellies that I. didn't like enough to keep.

I am thankful for... a little bit of sunshine after lots of sleet and wind yesterday - a very gloomy February day.

From the kitchen... I can smell the soup that I made for lunch for today: curried lentil and sweet potato.

I am wearing... an old pair of jeans, green fleece, green bodywarmer and warm socks - old house means cold house, and sitting still means cold me!

I am creating... a pair of fingerless mittens for N. As he's not quite 8 yet, his hands are quite small, so they should get done quickly, but somehow I haven't managed to knit much this past week. And I want them done by the weekend!

I am going... to be beside the seaside next week, and I'm very excited about it!

I am reading... nothing literary, just cookbooks. I love cookbooks and have far too many of them.

I am hoping... that next week we either have snow or storm or spring like weather. Just not lots of rain. Please.

I am hearing... hailstones on my conservatory roof, the news programme on BBC Radio 4.

Around the house... are far too many dust bunnies

One of my favourite things... is soup for lunch, with a piece of good bread.

A few plans for the rest of the week... meeting up with friends from Freecycle for a coffee, going to work, hoping to get to knitting club, packing boots and raincoats.

Here is a picture for thought I'm sharing...

Every house with a cat should have an Aga. I'm sure Snickers would agree.