Hi everyone, I used to post a lot in a previous Gardens etc until my wife was also diagnosed with cancer just over 2 years ago and she went through such a hard time so my time was taken up with not just Mrs Tvman but I was not good because of the rise and fall of red cells, white cells, neutrophils and platelets.
The good news is that I have a little bit more free time to garden. I never stopped because it's in my DNA to get working in the garden. I'm also a wheelchair user because of a serious back condition called spinal stenosis and the pain is so great that I'm only able to work in short bursts.
So let's see photos of your gardens or allotments, whether they be large or small or maybe you only have room for pots and troughs in a balcony or back yard.
My speciality for the last 40 years is vegetables and I have won hundreds of prizes over the last 20 years or so. I have had vegetables in show that have made me Northern Ireland champion for my sins. Unfortunately, since covid some shows have ceased therefore I haven't entered any for a few years.
I've a few photos below, that's if I can remember how to insert them! It's been a while.
Below is a photo of the contents of my greenhouse, there are tomato plants left and right of the pathway. Also just past the tomatoes are cucumber plants against that have frames for them to climb up. The cucumber variety is Mini Munch, they're a small variety that are sufficient for a few salads

The plants in the large pots below are aubergines, variety Black Beauty and inbetween the pots is a seed tray in which spring onion seeds have been sown which of course haven't germinated yet. Over here in Northern Ireland we call spring onions "scallions" and apart from in salads we have them with butter in mashed potatoes and that dish is called "champ". Believe it or not that was served as a stand alone dish that we had when I was small, some 60 years ago. Just mashed potatoes with small pieces of cut up scallions, cooked slowly in real butter then a dinner plate was loaded up with champ, a hole made in the top and filled with more butter then everything was mixed together and eaten. Along with an Ulster Fry in the morning, no wonder we had the highest rate of heart disease in Europe!

Last photo below for this post is a bed of garlic (on the left), shallots in the foreground and at the far end for those of you eagle-eyed is a few red and white onions that are just 2 or 3 inches high. They are grown from onion sets that are small immature onions and usually come in a net bag weighing 250g and there are about 70 in total.

You'll notice that I have wire netting around the beds, that's because 3 years ago I had a rabbit problem. 35 years without them, 1½ years of rabbits and none since! The wire netting is staying for a while yet!
What about some photos from anyone else?
Tvman
Hi Stacy I think you are right about the hobbies. I think being outdoors in general helps lift our spirits and keep our minds grounded. My main hobby is walking, I have four dogs and live near a woods. I like walking the dogs in the woods every day. Yesterday we had a bit of a storm, it was very windy and heavy rain so I didn't set foot outside which is so unlike me. Our garden looks a bit of a mess this morning. So gardening is your outdoor hobby. It is very therapeutic my Mom always said nothing is like getting your hands dirty in the soil. I grew up in South Africa so it was different plants and vegetables. Anyway I hope you are able to make your decision soon. Lots of hugs.
Lee x
Hi Lee,
I use to run a lot back when I was in school, in addition to ballet and sports it's what I enjoyed doing the most back then. Being out in the fresh air while enjoying nature and seeing all the wildlife was something I missed during my cancer journey. Not quite a year after I lost my leg is when I got into gardening, and then I had the opportunity to try out a handcycle through an adaptive sports program and immediately fell in love with that.
Our town has a 14 mile long asphalt cycling / running / walking path that goes through the south side of town, and that's where I always enjoyed running. It has woods, fields, large creeks with bridges and tunnels, and places to eat where it goes through the town, so it's a very peaceful area. Near the entrance to our development there's an access point to the path, so my family and friends ended up getting me a handcycle, and next to gardening I enjoy that a lot. When the weather is good I'm always out there with family, friends, or neighbors, basically whoever is available to go out with me. I didn't ride as much as I would have liked to this year given my tumor, but I went out a few times and just took it easy. Thank you for the kind words and support!
~Stacy
Hi Patrick,
Some part of me wants to agree to the surgeries, even with the psychological and physical risks involved, but I can never find the will to verbally say that to my family. My goal was to enjoy the holiday's, but all I do is get lost in my thoughts. I want to see my niece and nephews get older, so that's one of my biggest reasons to live as long as I can and accept the risks. It's truly a horrible place to find yourself in.
I do yoga, so that's kind of a form of meditation. It helps with my mind, as well as my balance, flexibility, and stress.
~Stacy
Whatever cancer throws your way, we’re right there with you.
We’re here to provide physical, financial and emotional support.
© Macmillan Cancer Support 2025 © Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 3rd Floor, Bronze Building, The Forge, 105 Sumner Street, London, SE1 9HZ. VAT no: 668265007