They're Everywhere!

Breast Cancer sufferers that is. I just found out that a lady who I'm mates with on Twitter has cancer and like me she gave up the chemo treatment, in fact she didn't have any chemo at all and is now clear. Fabulous news for her and me. She's also responsible for giving me my fix of cute kitten pictures! Oh and she's a bloomin' good writer with a great sense of humour to boot.

A while back I listed diet, de-stressing, exercise and lifestyle changes as the 4 things I would be concentrating on to beat this feckin' disease, but I'd like to add one more element as well and that is humour. How can you feel or be ill when you are indulging in a huge belly laugh with your mates? For me it's reading any of Terry Pratchett's Discworld books. That man's writing has the capacity to totally soften my stiff upper lip and make me laugh out loud in crowded trains and possibly church, although I haven't tried that last bit yet.. I'd also list the Monty Python films and TV series, Puckoon by Spike Milligan, Mrs Brown's Boys, Father Ted, all the Carry On films, The Rocky Horror Show (Tim Curry in drag and the Time Warp!), Billy Connolly, Anne Robinson (yes really - she made me giggle all the way through the Weakest Link when I was a contestant on it a few years back).

Terry Pratchett's Discworld Novels

Tim Curry

Cast of Father Ted

Norman Cousins' story is often cited as a prime example of the curative property of humour. He was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis and was given a 1 in 500 chance of survival. He promptly fired his doctor, started taking massive doses of vitamin C and watched every funny film he could find. He managed to add 26 Years to his life since that first diagnosis. Not a bad result at all. I'd be happy with that!

The amazing Norman Cousins

Other things that make me laugh are creating quirky embroideries and what could be more quirky than a Flamingo in a cycle helmet riding a bicycle? I giggled all the way through making this one for my Etsy shop. It's sort of a tribute to this year's Tour de France! I hope it makes the eventual buyer laugh as well.

Cycling Flamingo Zippered Pouch

Slàinte Mhath xxx

Still Here Then?

I'm gradually fighting my way out of the chemo fog, my body is slowly being returned to my control. That bloody Taxotere drug has left me with quite a few side effects such as the need to go to the loo - immediately!!! And my poor burned hands and feet have shed their skin like a snake. I've put a pic of my poorly big toe at the end of this post - so if you are of a nervous disposition don't read to the end!


I've been making up for lost sewing time now I've got my hands working again and have been making some embroidered pouches to stock my Etsy shop. BTW the government gives you absolutely no help whatsoever when you are self-employed and sick. This was another reason I had to give up chemo, I couldn't afford to go on without any money coming in. Add up all the petrol money, car parking charges, taxi fares if you are too ill to drive, spent getting to the hospital with having to buy stuff that is not available on prescription and you have spent a small fortune! There is currently a petition going round to urge the Government to give Cancer patients disability status. This would certainly help us out, a blue badge for parking would help too. The number of times I've virtually had to drag myself so slowly across a supermarket car park while suffering the after effects of chemo and watched somebody who has just parked in a disabled parking space hop, skippety skip into the store. We really do need 'equal status'.


Anyway I digress!  I love all the birdie designs that are around these days and I've made a few birdie inspired zippered pouches.





Also I couldn't forget my adorable Daleks. Here they are facing each other ready to fight for leadership of Skaro their home planet!




I've been able to start knitting again, so hopefully I can get a decent amount of stock together for the Christmas rush (I'm being optimistic here!).



This is Tabikat wearing his Dinosaur hat I knitted specially for him, actually I knitted it for Lily but she wouldn't wear it, so Tabikat was 2nd choice but don't tell him that!
My lovely friends have sourced a bicycle for me and I'm looking forward to getting my strength back and going for some lovely country rides. I have been shown how to take the front wheel off so I can get it into the back of my car, but I may need some more practice with that with a few YouTube videos.
Well that's me for now, watch out for the big toe picture coming up xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
See you soon,

Slàinte Mhath xxx

Thank you Chemo!