LifeTides

Where has the time gone? Well, lend me your ear and let me tell you …

I’ve been feeling well and trying to stay clear of COVID. I’ve had two COVID vaccines, and I’m due a third next month. So I’m catching up with you all.

I’ve also had three other vaccines, Step Pneumonia, DTP and Hib/Men C. The second part of these will be next month, they reworked my vaccine program, and I’m to have them much quicker.

Here’s a “learn something new thing” the plant Periwinkle produces two potent alkaloids, vinblastine and vincristine, which are used to treat various cancers, including mine. Vincristine was one of the first chemotherapy drugs I received – within the R-CHOP package. And yes, we’ve had a Periwinkle in the garden for years. It’s lilac, very hardy, as it’s been moved around a few times.  

My hair has been interesting. I did a few hair updates on Instagram, I hope you caught them. It’s now very thick and doesn’t seem to want to grow longer. The colour is dark, but I have silvery streaks that break it up. For me, that’s perfect, and I love it. You can’t see it too well in this photo.

My fitness is good, I can walk six miles comfortably, and I have found new trails in the local woods for walking and biking. I’m going to plan a charity walk shortly. I want to do a half marathon distance. And I hope to rope in a couple of friends as this will make the time pass and distract me from my tired legs. Of course, there will be coffee and cake!

It’s good timing, as September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month. Did you know Lymphoma is the most common type of blood cancer? It’s good to raise awareness of the symptoms and the help that is out there.

#LymphomaAware #BloodCancerAwarenessMonth

The E-Bike has been fantastic and such good fun. I did manage a 100k or sixty-three miles in old money cycle. And, with much climbing, I still managed to save the battery and had over 20% left. So, I worked my legs more and felt it the next day, and I still went for a walk, so it wasn’t too bad. I have come a long way since March.

I rode with my BB, and we also stopped for outside coffee and cake at Loch Leven Larder, the only stop of the day. It was dry and sunny, and there was quite a strong wind. We had fun. It was a great day in the saddle.

I’ve been busy sending off my CV, searching for the right job and bringing my bookkeeping services back online. However, I want a position which has a worthy cause and finding one that is a home-based position is quite hard. I still need to be careful as my immune system is still low.

Richard has been busy in the garden, and we have survived on our own grown veggies through the summer, tomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes, chillies, potatoes, beetroots and carrots. 

During this time, we managed to build a gazebo over the decking with the help of our fantastic friend Mr P. It’s lovely and has a Mediterranean feel to it. It’s a great space to have friends around for coffee and chat.

We held a business group breakfast meeting a couple of weeks ago coffee and bacon rolls. It was great to see the Business Link Fife guys face to face. If you are a small business or sole trader in Fife and fancy trying out a networking group, look at their website. They are a very supportive group. We were missing a few members that morning.

In attendance were Caroline Trotter Photographer, Carole Baggaley Office Support, Clare Wade Lighting Designer, Mike Anderson Building and Development, Ewen Allan Gardening Services, and Christopher Trotter Entrepreneur.

Maisie and Gracie have been enjoying the warm weather too. We’ve not walked as much with it being so hot. But it is getting cooler now, so we’ll be back in the field.

They love the gazebo as they can be outside in the rain and remain dry.

They are concerned that Fife Cat Shelter have so many wonderful cats to be rehomed. And ask if you can help with rehoming or by donating to get in touch directly with Fife Cat Shelter.

And thank you from the bottom of their hearts!

I hope you are all doing well. If you have any questions about my Cancer or want to say hi, pop on to the comment box, and I’ll get back to you.

Take care, Carole

Deal with the facts, not the what if’s

Carole@carolelifetides