Monday 24 October 2011

Much Ado About Nothing?


In my last post, I was in a state about the water running down the wall and causing damp to get under the wallpaper in the bathroom, causing mould to grow through the paper and the beginnings of the same in the room beneath.
We couldn't get hold of a plumber who was known to us (unless we took pot luck by getting some one in from The Yellow Pages.) This is always a risky thing to do.
We realised that there must be a problem with the ballcocks in the two tanks connected to the central heating in our roof space, causing the overflow to be in use. The problem was..... where was the outside overflow and why wasn't the water running clear of the wall? On closer examination, it appeared that the overflow had been cut off by the men who had put new facial board on the back of the house when they decorated it over ten years ago. This meant that the water came out from beneath the facial board and tricked down the wall unnoticed until it started to seep through the wall. Obviously there hadn't been a problem with the overflow until recently and that is why it wasn't discovered before.

My son, Sam, went up to the roof space and looked into the tanks and was able to see the need for two new ballcocks and they were easily replaced. Trouble was now, there was a slight leak on the outside of the tank for some reason, that would in time come through the ceiling in the bathroom. So now we had to put a container under the drip and we worked out that this would need emptying twice a day because it took quite a while to fill the container.

In the meantime, my son managed to get a plumber friend to come and see the problem. He called round today and he was very efficient and knew what to do immediately and for a very reasonable price.
The trouble with the facial board can be dealt with maybe in the warmer weather as it will not cause any more problems for a long time.
If I still could get in touch with the men who chopped the pipe off because it would be easier to fit the facial board, then I would. However, after ten years I feel that they are long gone from our lives.

This week has been very up and down for me. The weather went very cold just at the time that the wet was coming into the house and my pain was playing me up and I felt depressed. It is now a month since the last radiation treatment and I have been very disheartened not to be feeling better than I am. I was told the pain would peak after a couple of weeks and then start to diminish. This didn't seem to be happening to me. On top of that I have heard of the death of two other cancer suffers within the last week or so whom I was relating to and thinking that they were a good example of delaying this awful disease with courage....... and now they are gone.
Will I be the next? It is only natural to wonder. Harry, who also has late stage cancer, just says *What will be will be* but I cannot sit back and think like that and am kicking up a fuss. Anything to delay it for a while yet. I have to get to seventy at least but realise that I haven't got a God given right to do so. However, I will give it my best shot.



31 comments:

MARY G said...

There is not anything much more depressing than wet weather, plumbing problems and frightening illness.
I hope the sun will come out for you soon, both literally and in your life.
And best wishes for your recovery.

mrsnesbitt said...

HUGS Maggie I can not begin to imagine your pain or situation but I feel with you.
The weather doesn't help one's spirits.
Dxxx

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Oh darlin' your world has been damp and dark in more ways than one.

Just know you have my heart and healin' prayers. When all is dark let God light your path.

Please feel the hugs I'm sendin' your way today dear one.

God bless and open a window...I'm sendin' ya some of my sunshiny rays!!! :o)

Anonymous said...

Be positive refuse to give in to this nasty disease Rail against it show it no fear and live each ninute

Working Mum said...

I know it is wearying but you must keep fighting. To give in is to give up. There are lots of people rooting for you both - just remember that. WM x

Anonymous said...

All thoughts and best wishes to you and your husband, Maggie. As previously said, I cannot imagine what it's like to go through what you are, but I think you're putting a brave face on whatever comes your way. Hang in there...

Peter x

Formerly known as Frau said...

Maggie I'm happy you have help with your water situation....I wish I could kick cancers butt for you and Harry....but I'm praying for you instead...((hugs))

CorvusCorax12 said...

sending hugs, what a crappy week . I do hope the pain will diminish soon ♥

Ayak said...

Just keep on kicking up a fuss Maggie. I'm sure this attitude has a positive effect. Sending you love and hugs xxx

Expat mum said...

Hugs to you both Maggie. x

Mimi said...

You kick up all the fuss you want, Maggie, especially if it helps you fight this battle.
Glad the water situation is better. We've had torrential rain here today, my garden is (literally) like a river, and I'm hoping that the refurbished roof holds up. It's being well tested! Our local shop, just refurb'd, is under 2"of water.

Jackie said...

Hats off and lotsa hugs to Sam. Good on him for getting in there and finding the problem. Also, thankful for the plumber friend who came by and knew what to do (and I love that reasonable-price part...)
It sounds like a dismal week, my friend....any problems would magnified by cold and damp weather.
I wish I lived in your area so that we could talk; if so, I would talk with you every day that you would want to. I am thinking of you and of Harry....and you know that I have your best health and best interests at heart always, dear Maggie.
Writing this blog, talking and interacting with friends....those are all good things, my friend.
I continue to pray for you. I do.
"For they cried to the God in the battle, and He was entreated of them; because they put their
trust in Him." I Chron. 5:20
Love,
Jackie

Sally Wessely said...

I like that you are kicking up a fuss over your situation with cancer. I think that is the thing to do. Many of us hold you in our hearts and prayers.

I hope the pain begins to go away.

I'm thankful you have a good son to help you with those repairs around the house that wear and tear on one's nerves. Take care, dear Maggie. XO

Wendy said...

Hugs Maggie. You've had an awful couple of weeks. Cold and damp and water leaks will all contribute to your not feeling well. I'm sure once the sun shines, your spirits will lift and you'll have some good energy back.

I hate these "house, plumber, water, cracks, etc." problems too. But glad that you found an efficient and good plumber. And I agree that the fellow of ten years ago will be long gone.

Never mind.

Keeping you and dear hubby in my thoughts and prayers.

secret agent woman said...

I'm sorry your pain has not yet begin to decrease. I can't imagine how disheartening that must be.

Pauline said...

I like your attitude, Maggie. There are no rules on how to fight the beast, just fight it the way that comes naturally to you! And know that there are manyy of us out here who are with you all the way. I hope your spirits improve with the weather.

Irene said...

You should kick up all the fuss you want and then some. Don't ever be passive when you're dealing with something like cancer. always be proactive. I like your attitude, Maggie. Please keep it up like this. I wish you well. XOX

Anonymous said...

Hi from the other Maggie!
Thanks for leaving the comment, I tried to leave one about the crocheted throw, but blogger wouldn't let me!
It is lovely, the colours go so well together.
As ever I admire your gutsy attitude to the cancer, and guess this is one of those times when an Americanism, which I vowed never to use, would be appropriate?
You go girl!!!

Anonymous said...

Just to say that the comment just left was the third attempt, some weird message came up with null format or something in it.... love blogger when it works well and with no hiccups, hate it when it throws a spanner in the works, as it has done a lot this year.

Sueann said...

I agree!! Fuss away and fuss some more!! I will be praying for you sweet friend.
As for the depression...pain will do that! It wears on your last nerve and takes away the zest for life! So my prayer will be for no pain!!
Hugging you
SueAnn

Suldog said...

I hope your spirits brighten soon. I'll say a prayer to that effect.

[*HUGS*]

Clare Dunn said...

You know I Love You, and I am so proud of your fighting spirit!

I'm kicking up a fuss on your behalf here...joining all your dear friends in letting God know that we are on your side.

HUGS, etc.
xoxoxo, cd

Jeni said...

I don't think there's anything worse than a really damp cold to stir up every possible ache and pain there is hiding within our bodies! I'm thinking the weather conditions you mentioned, accompanied by the leaking problems, aggravated the aches and such from the radiation thus delaying your feeling a bit better. Hope a little sunshine comes your way -a little extra warmth sure won't hurt anything, will it -and that you keep plugging away! Positive attitude, ya know! ALWAYS! (Even when it rains.)

FeltByRae said...

I would like to chop something off the chaps who chopped your pipe off... how very unprofesional

Glad you've found a good plumber at last - it is such a releif when you have one who is decent

Happy Frog and I said...

I love the way that you live your life Maggie. You admit when things are upsetting you and acknowledge them but you also are spirited and intend to kick up a fuss. Quite right. I really, really hope that you start to feel a bit better soon and I'm really sorry to hear about your friends. xxx

cheshire wife said...

Oh Maggie, your problems seem to be never ending. I hope that you have managed to get the leak sorted out. We had a similar problem last year. In our case the solution was a new central heating pump.

You are not the only one with problems.Right now our boiler is not working.

I do hope that your health improves. I think that you are right not to let thinks drag on.

CiCi said...

Water seeping through the wallpaper is distressing for a homeowner. There are so many reasons and some of them take a long time to remedy. Good thing your son was able to start the repair job and find someone reliable to fix the problem, and the reasonable price is a blessing.

I am so sorry to hear you have not achieved the health recovery results you believed you would reach. I know you are disappointed and to still be in pain after undergoing unpleasant treatment is truly saddening. Hang in there, Maggie, you are a courageous woman.

Jayne said...

Glad you got an efficient plumber and hopefully he'll fix that problem for you. I'm sorry to hear about your friends. Giving it your best shot is a brilliant attitude to have; hold on to that thought, and I hope you feel better soon. x

dianefaith said...

I hope you're feeling better today, and I'm glad your son was able to step in and find a good repairman for you.
I very much admire the way you are writing, even in tough circumstances. Your words are coming across as very honest and real, and that's as good as it gets.

Hilary said...

I'm sorry you've been feeling so poorly lately and that your house seems to be mirroring the darker, dreary feelings. You're always in my best through, dear Maggie. I wish you strength to get through this. Hugs to you.

Rose said...

I'm glad to hear that the water problem at your house is not a major one and that you've found someone to repair it finally. I wish everything else going on in your life could be fixed as easily. Dreary weather doesn't help one's spirits either. You have the right attitude, Maggie--keep on fighting! Sending love and hugs your way,

Rose