Hi folks, I'm back home at last!!!!! The doctors finally decided on a diagnosis - I have COPD with borderline diabetes, and low iron. They say my heart failure is still a possibility but were so pleased with how I progressed that that diagnosis is put on hold, providing I do as I'm told!!!!

The only reason they allowed me home early was because Mandi is still here. She goes back to Turkey on Thursday however, and the Social care package might kick in - there again - it may not!!! Tomorrow the lady from Physio is coming to see me and bringing a trolley for me to use outside. My trolley walker I use indoors isn't suitable for outside work. As I'm not very steady on my legs - using a walking stick isn't too clever and so I don't feel comfortable or safe. The new trolley has larger wheels and has a seat that I can put my handbag etc underneath it, and when I'm tired, I can just put the brakes on and sit down to get my breath back!! Great if it works. It also means I can pop round to my neighbours' homes without having to have help. More freedom until I get another car!!!

I will certainly miss Mandi so much, she's wonderful company and I feel safe with her here. I never thought I'd feel vulnerable, it's horrible. I used to feel so strong, I brought my two children up on my own from the ages of 6 and 7. I used to keep 2 jobs going, also had foreign students stay, so I could keep a roof over our heads. I did all the decorating, repairing, gardening, building etc and went dancing twice a week, and treated us to a two week holiday every year, until it wasn't "cool" to go on holiday with your mum!!!!! I was the one they called on to help or do things in the house, or in my mum's case, finish off her knitting. She did each part, but hated to join them up into whatever garment she was making!!! Then suddenly 12 years ago - it all went wrong when I had a brain haemorrhage.

Old age doesn't come alone so I'm told - still I have a few months to go before I go to Turkey - I've had to forego this month's trip. So I hope to go for Christmas and New Year - stay a couple of months. No swimming yet again this year for me unfortunately.

Well I hope you will all understand why I don't actually pop around everyone's pages while Mandi is still here. I want to spend as much time with her as I can, and then once she has gone - I'll be annoying you all again.