Calling all triple negative breast cancer patients in the UK
Comments
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Hello Gill,
Thank you for your interesting post.
I can tell from what you say that you are a very compassionate person. There is so much inequality, injustice and suffering in the world and I do wonder whether it will ever end. Greed seems to dictate everything for so many. I cannot understand why the privileged 1% want so much money and do not like paying their fair share of taxes.
It sounds as though you have some nice friends who spend Christmas in a meaningful way.
I get the impression from friends to whom I have spoken that we have all been struggling writing Christmas cards this year. I am sure you will get things ready for Christmas during the next week.
It has been cold today here with strong winds and tonight the forecast was for blizzards.
Wishing you and Michael all the very best.
Love.
Sylvia xxxx
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I saw my breast nurse, Lincy, this morning for an end-of-treatment consultation. The most important thing was detailed instructions for examining my breasts, which she wants me to do once a month.
Susie
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Hi Mary,
Charles Dickens was the master of description so I'm not at all surprised that those childhood memories of a proper Victorian Christmas feast have stayed with you over the years. I also read Dickens at an early age. We had no money for books at home, but English cities back then had plenty of libraries and there was a reasonably large one nearby. Alas, the children's section was tiny, about three shelves comprising Dickens, assorted fairy tales, and a variety of myths and legends from across the world. I devoured the lot, proper food for the imagination. I used to read 'A Christmas Carol' to our children as a Christmas treat. Sitting in front of the Woodburner in the evening made for a suitably spooky atmosphere for the ghost scenes.
As for our Christmas here at home, we don't eat any more than usual really, though there are a few extra treats. Timing is on a 'when we feel like it' basis. Just sit back and enjoy the peace.
I do like the idea of your very sociable Christmas with lots of shared homemade dishes. No time for overeating by the sound of it. As for Christmas pudding, I'm a huge fan. Crammed with fruit and left to mature, I make rum sauce to pour over ours. Only very small portions allowed or the digestion rebels. Sadly chemotherapy heartburn stands between me and my pudding this year.
Hope the injection gives you the relief you need.
Christmas cards duly written, Just the last minute unexpected ones to prepare for now.
Love,
Gill X
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Hello Sylvia,
Your sunrises are more atmospheric than ours have been lately. Unsettled cloudy sunrises now that the weather down your way has become so stormy. Hope this is over soon, especially the blizzards.
I too have noticed that people have been less than enthusiastic about Christmas card writing this year. Not much in the way of fairy lights in the village either. There does seem to be a feeling of gloom settling across the country. Particularly sad to hear young people talking about having no future. How much longer can our elected representatives ignore this despair? Despair and frustration lead to anger. I live in hope that a peaceful solution will be found which will see an end to the disgustingly wealthy 1% calling the shots. We need an honest, inspirational leader to form a new party. Nobody springs to mind.
This is all becoming a bit gloomy. The thing is, I think that we all meet more good caring people than otherwise. They fall under the radar because they keep their heads down and just get on with it. Most of us are intrinsically decent. You can see this on the thread. We'll probably never meet, but our concern for each other Is genuine. You and Mary are concerned about the welfare of those who've disappeared from the thread, particularly the poster from Iran who wanted to get to Turkey. I think we're all keeping Flora and her mother in our thoughts too. The welcome new posters receive here. If I go on like this I'll start feeling a bit sorry for the greedy 1%.
A good day for you and Raymond to stay safely indoors.
Love,
Gill X
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Hi Susie,
Were these detailed instructions more than National Guidelines? I always check for smoothness along the scar.
End of treatment consultation. All this extra appointment free time you'll have.
Gill
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HI Gill,
The nurse mentioned how some patients feel depressed and anxious when treatment ends and they no longer are at the hospital frequently. I'm glad to say that I don't feel that way, perhaps because I was able to lead a largely normal life during treatment, and partly because it's the darkest time of the year and I don't feel much like going out after sunset. I am sticking by the usual and went to the V&A this morning where the Cast Court has reopened after several years. Breathtaking. Also visited the Gingerbread City, which was crowded (no touching!). Also seen two plays this week.
I will be going in every few weeks for the Add Aspirin trial so hospitals will not entirely disappear from my life.
Incidentally, I'm aware that some people make major changes in their lives after cancer but that does rather imply that you weren't happy with your life before. I can see how you might decide to spend less time at the office if your work-life balance hasn't been satisfactory but I am long retired.
I suppose the thing about the detailed instructions is actually watching someone do it in the flesh. I understand that the scar is especially important for us. Now that my radiotherapy sores have gone, I see that my surgical scar is barely visible. The nurse also remarked on this. Mr Kadoglou did good work, and such a nice man too -- always greeted me like an old friend.
Susie x
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I don't know whether anyone else gets Vita magazine, for women who have, or have had, breast cancer. The latest edition arrived in the post this morning and I was shocked to read that more than half of patients are not given advice on what to look out for regarding recurrence, the way I was yesterday. I am more and more grateful for the treatment I have had from Imperial Hospitals Trust and NW London Trust.
Susie
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Hi Susie,
Liked the look of Stride tregown (spelling) . As you say, you never stopped doing the stuff you've always enjoyed. Must have helped so much with psychological wellbeing. My Oncologist spoke to Michael after my second FEC treatment and said that women who kept up with normal routines and found the time and energy to have fun, did better than those who stayed at home or overdid the resting in bed time. Have to say that after the second FEC I was just too tired to do much. Must try harder when I switch to Taxol or tell a few fibs just to keep everyone happy perhaps?
A friend said that she felt she'd been cut adrift once her treatment ended. All that attention and then nothing. I very much doubt that I'll feel anything but relief. I will miss the chemotherapy unit though, both nurses and patients. Everyone is so good humoured and supportive. No end of chemo bell, sadly. I'd been looking forward to that.
Your treatment has been amazing throughout. I wish there weren't so many failing hospitals in other parts of the country where cancer treatment seems to be the first area for cuts and many patients don't feel up to fighting, or even know how to go about it. I'll see what I'm offered in the way of follow up, hands on breast examination advice would be reassuring.
No complaints about the way my mastectomy looks. I have a very neat scar that's fading already. Surgery techniques are so much better these days and most surgeons are aware of the impact lumpectomy and mastectomy can have on some women. I didn't much care, just wanted to get rid of the thing.
Good luck with the aspirin trial, theatre trips, art galleries..... I can feel London calling.
Gill x
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Hi Gill,
The paradox is that the more you manage to do, the less tired you will feel. I remember when I worked in IT during the 80s, I would feel knackered at the end of the working day after spending hours hunched over a computer, then I'd go to the gym and soon feel renewed vigour. I tried to keep active during chemotherapy but the heatwave curtailed that rather. You, on the other hand, may find the cold and dark stops you from taking that little walk. There's probably an optimum time of year to have treatment is you can wangle it!
Susie
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Sylvia, My husband was sick for about 14 years before he died. The last year or two were really tough on him so, in a way, it was a blessing when he died. That may sound intensive but I don't mean to be. When you see someone suffer such a long time and you know they will go on to a better place, it makes it "easier."
I have two daughters buy my oldest was killed instantly by a reckless, drinking driver in 1987. She had just turned 18. My other daughter has two lovely grandchildren, now 12 and 15. The oldest is a boy and can be a handful as a teen. Glad I raised two girls.
When I was younger, during the early years of web design, I was active in a forum for web designers who used Microsoft Front Page to create their sites. I became a virtual friend with a gal from Ireland who also participated in the forum. She invited me to visit (she and her family also visited us in the US). I've been a photo enthusiast most of my life and Ireland is such a beautiful place to photograph. Every place you go there is a photographic opportunity. She also took me to Northern Ireland, and we also booked a flight to Paris and stayed there three days. Wow, or wow. I was in 7th heaven taking pictures in the Louvre. You need three months, not three days to visit that magical city.
I think my sister is only kinda taking things in her stride but is so busy. She's executive director of two large organizations in the Pacific Northwest. She organizes their two shows every year. Buyers and Sellers attend from all over that region to display and have advanced sales for fashion and accessories. For example, their spring show features clothes, etc. that will be available the following fall. I've gone to two shows in the past to work and take photos, but a lot of minor buy annoying heath issues have prevented me from attending the last few years. I had a trip planned last April but had to cancel the flight because that's when I was diagnosed with cancer (a week before my departure). I'm still marginally involved in her shows doing the social media work for one of the organizations.
My daughter is going to fly to Seattle for three weeks in February to help my sister through her chemo treatments. At age 74, I no longer feel up to flying 3000 miles that time of year when there is a possibility of winter storms delaying flights. I will visit when the weather is nicer and when we can really enjoy each other after all her treatments.
So please tell me a little about yourself, Sylvia (and any others). Your post started 10 years ago and there are over 400 responses so, forgive me, I'm not inclined to read through all of them at this time. I'm very happy that you're posting all these years!
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Hello viewfinder,
Thank you for your interesting post. I do feel for you about the sadness that you have had in your life. I cannot imagine life without my husband, Raymond, and do not know how I would cope, but it is something we talk about quite often, as we age.
How awful it must have been for you to lose your eldest daughter like that through the fault of a reckless drinking driver. I do wish they would stop advertising all this booze on television, radio and everywhere you look. All that must have been very hard on you, your husband and other daughter.
I am sure you must get a lot of pleasure out of your two grandchildren, even though teenage boys can be difficult.
I was very impressed to know that you have had a career in web design.
I was interested to know about your virtual friend with a girl in Ireland and how you went to visit her in Ireland and also went to Paris.
It looks as though we have lots of people going and having gone through the thread who are interested in photography. These photographs do brighten up the thread.
I was interested to know about your sister's work. I am sure she must be kept very busy. Do you think she will be able to keep working during her chemotherapy treatment?
It is good that your daughter will go to help your sister get through her treatment.
I can understand your reluctance to travel 3,000 miles to Seattle at this time of year. You can look forward to meeting up with her when she has finished treatment.
I was wondering how it feels to have your sister going through treatment for breast cancer when you have been through it yourself.
As for me, I have been married to Raymond for 42 years and we both met after we had gone through divorce from a first marriage. We spent the first 17 years of our marriage in Canada (Quebec, Ottawa, Ontario, and London, Ontario) but decided to come back here at the end of 1993 and spent 9 years in Essex, in the South-East of England and then came to Devon in the South-West, where we have been since January 2002, so we have been here nearly 25 years.
I was a High School teacher and have taught 11 to 18 year olds. I taught French as a second language and also English as a second language and taught in France, Morocco and England. Raymond is a Chartered electrical design engineer and was very much involved with designs of digital television and communication systems. He is the one with all the expertise about computers and I just know the basics.
It is true that there are lots of pages to read on this thread and it would be a challenge to read it from the beginning. Having said that, Peter from Norfolk posting on behalf of his wife, a few years ago, did read the thread from the beginning and from time to time he does pop back.
I discovered the forum when I was looking for information about parathyroid disease and breast cancer, and posted on two threads here about that. I started posting on the TNs thread and then inspired by Titan, who started that thread, I decided to create this one, because I felt TN breast cancer was in the dark ages here in the UK. I had actually finished my own treatment when I started this thread, but I felt I wanted to give something back.
Raymond and I live an apartment complex where we have been volunteer directors ever since we moved here. It takes up a lot of time and can be very demanding.
That is about all for now.
Love.
Sylvia xxxx
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Hello Gill and Susie,
I have been reading your posts with great interest and I shall be back a bit later to do some more posting.
Susie, I was interested to know that you had received your copy of Vita magazine. I received mine yesterday and was reading through it today. I shall comment on it later.
Love to you both.
Sylvia xxxx
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Hello Gill and everyone,
I am just popping in to say that I think that it is useful if a patient going through chemotherapy and every step of going through cancer treatment, can keep to a normal routine and keep mentally and physically active. Of course, it is not possible to do this if you are not feeling well and just want to lie down to sleep or rest. I think you just have to pace yourself. Getting outside and getting some air always feels refreshing.
It is definitely a strange feeling when you cancer treatment comes to an end and you are no longer busy getting ready for surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. You do need time to readjust but you do feel somewhat lost for a while. Before you know it you are getting on with normal everyday routine and adjusting to regular check ups and periodic mammograms. I found I felt very anxious as the check ups came along, first of all every three months, then every six months and then once a year. With all that is going on I do not know whether in the UK it is still as thorough but I never had any appointments cancelled. I was lucky to stay with my oncologist for ten years. You must fight your corner.
I also have a very neat scar.
I was not having any mammograms before I was diagnosed, as I always had reservations about radiation, but for many many years I had always done my own regular breast checks and knew what to look for. I used to do them the first of every month. I discovered my lump which had seemed to appear overnight and I knew what it was before I was told.
I was wondering whether others in the group are subscribing to Vita. It is well worth it.
That is all for now.
Love.
Sylvia xxxx
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Hello Susie,
I was glad to know that you have been reading Vita magazine. I would think it wise for everyone going through breast cancer to subscribe and read it. This is the magazine from Breast Cancer Care. My oncologist told me very early on that the cancer could come back and it could appear on the scar of my mastectomy in the form of a rash.
What did you like best about this magazine?
I was very interested in the article Feeling the pressure – we examine some of the pressures people commonly feel after breast cancer treatment and suggest some simple ways to take the pressure off and giving some tips, such as:
1. Be kind to yourself.
2. Acknowledge what you have been through.
3. Talk to someone who understands.
4. Set achievable goals.
5. Ask for help if you need it.
Did you go to breastcancercare.org.uk/becca
I have not had time to do this but it looks like if you want to read stories about how other people have coped after breast cancer treatment, you can download the free BECCA app or visit the website. I find I do not often have time to do all these things.
I was very interested in articles here about secondary breast cancer and how people are surviving.
What have you been doing this weekend?
The weather here has been awful. Yesterday it was so cold and the wind was unbearable. Today it has been pouring down with rain and dark and gloomy all day.
I hope all is well with you.
Love.
Sylvia xxxx
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HI Sylvia,
Interesting article in Vita about a woman who has been living with secondary breast cancer for 13 years.
One of the letters in Vita was from me!
Susie
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Hello everyone,
I have been looking back through the thread and see that so many of you have gone missing.
I wanted to say hello to Kathseward, helenloiuse, Cocooncat in Australia. To adagio, 53Nancy and Cherylmk in Canada, as well as Lou in Singapore. We do need you to post to keep the thread going and to keep it varied. If you have decided to move on, please let us know.
To Flora in the UK, I was looking at some of your back posts and wondering if all is OK with your mother.
To Mary, I have missed your posts and I think you are probably busy preparing for your very active time during the festive season.
It goes without saying that I am still wondering about what has happened to Marias, Hanieh and Gina.
Hello to Val in the US. I received my latest Lymphline magazine but do not learn much from it any more, but I suppose that once you know the essentials there is not much to add.
That is all for now.
Best wishes to everyone.
Sylvia xxxx
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Sylvia,
Yes, I've had my share of sadness in my life but I always think of it this way. You have two choices: you can let events destroy or you can choose to go on/forward. I've always chosen the latter, not that I'm saying it's easy. But life is short enough as it is and I believe in trying to make the best of it. Saying that, it's very difficult for an entire family to lose a child no matter what his or her age.
I did web design as a hobby, both for myself and a few small businesses. I created a digital photography website over 15 years ago, to help new digital camera users. I sold it last year in an online auction to a man from England.
It was fun while it lasted but, as years went by, every other person seemed to have a digital photography site or blog. Some of the best were bought out by big money companies, such as Amazon. It was difficult run a website as an individual and keep up with all the behind-the-scene changes in technology.
I don't know if my sister will be able to work, perhaps on a limited basis. She has three different shows through March. But she's told her Boards about her cancer and they are extremely supportive. My sister is extremely talented with a delightful personality. They love her and will stand behind her. Plus she has good people working for her.
I'm more concerned about my sister's cancer than I have been for myself. Am five years older, have been retired for some time and, unless I'm mistaken, her cancer is worse than mine. And I can't grasp my head around chemotherapy. I've never wept for myself, but weep for my sister often. I don't let her know, of course.
Congratulations on your many years of marriage. I've been in both Ottawa and Ontario years ago. My dad was an avid fisherman so we went to fishing camps in the woods. The only way he got my mother to go was to promise that she could go antiquing.
I was an art teacher but only a few years and that was in the late 60's. My husband and I also ran a few small business (building homes, and owned a print and graphic design shop). I also served 12 years (elected three times) as a school board member in the 14th largest school district in the nation. As an aside, when I was teaching, I became pregnant. Back then they asked you to resign before you started showing. Plus one never thought to ask for their job back at a later date. We've come a long way baby.
Sylvia, you've had some interesting jobs and have been to some interesting places. One of my regrets in life is that I haven't traveled more...but that's okay.
I will take a look at some of the other posts you mention. I know their are many here who sincerely appreciate all your efforts. I know I do.
btw. if you think your country is bad with Brexit, you should be in the US. The politics is so ugly and all the government does is spend money on so many unnecessary things. Many of my friends and family are immigrants, and they all came her legally. Nuf said.
The American middle-class folks are dying with our health insurance premiums with high copays and sickening high deductibles. I'm fortunate that I'm on Medicare and have a supplemental policy. But my daughter doesn't and her health-care costs are sky high.
As to CBD oil and the like, it's illegal in our state, Currently, they are legal in 32 states. Go figure.
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Hi Susie,
So, here I am back in the Acute Medical Unit. Low white cell Count, temperature 38. It's a relief to know why I was feeling so tired though. Had another chest x-ray, but this time I've asked the Doctor to let the Oncologist have any bad news if there is any. I'm seeing her on Friday and she'll have more time to explain the pleural effusion. Cancer has no sense of timing or fair play eg no body hair and completely bald but I have now discovered another two stray hairs on my chin. Black this time. Tweezerman now dug up from the depths of my make-up bag.
Absolutely agree about the damage to the body caused by being hunched over a computer all day. Soul destroying too.
We have had ER+ patients with lung and bone mets coming to the hospice day unit for monitoring for years now. Very much managed as a chronic condition these days. Still waiting for news that metaplastic can be switched off. There's a trial in America that's looking very promising. Metaplastic patients would still have cancer but it would no longer be active, so unable to spread.
Weather in Norfolk Grim. Hope it picks up for your Christmas visit. If you like fish and chips try the Number One. It's at the top of the slope as you walk down to the beach and overlooks the pier. You might be in time before the fishing stops over Christmas. The fish is very fresh with no bones and the chips are very crisp. I love the idea of fish and chips, but never manage to eat much more than half. I'm probably rambling on about fish and chips because one of the staff brought chips in last night and I hadn't eaten much all day. I did hint.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
Gill X
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Hello Gill,
Sorry you've been struck down again. I'm impressed by how cheerful you manage to sound.
I shall be looking for somewhere to eat in Cromer next Sunday evening and had been thinking very much along the lines of fish & chips. The current forecast over Christmas there is dry but windy. I shall try not to get blown off the pier.
Susie X
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Hi Susie,
Hot off the press. There's no sign of the pleural effusion. It's gone! Lungs clear. White cell count too low for me to go home today. Everyone here kind. and some very funny HCA's, so plenty of laughs. Food much better than rumour had led me to believe.
Confined to barracks because of infection risk, so very bored.
Weather in Norfolk much brighter and the sun's out.
Gill X
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Hi Gill,
Great news over the pleural effusion. Hope you'll soon be home. I guess not much is going on in the way of Christmas preparations in your house!
Susie X
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Hi, Gill
I see the low white cell count is back, so sorry about that. I'm very glad the pleural efflusion is gone, big bonus. Now to get those white cells up so you will feel perkier and can go home. I remember my hospital stay with the fever/low white cell count after my first chemo, I had trouble lifting my arm off the bed because I was so weak. But the day after the shots of Neupogen started working I was taking myself to the bathroom and changing my own bedsheets since I was having some undesirable side effects from the antibiotics. And people were not anxious to come into my room since they had to wear gloves and masks. By the 4th day I felt good again, after that my dose of drugs was split up and cut a bit because the white cells count would drop low every time, but never as bad as the first time, and I was not hospitalized any more during chemo.
As far as sticking to a normal routine, that was not possible, I did the best I could. I also had to cook for and tend to my very ill husband, actually there was just nothing normal about that time. It was sort of slogging from one thing to another, with frequent lie-downs.
I'm glad the research docs are working on something to help with the metaplastic cancer, it sounds like a great improvement. When is your next infusion? I have gotten a bit behind here this week.
Fish and chips sound great, it's late breakfast time for me right now and I have been staring in my fridge trying to find something I want to eat. So far half a gluten-free bagel with almond butter, and some grapes that have been around too long, I think I need to cook something today.
I went Christmas caroling last night with some friends, it was fun and I thought we were pretty good!
Glad you are better, with you in spirit!
Love, Mary
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A Christmas pedicure, I think Santa is upside down!
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Susie,
I looked up the Vita magazine and saw your letter, (if I am wrong on which letter it was, sorry!) that is so great that you have made friends in the way you have. I am a widow too, and it's a big adjustment to be alone.
I think my TNBC diagnosis and treatment, and watching my husband as he declined and then passed on, made me aware of how quickly time goes by and how quickly things can change, and I have been doing things I want to do without much second-guessing. I have always been somewhat of a rambler so for me that means traveling, sometimes on a whim.
I see you had your end-of-treatment consultation with a nurse, and talked about self-examination. I found the lump in my breast that way, and learned later that TNBC tumors can sometimes show up quickly.
You and Gill talking about fish and chips has inspired me, I have a bag of crappie fish frozen in water in freezer, I will thaw and have for supper. Hunger problem solved!
Talk to you soon, love
Mary
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Mary, hi,yes, that was my letter. Don't forgte that to be proper English fish & chips, the fish has to be deep fried in batter!
Susie
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Hello Sylvia,
In your response to Susie you mentioned acknowledging what's happened to you. I do think that's so very important. Friends and family often don't and seem to think that pushing the nightmare that is cancer under the carpet somehow helps ex-patients to move on. That's why this thread is so important. Here we are talking and listening to people who know.
Like you, I wish more people were posting. Maybe after Christmas?
The small group here seem like old friends to me and it's been so interesting to hear more about their lives. We all have a story. Like you, I've been married for over forty years. He was on a gap year in Leicester (!) and rented a room just three houses away. Towards the end of his gap year he finally asked me out. We were engaged just a year later and got married a year after that. We were students, both at the end of our second year. No money for the beautiful white wedding which is apparently every girl's dream, no honeymoon and no help from family. We both came from disfunctionl abusive backgrounds and family approval or disapproval was neither here nor there. Plenty of ups and downs over the years, but Michael is my rock. Just like you and Raymond, I can't imagine life without Michael or his life without me. We do talk about it though.
Back down to earth again, temperature up despite IV antibiotics. My temperature came down within the hour when I was in AMU two weeks ago. The on duty Oncologist told me my white cells were at rock bottom this time around. It's beginning to look as though I'll be in for at least another two days.
Talk later.
Still hoping the weather in Exmouth pulls itself together very soon.
Love,
Gill X
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Hi Susie,
Congratulations on having your letter published. I'm going to look it up.
This little hiccup is my get out of organising Christmas ticket. It's an ill wind....
Glad you put Mary straight on the fish and chip front. The batter must be freshly made, the very fresh fish is lightly coated and then plunged straight into deep dangerously hot fat. I seem to remember that the Number One at Cromer uses beef dripping for frying. Everything is so crisp and light. Unhealthy of course. But this is a once in a while treat.
Had raspberry jelly and ice for supper tonight. Haven't had that since the children were small. Lovely.
Gill X
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Hi Mary,
I have just this minute responded to your post. It then disappeared forever.
I love hearing news from your part of the world. You and your family really know how to celebrate and share.
Christmas caroling is so much fun. I mime, of course. Wish I could sing without people staring.
Good luck with the fish and chips. You do know that they were traditionally served on old preloved newspapers? Many times as a child I would find a stray cat or dog hair or something worse on my chips. We also asked for a pennyworth of scratchings. Scratchings were the scrapings of old batter that were stuck to the fryer and scraped off. I always had quite a pile. Soaked in malt vinegar - nectar of the gods.
Really beautiful straight toes Mary. Pedicures are obviously worthwhile. Your upside down Santa is the right way up for the rest of the world.
I remember you mentioning that your Taxol had been combined with your other chemotherapy the first time. Taxol at this hospital is always given separately because of the risk of allergic reaction. I had 3 FEC treatments spaced at 21 days. I begin Taxol on Sunday December 30th. Again just 3 treatments over 21 days.
I missed the village Christmas party last night. We're invited to a another on December 28th. There's more partying in the village on New Year's Eve. Michael and I are blessed to be part of this close knit community. Very few are religious, but so many have written to say they are praying for me. A bunch of flowers will suddenly appear at the front door, a handmade card or some homemade biscuits. Really heartwarming when the newspapers are filled with gloom and hate.
Good luck with the choir at Midnight Mass. Hope that with the dust and the caroling, your voice holds out.
Take care.
Gill X
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Hi Sylvia
I'm glad viewfinder found us, it must be like a bad dream to have BC years ago and now to watch as her sister goes through it.
I like your pic of the sunrise, it looks as though it belongs on the cover of a Gothic novel. With silhouettes in front of it.
I have some of the CBD oil made from hemp, I got it at the salon where I get pedicures, and to me a pedicure is a luxury well worth the price. Is anything better than a footrub? I don't think so. Anyway, the CBD oil dosage seems to be whatever you want it to be. Some people swear by it, I forget and don't take it regularly and so can't really say whether it works on anything or not.
Knee replacements are very common around here, I seem to know a lot of people with very bad arthritis in their knees. For the most part, they are all happy with the surgery, anything is better than being in pain all the time. The nice thing about that surgery too, it is not a lie-about surgery; the docs want patients up and walking around almost immediately. At first it's only around the bed, but the next day out in the halls of the hospital.
I don't think UK is the laughingstock of the world over Brexit, I think that a majority of the people in your country saw what is going on and then voted to stay sovereign so you can rule yourselves, and not be ruled by the EU. Unfortunately, politicians in UK are as they are here, mostly out for their own interests, and those of their party. The people who vote are just an annoyance. There are some good people in the government, but they seem to be few. Everything is a show, and it's pandering to this organization and that, and it's disgusting. I don't know where things are going either.
I did hear a bit ago that Nigel Farage has left his party, what is going on with him? I have looked but can't seem to find out.
I also thought Chris Woollams has been repeating some articles, some have not been interesting to me, and he is really pushing the Rainbow Diet. And I do like the Rainbow Diet. I think he wants more book sales, which is very understandable, I would too. That's why I haven't commented on anything from him either.
I have tried to subscribe to Vita magazine, I can only see it online. That's okay, but for me it is harder to ignore an actual magazine, for me when things are online they tend to get lost in the shuffle . I did see the most recent issue, and the letter from Susie, and it looks interesting. I will try to get back to it.
We may not have a lot of posters, but we are a prolific little group, there is lots to read. I hope Gill can get her white blood cells straight and be able to go home. Surely they are giving her the drug that builds the white cells? They gave it (Neupogen) to me on Day 2 and by Day 4 I was better, and I went home on Day 5. I think I forgot to ask her that.
I must close for now, talk to you soon, love,
Mary
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Hi again Mary,
Sorry I didn't make myself clear but I was diagnosed with breast cancer this past April. My sister was diagnosed with breast cancer three months later.
I've kept her up to date about my treatment but know nothing about Chemotherapy, which she is having in February. We booked a ticket for my daughter and she will be there during my sister's chemo.
I've tried to educate myself as much as I can and it scares me. I know most of you have been through it but I get upset with the side effects, especially possible nerve damage.
You're all so positive. Thank you for the inspiration!
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