Dh is ill, and has been since just after we met. Over the years we've had so much to deal with, and I think it would be fair to say that I have dealt with most of it reasonably well (I'm generally ok at coping when things are going wrong, it's usually afterwards I have a bit of a wobble).
The situation is slightly different this time in that, instead of finding ourselves in the middle of an emergency, he has a planned operation coming up for next Monday. And I'm so bloody scared. The odds we have been given are not good. I can't stop thinking about Monday and am constantly doing the "what if ...?" thing. The elder dc know it's serious stuff coming up and are scared themselves, hence are looking to us for guidance and reassurance. I've tried but today I'm all out of trying and have locked myself in the bedroom. Smallest dc knows Dad has to go to hospital but is oblivious of the wider implications.
I'm shaking constantly. I keep crying at random moments (yes, that was me in Sainsbury's who cried when I dropped the apples!), I can't do this for another week. But I have to. I don't want to talk to rl friends as I will cry and I don't want anyone feeling sorry for me anyway.
But I'm happy to listen if any of you lovely ladies have any ways to help me get through this week, and possibly after. 
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I've gone into complete panic mode. Verging on hibernation mode. Please help.
JackieandJudy · 15/07/2012 15:39
Hi J and J, that's very sweet but it really is only a pudding 
I hope dh's cold isn't too bad and he is taking it easy.
Have you had snow up there? The 1cm of snow that fell in Canterbury today was enough to warrant the cancelling of trains and it took me nearly 5 hours to get home! (not even 50 miles) grrr...wondering if I'll get in at all tomorrow!
Nice to hear from you JandJ, don't worry or apologise for not checking in very often - it's lovely to read that your life is returning to a hectic normality :) and we're all still here and happy to hear from you when you can grab a few mins.
Mmm xmas pud, just Mmm!
I see the UK is expecting some serious winter weather next week, wrap up warm people and stay safe xxx
Lazarus - it always amazes me in the UK, the devastating and disruptive effect a few cms of snow has. I remember, a few winters ago, sending a parcel from Newcastle to Dumfries 1st class and it took 10 days 
10 days!!! of course the bad weather was to blame.
Here in Eastern Europe winter is starting to release it's brutality, it's been snowing all of last week and the temps have stayed between -6 and -1 with an icy wind but next week it's going to start really kicking ass - -15 
then continue dropping. Luckily or maybe not I've been here before in Winter so I'm prepared when it reaches -30 in January and February.
Have a good weekend all x
Hi Autumn - I thought that too before I came here for my first winter, I was really scared of such temps.
It is like NOTHING I've ever felt before but I managed due to the quantity of clothes piled on to venture outside, everywhere has to be covered or it feels like a burning effect on the face - TMI = you know sometimes when it's cold n your nose waters, it's not snots, just water? well that will turn to ice in less than a minute
I just keep telling myself it's good for the skin, have you seen how many eastern Euro women (especially) have fab skin - there's got to be something in my theory bullsh** most likely ha
dondon - I admire you immensely. I don't like the cold (I haven't even fattened myself up for the winter this year 
). But it's frustrating that such a tiny amount of snow has such a widespread effect. Luckily I only have to go in once this week when I've finished my latest assignment. Hoping to make it there and back in 5 hours so I can do both ends of the school run. (Mind you, I have now ordered some thermal long johns as my legs and feet were bright red even after a shower). I'm a wimp aren't I?!
Autumn I think SW's friend in the other place has left so SW has had to take up the slack. I have PMed her so hopefully she'll be in touch as soon as she has a bit of time. Quite mild weather wise down here at the moment...
Hi Lazarus why thank you kind lady 
Good news about the trips to Uni, especially in winter. No you're not a wimp! believe me I don't like the cold neither but I've just gotta get on with it Hmph!!! (big resigned to fact smiley)
Funny you should mention the weight thing haha, I've lost a bit weight since last winter (around 7kilos) and I'm really feeling the difference in the cold, not enough meat on my freezing bones. I may have to work on that one, I'm very fluent in my foreign language at the local cake shop 
and at the food dept in M&S.
I miss Primark in the winter, cheap winter clothes, underwear and PJ's. We don't have one here, with no plans to open one. The nearest is a 6 hour drive to Berlin. I do have a TK maxx, H&M and New Look but it's not the same.
Oh thermals, I'll have to buy some, I'm using tights or leggings under everything at the moment. For me the worst is my feet or hands being icy - I could honestly cry sometimes, my bum also seems to like dropping to the temp of a freezer, hence the tights. I had actually been seriously thinking of a way I could manage to carry off/disguise those mini little hot water bottles in my trousers somewhere but up to now it's not looking good or should that be - not a good look :)
Wow! well done on the weight loss Autumn that's fab. (7 kilo's is roughly 1 stone) I only use it as my euro scales don't do stones. I know what it's like losing such a big amount as I done it a few years back and had to replace everything - it's a great feeling but bloody expensive 
I was literally half my previous dress size at one point.
Of course you had to treat yourself - well deserved after all the hard work. Ebaying your old clothes is good, it will give you a few pennies for the Jan sales in the bank.
Hmmm Primarni n TK Maxx house sounds like a dream to me.
Ooh! I must check out these battery operated gloves.... and put them on my ever increasing xmas list.
Oh thought of another cold area that I could cry over - Nips !!! I'm not really THAT familiar with any native women yet to ask what they use (if anything) to keep theirs warm, I'm thinking fur lined bra or something cotton wool doesn't bloody work I'll have someone's eye out one of these days if they walk into me from the wrong angle.
dondon - maybe a quilt lined bra with a miniature electric blanket inbuilt?
Autumn - I will PM J & J and let her know we are close to bursting! I love the idea of battery operated gloves/socks/trousers/hats....yep, I REALLY don't like being cold! I've lost a stone and a half and am now just under my ideal weight, not enough to go down a dress size according to my hips though! 
Oh you poor old cold people. It's something I just don't cope we'll with, being cold. At last, living in Auckland, NZ we don't really get cold. A couple of nights last winter we had the barest minimum of a frost and everyone got really excited. It was still 10 degrees by mid morning though so nothing to write home about.
The patches have started me off on a sewing spree. I've been making the DSs camp blankets with holes for their heads and big patches with their names on sewn on. I hope they like them. I've used that furry fleece stuff and it's really static-y so if any of you hear the snapping of electricity on Christmas morning it'll be my boys all the way across the oceans.
Glad things are getting a bit more normal J&J and I hope DH's cold is soon gone. I'm sure that pudding will build him up for the new year when he gets to sample it at Christmas.
I'm sending Summery thoughts for all the snowy folks out there and if SW is finding time to read then especial strength for her busy and loving heart.
Oh, and the foot is nearly better. I'm finally out of the moon boot! Yippee!
Homebird - Great to hear from you! So glad the foot is improving - very jealous of your mild weather!
I love the idea of hearing static from NZ on Christmas morning
If this thread does end and J and J starts a new one, perhaps we should PM all the regulars here and let them know? Or maybe I'm taking liberties...Just thought that if anyone wants to check in and this is over, they'll need a new title to look for.
Hi homebird great news about the moon boot 
and thank you for the summery thoughts, very much appreciated at this minus 15 freezing moment.
That bra sounds like a dream Lazarus, in fact anything does and anything would be a big improvement to actually having to thaw out your nipples when you enter a warm house, I usually choose the fastest option of a hot water bottle across my chest but I do eye up the radiator now and again wondering if it would give a quicker effect with my boobs strategically placed on it :)
Lazarus I don't think you're taking liberties at all and I hope J&J agrees. She drew us together and together we've made the best of hard times and celebrated the small and ENORMOUS victories along the way. I for one have got so much out of the support on this thread and would be really sad to see us lose each other for the sake of not wanting to say so.
J&J I would love you to feel that your bunch of misfits who gathered themselves sometimes through significant inebriation would still be there for you and I for one love to hear of the progress of all your DFamily.
From DS going off to uni to Dr Hero, from canine and equine friends to LN (as little boys are not that different from pets!), from DH's struggles with health issues to several people's struggles with sewing - this is your thread J&J and we are the stuff it is made of. Your fortitude is extraordinary and an inspiration. If there is to be another thread you could do far worse than use Hope on a Rope in the title. 
Aah..you're all very sweet. I will PM people as when we have a new title.
Homebird - I think Hope on a Rope would be an excellent title. There has been a lot of hope and love on this thread and I look forward to checking in every day 
dondon - I have your solution (I'm not going to describe it as perfect for obvious reasons)
....you know those mittens that are connected by a string of wool? Well, two hot water bottles connected by wool that rest over your nipples! Problem solved and you will invite cuddles from everyone you meet!
Like I said, not perfect!
Autumn I know what you mean, this thread feels safe and warm and I like it very much. There's been some ups and downs but hopefully things are improving for everyone. Enjoy the nativity play, they always make me cry
Fool I hope you are all warmer now and snug. Take care of yourself.
J&J - I've been lurking all thread but just wanted to say before you reach the magic 1000 how wonderfully brave you have been & hope you, your DH & DCs have a wonderful Christmas together!
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