Great finds!: I am so over the moon about a... - My Ovacome

My Ovacome

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Great finds!

49 Replies

I am so over the moon about a couple of things I bought /was given I wanted to share them. It struck me as another good theme too as I can't have found them all -- so go on: what were your amazing useful finds for us poor beleaguered ladies of the OC Order?

Mine are:

M&S dance pants -- like leggings, stretchy but loose at the top without a nasty elasticated waist. Simply brilliant for uncomfortable post-op tums and they actually LOOK good!

Spray mineral waters -- Evian and others are amazing for spraying away the surgical menopause hot flushes (ok it's about 85 quid a litre if you were drinking it but you aren't!)

I hate to admit it but: the Tesco fleecy onesie the other half bought me today. Zero pressure round my sore middle. Ok with the bald head I do look like a giant baby but I simply do NOT care it's way more comfy than any of my PJs

The Kegel Trainer app on iPhone (other app stores are available...)I know I've said it before but I have remembered to do them every day for weeks now!

Trying to justify my new kitten in here but I really can't -- she's just ... Because!

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49 Replies
wendydee profile image
wendydee

What a great new blog!

My list includes my Ladycare magnet .....I know, some of you have heard and read bad reports (see Ladycare magnet in search box at top of page) it keeps my hot flushes under control, also I agree about the Kegel trainer. A really good way to remember. I would add M&Co big cotton knickers (post op)- really soft and gentle on the tummy after surgery. Oh, and add a glass of Poilly Fumee every so often, just to spoil myself ;-)

Love Wendy xx

in reply to wendydee

Ooh yes I did the giant pants thing too. V good! Mind you I did not mention the size 24 pink tartan pyjamas my husband bought me (I am now a 16...) - luckily he has now stolen and started wearing them...

MargaretJ profile image
MargaretJ in reply to wendydee

Must try the magnet, can't get Kegel trainer for the Ipad and my phone is an HMC so have not looked for the app on that!. My stoma nurse recommended support pants to help reduce the risk of hernia and M&S support pants are very comfy! I'll happily add the wine though my white of choice would be Sancerre! As for red? Montepulciano!

I am enjoying this! LOL!

M

in reply to MargaretJ

Hi Margaret

Do you mean the perfectly gluggable Montepulciano d'Abruzzo or the much more refined and superior Nobile di Montepulciano?

Ah, memories of holidays in Tuscany and la vita bella!

Linda ;-)

MargaretJ profile image
MargaretJ in reply to

d'abruzzo is acceptable though York Theatre Royal has stopped stocking it but if we are going for gold it has to be the Vino Nobile! My daughter and I had a villa 10 mins drive from montipulciano in 2000 and glugged away at the Nobile every night! I AM NOT A LUSH! Honest! LOL!

in reply to MargaretJ

We believe you, honest. Although I still enjoy my wine, I find my capacity has diminished considerably. Probably not a bad thing. Xxx

MargaretJ profile image
MargaretJ in reply to

Me too! Two glasses and I'm reeling these days! LOL!

Whippit profile image
Whippit in reply to MargaretJ

We obviously need a wine blog with some of your expert recommendations. I'd particularly value advice on Italian wine .... and olive oil.

I skied north of Bergamot some time ago where Valpoliccela is a popular local grape variety. Have to say the wine was delicious even though I wouldn't generally touch the stuff sold in supermarkets in the UK. We came to the conclusion it must be like Guinness and doesn't travel well.

As for oil - I was recently given a bottle of estate-bottled Sicilian olive oil. It was fantastic! Now I'm all of a dither at the supermarket as I've noticed there is a lot of choice in high-quality oils but have no idea which ones are good and for what purpose. Perhaps you ladies with experience of Italy can advise? xxxx

in reply to Whippit

I could see a wine blog going very well! I think I could make more of a contribution to a single malt whiskey blog than one on olive oil. I'm afraid I look at the prices of the speciality ones and usually end up buying Asia Extra Virgin. Obviously the refinement of my palate only goes so far. Any Balsamic vinegar experts out there?

:-) xx

Whippit profile image
Whippit in reply to

I'm up for any of the blogs you mention. Funnily enough the reason we really noticed the flavour of the refined olive oil was in baking humble potato wedges. They were delicious with the right oil.

Definitely with you on the single malt blog. Try Welsh Penderyn. It really is very good. xxx

in reply to Whippit

I'll have to look out for it. I do have a bottle of a Welsh whisky liqueur called Danzy Jones in the house. Rather nice although I haven't touched it for ages. And, as I said, my capacity has decreased and I have a nearly full bottle of the Macallan which will probably keep me going till about 2014! I do seem to have got through a lot of brandy lately... But it all went into Christmas cakes. LOL

xxx

in reply to MargaretJ

Been meaning to check and just done it -- you CAN use the iPhone Kegel app on ipad - search for the app then flip the view top middle to iPhone apps rather than ipad apps and install as usual. I tested it, it works fine!

Best is to search for all apps mentioning Kegel there are quite a few this is way the simplest and easiest one. Look for the Olson apps and its just called Kegel Trainer, purpley screenshot.

MargaretJ profile image
MargaretJ in reply to

Many thanks! The last iphone app I downloaded did'nt work! Mine is a 1st edition ipad and less sophisticated!

in reply to MargaretJ

Bum, how annoying! Mines a 3 (pressie to self when I got ill) maybe they fixed stuff :(

Lily-Anne profile image
Lily-Anne

Excellent blog, the kegel trainer made me laugh (sorry) looked it up on my iphone but not sure I can fork out £1.49 in the current economic climate. No great finds except Galaxy and Champagne - sorry

LA xx

in reply to Lily-Anne

That's ok I think chocolate and fizz def makes the master list!

MargaretJ profile image
MargaretJ

ROFL! The vision of a giant baby amazes! Have not seen a onesie yet but sounds like something we wore at night in the war for sudden exits to the Anderson shelter. We called them siren suits! Even Churchill wore one! Mine had bunny ears! Must look out for them!

As for that spritz! Buy a bottle of Evian or other mineral water of choice and a small spray bottle from Boots. Fill the bottle with the water and spritz away! Drink the opened bottle and refill the sray from a new one when needed, this only applies if you are using the fizzy sort because it goes flat but has the advantage of rehydrating inside and out!

My oh my! We're reet thrifty in Yorkshire! Which, speaking as a Lancastrian born daughter of Ulster parents is rich! It is more probably growing up in the 50's! LOL.

Now to think about my best buys!

Still ROFL! (well actually rolling around in bed laughing - too cold to do it on the floor till the heating comes on!)!

Love M xxxxx

Must look for those dance panys too!

Must look out for tye dance pants!

in reply to MargaretJ

So sensible! I did think of that for when the pressie runs out -- but must admit am v lazy so may ... get someone to buy me another for Christmas!

Whippit profile image
Whippit

What a good blog this is. Thanks for the Kegel tip ladies. Had never heard of it before but have just downloaded it. £1.49 is a small price to pay for a strong pelvic floor. I'm actually quite annoyed my oncologist and oncology nurse haven't mentioned this ap as I've asked a couple of times about improving pelvic floor muscles.

Post-op for the bedside my husband found a kettle that dispenses 1 cup of boiling water. Just press the button and moments later a steaming cup of hot tea - so no lifting required. It's a shame we can't pass on this sort of resource.

I agree with Wendy - Pouilly Fumé every so often though I did read in the Anti-Cancer book that red wine and single-malt whisky is good - so it would have to be Pomerol (for special occasions) and Laphroigs whisky with a dash of Water.

Boux Avenue pyjamas and wrap. This shop doesn't appear to be everywhere in the UK but you can buy online and they have the prettiest PJs and undies ever.

A blanket. I found a powder blue cable knitted one. I've reverted to childhood and wrap myself up in it.

A Journal. A colleague painstakingly decorated a spiral-bound notebook, adding pictures and homilies at intervals throughout the blank pages. I used this to track how I was feeling from diagnosis until the end of my treatment. I really felt loved to have been given such a thoughtful present. It was helpful at the time and very interesting to read through two-years on.

Ikea easy chair. Lightweight, slightly reclining and pliable. This usually lives by the fire in the dining room but is light enough to be pushed into the kitchen where I was able to sit by the window and look out - or sit back and be part of things even when I wasn't well enough to actually participate.

Sketch pad and artists' pencils. My 6-week recovery was ideal for taking up an old hobby, long forgotten.

I'm looking forward to hearing other ideas on this blog.

Thanks for starting it PRChick. xxxx Annie

in reply to Whippit

Dear oh dear, ladies! Am I sensing a very slight alcoholic theme here?

I have been so careful to avoid my customary G&T and half a gallon of wine a night.... Mind you all those spare alcohol calories have been quite handy to compensate for all the cream and sweet stuff which I have been forced to eat!

I shall look for Boux Avenue online!

Whippit profile image
Whippit in reply to

The Boux Avenue White Chiffon fragrances are good too. My daughter bought me the ceramic drawer perfume hearts and they're still going nearly 2 years later. xx

MargaretJ profile image
MargaretJ

Gosh my typing leaves much to be desired! It is what comes of using the ipad sideways on in bed!

My best buys! Hmmmm!

Bio oil! Brilliant for scars, wrinkly skin, itchiness! Expensive but there is a cheaper version called Restorative oil available in Superdrug!

E45 cream, another wonderful moisturiser that I get on prescription. Rich and soothing and unscented so does not make me feel sick!

My hot water bottle in its furry cover which eases my back ache and the cramp in my legs and feet.

My V shaped pillow which I place under the small of my back and down my right leg to provide support and reduce pressure!

Oh dear Ipad needs recharging!

M

in reply to MargaretJ

Brilliant additions, Margaret!

Ooh that reminds me. My cherry stone cushion - 3 mins in the micro for when the neuropathy/parasteesia shakes make pouring boiling water into bottle a bit dodgy!

I had some near misses on that front...;)

in reply to MargaretJ

Parasthesia, even...

MargaretJ profile image
MargaretJ in reply to

Brill idea! my neuropathy resulted in a very bad scald from hot coffee in the summer. Where did you get it?

in reply to MargaretJ

I was given but pop the search cherry stone cushion or cherry stone pillow into google and you'll find you can buy lots of places -- have never seen in a shop and most of the other micowaveable hotties die after a few uses. If you like lavender (I don't, yuk, makes me think of really old ladies but each to their own!) you can also find lavender pillows to heat in same way!

MargaretJ profile image
MargaretJ in reply to

don't like anything scented! will look for cherrystone! I have a costly MW pad with "belt" to put it in but it is bulky and uncomfortable!

in reply to MargaretJ

These are great as they mould to your body. I tended to use for period pains.... Guess I don't need to worry about that any more

They do dry out -- so you just chuck em in with the washing every few weeks to extend life. Eventually they start to char but mine lasted 2-3 years before needing to be replaced

MargaretJ profile image
MargaretJ in reply to

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat! (those nostalgic ads!) will start looking asap!

Jan76 profile image
Jan76 in reply to MargaretJ

Hi there Maragret ...

Have to agree with the bio oil ..it is really good and the V shaped pillow helped my back no end when resting on the sofa ...

I took Glutamine..a protein powder during my chemo ..ran it passed the Oncol and he said it was ok to take to protect against neuropathy ..it seemed to have worked ...

On the subject of Wine ..as one could not drink too much of it ..did find a good book by Joanne Harris called Blackberry Wine .... for some parts of the story the 6 wine bottles do the talking ... She of course wrote Chocolat .... Wonderful film ....

All this talk of wine reminds that I should be cooking fish ....well for me that is ...

Love Jan xxx

lucy1dog profile image
lucy1dog

Great blog trying to think of finds but mostly it's what I find helps my life. M&S jeggins are great and let me move around. Magnet bracelet when I remember to wear it. I wore the Snuggle blanket once but while wrapped up on the couch having a duvet day the phone rang and in my haste to answer it nearly killed myself jumping up to answer it. Acrylic paints to help focus my mind and enjoy the peace and quiet. Reiki which helps balance my mind and body. Gosh I could go on forever. What a wonderful life I have. Feel like Pollyanna playing the glad game, ha ha.

Lucy x

wendydee profile image
wendydee in reply to lucy1dog

Oh, that Polyanna spirit........worth a mention in spades. Keeps us all going, I suspect! :-)

W xx

MargaretJ profile image
MargaretJ in reply to wendydee

It is blogs like this that lighten the days and make me appreciate what I have!

lucy1dog profile image
lucy1dog

PS Margaret you can still use iPad plugged in.

Lucy x

MargaretJ profile image
MargaretJ in reply to lucy1dog

I know but the plug & adaptor are on the other side of the bedroom! LOL!

Another terrific blog.

Top of my list has to be my iPad and wifi. Couldn't have survived without it during the time I was spending more time in bed or resting.

A proper over the bed table. Great for breakfast, books and the iPad. Glad to say it's long been relocated to the office though!

A long really warm cardigan which kept my bum nice and cosy last winter.

My husband and my sister, but they're not for sale even on eBay!

My Ovacome, naturally

Sorry I haven't any really individual finds to share with you but thanks for the tips.

And finally my wine of choice. Amarone. A big red from Italy.

Love

Linda xx

in reply to

What do you mean? Overbred table a brilliant idea. For those days you just want to retreat to the warm...

I bought foam 'bed wedge' which is super for sitting up as far more supportive than a bunch of pillows -- would highly recommend!

MargaretJ profile image
MargaretJ in reply to

Hear hear! I must look for the wedge as I slide down in bed! So bad for the back!

MargaretJ profile image
MargaretJ in reply to

had not thought about the iPad, the iPod, the Kindle, my laptop, my PC! such a part of my life that I accept them as given.

Serious fundraising suggestion: Ovacome could have a not for profit website selling some of these more serious OC essentials at decent prices (maybe not the booze!). Could buy at trade prices and maybe negotiate a discount on that too....

MargaretJ profile image
MargaretJ

Now what a good idea!

in reply to MargaretJ

Liz 's comment about cardigans reminded me ovacome could source a lovely teal cardie and a shrug I'm sure -- my mate sells these so could buy from source. Then any time anyone says " what a nice x" it's an excuse to spread the word!

Unrelated but I have another life support one too - moist toilet tissue! Not to be indelicate but handy whether experiencing any if the downstairs department issues we all seem to suffer!

MargaretJ profile image
MargaretJ in reply to

I kept that to hand before the stoma now it is basic baby wipes! Can't have the scented moisturised kind as they interfere with the adhesive! But so good to feel clean!

Nothing to do with OC but my Tefal Actifry was a great find. Good for Roasted vegetables, potato wedges,etc. when you're not using the oven for something else. You dont need to use much oil. We're not big meat eaters but its also great for browning meat for casseroles without getting your kitchen all messed up with fat splatters. It's basically an electric frying pan with a paddle in the centre that keeps everything gently on the move so takes care of itself while you're doing other stuff. Set the timer and it will beep you when it's up, although strangely it doesn't switch off when the timer beeps.

Anyway, I'm choosy about gadgets. Haven't the space to have too many cluttering up the kitchen. But this is one I wouldn't be without.

L

MargaretJ profile image
MargaretJ

Needed an idea for an Xmas prezzie from my daughter! I love my steamer (electric) and slow cooker! Both Tesco's cheap versions!

Lovely blog cheers love x G x :-)

Lizneild profile image
Lizneild

Noone mentions cardigans. Jumpers are not wig compatible so I now have a collection of beautiful cardigans. Can't seem to walk past one. And noone likes to tell me I don't need another cardigan.

in reply to Lizneild

Brilliant -- mentioned these in a response above after seeing this!

TinaWright profile image
TinaWright

Support pants _ Darlings, I need these so bad.

If I wear high rise knickers they seem to roll down under the flabby belly just like smaller knics do when your pergnant.

I always wore full pants when I was pregnant but now they seem to make the bulge at the tops of my legs oooooze with fat, which is so ugly and shows through some clothing.

I convinced myself the other day that I had lost at least 7 pound - how wrong could I have been I had in actual fact gained another 2 1/2 arghhh! I am eating less and less but the weight won`t shift.

Now 18months since end of chemo and this extra weight isn`t going anywhere on its own. Exercise is one of my main enemies because the CFS prevents me from this.

My oncologist just laughs at me and tells me they would sooner me gain weight than lose it. And according to them I am only a few pounds over weight. For me, me says around 2 stone over where I usually am.

Anyway, getting around to the support pants, I need the ones like cycling shorts to prevent the bulge at top of leg, and then they are sooooo hot, yer even in this cold weather!

Well, we all talk about the menopause hot flushes on here, support pants and hot dooes are simply awful, arn`t they?

Listen to us complain ing when we should be feeling lucky to be alive.

Well, while going through it all we can think about is staying alive for as lo9ng as possible.

Then when we are in remission all the trivia stuff starts to frustrate us.

I am trying so hard to love the new me look, fab and all.

I apologise for not reading all the wonderful posts on here, I will catch up later when I have a little bit more energy.

Love and God Bless you all from Tina xxxx

PS. Does everyone else have a tummy that now looks like a bottom? I am hating that too, the onlay part of my body I love right now are my boobs and if I remain cancer free they are coming off in the year 2015 to lower my 85% risk of breast cancer to 1%. I am not feeling at all sexy either right now.

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