Once again we find ourselves going on the trail to Stanmore, well not quite Stanmore but next door to it! Mr Briggs said to see him at Bushey rather than London as it's easier. Although we had some traffic, it was an easier journey.

I'd moved my appointment from 7.30pm to 8.30pm just in case we didn't make it and what time did we arrive? Yes 7.30pm! So we went in anyway and had a quick visit to the "Little Girls Room" and just as I came out he was standing there. He said "come on in" so off I toddled following him like a little lost sheep.

He then disappeared into one of the rooms by the time I got there and I wasn't sure which one and looked into one and a Nurse said "who are you dear?" and a voice came out of the room "It's OK Karen, come on in" - or something similar anyway - you know me and my memory.

So he took off the gauze I'd been told to put on there by one of the Physios as it kept catching on things where the scar was healing. He told me to leave it off and use it! I explained about the intense pains I get sometimes and his reply was "You've had an operation, I cut your hand open and it will take a while to settle down!". All said in his usual smiley way.

I asked about a splint and he said "you will not wear a splint, if you need to, I've not done my operation properly". So I have to try to use it more but it is awkward when typing and also painful as well. I've spoken to people who've had it done and they all say it will take a year or more for the scar to heal properly and several of them still have pains.

Mr B asked me how the numbness was and I said it had gone from my fingers but the thumb was still numb and there were numb areas around the palm as well. Obviously he reminded me about having an operation with a smile on his face as usual.

He's such a lovely guy and you can ask him anything and he doesn't rush you which is nice. I have noticed that it is more relaxed at Bushey as well which is good.

He mentioned he'd told someone to look at my website, so if that is you, please email me as I'd love to talk to you about our mutual experiences - it's not all doom and gloom though - there are some good bits too!

Some very sad news to tell. Uncle George has died, it was really sudden and totally unexpected. We were only working on his Golden Wedding Invites at the weekend and I was going to show him the new mock-ups so that we could send them out. I'd got some lovely cards all ready to print with the designs and the menus and maps all ready. It's really sad as he was so looking forward to it all.

He's been there always for us, and especially through my treatment and we're all going to miss him so much. You don't imagine people getting older and unwell do you. You always think they'll be the same forever.

You gave us some great memories and we will miss you and remember you always Uncle George -x-

Well I've been waiting so long for this appointment and it's finally here! The transport is amazing, on time, looking smart and only one passenger, me! The driver told me that the hospital is all a mish-mash of Portacabins. Although when we got there they were smart ones, with lifts and everything. Very nicely laid out and not too much walking which is good.

Everyone was really kind and helpful, nothing was too much trouble and it was all so well organised too. I had an assessment first - the usual things - then went to wait for the Doctor. My card was put into a slot on his door and then they take them in order as they know the patients are there. It wasn't long before I was called in and sat down. Dr Mike Finnegan looked at the form I'd returned and was quite amazed at all the tests and treatment I'd had to date! He then asked me loads of questions, and I mean loads. Some of them totally unrelated too which surprised me. He also examined my good leg and my bad leg and then after some inputting into the computer came up with what he thought would be the best things to try.

One would be taken three times only and then stopped. It was made of cancer tumours (or cells) he explained. I didn't like the sound of that, but it sort of makes sense. For example think of snakes and antidote. What is it made of? Yes snake venom! So as you can see it sort of makes sense. Although I must admit I wasn't keen on taking it and had horrible thoughts in my head when I did take it. It seems odd to put something inside me which I've tried so hard to get rid of! LOL!

I was also given some other pills, they are not like normal ones though. The remedy is on the outside not the inside and you suck them until they are gone. Also you must not touch them with your hands, you tip them into the lid and then into your mouth.

Upon asking what he was expecting them to do, he said "expect nothing, just tell me if there are any changes when I see you the next time". So that is what I am going to do. They are not like conventional medicine which is designed to do a specific thing, i.e. a paracetamol for a headache. They treat you as w hole, the head, the heart, the feelings, the pains, the diseases - everything. It's very interesting really and I'm keen on finding out more about it.

So there you go, I got there at last and I'm now waiting to see what happens.

Today is Uncle George's funeral, a very very sad day. Certain people you imagine always being there the whole of your life and it's such a shock when they are not. We are all mere mortals but some of us are angels before we should be.

Although a sad time, the service was lovely and he knew so many people who cared about him, as it was so packed there were people standing near the Altar which the Vicar commented on as well. My Dad, my Nan, my Poppa, my Stepdad, my Uncle Dennis and now my Uncle George are all there. It is a lovely peaceful place but it is so sad that none of them are with us today.

We will remember him and miss him always.

At last it has arrived, I phoned up this afternoon as instructed and YES there is a bed for John at the hospital to have his operation. He has waited SO long for this, TOO long!!! He is having his op tomorrow morning at 9.30am so he is a very happy bunny!

We phoned the hospital just before lunch assuming John would have had his op, but he hadn't come back from Theatre yet. They said if we get down there for 2pm he should be out.

We arrived there just on 2pm and he'd only just come back! He was fine, told us all about the operation which he had been propped up on pillows to watch! How gruesome is that?!?!?! The surgeon was talking to him and showing him the cement and stuff they were using to put the new replacement knee into his existing bones. He has 29 staples in there and it's quite a long cut, along with another tube (the drain) which was in for 24 hours or so.

He was very pleased and the surgeon said how bad a condition the knee was in as they had major probs with it (as John could tell by the hammering, drilling, sawing etc). It just crumbled. It's weird cos John has spoken lately of feeling what feels like tiny balls in his knee area, and it was the bone crumbling away!! More yuck!

The surgeon said it was the worst knee he'd seen so that shows how bad it was and how much he was in. I must say now though that you can see the difference in his face without all the pain. He even walked down the ward with me yesterday and he's beating me for speed now!

He'll need his other knee done in a couple of years time, but at least he will be OK with this one for a while. Another person who is so happy to have an operation done on them (remember me and my gallbladder!).