Day 143 - Thursday 25th November 2010. Funeral Update

For all those Concerned The funeral arrangements are as follows:

A funeral mass to take place at 11:30 at St Mary's church, Chart road, Sutton Valence
The coffin will be in-situ at the church . Following this service, a second ceremony will take place at Charring Crematorium at 12:40 for those who would wish to attend.
Following the service the funeral party will return to Sutton Valence village hall for tea and coffee etc. In accordance with Vikki's wishes no flowers have been requested, but those who knew Vikki, are invited to bring a single pink rose or carnation as they would not be out of place.
As to Donations, Vikki's request was that a fund be set up for Cory and Toby's education. Those people who are wishing to donate, there will be a plate at the back of the church for anyone wishing to do this.

At this time we would like to yet again offer our thanks for the heartfelt support shown to the family.

Day 138 Saturday 20th November 2010

HELLO, It's the husband also known as Maurice .

The arrangements are now in place and will be put at the end of the blog . What I wanted to say is a big thank you to some very special people who through all that has been going on in the Vikkis world have without any question helped myself and the boys as well as Vikki cope with the rigours of daily life mum in law, and Laurie, Janet, Jo and the girls from the careers who made Vikki's last few days so happy I would often take a ticket to see my own wife, and what a wife. Life will never be the same the boys have lost a mum, I lost a lot, lot more, but I have the best of memories that will stay with me forever my love to all the bloggers and I hope to see you all at the special day celebrating the life of my beautiful wife Vikki , God bless you all.









FRIDAY 3rd December 2010 Mass at St Marys Church Sutton valence Followed by Service at the ceremetium at Charring and tea coffee cake sandwiches at the village hall sutton valence

all are welcome Please note no Flowers at vikkis request

Day 136 - Thursday 18th November 2010

Sadly, Vikki has passed away. We all feel very sad, if you would, can you please pray for her. As we came down and saw Vikki, she looked very peaceful and calm. Dad stayed up all night with Vikki. There is an emptyness to our lives, that only our mother could fill.

We thank you for reading this blog, as it made Vikki feel special and made some difference to peoples lives.
Keep reading this blog as Dad will be posting details about the funeral arrangements.


This blog was written by Toby and Cory.

Day 132 Sunday 14th November 2010

Today is rememberance sunday, so today lets all remember the good times. I can no longer communicate, and I am slowly leaving this mortal Earth, but the time I've had, although short, has been forfilled by my two beautiful boys, and my loving husband Maurice. To all my friends, and fellow bloggers, I hope you have enjoyed and gained some deep understanding of how life can be turned upside-down to make every day count.

All my love, Vikki. xxx




This blog has been written by Toby, Cory and Maurice. We think that it is very important that you know how Vikki is feeling and what is going on. Sadly, we think it is not going to be much longer.

day126,mon 8th nov

Feeling very tired as i have morphine patches now to help with the pain.

Had a lovely weekend with my family, love spending time with my boys, all 3 of them.

Maurice did some fireworks outside my window for me, what a star!

Maurice also bought me a super duper new phone, a galaxy tab...it is fantastic!It makes texting so much easier for me, so everyone that has recently received texts from me can expect a better effort in future!

thanks to Jo for doing the blog today

day 121 weds 3rd nov

What would you say if you were told that your brother had been made redundant after many years with the same company???

But what would you say if you had not seen him for 12 years,or heard anything from him???

Now i hear he has been reading my blog and wants to visit me!!!!
Bad timing i say!!!!! Cant say im looking my best at the moment!!!

But i want to know...is he coming to see me for him,or for me?????? I await his phonecall, with anticipation!!

Have now seen gemmas bike out of the window...looks amazing!!

Looking forward to fireworks night as Cory and I love sparklers,and we are getting a BIG box of them!!!


Thanks to Jo for typing this up!

Day 119-monday 1st Nov

Pleased to say internet now up and running, so blog continues!!
Weekend went far too quickly,and this morning sees Toby back at school.Thanks to him for all the care he has given me over the holiday.
Feeling very tired,but the hospital bed is a godsend,which is just as well as i am spending alot of time in it!!
Later today,energy dependant, i am aiming to start playing my new DS game,proffessor Layton!!! Should be interesting!
Looking out of my window, i am noticing the leaves rapidly changing, turning browner by the day! Soon be bare i fear!!
My lovely carer (one of them, they are all lovely!),has been given the title carer of the month...a well deserved honour..well done Gemma!.Still no improvement in my flexibility on left side, a real nuisance!!!
Still enjoying my favourite tipple....hot chocolate with squirty cream and chocolate sprinkles....jos speciality!!
Thanks to Jo for typing this blog!

Day 117-Saturday 30th October 2010

While some of you may be thinking that I am going for the record of genuine 999 calls made in one I can assure you that every call has been necessary to get me out of a predicament and the call made yesteray was no exception. Once again stuck on the floor and needing assistance and once again the crew turned up trumps. Almost disaster struck yesterday when the internet connection broke. Please to say now resolved so should be no interuption in service from here on. Thanks to all the people involved. Today in the morning I had a small seizure , although it only lasted 15 minutes. Thank you to Toby for typing this.

Day 112 - wednesday 27th October 2010

Well,everything continues to be comfortable with a super bed and the carers coming in 4 times a day.However the daytime tv is sooooo rubbish i am seriously considering entering some of the daytime competitions to try and win some money.Still no sight of the carers bike but promised very soon i am looking forward to seeing it thanks to Cory for typing this blog left arm still useless swollen left hand hope it's not limphodeama.Boys still enjoying half term and provide breakfast and lunch for me also drinks when required.

Day 110 -Monday 25 October 2010

Another relaxing weekend with visitors on saturday and sunday one of my carers has announced that she is getting a motorbike.The only problem i can see is that she has a minor mohawk haircut and with a helmet on.....but she is very excited so i am never the less and can't wait to see it.Have received a gift of the new professor Layton game on the ds so hope to play that is instead of watching rubbish day time tv.Thank you Cory for typing this blog for me.

day 109 - sunday 24th October 2010

Last night I had a tiny seizure and so I increased my medication today. My visitors have been kind and brought lots of edible gifts such as american baked cheesecake and chocolate. The last of the parish records have finally exited The Firs and I wish all the new clerks the very best of luck in their new roles. Cannot wait for the carers to perform their usual bed-wash tomorrow to remove all unwanted scraps of food from my bed!

Day 107-Friday 22nd October 2010

Thank you to Cory for typing this blog today.Once again a quiet day,had some visitors which was very nice and long may it continue.Day time tv continues to be rubbish but thank goodness it is just background noise.The boys continue to be helpful to Maurice and i hope it won't be a flash in the pan as he needs help with the house.The boys are looking forward to half term and i am looking forward to spending time with then.

Day 105 - Wednesday 20th October 2010

Thanks to Janet for the reminder and for typing this blog today. Daytime tv continues to be as boring as hell. Luckily magazines are a little more interesting.
Cory got a good report at the open evening that Maurice went to and Toby still seems to be settling well. All four parishes now have new clerks - I am sure they will all prove capable and I wish them the best of luck.
The hospital bed is amazing and I can get into positions I didn't believe were possible even before I was ill. The bed and me have been booked by a couple of clerks (no names mentioned) to take part in the New Years Day Pram Race 2011, so all invited to watch this spectacle.
I have had a lot of visitors which has been really lovely, if you are thinking of coming to see me (which would be great), please ring my mobile first as mobility is an issue and I can't get to the door. Hope to see you soon.

Day 101 - Saturday 16th October 2010

The carers are great. I can't fault them at all. Noy only do they check on me I have had string of visitors to see me. That is great but the only problem with thay is that ~~~~~I am unable to get to the door to answer it !!!!!!! Yes mobuility is still a problem.

Day 99 - thursday 14th October

With the help of Toby i'm afraid I am going to be a little profound today.

Where difficultys arise ... hang in there. Difficultys arise in the lives of us all and what is most important is dealing with the hard times, coping with changes, and getting through to the other side where the sun is still shining just for you.

So... beginning today and lasting a lifetime, hang in there and don't be afraid to feel that the morning sun is shining just for you.

Find something to be grateful for every day. Every day be full of awareness of the beauty around you. Be full of gratitude for friends and family, for the goodness you find in others and for your health and all you are capable of. Be full of expectance of yourself and others, appreciate the gifts of laghter and fun in your life and find contemptment in knowing that you can always control your ability to look on the bright side.

Love yourself every day and remember how many people love you. Do good things for others. Always see the goodness in this world. Most of all, be happy, for when you are happy you have the key that will open all the worlds doors for you.

day 98 wednesday 13th ~october 2010

the carers are fantastic, theres nothing they wont do. They come in four times a day. There are also alot of visitors coming to see me. Otherwise it has been a normal day, staying in bed, watching TV and having conversations with people that are in the house. I have been catching up on my reading, magazines, books and watching the commonwealth games. I like watching the diving the most, watching them go in the pool I enjoy. Tom Daley is very good. My lovley husband and children look after me when the carers are not around, cooking, cleaning up the house,

Day 97 - Tuesday 12th October 2010

Have to say the Carers are very good and if it wasn't for them ~I would definitely be pen and inking - I get a lovely wash in the morming which is great as I cannot get upstairs to get to the bathroom. The hospital bed is very comfortable too. The carers are very obliging and happy to help with anything. They sre very friendly too and nothing is too much trouble.

Day 93 - Friday 8th October 2010

Well I have been somewhat neglectful of my blog but there has been a lot going on too so I hope to bring you up to date now.

Since the biopsy I have had quite a lot of pain in my left shoulder that I put down to the biopsy but as the days move on I realise actually it may well be cancer on my lung. Maurice tells me that the morphine feed is ready when necessary. As far as I aam concerned the start of morphine is the start of the slippery slope and I will avoid it until it is absolutely the last possible option.

At the moment co-codomol is fitting the bill, so let's see how we go.

My mobility has deteriorated substantially in that I cannot even get to the front door if anyone calls by!

Have had visits from the District Nurse. Occupational Therapist and Macmillan, the result of which is a hospital bed that has been put downstairs because I have trouble getting upstairs, a comode and a care plan that will start on Saturday when carers will come in four times a day - that will give Maurice some breathing space. The bed is amazing, moves all ways - am thinking of putting on a show and selling tickets - ha ha ha.

Day 89 - Momday 4th October 2010

So we have received the result of the biopsy and what was the result that we needed? A breast cancer cell that is HER2 positive. Guess what we got? The worst posible scenario - MELANOMA! MELANOMA! hOW CAN THAT BE? That wasn't supposed to happen. There's no treatment for melanoma in the brain and likelihood is that's what it is.

Day 87 - Saturday 2nd October 2010

Had a visit from my GP late yesterday evening - first housecall since the start of this final journey. He is arranging for the District Nurse to call round on Monday morning.

Well you sre probably wondering how the sleeping arrangements worked last night - as far as I am concerned it went like a dream - no problems - but Maurice might hsve something to say about it - not sure it is printable.

Had some visitors over today -had a lovely day but not much else to say for the blog.

Day 86 - Friday 1st October 2010

Well after yesterday's little episode what more could happen? Anyone that knows me well, knows that there surely has to be something else - and you'd be spot on. Maurice said if I felt unsteady coming down the stairs then come down on my bottom, so I gave it a go and then made it to the bottom stair and - guess what - got stuck - couldn't get up - so another call to 999! They are brilliant! Got me up in no time at all. What am I like? Let's hope the weekend goes without the need for a 999 call.

Because of the problems getting up and down the stairs Maurice has now moved a bed downstairs ~ I am going to give it try and see how it goes this weekend.

Day 85 - Thursday 30th September 2010

Stupid, stupid, stupid situation today that resulted in another 999 csll! Got stuck on the kitchen chair snd couldn't move! With ambulance man ssistance made it to the sofa.

Also on waking had two more small seizures that affected my left hand and torso. Aaaaarh.Have been told can increase the anti-convulsion drug. Hopefully that will help.

Day 84 - Wednesday 29th September 2010

Well now the biopsy is done and dusted what's next? We need a whole lot of positive thinking that the secondary cancer on my lung is HER2 positive. That's the result that is required. So if you have some spare positivity it would be much appreciated if you could send it in my direction. Unfortunately it will be around 10 days for the result so patience is going to come in handy on this one.

Am still a little sore from the procedure yesterday but it's bearable.

Photo: White tiger cub


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Day 83 - Tuesday 28th September 2010

"B" Day. And there I was worrying about the canula! It was a breeze - not a mark.

The procedure went like a dream as well - totally as scheduled and as explained to to inst detail. It was, however, very painful getting the piece of cancer tissue - in fact three were taken and I felt every one. Ouch and triple ouch! I really couldn't fault the staff at all though - they were brilliant - from the porters that transferred me back and fro, to Dr Mills who performed the biopsy, and all the support staff in between.

I am still very sore and hopefully I can have a reasonably lazy day tomorrow to try to recover.

Day 82 - Monday 27th September 2010

Well seems I was wrong - there really doesn't seem to be any more feeling in my left hand. If anything it is worse than ever - just a dead weight.

"B" Day is here. Tomorrow is Biopsy Day. Have to be at hospital at 8.00am in the morning. The biopsy is performed under the CT scanner. This is to take an itsy bitsy piece of the cancer cell on my lung to check it out to see if it is HER2 positive. If yes there may be a case to get special funding for the drug Lapatanib - but hey one thing at a time - let's get tomorrow over with first.

Photo: Pink Funhouse Tour 2009

Day 81 - Sunday 26th September 2010

Well that was a lovely quiet weekend. Must admit every time I sat down I fell into a snooze, so I don't think I was particularly good company but I enjoyed the weekend! Didn't someone say it was all about me? Well it was unavoidable anyway so what was I supposed to do about it? Exactly.

Just thinking about the week ahead, it is the lung biopsy on Tuesday. Obviously I am a little nervous about that. Strangely you will think I am sure but not so much about the actual biopsy because I have been told it is a quite straight forward procedure. I am very worried about having another canula put in - never easy to find a vein in my chemo-traumatised arm. And a canula will be required as the biopsy is being done under CT scan. Anyway, another day before that time is here so let's just chill for now.

Day 80 - Saturday 25th September 2010

What a lovely day it has been today with gallons of sunshine, unending blue skies and while it has been chilly, I for one couldn't fault it. Haven't seen the forecast for tomorrow but hope it's more of the same. What am I like talking about the weather?

Having said all of that I have been so tired that every time I sit down I find myself nodding off - what's that all about? Perhaps it is down to the anti-convulsion tablets that "can cause drowsiness"?

Day 79 - Friday 24th September 2010

Had to go into hospital this morning and have a pre-biopsy blood test and did you know they now check everyone that is going into hospital for MRSA? Of course if the test comes back positive you cannot go in. I suppose that's a good thing - I am presuming my test will be negative unless I picked up something when I was in on Monday.

No more improvement in the left arm to report. Am so unsteady on my feet that I now have an alert gadget that I can press if I need help when at home. Once pressed a call goes through to a centre and they will call Maurice (or any number you wish). Good idea - and Maurice is happier now lesving me home alone.

Photo: January 2002

Day 78 - Thursday 23rd September 2010

Well, what do you know? It may well be my imagination of course but I think I have a little bit more feeling in my left hand today. Not enough to put my earrings in yet but it does feel a tiny bit better. Let's hope the improvement continues. The grazing on my left side from the fall is still a little sore but better than yesterday. I am still very unsteady on my feet though and am being very careful as I go - I certainly don't want to receive the wrath of Maurice because I have been a silly bunny !

Photo: January 2002

Day 77 - Wednesday 22nd September 2010

Well, aren't I just a disaster zone at the moment. I am sure we have all seen and laughed at the "only fools and horses" sketch where Del Boy goes to lean on the bar and the bar is up so he falls right on over - well I had a similar experience last night but it wasn't funny. On my way back from a trip to the little room, I came out and the intention was to grab hold of the door frame for support but I missed completely and instead fell straight into a chest of drawers - and that hurt - a lot - I grazed practically all my left side and a few bruises too! What am I like? We now have a night light set up so I should be better from here on.

I have been given instructions by my caring husband that I must use a stick whenever possible to aid my unsteadiness and I did when I went out today but it takes some getting used to. I will do as I am told though - if it stops me falling over it will be worth it.

Photo: Aug 2002 - Portugal

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