I hope you are all sitting down when you read this post.
This morning I opened a national newspaper namely "The Sun" and turned to the letters page. I often do this to see if I have been lucky enough to get a letter or two published.
Well to my amazement I didn't notice my letter until I looked to see what had won letter of the day and the £50 that comes with this pleasure and there it was for all to see. My emailled letter sent while watching News at Ten and I had a bee in my bonnet about two main news items. So instead of just sitting staring at the television ranting as some people do I emailled off my rant in coherent language and hey presto I achieved a result.
Patience is a virtue and like a spider I just tried and tried again to get a letter printed.
The more you do something the better you get with practise and experience.
Who knows what the rest of the year will bring but this is one success I will not forget.
Thank you Wrekin Writers for all your support and encouragement.
This boost will help me through the turbulent week I face next week.
Tonight has been helpful too as I went to the local swimming club where I volunteer as a poolside helper. I now know I am an asset to the club and am starting to fit in well.
The business cards arrived Thursday morning and have been well received. I dropped some off at the hospital today in time for clinic day on Monday.
So being organised certainly helps.
The house looks like a bomb has hit it right now as the shower is finally getting revamped after months of not being able to utilise it.
The bathroom mirror is currently on the living room floor and Missi now thinks we have another cat. This is hilarious to watch as she keeps walking around it to find the cat. Unlike previous cats I have owned she isn't bounding up to it sideways with a bushy tail she seems to accept that there is something strange happening in this house.
I suppose living with me must be very strange for her!!
Missi is a very caring cat and worries when anything happens to either of us. The other night my darling husband choked for a short while. During this episode Missi looked through the bannisters to see what was going on but kept a distance as she was concerned.
We had already seen this behaviour in early January when I was taken ill but not before for Steve. Now we know she cares for us equally and vice versa.
My writing is being spurred on by her company. I am going to take it easy the next week or so but hope that the success today will spur me on to achieve even greater things.
I have lots of projects keeping me busy right now and will update you all as to progress soon.
Best wishes to you all.
Feex
Friday, 26 February 2010
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
SAS is Born!!
Swimming After Surgery (SAS) is born today. Hooray.
Just got to wait for the business cards to arrive and distribute them.
I can't wait to see them in real life.
After a sleep disturbed night I have finally succeeded in coming up with a name which covers everyone.
Who knows where this idea will lead.
The training for my swimming coaching is on hold until I know where I am after the operation. Still trying to find funding for this but I don't think it will be too much of a problem with my get up and go.
Things will just take longer than I expected or wanted but that is my life a roller coaster ride shame I am not at a theme park enjoy the ups and downs but heyho I am happy and pleased with what I have achieved so far.
Will just have to learn to take it easier next week hence the rush this week to see everything come to fruitition.
So there is no stopping this mad woman from charging around right now.
What with complicated knitting patterns being furiously completed before next week and other things that need good eyesight to be finished off this lady is certainly going to be busy before she finally puts her feet up on a trolley bed.
Not too sure what next Friday will bring but will keep you posted as to progress.
I am upbeat and positive no doubt I will have the anaesthetist's team in hysterics as usual. One day someone walked past the door where I was being prepared and asked "Are you sure that is a patient in there?" As there was so much laughter going on.
Onwards and upwards.
Best wishes to you all.
Feex
Just got to wait for the business cards to arrive and distribute them.
I can't wait to see them in real life.
After a sleep disturbed night I have finally succeeded in coming up with a name which covers everyone.
Who knows where this idea will lead.
The training for my swimming coaching is on hold until I know where I am after the operation. Still trying to find funding for this but I don't think it will be too much of a problem with my get up and go.
Things will just take longer than I expected or wanted but that is my life a roller coaster ride shame I am not at a theme park enjoy the ups and downs but heyho I am happy and pleased with what I have achieved so far.
Will just have to learn to take it easier next week hence the rush this week to see everything come to fruitition.
So there is no stopping this mad woman from charging around right now.
What with complicated knitting patterns being furiously completed before next week and other things that need good eyesight to be finished off this lady is certainly going to be busy before she finally puts her feet up on a trolley bed.
Not too sure what next Friday will bring but will keep you posted as to progress.
I am upbeat and positive no doubt I will have the anaesthetist's team in hysterics as usual. One day someone walked past the door where I was being prepared and asked "Are you sure that is a patient in there?" As there was so much laughter going on.
Onwards and upwards.
Best wishes to you all.
Feex
Monday, 22 February 2010
Good News
After attending the local breast cancer support group and getting some feedback I followed the advice and contacted the breast cancer care nurses today as I knew they would be around with it being clinic day.
On hearing my idea they are thrilled about it and will help me in anyway they can. This is boosting my confidence.
I then went off to my pre-operative assessment today. Good job it is laser eye surgery being undertaken under general anaesthetic else I would have to be an in-patient. Yippee I will be a day case on the 4th March.
On my return I checked the answerphone and there was a message from the breast cancer unit wanting to help me further with the swimming group idea.
So in less than three weeks things are kicking off and there is no holding me back.
No matter what I am determined, positive and strong willed.
Hopefully the next two weeks will be filled with more good news.
Just got to think of a suitable name for the swimming group so that flyers can be produced.
So watch this space for more updates.
Best wishes
Fee
On hearing my idea they are thrilled about it and will help me in anyway they can. This is boosting my confidence.
I then went off to my pre-operative assessment today. Good job it is laser eye surgery being undertaken under general anaesthetic else I would have to be an in-patient. Yippee I will be a day case on the 4th March.
On my return I checked the answerphone and there was a message from the breast cancer unit wanting to help me further with the swimming group idea.
So in less than three weeks things are kicking off and there is no holding me back.
No matter what I am determined, positive and strong willed.
Hopefully the next two weeks will be filled with more good news.
Just got to think of a suitable name for the swimming group so that flyers can be produced.
So watch this space for more updates.
Best wishes
Fee
Sunday, 21 February 2010
Can You Help me or someone you know?
Dear All,
I am looking for ladies in the area of Shropshire who have had breast surgery to help them overcome any confidence issues they have about going swimming. If you know of anyone no matter what their age, whether they have had a lumpectomy, partial mastectomy, mastectomy or double mastectomy there is help and assistance with these issues.
I had this idea just over two weeks ago. The Telford and Wrekin Council have a County Swimming Officer who I have been in contact with. They are more than happy to assist in helping set up this group and have even earmarked a swimming pool near Wellington for the initial sessions as it would give more privacy.
These sessions would take post March if I can get enough interest.
If you know of anyone please put them in touch with me or ask them to contact the council who will be more than happy to assist.
Thank you all for your support.
Best wishes
Fee
I am looking for ladies in the area of Shropshire who have had breast surgery to help them overcome any confidence issues they have about going swimming. If you know of anyone no matter what their age, whether they have had a lumpectomy, partial mastectomy, mastectomy or double mastectomy there is help and assistance with these issues.
I had this idea just over two weeks ago. The Telford and Wrekin Council have a County Swimming Officer who I have been in contact with. They are more than happy to assist in helping set up this group and have even earmarked a swimming pool near Wellington for the initial sessions as it would give more privacy.
These sessions would take post March if I can get enough interest.
If you know of anyone please put them in touch with me or ask them to contact the council who will be more than happy to assist.
Thank you all for your support.
Best wishes
Fee
Postivity Reigns Hooray
Thank you Wrekin Writers for making my day
yesterday. I knew the competition existed but
had no idea I would get placed. I just tried my
best sending out letters, a poem to a website, articles to another website and playing with my tools which are my computer and my keyboard. Don't trust me with a pen and paper I can never read it back.
It reminds me of my shorthand days at college struggling to make the images make sense. Yes I am that old.
I even started out typing on a manual typewriter and when it came to the exams in the second year for which we had training with electronic ones half the group took the manual typewriters upstairs to the exam room. Now new technology is a major part of my life although I don't have an Apple, Ipod, MP3 player and the like I just have my old faithfull pc standing on a desk in amongst all the junk of what we class as the "spare room".
I have learnt a lot of the over the last twelve months with Wrekin Writers, giving things a go even when the words of "what is the point, I can't do that". I gave it a go and hey presto look what I have achieved so far.
I have picked up lots of tips from various different sources and have taken most of them on board. I am not good at retaining all the information but the majority sticks with me.
Most importantly a quote from SW (he will know from this who I am referring to) "If you send your work out somebody will read it" whether it gets published or not I give it a go.
My wonderful supportive husband telephoned his mother as soon as I returned from the meeting yesterday she was thrilled to bits.
Not as thrilled as I was when Di presented me with my prize. For those that have read my other blog http://pawsforthought-fee.blogspot.com/ you will understand the thought behind the prize.
I really look forward to the writing group meetings as not only do I get to meet wonderful supportive people but I forget about my own reality.
Writing is also an escape route from problems.
Who knows what will happen this year but whatever it is I will always give something a go no matter how daunting the challenge ahead.
Best of luck to you all you writers out there and for those that have never considered themselves writers give it a go and who knows what you could achieve.
Well done to Julie http://jlpwritersquest.blogspot.com/ and Jan for their successes too.
Best wishes to you all.
Love
Feex
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
I am Coping (Just)
Why haven't I blogged for a while.
As some of you may know by now my life never goes to plan.
My plan this year was to return to work. This has not happened for various reasons unfortunately and through no fault of my own.
Having had various bouts of ulcerative colitis knocking me off my feet and even hospitalising me on one occasion I have felt rather run down.
Last week I woke up with black dots in front of my right eye (the same one that had laser eye surgery to repair a torn retina in September last year) so we telephoned the eye department to let them know. I should have been followed up after the laser surgery in clinic but this did not happen unfortunately.
I therefore had two visits to the Eye Department last Wednesday evening and Thursday afternoon. I was so up beat on Thursday thinking this is just a check up and that I could cope with the floaters (black dots). Just before we left the clinic I was informed I am to undergo laser eye surgery on both eyes next month. The right eye is to have the bleeding torn retina repaired again and the left eye is for a lattice (not sure what this is).
So it is a matter of waiting for pre-op assessment.
I am busy campaigning meanwhile to help others with lymphoedema so that when they are in hospital there is not a two hour argument over a needle going into an affected limb. The solution to me seems simple. Give patients with lymphoedema a green wrist band to put on the affected limb, that way staff will know not to insert any needles into that limb.
Having attended the Cancer Forum yesterday I was going to wait and bring this up at the next meeting but another lady also had issues regarding lymphoedema so that got me on the soap box. So I feel something positive is happening.
On Monday I attended the hospice (don't worry I am not going anywhere yet) this is where lymphoedema patients are currently treated with Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) as this service is not available in either hospital in Shrewsbury or Telford.
One blessing on going to the hospice is that there are no car parking charges at these premises HOORAY.
I am now awaiting a support vest to arrive to treat the lymphoedema down my torso.
My mother says I was born awkward and stayed awkward. In some ways I agree.
When I last saw my GP I said "If I was a dog I would be put down by now". He laughed but agreed.
I had hoped to keep away from the breast consultant until July but unfortunately this is not the case. I am due to be seen under the "two week rule" so yet again awaiting hospital appointment to come through.
I am trying to remain upbeat and positive about everything, keeping busy helping others and campaigning.
There are some days when it is hard going but I know there are others out there far worse off than me. I think things happen to me for a reason and that as I am an outspoken person wanting to change things for the better that this is why I am here.
At the forum yesterday someone asked "is there any part of you not affected by anything?"
My husband piped up "Yes, her mouth".
This made everyone laugh.
I am laughing too. It is laughter that is the best medicine right now.
Best wishes to you all.
Love
Fee
As some of you may know by now my life never goes to plan.
My plan this year was to return to work. This has not happened for various reasons unfortunately and through no fault of my own.
Having had various bouts of ulcerative colitis knocking me off my feet and even hospitalising me on one occasion I have felt rather run down.
Last week I woke up with black dots in front of my right eye (the same one that had laser eye surgery to repair a torn retina in September last year) so we telephoned the eye department to let them know. I should have been followed up after the laser surgery in clinic but this did not happen unfortunately.
I therefore had two visits to the Eye Department last Wednesday evening and Thursday afternoon. I was so up beat on Thursday thinking this is just a check up and that I could cope with the floaters (black dots). Just before we left the clinic I was informed I am to undergo laser eye surgery on both eyes next month. The right eye is to have the bleeding torn retina repaired again and the left eye is for a lattice (not sure what this is).
So it is a matter of waiting for pre-op assessment.
I am busy campaigning meanwhile to help others with lymphoedema so that when they are in hospital there is not a two hour argument over a needle going into an affected limb. The solution to me seems simple. Give patients with lymphoedema a green wrist band to put on the affected limb, that way staff will know not to insert any needles into that limb.
Having attended the Cancer Forum yesterday I was going to wait and bring this up at the next meeting but another lady also had issues regarding lymphoedema so that got me on the soap box. So I feel something positive is happening.
On Monday I attended the hospice (don't worry I am not going anywhere yet) this is where lymphoedema patients are currently treated with Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) as this service is not available in either hospital in Shrewsbury or Telford.
One blessing on going to the hospice is that there are no car parking charges at these premises HOORAY.
I am now awaiting a support vest to arrive to treat the lymphoedema down my torso.
My mother says I was born awkward and stayed awkward. In some ways I agree.
When I last saw my GP I said "If I was a dog I would be put down by now". He laughed but agreed.
I had hoped to keep away from the breast consultant until July but unfortunately this is not the case. I am due to be seen under the "two week rule" so yet again awaiting hospital appointment to come through.
I am trying to remain upbeat and positive about everything, keeping busy helping others and campaigning.
There are some days when it is hard going but I know there are others out there far worse off than me. I think things happen to me for a reason and that as I am an outspoken person wanting to change things for the better that this is why I am here.
At the forum yesterday someone asked "is there any part of you not affected by anything?"
My husband piped up "Yes, her mouth".
This made everyone laugh.
I am laughing too. It is laughter that is the best medicine right now.
Best wishes to you all.
Love
Fee
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