Awake and up all night

Hi again Sarah.  Yes, when I read your profile I was astonished, to say the least.  I'm pretty sure your can do attitude has played a huge part in all your endeavours to get your life back.  Yourself, and many others never gave up,  and we're following your inspirational stories to help ourselves.  Thank you all for sharing, and helping us novices get on the right path.

We're now in a much better place and looking forward to each day, rather than dreading it.  The laughter has returned and boy, is that a good medicine.

Carpe Diem!  as Horace once said.

Gill xx 

Thanks Gill-I’ve actually gone into my profile and added to it this very morning, just to update where I am now. You’d think I didn’t have any other jobs to do today!

I used to be quite reluctant to share, mainly because I didn’t want to scare folk, but also because I never really discussed my cancer outside a very close circle. To this day I’ve never told my in laws what surgery I had-despite the fact that my father in law had surgery and ended up having his bladder and prostate removed for 2 separate unrelated cancers. We just don’t discuss living with a urostomy ever! 

But I do share on here, and if that helps in giving support and encouragement, then it’s all worthwhile. You’ll be doing that too, helping new folk and brightening their day with your chat. The best thing you could have said in terms of how your hubby seems, apart from the physical stuff, is that the laughter is back and that is such a joy. We should all seize the day! 

Sarah xx

Oh thank you.

Yep, my new Worzel head arrived in the post this morning, so I put it on and headed off to the shops.  It was windy and spitting but I loved it!  Had a chunter with a complete stranger about something and nothing, loved that too, but the icing on the cake was outside Tesco's, waiting for a taxi (shopping too heavy)  A guy was in the foyer with a dog and the temptation was too much so I homed in.  Max, his beautiful boy, started up with the tail wagging (irresistible) and I fussed over him, talking to him in a way only people who are crazy about animals can, and spent the next few minutes gushing over Max and talking to his 'dad'.

First thing I did when I got home was to tell H about my new doggy pal and he smiled broadly, also a lover of our furry friends.  I'll be sending a letter to Mr Crowman to tell him my new head's a success!  My hair actually is like Worzel's, no lie.

Anyway, hope you don't mind Sarah, but Deb and me were talking about your profile and one of our mates asked how to find it, so I pointed him in the right direction.  Also others' profiles that will hopefully be pertinent to him.

Nearly there Sarah, and a song came into my head, Friday on My Mind by the Easybeats.  One to send you off on your holiday - enjoy it all!

Gill xx 

Honestly Gill, it’s such a tonic to read your posts and get the mental pictures-I’m sure it’s the same for everyone reading this chat! 

We had an interesting experience this evening when OH had to paint my toenails-I can’t reach my feet, so it must be love! I have a foot care lady who comes to the house and deals with all other things foot related but not the nail painting. I had a bottle of nail varnish remover at the ready in case of a hand slipping and going “off piste” but the only accident was a large drip onto a leg-and it wasn’t mine!  Mission accomplished but I actually had sweat trickling down my brow in fear of an accident. Now I’m installed in bed and hoping for a bit of sleep-stepson picking us up at 2am, which is clearly a ridiculous hour to be on the move.

Aww, the Easybeats is a blast from the past-good song though-thank you for the reminder. Ages since I’ve heard it. 

I don’t mind at all you directing anyone to read my profile, not a problem. We may have different cancers but we all have a common bond and it can be helpful to read others’ stories. 

We are going to miss our little black cat, Nyx, while we’re away. First time we’ve left her to go away, but my stepson will be in charge of coming round and feeding her and giving her a fuss-he does love cats but would likely not admit that! I will be a bit worried being away so long and hope she doesn’t get into any mischief-she’s still quite young. 

Anyway, off to get my head down for some zzzz now if I can. I’ll be popping in when I’m away so will keep in touch.

Sarah xx

I've been having trouble sleeping, with really annoying restless legs and feet... GP got me to check iron levels at next chemo appointment and they were quite low... so have increased iron intake in meals and seems to have helped a good bit, slept much better the last couple of nights... just an idea for anyone else experiencing the same. 

Good evening Big Stevie.

Hopefully you're having a restless legs free night and are fast asleep, but thank you for your advice for anyone experiencing this highly annoying, but quite common, condition.

Both my eldest daughter and myself suffer from this occasionally.  With me, it's like the more I think about it, the more I'm stretching my legs and fidgeting around.  It was particularly bad both times I was expecting (extremely common during pregnancy) and I'd have to get up and walk about in an attempt to relieve it.  It's not that bad anymore thank goodness!

You're spot on about iron deficiency making it worse and my lass takes iron supplements to help, which she says has done. If you want to get technical, it's called Willis-Ekbom disease but that sounds ominous so let's stick to restless legs syndrome, which has a less heart stopping tone!

Anyway, I peeped at your profile and that was rotten luck for you about the bone break.  You'll be almost two weeks into chemo now, so I hope it's going well and not making you feel rough, fingers crossed. 

Best wishes with your treatment and a speedy recovery for when the chemo finishes.

Gill xx 

I had iron pills in 2017/18 and part way through 2019 but my levels recovered and was allowed to stop taking them. I did not suffer from restless limbs at night. However, ever since, my hands have been difficult to control precisely. It makes writing difficult, operating a smartphone tricky and eating can be entertaining. I have to concentrate when cleaning my teeth so as to avoid poking my eyes out. My GP ruled out Parkinsons, deciding that it was 'Essential Tremor.'  Daft name. Common in the elderly. Fortunately it only happens in certain positions and is unnoticeable when pressing physical buttons, turning dials or operating switches. It just means that restaurant meals are out of the question. Flicking my steak across to someone else's table might take some explaining.   

Hi there Ray.

Your post had me sniggering, especially the potential for flying steaks!  A veritable Mr Bean scenario.

Twice as many women suffer from RLS than men, so you were less likely to join the ranks from the day you were born. 

I've never heard of Essential Tremor - who on earth thinks these phrases up?  If a job became available to make ordinary things sound scientific, I'd apply.  How about someone who didn't like fish and chips - they could suffer from Aquatic Pomme de Terre Collaboration Disassociation Syndrome.  Reckon I'd get the job?

Gill xx 

APdTCDS?  You've got the job. Must be an uncommon affliction but possibly worthy of a government grant because of potentially favourable side effects.

Why, thank you kind sir.

I fully agree that it's worthy of a large grant and shall sit smugly while waiting for my cheque.