Hi Saffy,

Sorry to hear about your step dads death,

Thinking of you and your girls, funerals are always tough going no matter how old you are.

Take care,

Sinéad (Sophie)

Arthur had a lovely send off ...



He was a keen gardener and we wanted every colour flower possible ..



I went back into church last night to take a rose from the wreath above that was on his coffin.

We had a commital at the crematorium .. family only .. then went to the village church where he had lived for 60 years. Needless to say, the church packed full with people from the village.

I am immensely proud of my daughter Hannah, who wrote about Arthur and how he had enriched my Mum's life after the loss of her first husband after 56 years. Arthur and Mum were together for 15 years .. a blessing.

Mum is fine .. she is off to The Tuesday Club .. where a lot of the older members of the village go every other week; meeting to chat and have tea or coffee .. and indeed, she is going on holiday with them in September.

Night Night Arthur .. pain is no more.

It surely appears that your family was well and truly blessed by Arthur. What a great smile, and the flowers..... beautiful. Certainly your daugher's remembrance of Arthur was special indeed. May your Mum heal from this second parting in a way that propels her forward as one who has been doubly Arthur blessed. I especially draw to mind the photo of she and this Arthur with such beautiful smiles, truly a couple who took pleasure in their times together.

Hoping all the best for the family,
Mark56

Dear Saffy,
I think that Mark has summed up exactly what I was just thinking, Arthur obviously had a very nice send off. He had a lovely smile and he seemed like a very happy man,
God bless him, you and your family, I hope your Mam is coping ok.

Sinéad

Saffy,
Thank you SO much for sharing those pictures! You have such a wonderful way of bringing your little world right here to us!

Arthur has so much life in his eyes! I bet he brought much joy to your family.
Those flowers are absolutely gorgeous!
I'm glad your mum is doin well, and you too dear Saffy

Rae

Thank you all for your thoughts .. they're very comforting and my Mum just cannot believe that "strangers" from around the world are thinking of her and wishing her well.

Well .. not long now till my Hospital appointment. I bet I wont get signal in Hospital, but I'll ask my daughter Hollie, to pop on and let you know how I am and what they've been doing to me.

I'm not as anxious now I've seen the Hospital. I got frightened after I'd been to visit Arthur at Chesterfield Royal .. he was in a bay with really old men who were obviously very poorly and it was really distressing to see.

Although The Hallamshire is a massive teaching hospital attached to Sheffield University, it's smack bang in the middle of the city and I have a feeling I will be on the 12th Floor - just hope I get a window bed so I have a fantastic view ! (I'll sneak my camera in!)

No idea what is going to happen .. I could be back home on Wednesday evening, having the trial leads put in and sent away to try .. or I could be in there and having the permanent one in on the Friday .. or the following week .. apparently, it all depends on Mr. Roe's mood. Nice to know he's human!

I never imagined I would be spending my 50th birthday on an operating table but if it relieves just SOME of the leg pain, it will be well worth it.

They have said my back is in a bad way .. and because I've not been able to do any physio, is very weak. My physio is very keen on getting me back together again .. haha ! He's lovely .. and is arranging hydrotherapy sessions at Chesterfield Hospital, which is only about 10 miles from us. I'm really looking forward to that I can tell you!

Not planning much this weekend .. just taking it easy .. checking on my Mum, and reading my book ! (I've already read 69 on my I Pod since I got it!)

Mike is getting me an I Pad 2 for my birthday .. would be interested to know if any of you have one?

Keep smiley .. x x x

Hi Saffy,
Best wishes for your surgery, is it Mon for the first bit and when for the 2nd part. My Dr kept me in after this because my leads needed to be moved and it was snowing terribly. The first surgery where they put the leads and was done under sedation. The second bit was general anathesia.
If you're feeling a bit anxiuos ask for a premed and the anthesiast shld definitely give you something.
The Theatre staff are great and look after you so well, you've nothing to worry or get anxious over,
Best of luck with everything and if Hollie can update us great, I was ok to go online myself after my surgery with my laptop and dongle yokey!
You'll be fine and after a few weeks you wont know yourself.

Love & Gobless

Sinéad xxx

Hey Sinead, I'm in tomorrow for the first part and hopefully, Friday for the 2nd, depending on how Mr. Roe is feeling.

Taking it easy today as I've been dashing around to the vets with a poorly bunny and checking on Mum. Need some ME time now !

Well .. today's the day! Just enjoying a cup of tea before my ban. See you all on the other side .... x x x x and huge thanks to everyone for their love and support. Will keep you informed.

*Smiles*

By now you are wired and hopefully the electrician got it right. All seriousness aside, I so hope and pray that your Trial goes WELL and that you are able to proceed with the permanent implant Friday as planned!!

Prayin positive here,
Yep,
Mark56