Isn't love the most valuable and powerful thing we can ever have?

[Carakeel]

Hi everyone! Well today is my 58th birthday and I feel privileged and delighted and incredibly grateful to be here! I still feel like I am in my late 40s and I have never ever been happier in my life than I am right now!

I might not have been here today if it were not for my darling RATTER who only five days ago spent many hours together with two great but totally overworked nurses keeping me breathing after my total knee replacement. I reacted very badly to coming out of the anaesthetic and stopped breathing every few minutes. This went on for many hours. When this happened to me after major ops, several years ago, I suffered cardiac arrests because staff were not able to get me breathing again. The very first time this happened I suddenly came back on my own, but not until AFTER the coroner's certificate had been written out with my time of death etc.. 2 weeks later, the second time, my daughter managed to get me to breathe again when staff couldn't. This time, only five days ago, I had my darling RATTER by my side and according to the nurses, for hours he kept bringing me back each time I stopped breathing, never for a second taking a break or taking his eyes off me. The understaffed ward nurses were so wonderful too, but struggling terribly to keep pace with my struggle in ITU while also looking after so many other patients on the ward, several of them also freshly operated on. The next day, when I was back on safer ground, the talk on the ward was all about the immense love that radiated from my RATTER's hours of intense focus to keep me going. I was still in ITU where numerous nurses, doctors etc. came in to tell me how touched they were by the total dedication shown by my partner the previous day.

[Athley]

Sweet dreams Carakeel!!

Lots of love xxxx

[spurslady]

Take care and make sure you have plenty of rest!!

[RATTER15]

curly, check out my Range Rover http://i4.tinypic.com/2gvlpqb.jpg

I aint swapping that for no cement mixer lol I may consider your push bike though, a little more economic than the ten mile to the gallon Range Rover 3.9!!

[curlyfilm]

lol mate, my old vw camper only did 15 to a gallon, and me bike does 15 miles per pint of sweat......

and stop it now, i'm still blurry eyed........

[wonderwoman1]

Carakeel, you and RATTER are two amazing and very special people....I hope you had a fantastic birthday and you do not look anywhere near 58!!!!!!

Loads of love

Sash xxxx

[ELVIS68]

Happy Birthday

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj6cbM-h8xg

[battersby]

You are one of the most caring people here Carakeel and with the help of your beloved Ratter,I hope you make a speedy recovery. Take things easy. Daisy xx

[Eve]

Happy Birthday to a very special lady xxx

[joby1]

sorry its late, but, Happy birthday carakeel, and many more xxxx

[Carakeel]

Thank you all for being so very sweet. You are a good bunch of friends and your support really is very much appreciated. I am already putting full weight on my leg and walking around with crutches and it is only day 6 after op, I am really pleased. Have been doing my exercises and Ratter has been taking such good care of me. Had a great surgeon, who has left me with a beautifully straight fine scar, no stitches, no staples to come out, no lumps or bumps. I know I still have a long but good road ahead so I am really a very happy lady. Big hugs to all of you XXX :o)

[whiskeysheri]

Aww, I'm sorry this is late, Carakeel. I've been away for the weekend.

Happy belated birthday! I refuse to believe you're really 58, though! ;o) I hope you had a really lovely day.

Wow, RATTER, you're amazing! You really are made for each other.

Get lots of rest and take care of yourself. Lots of love, C x