Frump to Fab 2023

sugarbaby125

Hello 2 Scratters, you made the right choice. We all have to try to fill our wardrobes and drawers with only items that make us look and feel fab. Every step we all take leads to us looking fabulous every day. 

liberty_lily

Thank you Wednesday and Floss 😊

I doubt the move will happen for a while as there's still lots to finish here, but it feels good just to know we've reached a decision! I really should keep away from Rightmove though as I've already found a house that would be absolutely perfect (we have very niche tastes, lol, so they don't come up that often 🙄)

In an effort to cheer ourselves up yesterday - and because it was sunny instead of the forecast rain - we took a trip to Homesense and TK Maxx (our first in ages) and I'm delighted to say we didn't buy a single thing for the home or ourselves because nothing actually appealed. It was just nice to have a wonder round. Popped into M&S afterwards and came away with three bunches of cheery daffodils for the kitchen (total spend £3) 😁

Toni'sfriend

Hello. Can I join you again? I'm in need of a little bit of help, support and encouragement.

In January I was diagnosed with breast cancer (early stage). Since then I have been poked, prodded, scanned, injected, had bits of me taken for sampling (all in the nicest possible way, of course) and two weeks ago I had surgery. Further treatment to follow and I have to admit to feeling sore and exhausted, sometimes just a little bit "down" and occasionally quite a lot scared.

So, need to pull myself together. I know I need to lose two and a half stone to get to the upper limit of a healthy weight for my height. From today I am seriously beginning a regime of healthy eating. No excuses or cheating. If I can lose a pound a week I'll be happy. I can't manage exercise just now so I want to concentrate at the moment in getting my skin, nails and hair into good condition. I really need to have my hair cut and coloured but I'm putting that off for a bit until I see what follow up treatment I need.

Tomorrow I shall start by sorting out all my lotions and potions, getting out of my PJs and dressing gown and wearing perfume every day.

Thank you for listening. Encouragement ad advice would be greatly appreciated.

helensbiggestfan

Hello Toni.  

Welcome to the thread,   I am so sorry to hear about your breast cancer diagnosis.  Of course you feel down sometimes. Don't feel bad about that, that's a perfectly normal reaction,  You sound like a very brave lady. 

I have been very lucky and haven't had to deal with cancer myself so don't have any experience or information,  so my advice is somewhat generic,  

The best advice I can give is try not to worry too much about your weight right now. Instead just do your best to eat well, get plenty of rest and concentrate on getting well.  

.I think your idea of TLC is spot on.......good skin care routines,  make up, dressing nicely etc will help give you a boost. 

Is there a local support group you can join for real life friendship and encouragement.  Perhaps the MacMillan team can point you in the right direction for support services etc.  

Spring will be here soon, so when you feel ready some gentle walking in the sunshine would be good exercise and would help lift your spirits.  But again, don't overdo things, just take it slowly and gently.  

Sending you lots of 💐❤️   

sheilavw

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis Toni's friend. Look after yourself, plenty of gentle exercise, and get well soon x

sugarbaby125

Toni's Friend,

I am so sorry to hear of your breast cancer diagnosis. It is good that it is in the early stages. as that really increases your chance of having the best outcome. 

You have every right to feel scared. This must be so overwhelming for you to try to navigate your way through your treatment. 

I lost my oldest sister to cancer, and 2 of my older brothers have cancer and both are in remission. One of my brothers was originally told his cancer was terminal, but more than 10 years later he is still here and despite his cancer and other health issues, he lives a productive life and always tries to be the life and soul of any gathering. 

You can get really professional support from Breast Cancer UK, Breast Cancer Now and Coppa Feel. 

We will all support you in any way that we can, even if it is just with words of support. Take each day as it comes, there will be so many tough days ahead of you, but there will also be days when you will feel the joy of being alive as you continue your battle with breast cancer. 

Be good to yourself. Pamper yourself. You are so worth it. Take care 

Abbafan1972

Hi @Toni'sfriend

sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I can’t really suggest anything other than what already been said, but be kind to yourself and try not to worry. 

xx

liberty_lily

Hi and welcome Toni'sfriend 😊

So much good advice here already, so just  sending you healing hugs and positive vibes...take care of yourself xxx

Toni'sfriend

Thank you very much for all your kind thoughts and support. You are all so lovely. And your advice is exactly what I want to achieve.

As far as losing weight is concerned. I'm only 5ft1in so being at least 21/2 stone over weight is really quite serious. I want to lose it for health reasons although to look and feel better mentally would be an added bonus. Being overweight is a factor in developing other health issues and I could really do without that. To achieve this I'm going to eat normally but healthily. No snacking and I've discovered that low calorie tonic with a slice of lemon is nearly as nice without the gin. Himself has taken over the cooking and he's really rather good at it. He made me a salad at lunch time and there's a very nice chilli in the slow cooker for dinner. I'm not going to get obsessed by weighing myself. I reckon that I'll know it's working when the clothes start to feel looser.

I had a shower this morning and for the first time I tried to wash my hair by myself. Not easy with one hand whilst trying to keep dressings dry . But I managed after a fashion. Not perfect but a big step forward on the way to normality. And I've started to moisturise the skin on my arms which is really, really dry. Getting into a facial skin care regime as well, wearing some perfume too.

My nails are in a shocking state. All dried and broken. So all filed short now, hand cream applied and I am about to apply some very pale nail polish which was a Christmas present.

It may not seem like a lot but I'm happy that I've made some progress today.

I hope you all have a lovely evening. xx

sugarbaby125

Well Done Toni's Friend you have made a great start with your personal grooming