So, I started this blog a year or so ago to record some of my travels and photographs to share with family and friends. That was great fun and I just enjoyed a few moments reliving some of those great trips. I think it now makes sense to use this space, for a little while, to write about the new ‘journey’ ahead of us, whatever that may bring.
I’d like to have a way of sharing some thoughts and progress with friends and family and I thought that this might be a little more discreet than Facebook. Some days I might write more than others. I figured you could just choose if/when you’d like to come and read it. I’m so fortunate to have amazing views of the lake from most rooms of the house, so some days it may be no more than just a couple of comments about the changing of the season.
Today is my fourth day back at home, post-surgery, and the first few days recovery have been much better than we expected. There was a suggestion in the hospital that I might stay in for a week or so and our surgeon was right to stand strongly against that. He wanted me out of harm’s way and believed I would recover much more quickly at home. He was absolutely right to suggest that. Even just the option to take a short walk around the circle can make a big difference to my state of mind.
I’m continuing to work on improving my cognitive functions, which meant we had to buy an iPad in order for me to practice sudoku, word-search etc. Unsurprisingly, that’s descended into a challenge between Anna and I to get our word-search times down as low as possible! (Any excuse to get her hands on the iPad, if you ask me!)
I’ve got my full appetite back and now just need to work on filling out again a little bit. I lost more weight than I expected even just with a few days in a hospital bed. ‘Operation big buns’ starts here...
We’re meeting with both the surgeon and the oncology department tomorrow to discuss the next steps in the plan. Obviously, Anna and I have many questions but still a whole lot to learn about this condition and the best ways to tackle it from here onwards.
Please feel free to interact - ask questions, make suggestions, heckle etc. I’d like it to be a conversation, not a monologue.
I just want to sign off with a truly heartfelt ‘Thank you’ to all of you who have contacted us over the last week or so. It’s been quite an emotional journey and we both drew enormous strength from your messages of support and love. We’ll never forget it.
Until next time, with much love
Barry
Well, I have to say you have gone to extra-ordinary lengths to get an iPad!!!
ReplyDeleteYou really do have the most amazing environment for recuperation, and a lovely time of year to watch all the seasons changes. I'm looking forward to reading all your blog updates on your progress and comments on the bizarre Minnesotan weather!
Sending you all our love and best wishes,
Helen x
So Sudokus and Word Searches are a valid excuse to get an iPad? I'm just jealous of course!!
ReplyDeleteIt's fantastic to hear you, Barry. Keep up the excellent work / recovery.
Lots of love,
Jaume and Rachael
So you have a good idea! I think your blog it's good therapy and good things about the person who has a more difficult to speak in english with you! thanks Barry, and keep going... Valerie Gaston-Carrere
ReplyDeletewill this work this time
ReplyDeleteGreat to 'hear' your thoughts and see your positivity shine through. Obviously I to am jealous of your iPad and will have to come over and play with it under the pretext of seeing you. As for Operation big buns - I can't believe you haven’t asked me for training advice, you know I’m a champion in that area.
ReplyDeleteDavid
at last think ive got it
ReplyDeletewhat a fab idea, and that ipad, will that improve your maths :)
as for you getting support from many peeps, rightly so, you are always ready and willing to support those when they need you, so its our way of giving a little back
i guess you will have seen the surgeon by now i hope that has gone well
what a great place to recuperate, just think you could have been in waga waga with only sheep to keep you company ha ha
i bet they boys are happy to have dad back home
well will sign off for now, sending luv and hugs to you all
i can not begin to understand the emotional journey you are all on right now and i have to agree with a comment you made a few days ago about having an amazing person by your side
keep strong and keep the positive news coming
luv ya lots
carol & mark
xx
sorry had loads of trouble tryin to get this to post so you may have read a comment just before david saying will it work this time, it was me trying to get this bloody blog to work, you know ive never been very IT minded but think im there with this one now
ReplyDeletexx
Barry/Anna and the boys,
ReplyDeleteGood to read your updates and keep 'em coming. You've got no excuse now - you may need to get another iPad though...for Anna.
Hoping that the appointment went as well as can be expected, and that the recovery is going well - outstanding really considering you've only been out of hospital a short time.
Love to all
Steph, Chris and girls x
toofrom you Barry
Hey bruv- not only is this a great blog to read, it is the comments from your friends and family that make it special! I dare say as you write more posts for us, we will enjoy the 'dialogue' too! Many of us are miles away but feel oh so close thanks to technology!
ReplyDeleteSending oodles of love to you all and a hello to blog fans from Barry's big Sis xxx
Xxx
Watching the courage, strength and determination in your approach to this Barry makes me so proud to be your Mam. It is that positive attitude that will see you through the tough weeks ahead. It is so good to be spending time with you right now but at least once I go home, I can continue to read your blog! You might just need to check my luggage when I go though as the iPad might just have found it's way into it somehow! Love you lots son xxx
ReplyDeleteIpad para sudokos? A quien quieres engañar bandarra!!!! Anda ya! ;-) que noooo, que no! Que no cuela!
ReplyDeleteNo sabes lo q me gustaria abrazarte , pena q estemos tan lejos! Un besito muy fuerte!!!
Xxxx marta herrerias -spain
Good to hear you are progressing well
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to watching your shower tomorrow at Goodison Park, not in person but via the wonders of satellite TV in the comfort of a real ale pub!
Paddy
Never mind Goodison Park tomorrow - you have to get the Blackpool game on that IPad in the comedy folder.
ReplyDeleteMark P
good to hear that you are having fun with the ipad. :-)
ReplyDeleteHey Barry, glad to hear you're back home with Anna and the boys and on the road to recovery. If anyone can beat this, it's you. I've never known such a positive person and with Anna by your side you'll get there!
ReplyDeleteLove reading your blog and look forward to the next installment!
Take care
Donna xxx
Hey Baz-good to see your blog having a sporting flavour to it- Paddy has gone awfully quiet though! We're 5th in the table!! Just wanted to see that in Black and White on your blog!!
ReplyDeleteNever miss a chance to send lots of love
hope you've had a good day today xxxx
hey barry... i am later to post i guess, iv been in amsterdam last week and only just had time to catch up..i like the blog idea very much, it lets us know how you are really feeling/thinking as time moves on.. this journey will be a rollercoaster im sure but i know if anyone can get through it - you will.. continue to remember that even though people are not there with you..they are there in heart..! the ipad..haha..even though anna is competing for it now..wait till the boys get a grip..you might as well just go and buy another right now to stop the competition hehe..jenny is looking to work with everton team as her placement for sport physcology course so you may have some inside information in the future ! onward and upward mate. sue xx
ReplyDeletehey big guy. sooo glad you are on the mend. so you're banging in the doughnuts and chocy eh? im picturing a baz-homer character!
ReplyDeletesounds like the perfect recovery space on the lake, anything to get out of work ;) i bet you're kicking back with a beer & your favourite cheesy Rush album on...all you need now is your infamous 1980's skin tight stonewashed jeans to show your sparra legs and your mongan mulllet and you're laughing!!
get well soon, looking forward to chatting to you when you're up to it fella.
love you mate, BIG manly man hugs
craig x
Barry
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear you're bouncing back and feeling stronger and positive. I recommend eating as much as possible so i'm less embarrassed about my larva lamp of a body next time we see you (actually i'm working out regularly and trying not to eat so much bread and ice cream) As a mark of support i have decided to support 'The Toon' this season. Apart from the champions league nights where i will of course revert back to spurs. Actually. . . since Chris Houghton is technically a Tottenham trained manager, i should take a bit of credit for your promotion last year. If you have the facility (and can play) i feel an online chess competition could be on the cards. I cannot work computers though - i'm not even sure that this cmment will save. As far as suggestions for you . . . Eating Broccoli and drinking ginger tea helped my brother bounce back and a great big handle bar moustache is an in-look this year. Pass on my love to family, Keep up the blog, keep up the winning mentality and next time you feel like a boost please feel free to close your eyes and imagine me dancing in a bath robe outside your window, by the lake to the music of Enya.
All the Best
Steve - (Hipgrave)