Monday 9 November 2015

Completion of Florabunda Alphabet

Last night I finally completed the Florabunda alphabet I’ve been working on, with the letters K to Z, so I can now make personalised cards for all my friends, even those whose names begin with X lol!

Here is the complete set.

01 Alphabet A-E - Sept 15

02 Alphabet F-J - Oct 15

03 Alphabet K-O Nov 15

04 Alphabet P-T Nov 15

05 Alphabet U-Z Nov 15

Health Update

At long last I am starting to feel better! The final chemo just over three weeks ago certainly made its presence felt and the effects went on well into week 3 of the cycle, which was unusual because with previous treatments, by week 3 I was always feeling a lot better. It was doubly surprising that it went on so long, because the final treatment, like the penultimate one, was at a reduced dose. I am still getting peripheral neuropathy, mostly in my feet now, which is strange because I’ve had more trouble with it in my hands previously – it seems to be there a lot of the time, giving me feelings of numbness and pins and needles, particularly in my toes, and it seems unrelated to cold, too. I shall mention this to the oncologist when I next see her.

I have now started to pick up the threads of my life again, doing some domestic tasks. It may sound funny, but I am so enjoying this! It is making me feel a lot more human again, and in control of my life. My hubby has been so wonderful looking after me all this time but I really feel it’s high time I took back a lot of what he’s been doing, and started looking after him again after so many months.

Here are the “firsts” in getting my life back again!

Thursday: I did my first batch of laundry. Since going into hospital, my lovely cleaning lady has been doing this for me, apart from the odd bit of hand washing that I’ve managed to keep up with.

Friday: First lot of ironing.

Saturday: I got up and got my own breakfast for the first time. Since my operation, my hubby has been bringing me breakfast in bed. First washing up – I did the breakfast things! A gentle introduction. I also finished the ironing. I sorted the larder cupboards in the kitchen and made a list of what we’ve got, and what we need. I started making my first shopping list for the online order I shall be doing in the coming week.

Sunday: I went to church for the first time since May, when I had recovered sufficiently from my operation, just before I started my chemo. I was quite overwhelmed by the lovely welcome I received – everybody was surprised and delighted to see me back and I got a LOT of hugs! Everyone said how well I was looking. I would have easily forgiven them for forgetting me altogether, it’s been so long since I showed my face in the place! I washed up the evening meal dishes. Soon I will be cooking the evening meal, too!

Monday (today): I sorted the freezer and defrosted it. Much as I hate having to throw food away, I did have to throw away a bit, because it was too old. Once I’m back in the driving seat as far as the cooking and shopping are concerned, I shall have a proper idea of what we’ve got, and what needs eating first, etc. etc. and this won’t happen again. I have also re-started my diet – I am on the 5:2 diet, where you restrict your diet to a maximum of 500 cals for two days of the week and eat normally for the other five. I had to abandon this, on the advice of my surgeon, in advance of my operation, in order to keep my strength up and allow my body to recover. Although I have gained some weight during this time, I have managed to keep it on a more or less even keel, which I am pleased about, but now it is time to resume the downward trend and hopefully to reach my target weight by next summer.

During the coming week, I’ve got the fridge to sort and clean out, and the small freezer (part of the fridge-freezer in the kitchen). I also need to clean the hob and possibly the oven but I may ask my cleaning lady to do the latter lol!! There’s a box of food out on the counter where my hubby has been putting his food shopping for easy access for his cooking, and this needs sorting and the stuff putting away, and then I can clean that counter, including all the crumbs from the toaster! Tomorrow morning I shall finalise my online shopping list and then do the order in the afternoon, and request the delivery for Wednesday, as I used to do before. I am hoping to cook the first evening meal on Wednesday.

I am also trying to be good, and going to bed earlier than I am used to, so that I can get up earlier. The trouble is, my M.E. messes with my internal clock, and I tend to be mentally alert in the small hours, and do not feel at all ready to go up at midnight! I am trying to go up to bed at 12.20 a.m. at the latest. Since I have been doing this, I have not been sleeping well (waking frequently) which is what always happens if I go up before I feel ready, but this time I am determined to try and educate my body and put up with the wakefulness until it settles down into a new routine.

This whole cancer journey has brought me to a new start in my life, and I am determined to set up good habits from now on. I seem to be at my best for doing things in the mornings, so I am putting my feet up in the afternoons and evenings and not overdoing things. I have been needing a sleep in the afternoons but this may not last forever as I gradually recover my strength.

I am also hoping to be able to start spending some quality time in the studio doing art and being creative! Initially a lot of my energy will be taken up just getting things straight in the house again, but once this settles down and I’m properly into a routine, I am looking forward to spending time up there, probably mostly in the mornings, depending on how my energy levels pick up.

10 comments:

  1. Great to hear that you are able to do more 'normal' things and be creative at the same time. You are in inspiration!

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  2. I love those alphabets Shoshi.I am going to buy that book and make some for myself.For someone who has felt so unwell with the chem treatment, you have created so much!
    Oh, I am so glad you are gradually picking up the threads of your life. It must feel so good to be able to start doing chores and getting back to normal. Glad to hear all this good news!

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  3. How wonderful that you were able to finish the alphabet! It must be very satisfying. I wonder if it was possible to turn it into a font? When I did mine (meaning only A and half of B!) that was my original intention, but then I got sidetracked by something else, which often happens. I wanted to use it for large titles on scrapbook layouts, digitally. Perhaps it was just a crazy idea and wouldn't have worked. So good that you can do more and more about the house now. I know it's not about the joy of housework, but getting some sort of normality and control back in your life. I so understand that! Thanks for visiting my new blog post! I'm so proud of my first video - even if it's just a glorified slideshow, LOL! I used Microsoft's free Movie Maker, which, my son tells me, is very limited, but suited my purposes perfectly on this occasion. I will be making more like these for sure. It's a good way to show off your artwork! Perhaps I'll you on Wednesday for WOYWW!

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  4. I'm so glad that you are beginning to feel able to get back into the swing of things Shosi. Your floribunda alphabet looks amazing.
    I am considering having a go at Zentangling myself. I wonder if there is a particular Zentangle book that you would recommend to start with.

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  5. Wow the florabunda alphabets are absolutely stunning. I owe you an email and will chat about your firsts then

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  6. So glad to hear things are picking up for you Shoshi.
    In terms of the sleep thing, have you tried meditations/relaxation tracks? I have a few different ones on my ipod and find they do help a little. I'd happily send you the details if you were interested x

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  7. It's so good to hear from you, Shoshi!! Your alphabet is gorgeous! Sorry it took so long to start feeling better, but I'm glad you're finally getting there and enjoying all of your "firsts." I hope you are feeling very well very soon!

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  8. Hi hun, , your Alphabet is so beautiful, love it.
    Been reading your blog about your illness and your fight to get better ,you are a strong brave lady, I hope and pray that the worst is over and you are on the way to better health, all the treatments must of taken it out of you, they are bad enough with out having to have it all on top of your other illness.
    Hope you are on the mend
    Love wendy

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  9. These look amazing! I love that you've finished the whole alphabet! Really glad things are looking up & you're feeling better. Baby steps don't forget.

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  10. How long did it take to do each letter? You are so clever. That is a long list of stuff around the house. I understand so much how you feel about the pleasure of getting jobs done. I do hate that I cannot keep the house/garden as I used to when I could literally spend all day cleaning/organising. Make sure you pace yourself. I am guilty of doing too much at times, and a few days ago I had to go to bed at 7 pm as I literally could hardly stand up due to sudden fatigue. I had a hour in bed and actually slept - and then was ok afterwards. Ali x

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