Tag: Writing

Buddy our amazing fox red Labrador

by Lizbeth, posted in Nets/carcinoid Syndrome, Uncategorized

When my 20 year old son walked in the door with a cat box and said surprise I was not expecting to see a little fox red Labrador puppy. First instinct oh my goodness he is beautiful but going to be a lot of work. How wrong I was. Stuart and I tossed and turned for an hour or so deciding on a name for this absolutely stunning little boy. And finally it was decided Buddy was his name. From the beginning he followed me around, no matter where I went he was there; whether it was the sitting room, kitchen or bathroom he was by my side. One day my blood sugar dropped like a stone so quickly, he seemed to know, he tapped my leg and started whining. I most certainly wasn’t feeling too good. Checked the old glucose level and it was sitting at 3.1. This little guy was onto something. He carried my clothes, giving sets for my feed, he became my assistant. Very soon he was my “Buddy’ our amazing fox red Labrador.

Buddy was a gentle lab. Despite being of a big frame he cuddled me softly. Walked at my pace. Super with children and other animals. So much so with other animals we got him a wife. A stunning yellow Labrador called Bella. They became inseparable; very much husband and wife. I bread them and had two litters. Buddy was at the birth of both sets and very hands on the the puppies. A very modern parent. We keep in touch with several of the owners and they have visited and brought the labradors back to visit.

Buddy as an assistance dog was so amazing. He always knew what made me tick. Tended to know I needed to sit down before I did. Such a clever clogs. He always knew best, would jump up on the sofa beside me and snuggle in and we would fall asleep in the afternoon. Or reading a good book, or listening to music; any track, just ask my Alexa to play it or listen on my phone using my Amazon music app . So calming and most definitely make me feel at ease. One day my nurses were in to give me my treatment, there were two of them. One nurse took a seat to read the notes whilst the other was drawing up the meds, etc. Buddy walked over to the nurse that had the notes and gently tapped her on the leg with his paw. I asked her if she had ate breakfast. Bearing in mind it was 11.45am. She said no I skipped it this morning. Buddy tapped her again and again. I asked if she would take her blood sugar level with my machine. Which she did. Her level was sitting at 3.6 – Buddy knew it was below 4 and she was hungry. She ate something and immediately her levels increased. Buddy was happy and the nurse felt better.

Did this dog complain about anything? Heck no. One day he had really sore pads on his feet and I rubbed in balm. You could see he was in pain – he never pulled away, barked or winced. He trusted me implicitly, if I said this is what we should do he would let me do it.

What he loved was to cuddle in, go for a ride in the car and most of all walk in the back field. He was a home bird, right to the end. Buddy was only feeling poorly for a couple of days and died in my arms at home with Bella and my hubby Steve by his side. Just what he would have wanted.

It Has been a whole week now without my beloved boy. Bella and I are helping each other through it. Bella has never been a dog on her own. She will miss having him here as much as I will. Although he was a placid quiet dog, the house is eerily quiet without him. Yes I am very upset and could cry a river at the thought of him no longer being at my side but what I have to remember is all the wonderful happy times we had together. The great many years and joy he brought not only to me but to us as a family. Thank you my beautiful Buddy our amazing fox red Labrador for being part of our lives. I love you.

If you enjoyed reading this post please feel free to read further posts on my blog page. Or you can read some medical based posts at my other site EJY Medical Writing.

My Buddy boy loved to help with carrying my socks. I loved to buy quality socks for all the family at The Socks Box

Our bikers BBQ

by Lizbeth, posted in Nets/carcinoid Syndrome, Uncategorized

Already we are half way through the year of 2022. Finally after the last few years of PPE, mask wearing during covid and lockdown we are getting some normality in our lives. Covid will never disappear however we are dealing with things and actually getting out meeting each other and it feels so good. Most of us have missed out on something in our lives, a celebration, graduation, that wonderful holiday we had planned. Sadly there has been difficult times where we have not been able to be together and sickness has kept us at arms length. I most certainly cannot fault the way I have been treated by our good old NHS. My treatment has never stopped or home visits from my District nurses right through the pandemic. Now that time has moved on many people are planning trips to other countries, including three of our friends from Switzerland. Whilst on their trip to Scotland we managed to finally have our bikers BBQ

I am fairly certain that covid will not leave us in a hurry and at the moment it is rearing its ugly head. With a notable increase in diagnosis again. However that is most likely to us all mixing and going out on adventures. A very large majority of us are vaccinated, it won’t stop us getting covid but should hopefully lower hospital admissions and death rates. I have been extremely grateful for the care I have had all the way through. The vaccines I have had. And the continued care and management I get with my cancer team. When I am up to it I enjoy time with buddies and going out on the Harley-Davidson® with my hubby.

The final week of June is always an eventful one for us. A birthday for Steve and brother in law Alan. So now three years later our buddies could finally ride their NC500 trip, travelling from Switzerland on their Harley-Davidson motorcycles. We were so happy to spend the final three days with them. Hear of their travels, have a BBQ at ours, go out to The Hard Rock Cafe in Edinburgh, and on their final day travel with them on their way to the ferry and visit Holy Island and Bamburgh Castle. What fun we all had.

The BBQ was great fun, we chatted, laughed, there was lovely food cooked by head chef Steve. A warm fire pit for those that felt the chill in the air. Steve, Deke and Ewan treated us to some tunes and kept us entertained. I am pretty sure everyone went home with full bellies and pretty satisfied and happy. Our dogs loved having everyone round.

The most important thing I have learnt from hitting the brick wall that day and hearing the words incurable is life is for living. I love and value my family, good friendship and spending some time to get out and see the sights can be energising. However, I do so enjoy taking time for myself. In the way of putting my feet up, sitting in silence and enjoying a jolly good rest with my most beautiful labradors, Buddy and Bella.

Frogs, nest building and watching by the pond

by Lizbeth, posted in Nets/carcinoid Syndrome, Uncategorized

Nearing the end of March and we have sprung forward for daylight saving. Lost an hour in our bed did that cause any upset. Gosh no, woke up to a beautiful sunny Sunday morning, the fresh dew glistening on the blades of grass as I drew back the curtains. Six year old granddaughter Alexandra was getting her breakfast then off to dance. She attends a dance class every Sunday which she absolutely loves. For later in the day when she was back at ours it was arranged that we would go out on an adventure. This would include a drive to a Forrest Park and then there would be Frogs, nest building and watching by the pond.

My sister Hazel and her Granddaughter Lily came to mine and picked up Alexandra and me. We travelled the scenic route from our home in Boggs Holdings, Pencaitland to Glentress, Peebles in The Scottish Borders. We headed along familiar roads, up the granite hills, driving up the hills straight through the golf course in Innerleithen. Looking out the window at sheep and their newly born lambs dancing around the bushes.

As we approached the Glentress Centre we drove through the well sign posted road to the upper car park. Got out the car. And went on an adventure. Tummy’s were rumbling, so first of all it was time to feed the girls at Glentress Peel Cafe – this was a super place to have something to eat. Catering for all, adults, children, decent enough vegetarian option and dog friendly. Beautiful outlook with a pond just outside.

The pond was a great attraction. Alexandra and Lily excitedly watched the frogs swimming. Eagerly took in all the pond had to offer including frog spawn, insects galore and many plants. I have to admit I was in my element sitting on the bank watching and taking photographs.

We took the steady incline back up to the car park. The girls ran around laughing and playing catch. Alexandra collected a fairly large stone, the girls went on in search for moss and they started nest building. The Ranger walked by and smiled. A few minutes later she came back, as we were sitting at the picnic table she presented the girls with activity sheets and coloured pencils. She said well done on their nest building.

As the girls sat and drew pictures and coloured in I took in the breathtaking view. Watched some mountain bikers. And looked out onto the hills with the Glentress Forest Lodges that are available to rent. With the thought that one weekend that would be a lovely stay for a night or three.

All in all what a great way to spend a few hours on a Sunday.

© Dr Elizabeth M Johnston-Young

Thanks ever so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed it.

What has made me smile today?

by Lizbeth, posted in Emotions, Nets/carcinoid Syndrome, Uncategorized

Over the last few months life has certainly had its up and downs. As usual getting the usual carcinoid syndrome treatment. Not feeling the best at times and all that comes with it. However on the plus note covid restrictions have been a lot better, I have seen my family much more, Steve has been on the Harley-Davison®. We managed an evening out to see Del Amitri live in Edinburgh, at the Queens Hall. Our youngest son graduated from university. I got head hunted for a job from a very reputable company. We have a lot to be grateful for. As I was sitting working on my computer my phone gave a familiar bing. I looked over, it was letting me know my screen time was down. Most likely because I have been writing more this week, and I have gave the social media platform Facebook a wider berth over the last few weeks; mainly due to seeing the same old…… Although I have to confess I did see a few things on it today that made me smile, and other things that put me off…… on reading down the page I thought what has made me smile today?

Firstly waking up and being alive makes me smile. Every day is a bonus. I love where I live and who I live with. I open the curtains, roll up the blind in the morning, look out my bedroom window and the view of my back garden is a huge field where I enjoy walking my loyal Labrador Retrievers.

Buddy sitting at the front door

My boy Buddy is my assistance dog. He takes great care of me. Knows when my glucose levels drop. When my heart is misbehaving. He was such a great chap and tapped my nurse on the knee on Wednesday when she was attending to me, I asked her to check her blood sugar level it was sitting at 3.9 – he knew she was hungry.

My family not only make me smile they make me laugh. We have fabulous times together. Play old fashioned games, sit and talk, sing together, dance in the house and most importantly love each other.

Writing keeps me sane as well as makes me smile. Jotting down in a diary, keeping a journal, and writing for a living. I simply love it.

Listening to music most definitely made me smile today. Whether it is music on Apple Music, reminiscing about times gone by, Steve strumming his Martin guitar and beautifully singing along or Alexandra practicing her heart out on the violin or getting a guitar lesson from her Grandad. All those tunes give me such a warm feeling inside. It made me remember about that time……well will keep this one to myself…….

Remembering yesterday, listening to stories about the trip out pumpkin picking and dancing around the house and face painting.

Has anything made you smile today?

Felt like a teenager

by Lizbeth, posted in Uncategorized

Last Thursday after a horrid infection to blow the cobwebs away I went out with my Hubby and mates from The Dunedin Chapter Two Palaces and a Castle. You can find out about The Dunedin Chapter at Dunedin When we left Linlithgow we drove home a different route and lets say it didn’t go as smoothly as getting there; not that I minded mind you, looking back I Felt like a teenager.

Steve & I on The Fatboy

As we left Linlithgow we headed along the B9080 and made our way for Winchburgh, my the little place is growing. New houses popping up. As we were approaching Winchburgh I snuggled into Steve and rubbed his leg we drove passed beautiful newly built houses on a very dusty road. Steve slows down, realises he had gone too far and should have veered to the right at the new houses. All ten bikes turn round and head in the right direction………we make our way for Kirkliston. Lovely smooth drive till we get to the lights. Look up, familiar yellow sign with a black square, diversion, the road on the right was closed and we had to turn left. Making our journey longer. We headed down toward Queensferry. Then followed on till we got down to the A90. Where on earth did all the traffic come from?

The traffic queuing to go to Edinburgh was heavy. Steve took the lead with the others behind him. I stretched my head to the side in front of us was a trail of cars, vans, and lorries for as far as the eye could see. As we sat breathing in the fumes, listening to music from the cars, watching frustrated faces on the drivers of the four wheels I saw Stuart glide past us like a beautiful bird carefully weaving through the traffic. Next Colin manoeuvres and drives down the middle of the two rows of stationary vehicles and then in formation all us Harleys follow on. As Steve and I weave through the traffic I have amazing memories of being 17 and on the back of a sports bike, feeling the need to draw my knees in at every opportunity. I turned my head to the side and saw a young chap in a fiat 500 look at us, he smiled and waved. I lifted my hand and waved back, he had that look of envy. Sitting on the back of a bike, driving up the middle of two lanes of congested traffic; wow what a feeling. For some scary, for me utter bliss, I love it. I live in the country, our road is a single track road, not a cat eye in sight. No street lights, no orange glow of the city. And thats how we like to live. But the drama of feeling that you need to pull your knees in to pass a car, feel the rumble of the big trucks as you fly pass them. Made the traffic jam worth every moment.

Sitting in the traffic most certainly this day was better to be on 2 wheels that in 4.

If you want to give riding a motorcycle a go. Why not visit these pages. And then pop down to the shops and have a look and a chat. Ive been on bikes since I was 3. Honestly they are great fun and you meet wonderful folk and see fabulous places.

https://www.twowheels.co.uk/pages/learn-to-ride/motorcycle-training.htm

https://www.saltiremotorcycles.com/rider-training-edinburgh/

If you fancy a Harley Davidson. Look no further than your Scottish dealerships.

https://www.edinburghharley-davidson.co.uk

https://www.westcoastharley.com

A Glimpse of the Harley Davidsons that were on the trip

Turn that frown upside down

by Lizbeth, posted in Uncategorized

I would like to introduce a young lady who lives in Midlothian, Scotland. At present she works in an office however dreams of one day working full time in the writing world. Whilst chatting to Beth Merry I can feel her frustration and want to break out and get those fingers tapping the keys and tell the world all she has to say. Although Beth writes her own blog https://bethanybloggswriter.wordpress.com I suggested she write a guest blog for my site. Since my site is smile each and every day. I gave her the topic “smile everyday”. This was the heartfelt article I got back from Beth. Its about one of the hardest times in her life when she found it difficult to smile, whilst she was surrounded by sunshine, all that energy and heat failed to warm her heart and make her happy. Despite the rays from the big yellow sun and the beautiful blue sky Beth felt cold and alone and at many times incapable of smiling and having that warm butterfly feeling of comfort inside you when you know you are safe, loved and belong. Would she ever feel like this again, and be able to turn that frown upside down. I hope you enjoy it.

Why 2020 is Better than 2016 to Me

Before 2020, there was another year that as a society collectively decided was – to put frankly – absolutely awful. 2016 saw many beloved celebrity deaths, worldwide panic over the election in America, terror attacks seemingly around every corner, and plenty of other horrors that left the world pausing to catch its breath on the 31 December that year and crossing every finger and toe that 2017 would be kinder.

For me, 2016 was particularly awful because both my mum and my grandad sadly passed away, and I had to pull on my grown-up pants at 19 years old and pretend I was strong. It was one of the hardest years of my life; and now with 2020 being deemed an even worse year due to the pandemic, I’ve had time to do some reflecting on how much has changed.

Moana Beach, Adelaide, Australia

In 2016, I was living in Australia. My family had emigrated when I was 10, and while the first couple of years I had enjoyed, the shine eventually wore off and I found myself desperate to make my way back to the UK, back to my home. I felt increasingly out of place at all times, and desperate to tell people that I didn’t belong – the fact that I had absorbed the accent almost immediately did little to persuade folk. As the next of kin for my mum who passed away in June, I was left in charge of putting her affairs in order for myself and my younger sister which meant a lot of phone calls I didn’t know how to make and, more importantly, arranging a funeral. I grew up a lot that year – and fast. I was still studying, still working two jobs and getting over a lot of heartbreak. It felt like things would never improve.

Seafood Rise, Adelaide, Australia

Fast forward to 2020. As I write this, I’m sat in my house in the Scottish countryside that my partner and I bought together nearly 9 months ago. He’s putting together some units to complete the massive desk he’s constructed for our home office, and I’ve got a stew bubbling away on the stove. I’ve had an uneventful day at work – Sat at my dining room table lockdown style of course – stretching my writing muscles now. Saturday was my birthday, and I had a quiet barbecue in our newly landscaped back garden with some family, and on Sunday my partner and I ventured out to Gore Glen to finally see the beautiful waterfall and connect with nature. I can breathe fairly easy these days and my worries are far less significant than those of 2016

Gore Glen, Midlothian, Scotland

I never could have predicted that in 4 years time I’d be in the space to feel this content. In a time where my world was crumbling around me, I pushed through to venture by myself to the other side of the world where the love of my life and I have made a life together for ourselves. Coronavirus be damned – the opportunity to look back at the last 4 years and see how far I’ve come make all the lockdown restrictions worth it.

These days, I smile everyday because while there are still a few things beyond my reach. I’m a damn sight further ahead than where I was in 2016.and there’s so much to be grateful for! I’m home in the UK where I belong, I wake up everyday to my amazing partner and the views over the Pentland, and I have room to grow at my own pace. What’s not to love?

Me, happy, home

Sunday Afternoon

by Lizbeth, posted in Uncategorized

Our usual Sunday Afternoon consists of a ride on our Harley Davidson.  Meeting up with chums from the The Dunedin Chapter Scotland and visiting my Dad.

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This particular Sunday we are still in lockdown and restrictions still apply.  We are very that we are surrounded in the most beautiful countryside, our garden is larger than most.  And we can certainly exercise and get fresh air without bumping into anyone if we want.

For some time there has been an area near the front of the house that we would love to put some hard standing to cover the dirty area that gets mushy when folk park on it, despite all the chipped area around the house.  Steve brings round to work with some beautiful natural stone.  And begins to lay it.  Our Harley Davidson Fat Boy sits in front of the house looking lonely.  Our labs, Buddy and Bella stand together at the front of the door, waiting eagerly until I finally say they can come and join me while I put plants in the pots at the front of the house.

 

 

 

They are so happy once they join us out the front. Watching Steve cut the stone and lay it.  And me put some petunias, lobelia, pansies and a few other plants in pots.
The one thing that certainly hasn’t changed about the Sunday Afternoon is we spend time together.  Have a lovely day no matter what we do.  Just make the best of it.  Life is for living.  Live, laugh and love everyday.

And always make sure we make time for ourselves.  My time is writing.  Which I love love love.

Have a great day folks.