Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: frogprince
Date: 19 Jul 12 - 09:53 PM

Still aboard and thinking of all. And yes, Bruce, that song touches somethin'.

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: gnu
Date: 20 Jul 12 - 07:55 AM

Guest Date: 19 Jul 12 - 06:11 AM was me, I think. Can't be sure. Long time ago.

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: rumanci
Date: 22 Jul 12 - 11:39 AM

I'm still treading water and trying not to tread on barnacle scrapings ;-) and thinking of you all too
rum xx

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 23 Jul 12 - 06:05 AM

best wishes & love to Connie & her family

love to everyone

sandra

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 23 Jul 12 - 02:01 PM

Good news, good Music...much has been & is, happening since I last posted. I mentioned earlier about 'our thread'. I mean that unequivocally. The course that wittingly or unwittingly we have set has lead us to several new & unexpected harbours, allowing us to take on board new crew members. I think it was Wendy who said she felt safe here...Ann & I do too.
       There is one question to which a satisfactory answer will never be forthcoming:" How many other people are there who read/have read this thread; perhaps finding help & comfort along the way, choose not to post. I want them to know that they are equally welcome here nonetheless.
       We have been aboard 'The Rainbow' for just over six months...a 'calm sea & a prosperous voyage'. Long may we travel together,
                                                         With Love,
                                                                        Nigel & Ann.
                                                                        xxxxxxxxx

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: Ebbie
Date: 23 Jul 12 - 02:17 PM

Thanks for the link, Bruce. Love the voice and the video is great too.

This ship is in serene waters but she can weather 'most any storm that should come along. She is sturdy and roomy, experienced and wise...

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 25 Jul 12 - 03:01 AM

Beautifully put, Ebbie, that's just how I envisage 'The Rainbow' too.
       Possibly spending Saturday with Jane. The Olympic Cycle Road Race passes close by her apartment, so if this glorious weather holds, should be a good day for all sorts of reasons,
                  With Love,
                                 Nigel & Ann.
                                 xxxxxxxxx

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 27 Jul 12 - 06:08 AM

Just celebrated our Wedding Anniversary. Everything on the day went well up until lunch. We had literally finished our first course (in a very pleasant restaurant in central London) & my phone rings. Our burglar alarm has been activated & we must return home immediately. We have keyholders but they couldn't be contacted. It took an hour to get home...one of the most anxiety-provoking hours I can remember! Opening the front door & having a good look around, nothing seems to be amiss. Speak to the security company & reset the alarm. A short while later, my neighbour makes contact & admits that it was probably him who set off the alarm. Turns out he was using a high-pressure hose to clean down his brickwork & his aim strayed to include some of our windows, thereby tripping the alarm. Our Special Day was spoiled big-time, but we intend to 'encore' the meal in every detail...hopefully this time, making it to the 'final curtain'! Some things you just can't plan for!
          Hope Life is treating you kindly,
                           With Love,
                                          Nigel & Ann.
                                          xxxxxxxxxx

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 27 Jul 12 - 08:48 PM

I'm sorry your celebration was interrupted. I hope your neighbor will let you know before he tries that again, and I hope your next attempt at celebrating is completely successful. By the way, congratulations on your anniversary, Nigel and Ann.

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Jul 12 - 11:15 PM

Happy Anniversary, no matter the upset. At least it wasn't a real burglary!:-)

May your next time out find a full and satisfying evening coming to a close with you comfy and mellow in the Captain's quarters which we have decked out special just for this occasion!


*Hope you like the South Seas décor*

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 27 Jul 12 - 11:37 PM

if birthday celebrations can stretch to a Birthmonth, why not wedding anniversaries?

sandra

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: gnu
Date: 28 Jul 12 - 06:33 AM

Happy delayed anniversary.

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 28 Jul 12 - 08:20 AM

likewise congrats.

in facing disapointment
a love that goes beyond
in sticky happenstance
cement the marriage bond

and so we come to celebrate
this marker of the years
in which we've been together
in laughter and in tears

a care and trust thats tried and true
as each to other yield
and more so now than ever
a sacred marriage sealed.

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 06:22 AM

Thank you all for your best wishes. We will have to wait until the Olympics are finished before we can 'encore' the meal...the trains we need pass right through Stratford, 'Olympic Central'.
    I like the idea of a 'South Seas' theme in my cabin, kat. It would compensate for the erratic UK weather!
   Great idea Sandra...fully support that one.
   Beautiful poem Pete. It really sums up our relationship.
   Jane's health remains stable. She has her next set of scans towards the end of August. It's always quite tense as these times get ever closer & even tenser waiting for the results.
   Ann & I are currently overdosing, watching the Olympics on TV. Team GB has not got off to the best of starts...hoping that things improve. Don't forget, It's the taking part that's more important than winning. That saying always seems to apply more to British athletes than almost anyone else, or am I being overly cynical?
                        Much Love to You All,
                                                         Nigel & Ann.
                                                         xxxxxxxxxx

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 08:40 PM

While waiting for test results, meditate. Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out.
Okay, I know. It's easier said than done.

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: GUEST,999
Date: 30 Jul 12 - 09:16 AM

Hey, Nigel, you're back. I apologize for missing your special day with Ann--story of my life. Happy Anniversary.

Test results: oh, yeah. Hurry up and wait.

As for Team GB, you have the best athletes in given categories that your countries can produce, so no matter how they show in the medals, they'll have competed and it doesn't get better than that. Since the summer olympics began in the late 1800s in Athens ( 1896 ? ), Canada has won a total of 58 gold medals. Win or lose, we always welcome the athletes home. By comparison, the USA has won 930 golds in that time and the UK 206. I haven't been watching this olympic because of the TV thing. It isn't plugged in.

I feel it deep inside that Jane's results will be good once again. Her outlook is positive and that's the sides of yourselves Ann and you show her. Winning teams are winning teams, buddy. Olympics or life.

BM

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 31 Jul 12 - 06:23 AM

My Dear Bruce, You & your Beloved have been part of our winning team since 12th January.
      ChanteyLass, as you say, easier said than done. It's only recently that I've realised I tend to hold my breath at times like this (I do start breathing again before I turn blue!)
      With Love,
                     Nigel & Ann.
                     xxxxxxxxxx

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: billybob
Date: 01 Aug 12 - 09:23 AM

Dear Nigel and Ann
Happy belated Wedding Anniversary,and lots of positive thoughts for Jane and the results.
We had an amazing weekend in Norfolk, walked the glorious Holkham beach and toured the beautiful gardens at Sandringham, such wonderful weather that weekend ,we were very lucky!
I am off to Greenwich Park tomorrow to see some Olympics!!So we are having some fun time before Billy starts his second round of treatment on Monday,hopeing for calm waters and peaceful sailing.
love to everyone aboard and healing thoughts
Wendy xx

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 05:41 PM

glad to hear you had a great weekend.i've just had a few days at winchelsea with assorted weather but a good break.cycling in beautiful countryside and playing a couple of acoustic nights among other things.
prayed that round 2 goes well for billy-
and for peace for nigel and ann as they wait for janes next set of scans ,and glad janes health remains stable.
God bless pete.

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 06:54 AM

Thank you very much, Wendy & Pete. You've both mentioned places I haven't visited in years & brought back some happy memories. Ann & I will also be spending a day at the Olympics. We managed to get tickets for a day at the Paralympics in September.
       Felt happy & slightly depressed yesterday. Received my notification from the Pensions people, so now I know what my State Pension will be worth.....extra money in the bank (Happy)...fast approaching sixty-fifth birthday (Slightly depressed!)
       Holding you both in our thoughts,
                                                          With Love,
                                                                         Nigel & Ann.
                                                                         xxxxxxxxxx

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: frogprince
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 07:26 AM

Sixty-fifth? Oh, to be so young again... : )
Are the years measured in metric system there ?
Can't see far for the fog on the Martha's Vineyard side of the deck this morning, but that will probably clear before long.

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 05 Aug 12 - 05:37 AM

Dean, the image you conjure up of Martha's Vineyard shrouded in fog is so evocative...can't get it out of my mind. It's even pushed the Olympic images into second place! Not sure what you mean by: "Are the years measured in metric system there ?" Can you explain a little more please?
          Jane is well enough to take a holiday, so she & her Family have flown off to Turkey for a couple of weeks. Ann & I remain glued to the TV, watching the Olympics. For the first time, Team GB are actually winning some medals!
         With Love,
                        Nigel & Ann.
                        xxxxxxxxxx

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: gnu
Date: 05 Aug 12 - 06:20 AM

""Are the years measured in metric system there ?" Can you explain a little more please?"

I assume he alludes to some conversion factor from Imperial. Glad to hear about Jane.

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 05 Aug 12 - 09:52 PM

I always love it when the Olympics host country wins.

I am glad that Jane is well enough to travel to Turkey. I hope she and her family enjoy their trip. I am sure that you will be glad to welcome them back when they return.

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 08 Aug 12 - 05:01 AM

I posted the following on FB yesterday. I'm reposting it here in the hopes it might stimulate a more informed debate!
       " I've been enjoying watching The Olympics on TV very much & rejoice in the ongoing successes of Team GB, but I've just had a look at the Olympic Creed: "The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well." We seem to have moved far, far away from those noble thoughts."

         I had a text from Jane in Turkey...she's doing just fine.
         With Love,
                        Nigel & Ann
                        xxxxxxxxx

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: billybob
Date: 08 Aug 12 - 06:36 AM

Morning Nigel,

Must agree with you about the Olympic spirit, however we had a brilliant time at Greenwich watching the dressage,and everyone was cheering all the riders from all the countries and all the competitors were supporting each other so maybe the spirit of the Games is still there but the TV pundits are not portraying it very well? Must say well done to all the volunteers who are the most happy smiley people I have ever seen!Hope you and Ann enjoy your day at the Paralympics, it will be a great day out.

Billy had his second day of treatment on Monday and now on the chemo tablets till Friday and so far he says he feels good, so fingers crossed.

I do hope Jane and family have a wonderful holiday,
Thought I might make a pot of coffee, anyone like to join me,
Wendy x

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 08 Aug 12 - 11:48 AM

Coffee for me, tea for Ann please Wendy! Very pleased to hear that Billy's treatment is going well. Some of our friends are volunteers at the Olympics. From what they've told us, they've had the best of times too. Ann & I spent a day at the Greece Olympics in 2004...the volunteers there were fabulous too...they helped in so many ways & as you say, their smiles were permanently etched on their faces!
                                                    No sugar for either of us, thanks,
                                                    With Love,
                                                                   Nigel & Ann.
                                                                   xxxxxxxxxx

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: olddude
Date: 08 Aug 12 - 12:52 PM

I am speechless my dear friend, I will be praying lighting candles and anything else I can do ...

I am so so sorry

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: olddude
Date: 08 Aug 12 - 01:50 PM

I misread the order of the thread ... I am sorry and glad things are going better

Old timer's disease kicking in I guess for me

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: olddude
Date: 08 Aug 12 - 01:57 PM

a big sigh of relief, I thought a relapse happened. I am glad I am just a clutz and started reading in the wrong order ..

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: GUEST,999
Date: 08 Aug 12 - 02:03 PM

The news is beyond good. YEAH!

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: maeve
Date: 08 Aug 12 - 02:03 PM

Dan my friend; that's what happens when a certain favorite 'Catter insists on jumping out of airplanes without telling his wife!

Hey, y'all- I'm not posting very much these days (working very hard), but I am following along and keeping everyone in my thoughts and prayers.

Maeve

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 12 Aug 12 - 06:55 AM

Jane continues to enjoy her holiday...plenty of sun, sea, sand & r&r.
       Rather selfishly, I'm more concerned at the moment with my own health. I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica some years back now & combined with the more recent diagnosis of Diabetes, it transpires the chance of me having a stroke or heart attack has been increased by a significant factor. I've just had a 24 hr. ECG (wired up to a portable mini-computer), this to be followed soon by an Echocardiogram. To be perfectly frank, I feel quite scared. I know this is counterproductive, but it's a very difficult emotion to get control of.
             Much Love to You all,
                                              Nigel ( My beloved Ann's here of course, but this post feels very singular & personal) xxxxx

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 12 Aug 12 - 07:53 AM

it is scary, but we are all here (she sez. speaking for the whole crew)

No doubt someone will be able to relate to the 2 conditions on their own or combined, but I don't have any personal experience of either so I can't offer any advice.

love & hugs to you (& Jane & Ann)

sandra

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 12 Aug 12 - 09:45 AM

Thanks for responding so quickly, Sandra,
                                                                Much Love,
                                                                                 Nigel.
                                                                                 xxxx

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: GUEST,999
Date: 12 Aug 12 - 11:43 AM

Sent you an e-mail, Nigel. Hang tough.

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: Janie
Date: 12 Aug 12 - 12:37 PM

Of course you are scared! It might help to focus on being glad the risk has been identified and you are being monitored and evaluated to figure out what needs to happen to reduce the risk. Continued good thoughts to you and yours.

Janie

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: gnu
Date: 12 Aug 12 - 01:27 PM

Hot tea is all I can advise beyond well wishes.

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 12 Aug 12 - 10:58 PM

I don't like the sound of that (the chances of you having a stroke or heart attack increasing significantly). I have decided that you will be one of those people who beat the odds. Also, as you learn to manage your diabetes (I don't like the expression "control your diabetes"), your odds will improve, I hope.

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 13 Aug 12 - 03:58 AM

Thank you all, my Dear Friends. As ever, you're there...you write something that reassures me & touches me deep inside, especially the hot tea gnu! Where would us Brits be without our hot tea? I'm probably worrying unnecessarily; it's more likely my GP being thorough. Ann & I changed our GP about eighteen months ago (previous bloke spent more time looking at his computer screen than listening to us) & our new, Lady Doctor is superb. She listens, she takes an obvious, active interest in our health issues & doesn't make us feel that she wants us out the door in five minutes, tops! Plus which, we can write to her via email.
      Jane returns from her holiday next week & goes straight into hospital the same day for her next set of scans...she likes to fill her day! The results will be available in just a day or two.
      Bruce, your email received, read & re-read...reply on it's way just as soon as I finish here.
      Reading your posts & replying has made me feel a little easier about things...the ultimate 'silent conversation' (Isn't that part of a lyric by Paul Simon?...or was it 'dangling conversation?)
                     With Love to You All,
                                                    Nigel & Ann
                                                    xxxxxxxxx

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 13 Aug 12 - 09:04 AM

reaching out & sharing a problem/thought/fear is good, especially when so many wise & caring folks are in your life.

sandra

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: fat B****rd
Date: 13 Aug 12 - 10:29 AM

my first mouthful of hot tea in the mormninmg is one of the delights of my life. Nigel, I hope it's the same for you.
Best thoughts to you and yours as always and, as my deAAR old dad used to say 'Keep b-----ing in, son'.
CHARLIE.

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: fat B****rd
Date: 13 Aug 12 - 10:32 AM

ME SHIFT KEY HAS JUST BOUGHT THE FARM.
ATB AGAIN TO YOU, NIGEL, ANN AND JANE

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 14 Aug 12 - 08:11 AM

sorry to hear of your compounded health problems nigel.wishing you peace and stability.

my belated birhday bash is on sat at horse and groom,wilmington ,kent.
dont suppose any of you live close enough but if perchance you do it will be nice to put faces to unseen friends!.
God bless   pete.

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: GUEST,999
Date: 14 Aug 12 - 08:46 AM

Pete, will you be at a racetrack or a bar? Either way, I wish I could be there, but it just isn't to be. I hope you have a wonderful day at either the horse show or the pub. :-) And once again, happy birthday.

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 14 Aug 12 - 10:13 AM

Yes, Charlie, first cup of the day is always the best.
Sandra, I'm surrounded by love, wisdom & experience, here on MC. It doesn't matter which way I fall, there's always someone there to 'catch' me.
Pete, I wish you the best of all possible belated, birthday bashes. Thank you for your good wishes.
Bruce, If I could afford it, I'd send you the air fare & we could all meet up at The Horse & Groom & help Pete celebrate in style...perhaps a little Music thrown in for good measure!
            With Love,
                           Nigel & Ann.
                           xxxxxxxxxx

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: GUEST,999
Date: 14 Aug 12 - 10:16 AM

Thank you, Nigel. Hey, man, we'll be there in spirit.

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: gnu
Date: 14 Aug 12 - 05:31 PM

Feeling alone --
the army's up the road
salvation a la mode and
a cup of tea.
Aqualung my friend --
don't you start away uneasy
you poor old sod, you see, it's only me.

Not everyone's cup of tea. Da dee da dee da deeeeeeeeee da dee dee da da da deeeeee... er some such.

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Aug 12 - 08:18 PM

Nigel...been there. Echo is a piece of cake...nothing invasive, only a tad uncomfortable. You are/will be fine. Just remember to breathe now and then.

Sending you all lots of love, light, and life,

In Peace Profound,

kat

Subject: RE: Healing thoughts & prayers please (Nigel Paterson)
From: catspaw49
Date: 14 Aug 12 - 09:25 PM

I haven't checked in with a post for awhile but I couldn't be happier with the way things are going for everyone......except Nigel. So let me post and ramble a bit.

Initially, you have reason to be scared. There have been so many studies done and knowledge accumulated over the years that they now are able to see and tell us how interactions of conditions often fit together and how things that used to be unnoticed are now linked. Now while that makes it scary when you have these things, it also makes them more readily dealt with by the medicos. And since you know you have them you can also do "right" things to help yourself.

I don't know how to phrase this exactly, but let me tell how "bad" I am. Ii 1997 I had 4 arteries virtually completely blocked and got a super rush job on a quad by-pass. Coming out of that surgery I had an atrial arrhythmia which couldn't seem to be treatable with drugs.   After 6 months of being very ill I had a mapping and laser ablation which made some significant difference but I still had the atrial fib which I have lived with since (14 years). I soon also began feeling tired and then about 6 months after I came to Mudcat (1998) in May of '99 I became extremely sick quickly and was life flighted out to a large hospital in Columbus. I had a dissected aorta which is what killed John Ritter. Mine was about an inch shorter so failed to reach into the heart. Getting out of the hospital weeks later, on the very day I came home, I went back.....bleeding internally somehow from a bleed they couldn't readily find. Turned out to be a carcinogenic small bowel tumor which had ruptured becasue of the stress my body had been under. They removed about a foot of small bowel. In 2001 I still felt pretty lousy at times and found my mitral valve was leaking. Had a new one put in in June 2001 and things got better.

All of this had weakened my immune system so that over the next 6 years I was hospitalized about once a year for infections or multiple infections which could also ruin the new heart valve. Obviously I also had mild emphysema and congenital heart failure. Breathing became even more labored at one point and I spent two separate bouts in the hospital getting that sorted out where it also became obvious after a stress test and echocardiogram that my refraction rate (heart function) had dropped below 30 (55+ is normal) and put me at even greater rish for Ventricular Tachycardia which will drop you in your tracks. So we put in an ICD (Internal Cardio Defibrillator) which will zap my heart to try to put it back in rhythm.

There's more, but I'm tired of typing. Now if you were to meet me on the street and go have a cup of coffee (or tea for you) and we'd talk and such, if you didn't know any of this you wouldn't know it by looking at me or hanging around. I look pretty decent for a 63 year old even though my charts read as though I should be bedridden and get around well and all of that. As they found more and more they also had new things and techniques to help me. For my part, I have some bad days but most are pretty good and I try not to review the above litany (and more) except to say, "Damn ain't I lucky to be alive," and enjoy every moment with Karen and the boys.....and my friends both in 3D and here.

They'll do some tests on you and do some things for you or to you to help you live a little longer. I feel bad because I know I won't live as long as I would like to but we kinda' got to accept that one......and that is the hardest part. I love my life, whatever it is and I don't want to leave it! But what the hell.....it was never going to last forever anyway. So I'll make damn sure every day I get I enjoy to the max!!!

But you knew all of that.....You're a good man Nigel. You'll be right as rain after the initial fear passes no matter what's going on. Truth.


Spaw