Diary summary week ending 15th February 2026

[louisa maud]

Morning all
Hope everyone is feeling brighter this morning
We had a reasonable day yesterday and it looks brighter today, think we have all had enough of rain and storm devastation.
I am hoping to have a quieter week this week apart from Friday when we have a funeral to go to, 13th,  a neighbour of some 60 years..
I have been on a bit of what I call " chucking out my chintz  " mode when I have had the chance,  my wardrobe groans  but when I look at what I have it is all wearable and useful, when we first moved into this house 60 years ago, no building in wardrobes , our wardrobe consisted  of a broom stick across 2 chairs but we still went to work looking  clean  and tidy.
Take care all.
LM

[BumbleB]

With hospitals etc. collecting so much bad publicity recently, I thought I might upgrade them with this.

I am diagnosed with melanoma (skin cancer) and have to undergo various tests etc. on a regular basis.  One of these is to have a blood test and then a subsequent telephone consultation.  I have had notification for my current bout. 

Blood test scheduled for today - 9 February, with telephone consultation on 11 February.  I went to the hospital this morning, about 9.30 (no need to book an appointment) and had the sample taken AND I received the results via e-mail about 2.30.  Could I really ask for a better service 

[Viktoria]

You are very brave, Bumble B, no fuss ,just getting on with things ,I admire you.
I hope things are going well for you , very best wishes from a first class wimp!
ie Viktoria ,whinger,whiner par excellence.
I think I have used up all the of  letter that comes after v and before x
Cheerio,-ell done.
Viktoria.

[louisa maud]

Viktoria,  you are not a wimp or winger.
Just take care and look after yourself, just be YOU.

LM

[BumbleB]

Thank you, Viktoria, for the compliment.  My attitude is that I am now paying the price for all the wonderful times I had, lounging on a beach in the south of France - no sunscreen used - for a couple of months each year.  Hey, ho!!!

AND I agree with louisa maud's comments regarding "wimp or winger". 

[louisa maud]

BumbleB
I think our generation are paying  the price of what might be called ignorance, or not being informed of the dangers the sun might bring us in later years,  no one knew, as a youngster my brother and I often stayed with and aunt and uncle at Southend, we would spend the whole day in the garden, no sunscreen,  just a covering  of calamine lotion, I seldon actually sit in the sun if I can help it for longer than perhaps half an hour or so, but the damage is done,  I would like to think our young generation has learnt from us,

LM

[BushInn1746]

Hi BumbleB and All

I hope they can do something for your skin condition! Or do they just keep an eye on it?

I don't know why Hospitals were/are getting bad publicity.

They have been working under extreme pressure to treat the sick attending A & E and it was claimed A & E were receiving twice the number of patients than usual in our media, with some Trusts at times in January on Critical Incident states, here and there for a few days.


They also ran Exercise Pegasus last Autumn ...
https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/pandemic-preparedness-exercise-pegasus/


When I had to go to A & E several times a few years back, the staff were most professional, diligent and helpful despite being busy.

When my immune system kicks in strongly I can end up with secondary complication or infection, been like that since a wasp sting early 1980s.

The tests and anti-biotic prescriptions I was sent home with the same day must have been successful, because I am still here!    and I am most pleased with the Service despite long waits.

The only person kicking off during the late evening on one occasion was a drunk.

Everyone else (including me) were patiently waiting to be called (after the initial assessment).

Mark

[BumbleB]

As far as I am aware, my condition has not deteriorated over time (diagnosed in 2020).  I found a small lump on the back of my leg in early January, went to the doctors, saw a dermatologist in that same month who said "that is too big for me to deal with", she forwarded me to another dermatologist and I saw him at the end of January.  He couldn't help and I met another dermatologist in February and the lump was removed that same day.  Following that a skin graft, and then a further operation in 2021.  I take medication daily and have scans on a regular basis.  Touch wood and fingers crossed that everything is now stable. 

[BushInn1746]

Hello BB

I hope everything remains stable and it does not come back.

I saw the picture of you on a horse.

My GP looked at mine (probably 10 years ago or more), then said I needed to go back and see another Doctor at the Surgery who specialises and he looked at it through a special optic.

Then out came the liquid oxygen and it was burnt off.

I have forgotten where it was, but I have a feeling that when they said liquid oxygen, I was worried about my eye being damaged and asked them to be careful

Take Care All, Mark