Butterfly Wings

I was supposed to get so much done while DH was on days off. I had so many plans.

I was going to ride my bike, and try to go further distances while there was somebody at home to be with the kids. We went away for a few days, then had a (scheduled) day at the hospital. Then both kids and I got sick. So that wiped out the rest of the week. Today I’m feeling a bit better. The boys are back to normal.

I was going to clear the laundry that piled up over the days of rain. I did some of it just before we went away. DH did a lot of it while the rest of us were sick.

I was going to do some major decluttering and cleaning of the house. I’m not even sure what happened to that plan…

I was supposed to help (until I got sick) with the music at a relative’s funeral today. He was buried on my uncle’s fourth anniversary. It’s also the birthday of the daughter (and former friend) of FLOG. I haven’t told DS, as it seems that he has finally moved on. A day of so many endings. Of course, I believe that death is only an ending for this life, and that there is a new beginning beyond that. And I’m beginning to believe that there are also new beginnings beyond failed friendships. But April 17 is starting to be one of “those” dates.

So apparently I have precisely two days left to redeem myself. DH goes back to work on Monday, unless he’s too sick. I wonder if it’s too much to ask for a fine day tomorrow. How far do you think I could ride after a week off the bike?

So I went for a bike ride this morning. By myself. Rode as fast as I wanted to. Came home feeling fantastic! I had even temporarily forgotten about my neck/shoulder/back pain. I wanted to go out again.

I commented to my DH “Gotta love endorphins!” Apparently, I rattled this off rather quickly and with less clarity than was required.

He replied “Got eleven dolphins???”

I talked to him a couple of minutes ago about something, and commented that I was sore again. He commented that the dolphins must have gone away.

Maybe I should go back out and look for them!

OK, you know the tune. I’m in a bit of a silly mood. But anyway, word of warning - this is about the thing on my forehead. Actual details here. The “song” makes more sense that way.

He said “We’ll have to treat it, looks like a BCC.
It’s too inflamed right now, but it looks like one to me.
I’ll test it in two weeks. See you then”

And now I’m making a paste out of bicarb,
Smearing the paste on the bump,
Killing it softly with bicarb,
Killing it softly with bicarb,
Watching it oozing and shrinking,
Killing it softly with bicarb…

He said “You can’t freeze these ones, what doctor did you see?”
Rolling his eyes and thinking “typical GP!”
“The most effective treatment is just to cut it out”

But I’m making a paste out of bicarb,
Smearing the paste on the bump,
Killing it softly with bicarb,
Killing it softly with bicarb,
Watching it oozing and shrinking,
Killing it softly with bicarb…

“There’s this expensive treatment, a cream to kill the beast.
It works quite well, for four in five cases at least.
But if it fails in your case we’re back to surgery”

So I’m making a paste out of bicarb,
Smearing the paste on the bump,
Killing it softly with bicarb,
Killing it softly with bicarb,
Watching it oozing and shrinking,
Killing it softly with bicarb…

The bicarb (sodium bicarbonate) idea came to me after writing the other post. While we were researching alternative ideas for treating DS, a lot was mentioned about alkaline terrain being inhospitable to cancer. I know I’m generally on the acidic side (and I’m sure there’s a clever remark in that, but I’m too tired), and figured that between alkalinising my diet more (giving up coffee helps too) and using bicarb topically, it was at least worth a try before going back to the doctor. After developing the theory and the plan, I actually found online references to a doctor who uses bicarb (often high doses intravenously) to treat cancer (including skin cancers). He’s also criticised by many for his methods, as is usually the way with alternative practitioners, but it was enough backup for me to try my way - which seems to me to be pretty harmless whether or not it works.

So anyway, I’ll spare you the really gross photos, but if you want to see some progress shots, they’re on the next page.

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Well, in the U.S. it is, anyway. However, it is just as relevant here, and the awareness is just as desperately needed.

For more information, please click on the ribbon, or here.

I don’t really need to say anything about this one. Just watch (and listen to) the vid. Please

HT: ElementalMom

I had coffee today.

It was a wet day, raining pretty much constantly. During the school pickup, the kids and I were soaked. Even with umbrellas. I felt cold. Our feet squelched in our shoes. I still had to go to the shops for a couple of things, and I didn’t want to go home, dry off and go out all over again. So we went to the shops wet. I bought sushi for the boys, and then I decided to have my first coffee in 27 days (give or take half an hour).

I expected something significant. Maybe a sudden caffeine hit, having acclimatised to being virtually caffeine-free (OK, so I’ve had some chocolate, but even if there is caffeine in that - which is still up for debate - it’s hardly significant). Maybe a noticeable increase in heart rate. Maybe a feeling of guilty pleasure from indulging in something from which I’d been abstaining. Instead, at best, it was OK. It was nice and warming, yes. It tasted OK, but nothing to get excited about. If anything, my heart rate has been lower all afternoon. And now I have the guilt without the pleasure. I haven’t even confessed to DH yet. And, surprisingly, the boys haven’t told on me, either.

Apparently, I don’t really need my coffee fix. In fact, the green smoothie I just had was far more satisfying than that moment of weakness, even on a dreary, wet, cool day.

[Edit: DH walked in while I was typing this, so he knows now ]