It’s a combo Sunday!! Woohooo!!  ... View more

Hey Phil how goes it today? I read about the ice cream Sunday and two things cane to mind- first being ‘was it caramel?’ (Because that’s seriously the ONLY flavor worth mentioning), and what size?  all jesting aside, temperature sensitivity also sucks balls.  I had it for only a short time after the surgery, so I can empathize, but let’s not do that- let’s just go with ‘it’s something  to conquer like Kilimanjaro or algebra’. im hoping you’re taking it easy and resting for those 9 days? BTW- we need to see the beard/no beard shots!!!   my rivers of snot have settled into a deliciously sludge like chest mud and now I’m just barely able to get through the night without coughing up a lung. I’m gonna have abs of steel, once they’ve stopped tearing.  Other than that, I’ve been on the ultrasound scan wagon- thyroid, arms, joints. Blood tests. New meds. New doctors, and a renewed sense of awe at the gaping holes in traditional medical approaches, but that’s a convo for another day. something amazing happened yesterday. My Mum and Brother banded together to buy me a dream gift for my 42nd birthday in a few weeks. A HEXAGONAL greenhouse! I seriously am pinching myself at it and thinking of what I can grow through winter! Once it’s delivered and up I’ll post photos.  regarding the song, I suggest something else. Inspiring. Not sure if you’ve got Netflix or like The Rolling Stones, but there is a documentary called The Rolling Stones-ole!ole!ole! Across Latin America’ about their epic journey to finally play in Havana after 50 yrs. Made me cry like a baby- music signifying freedom of thought, freedom to choose, joy and happiness. Pretty much everything for the soul!  let us know how you’re going, thinking of you! cheers, Claire    ... View more

Hi Phil, So good to hear you’re back in the comfort of your own home, not so great about the chemo stalling and reactions though- have the docs discussed alternatives?  I’m just now surfacing but have managed to pick up my sons virus (no surprise there!) and just sitting around like a snotty, coughy, achy mess. On the plus side, there is sun to sit in, and yesterday I ventured out to a nearby garden for some colour therapy. (Pictures attached)            Tonight we’re cracking open the BBQ! It’s a celebration I look forward to each year- and just being home to do it is good right?  Anyway, let us know how you’re doing- hoping today is a bit better than yesterday, cheers,  claire  ... View more

Chemo definitely sucks balls. Sorry Phil, there’s no getting around it- it’s just shit. I can only hope you are back home soon. In the interim, I’ll continue my expletive laden screaming into the night for you. I’m going to try and exceed my last record which was 25 fouls words tied together with only one gasp for air. It seems fitting. Hugs. ... View more

Hey Phil,   The long weekend here in Victoria has given me a bit of space to shuffle. Last week I really hit a wall. I had another doc appointment which just really stripped me of me hope for a day. So I dug a doona cave, had a really good snotty wailing cry in the shower, and then re-emerged a better human i hope!    I’ve loved reading about everyone’s gardening Adventures- we’re currently growing hundreds of veg and flower seedlings for the spring. We’re still getting 1 degree mornings so can’t plant yet. It’s fairly new land, which was an old potato farm, so trying to get the soil back to a good sort takes time.  We’ve planted so many fruit trees, which is exciting, and our veggie patch while a bit dormant is starting to produce again. I’ve got lovely purple broccoli coming at the moment, strawberries, peas, kale, cauliflower, broad beans, raspberry, rhubarb, beetroot, silver beet and all the herbs.    Totally curious about this song Phil. Gotta make sure it’s gotta a catchy chorus and a wail or an ‘oh oh oh’ in there. Plus cheese for sure! Can’t wait to hear it!  How are you feeling today btw?  Cheers  claire  ... View more

Hey Phil,   Sorry to hear that the chemo is back to it’s evil ways. I’ll make sure I yell out a mighty expletive combo here on your behalf. The thumb thing, is that expected or a new side effect to add into the mix?   Here it’s not too bad, comparatively. I feel crap and like a total whinge complaining which is kinda why I’ve been hanging back a bit. You see the surgery infection is cleared, but it has dropped me into surgical menopause. Apparently as my quite officious surgeon said ‘most women are up and around in no time and no I don’t think it’s that that’s making your bones ache’ The hormones or whatever it is they’ve got me on at the ripe young age of 41 are both making me nuts, like bonafide Jekyll and Hyde and I’m waking up unable to get my joints going- knuckles, elbows, shoulders, knees- it’s like being 41 trapped in an 80yr old body. Sleep is elusive too- just can’t get comfortable. The tests they’ve done show no inflammation markers, but I’m a mess at the end of each day, everything aches- even my teeth-and at best I’m able to perform a drag and shuffle dance. The worst bit is the doctors conversations where I'm constantly being made to feel like it’s in my head, or getting stupidly vague answers like ‘yep this is probably menopause pain, let’s up your dosage’.  In my mind I’m thinking, hang on- I’ve started this whole thing 10 yrs early, so do I have another 20 yrs of this? So, I’m swinging between gratitude for getting an ‘all clear’ and realizing just how insanely lucky I am to a full blown pity party with cake, candles and a daily party song. To top it off my 5yr old is on school holidays but has a nasty case of croup and I’m home looking after him. At about 3 o’clock yesterday I was looking at the cost of airfares to anywhere in the world and searching ‘retreats’. HA!  Clearly, even when gnarled over, kicked in the guts, dragging myself back up through the quagmire, this lady still has some moves left in the bag! 😉   How is everyone else going?    BTW Phil, I haven’t listened to the song either- protecting what little sanity I have left. Sorry @Katekat but I reckon it’ll be a good recovery litmus  😉    ... View more

No worries @Budgie  for the late reply, I’m super tardy. Got distracted by Phil and his amazing poetry!  Hows the new family member going and the increase in cuddles?  What have you been up to this weekend?  I’ve ventured into the garden to supervise some planting- we planted golden beetroots and removed weeds from the veggie beds. In our makeshift greenhouse (the kitchen glass sliding door) we’ve got corn, tomatoes, carrots, cabbage, Angelica, tarragon, borage, dahlia, thyme and fig and mulberry in various stages growing to plant. Getting outside for just a few minutes a Day seems to be the thing I look forward to most, how about you? hope you’re enjoying this drizzly a Sunday (here in Newlyn North we’re heading into 0 degree weather again!) x Claire      ... View more

By the way LW, I forgot to say thanks for this info about Dettol and the moisturiser or makeup before treatment, this is the stuff that’s REALLY helpful for others going into treatment.The bio oil is now on my list of things to buy. In your photo I could see your skin looks radiant- best testimonial! strangely enough, I’m also seeking out pretty dark movie content at the moment. It helps me cry, which is something that’s simmering under the surface a bit, coming from a British background, the ‘stiff upper lip’ approach to a crisis is hard to shake. I’ve been seeing a psychologist for the past few weeks who seems to think I should cry a bit more. So I whack on a super emotional movie and have at it  kinda funny really.  Anyway, have a great rest of your weekend, hope the celebrating continues! X ... View more

Hi @Lampwork54  i would have paid to see you skull that skull! I love your photos too, some craziness, happiness and gorgeousness right there, sounds like you have a brilliant day! Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you! I’m so stoked for you, the photo of you and your daughters made me a little teary, not entirely sure why, but perhaps it’s seeing that even with all of the pain you’ve gone through, there is vast joy and happiness to be had. It’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing it with us...  With the website, I noticed the lack of nutrition and some of the really helpful stuff you’ve been sharing about natural complimentary treatments. I know the council probably needs to only share scientifically backed stuff, but with a big disclaimer on the page, I think they could put up some content about organic food, food as medicine and alternative treatments. Smoothie recipes, acupuncture, and yes- facing end of life stuff at the bottom of the list. There’s no denying it needs to be there, but before it- should always be hope.  The other thing I think would be beautiful if it isn’t done already, is a way to set up crowd funding for wigs and treatment cost. A form and a page you can set up and share via email and/or social media for friends and family. Not sure about you, but so many of my friends don’t know how to help, so this gives them a way to do something, and it could be set up by a family member. I know logistically there’s issues, but something to explore... anyway, Sunday’s are for more leisurely stuff like coffee next to the fire. What are you up to today? cheers, Claire x ... View more

Didn’t Elvis marry that amazing jazz singer, Diana Kraul or crawl or croool or something like that? I remember seeing a doco or something. Either way, I can’t prove you wrong and so it seems I must dance away my Sunday- which should make for fine viewing given my current joint stiffness, it’s like a broken robot stomp with a grimace and an occasional pit stop for toileting. How I love a challenge! thanks again for the fine poetry Phil, I’ll never ever call you Pepper again, unless you’re being a totally shit version of yourself for the day. Which seems highly unlikely, so we can forget that ever happened  and please accept my apology.    Off i dance! Be well and hope you have an amazing Sunday!  ... View more