Christmas & Other Stuff.

I meant to write a blog post to wish all my lovely readers a very Happy Christmas, but that didn't seem to happen unfortunately.  We had a lovely Christmas Day at my son and daughter in law's house.  They cooked a lovely meal for us all and we had a great day.  I made my traditional pavlova and fresh fruit salad.

The only problem was I didn't get to bring any home as they kept what was left over, so I missed out on my 'traditional' Boxing Day Pavlova breakfast!

The bags of pressies has arrived.

I didn't get any photos of us opening them.  In fact I got very few photos this year.

I did take some of the Christmas table, but neglected to take a group photo of us all like I usually do, and also forgot to take a photo of the food!

We didn't get to taste this wonderful gingerbread house that the Sailor made.

I hope everyone had a lovely day with family and friends or however they spend it.  Enjoy the next few days with the lead up to the New Year.

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Today I feel a bit deflated...not sure if it is because it all seems so quiet here in our house and the weather is just so horrible after the lovely day it was yesterday.  It is very dark and dismal.

I came off my steroids completely a few days ago and I have to say I have not felt good since the dose has been decreasing.  Pains that I had hoped were gone for good have come back.  My feet are very painful again, my back hurts and I have had a a few bad flare ups in my right side.  Obviously the steroids were helping them as well as the Mesenteric panniculitis I was on them for.  I saw the specialist on 20th December for the results of the CT Scan and a couple of the nodes have reduced in size and the others have remained stable.  So now it is just a waiting game to see how I get on without medication.  I told him how good I had been feeling on the steroids and how they had helped the other pain issues I had/have and he said that proves they are an inflammatory response to something, so it is a case of trying to determine what is causing it...and he has written a good letter for me to also take to the Pain Clinic in January, although I have to say I am not confident they will take anything on board as they seem relatively disinterested, and I always have to wait so long between seeing anyone and also getting any results of tests they might deign to do.  

Having had  a taste of how good I can feel and also how I 'used to be' pre pain I want to feel like that again!  I have had a few good months, and I feel like I have just gone right back to how I was before I started the treatment but in a way it feels worse as I realise how bad it is, and how good I 'could' feel if we could just sort out what is going on and treat it.

I think I am going to have a break from blogging for a little while...hopefully just until the New Year...I just don't feel great, and don't want to be harping on about it.  

Sunday Summary.

Well things seem to be going a little pear shaped, or whatever.  I have been taking photos of the little pictures inside my Advent Calendar each day, but then have not posted them, so really doesn't seem much point now.  Christmas feels a bit odd here this year as due to much of our house being packed up in boxes, and the rest a jolly mess, we won't be having Christmas Day here for the first time in many many years.  As such we also don't have room for a Christmas Tree, although I do have a few little decorations out.  We have got the lights up outside and some other decorations, so that is something at least!  The days seem to be disappearing oh so quickly and I feel a bit dazed by it all.  

As my son and daughter in law are hosting Christmas Dinner this year  I wanted to make a Christmas centre piece for my son's table.

I cut out the pieces and laid them out, then sewed them together, got some wadding and backing and a little while later...

Finished!  

We have been out a couple of times to some garden centres, one of which has the most amazing and intricate Chistmas/Snow Scene display.  I spent ages looking at it all as there was so much to see.

I'm still walking with the walking group three times a week and of course walking the dogs daily.  Stanley has been on a hunger strike as we have changed his food to a sensitivity control diet as I am fed up with trying to clear up 'soggy runny wotsits' while out.  Hopefully once he finally accepts the diet it will work on sorting out his stomach and bowel issues.  

Percy had his chemo treatment the week before last and also had blood tests which shows things are improving which is good to see.

I'm now down to 5 mg of Prednisilone   Not sure I am completely happy on this lower dose, as not been feeling as good as I was when the dose was higher.  I guess I will know more on Friday when I see the specialist.  

We got this lovely little rustic wooden church from one of the garden centres and it now takes pride of place on top of the drawers in the hallway.  

We have had some rather spectacular sunrises recently.

Advent 2019 - Day One

Searching through my 'bottom drawer' I found a new Advent Calendar that I bought when Woolworths was closing down.  10p it cost.  Perfect for this month.

It is simple but colourful and brightens up the hall drawers.

The first little window was opened today.

How is it December already?!