Preparations continue for the big day

Monday, 6th February 2006

Unfortunately this is not a wedding diary however I would much prefer to be deliberating on colour schemes, reception venues, invitation designs and of course choosing a dress. Those were the days. Instead I have been using the extra time to try to get the better of our laundry baskets and buy sufficient stores of quick foods that can be put together easily when I may not have enough energy to peel a potato. It may not come to that but I have to prepare myself and the rest of the family. Benjamin keeps asking me about my strong medicine and checking that it will start tomorrow. This awareness will help him come to terms with this next round of treatment.

Domestic chores have by no means overtaken everything and I have had time to explore my growing interest in the links between good diet and good health. I have been reading quite a lot and there seems to be a body of evidence to suggest that some supplements could help. I have opted for Milk Thistle and Astragalus. The first protects the liver and the second has been known to boost the immune system. As both my liver and immune system are going to come under a lot of pressure I decide there would be some merit in starting with these and I have been taking them for the last 10 days. I contacted my oncologist to ask whether I could take these two herbal preparations while having chemo and a message came back to confirm the above two supplements are fine to take in my own circumstances. Another book has been brought to my attention by someone who is also going through what I am experiencing and I am fortunate to have a loaned copy of “Your life in your hands” by Professor Jane Plant. It turns out to be another compulsive read and I am very grateful to my friend. My sister also has the book and like me is putting much of the advice which also features in Susannah Olivier's book into practice. Cutting down/out dairy produce seems to be really good for people's health also juicing vegetables is a fast way to deliver a healthy helping of goodness into your body. I have so far made carrot juice and fennel and Bramley apple juice both have been surprisingly tasty and not the rather sour experience I was anticipating.

I also find another article on the people of Okinawa and the lifestyle that makes many of them last till they are 100 years old. The islanders of Okinawa seem to have slowed down the aging process somehow. I become more intrigued and discover a whole industry of people trying to capture the good habits of the Okinawans. http://www.okinawa-diet.com/

I have also been thinking abouts wigs again. Should I buy one or settle for a head scarfe? Another lovely friend of mine who is also called Jackie agrees to accompany me into town to try on some wigs. It helped having someone else there to provide an objective view. We head for a department store and I try on wigs with different styles. I can't decide which to go for so any views/comments gratefully received. See pictures below. And, just for the record, I know I can't get away with blonde but who can blame me for wanting to have a go?

Style One

Style Two

Style Three (similar to No. 1)

Style Three (rear elevation)

Style Four (blonde)