Welcome to the carnival

Operation (latest)

So yesterday I had my post-op follow-up with the consultant.
The results of the tests on the lump that they removed confirmed it WAS a rodent ulcer (Basal Cell Carcinoma) and that they managed to completely excise it.
So, in the words of the consultant, “We would say that you are now cured”.

While he said that I might never see another one, as they don’t spread, that doesn’t mean that I couldn’t get another, so just to take care in the sun, plenty of high factor lotion, and at least now, I know what to look for, and can get checked out sooner if anything odd appears.
He also said that the damage that caused it might not have been recent, it could have been due to sun damage when I was a lot younger, and it’s just taken years to manifest.

The scar has healed nicely, so I’ve got a war wound to spin tall tales about now. (see below)

Life of late

Not posted in a while.  A thing has been happening.

I had a blemish on my chest, and went to the GP, who said he didn’t know what it was.  He got a colleague in who didn’t either, and asked if I’d burned myself.
Now, I think I might remember burning my chest, so that would be no.

I was sent off with a steroid cream, and an appointment to go back 2 weeks later.  If it didn’t clear they would refer me to dermatology.

2 weeks later and no change, so an appointment was made for me at a hospital to see a dermatologist, who took one look and said “It’s a basal cell carcinoma” then expalined why I shouldn’t freak out, and that it was a case of removing it.  He booked me in for a biopsy to confirm, and off I trotted with an information sheet about what it was and how it was treated.

Fast forward a couple of weeks and I was back for the biopsy.  I’m a wuss with needles so wasn’t looking forward to it, but it was quick, painless and easy, and I got the first stitches I’ve ever had.
A week later the stitches were removed at the GP surgery.  Again, painless and easy.

I got a letter in a for an appointment with a consultant at another hospital, and 2 weeks ago, I went along to see him.  He had a look, said it was small and would be easy to remove.  Talked me through what would happen and made me feel at ease.

I have an appointment for my surgery (out patient, done under a local anaesthetic) at the end of the month.  I plan to take before, stitches in, and stitches out, photos.  I’ll have my first surgery scar (go me!)

The point of this post is, if you see a skin blemish, get it checked out.  It could be nothing, it could be something.  The reality of it being something is nowhere near as bad as you build it up in your head, and if it’s nothing, you’ve been stressing yourself needlessly.

Progress

Earlier this week, Karen asked me to look through my t-shirts to see if a black jumper she couldn’t find, had got mixed in with my stuff after being washed.
Didn’t find her jumper, but did manage to have a micro clear out, and there are now about half a dozen t-shirts in the charity bag, along with the boardgame Lords of Xidit, which everyone in my gaming group apart from me, thought looked too complicated.
(we play Pandemic FFS!  How complicated can Xidit be?)

At yoga recently, we’ve been working on prep for headstands, and trying to actually do them.  Last night I finally pulled off one unaided.
To me that’s as big an accomplishment as when I finally managed Urdhva Dhanurasana
(full wheel pose).  It’s slow progress, but the fact I can do things at 53 that I couldn’t when I was younger amazes me.  I love yoga 🙂

Mini clear out.

Yesterday I had a mini-clear out and put some things in the bin.  I caught myself being tempted to go out and retrieve them, so, to make sure I couldn’t, I cleaned out the cat’s litter tray on top of them.  Not tempted now.

Life of late

So I’ve not posted much lately.  Since the last post, there hasn’t been anything in the way of snow, and I suspect that winter has pretty much passed us by. (not good if you love sledging).

I’ve been attending 3 yoga classes a week, and doing the odd practice on my own at home as well, and I’m still loving it.  In fact, last night’s class was awesome.  I really enjoyed it, and had a great post practice buzz.  So much so that I didn’t stop off for a pint on my way home as I didn’t want to spoil it.

I’m eating less meat, and more veggie equivalents.  I love a roll and sausage on a Saturday morning, and Linda McCartney sausages are a great alternative to meat.  I also found Malcolm Allen veggie lorne sausage, which taste wise is no different from the real thing, but the texture isn’t quite right.  Other than that there’s no difference, it’s excellent.

Snowing

First snow of the year.  Hope it’s not the last.

 

Double the benefits

I’m just back from a lunchtime yoga class.
Lately (last few weeks) I’ve started being a lot more aware of how I feel mentally, after doing yoga, as well as physically.
I feel a lot calmer, more relaxed, and very chilled.

It’s got to the stage that – in the case of a post work evening class – I no longer grab a quick drink while I’m waiting for the train home, as the alcohol would kill this really pleasant feeling that I’m experiencing.  So, I take a slower, more meandering route to get to the station instead, and enjoy the sensation of calm that is washing over me.

So, double the benefits.  The physical – that I’ve always been aware of – and now the mental, which I’m experiencing more vividly than before.

Back again

Not been about in a while.  My bad.

I did the 108 Sun Salutations, and raised £106 for the charity.   It was a challenge, but I actually enjoyed it.  There was an energy in the room that just swept you along.
Really nice nibbles and a choice of a bucks fizz or non-alcoholic alternative.
I really enjoyed the whole thing, and definitely want to take part again next year.

The travel plans for this year is a bucket list trip for me, Cambodia.  We’re heading out via Singapore, as my Karen has always wanted to go there as it’s apparently a foddie’s wet dream, and she loves trying new foods.
After Singapore, it’s a few days at Siem Reap for the temples, then on to Sihanoukville to relax, before heading home via Bangkok and Dubai.
Really looking forward to this.

In contrast to the previous post….

Last night at yoga, I just felt that I wasn’t getting it. I honestly felt that I did better the very first day I walked into the class 3 years ago.
My balance was off, I was getting cramp in my toes in child’s pose, did I mention my balance?
Don’t get me wrong, not everything felt like a step backwards, and I did pretty good afterwrds, but it’s proof that we can only do what we can do on any given day, but it’s not easy to accept. Acceptance is the key I think. If you don’t accept that’s how it was and move on, then it will play on your mind and create a downward spiral where you psyche yourself out.

Onwards and upwards.