I just strolled up to the postbox with my little cardboard packet for the Eastern Bowel Cancer Screening Service [after a brief moment of consideration- is this an oriental variation of this awful illness, no, it must be that I live in Norfolk now...]
Grateful for this free test. I know it saves the NHS £millions through early diagnosis and treatment, but it also offers regular reassurance [update; please read SencoSue's comment below. A lovely story]
The winter flu jab is booked, but I am still awaiting the call for the next round of covid vaccinations. Fortunately neither of us have suffered since that first awful bout in March 2020 [just pre lockdown] - and I have friends who do not think the jab is worth it. I'm taking the line that even if it doesn't prevent, it may help ameliorate symptoms.
I am still too young for the shingles vaccine. I had chicken pox at 31 and I was pretty ill with it, so presumably the virus may still be in my system somewhere. My face/gum fully recovered now, so healthwise feeling in a good place. I'm grateful for the opportunity to get out in the sunshine and harvest my fresh veggies. The chard is cropping well now.
Tomatoes continue to ripen, but last week I discovered something useful - green tomatoes can successfully go into curries. This is good news, because I had declared no chutney making this autumn!
I was given them on Saturday. My friend had been doing a Wreath Making Demo. I was helping her clear up and this little bundle were lying limp and forlorn on the work table "Oh you can have them if you like" she said. They soon revived in a jar of cool water in the kitchen.
I have always thought they were wonderfully exotic flowers [a member of the physalis family] I will try and save some seeds. The RHS says grow them in containers otherwise they will overrun your garden with underground rhizomes!
But aren't they so autumnal? L. was taking all her wreaths up to her Parish Church for the Harvest Display. Lovely!
I’m glad you are feeling better health wise. My surgery is giving the COVID vac the same time as flu so we don’t have to book twice. I have grown the Chinese lanterns in a container this year and have brought them in to dry. I thought I would string them on thread across the dresser then add more each year, they are so cheerful. Sandra.
ReplyDeleteWhen is the best time to plant the seeds, please, Sandra?
ReplyDeleteThey are lovely!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's useful to know re green tomatoes. Mine were a disaster this year! Everyone else in the family has great success! Kx
They worked well in curry
DeleteGlad to hear that you have recovered from the gum infection. I need to remember to rebook my flu vaccine. I didn't realize one had to be of a certain age to get the shingles vaccine; I, too, was in my early 30s when I got chicken pox and it was a rather severe case.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if it's different in the UK regarding the age thing
DeleteSo pretty. I think you can sow them indoors by March, but later (May) if they are outside in a seed bed.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that info. When I save the seeds I will write it on the packet 👍
DeleteLove the Chinese lanterns but have not grown any - yet. I tried frying green tomatoes (after reading the book Fried Green Tomatoes) and found they were very tasty. I usually ripen my green ones on a sunny windowsill.
ReplyDeleteI've still got tomatoes on the windowsill - but lots outside which may not ripen if this sunny spell ends
DeleteMy husband was found to have bowel cancer the first time he did the pooh on the stick test . Thank goodness it was picked up early enough and within weeks he had a bowel resection operation done by a wonderful surgeon. That was nearly 12 years ago and we are so thankful for the free testing and the NHS for all the treatments he received. That's great your gum infection has gone you certainly had a difficult time with it. Regards Sue H.
ReplyDeleteSo lovely to read this , thanks
DeleteDid my poo test last month(clear) and had my mammogram in May (by request as I am now 73). We are still waiting for our vaccination appointments which should come soon. Catriona
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DeleteI've had the reminder about the winter flu jab, the COVID booster and now the pneumonia jab, as well as the bowel screening test kit to send off. I didn't realise the Shingles jab was age-specific?I preferred the days when we didn't worry so much about bugs and viruses. My youngest grandchild had just started nursery the other week and within a week, came home with some kind of virus. Not COVID but left him very tired and with a dreadful cough. He's just this weekend turned a corner with it.
ReplyDeleteNurseries and primary schools are breeding grounds for viruses, aren't they?
DeleteYes, plus the poor wee thing isn't settling in well. Dropping him off is a nightmare for his parents when they have work timetables to meet.
DeleteI think it is so hard for working parents
DeleteThe Chinese Lanterns look lovely. I've never had any luck growing them .
ReplyDeleteIt's odd how they've altered the shingles vaccine dates with people who are already 65 having to wait to 70 but new 65 year olds getting it straight away.
Haven't heard a word about any dates for flu vaccine this year. I shall have to ask about it.
It's a very strange thing
DeleteGood morning, Angela! Those Chinese Lanterns are so pretty and the shade is so autumn! Have a great week.
ReplyDelete👍
DeleteGood to know that you are over the gum infection. You did well to rescue those leftover Chinese Lanterns. I hope you manage to grow your own next year!
ReplyDeleteThank you Bushlady. I shall endeavour to grow some in a container I think
DeleteI can now book my shingles jab as I'm 70, had measles, chicken pox and whooping cough all in a row aged 6. I've got my flu jab booked and have had a pneumonia jab too - I shall feel like a pincushion. Glad you're feeling better. BTW Its pouring down here in Staffordshire. Gill Xx
ReplyDeleteWe've had a terrific rainstorm earlier, it has just stopped. I hope you are ok after the shingles jab - yes definitely we will all feel like pincushions. But hopefully we will be healthy ones!
DeleteI detest the colonoscopy which used to be scheduled every few years and , after chatting with my doctor, switched to an annual fit kit test.
ReplyDeleteSo much easier, and reassuring to get it annually.
Your flowers look so beautiful, a nice autumnal color too! You gave them a new lease on life!
JanF
Our stick test is much quicker and not as invasive as a colonoscopy.
DeleteYes, they are a cheery autumnal orange, arent they?
Thank you so much for updating on your gum situation. Though it was not obvious, given my total lack of contact about it, I was worried for you. So glad you feel better now. Nicky K
ReplyDeleteThank you Nicky, I know that so many friends had me in their thoughts and prayers. It is truly better now. Much smiling 😀😀😀
DeleteAs a retired nurse, I encourage everyone to have screening tests and vaccines to ward off worries. Why evey would you not?
ReplyDeleteAm glad your healed up!
Lovely Chinese Lanterns.
Hugs!
👍💛
DeleteChinese lanterns are so beautifully autumnal and cheerful somehow - I love them. Green tomatoes also make a nice cake. I used to do them as a traybake with a with wholemeal flour, brown sugar, a few sultanas and mixed spice, with the tomatoes chopped small and providing welcome moistness.
ReplyDeleteI'd never thought of putting them in CAKE (but carrots and courgettes work, so why not?) Do they make the cake green?
ReplyDeleteI 've stood on that bridge and played Pooh Sticks. Lesley
ReplyDeleteOh! and I'm up to date on ALL tests and freebies from the NHS
That bridge - it was bought for £131K in 2021, but then in March the media reported it was up for sale again...but I cannot track down what happened next. And I'd be Deeply Disappointed if YOU were not up to date with all the tests, Lesley. I suspect it is a Family Requirement in your house
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