Dear Janey, thank goodness it wasn’t today you were visiting Westminster. Such terrible times we are living in.
Hope all you lovely willow are doing ok.
Evening lovelies. What a sad sad day and such a contrast to last week. A busy work day here but a good one. Hope you are all ok xx
I was thinking the same Lesley…thank god janey wasn’t there today. What is our little planet coming to? I don’t think I will ever understand what makes someone think that they can or should do this. What a world we live in. I was up there this time last year and the crowds around Westminster and the House of Commons are unbelievable.
Delly - I’m getting there slowly but do feel that work is setting me back physically so I’m glad I’m now counting down to finishing. I get terrible pain in my breast and in to my armpit - a mixture of burning pain and these horrible stabbing pains. Hey ho, roll on clinic on the 11th as I think I’m going to have a host of questions for them. My GP surgery aren’t keen to prescribe anything until I’ve been to the clinic which isn’t helpful. When I was there the other week I asked for a repeat prescription of the tablets I was given to help me sleep the week after my diagnosis last September. I was given 7 of these pills and still have 3 left. I don’t take them unless I really need to as they make me groggy the following day - tamoxifen is playing havoc with my sleep and always has done. My god he was reluctant to give me any more. He said that tablets aren’t the answer (!!), why do I think I need them and was I depressed!!! Subtlety is not his forte. So I replied " ermmm I had BC last year, and the pills I take to help prevent it returning stop me sleeping, my father in law died of cancer last year, my mother was diagnosed with cancer last year and is still fighting her battle, my husband is being made redundant and I am leaving my job…despite all of this I have only taken 4 of these pills in that whole period, so clearly I am not dependant on them. And no, I am not depressed…I’m brassed off and in pain but not depressed". His response…“fair point”.
He made me feel like some kind of addict!!! I think I’ve done pretty well all things considered!!
anyway, I am glad you are feeling brighter and it really sounds like physio is benefiting you. Long may it continue!! Xx
Beth your doctor sounds a real dick. Is there only the one gp in the practice? Usually gp’s want to dish out anti depressants like sweeties. Have to say since I’ve been on amitrypline ive been sleeping better. I think you’re very strong only taking the few you have despite what you’ve been going through. Hang on in there and keep crossing the days off, and if it gets too much go off sick xx
OMG, Fluffies,
I’ve just come on to see what you’ve all been up to, after being sat all cwtchy watching “Beauty and the Beast”, wondering what bad news you were talking of, so have put the news on. Jeeeez - tragic. Do we know what terrorist “Faction” it was an act of?? I have to take my hat off to the police for acting so promptly.
Bethy-Boo - Yeh, thanks lovey. You are doing amazingly well and being incredibly strong. But I’m so sorry you’re having so much pain. GP’s are so reluctant to give out sleeping tabs, because of the higher incidence of suicide. No Seriously. Sleeping tabs being a favoured method. After my Mums death, and with my previous history of depression prior to, mine would only prescribe me 7 days (to help me get over the worst of it), and actually said it was due to this fact, and that if I had any such thoughts, 7 together wouldn’t cause much damage - just long sleep. So I think yours is just being careful and diligent with and for you, which is a good thing. Have you tried any of the natural sleeping aids, such as Dormeasan - has high Valerian content and hops. Can get it from H & B. Or Nightol tabs?? You may find them helpful.
Also, I’ve found some GP’s ask you, what YOU think is wrong, because they give it some importance, meaning that only you know how you truely feel? And yes, as Lesley said, some dish out antidepressants too readily, like sweeties. But, maybe yours was being more wary, and when he asked if you thought you were depressed, was wanting you to tell him whether YOU thought/felt you were depressed . My GP asked did I think I had a brain tumour (?!!) when I was telling him about these frequent dull mobile head pains. He was bearing in mind my BC history. To which I said No, but I was concerned they could be due to emboli travelling from elsewhere, and that may possibly be causing these symptoms when they reach the tiny narrow capillaries in my head, as they are mobile dull pains. And that I was wishing to pre-empt a stroke, there being a strong familial history of. Anyway, I’ve been taking a very low dose enteric coated aspirin, prescribed by myself, for its very mild anticoagulant properties and haven’t had any since, but am carefully monitoring myself. Anyway, I now have to go for an MRI on my neck from the specialist physio’s examination the other day (nuther blinkin appointment), so that may possibly show anything else up.
Eye’s doing well, plus had lots of excess fluid to lubricate it the other day from my teary episodes. It’s interesting how some small thing can spark off such a deep reaction. I’d been clearing/sorting through me drawers - no not those drawers (!!) and was just checking that a soft travelling jewellery roll of my Mums didn’t have anything in it. My bruv had brought it back from Thailand for her as a gift, and it still had a faint smell of her perfume. And that was it - totally knocked me off balance - sob, sob. Smells are so intensely emotive.
Lesley - I find Iceland really good, especially for their wide selection frozen fish, shellfish, seafood - cooked a tasty Mediterranean fish and squid stew. Tried a couple of Ostrich steaks from them as well, last year. Really tender flavoursome meat. They stock so much more now than they used to, including fresh veges and fruit. Good prices compared to many of the bigger supermarkets.
Hope everyone else is doing well or better.
Still no Lilliums ey??
Bobies Delly, get to bed woman. Lotsa love to you all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Rubycat, your pictures always make my day! Though you obviously caught us on a bad day, not sure those hairstyles are doing us any favours…
I’m glad you’re doing well on the Amytriptiline, a good night’s sleep makes all the difference.
Well, it’s been a dismal morning here, and a grey and blowy afternoon. But tonight my daughter arrives for the weekend, so I’m looking forward to that. And I think the weather forecast is for some dry and sunny weather after today, so we should be able to get out and about. And hopefully i can get something done in the garden as well, time is getting on if I’m going to revamp the borders…
Good sunny afternoon to you all 
Well that is me done for 10 days, on annual leave now until 3 April and BOY am I ready for it. I have got through the last four weeks working my normal 25 hours but I am shattered now and in need of recharging my batteries.
The weather is sunny here this afternoon albeit a bit breezy, but like you Dizzy the forcast is better from the weekend onwards and my plan is to start on my garden next week. Getting the slate chippings delivered, going to repot all my planters and get some new pots. I am hoping that Shirley is going to be able to give me some of her time this week to do the extension to my borders.
I have done three more tapestries this week, have to say it has been a stressful week at work because of a particular piece of work that I was asked to do and I have been coming home each night just relaxing with them and it has helped immensely.
Looking forward to having some serious time to spend on here for the next week or so.
Helena xxx
Hello lovelies,
Helena enjoy your break my friend, I hope you get some lovely gardening weather xxxx
Oh amitriptyline is brilliant stuff… I took your advice Lesley I take it around 8.30 and it doesnt seem to make me and more ditsy than normal in the morning and when I do fall asleep if I do wake in the night I’m straight back off again. I like the fact I will wake up as my son has night terrors dome times and I need to get up to him.
Beth, I’d go back to the bcn and see if they can help you with your pain, it’s been going on to long my lovely and long term pain just brings you down even more.
I’m glad to say the tablets are helping but the ache is always there 
only 5 more work days and it’s the easter hols for me.
Dizzy have a fabulous time with your daughter. Xxx
Love and hugs to you all xxxx
Sorry for the typing error’s it’s my phone… Xx
Evening willows, went to Uplift meeting this afternoon (BC support group) a new member, a lovely 41 year old carribean lady, oh boy, is she going through a bad time, huge tumour, Had to have chemo before surgery, full masectomy, rads, got lympthodema, Had genetics testing, now got to have ovaries removed. Husband has left her, only getting statutory sick pay, landlord chucked her out (has 16 year old daughter) all family except one sister who lives miles away is in Carribean, living in a hostel, lonely, frightened and depressed but sweet and kind. Really made me realise how lucky I am. I’m away for the next meeting but decided that I’m going to ask her for lunch or coffee at the one after. She’s so alone, made me appreciate everything I’ve got.
So Glad amitrypiline is helping Clair. I started at 10mg then increased to 20mg after two weeks. Apparently you can go up to 80, but I don’t want to go up anymore.
i set off today with just a wrap as it looked do lovely and sunny but actually it was flipping freezing out.
Enjoy your time with your daughter Dizzy.
love the pics as usual Rubycat xx
Ps enjoy your break heavenly Helena xx
Rubes - Thanks darlin. Yeh, thank goodness Janey wasn’t aound THIS week. Mind you, I’m sure knowledge of her formidable “presence” may have frightened any possible threateners off. That was said and meant in good taste. I’m so glad you’re finally getting some pain refief and better sleep. It was your hip that was giving you a lot of gyp too. Did you have that checked out as well?? I can’t remember with it being a while back now, that you were struggling with it. Love your hug piccies - can I bagsy being in the middle - the more cwtchy contact the better!! I’m not sure if I look better as the previous lamb one or one of the baboons, tho’ they look more grumpy, so probably depends what day you catch me on. Mmmmmmm!!
Dizzy, Lady H - A gloating wall to wall day of sunshine here, ALL day. Enjoy your daughter for the w/end Dizz. Is she back especially for Mothers Day? Sounds good Helena for your much needed and deserved time off. Who’s Shirley? a good friend or family? Think the post numbers are gonna be well boosted next week then, ey girls!!
For some reason, my screen initially opened on page 64, to the lymphoedema debate. Having had ALL my nodes removed, I HAVE to be ultra careful ref avoiding B.P. cuffs (tho’ ankle readings can be diff to arms) needles, cannulas, and sunburn. Stings, scratches, bites (be they dog, insects, vampiric “Fluffies”!! etc.), sunburn, rashes have to be treated immediately with an antiseptic (mine usually being Tea Tree or Lavendar oil) and a plaster. And as with that dog bite a while ago, any signs of what’s called “tracking” where I can see a red streak travelling up the arms - immediate antibiotics, otherwise septicaemia can happen. All of this, as you know, is because the lymph nodes house the lymphocytes, which are one of the first lines of attack to travel to any injury site and bacteria, as well as acting as a filter at the node sites. I would think any of you who’ve had just some removed, would still have to be especially careful of the above, because you’re defence mechanisms have been reduced. I was also advised to wear long sleeved T shirts/jackets when gardening to avoid any extra scratches. I was initially very careful about physical work with both, until I’d thoroughly healed and exercised myself back to my previous arm strength, but after that, I was up there with Charys in the DIY dept work. May not be the same for everyone though. And as far as the avoidance of the “long haul flight” stuff - as New Zealand and Canada still need to be ticked off my bucket list - I’d rather take my chances. I think probably exercising your arms, same as I would legs, on a long haul could probably help prevent some of the risks. You’d think the airlines would hold in flight exercise classes wouldn’t you, help the avoidance of DVT’s. Think you just have to be sensibly aware with it all really.
Lesley - Lush, I so loved the “broken and chipped” being mended with gold - and your similarity to our scars. Nice one. Hows hubby. Is he okay now??
Bethy-Boo - If you’re getting such horrible sharp pains, I agree with Clair, I’d get in touch and try to get seen before the 11th.
I’ve booked an eye test for tomorrow. If I’m now safe to drive again, I’m taking my X Rochdale walking group and artyfarty friend, Josie, to the Port Sunlight Village, across the River Dee from Liverpool, to revisit the Lady Lever art gallery on Sunday. If I’m not safe, I’ll jump on a train to meet in M/C, either go to the City gallery, museum or have a walk up to the Whitworth gallery, about 1 1/2 miles out of the centre. Just glad to have a distraction purposely arranged for Mothers Day.
Also contacted my breast surgeons secretary and sent an email asking to further discuss the next procedure difference with the tissue matrix. Whether it’s going to involve a much larger incision and therefore my concerns about the thinness of the breast envelope, as it is, and it’s healing. Will pop in and see him if he’d prefer to discuss it in the flesh.
S’all for now girlies. Lots of love xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Helena, I thought you’d been a bit quiet recently, you sound more like you need sick leave than holiday. I hope you’ll feel better when you get this time off. We’ll have to compare notes on borders, if i manage to get mine done. Your Shirley sounds lovely.
Delly, I’m glad that your eye is improving, it must be really frustrating waiting for it to settle. My mother has had both eyes done, one eye improved really quickly, the other was a problem for quite a while, she made the mistake of soldiering on rather than getting it looked at.
Lesley, my heart goes out to that poor woman at your support group, what a horrible position to be in. It makes me grateful for all the support I’ve had.
Clair, not long now till the holidays, you must be so ready for some time off, you’ve had a horrible time for the last few weeks.
Delly…lsaw this and thought of you…what a narrow escape!!
Morning Scrumptious Fluffies,
Hope you’re all having this glorious sunshine where you are.
Ha Moijan - Thanks for thinking of me with the photo. So THAT’S what she was using - think there’s a pair of pliers missing from the pic. How are you doing??
Forgot to say, in all the horrible furore of Wednesday, how much I enjoyed Beauty and the Beast, loved it in fact. Pure escapism.So much better than the stage version, but then they can create that much more on film. Only went because I felt like getting out and hadn’t been to the cinema for yonks. Thought Emma Watson was perfect for the role and very camera-genic.
We have a really great cinema here, thats housed in the main vaulted hall of the Heritage Centre, a large old School building that one of the wealthy silk mill owners had built for the children of his employees and the town. Huge electronic roll down screen, full surround sound system. Doubles up as a concert and exhibiton hall out of cinema hours. Rows of the old velvet covered sprung seat chairs, ice creams, snacks and drinks. Even issue the old fashioned type tickets. All give it extra novelty compared to the somewhat impersonal blandness you get with the multiplexes. The old school rooms below are used for all sorts of group meetings and classes, and the ground floor a cafe restauarant and local artist goods, picture and card displays/sales areas.
Finally sat and attentively watched “the Help” from start to finish, rather than my failed attempts to view whilst in bed. Another great film - thanks for the recommend Capelmum. Upsetting though, to see the black community so mis-treated back in that period, as in the film Mandela, but uplifting in their strength to fight back and overcome it all. I didn’t dare go see 12 Years a Slave - was told it was very harrowing, just can’t take it these days.
S’all for now. Just going to get on with more of my more than 15 mins of “Janey Jobbies” (how ya doin flower?), before walking into town for eye test. Hope you all have a good or better day.
Lotsa lurrrrv xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hello ladies
What lovely sunshine ? It’s cold wet and miserable here in Devon …it’s supposed to be the Riviera of the west …the sunshine has forgotten us again.
Envious of that little yellow circle in the sky …maybe tomorrow it will be our turn !
X???
Well, it’s been cold and grey for most of the day in Dorset, we went to Portland this afternoon but the wind was icy, I had my hood up when we went for a stroll. But I did get my icecream sitting on the bench looking at all the whitecaps out at sea, very pretty but too cold to linger. But the sky has completely cleared and I guess we’ll have a frost tonight. I’m so looking forward to the hour change, I love the light evenings.
I expect this is something that all you brave ladies who work have been dealing with for ages, but I’ve noticed how often people are starting to ask me when I’m going to start doing xyz again. It’s as if I got a free pass in January and February to recover from rads, but now everyone’s decided that’s all behind me now and I should be doing everything I was this time last year. And I suppose really there isn’t any reason why not, physically I’m completely fine now. But emotionally I just feel like a different person, it’s weird. Maybe it’s because I know there’s one more operation to go, and recovery and adjustment time afterwards. So I don’t feel like I’m done, I’m filling in time waiting for the last stage. And the anniversary of various things that happened, I need to get past those as well, they seem like quite a big obstacle to get past.
Sorry for rabbiting on, but I know you all understand. What would I do without everyone?
Definitely not done Dizzy, with an op hanging over you. It’s at home I’m feeling the expectation its business as normal at the moment - I feel a house meeting maybe needed! Work is almost proving more forgiving, although doh! Moijan why I said dentist when I knew it was eyes makes me worried about my cognition. Stepdaughter 17 today, cake made and off for supper out shortly. Have lovely evenings one and all xxx
Just wanted to slip that one in to hopefully catch Miss or Janey, before she went out for the night.
Hey Carolyn, it’s seldom the other way round, sun wise up here and down there. Might be because I’ve been behaving??!! Are you doing okay? Are you a Mummy to be spoilt on sunday? What part of Devon do you live? Sorry for all the questions - am interested that’s all. Tis my most favourite county.
My Darlin-Dizzy - So, you’ve decided to go ahead have recon and corrective symmetry surgery - GREAT. Good for you. That’s a big +ve step towards helping both your phys AND mental recovery. I feel sure it’ll do you the power of good Dizz. I bought two cossies recently (obviously with thoughts of holidays and/or getting back to my previous regular swimming), they’re only from the big ‘T’ supermarket. Haven’t worn a cossie or bikini since 2008 - my last hol abroad. I got round to trying them on this mornin, to see whether I needed to take them back. But. . . even still being at the expander stage of recon - it was soooo good to see some normal up front shape to the bod. Trouble is, I cant decide which of the two. Both of them give me enough coverage over the delicate, thin skinned boob area to avoid it being fried in the sun. One’s a bit more revealing and sexy, the others more demure but more practical for active swimming. Mmmm, shame they’re not different colours. Reason I saying all of this is, that I’m sure you’ll feel sooo much better after and from the surgery. All helps with the healing body and mind process. Plus - your confidence.
When I went for my 5 yr check, I cried after. It both brought up the whole upset to my life of/from BC again, but it was also the relief and sense of “release” of being so called “clear”. So Yeh, each stage you and everyone else is going to go through, is bound to bring up the same fears and doubts beforehand. If there’s probs, you can only cope and deal with them as and when. However, if at each stage, the results are good, Whoo-hoo. You’ll still probably have emotional wobbles, and like me, probably carry on having, because they’re all a reminder that you’ve actually survived a massive, major, life threatening disease. So please don’t ever, any of you, EVER think you’re “rabbitting” on. This is a humongous impact to your/our lives. And YES, Darlin-Dizz - it does feel WEIRD. I can so understand you saying that.
Sooooo, “I’m” now gonna apologise for “going on”.Passed on my eye test today for driving. She was surprised how good my eye was, but that may be because most people wait 4 weeks after the op for a sight test. So, my good friend, Josie and I, are off to Port Sunlight Sunday, to feast our eyes, hearts and minds on one of the best collections of Pre-Raphaelite art in the country (yeh, it’s whatever your thing is, turns you on, and this is one of mine!) Plus some sea air, and we may just go eat at one of my favourite places, overlooking the sea, on the Wirral.
Wishing you all a Happy Mums Day and enjoyable weekend. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thank you for sharing your sunshine today …it’s finally hit Devon today at last . Gorgeous and hope it stays for a while.
We have a house ful …grandchildren and dogs so no housework being done for a few days .
Enjoy the weekend ladies
