It’s been a while….Holidays, Crochet and Flowers

It’s been a while since I last posted.  Here is a little of whats been going on.

The family and I went off to Greece back in July.  As always we had an amazing time.  We stay with my husbands parents, which at times can be hard work, however its for two weeks only so I bite my lip.  After all, its about the kids.

I have also been a busy bee on the crochet front.  My cousin is due a baby boy in November and I could not resist making up a beautiful white baby blanket in a lovely soft cotton mix.  Also I am quite proud of my attempt at a Minions hat!  We took the kids to see Despicable Me 2, and I was inspired to try making them a hat, what do you think??  I also made some Mug Hugs for the kids teachers at school and filled the mugs with chocolates.  They were very well received!  I’ve been experimenting with baby hats and ear warmer/headbands.  I am always on the go with something!

Haven’t we had a wonderful summer so far?  I have loved my glowers in the garden.  I am not overly green fingered but I do like my garden to look neat and tidy with as much colour as possible.  My flowers did really well this year too!

One last picture before I go………..kids and I got very creative one afternoon, I love these canvas prints we made!  Something to treasure forever!

Thanks for looking. x

Crochet and Gardening

I am in trouble off hubby for buying yet more yarn.  I couldn’t resist.  Its 100% cotton and lovely and soft.  I plan on using it to make a granny square blanket for my mothers 60th at Christmas.  For 700g it was only £15 so a great bargain too!

I have also recently started a quick blanket for my sons bed.  It’s almost time to whip the duvets on and have sheets and blankets for when its warm at night.  I wanted something fun and quick so I’ve started with squares…..this is my new way of blocking them as I get fed up pinning them all down to my ironing board.  What do you think??  Basic nails whacked in a

bit of old wood!

I am also making this lovely blanket for my cousins baby.  I am unsure of the colours as we do not know the sex of the baby yet, but I am loving the combination.  If I do decide its a bit boyish I may just keep it myself!

 

I did some gardening late last week and planted all my plants into pots.  I love having loads of pots around, especially ones that do not match.  There are many more to do you yet.  However, I am reluctant to do them just yet as after the recent downpours, they are suffering a little.

 

Just before I go, here is a sneak peek at my tea last night……cheese and onion potato gratin…………..it was DELICIOUS!

The ALL CLEAR!

Yes that’s right, I had the all clear with my Breast Lump on Tuesday.

Waiting 2 weeks for the urgent referral was the worst part.

I took my Mam with me.  Hubby wanted to come but I needed him home for the kids and I thought he would be more of a worry than my appointment.

I had the mammogram first.  Ouchy!  It really squashes your boobies!  Then an ultrasound on the suspect lump and I am pleased to say it was an enlarged lymph node.

The relief was immense, I could have cried, well I did a little on the way home.

The nurses and staff at the Breast Clinic were amazing and full of support.

If there is one thing this whole terrifying experience has taught me it is, if you are in ANY doubt, GET IT CHECKED!  Do not fear that because you do not fit in a ‘catagory’ that you will be dismissed from the GP room.  If you have concerns, VOICE THEM.

I am thankful I went to my GP and she gave me that referral.  Just because I am 37 does not make me immune from this disease.

I was 18 when I went for my first smear test and it turned out abnormal.  I had pre-cancerous cells and ended up having a Loop Diathermy Loop Excision of the Cervix.  I have been for yearly smears since.

I do not understand why the Government raised the age to 25 to qualify for a smear test.  When I was younger, we were told to attend for a smear test a year or so after you became sexually active.  This is what I did, and boy am I glad.

So to end this week I will be divulging in some wine and chocolate!

Today is THE day!

The two week wait is over, and I am off to the Breast Clinic this afternoon to find out what this little lump is all about.

I have been feeling good about things of late.  I have being to trying to keep myself in a positive frame of mind.

I have stopped Googling things about it too as I find this just makes me more paranoid and causes much unnecessary worry.

I have asked my Mam to come with me today.  I will be having a mammogram, ultrasound and if anything untoward is found they will biopsy there and then.   My hubby wanted to come, but I need him to be there for the kids after school.  As much as I love hubby, I really want my Mam to hold my hand today.  Maybe its the mother-daughter-female bond thing, I don’t know.  If hubby came with me, he would be a wreck with worry and I need someone who will be strong.

I am hoping the 7th May 2013 will be a date I can forget, I pray it does not become a date to remember.

Day 1 BC or NOT BC

Today is the day I have been to the GP about a lump I have found near my breast in my armpit.

I will be documenting my story as I go along.  I feel I need somewhere to write about this and my blog is the ideal place.

I noticed this lump about a week ago.  Its very deep down in the armpit and I struggle to find it, but when I do it scares be to death!  I plucked up the courage to pop along and see my GP today…….it’s best to get these things checked.

After a good old grope, which was at times rather painful I must admit she found the lump and also said the tissue in the breast felt a little different to the other one…..something I hadn’t noticed so that may be nothing. She advised she make me an appointment at the breast clinic.

Ok so by now the real panic is starting to kick in.  I had sort have hoped she would say “ahhh thats nothing, off you go now”……I hadn’t really prepared myself for further investigation.

My appointment is on the 7th May and I counting the days already.  Apparently I will undergo a mammogram and an ultrasound.  If they suspect anything from those tests they will biopsy there and then too!  These tests won’t confirm any stage of cancer, but will confirm if its there.   Whoooaaa a lot of stuff all at once and really bloody scary.  Saying that, I’d prefer it that way than having to wait for days after.

So…..what am I feeling?  In all honesty my only real worry at this moment in time is my kids.  You do start fearing the worse.  I am a big believer in “what will be, will be” so I am not actually scared for me but I TERRIFIED for my children.  At only 6 and 4 its heartbreaking.

You’ll be thinking “she doesn’t even know if she has breast cancer (BC) yet and shes waffling on like this”.  Trust me faced with something like this is a huge eye opener and has knocked the wind out of me.

When I was 18 I had my first smear test and it turned out I had cervical cancer cells.  I had a diathermy loop excision on my cervix to remove the cells and have been clear ever since with yearly checks.  I remember the Doctor telling me all this and looking back I was so relaxed with the whole ordeal, I didn’t worry at all about any of it.  Thats the difference being 18 and free.  Being 37 with two young children is a whole different ball game, it makes the whole thought of “what if?” soul destroying.

Greek man is concerned too.  He has sat a lot of the day staring out the window.  He is worried, I can tell.  People often think of the patient but people need to think of those around the patient too.

NOTHING will be mentioned to my babies……I want them to stay selfish in their own little world.

I plan on using this blog as a bit of a diary of my feelings etc. along with all the usual drivel I blog about!

So there you go…..day 1 of BC OR NOT BC.  (yes you say that in a Shakespeare voice)