Deck the halls with boughs of holly ...

[SootyB]

... fa la la la laaa la la la laaa. 'Tis the pills that keep us jolly, fa la la la laaa la la la laaa!

So, nearly Christmas, still awaiting some deliveries of gifts for wrapping, still trying to remember what I'm supposed to be doing, and - oh, joy of joys! - the MILFO is coming on Saturday! Hoorah!

I should explain that she was initially supposed to be going to my boyfriend's brother's on arrival, as he is having her for Christmas Day (I prefer a traditional turkey, myself); however, she booked her ticket for Saturday, having failed to confirm with him when he and his girlfriend (both hospital doctors) would be available. This turned out to be two days later, on the Monday, so my OH has been lumbered with her (not for the first time) for these days, because she refuses to accept that her sons have other commitments. But, season of goodwill ... even to her ... I must be nice ...

The OH went for his consultant follow-up the other day, and the upshot is that they're still not sure if the mass they removed was a desmoid tumour or general scarring, so they're going to give him a CT scan for more benign growths, and a blood test to see if he has the 'gene with a higher cancer risk', before they make a decision on whether to perform a permanent ileostomy, or just monitor him for a while longer. If he needs the op sooner rather than later, 2013 will be another year of operation and pain for my long-suffering OH.

No wonder, really, that I'm constantly a second away from tears - that is, when I'm not bawling my eyes out! My OH is worried that it's depression, but the GP won't put me back on my old anti-depressants, and I'm not sure it's a good idea to up the amitriptyline to the therapeutic dose for depression, as it makes me shattered enough now, on 20mg! Anyone got any thoughts on that?

Still, it is nearly Christmas, and I have my first set of days off since April, where I'm not using them to look after my OH, or accompany him to an appointment, so I might actually be able to relax!

[Extremelygrumpy]

Ohh sooty glad to see you about... Fortunately I only see my MIL once in a blue moon....still I know it's not personal she would have hated whoever took her baby away, fingers crossed for your OH and nice you get to relax. I have been on amitriptaline for 3 weeks only 10mg early evening then my night meds dosulepin 75 mg and clonezapam 0.5mg....3 hours later .... I have to say I haven't noticed any difference except I can't wake up in the morning feel out of it until around 9am when I normally get up at 7... GP wants me to double it to 20 I am thinking of coming off it......

Merry Christmas hope you survive the MIL

VG X

[rainbowdancer]

Oh Sooty you did cheer me up,you could have written the funny side of your blog for me

I used to say that about having my mum for christmas lol. I am very lucky really because I don't see my outlawa at all. Crimbo or not!!

On the more serious side I am so sorry to hear the news of your OH,hope it all turns out well for him (healing thoughts ! )

Hope you do have a very happy christmas....

Gentle Hugs

Rainbow x x

[irisjoy]

Wish i could have my Mum in law for christmas she is one of the loveliest women i have ever met. Unfortunately she has advanced alzhiemers and secondary cancer for which she has just completed a course of radiotherapy. She no longer knows who we are but still likes being with us. She is going to her daughters for probably her last xmas xx