Sadie's Shed

31/10/2026

My story - part 3
Treatment and Recovery

So we have heard about my diagnosis and my surgery but of course, with cancer, that’s never the end.

As I have already told you my diagnosis was a DCIS so surgery was a lumpectomy and I got home the same day.

I spent 2 weeks recovering at home and then went back to work - well it was coming up to Christmas and what better place is there to be but in a primary school! It lifts your spirits!

Because my cancer was caught really early and was contained I didn’t need chemotherapy. However I was advised to undergo a course of radiotherapy. It was 5 days a week for 5 weeks.

I enjoyed my journeys on the train back and forward to Edinburgh each day. I coped well with the radiotherapy until the end of week three when my skin really began to suffer. However, that was a small price to pay.

Thank you NHS for catching my cancerous lump through screening at an early stage, thank you for my very prompt surgery and thank you for the kindness shown throughout my radiotherapy sessions.

I still have a mammogram every year and so far all has been good, that’s almost 9 years now.

Remember, keep checking yourself and keep going to screenings. If you are past the age of 70 you are able to request screening as you are no longer offered it automatically.

Best wishes to all!

PHOTO - me out collecting for Marie Curie during the weeks I was attending hospital for my radiotherapy treatment. It was Baltic that day!

31/10/2026

DINGBATS DAY

Here at Sadie’s Shed Saturdays are (almost) always dingbats day!

Feel free to join in the fun by adding up to 3 answers in the comments below. Let’s see if we can answer all the puzzles as a team.

You can share this with your friends and family to spread the fun.

Check back midweek for a list of your answers.

🍁🎃🍂

30/10/2026

My story - part 2
Breast Cancer Awareness Month

So yesterday I told you that back in November 2017 I received word that my mammogram was not as it should be.

After further tests I received my results from Miss Campbell at Crosshouse Hospital.

When she told me it was breast cancer, the world stopped and some invisible person punched me so hard in the stomach that I shot back, hit the wall and slid to the floor. I know that seems dramatic but, honestly, it’s the only way I can describe the emotion.

Yes, it was breast cancer but it was classed as a DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ - I hope that’s right). I locked on to the words ‘in situ’ and I was right, it was a small lump that was fully contained within the duct. That was good!

It was Friday 24 November I got that result and she had a space on Monday the 27th. I took it and went down for surgery at 12.00 on the 27th, only 3 days after receiving my diagnosis!

This photograph was taken at 4pm on the same day … all done and dusted and I went back HOME that night!

A little more of the story tomorrow.

🍁🎃🍂

30/10/2026

FINISHED ON A FRIDAY

This chest of drawers came into the workshop in good condition but the owner wanted it updated.

She chose the colour ‘and breathe’ from the trim paint range which has a sheen finish.

It’s now all ready to return home.

A little more money raised for Kidney Care UK.

🍁🎃🍂

29/10/2026

My story - part 1
Why?

Why am I promoting Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

Well I’m a woman, I have had breast cancer and I’m here to tell the tale.

Back in 2017 I was called for a routine mammogram at the ‘bus’ which was parked up locally. I had no idea there was anything wrong but a big fat envelope marked NHS landed on my door mat one morning soon afterwards.

It said there was a problem with my mammogram and I reckoned (rather innocently) that it hadn’t worked properly but no the problem was with me!

I was sent to have various tests done. I then went to Crosshouse Hospital near Kilmarnock to get my results soon afterwards.

Now I’ll tell you a little more tomorrow BUT my question is - “Do you go for your mammograms, smear tests etc etc?

If not, why not?”

I know you may find it a little uncomfortable, maybe embarrassing but, hey, it’s free and it could save your life!

Just do it!

❤️❤️❤️

29/10/2026

YOUR ANSWERS

Here are a list of YOUR answers from last Saturday’s Dingbats.

If you have any alternative answers I’d love to hear them too.

Thanks for joining in and there will be another Dingbats for you on Saturday … if I remember! 🤣

1 pineapple upside down cake
2 once bitten twice shy
3 h2o
4 foresworn
5 white Christmas
6 everything but the kitchen sink
7 try to understand
8 little by little
9 end corner
10 ice cube
11 few and far between
12 crossword puzzle
13 undercover agent
14 short and sweet
15 Uncle Sam needs U
16 sell in exchange for
17 uphill struggle
18 turn the house upside down
19 London Underground
20 a touching moment

🍁🎃🍂

28/10/2026

Workshop Wednesday

In the workshop this week we have a chest of drawers, tv unit and some chairs.

The chest of drawers is being painted in ‘and breathe’. It is a trim paint and has a sheen finish.

The corner tv unit is a Stag piece and was in a dark mahogany. It is now being painted in Smooth Operator which is also from the trim paint range and has a sheen finish.

The owner has previously had a cabinet and heart shaped shelving painted in the same colour.

Hopefully I will get as far as doing some of the upholstery this week too as I’ll be doing the dining room table that goes with them next week!

🍁🎃🍂

28/10/2026

27/10/2026

Transformation Tuesday

Way, way back in time!

I first started painting furniture for friends and family back in 2019, not long after retiring after 40 years of teaching. Yep, I don’t like to be bored!

Here we are in 2026 we are still going strong raising money for our current charity - Kidney Care UK.

🍁🎃🍂

27/10/2026

October
Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Do you go for your mammograms?
Do you check yourself?
Do you know what to look for?

🍁🎃🍂