Hello. I was in town yesterday to visit the Arts Centre and other places. The Library has been having a refit/refurbishment over the last month or so, and there is a skip parked outside. They have thrown out a lot of useful stuff, far too much for me to collect and store here. Yesterday I spotted some offcuts of vinyl floor covering, some of the pieces were very large. I immediately thought of the summer house, it would be ideal to put down in there, so I asked in the library, who sent me to ask the site manager, who said I could take what I wanted. So here it is, now all I have got to do is find somewhere to put it until the weather picks up a bit and I can get on with the job.
I wanted some wool for a project, and found some in Poundland. £1 a ball, three for £2.
Something I am playing with at the moment. Small black safety pins, I have a big bag of them. An idea will come to mind shortly.
This morning I had my knockers squashed. The van is parked in Morrisons car park this time, much easier than searching for it at the hospital. Is it really three years since I last had it done, time flies.
A bit uncomfortable, but it has to be done. What a strange job to have, pushing and shoving two balls of bread dough between plastic plates and squeezing them flat.
Thank you to the NHS for providing this service, and thanks to the staff for carrying it out.
On the way home I called in the Cash and Carry to see if they had any bargains. I never buy soup in a can, but I thought these were worth a try, three tins for £1. Today I had the Sainsburys broccoli and stilton, it wasn't very nice. I put some grated cheese in it to give it a bit more flavour. You know when you have just been sick and your mouth tastes foul, well mine was like that, I had to suck a mint afterwards. I hope the Marks and Spencer soup is better.
I don't buy shampoo and toothpaste very often because I use so little of it, but I thought this was a good price so I stocked up. All were 50p each.
Well I don't believe it. It's been nice and sunny, and just as I am ready to go for my walk, I can see spots of rain. Oh chuffin heck, what a pain.
Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip.
I love seeing your bargains! Keeps me focused.
ReplyDeleteThose sparkly wools are very pretty. I was recently using up some wool that was given to me, (I hate the latest word fad of "gifted"), when used in that context. Anyway, I needed a few more colours to complete the project so went to the pound shop and Home Bargains. I bought some rainbow yarn from the pound shop, like yours they were three for £2, but only 50grm balls. That works out at 75grms for £1. In HB it was 100grm ball for 99p, so I got my plain colours from there. A few years ago the sparkly ones in Poundland contained 100grms, now only the plain ones do.
ReplyDeletePS. I know that like your sign said, one in three women over 70 get breast cancer, and yet they stop giving you mammograms when you reach 70 !!??
ReplyDeleteHi Jean
DeleteAfter 70 you can request for it to be done through your doctor. This is what my mother in law did a few years back
Not strictly true, Jean. There is a trial going on at the moment to screen women between 47 and 49, and 71 to 73. It began in 2009 and is still running now, and will run to the mid 2020's. Groups of random women are invited for screening so the study can compare over the following years what happens to those women.
DeleteTaken from the NHS web site.
If you're over the age of 70 (73 in areas where the trial is in place), you'll stop receiving screening invitations. However, you're still eligible for screening and can arrange an appointment directly with your local breast screening unit.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer-screening/when-its-offered/
Thank you Pat, we posted at the same time.
DeleteYes, I had heard of that trial and the fact that you could request one. What I meant was that having known those statistics, I queried why they would put a cut off point for the whole public who have been having it done routinely every few years. I can only suggest that it may be cost. Are not the older people worth bothering about?
DeleteYou made that soup sound really nice.... not. I splurted my tea when I read it. Think I will give that one a miss.
ReplyDeletegot out cycling and both times got very wet.
ReplyDeleteWhere I live they stop offering mammograms at 65.
ReplyDeleteI had a mammogram today as well.
ReplyDeleteI was called for my first mammogram aged 49 and they found a tumour growing right at the back and therefore not palpable. I had surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It was a terrible ordeal for me and my family. I thank the nhs that 8 years later I am still here, fit and well and will be forever grateful.
ReplyDeleteSome good bargains Ilona, I have gone off tin soup now, I prefer to make my own.
ReplyDeleteBeing called up early to the knocker squashing van in Tesco car park in 2014 possibly saved my life, I couldn't feel any lumps but the cancer was there.
I'm in the over 70 category and so have a running reminder to ask for breast screening every 3 years.
ReplyDeleteWe waited till 5 O'clock for the rain to stop. It didn't so we went out for a walk regardless and are now damp but feeling insufferably self righteous!
Looking forward to the development of your next art project. Sue
I found a breast lump, went to the GP, got referred to NHS Breast Clinic within 10 days, had a mammogram (I'm 54 so had one before); biopsy - hurt a bit, radiologist drained some fluid; scan and went back for results after another 10 days. Hurrah - cyst and mastitis (shouldn't return) and nothing to worry about. I praise the NHS and all the wonderful people I saw who treated me with kindness and dignity. My message to anyone, male or female, if you find a lump - get it checked out quickly. Ilona, I hope the other soups are tastier, I haven't bought tinned for years, but no doubt you can add something to make it more palatable.
ReplyDeleteI've just had my last smear test at 61 and I asked why. The nurse explained that the cervical cells are harder to harvest the older we get. Again you can request a test but it will be fine by a gynecologist. Great freebies.
ReplyDeleteI was not aware that 61 was the last time they test you, not good, I dont feel comfortable with that, it seems so young.
DeleteI had a diagnostic mammogram yesterday. They found something suspicious on my last regular mammogram and told me to come back in 6 months. This time, they took a lot of extra pictures and the tech was on the phone with the radiologist as he was reading the scans. He directed several specific angles and magnified shots. In the end, he decided my condition is stable so there is no need for a biopsy. They will follow up with another diagnostic mammogram in six months. I had breast cancer 27 years ago (surgery and chemotherapy) so this had me really worried.
ReplyDeleteWishing you well Joanie.
DeleteHad my knockers done last year, all's well. Now time for the other end, when I sent the sample they said they couldn't read it...will have to do it all over again but a friend just died of colon cancer so I will do it again, it could save my life. Very windy and slight snow here today ( Canada ) I was a Personal Support Worker for years and after awhile we don't see getting naked in front of strangers a problem. The technicians feel the same way, they have seen it all haha.
ReplyDeleteHi Dawn. With that bottom end test you have to be very careful and follow the instructions to the letter and not let the sample become contaminated. Difficult when the female body pees and poos at the same time. Pee first in the toilet, have clean plastic container nearby and poo into that. Take samples and dump the rest in the toilet. Good luck.
DeleteI haven't much up top but she seems to find something to test.I prefer it to a smear though-that really does make my eyes water x
ReplyDeleteflis - I just had to comment about your remark; I do sympathise, I loathe smear tests, all that uncomfortable 'hips to the ceiling' and trying to balance on the bed. The easiest one was done by a male doctor (I think he was terrified of hurting me)!
DeleteFrugal in Essex. ...I have recently heard of some non invasive scan type procedure being trialed that will take the place of pap smears..yaaaay !
ReplyDeleteJust wondered are you going to be sleeping /camping in your car again when the weather gets warmer?you had it do cosy. And well done getting squashed, yes it's quite uncomfortable but must be done. Love you blog. Look everyday susan
ReplyDeleteI might do, Susan. No plans yet.
DeleteHi Illona
ReplyDeleteLooks like you are well and truly back into the swing of things and bagged a few bargains and freebies - all looking good there. I had my mammogram a month ago and letter came back all clear - I’m 60 this year - I presume that they call you earlier if they find something but I still didn’t like opening the letter. Enjoy the sunny weather that’s coming and will see what you’ve been up to tomorrow x
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ReplyDeleteI usually make my own soup and keep some in the freezer for times when I am under the weather and don't feel like cooking. Recently I was very sick and we had run out of homemade soup, so I sent my spouse to the store for a couple of cans. It tasted horrible! When you are used to homemade, those convenience foods with their additives really do taste strange.
ReplyDeleteThis is my year for the knocker squash, full exam and colonoscopy! I wouldn’t be surprised if I also got an endoscopy. My yearly prescription runs out in three months. The only way for refills is to see a Dr. I can’t worm my way out but i take great pleasure in trying to come up with something!
ReplyDeleteI walked the dog twice today in 40mph winds. No rain and no snow!
Hi momsav, you haven't figured out how to put your name at the top in bold yet, so I have done it for you. Please try again. Thank you.
DeleteHi, Embarrassed to say that I cancelled my very first invitation to a routine mammogram a couple of years ago at 51, so at nearly 54 I've never had one. No doubt I'll be receiving another 3-yearly invitation soon. Just a personal choice - albeit probably a stupid one!
ReplyDeleteYour choice, Mrs. Some people would rather not know what is going on inside their own body. It's a shame to die of ignorance though, when something could have been done.
DeleteI'm glad of any check ups offered to me. Great bargains. Like the black safety pins too.
ReplyDeleteEvening Ilona
ReplyDeleteOUCH! .... Mine is due (not sure when), and not looking forward to it. But... it's great that we have these checks, just wish they weren't so painful.
Pleased you are fighting-fit now.
Enjoy your evening.
Carol
Routine screening may lead to early detection and better outcomes for women. For smears, pre-cancerous cells can be detected and removed before cancer occurs.Breast and Cervical screening saves the lives of thousands of women each year. Don't be afraid, just do it, you're worth it!
ReplyDeleteI've had severe health anxiety for many years and find these tests very frightening. I get into an awful state when I've got the appointment and find waiting for the results quite dreadful. Last year I was called back for a further mammogram and an ultrasound, I was terrified though fortunately nothing was found. However I am absolutely dreading my next mammogram and the experience has only increased my fears. I think the tests are fine if one can have a sensible and positive attitude towards them, less so when they induce such terror, though I will always have them. I hope future generations of women will have much better treatments available and won't have to live in the shadow of this terrible disease.
ReplyDeleteHi Kate. I wonder why you put yourself through it if you absolutely dread them. There are millions of women who don't take up the offer of tests, that's their choice.
DeleteHi Ilona, I suppose it's because I feel I am responsible for my own health and I should get the recommended checks. The whole NHS/government narrative pushes women towards having them, sometimes the adverts are very coercive and scary. Some may feel it's right they are like that, but for people with health anxiety generally they provoke intense fear.
Delete