Dad

Dad had his oncology appointment. The doctors  where really happy with dads progress.  They warned us not to have to high expectations. Recovery takes a while.

 They are going to do another PET scan to see how and where in his liver exactly his cancer has metastasized. They were not worried about what they found in his lung as it was so small

 The scan will tell them determine the kind the of chemo dad will have.. Then he will have chemo in about a month. this will be a tough journey she said. But he can fight it. 

The result of the scan will give us a better idea of what he is now fighting

I have been hanging out with Dad most days.  

Love you Dad.

Olympic VIllage, The meeting and the pub

As Lydia and I where getting ready to go and clean our parents home we got a call saying they were both having a slow day and weren't up to us going round.

Lydia needed some shoes for her Radiography placement so we decided to go shopping.  Westfields Mall have only been in the UK for a year.  We went to one about 20 mins away in Stratford right next to the Olympic Village.  This Westfields Mall is the newest and biggest in London I think.

Above is the sculpture that represents the Olympic flame and the birds nest stadium.

Below is the Mall. Its huge. I brought a pair of Jeans and a Cardigan both on sale.  We where very tired that day so we spent a bit sitting and people watching while drinking coffee and eating fine chocolate.

I got the same phone the next day after Dad had his regular check up with the nurse after his surgery. Check wounds healing etc.  So I spent Thursday at home.  Cleaned the flat. Did prep for the meeting tonight and took a nap.  The weather is wet humid and grey I cant stand it.


I went to the meeting tonight and it turns out its the last meeting for Wood Green in their old hall. They have have brought a new building. The building is actually an old pump house so its old and they renovated the inside.  They move in Sunday and I get to be there. I was in Wood Green Cong for about 10yrs. So I am excited to be here for this. At the end of the meeting everyone stayed in their seats while one of the Elders Simon took a  photo of the cong from the platform. There is talk to get it framed and have it in the entrance of the new hall in black and white. If thats the case I will always be there. lol

After the meeting half the cong went to the local pub for a beer and a curry. Its a regular event and I miss it.

 Above is Vinny in the red stripe tie he is an Elder in our hall. Liz his wife is a close friend of mine. Her bother Ben is the one in the purple tie he is a min servant. That the curry below.  $5 for a curry and a beer. you cant beat that

Below is Simon who took the photo at the hall and Erol, both are elders and very good friends.

Ryan below (in the pinky tie) is a bethalite and single ladies lol he wanted me to say that.

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The whole gang at the pub say Hi

Tomorrow is my dads appointment at the Hospital .. Im hoping to have some good news.

A Country Fete on a rainy day

Today I left London for the day and went to the country to see another of my sisters and her family. We ended up at a local country fete.  It was a very wet day. But very fun.

Charlotte below lives in Leighton Buzzard.  Here we are crossing the stye to get to the Fete.  We all looked like city slickers in boots and nice clothes..

Harriette got the attention of one of the local Morris Dancers. Apparently if you have your photo taken with a Morris Dancer you get a surprise in 9 months ;) watch this space lol

  Above is the pub we took shelter served as the restroom and refreshment stop

We played lots of games here is the traditional knock the coconuts off. We ended up with a lovely pair of coconuts!! boom boom!

Harriette admiring the food above and James smashing some plates below. This was a favorite for the adults too. We let off a little steam here

Abbie above and Maille below loved the pony ride

Lee Abbies dad found huge hotdog and I found starbucks woop woop

Above all the inappropreate foot wear for a muddy field lol

I won Maille a tigger yey

Home after a fun but wet afternoon.

Breakfast & Ministry

 Dad came over this morning and we went out for Breakfast before the ministry for a traditional English Breakfast. 

Walking on the way to the territory we came across a car boot sale.  A bit like a market but from the boot (trunk) of their cars.

This is our ministry buddies.  Liz and Vinnny at the front and James behind.

It was raining so we ended up at a cafe for hot drinks..

My Parents

 Today Dad came over to visit. He scared the living daylights out of me. I heard someone coming down the stairs and made a exit plan in my head knowing this wasnt Lydia she was in an exam.  As I looked up the stairs my Dad came around the corner.  We chatted for a few hours. It was good. Yesterday when I had seen dad i learnt he was having a tough day. Today was a good day for Dad. We laughed and he was back. It felt good. 

Yesterday was the first time I had seen my Dad in over a year and a half. This is what he looked like then in Dec 2010. It was a shock to see the person below. Moving slowly, weak, mentally exhausted and changed in every way imaginable.  

 I have been spending time with Mum and Dad, helping out in the house and running errands with mum as Dad tries to be get out and about as he needs the exercises, but gets tired very easily.

Today while running errands I had pie and mash for lunch  a traditional London food that is so good.

This is the first picture of my mother and I in over 10yrs.  She is coping well and being a rock for my dad. Its hard for her as she has alot of her own health issues.

 

My parents living room.. I like!

Old Stomping Grounds

Above is Turnpike Lane a underground Station near where my old flat is.  I walked 2.9 miles today to my parents home.

Below is where Aaron and I would have our English Breakfasts last time we were here.

My breakfast was a Bacon Butty and a coffee

I took my Mum to the store to get some shopping. LOok they sell wine by the glass. Great for picnics. Love it!

LONDON

First day in London.  My sisters met me at the Airport half and hour late as they got caught up in a few shops on the way. They had banners and flags and a Hawaii flower necklace.  A mix bag of welcome home items but much appreciated.

I arrived tired but glad to off the plane. A short 10hrs I was in a row of 3 with a empty seat next to me. I had a window seat and enough space to relax.  I was on the top tier of the plane about 10 rows then first class in front of us.  They were very demanding and the stewards were running backwards and forwards all through the flight. We felt a little ignored.    They do pay over double for the extra attention. 

I watched we brought a zoo and the big year, but got bored with movies. Tried to sleep but couldn't, listened to classical music and played lots of solitaire. 

After the girls met me we dropped of the bags and went for lunch. Charlotte and I split a Turkish meal and there was enough to bring home for dinner.  It was so good to have Lamachin. Its a Turkish style pizza.  But very thin. 

I the started to feel really tired. Said good bye to Harriette and Charlotte came home spoke to Aaron on skype, took a bath and nap.

Slept for 2 hours. Spoke to Aaron again and had left overs with Lyds.  Watched a movie and went back to bed.  Slept till 5am got up spoke to Aaron before he went to bed and had breakfast.

As you can tell I'm Missing Aaron alot. 

Today I get to see my dad and I am going to surpise my spiritual mum with a visit and then its the meeting tonight.

Will post lots of pics tomorrow for now here is me enjoying Turkish yum

Miss you all and looking forward to coming HOME.  yes this isnt home anymore.

XXhugs