Hello everyone
First of all, many apologies to those of you who’ve had difficulty getting into and/or reading the blog. Thank you for your patience. Last week Mr F bought a ‘plug-in’, which told him 999 pages of the blog had something wrong with them! Tbh, he comes into where I am writing and tells me this and that about the blog, and I haven’t the faintest idea what he’s talking about!!! But we think the entire situation is solved because the company who we have our webspace with updated all their systems, and the problems seem to be solved. But do let us know if you continue to have any difficulties reading the blog. And once again thank you for your patience.
Thank you also for the good wishes re: my and Mr F’s health. Where I live the virus is known as the 100-day cough so it continues to be a long haul, but we’re getting there. My stamina is below par and I would say my balance is a bit off and that, dear readers, is entirely due to sitting around and not walking or exercising as much as I usually do. Sitting is definitely the new smoking and in my view, is dangerous for someone my age. I am now getting out and about and everything is slowly improving.
Now here’s some more news for you all. I got the results from the mole removal and it is not a melanoma (phew) but it is pre-cancerous and would have become a melanoma if left. So I am to have a further little op to remove some more flesh in that area. Now the thing is, and I might have said this before, I am very clued up about skin cancers and this? I did not spot. And I would never have alerted my GP about it. So, well done the Mole Clinic for finding it and well done me for being vigilant and getting my skin checked annually.
And note I said annually, as it wasn’t a problem last year but this year, it was. So I’m telling you, get your skin checked even if you think there’s nothing to worry about. Because, what do we really know. You need an expert to check. All the more important if you can’t see your back or, like me, the back of your arms. I never bothered with this little mole as i) I couldn’t see it as it was on the back of my arm, ii) it wasn’t irregular in size, iii) it wasn’t discoloured, iv) it didn’t have a grey halo around it (Mr F’s did), v) it wasn’t large, and it wasn’t bleeding or crusty or anything untoward.
BUT, I do admit when it was pointed out to me, it was just a little bit bigger than the tiny round black or brown moles I have, and it was a very slight oval shape rather than round. So there you are, an expert spotted that this was not right and took a picture and several weeks on – here we are. So PLEASE get your skin checked even if you think you are not the type to get skin cancers – are you sure about that?
As to where you might get it checked, some of you, I know, have regular skin checks because of your insurance, some of you won’t have that type of service available. And some of you can go to the local health practitioner (here in the UK known as the GP) and point to anything you are worried about. The beauty of the Mole Clinic is that every part of your body will be examined from the top of your head to the soles of your feet and every mark/mole/sunspot/age spot will be looked at, sometimes with a monocular, and then named. The session lasts 45 minutes and costs £175 and these clinics can be found in London and around the UK including one near me, in Brighton. Please look at the link for a clinic near you.
And to round this blog post off, here is a lovely Zara cardi that I bought in September for £4.99.
It’s practically new and is a lovely subtle melange of browns and greens with silver threads running through it as well.
This is how I like to dress in the cold weather. I’m wearing an old black charity shop pleated wool skirt, a soft brown turtle neck top and the charity shop cardi, along with thick leggings, socks and fur-lined boots.
That’s all for now, thank you again for being patient with the blog’s IT problems.
With love, Penny, the Frugalfashionshopper
I have booked the Mole Clinic, and thank you for the recommendation Penny.
That’s great Alison and good to hear 🙂
My friend in Durham has also been diagnosed with the 100 day cough, and is feeling quite below par at the moment. Apparently its related to the whooping cough although adults, it seems, do not whoop.
I and my husband have just had a message from our surgery in Bristol asking us not to contact them for an appointment as all their staff are sick! We are to use the local pharmacist instead. As I’m married to one, I know how ‘useful” that will be!
Like your cardigan. Suits you.
“Adults, it seems, do not whoop” – that will make me smile all day!
😁
Yup – this cough…..And wow, it’s related to whooping cough! Not surprised.
My other half was told by the nurse at the GP surgery that she and 5 other nurses were off sick with Covid the previous week – there’s a lot of it about.
And thanks re: the cardigan 🙂
Hi Penny
Since I have skin that does not burn easily and no family history of skin cancer I have been very lax about getting my skin checked. but now you have convinced me and will seek out a dermatologist. The cardigan is a very nice find indeed. Skirts over tights with warm boots is to me a very smart and stylish way to dress for cold weather. Love, Darby
Yes, the thing is I have a high risk type of skin, but even with your skin it’s worth having it checked just the once. Good to hear.
I know, that cardigan was a brilliant find. Thanks Darby 🙂
I will check if we have something like a mole clinic here. I have no idea. Wishing you well!
Love the cardi, it really lifts the outfit. Makes me think I should look at them – I usually wear a boring fleece when I’m cold, but a jolly cardigan like that looks much nicer!
I have many cardigans as I think of a fleece as more of a jacket and wear it over my cardigans. Jolly cardigans are really nice too! Thanks Alison 🙂
Yes, indeed, get your skin checked, it makes sense and the experts will the tell you whether you have the type of skin to worry about or not. Hope you can find something similar. Thanks Nancy 🙂
That’s interesting information about the mole. Thanks for pointing it out. I hope you are beginning to feel better after the cough virus. I would definitely recommend care on getting back into the normal run of things. We found we took weeks to get over this virus, and then promptly went down with two more. Now we’re simply tired out and looking forward to Spring and extra time to bring some bounce back into our step. Re warm clothes, I am permanently wearing one of two extra/extra fine merino jumpers ( which I couldn’t possibly wear on their own – far too transparent) and putting them under other jumpers sometimes with a cardigan. Fortunately over time I’ve built up an excellent collection of wool jumpers which aren’t itchy ( mainly from charity shops). These are so warm and toasty. I wish they sold them in bright colours as I love to have bright under layers in winter. Cheers me up. Take good care of yourselves. Trish S
Yes, the Mole Clinic is incredibly thorough and for me, worth every penny paid over the years.
And thanks for the heads up about recovering from the cough. I am quite wary of being in crowded places including a the lovely cinema (so won’t go for a bit) and the bus, so am walking to and from the town centre, which I think is good for me but gosh do I get tired!!!! And there’s a lot of Covid about which I really want to avoid.
I too love wearing woollen jumpers but still have a few quite old long-sleeved cotton tops and these I wear underneath the wool. I do love the layering and wearing of winter clothes but winter itself, not so much!!!
Thanks Trish I will take care and you take care too 🙂
I love your winter “uniform”! Looks perfect for when costs push the thermostat lower, too…
I go to the dermatologist annually for a check of every square inch. While it should be covered by insurance as preventive care like a mammogram or colonoscopy, with our broken health care system in the US, it is not – costs me $60. It only takes about 10 minutes, but a couple of years ago, she biopsied a spot on my arm that I thought was just a freckle. It turned out to be cancerous and was easily removed, leaving a scar no bigger than a pencil eraser. Never in a million years would I have thought it suspicious. Now I make sure my husband (who worked outdoors most of his life) and I have these every year.
Yes, I always wear leggings with a skirt which I find far warmer than trousers or jeans.
Oh that’s interesting that you too have to pay but my gosh isn’t it worth it. We have the NHS but you have to point to what you are worried about, the Mole Clinic looks at everything and tells you what you haven’t spotted. And my word, am I glad I went. Also last year I dragged my other half to have his skin checked which he protested at but reluctantly went – and what did they find? A melanoma!!! Fortunately taken out at the earliest stage, but my word if he hadn’t gone….
Yes, it really is worth being vigilant! Thanks Mary K 🙂
So glad you have had good news about your skin problem. As Mary Katherine has said it is very difficult for a non-specialist to know if something needs attention. My original lesion was a flat brownish area about a centimetre across that looked to me like other ‘age spots’ that I have. It was only when a tiny brown ‘mole’ appeared in it that I went to the GP. Although he acted quickly it was already too late. You seem to have got your biopsy results quickly Penny – is that included in the fee? Your ‘new’ cardigan appears to have animals on it, dogs or cats or both? Looks good on you but I can’t wear brown. Just booked a cruise to the Canaries leaving next week ; we have to book very close because of my health. Looking forward to a bit of sunshine in February! I’ve been cutting back very hard on clothes purchases but could not resist a 99p bid on a Next navy lace over neutral lining cocktail dress. No-one else bid so I won it and it’s a great fit and really quite expensive looking. It’ll get at least one wearing on the cruise which, realistically, may be my last. Difficult and very expensive to get insurance now but luckily we can afford it and I feel well overall. Are you planning anything (other than Dungeness) this year Penny?
Yes, my word it has been worth paying the Mole Clinic over the years, which has found several things including a Basal Cell and now this, which I would never have alerted the GP to, until probably too late.
And it is the NHS that has been very swift. As soon as I got the report from the Mole Clinic I sent it to my GP who immediately referred me to the NHS Skin Department who saw me within the 2 weeks for another photo. Then it was Christmas and the New Year and I was rung up immediately after and they wanted me to come in soonest (3rd) for the mole removal but I delayed it for a week as I was so ill with the blooming cough! So in I went on the 10th January and I got the results in under 2 weeks on 23rd Jan and was rung up for the further removal op 2 days later (which will be on the 7th Feb). They’ve told me I will also get the full body mapping and an annual follow up. So, rather like they were with Mr F, they are very quick in this area.
I have a cruise booked for end of August into September which this time is a 2-week cruise to 2 ports in Norway, 2 in Sweden, 1 port in Poland and 3 ports in Denmark. I’d go on two a year if I could afford it, but so very glad to hear you are going to the Canaries. And hey an Ebay win – good for you! Will go to Dungeness in March I think and maybe somewhere nice for my birthday in June – maybe Paris. Thanks so much Lynda and enjoy the cruise!!!
Dear Lynda…thank you for sharing your history with skin lesions. You made me sit up and pay attention. I have a darker skin tone and don’t think of checking it. Your story and Penny’s have changed my mind. I will follow through.
ENJOY your cruise…Charlene H
You look so lovely in the cardigan! And your hair has certainly grown out! Love that length on you. Here in the states going to a dermatologist is akin to going to a dentist for some of us, I dread it but glad things worked out so well for you.
Thank you so much Lynn and yes, it was so worth going to the Mole Clinic and things have worked out well 🙂
I do hope you and Mr. F are soon past those 100 days. Lingering coughs are so tiresome. I’m so glad your mole report was good even though you need a bit more removed. I do go every year, but I don’t believe my dermatologist is near as thorough as your mole clinic. My husband has to go every six months and sometimes earlier. He is a red head and fast losing those red hairs! We have lost count of the spots he’s had removed. Luckily, all of them have been precancerous.
I do love this fun cardigan! And, you’ve styled it so wonderfully! Your hair looks so good. Did you get the highlights put in?
Have a wonderful weekend, Penny!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
This cough is notorious for hanging on and on and on!!!!
Yes, the Mole Clinic is incredibly thorough and wants to look everywhere, really everywhere!!! Worth it though, and like your husband I was a redhead so that’s why I have been so vigilant as what did I do when I was a teenager, sunbathe until I was burnt bright red!!!
The cardigan was a great find – thanks Marsha 🙂
Glad to hear the mole has been caught early. I really will book those checks. Sarah Ferguson’s skin cancer, sad though it is for her, will raise awareness too.
Love the Zara cardi. Nice touches that make it a bit special.
Keep going with your recovery- the end is in sight!
Well done Mr Frugal FS for sorting the blog issues.
Go book at the London Mole Clinic it’s near Oxford Circus and easy to find. It will be worth it and they will tell you if you are high risk or not. They are so thorough, but once a report is done I always then go back to the NHS and in my area the Skin Department is super fast.
The Zara cardigan was a great find. Blog issues seem to have resolved – phew, fingers crossed.
Thanks Gail 🙂
Hello Penny…I, too, have been waylaid by a serious virus caught from the cutest preschool grandchild that I could not resist hugging and kissing! I should remember that preschools are like laboratory Petri dishes of all kinds of illnesses! I caught it in late November and barely got up in time for Christmas. Wobbled my way through the holidays. I am back to somewhat of a routine but January is busy, too.
My 96 year old mother just had a hip replacement surgery last week. She is quite sharp and active and her doctor highly recommended it. She came through with flying colors and is in Rehab for physical and occupational therapy. She is the perfect example of the high need for physical movement and social interaction. When her hip pain became severe and she withdrew from her senior activities, we saw a decline in her sharpness. A good lesson for all of us.
Continue to take care of yourself, Penny!
Thank you for the reminder…Charlene H
Ah yes sounds like the cough that’s circulating here – it is a very long one and is notorious for just hanging on. We are quite sad about this but have decided to do fewer sessions looking after the two babies through the winter. Summer is no problem.
So good to hear that your mother was eligible for a hip replacement and good for her to come through it so well. It will be a renewal for her.
Yes, I will continue to take care and I trust you will take care too! Thanks so much Charlene 🙂
I feel like I have a 100 day cough myself; though in reality I’m just heading into week 2 but man, is it ever persistent! That is a lovely cardigan. Glad to hear it wasn’t cancer and that you caught it in time!
This virus is very persistent – hope you recover soon. The cardigan was a great find especially as it’s in such pristine condition.
And yes, the mole has been caught in time – phew!
Thanks Joanne 🙂
glad to hear the mole is a minimal problem! i also get a good look-over regularly from a dermatologist [i’m in the US, with insurance] bc of a past non-cancerous little blob, so i couldn’t agree more abt the need for this kind of screening.
this week, for the first time in at least 4 years, i wore a skirt in winter–with fleece-lined leggings and boots, ofc, as you do. i have missed skirts, must wear them more often 🙂 .
cheers!
Yes, a minimal problem and quickly sorted too which has been a bonus. Glad to hear you too get looked at regularly as it is so important.
And that combination of clothing is so cosy and warm and stylish too. Nice to hear you too are wearing a skirt.
Thanks Judy 🙂
Hello Penny, glad to hear that you both are making progress with the dreaded virus and that the skin clinic found the lesion and that it will be quickly removed. I am usually fairly vigilant but missed last year but will get back on track with my visits to the skin specialist.
Your skirt and cardigan has reminded me why I prefer Winter dressing.
The virus seems to have swept through the UK but we’re both on the mend. We could do with some warmer, sunnier weather too, but that will come – I just have to be patient!
Yes, particularly living where you do a skin check is a must, but glad that you have that on your radar. I am so glad I had mine checked as I would never have bothered the GP with it as the mole was so small, nevertheless the hospital letter does call it a melanoma in situ (that’s Stage 0) so I’ve had a lucky escape.
I agree – skirts are so good to wear in the winter. Thanks Jill 🙂