Wednesday 4th September

Well I'm normally more than happy to report family news, events and announcements but. I'm less than happy to have to announce bereavements and sickness. Recently had to talk about our old friend Jill Fenton who was cremated on Friday 27th August (see report below) but its a different matter to have to talk about oneself !!

I've been struggling over recent weeks with a worsening left sided sciatica. Got to the point that to just get out of bed was an absolute nightmare and the rest of the day not much better. Ended up with a spinal x-ray and MRI which showed that the discs were bulging and compressing the sciatic nerve which then felt as if 1000volts were being sent down my leg . Back in my days when I worked in orthopaedics in Liverpool, traction and Physiotherapy and occasional decompression surgery were the order of the  day but now its very much a case of pick the shortest stick to see which combination of drugs worked best! I spent 7 days in an acute admission ward followed by a day in a general medical ward and despite many requests, an orthopaedic surgeon failed to come and see me. I ended up discharging myself from a general medical ward as, despite pleadings from the ward medical house officer, the orthopaedic surgeons failed to come and assess me. It felt as if I would be better having Isobel to look after me at home. The current position is that I am on multiple drugs to try and control the pain while I wait for a private orthopaedic appointment on 12th September. More news later!!

This getting older comes with its draw backs doesn't it.

Sonia went through the pleasantries of a colonoscopy this week and great news, a lot of removable polyps but nothing nasty. For those of you who don' t know the pleasantries of a colonoscopy, go to the website choices above and and enjoy a very funny and informative account!!!

As you are probably aware. dear Jill Fenton passed away 25th July 2024 after her courageous battle against cancer for some 8 years.

The funeral date has been finalised for Friday 30th August 2024 at 11.00 hrs (a.m.).  It will be held at the Waseley Hills Crematorium, New Inns Lane, Rubery, Birmingham  B45 9TS .

Paul has asked for family flowers only and that dress code be informal - at Jill's wish, no black please. Donations to the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity (lung unit) or to the Russell Hall Hospital (Chest Unit). Donations via the H. Porter website - www.hporter.co.uk. Go to the website and Scroll down to Jill on 30th August

For further details of the funeral please go online to www.hporter.co.uk - funeral notice for Jill Fenton.

The service can be viewed online on the day of the funeral at 11.00 hrs (a.m.) and afterwards for 28 days. Streaming details are https://watch.obitus.com     Username  deyo5755   Password  129372

Should anyone require overnight accommodation, a special rate has been agreed at a local hotel. Please contact Paul at paul.fenton@me.com for details

Verity is improving and mobilising well. Being discharged from Llandoc Hospital to home today, Saturday 27th July

Tuesday 23rd July 2024

Report from Mike says that Verity is slowly mobilising although in a lot of pain (not surprisingly!). Being transferred to Llandough (?? right spellig) hospital for physiotherapy and mobilisation. Hopefully home within the week. Picture showing the fracture of the high end of shaft of left femur.

Thursday 18th July 2024

Little bit of disturbing news - Verity Silk in Cardiff fell in the driveway on Tuesday 16th July and broke her hip. Admitted to the University hospital and had the break pinned and plated on Wednesday 17th. Last news from Mike is that she is recovering well but, I'm sure, is in a fair bit of pain. Very different from my day in orthopaedics when a hip surgery was in hospital for at least 3 weeks - Verity now likely to be discharged and walking by next week!! Lots of love from us all Ver!

I'm sure lots of you know Ted Gamage down in St Clares. Difficult to see where the Gamage family fit into Isobel's family tree - suffice it to say that the Gamage faimily came originally from Northamptonshire and settled in Briton Ferry in th early 1800s. They eventually emigrated to Carmarthenshire and became farmers. The nearest I can say is that Isobel's Great Grandmother, Mary Polly Gamage, married into the Lucas family about 1875.

Anyway, Ted is 93 years old and getting all the problems naturally associated with that great age. He is as bright as a button and he and Isobel chat regularly by phone. Gareth and Ann, his children and the grandchildren look after him superbly well. However, like so many older people, he refuses to give in and lives on his own in St Clares.

If you have any messages you want to pass on to Ted, just let me know and I will pass them on to him.

About 10 years ago, Rhian befriended a little lady called Pip (not her real name but one that everyone knows her by). At that time, Rhian was her General Practice nurse but she has long moved to another practice - however, the friendship remained and spread to Isobel and I and she has become very close to all of us. Pip has no children but we think she has relatives somewhere but they have had very little to do with her for many years. Pip's husband, Andy, died some 20-30 years ago - he was a British Airways pilot.

Pip is 97 years old next January and, because she has become increasingly disabled, she has has been admitted to a nursing home on a permanent basis. Pip joined the army at the beginning of the second world war and had a fascinating military career including being one of the first allied soldiers to liberate Auschwitz and Belsen and worked at the war crimes trials in Nuremberg - she says that those executed deserved it because they had no regrets for what they had done during the war.

The nursing home that Pip is in at the moment is a little bit expensive (close to £2000 per week) so we are actively looking into somewhere a bit more affordable. More news about Pip when it happens.

Wednesday 22nd November 2023

Pip going downhill slowly. Keeps saying her prayers and asking God to come and fetch her. Refusing food and most drink - apart from drinking chocolate. I'm not surprised - what a life at 97, 24 hours a day in bed, doubly incontinent and knows it and in a nursing home where empathy and understanding are in short supply.

8th July 2024

Pip still going strong. Altzheimers is getting more obvious and she is getting very confused. Still no contact from any family she may have so Rhian and family, Isobel and Barrie will give her lots of contact.

Still no movement on the house deeds in Cyprus. I have written to and received a reply from the land registry in Limassol and the answer is that the land boundaries are being confirmed. Not sure why its taking so long as their official surveyor drew up the boundaries in the first place !!