Welcome to 2008

Had a great holiday season with the family and friends, and now we all need to look at how to get rid of the extra few kilos we've added over the over the next few days while finishing up the last of the food (a fine balance)

We were helped a little by helping our younger daughter move to a new flat during the last week.

Over the last few days I have been feeling a bit anxious. I'm finding it a little difficult to find words when I want them and I'm making mistakes while I type. I'm hoping it's just temporary and due to the usual seasonal stresses and Kayleigh's move. But I must say I've never felt like like this before and the last couple of seizures have been more severe than for a while.

Anyway here's thanks for the great presents this year and all the best for everybody in 2008.

Christmas Eve Preparations

The tree is decorated and the presents underneath
The smell of Sausage rolls and mince pies cooking wafts in from the kitchen
Lights, candles and decorations in reds and golds litter the house like a set from a fairytale
The houses around us and many of our friends start their Christmas celebrations Swiss style*
We will soon sit down for a Chistmas Eve dinner of Boiled Ham and pastries
At aroud Midnight my Daughter, Son-in-Law and Grandchildren complete the picture
And the preparation for the big day will be complete

I give thanks that I am here to celebrate this Christmas season with all of my family

*The Swiss open their gifts on the 24th while the English wait untill the 25th

Fresh Christmas tree anyone?

Went into a tree plantation to choose our Christmas tree this afternoon. There is something very satisfying in clambering around the forest to find your perfect tree while it is still in the ground, cutting it down, and then dragging it out of the forest to the cashier (still have to pay for it I'm afraid). Even the grazes and mud add to the experience.

Happy Homecoming

I am happy to say that Amber came home from hospital today and should be with us over Christmas all going well. We were worried for a couple of days as it looked as though she might have contracted Crohn’s disease which is a rather nasty incurable disease, but it turns out she probably has a most curable colitis which should be got rid of with some fairly safe drugs over the next few weeks. Lovely to have you home Amber, especially with some colour in your cheeks.

Amber in Hospital

My daughter Amber has been taken into hospital today following several weeks of progressive weaknening illness. she was treated for dehydration and Potassium deficiency which improved her condition. But the doctors don't know what the cause is yet, so she is being kept in for a day or two for tests (ultrasound of the digestive system, coloscopy more blood).

Don't feel like talking about much else today.
A big get well hug to you Amber.

Happy Birthday Kayleigh

Yesterday was Kayleigh's birthday and we celebrated with lots of food first with Brunch (we do love brunches around here, I guess its just a good reason for staying in bed late) at Kayleigh's in-laws which lasted long enough to just give us time to get home and changed and then off to a Mexican restaurant in Zurich. After all that food the only thing to do was sit and watch a movie for a couple of hours (The Golden Compass, well worth a watch).

Only downer on the day was that Amber was too sick to be with us. Please get well soon Amber.

Chemo Over

The first cycle of Chemo has been over for two days now and the possible after effects have not emerged apart from the need to have a short nap in the afternoon to fend off some tiredness.

Although I feel good, that does not mean I feel perfect. I still suffer the very occasional seizures and I seem to grind my teeth for some reason. My right side always feels a bit "funny" and it's sensitivity is still up and down. I get occasional feelings of anxiety and my left eye sticks together in the mornings. Small headaches on the left side are still common.

With the falling temperatures outside I also have to make sure I wear a good hat otherwise the plate in my head gets cold and causes sharp headaches!

What is amazing is how quickly you get used to these minor health problems as being a part of your normal life. I guess that adaptability, that we all have, is something I should be thankful for, as it allows me to live a pretty normal life at the moment.

I just had a thought, when people ask me how I feel and I say I feel good what I actually mean is that mentally I'm able to handle what has been thrown at me and to still enjoy a full life, but I guess that is what all of us mean really.

My daughter Amber, on the other hand, does not feel good and has been getting progressively more sick for several weeks now and nobody can figure out why. Doctors say its bacterial so have given her Antibiotics but she continues to get worse and is now too weak to eat properly. I'm now getting seriously worried for her.