Jem, yes it does make me sad that she suffers. I did give in and try cortisone about two weeks ago but since stopping it she has flared up worse than ever. I'm currently trying the chickweed compound so she smells like a campfire but it seems to relieve the inflamation quite a lot. Fingers crossed it continues to help. It's great that you are excited about work - bet you will miss the kids! We are the same when Dan is home - I don't like to make plans if I can avoid it so we can just be a family for a while. Though at least he gets two weeks off now so we can fit a bit more in.

V - no problem. Have fun experimenting! We are waiting until 12m to TTC ... but things don't always go to plan so who knows?

Sara Hope your Rudolph nose goes away soon! Talking of neighbours, mine is an 81yr old ex soldier with a poodle named Rhonda who is very difficult to end a conversation with (nice enough but my goodness he can talk!) He knocks at my door to tell me the people 4 doors down are selling passionfruit plants and I should pop down. I'm like 'oh Autumn is sleeping at the moment but thanks anyway'. And he says 'she'll be right while you just pop down won't she?' Ah, no John, maybe in your day you could leave your baby alone in the house but the world just ain't the same place! And besides, I didn't want passionfruit plants! .... that was all a bit rambly huh? Oh well.

Jess, I can't say I've ever bled from a pap smear. I think it has only ever been uncomfortable not painful - but I had a CS too.