M on W day 1 (part2) - Mrs Riches

IT'S BACK!!! Thanks to all involved, we are once again bowled over by your kindness and thoughtfulness.

We arrived home from hospital last night to find a huge goody bag on the door step. Mrs Riches served up and amazing fish pie. As it was my last supper, I gratefully tucked in. It was delicious, thanks my love.
Obviously two-portion Cheesey couldn't resist living up to his new name. Also big thanks for the apple pie and custard (large-haired eldest is soooooo happy)
Thank you xxxx

Recovery

I had an appointment at St Albans to see the Macmillan Breast Care nurse friday morning. Marion is so lovely and calm and reassuring. I've been through such a lot of pain with my wound this week and she has been so kind. I left feeling exhausted but wound is clean and dressed.
I've spent the day sleeping and fending off sickness. Felt quite awful really. Was sick only once last night but feel terribly sick and am struggling to stop it. My face is bright red again, which I think is some weird reaction.
I introduced Ian, one of the lovely chemo nurses, to my blog yesterday. Well done for reading most of it Ian, I hope you enjoyed it. I'm glad I get to see you for my next session but will be sad to see you go. Thanks for being kind and making the day go with a laugh and a smile.

The onion - Chemo part 3

Today is part 3 of the chemo. This will be the last of this particular chemo cycle (FEC) , the final 3 will be Taxitere, and I'm not looking forward to those!
I've had a very tough few days and think I've cried till I can cry no more. I have to thank my dear friends who have helped me get through the dark moments over the last couple days. Thank you for listening to my sobbing and helping with the pain. You are a great bunch of friends and I don't know how I'd manage with out you.
Well I'm off to the big blue chair now for my cocktail................deep breaths and keep thinking this will mark the half -way point!
See you in a few days x

bright tulips

cheery tulips in the garden

savon de marseille

I love this limited edition packaging for savon de marseille. They have been designed to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Compagnie de Provence Any of them would look lovely in my new bathroom!

tHaNk yOu ♥

Ms Dunbar for a fabulous book and letter 'N'. The book is a great read for someone like me who's fond of recycling/reusing, bargain hunting AND shopping. Everyone should buy it! Thanks x

marvellous macaroons

Thank you Mrs Sibley for THE most delicious treat.
They were just so lovely x

zoe murphy

I've long coveted these wonderful pieces of furniture after laying eyes on one of her sideboards in Liberty. Absolutely beautiful designs.
Mr Cheese are you taking notes?
zoe murphy

race for life

A few of you wonderful ladies have said you're doing the Race for Life in St Albans. I'm putting the link here for those of you who'd like to register.
Mrs Mills is registering a number of you but I know there are other ladies who'd like to do this too. My fluffy youngest is desperate to run (or walk and chat) and I shall be at the finish line for all of you. Bring a picnic and let's have a blast. Thanks girls, it means so much x
race for life/st albans

Cougar Town

I love it! Anyone else enjoying it? Courtney is just fab and her sidekick mates are hilarious.

vintage matchboxes

from a huge collection of 'stuff' I hoard

Welcome to the sticks

or Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis. I went to The Rex last night to watch this wonderfully funny french film. I've seen it twice now and laughed hard both times. If you get the chance to see it (especially at The Rex with your glass of wine in a comfy red velvet seat) go, you'll love it.
Ps I think I have a crush on Dany Boon (Mrs Lewis, what do you think?) Another page for our calendar?
The Guardian review

cushions (again)

I'm liking these..........great patterns and colours.
skinny laminx

picc line blues

Yesterday I went to hospital for 2 appointments (I know, greedy). I met the consultant radiologist and his registrar, and what a charming pair they were. We discussed my radiotherapy treatment (3 1/2 weeks everyday except weekends (yey!). I will need to be tattooed, not your regular tramp stamp, but a series of dots so the radiotherapy can be targeted to the same area everyday. We were also told that this will happen 2 weeks after my last chemo. This will be a tough day as it's our fluffy youngest's birthday. We will have cake no matter what. Bless her. We were also told that we would definitely not have a summer holiday this year. Bad timing. Hey ho!
I also had my picc line flushed today. As she took the dressing off we noticed yellow patches on the skin. Great! I've developed an allergy to the dressing. Now it's sore and blistered. Anything else?????

vintage map garlands

I've been making vintage map garlands and bunting

springtime

Found these beautiful plant markers. Aren't they lovely?
hammermann

tHaNk yOu ♥

a HUGE thank you to some lovely ladies who have been fantastic over the easter holidays.
Mrs Wiles, thanks for letting them slot back in and laugh and have a great day of fun. They loved it. And thanks too for the delicious soup x
Mrs Robertson, thank you for a fun day of digging, cycling, creating and fun. Thank you too for all the lovely plants, they're beautiful x
Mrs Bragg, big thank you for the yomping, climbing and picnic. They really enjoyed it. And a big thank you too for the wonderful food (especially the curry ;-) x

to wig or not to wig

My hair is now so so thin :-( I have a massive bald patch at the top of my head and it's growing. I've also noticed that the back of my head is aching which means the hair there will be coming out next!!!!! I just haven't got the guts to go out and about in a wig. I ventured out with my headscarf today........got a few looks. They probably thought I was the local fortune teller out on my lunch break!

ikea fabrics

I really like the look of these new fabrics from IKEA (if only I could do a magic wand trip and not have to do the hike to the blue'n'yella shop). I'll be saving that shopping experience for a 'good' week.

bathroms

At last our lovely builder Peter has departed and behind him he leaves 2 fantastic bathrooms (only taken us 2 1/2 years to do them). So pleased with them I could weep. We aren't blessed with the grandest of bathrooms (compared to most of HP4) but we've managed to create two beautiful little rooms. Here's a pic of the new light we chose for the upstairs room. Not too 'bling' I hope.......... Now where did I put the radox?

Juicey Ducey

tHaNk yOu ♥ my lovely for the wonderful Mr Ferry CD (one of my all time faves too). Oh the old swooner has definately still got it. It was really kind of you to send it and it's aiding my recovery no end....... My faves are the Main Thing and India. Thanks sweetheart it's real blast from the past xxxxxx

button flowers

Here are some of the button flowers I've made using some more of those old lovely buttons I've collected over the years.

Sophie Dahl's tv house

It's up for sale. Does anyone have a spare £1,450,000? It's photographer Paul Massey's house and it's absolutely beautiful. Sigh!
http://www.kfh.co.uk

New rings

Here are some of the new rings I've made using some of the many beautiful vintage buttons I have collected over the years.

tHaNk yOu ♥

A BIG thank you to my secret admirer for the wonderful Popville book. I received it today and I love it ♥ ♥ ♥

I've just found out it's from my lovely friend Donna (Joel, Beau and Brucie too). Thank you soooo much my dear old chums. It really did cheer me up on a bleak old day. Love you lots xxxxxxxx

Recovery

I spent most of yesterday in a hazy sleep. I had an allergic reaction to something and they gave me a large boost of piriton. They said it could make me sleepy. 45 minutes later they woke me up to administer my cocktail (no umbrella or straw!) As I was soooo sick last time they upgraded me to a posh anti-nausea drug (at £17 a pill it had better work). I have to thank the hospital staff at Mount Vernon. They are a wonderful team of smiling faces, and keep you laughing throughout the whole ordeal. I've promised to take in some M&S mini tubs when I next go in, that will hopefully see them through the long hours.
I slept off and on for 14 hours last night. I was sick a couple of times but nothing near like last time, hooray for the mega pill. Today has been a fuzzy, sleepy day. Am tucked up in bed, staring out at the lovely sunshine but haven't got the energy to go and enjoy it.
A big thank you Mole for having the cheeslets, thanks Mrs Littler for the spag bol and thanks Mrs Bragg for the movie. They've both had a great time. xxxxxx

The onion - Chemo part 2

It's round 2 of the toxic medicine tomorrow and I'm not looking forward to it. It's a weird feeling knowing that it's going to make me feel completely awful for days and days. Hey ho it's another step to recovery and it'll be 2 down, 4 to go...........
My poor hair is falling out by the handful. Even brushing my teeth makes it fall out!!!!!! I have a cracking bald patch now. I have to pluck up the courage to wear my new long wig out and about. If you see me in Berko please be kind and don't stare at my roots.
A big thank you to the family Twelly for the dinner and sleepover at the weekend. You are all so lovely. And a Huge thanks to Mole for having the Cheeselets for the day and for a sleepover. They're such wonderful kids and I'm very proud of how they are dealing with all of this.
So long for now and see you back here in a few days x

The onion

I'm in hospital today to have a picc line inserted into my arm. This will hopefully help when it comes to having blood samples taken and with the administration of the chemo. My veins have a habit of disappearing when they sense a needle coming their way. This is obviously difficult and painful for me when they're poking and jabbing.
Not sure how painful it will be and I'm actually quite nervous. I know it'll be quite bulky on my arm (I have to wear it for several months). Maybe I could make a little armlet cover to disguise it. I'll start a new trend............................

PS I'm back home and that was a hideous experience. They have to find a vein under ultrasound and then insert a needle, after which they 'thread' a wire through and then the picc tube to my heart. Guess what? A serious case of the vanishing veins! They tried 6 times, by which point I was a sobbing heap lying on the hospital bed covered in my blood. The 6th and final attempt was only just successful. It just doesn't seem fair. They are such an amazing band of nurses and I have to say they keep you calm when all around is crumbling.

hApPy eAsTeR

I've been busy drawing...........
hope you've all had a choc-filled weekend.

april fool

It's always a race in our house to 'pinch, punch, first of the month', followed by the phrase 'bagsy no returns'. This last statement ensures you don't get pinch-punched back. Our large haired eldest turned to me this morning with a concerned look and said, "Mum your face has gone blue". Well with my track record at the moment, I ran towards the bathroom mirror...........Doh! Why, I oughta! Pesky kids.

Ps he did fall for the 'humpbacked whale spotted in Tring reservoir' though. Ha ha ha ha!