Sharing life's vicissitudes

[janjo]

We went to our friend Nigel's funeral yesterday. What a tribute it was. Probably the biggest funeral we have ever attended. He was a school teacher for 30 years, and hundreds of his pupils and ex pupils attended. In fact, on our arrival at the church, the street was lined with students in school uniform, many of them weeping.
The school choir sang,  and there were many, many tributes from  friends, colleagues and students.
The coffin was carried out at the end of what was a long service, (to be transferred to the crematorium) to a version of Shostakovich's Waltz, from the Jazz Suite, with everyone clapping.
Nigel would have loved it, and apparently planned it when he knew he was dying.

The vicar announced that they are having a stained glass window created dedicated to his life, which will be installed later in the year. I intend to go and see it once it is installed.

Teachers always hope that they "make a difference." This one did.

[Sason]

He must have been a very special man, Jess.

And a very special funeral, as it sounds.

[Cally]

What a sad but lovely occasion, Jess.

[janjo]

It really was. I wept a lot!

[Cally]

  (((Jess)))

[janjo]

My vicissitudes are mounting up, not only do I have to go for my pre op tests for my knee operation next week, I have developed raging toothache from an infected, impacted wisdom tooth. My dentist has me on a massive dose of penicillin, but really it has to come out. The wait for an NHS appointment is forever, so they are now trying to arrange for me to see an oral surgeon privately who will have to take it out in hospital.
It can't just be done at a dentists, because it is too complicated, and because of my medical history.
I think it will mean a general anesthetic.
I can't have my knee operation until the tooth is sorted out because of the risk of infection.
It is all very trying.

[Cally]

Oh, Jess!

[janjo]

Thank you dear Sara.

[Sason]

Sounds like a GDBOAUS!!

(god damn bitch of an unsatisfactory situation)

(((((Jess))))))

[janjo]

It certainly is, Sonja

[killersmom]

Damn, Jess,!!!! I am so sorry.

What a mess!

[Ennis Del Mark]

Me too, Jess.

(((hugs)))

Hope things get better.  And fast!

[Tony_]

  Hang in there, Jess : it's all going to be over, hopefully sooner rather than later.  I hope you can think up a great way to celebrate when it is all passed.  Meanwhile, I wish you all the courage and patience needed to get by, just right now !

[jack]

sorry i have been absent while several of you have had trying times.  i can't tell you if i have been dealing with vicissitudes up or down, because i'm all over the map with ups and downs.  pick any ongoing situation i have mentioned and a couple i haven't and i will tell you i have been both pleased and distressed alternately, and sometimes simultaneously.

i am still in research mode for my move to hawaii, meaning i have made zero strides towards getting rid of anything.  twice i thought i had takers for large lots of it, and both times they petered out.  my back is manageable, but the last cortisone shot seems to have missed whatever causes the pains directly in the back, but eased the pain in my leg(s).  i am, not surprisingly, finding very little in housing i can afford on oahu, but i am researching the big island, where rents are much more comfortable.  i would be giving up a lot of social interaction compared to oahu, but gain a much more serene and affordable lifestyle.  i am also beating the bushes for a home for my cat as i am afraid to say, i cannot afford to bring him AND find a living situation that would include a pet right off.

all over the map, like i said.

[janjo]

My vicissitudes have taken a turn for the better, much to my surprise.
I saw the oral surgeon today as arranged, and the infection in my wisdom tooth has finally responded to the antibiotics, and it is no longer infected, so, at least for the time being I do not require to have it extracted.
Thank God
Then I went for my pre op tests at the hospital and everything was fine. I just require to be off the antibiotics and free of infection for 14 days before the op.

I know I still have a major operation to face, but things are certainly looking a lot brighter than they were last week.