Seems that at this time of year, the content of my posts is dominated by illness. Let me just say that if you generally have good health, count your blessings!! My last post, two weeks ago, was partly about my week off work due to illness, however, the last two weeks have been all about Dave’s health which makes mine pale into insignificance! For anyone reading this for the first time, let me just say that my darling husband has kidney failure. Irreparable kidney failure. He needs a new kidney very badly. He’s been on the waiting list for over two years and we seem no nearer to getting one. Today I read in the national press that people from all over the world are coming HERE for a transplant! Two thousand English people are waiting for a kidney transplant. Kidneys becoming available here are being given to people from Greece, China, Cyprus,the Middle East amongst others. I cannot begin to explain how angry this makes me. I’ve hidden the newspaper so Dave doesn’t see it.
Anyway, Dave was taken into hospital on the 12th with what his GP described as ‘septic arthritis’. Prior to this, Dave had become increasingly lame due to excruciating pain and swelling in his hip. This condition is classed as an emergency. He spent six days in hospital during which time lots of different tests were done, including an MRI scan and a muscle biopsy. Every test came back negative. When he came out this Tuesday, the doctors were no nearer finding out what was wrong! Time and rest has eased the pain and the swelling and he’s almost back to normal again. He has some follow up visits to come so hopefully one day we’ll find out what caused it. I can’t fault the hospital for the efficiency shown when doing the various tests. However the nursing care left a lot to be desired. For the first few days when Dave was extremely unwell I was going in and doing his dialysis for him as no one in the hospital knew how to do it, nor did they have any bags of fluid so I was taking it in each day.
I’m so relieved to have him home but still very concerned about him as he is now very thin and weak. I’m trying to raise his spirits and make him eat more which isn’t easy!! Last week I was on half term break so at least I could be at the hospital and here with him when he came home.
On a more cheerful note, today he felt up to a shopping trip and I was feeling desperate for some retail therapy! I found a couple of things to tempt me in John Lewis, my most favourite shop. Firstly a little decoration which was amongst all the Easter things. Then a beautiful silk dress which I couldn’t resist. (Both photos have been taken from their websites to save me the job of taking a pic!). The last picture is the February page of my gorgeous Mary Engelbreit calendar. I absolutely adore it!
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Gosh that is awful about the kidney situation, how can this be allowed to happen?
I hope one comes available for Dave soon, not fair that he has to suffer and others like him.
Awful too that there was no one to take care of him while he was in hospital, and I hope he doesn’t have a another bout of what ever it was he has just had.
Love your decoration and the dress is lovely..
Good luck with going back to school, the end of this holiday makes me think spring is nearly here and things just might get better
Luv n hugs Pixie xxx
I am so glad Dave is back home. I hope he is out of pain and feeling better soon. I won’t go on about the kidney situation as it’s disgusting and typical of The Powers That Be. words fail me. totally and utterly.
That Easter decoration is gorgeous. Really like your new frock. I’ve told Bill that this year the one item of clothing that I want to buy, is a really nice floral dress. Something that I will wear for years. Laura Ashley have got some gorgeous ones, but I’m not fussed where it comes from. As long as I totally fall in love with it and know I will wear it year after year. I can see that yours falls into that category, so I’m not surprised you are so chuffed with it
Kew have fab stuff. 
Love the ME picture.
You asked ages ago if I had her wall calendar as well as the day to day, the answer is no. I considered it, but went with the SB and Gooseberry Patch ones.
Right off I go. If I can decide which photos to use on R&T and which to use on CR, I will do a diary entry tonight. If not, I’ll leave it to the morn. (oh yes, beautiful weather today, but I was boiling after doing the hoovering. I think I heard that it’s meant to turn cold again next week! Hurrah. I’m not ready for complete sunshine just yet either) xxxxx
Hi sweetest Nikki
Thanks so much for your visit tonight, I must apologize for being such a lame & absent blog pal. And even more, when Dave was so ill. It makes me so sad to know he’s that ill, and in such a pain, and that the organs situation (sorry I don’t know the right term in English) is just so awful, no matter the countries. One thing I know is that if I had to die, I’d like all my organs to be given to people needing them. Not sure it’s what everyone thinks, but that’s my own point of view.
Spring is almost around the corner, even though we didn’t get the sun you got today. We had our typical Parisian grey, foggy & cold weather. The one that makes you crave shorter sleeves & flowers blooming.
Hoping Dave will be out of danger & out of pain ASAP, I wish you both a lovely Sunday tomorrow. Big hugs oxoxoxo
Oh, I am in shock that they are providing local organ donations to the undoubtedly wealthy from other countries. I know you are trying to keep your spirits up and do not dwell on this, but it is your loved one and not you who is the victim of this shameful practice. My father and two brothers and grandfather and others before them have been doctors, and I have heard too much. I hope and pray that Dave will improve and mend, that a kidney will be provided him, and that the two of you will live long and happy lives together.
We have been going through stress to a lesser degree here with my DIL Ashley. Her ulcerative colitis has inflammed after years and years in remission. Although the Internet says otherwise, I do feel that it has been brought on by fighting too many battles on too many fronts: first year teaching in a difficult environment; an almost two-year old to care for; and a nutty mother who called 88 times in one weekend recently. She had a colonoscopy and biopsy on Thursday and will get these results back next week.
I loved all your purchases as ever, but the Mary Engelbreit page was just so inspirational. Sometimes these things appear just when needed, don’t you think. I had subscribed to her lovely magazine for years but recently had notice that it was being discontinued. They replaced the year or so I had left with Martha Stewart’s magazine, a nice choice, but there’s only one Mary.
got to rush as little one is ready for bed (I can tell this by the larking around, shouting and giggling!!!) Time to be Tough Mum!
Didn’t see any of the Oscars really,just a bit of the speeches this morning. I love SJP’s frock but oh my God, did you see her boobs?! I swear she must have spent a week scraping up the skin between her knees and chest to hoist those babies up!
You take it easy, open some wine and have an early night (after Masterchef though)! Will be back tomorrow. xxxx
Hi, just checking in. I’ve been thinking about you and Dave so much. Wow, that Meez just says a lot. We’ve just eaten our way through Mardi Gras but hopefully we’ll get back to normal that way come Ash Wednesday. We are not Catholic, but it’s so pervasive a culture down here that everyone honors Lent. Take care.
I’m so sorry to hear Dave is not well. You are both in my thoughts and prayers.
Stay well Nikki. I love your site.
Angel J (U.S.)
poor doggies!
The shorter frock is by Monsoon, but when I looked on their site they had a slightly different version. But I want that one!!!!!
Yes, Chris did very well at Buck House. I’ve got a feeling that Mat is the one to watch. He seems to be improving each time and copes well with stress, he might well be the winner. I’m still in a quandry as to who I would prefer to win, such a tough call this time. I’m going to be gutted when it’s all over.
Good old Dunelm. I think they are brilliant for silk flowers, the prices are superb. That’s where most of mine have come from, but yes you are spot on. You do have to look at them carefully. I feel sure I can recreate that summer wreath using stuff from Dunelm. I am hoping I can start buying some flowers for it this weekend, so once I’ve done it I’ll let you know how much it ended up costing. The one on the website was £40, which isn’t bad, but it’s a roll of wallpaper from DG or a lot of individual flowers from Dunelm, or 1/3rd of the price of the monsoon frock!
xxxx
poor doggies!
The shorter frock is by Monsoon, but when I looked on their site they had a slightly different version. But I want that one!!!!!
Yes, Chris did very well at Buck House. I’ve got a feeling that Mat is the one to watch. He seems to be improving each time and copes well with stress, he might well be the winner. I’m still in a quandry as to who I would prefer to win, such a tough call this time. I’m going to be gutted when it’s all over.
Good old Dunelm. I think they are brilliant for silk flowers, the prices are superb. That’s where most of mine have come from, but yes you are spot on. You do have to look at them carefully. I feel sure I can recreate that summer wreath using stuff from Dunelm. I am hoping I can start buying some flowers for it this weekend, so once I’ve done it I’ll let you know how much it ended up costing. The one on the website was £40, which isn’t bad, but it’s a roll of wallpaper from DG or a lot of individual flowers from Dunelm, or 2/3rds of the price of the monsoon frock!
xxxx
quick pawprint as Fiona has just woken…so sorry about the kidney situation and Dave. i do hope you’ll hear better news soon and get him back to normal strength and weight.
posted a pic of the exersaucer for you….far easier than me attempting to explain it!
love your tree decoration!
take care! xo
hello. saw your comment
will try to email later, but when I say that I never do! suffice to say
it’s a shame, but I understand.
Hope Dave is feeling a bit better now, he does go through it doesn’t he?
xxx
I did get round to emailing on Sunday. Did you get it?
Hope Dave is alright, and that your week is starting off well. xx
Back to say hello and wish you and yours well. Thinking of you and hoping for the best.
Good evening, Nikki. I’m sorry to read Dave is not feeling well again. Hope one kidney comes available for your beloved Dave soon. Have a lovely weekend ahead. Take good care.
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