Tribute to Lynne.

'A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away' my wonderful friend Lynne Hazelden played Karie Neth, a rebel fighter pilot in the Star Wars film Return of the Jedi. December 14th would have been Lynne's birthday: December 16th was her funeral.

Lynne died December 3rd 2013 from the recurrence of breast cancer she had tried so hard to overcome. Her mother and grandmother had also died from breast cancer so it was, perhaps, inevitable that Lynne herself would eventually go on to do so too.

Very recently, while listening to an internet radio interview Lynne had given three years ago, I heard her tell how at the age of twelve she had felt she had nothing to live for when her mother died. However, as her story unfolded, it became clear what a remarkable transformation had taken place in Lynne's life as a result of a change of mindset.

Lynne became determined to make the most of every chance and her life one that was worth living. She was the kind of person who never said 'that's not my job', but instead would see opportunities to learn and to grow. Her positive attitude and willingness to try new things brought Lynne a hardworking but happy life, one in which she was concerned with helping others.

I got to know Lynne two to three years ago, initially through her Facebook page for her Kinder Cancer Choices website. Unable to tolerate conventional treatments due to a severe allergic reaction, she was fundraising for alternative cancer treatments via the charity Yes To Life. Not just for herself but for others. It was Lynne's dream to help create a peaceful world, one in which no-one would go hungry and where a potential cancer cure would become available to all.

Today it is hard to believe that Lynne has gone. For me, as for so many who knew her, her words are an inspiration and her spirit lives on. Her JustGiving page for Yes To Life remains active, with Lynne smiling and vibrant in her photograph as friends continue to fundraise in her memory for a cause that meant so much to her.

Since Lynne's recent death I have reflected on her life. I have come to believe that the force was not simply with Lynne but that she herself was the force. Long may Lynne continue to be with us all.

Love Rose x


© All rights reserved.

Chris's Cancer Community: Do you get the support you require?

Another interesting read:

Chris's Cancer Community: Do you get the support you require?: This week has involved a great variety of work, and I have had a lot of communication around one subject, cancer support . I have spent many...

What do you think: do you get enough support / the support you need to cope with cancer?

Love Rose x


© All rights reserved.

Buddy can you spare £1?

It's a fair while since I've posted and today I'm sharing a link to the fundraising page of a very special lady with breast cancer. I've mentioned my friend Lynne before and if you read her story back then you'll know that conventional breast cancer treatment is no longer possible for her. Lynne is having to pay for treatment that could potentially save her life. It could also pave the way for other cancer patients to benefit from her treatment, but this can only be made possible if Lynne can continue raising money to fund it.

If you can spare £1 please will you donate it to Lynne's JustGiving page today? The charity Yes To Life is collecting the funds for the treatment she needs:

http://www.justgiving.com/Lynne-Hazelden

Many thanks.

Love Rose x



© All rights reserved.

Chris's Cancer Community: The Importance of cancer support via social media

A moving story from a blog I follow:


Chris's Cancer Community: The Importance of cancer support via social media: Since I was introduced to the world of social media, I could immediately see how powerful it might be. Certainly, like any new tool, you hav...

Love Rose x


© All rights reserved.

Womb Cancer Support UK: Is womb cancer a weighty issue?

I'm sharing this post after all the media publicity about womb cancer this week:

Womb Cancer Support UK: Is womb cancer a weighty issue?: Well, womb cancer finally got the amount of publicity that we have fighting for ever since we began - but sadly its not really the type of p...

Love Rose x


© All rights reserved.

Womb Cancer.

I'm tired of hearing how I brought it on myself,
How I must have been irresponsible when it came to my health,
I was a fit and healthy young woman - the doctors confirmed it -
So why did I develop womb cancer?
I'd like an explanation of what went wrong,
Not blame and supposition now the cancer's gone,
I gave the bits to research when they cut it all out,
So when might we hear something useful?
I've never smoked and nor do I drink,
My heart is fine but I feel it sink
Every time someone else points a finger.
I'm not a lone exception to the rule,
I'm not unique so don't be fooled,
It's fine to say keep healthy, don't overeat, stay fit,
Womb cancer's not the only cancer that advice can hit,
It makes sense for a lot of health issues.
Cancer won't discriminate, thin or fat.
My friend's a vegetarian and takes her coffee black,
Another friend runs marathons, so answer me this:
Why did we develop womb cancer?

© RamblingRose@PeachPonderings. All rights reserved.

Endometrial Cancer Philippines: Staring Cancer in the Face

From a son who lost his mother to womb cancer:

Endometrial Cancer Philippines: Staring Cancer in the Face: I’m not an expert on Cancer . In fact, I am far from being one. I am just a son who lost his mother to Endometrial Cancer , and I am ho...

Love Rose x


© All rights reserved.

Chris's Cancer Community: How do you deal with your cancer?

Another very interesting blog piece:

Chris's Cancer Community: How do you deal with your cancer?: Well, my previous post, where I was discussing the issues of survivorship, has become the most read, of all my pieces. It has provoked so mu...

Love Rose x


© All rights reserved.

Womb Cancer Support UK: My Story - by HC

Please read and share to help raise awareness of womb cancer:

Womb Cancer Support UK: My Story - by HC: Another in our occasional series of blog posts by ladies who are part of  Womb Cancer Support UK. The first time I heard the word "c...

Love Rose x


© All rights reserved.

Womb Cancer Support UK: September is Womb Cancer Awareness Month.

The latest blog post from Womb Cancer Support UK:

Womb Cancer Support UK: September is Womb Cancer Awareness Month.: Well, its now September 1st and that means we are at the start of  our Womb Cancer Awareness campaign 2013. We have been running an awaren...

Love Rose x


© All rights reserved.

Chris's Cancer Community: Are we prepared for increasing survivorship?

I just want to share with you the latest post from an excellent blog I've recently begun following. Please take a look:

Chris's Cancer Community: Are we prepared for increasing survivorship?: This question is actually not as crazy as it sounds. In the last few weeks, I have had numerous conversations with a very good cross section...

Love Rose x


© All rights reserved.

September is Womb Cancer Awareness Month.

We all know there's a lot of good work done to raise awareness of women's cancers such as breast, cervical and ovarian, but there's another cancer all women need to be aware of: womb cancer.

On average, up to 1900 women die from womb cancer each year in the UK. Although the stereotype is overweight/obese post-menopausal women, womb cancer can affect women of all ages and sizes.

Womb cancer is easier to treat when caught early but there is currently no screening programme - smear (pap) tests aren't designed to pick up womb cancer and a negative smear result doesn't rule it out, so be sure to tell your GP about any unusual symptoms connected with your monthly cycle, or after menopause.

For further information go to:

https://www.facebook.com/WombCancerSupportUK

http://wombcancersupportuk.wix.com/home


Love Rose x


© All rights reserved.

UK cancer treatment: When ‘out of the ordinary’ means ‘out of luck’.

Please read the extraordinary story of my friend's breast cancer journey and her attempts to find, and fund, the treatment she needs:

http://www.anh-europe.org/news/uk-cancer-treatment-when-out-of-the-ordinary-means-out-of-luck

All donations - however small - can be made here:

http://www.justgiving.com/Lynne-Hazelden

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated and helped so far!

Love Rose x


© All rights reserved.

Fundraising Auction Of Film Memorabilia.

Please take a look at this auction of original / authenticated Harry Potter and Indiana Jones story boards, plus a Wonka Bar - exciting stuff for all film buffs out there! All items are listed on ebay to help fundraise for my friend who is going through breast cancer treatment:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/dazcaz2602/m.html?_nkw&_armrs=1&_from&_ipg=25&_trksid=p3686


Love Rose x


© All rights reserved.

Race For Life...

I'm sharing one womb cancer survivor's not-so-good experience today:

http://wombcanceruk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/let-down-by-race-for-life-by-dv.html

Love Rose x


©  All rights reserved.

Defiant Beauty.

If you're a cancer patient in the UK and are looking for suitable skincare products - or you need a gift for someone who is - then take a look at the totally natural Defiant Beauty range of skincare gifts developed by Jennifer Young in conjunction with cancer patients/survivors and specialist nursing staff:

Skin Care Gifts for Cancer Patients – By Jennifer Young - Beauty Despite Cancer

www.beautydespitecancer.co.uk

Defiant Beauty is a speciality skin care range developed by experts. The ideal gift for cancer patients available to buy online.

Since Friday evening I've been using Defiant Beauty Smooth Skin Balm, suggested for me by Jennifer Young herself, as my hands had become unpleasantly dry since surgery for womb cancer. Feeling increasingly dismayed and embarrassed about the very poor condition of my skin, and with nothing I'd tried making much - if any - difference, I'd reached the stage of contemplating buying clothes with pockets in order to keep my hands hidden as much as possible.

I'm amazed - and so grateful - to report that this wonderful Smooth Skin Balm has already made a huge improvement to my hands. I could see a difference in their appearance after the first application Friday evening and my skin is continuing to return to normal. In such a short space of time I'm already much more confident about my hands being on show and I really can't recommend this product highly enough.

Love Rose x


© All rights reserved

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Relief.

I recently finished proofreading the second of the two fishing books I told you about a while back so I now have a bit more 'free' time - although not a lot, as there's always something to be done!

I've had a lot of typing to do over the last week or so and have found myself with pins and needles through my hands and lower arms as a result, so I'm pleased to have found the following site/exercises to help alleviate the problem:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Exercises

www.eatonhand.com

Love Rose x


© All rights reserved.

Gordon the Geriatric Snail Conclusion.

Gordon staggered to his lady snail’s door

And lay there, panting, on the floor.

Eventually Gordon rang the bell

And he heard Betty give a yell.

“Just a minute!” Betty warbled,

Although to Gordon it sounded garbled,

As he’d forgotten to put his hearing aid in

And Betty’s aging voice was growing thin.

Gordon straightened up his tie

And when Betty’s door opened he gave a sigh,

As he saw a vision standing there,

With golden highlights in her hair,

Although – and this is no joke –

Her hair was yellowed from cigarette smoke,

But to Gordon’s “good” eye, Betty was his dream girl

And he loved the way her “golden” hair curled.

Unknown to Gordon, Betty had a secret,

And she’d managed for many years to keep it,

But she loved Gordon and felt he should know,

That bits of her were just for show.

In years gone by, Betty was a moll,

She’d been married to a gangster who had called her Doll.

One day in a shoot-out with a rival

Betty’s deception for survival

Had begun when her husband had been out-gunned

And Betty had found herself on the run.

But the biggest secret she was yet to tell?

She was, in fact, a slug in her late husband’s shell!

Gordon was shell-shocked – if you’ll pardon the pun –

And his poor old aging head had spun.

His heart was pounding and his flowers wilted,

He felt as though he’d just been jilted,

So Betty had to sit him down,

And as he sat confused he found,

A love for Betty so pure and true,

That Gordon knew what he had to do.

Gordon declared undying love for Betty

And suggested that they both, from now on, should be

Totally honest with each other,

So he confessed he was actually Gordon’s twin brother.

He was Colin and, when Gordon had died,

He had used Gordon’s cover to lead a happier life,

As Gordon was the twin who’d always been the best

And Colin had taken over Gordon’s success.

Colin and Betty decided it was fate

That they’d met and organised this date,

So they agreed to remain Gordon and Betty

And to keep each other’s secrets.

Gordon and Betty were very soon married

As at their age it could prove fatal had they tarried,

So Gordon watched Betty as she walked up the aisle

And her beauty made Gordon’s heart sing and he smiled,

For he knew theirs was a true love that would never fail,

And they lived out their days as Gordon and Betty Snail.

© RamblingRose@PeachPonderings. All rights reserved.

Gordon the Geriatric Snail Gets Ready For A Date.

Gordon, as you know, was a very old snail
Whose eyesight was beginning to fail,
But he knew his bucket list by rote
And kept it as a folded note
In the pocket closest to his heart,
And every day Gordon would start
By deciding which ambition to pursue
And double-checking what to do.
Today Gordon's face was glowing,
His excitement just kept on growing,
For he'd met a lady snail of late 
And today would be meeting her for a date.
This was another item on his list,
For Gordon until recently had never been kissed,
But pole vault failure had changed his luck
And Gordon was hoping for a lovely time.
So he set off at breakfast with his flowers
As he knew that it would take him hours
And he hoped the flowers wouldn't wilt before
He managed to arrive at his true love's door.


© RamblingRose@PeachPonderings. All rights reserved.

Gordon the Geriatric Snail Tries Pole Vaulting.

Gordon was ninety and had never been kissed,
It was one of his ambitions on his bucket list,
But today Gordon was aiming high,
As pole vault was next on his list to try.
Gordon held the pole and shuffled along,
At ninety years old he wasn't too strong,
He suddenly gave a little jump
And landed back down with a bump.
Gordon gave a disgusted snort,
His pole vault career had fallen short,
But a little old lady snail watching our hero
Cheered, despite him reaching zero.
As he passed her, Gordon gave her a kiss,
Then he crossed both ambitions off his bucket list.



© RamblingRose@PeachPonderings. All rights reserved.

Gordon the Geriatric Snail Tries Pilates.

Gordon the snail had the ump,
He was tired of having a wet rump,
So he made up his mind to try Pilates,
But as he exercised he farted.
Gordon shot out through the door
And landed, crumpled, on the floor,
He decided it might be a safer bet
If he didn't bother and just stayed wet!
This is fine for a snail,
Nature intends them to leave a trail,
However, for the rest of us,
Staying water-tight is a must.
Although I also ought to mention 
The problem of urinary retention.
These problems each can be resultant
From surgery, so please see your Consultant.



© RamblingRose@PeachPonderings. All rights reserved.

Gordon the Geriatric Snail.

Gordon was a very old snail,
Wherever he went he left a trail.
This can happen to any of us as we age.
A cough or sneeze is all it takes
If you can't apply your bladder's brakes,
So do your pelvic exercises
To avoid unpleasant, wet surprises!



© RamblingRose@PeachPonderings. All rights reserved.

Happy Birthday To Womb Cancer Support UK!

Today is the second birthday of Womb Cancer Support UK, so happy birthday WCSUK! 

If you need support for womb cancer you can find Kaz and Deb via either their website or their Facebook page:

Womb Cancer Support UK | Wix.com

wombcancersupportuk.wix.com

Help and support for anyone affected by womb cancer.

Womb Cancer Support UK

Support page for women with womb cancer. Whether you are newly diagnosed, going through treatment, a survivor or know someone who has been affected by this cancer, then please join us and share your experiences. Created on 11th April 2011 by Kaz Molloy, and run jointly with Debra Parry. We are base...

Page: 646 like this.

Love Rose x


© All rights reserved.

Determined to Cure.

One to follow:

Determined to Cure

www.determinedtocure.com

Love Rose x

© All rights reserved.

Positive Thoughts.

I promised to think of some positive thoughts,
To work on remembering my life's not worth nought,
So I look at the blue sky, bright with the sun,
And my positive thinking journey's begun.
I remember my grandmother teaching me sewing,
And baking and crochet, my list keeps on growing,
She taught me to read and to write so young,
I thought she'd be with me forever.
I think of my grandfather teaching me Welsh,
I remember 'diolch' and not much else,
But my love of languages continued to grow
With French and German,
And Classical Greek I'll have you know.
I loved literature and history,
Back then maths was more a mystery
Than it currently is in my life.
I loved all mythology,
Greek and Roman absorbed me,
I also loved biology, though dissection appalled me.
No drinking or smoking, though I partied and danced,
Not so much now though, I've avoided the chance.
At some point cross-stitch came into my life,
Of course not so much now with my eyesight,
But the skills I acquired so long ago
Still serve me well with buttons,
And hems, don't you know,
And my daughter is keen to try them.
With that I turn to the love of my life,
My gift from the gods since that 1989 night
When I first knew that I was in labour.
I think she's the one person who transformed my life,
As she opened my eyes to life's wondrous sights,
And taught me to love unconditionally.
So I thank her for her love and count all my blessings,
And when times are tough, instead of stressing,
I'll think of this day with its positive thoughts
And know that my life is worth much more than nought.

© RamblingRose@PeachPonderings. All rights reserved.

Sympathy Project.

The Sympathy Project is a new website aiming to help open up and modernise communication around illness and death. The site is in the developmental stages and is looking to include artwork and writing from a wide range of people. You can find more information on this interesting project on the Sympathy Project website:

Modern Sympathy Cards - Sympathy Project

www.sympathyproject.com

And welcome to the Sympathy Project 1.0 – the first step in the development of an online service tailored specifically for the communication around illness and death. Through a modern collection of personalized cards, announcements and invitations – sent directly to family and friends by email or po...

Love Rose x



© All rights reserved.

I'm Still Here!

Apologies that I seem to rarely be around at the moment. I'm keeping well and busy and am currently proofreading the first of two books about fishing - a subject I know very little about but I'm learning as I go along. My most recent set of blood tests were 'really very good', to quote my GP, so all in all I'm a happy bunny.

Love Rose x


© All rights reserved.

An Ordinary Woman.

When cancer struck I was inspired to be stoic,
I parried any claims that I'm heroic,
I'm an ordinary woman who happened to fall ill,
And tried my utmost to thwart cancer's will.


© RamblingRose@PeachPonderings. All rights reserved.

Clinical Study Still Looking For Womb Cancer Volunteers.

The following clinical study has been extended again and will now run to the end of July instead of to the end of this month:

'We are interested in how the possible effects of pelvic surgery and / or radiotherapy on women’s sexual lives are assessed by the clinical staff providing your care. Whilst this is a private and sensitive topic it is important to ensure that adequate information and support about this aspect of women’s lives is provided both during and following cancer treatment. 

Women and healthcare professionals who took part in stage 1 of this study have designed a questionnaire about women’s sexual recovery. Stage 2 of the study runs until 31st July 2013 and we would like at least 200 women to complete this new questionnaire so that we can test its suitability for use in oncology follow-up clinics.

If you have completed surgery and / or radiotherapy for womb (endometrial, uterus) cancer between three months and 5 years previously, and are aged over 18 years, we would like to talk to you about the study in person or on the telephone. 

• You will be sent study information and the new questionnaire by mail to your address

• The questionnaire should take about 20-30 minutes to complete

• We will provide a freepost envelope for you to return the questionnaire 

• All the information collected about you during the study will be kept strictly confidential

• Your cancer care will not be affected in any way

Your participation will help women and health professionals to improve the discussion and management of treatment effects on sexual recovery.

If you are interested in taking part or have any questions about the study, please get in touch with the lead researcher at King’s College by contacting:

 Isabel White on 020 7848 3038 or via email: isabella.white@kcl.ac.uk

Chief Investigator: Dr. Isabel White.'

If you've had surgery and/or radiotherapy for womb cancer and would like to take part in this study, please contact Dr White direct. Many thanks on behalf of Dr White and her research team, especially to those women who have already taken part in this second phase of the study. Phase 3 is due to begin in May. 

Love Rose x

© All rights reserved.

Social Research Project.

Womb Cancer Support UK (WCSUK) has recently been asked to take part in a study about womb cancer. If you are a woman who currently has/who has been through womb cancer, there is a short survey to complete, followed by the purely voluntary option to participate in a one-to-one interview with Jane Dennehy PhD, the researcher running the survey. The second part of the research is either via email or by 'phone according to your personal preference.

The first survey is quick and you can choose to remain anonymous; you do not have to give any personal details unless you would like to be contacted further.

If you are in the UK the survey can be found here:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2ZLQ2RM 

Family and friends of women with/who have been through womb cancer are also welcome to take part in this study.

The WCSUK blog about the study can be found here:

http://wombcanceruk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/your-help-required-please.html

Many thanks to all those willing to take part.

Love Rose x


© All rights reserved.

Never Say Never.

I was told I'd be radiated,
Once I'd been butchered like a pig.
I was told they wanted me going through chemo,
It meant I'd likely end up in a wig.
When the op day came I felt nervous,
I knew the surgery would take my youth.
The doctors tried to reassure me,
I was told they'd do the best they could.
It was my second general anaesthetic
In the space of six short weeks,
I felt I had only just recovered
Simply to be put straight back to sleep.
I worried that perhaps I wouldn't wake up,
Until I realised I wouldn't care.
Realistically, if I didn't wake up,
It wouldn't matter to me; I'd not be there.
My mother was totally devastated,
Emotionally she found it so hard to cope,
But I found that staying positive and smiling
Helped me give my daughter hope.
I was told the op was successful,
I was told all the cancer was out,
But the surgeon adding, "Never say never,"
Sowed a lingering seed of doubt.


© RamblingRose@PeachPonderings. All rights reserved.

Those Were The Days.

Once upon a time I had good hearing,
Good brain power and good eyesight too,
I'd while away the night hours mostly reading
And studying, it's what I liked to do.

Before I knew it I was turning fifty,
Womb cancer reared its ugly head,
Now instead of mostly reading,
I've become a right daft old bat instead!

Those were the days my friends,
I thought they wouldn't end,
I stayed so young, but only in my head,
So now I squint and ask,
"Pardon me?" because
I'm going deaf and have two brain cells left!! 


© RamblingRose@PeachPonderings. All rights reserved.

The Woman I Am Today.

When I reflect on having had cancer
I think it's fair to say,
Without everything I went through then
I wouldn't be the woman I am today.
Yes, it's been a struggle since
To keep my outlook bright.
Yes, there have been so many times
I've barely slept at night.
I know it's changed my state of mind
Both for better and for worse.
I've found having had cancer to be
Both a blessing and a curse.
It's left me with poor memory,
Poor recall, poor retrieval,
I often lose my train of thought,
All sense of time, all focus.
I'm told it's akin to PTSD -
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder -
At times it's hard to concentrate
Or I think on what I oughtn't,
But I've learnt to just get on with it,
To laugh, not make a fuss.
People ask me would I change my life
But I wouldn't, of course, because
I've made so many new friends
And have new purpose in my life,
I feel the final outcomes
Justify the strife.


© RamblingRose@PeachPonderings. All rights reserved.

Happy St David's Day!

Happy St David's Day to all the Welsh readers of this blog!

Love Rose x


© All rights reserved.

Uterine Cancer Awareness.

If you're going through womb/uterine/endometrial cancer over in the US then please take a look at - and follow - the Uterine Cancer Awareness blog. Run by Alicia, herself a womb cancer survivor, Uterine Cancer Awareness is the One Team One Goal Advocacy Champion for North America. All credit to one remarkable woman!

Uterine Cancer Awareness

www.uterinecancerawareness.org

Love Rose x


© All rights reserved.

Womb Cancer Support UK.

I was diagnosed with womb cancer back in 2010; I don't really remember much about it except that I was expecting to be told I had cancer because of how ill I was back then. When the diagnosis came I took the news quite calmly but was puzzled because I'd never heard of womb cancer!

In the UK there had never been a womb cancer awareness campaign and little had been done to make womb cancer known, so it's not really a surprise that I wasn't aware that womb cancer existed. The emphasis seemed to always be on breast cancer and cervical cancer, with the smear (pap) test being the bench mark for detecting the only gynaecological cancer that seemed to ever really get an airing - cervical cancer. Although ovarian cancer has had a bit of a push more recently.

Generally all gynaecological cancers are lumped together every September and there tends to be no distinction made about each individual one at that time - that's how it appears to me and, seemingly, to a fair number of other women too. At least that was the case before Womb Cancer Support UK (WCSUK) came about in April 2011! 

In September 2011, WCSUK held the first Womb Cancer Awareness Month, with a further Womb Cancer Awareness Month in September 2012. This is something that will be ongoing each September, to bring womb cancer to the attention of as many women as possible. WCSUK also provides year round support for women going through womb cancer, be it investigations, treatment or the aftermath of having had womb cancer, so if you are one of the women affected by womb cancer please get in touch with WCSUK via their website, Facebook page or Twitter page:

Womb Cancer Support UK | Wix.com

wombcancersupportuk.wix.com

Help and support for anyone affected by womb cancer.

Womb Cancer Support UK

Support page for women with womb cancer. Whether you are newly diagnosed, going through treatment, a survivor or know someone who has been affected by this cancer, then please join us and share your experiences. Created on 11th April 2011 by Kaz Molloy, and run jointly with Debra Parry. We are base...

Page: 604 like this.

WombCancerSupportUK (WombCancerUK) on Twitter

twitter.com

The latest from WombCancerSupportUK (@WombCancerUK). Online support group for women with womb cancer. Advice and info on our Facebook page and chat group. UK

Have a good day all.

Love Rose x


© All rights reserved.

Negative Junk.

While talking to a colleague at work on Tuesday,
He told me he'd been feeling bored and grumpy every day.
Today he said he thinks he's finally coming out of his funk,
So I know I'm not the only one with a head full of negative junk.

This morning I received a surprise text from a friend,
Wishing me happy Valentine's Day, with lots of kisses at the end. 
I wished him happy birthday when I texted my reply,
Because he isn't dating me, but another friend of mine.

I'd had a lunch arrangement with yet another friend today,
Who'd invited me to get out of work, but then he couldn't get away.
Yet I try not to get despondent at minor let-downs in my life,
Because after having cancer I know much worse things could give me strife!


© Rambling Rose@PeachPonderings. All rights reserved.

One Billion Rising.

Today is Valentine's Day and, in case you didn't know, is also the day when one billion are rising against violence to women.

Check out an event near you!

Love Rose x


© All rights reserved.

It Snowed.

The weather outside got frightful,
Definitely not delightful!
I really didn't want to go
Because it snowed.

The pavements were totally slushy,
All slippery and mushy,
And I had to walk real slow
Because it snowed.

When work finally came in sight,
I'd managed to stay upright!
I hoped it wouldn't freeze that night
Because it snowed.

So then the Pope decided to retire
Because he's feeling old and tired,
(I understand how he feels!)
And it snowed.

The next day the pavements cleared,
Though the cold was still a pain in the rear,
And the news was all North Korea,
Here we go...

More nuclear destruction,
Angering, causing ructions,
Will mankind ever learn?
I preferred the snow!


© Rambling Rose@PeachPonderings. All rights reserved.

Cautiously Optimistic.

Is it more than I dare hope for
That he still cares for me,
The way he always used to care
Before the cancer surgery?
I believe in staying positive,
Though that can be hard to do,
The plus point is that, currently,
We're trying as a two.
It feels good to pull together,
To chat, to joke, to laugh,
As it's true that since the cancer
We'd both walked our separate path.
His comments now set me smiling,
The way they used to do,
Plus he wants to spend more time with me
To sit and talk things through.
I see it as a good thing 
That we're together more each day,
And I feel that we're both trying
To meet each other at least half way.
I say it's more like old times,
He says and times to come,
So I am cautiously optimistic
That he maybe feels he's home.


© Rambling Rose@PeachPonderings. All rights reserved.

I'm Beginning To See.

He said it was him, not me,
And I'm beginning to see 
How that might possibly be true.
I thought it was 'my' cancer
Supplying the answer,
That was making us both feel blue.
There was never any doubt 
That I loved him,
And I see in his face 
That his feelings may - gradually -
Be returning.
Yet I cannot dare to hope,
For it would shatter more than dreams
If all were not as it seems.
We had both retreated,
Closed down,
Each hiding behind our own wall,
So it may take brick by brick, slowly,
Before those walls fully fall.
The years of closing off,
Of hiding away,
In order to fight illness every day,
Changed priorities to help us cope,
But the denial of love
And the lack of affection
Have been making us both feel choked.
The sun is shining brightly today,
And the daffodils are out
But the cold remains.
Who knows what will emerge
From all the turbulence and pain.
Will we both come through stronger?
Will the spark of love re-ignite?
Communication channels have opened,
Our summer may yet be in sight.


© Rambling Rose@PeachPonderings. All rights reserved.

My Little Eye.

The designer of the Peachy Too and Bananas About Llamas t-shirts has submitted an original design called My Little Eye to talenthouse.com for Nicole Kidman's new movie, Stoker. Please will you take a look at Annette's work and vote for her - which you can do through both Facebook and Twitter - and maybe even join her page as a supporter? The link to the voting page is here:

My Little Eye by Annette Parry

www.talenthouse.com

By Annette Parry. I took inspiration from the official film trailer, depicting India and her family dynamic. The left hand is her mother, Evelyn, and the right hand is her Uncle Charlie. The spider emerging from her eye suggests the corruption of innocence.

Voting ends February 11th.

Love Rose x

© All rights reserved.

Yesterdays.

I can feel my heart beat quickly, my circulation pounding,
Everything seems so far away, distant voices sounding.
It used to be his love for me that made my heart beat fluttery,
But now it's surgical menopause,
And I miss those yesterdays.


© Rambling Rose@PeachPonderings. All rights reserved.

Bananas About Llamas!

This picture makes me smile so I thought I'd share it with you!

© Copyright Annette Parry

It's by the same designer of 'Peachy Too' featured on my blog back in November 2012:

http://www.redbubble.com/people/aparry

Love Rose x


© All rights reserved.

Trial and Improvement.

"Miss, do you have a valentine?"

"Miss, are you married?"
"What's that got to do with you?"
Now I'm feeling harried!
Trial and improvement could describe my life,
What's it matter to these kids whether I'm a wife?
Am I too defensive? Am I being crabby?
Will their parents phone me up,
Complaining that I'm shabby?
I used to hate Mathematics
When I was at school,
But since I've been an adult
Numbers rule.
The kids don't see things my way,
They're inquisitive, alive, 
They see me as a person,
I should relish that and thrive.
Instead I field their questions
To keep their probing out,
Because cancer killed his love for me
And drove all passion out.
I don't speak as a victim, 
I've never thought that way,
I speak as a survivor
Who's lived to fight another day.
He used to say, "You're worth it,"
He used to love me true,
So please don't ask me questions
That cut me through and through.


© Rambling Rose@PeachPonderings. All rights reserved.

If Only Life Were Simple.

Feeling dizzy, feeling giddy,
Feeling like some poor old biddy!
It's some virus, sent to try us, 
Feeling fed up, feeling het up.
Chill! Relax! Sit down here,
Don't do anything stupid dear.
Is this my life, total strife,
Something always giving me grief?
Way too negative, must be positive,
Exasperated just because it is
One step forward, two steps back.
How much longer can I hack this?
Stand your ground girl,
Turn it around girl,
You can do this!
No, don't take the p*ss.
Feeling cold now, 
Looking old now,
Feeling freezing, 
Asthma wheezing.
Jacket on, scarf on, 
Where's the warmth gone?
Tired and lonely,
Oh, if only
Life were simple.


© Rambling Rose@PeachPonderings. All rights reserved.

The Voice In My Head.

The voice in my head said, "Cut the skin!"
I imagined the scissor blade press in.
If I cut the skin, will it take this out?
Will it take away the fear, the doubt?
Should I drink instead? Would that clear my head?
Of all the sadness? All the madness?
I had cancer. Nothing to see.
What's left now is a shell of me.
Cancer's hard, it takes your soul.
It sucks you dry, it leaves you old.
It numbs your heart and leaves you cold.
Cancer stalks, it lures you in.
The voice in my head said, "Cut the skin!"


© Rambling Rose@PeachPonderings. All rights reserved.

Cancer and Depression.

 'At the lowest point recently I felt that I've lost everything.'

Cancer is an emotional rollercoaster and those emotions are not always a positive, grateful or even euphoric sense of relief at getting through it. Or, if they are, the high can be followed by a low. It is probably more common than people realise that cancer and depression go hand-in-hand, both for the patient or those close to them. 

According to Macmillan, symptoms of depression can include:

• waking up early, having difficulty sleeping, or sleeping more than usual

• smoking or drinking alcohol more than usual

• crying a lot

• having difficulty remembering things

• having a very low mood for most of the time

• being unusually irritable or impatient

• getting no pleasure out of life or activities you usually enjoy

• feeling a loss of affection or sexual desire

• finding it hard to concentrate or make decisions.

If you think you might be suffering from depression, the advice from Macmillan is to speak to your doctor or nurse as a starting point to get appropriate help.

Depression - Cancer Information - Macmillan Cancer Support

www.macmillan.org.uk

Find out about depression, an emotional effect of cancer

Love Rose x

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