Hi Ailsa

Good to hear from you again but sorry things are so tough at the moment. I know exactly where you are coming from so really feel for you. I am kind of between meds at the moment; after last year's knee op the Enbrel failed to kick back in when I restarted it, had to stay off methotrexate due to neutropenia and only recently restarted on a small dose (its not working!), so basically surviving on high dose prednisolone and wagon loads of pain killers. Next stop Rituximab methinks! I do hope you are able to get the meds sorted soon, it's so important to avoid the dratted joint damage, as you know!

My daughter went to Bangor Uni and I can re-assure you Katharine will be very happy there. I loved visiting, the place is fab and the camaraderie and friendship is second to none. What is she studying? Abby did Psychology. Is Katharine on the Ffriddoed (I can even say it!!!) accommodation site? I missed her dreadfully, being my only daughter, but oddly you do kind of get used to it. To be honest if she wasn't emailing me with gossip (I can be terribly nosey!) she was on the other end of the phone! And don't forget, before you know it she will be home again for a reading week or a long weekend! Good luck Katharine, Croeso y Cymru, enjoy the experience!

Whilst you're heading west to Bangor I'll be doing a similar trip east to Lincoln where Jake is starting uni . Unfortunately his twin brother didn't get into uni, missed by one grade so it will be a strange occasion. Not sure how I should be feeling really, obviously happy for Jake as he starts his new life (although worried too!) but sad for Ian as he scours the prospectus' ready to re-apply for next year.

Boys eh? Who'd have 'em? It's so difficult finding jobs right now (says she stating the obvious, sorry!) so wish your lads good fortune in their searches.

Hope things are starting to settle down a little and the diclo-something is starting to take effect (note to self ...must ask for some of that!! ).

Keep in touch Ailsa, have missed your posts Looking forward to hearing how Katharine gets on too!

Lyn

Hi Ailsa

Good to see you again but sorry to hear what a lousy time you have been having. Pain and fatigue just grind you down and suck your soul out.

You will definitely miss your lovely daughter when she goes to uni. I missed mine terribly BUT after a few months it got to be a good miss!! When she returned to uni after her very frequent home trips, I didn't miss the piles of "stuff" dumped in the hall or the 5 washer loads of clothes which always seemed to accompany her!

I do hope your boys manage to find alternative employment soon - this must be a big worry for you.

Hoping the medics can sort out your pain relief and, hopefully, find something to halt the joint damage.

Lovely to hear from you - keep posting

Love Jeanxxx

Hi Ailsa, sorry you have been so ill, hips and knees who'd have em!!!! hope the jab helps, I've had one today for same thing (well, probably the same anyway) so fingers crossed. Katharine will be fine, its so hard to "lose" daughter's to uni, (sorry boys, do love you too!!!) Lyn has told you about Abby, sol hopefully thats been soem comfort. Wish her well from me. My daughter missed out on her place due to a problems with GCSE maths. She is so disappointed, and going for it again next year. Hope you feel better soon x

Aw, thankyou ladies ! I'm feeling much more like me after a dodgy start to the week with ferrocious dire-rear Think it was probably the Cimzia/MTX/steroid/amitriptyline/diclofenac/omeprazole/tramadol mix I had last weekend. Anyway, injection seems to have sorted out my hip so things are looking up!

Thankyou so much for the reassuring words about Katharine going to Uni. It's been a long day but I've managed not to shed a tear, though I have that feeling that it will take something tiny to trigger a deluge!

Bangor IS lovely Lyn! I felt very reassured about leaving her there. It was all so organised and friendly. Before we had unpacked, 2 'buddies' had callled and invited K out to events tonight. Her room is lovely and there is a nice quiet girl next door so they will probably get along. BUT ... how hilly is it??! We went to Morrisons in the car in search of coat-hangers and drawing pins. Another student told us it is only 5 mins walk into town so we decided to have a look round. Well - it may be only 5 mins going, but it would have been a whole day job to get me back up that hill!!! We got a taxi, much to Susie's amusement. Oh, to have 16 year old knees again!

Hope your day has been a good one too Lyn and you got Jake settled in. It will be strange for his brother - hope he manges to find the right course for himself for next year. Katharine is doing Linguistics, by the way, and was in her element with all the Welsh signs as she can't wait to start learning the language!

So - reasons to be cheerful: I can cook for 4 again for the fist time in 20 years; I am in the last year of a child in school uniform, after 21 years; and my hip doesn't hurt, even after all that driving!

Hope you are all well. Thanks again for all the lovely thoughts and advice Rose, Jean, Suzanne, Barbara, Sheila & Lyn. I've missed you and will try to get better at staying in touch. Take care, XX Ailsa