THINK PINK - CHOICES

This blog was designed to feature things which bring joy and beauty to my life;

It has taken me a while to figure out how to talk about something which is going on, and which is at first glance, anything but a source of joy, fun and happiness.

About eight weeks ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer in the left breast.

My first response was denial (not uncommon, cancer always happens to other people).

I met up with two lovely ladies from the Kim Walters Choices program,

who gave me information, reading material, a special cushion, and a fabric bag to hold drains.  Drains??  What is that all about??

My first choice was to have a wide excision day surgery, followed by radiation.

The wide excision had cancer in the margins.

I was spoilt by so many nice people, who sent prayers, flowers, cards, emails, and rang to check on me. 

 I did find joy and happy times in all this.

I returned 12 days later for further surgery, a wider excision and removal of a lymph node.  This time I was 24 hours in hospital.

While I recovered I made up this Liberty fabric, purchased in London 3 years ago.

At last the time seemed right for a pink floral loose shirt.

Today I saw my surgeon again, and to his surprise there was far more cancer in the second excision than he or his colleagues had anticipated.

It is DCIS, but very widespread.

Once again, I had to face Choices:

Go with radiation, but chances are much higher that it will escalate further in the next year.

Or have the entire breast removed.

That is what I chose.

My mastectomy will be this Friday afternoon.

The silver lining is that there is quite a good chance that I will not need to have radiation therapy, which I had dreaded, nor take strong and debilitating drugs.

Fingers crossed.

My diet is now focussed on careful avoidance of the carcinogenic,

and the consumption of appropriate amounts of high antioxident foods,

like these tasty products ....

Now, back to the fun things.

Her Majesty, looking gorgeous in pale pink last week.

I hope she is enjoying her Jubilee.

And I hope you have a good week too.

PANCAKE TUESDAY

Pancake Tuesday today, so I got into the spirit with these

Blueberry babies - for Mr Cardinal's dessert after dinner, naturally.

It seemed only sensible to make banana pancakes, too!

And because Coles finally have figs at a sensible price:

The Fig version!

It is possible that this one was about to be consumed immediately after the photo was taken, however rumours that I was seen trying one of each fruity flavour this afternoon, are Greatly Exaggerated!  As if ....

Pancake day means Easter is on its way:

I found these Easter Bunny finger puppets for the two grandsons,

Little Aussie and Petite Garcon (I don't think they look at the blog, being 2-year-olds, although you never know the extent of the computer literacy of today's toddlers).

The little yellow china guy is for us - just because it's sweet.

Bed, Bath and Table is the place to go,

for lots of Easter whimsies at Very Low Prices.

The yellow rose is back in business - last night's storm brought out lots of blooms this morning!

The loose crinkle linen jacket is finished -

droops a bit on the model, but looks quite good over a cami with jeans or black pants.  I re-shaped the front pieces to remove a lot of fullness and am quite pleased with the result.

Did you have pancakes today?