Sunday 12th July

There is something the matter with Jessie..... It started quite a few weeks ago, just little things that were out of character. She has never been very good at getting up in the morning(who is?), but you would have thought that with her breeding she would be bouncing around at 7am. However she 'saves' all her energy for chasing pheasants/rabbits/balls, but she has even been refusing to go outside for her morning 'toilet'. She didn't want to walk last Monday morning at all, and refused point blank to budge, despite me walking ahead quite a long way. ( I had to go back and take her home).

She is spending much of her time in her utility room, preferring that to our company in the kitchen, and appears disinterested in lots of things. Her eating habits etc are largely unchanged, so it doesn't seem like a physical problem.

Saturday morning Steve and I took her to the beach, although she was happy to jump in the car I had to lift her out. She began normally enough chasing the ball and racing around, but before we had even got halfway she began mooching along between us and even dragging behind (think small, sulking toddler?!).

Enough is enough and we called the vet, there and then, managing to get an appointment at lunchtime. We told him it was a bit complicated, and he did a very through examination, other than slightly lower heart rate everything else was normal. Blood test taken and again all results came back normal. (there are diseases that the blood test ruled out) I need to talk to him tomorrow to see if we take it one stage further and have a scan, OR he suggested that we may need to see a dog behaviourist, as she could be .......wait for it........depressed.

Apparently 'Springers' are known to suffer from 'mental issues', I'm blaming myself of course. I probably don't do enough 'work' based activities with her. Anyway, I want to try and get this sorted as it's upsetting to see her looking so glum.

Friday morning I bumped into  some of my 'beach friends' down at Bel Val,  and so good to reacquaint myself with them. I know when I see them that summer really is here, with lots of sea swimming, ( and I get free lifeguarding duties too!) Fitted in two swims which was a bonus, although I could have done with that cooling water when I was playing in the 24Netballathon for Philips footprints later on that night. The gym at Le Rocquier school was BOILING!!
The link below explains about the Charity, and as I play netball I thought it only right to enter a team, lots of St Lawrence girls joined me and some played on the Saturday too.

http://www.philipsfootprints.org/

"One of Nicky's bucket list challenges (www.nickyschallengesweebly.com) was a 24 hour netballathon. But it just wasn't enough of a challenge so we are also having a Family Fun Day at the same time!"

 So, we are up to photos of our UK trip, and here is Grommit, my brothers dog with his new toy, Jessie has one similar but with no stuffing.....

 Wimbledon 2015...!!!

Some more good news, I received a text from my lovely Dr H on Friday to say the rest of the blood test results I had taken came back, my liver, kidneys and calcium level are all good. I am obviously very pleased, and now when folks say I look well, I can say "I AM" Thank you!!

Today I walked Jess albeit reluctantly (at the start and finish) from white rock to Jardin D'Olivet and back, (that was for the local blog readers!!) Took about one hour 20min, she ordinarily would have loved that walk ,but i had to cajole her at parts.
 It was also  the last Aerobics session of the summer with the twins, it was a great class as always, but they need a break as much as the rest of us (although don't think for one minute they'll be resting on their laurels!!)

I thought for a change I'd cook roast chicken for the family tonight, of course we need two chickens and lots of vegetables- (i'd made an apple pie before I walked Jess). 
I managed to multi-task and do the last bit of ironing whilst watching Wimbledon men's final, and then 
suddenly out of the blue I was wracked with stomach pain, just the same as post op, with back spasms, feeling sick and unbelievably wretched. I hadn't eaten or drunk anything that i dont normally eat/drink, but it was just like the other two times this has happened, with no apparent rhyme or reason. I took alkalising tablets straight away, which did little to relieve the pain, but Jack remembered buscopan which you can get a at the chemist and that we had bought previously (suggested by hospital). This helps with muscle spasms. Finally at 9pm this evening I was pain free, but exhausted.

Of course this entire episode was a ruse to make the rest of the family prepare the veg, cook supper and wash up.........
I'd make a hundred roasts if I didn't have to go through that again. We think its just a left over side effect from the operation, and sometimes the bowel twists or something and its enough to bring on excruciating pain. Luckily for me help was at hand, of which I'm very grateful. 

I'm getting regular updates from AB and SM on their productive gardening achievements, bounteous supply of vegetables and fruit, and photos sent of plates full of green salads etc. Hmmm, we have had broad beans and mangetout its true, and a few tomatoes to munch, but our carrots, onions and courgette (boys are pleased ) are woeful. Its always the veg beds that are close to the road that look the worst!! Typical. There will be no sign of AB until well into September as she is out harvesting from dawn to dusk, and (this is true) counting how many runner beans she has on her plants ............. save us all 

My final total for the Race for Life... the page is closing very soon , thanks to FB who with May who donated cash last week...

!https://www.justgiving.com/jillluce/