Can I Please NOT Talk About MS (for a While)?

Random title I know, but I feel like my brain and body have been so overcome with Multiple Sclerosis-related stuff that I just need a break!  Treatment, symptoms, recovery from my HSCT – it is still there but there are also other things going on in my life that I would prefer to think of for a while and appreciate. Please, can I not talk about MS for a little while? Pretty please?

So, what has been happening?

Well, the absolute number one thing that has happened over the past couple of weeks is that

My sister flew all the way from Australia to surprise me with a visit!!!!!

I can’t believe that she (and my parents) managed to keep it a secret.  She arrived on Saturday 2nd February and just turned up at my door!  My parents were with me at the time and when the door went I was still in my dressing gown without my glasses on, so when my Dad offered to get the door (knowing it was my sister), I couldn’t see who it was a first!  I have never been lost for words as much as I was at that time.  Since she has been here, we have had a lovely time just chilling out together, watching funny clips on YouTube and having lunches out when I am feeling well.  I am dreading her going back on Saturday!  But it has made me even more determined to take my own trip out to Australia when I have the all-clear to fly, probably next year.  The only thing that I will have to be mindful of is the heat.  I think that I will try and go in their Autumn because apparently, the hot weather has been unbearable this summer.

I’ve found my new favourite book!

My time in the hospital meant that I had a lot of time to myself, to listen to podcasts, read and mindfully colour (which I actually really enjoyed!).  The highlight of my hospital stay (which sounds strange in itself to say) was this book:

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

The way that this was written was sublime.  It is about two youngsters during the 2nd World War and the occupation of France: Marie-Laure, a blind French girl and Werner, a German orphan whose skills with technology bring him to the notice of the Hitler youth movement.

The book was beautifully written, with rich descriptions that made me feel that I was right there with Marie-Laure and Werner.  Ultimately, it is about two young, innocent children growing up with the sadness, hardship and devastating consequences of war.  I loved Werner in particular; he is loveable and relatable, he has to make some very difficult decisions in order to survive the war and is devoted to his sister.  Although in historical terms, he is ‘the bad guy’, this book shows you how random twists of fate take nice, normal people and put them into situations that they maybe would not have been in otherwise.

Each character and sub-plot are ultimately interlinked into an inspirational story of courage, love and kindness. It tugs at your heartstrings and I especially loved the fact that the chapters were short and sharp, making it easy for me to put down and pick up again during periods of fatigue.  Highly recommend!

Rating: 5/5

Buy me here:

Amazon UK

Book Depository

Read more of my book reviews here – I will be doing my July – December book reviews soon!

I’ve loved watching my daughter practise for shows

At the moment, I have to avoid places that are full of people that I don’t know due to my increased risk of infection.  My daughter is currently practising for both a school dance show and a cheerleading showcase and I love being able to sit in the comfort of my front room watching her practice both.  I would love it even more if I could actually go and see her, but this is the next best thing, I guess.

Watching my daughter makes me reflect on what I was like as a child; she is definitely like me in that I took part in school dance shows and really enjoyed them, though I wasn’t the most coordinated kid!  I still remember doing one to Katrina and the Waves’ ‘Walking on Sunshine’ – remember that song?  I still remember part of the dance though definitely couldn’t do it now!  My son, on the other hand, much prefers to be out of the limelight.  Occasionally I hear him sing to himself and he has such a beautiful clear and smooth voice, I wish he had more confidence about himself sometimes.

I have binge-watched ‘Russian Doll’

Has anyone seen this on Netflix?  If you are ok with a bit of bad language then I definitely recommend this show.  It is an American comedy-drama about a woman who keeps reliving the same day after dying.  Good Housekeeping describes it following way:

Russian Doll earned rave reviews from professional critics and the average Netflix-watcher alike when it hit the streaming service in February. The show, created by Leslye Headland, Amy Poehler and Natasha Lyonne – who also stars in the lead role of Nadia – blends comedy, drama and sci-fi and centres on a woman experiencing her 36th birthday over and over again.

We meet Nadia on her birthday, when she’s hit by a car and dies. Well, not quite – she then wakes up in the bathroom of her party and realises she’s lived this day before. The Groundhog Day-esque plot continues to grow in complexity throughout the series and at its core is Nadia – a woman learning about herself in a heart-warming way.

I have to say that I loved it. The main character is very different from me (living the single life in New York) but as the series went on I liked her more and more.  Definitely hoping that there will be a 2nd series!

A random beauty love

I might have no hair but at least I have nice skin…

I have to say that although my sister is two years older than me, she looks like the younger sibling!  She often treats me to nice skincare that I otherwise can’t afford on my measly ill-health pension and this visit from her was no exception.  She arrived at the door with various skincare bits and bobs that I have since used over the past two weeks and I can already see the difference it has made to my skin; it just looks clearer, plumper and more ‘dewy’ and feels so soft!

This is what she bought for me:

All by Indeed Labs, a Retinol cream (fights wrinkles), a Hydraluron Serum (basically holds moisture into your skin) and eye cream.

I would never normally spend so much on skincare (I am a Superdrug girl, through and through!) but I have to admit that it has already made a massive difference to my 40-year-old skin.  Luckily, a little goes a very long way so I can see it lasting several months, hopefully enough time for me to put a bit of money aside to buy replacements.  I feel that I can justify this as I never spend any money on myself, it all goes on the kids, and I wear my face every day, so why not?

My new favourite ‘treat’ candle

I mentioned in one of my previous posts about how I was going to ‘reward’ myself for going through my HSCT treatment.  I think that I mentioned that I got a Diptyque candle and this is the one I purchased:

It is the Diptyque ‘Baies’ candle and it is gorgeous; flowery without being cloying (it is a mix of Blackberry leaves with Bulgarian rose) with a scent that reaches you without even being lit.  I have put it next to my bed so I can smell it when I am lying there.  I have to admit that I haven’t lit it yet as it is so so expensive, haha!

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So, random, frivolous things that I have enjoyed over the past couple of months.  Are there any shows, books or little luxuries that you are particularly enjoying?  I am always up for new recommendations.

Thanks for giving me a chance to not think of my MS 🙂

Till next time