What a difference a day makes!

It's been a busy few days. Let's start with Monday 22nd, my birthday! As ever Nick has been a star and gets full marks for all the exciting treats he had in store for me. Firstly I woke up to cards full of birthday wishes, thank you to everyone who sent me cards! My first gift from My wonderful husband was a gorgeous Michael Kors handbag and a matching purse!

Next it was time to get ready and with a taxi ordered we set off to leeds City Station, it was soon time to board the train to Manchester Picadilly and of course my lovely Nick made sure we did it in style by booking us onto First Class!


After that a short bus ride took us to Salford quays and it was time to take a walk along the famous cobbles of Coronation Street! Cloudy and drizzly it was typical weather for weatherfield but that wasn't going to stop us having a great time! Coronation Street has always been something I'd wanted to go to and it was really interesting, I'm so glad I got to do it before they stop it in December. We applied to run the Rovers while we were there and await an answer but we thought we quite looked the part! So move over Liz! By the time we stepped out onto the cobbles the sun was shining! 

Several hours later and another bus ride over to Media City and the birthday celebrations carry on with a lovely meal for two in Bella Italia! It was delicious! Then off to the Lowry Theatre where Nick had arranged tickets to see the musical Wicked! With the excitement building we took our seats and shortly after the show began! Happy to say it was as Wicked as could be! It was now getting late and we came out of the theatre with all the different coloured lights reflecting into the water nearby. 

To finish our day of excitement we decided to get the tram back to Picadilly as this mode of transport isn't an every day occurrence here in Leeds. Finally back on the train and feeling extremely tired but very happy and fulfilled with my man by my side we relaxed in our First Class carriage with my Birth Day coming to a close I am determined to enjoy my year of becoming 54 and look forward to many more birthdays and every day being special!

The next day 23rd it's back to the hospital, oncology and picc line pre assessment. Followed by a meal out to Frankie & Benny's with friends Andrea & Louise. So this is how my life is, swings and roundabouts, roller coasters and all the fun of the fair!

Good to remember

Throughout this whole 6 years, I have become interested in why a person now has almost a 50/50 chance of having cancer at some point of their lifetime, whereas about a hundred years ago it was about a 5% chance, and why certain populations even today barely know cancer, but are equally prone to cancer if moving to UK or other westernised countries.

Much of the answer is with the western diet. Food manufacturers have a lot of the responsibility. So what does good look like?

  

There is evidence that plant-based foods may be effective at preventing specific cancers. For example:

• Diets high in fruit may lower the risk of stomach and lung cancer. 
• Eating vegetables containing carotenoids, such as carrots, Brussels sprouts, and squash, may reduce the risk of lung, mouth, pharynx, and larynx cancers.
• Diets high in non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach, and beans, may help protect against stomach and esophageal cancer. 
• Eating oranges, berries, peas, bell peppers, dark leafy greens and other foods high in vitamin C may also protect against esophageal cancer.
• Foods high in lycopene, such as tomatoes, guava, and watermelon, may lower the risk of prostate cancer. 

The less processed these plant-based foods are—the less they’ve been cooked, peeled, mixed with other ingredients, stripped of their nutrients, or otherwise altered from the way they came out of the ground—the better.

Which probably surprises no one. But it's good to remember.

Cancer is not a problem, it is a learning opportunity

. So what do I (Nick) know now?

• I can bring the potato saucepan to boil very quickly by pressing the up arrow continuously until P for power appears
• The microwave is not self-cleaning
• Disinfectant makes your feet stick to the kitchen floor
• Rocket is not the best ingredient for your juice smoothie
• The integrated washing machine is behind cupboard doors in the kitchen
• Brown rice cooks more slowly than white rice
• Sugar feeds cancer
• Everyone wants a little sugar sometimes
• A person knows if their tummy flap is upside down
• We have great family and friends, thank you everyone so much
• Mandy gets a happiness lift every time someone leaves a comment on her blog