Hello friends, aquiantances and all the rest! I’ve done a few ‘best of early spring’ posts so far, particularly on two local areas to me and all the great things I’ve found around us, but today, it’s alllllllllll about the rest, the general media, anything else on my mind. Once the post is done, I’d love to hear your favourites? But these are my current go tos in life at the moment!
Charity shopping
I have always loved a good charity shop but with my M.E. I’ve not been able to get out and about to have a browse until very recently this year. Then this past month it’s been charity shops galore! I’ve been in and out constantly (when I have been well enough as I have still been poorly). However my wife has been reminding me to be more mindful about my purchases as we don’t have an awful lot of space left in the bungalow and don’t necessarily need much else, so i’ve been taking pictures of what I wanted but didn’t get and making insta posts to commemorate what I found and didn’t pick up. The series has been very popular as well as healing for me so I’ve loved that.
The Pitt
CW: Content of stories – miscarriage; rape
Our brand new obsession has been The Pitt. We got HBO Max just to watch it, binged the first series, now patiently wait for every Friday to come. It is truly compelling to watch, and maybe an unpopular opinion (who knows…) but I think it might be my favourite medical drama at the moment? The Greys universe are my comfort shows when it comes to medical dramas, probably Private Practice being my fave, but The Pitt is probably my favourite drama as of yet. Though I have to say, I’m not the biggest fan of it being so graphic all of the time… sir, my lesbian ass does not need to see your penis… however it is important to show some of the inherently taboo things they are talking about (and being graphic comes as a part of that), for example miscarriage is so important (and talking about forgiveness for someone who miscarried who had previously had an abortion is so important as they do not deserve a miscarriage any more), however the show should come with a TW as it was rather graphic a miscarriage. Also they did a scene where they did a rape kit and had such important conversations surrounding rape, however one of the most important conversions surrounded being raped by someone familiar to them and whether it was correct to report them as they were a ‘good person’ – this really resonated with me and my story and it was so important to talk about.
Tang Mango Flavour Powdered Drink
I am absolutely obsessed with Tang. Tang is sort of like a powdered mango squash and it is so strong and so sweet and it is absolutely delicious and it is honestly keeping me so hydrated because I cannot get enough of it – I am drinking so much of this mango juice with a heck tonne of ice (Em bought us an ice machine in the boxing day sales and it was the best purchase we ever made) and it is just the best. If you like mango, GET THIS IN YOUR BODY!!! It tastes hecking incredible. I got it from the local international foods shop as I believe it is Indian and it is so much better than British liquid squash. Also, it helps me cover up cover up the taste of electrolytes (they’re just too salty and the texture gives me the ick) because it’s a similar flavour but actually nice.
High 5 Mango Electrolytes
I did say I don’t like electrolytes however I like the effects of them, and I need them as a chronically ill person – and out of all of the electrolytes on the market, I have found these to be the best. I like the fact I can pair the mango with the Tang and it disguises the taste, and this is something I haven’t found I could do in the past – i’ve tried it with flavour drops and squash before, and other kinds of electrolytes alike, and it has never actually disguised the taste or texture, but this time i’ve worked out a balance. I do however want to try out Humantra Lychee but they are spennyyyy, though you can get them in Sainsbury’s now so I can always try a small pack in a more accessible way, but they’re still £££. Lychee is just my FAVOURITE flavour – who knows about the texture etc though.
Vinted
Hold up, it’s a generalisation, and guess what, queen is hopping on a trend everyone is loving!
I have been using Vinted for years and lord, I dread to think how much money I have spent on that app. Mostly I’ve spent money on Disneyland/World merch from any of the 12 worldwide parks, keeping up with Topsy dresses i’ve missed out on or character heavy Carolina Dress Room pieces.
I’ve bought some incredible stuff on vinted; a pair of Betty Berry candy rainbow striped jeans i’ve wanted for maybe 6 or 7 years?; two insane Disney Parks windbreakers; a Disney straw hat; my favourite Monsters Inc. dress… and so much more!
I adore vinted and I will never stop putting my money through that app! Though my own sales tend to be somewhat slow – I think it’s because a lot of my listings aren’t so modern as the clothes i’m selling are on behalf on someone else (mostly but not exclusively).
Foley Catheter
Now… this one sounds like a bit of a weird one. It’s not one you can just go out and buy in the shops. You have to have a valid urological disorder for them to give you one of these (like me and my stupid body) but yeah!
This week I got a foley catheter placed to improved my quality of life, as a result of multiple complex urological needs, and I can safely say it’s helping so much already! I am so grateful to my urology team for placing this, and their continued care of me (and we have discussed potential treatments for me going forward to), and listening to my self advocacy and looking after me and my trauma needs too during placement – so lucky to have a wonderful consulant (and wife by my side).
It does still feel a little strange if i’m honest and I am still used to it, but one of my issues was due to my lack of bladder sensation, I didn’t know when my bladder was full and then I would end up in agony because I could feel the pain from the organ itself and be in agony from an overfilled bladder – now, as I wee in a bag I can empty it whenever, wherever, and I can see and control however much my ‘bladder’ bag fills up – before it even reaches my main bladder.
Here is an introduction to my cathether:
I have now decided my catheter is called ‘Crush’. This is because a) my piles cushion (my friend El told me to get one for journeys for my catheter as it would be more comfy; see my instagram ‘catheter bag‘ post – it is on the last slide) looks like a stingray we have named Mr Ray so it would only be appropriate b) it starts with a C. We were ordering me some tubie tape for me and obviously chose turtles because of the OG man himself.
Moving from ISC-ing to having an indwelling foley has changed my life – already i’m experiencing less pain, it’s helped hugely with the retention issue and there are a tonne more complicated symptoms i’ll talk about some other day! Thank you Crush the Foley!
Disclaimer: I am not suggesting you go out and get a foley. Please do not mess with catheters unless you need one or your whole urological system as if it is healthy, you sure want to keep it that way. I am previously chronically ill and these come as symptoms and as parts of diagnoses. Stay safe and look after yourself.
SO, there’s a list of loooads of stuff i’m finding fab at the moment! Are you loving any of these? If you can, maybe treat yourself! I’ve just treated myself to some tubie tape in collaboration with my wife (she bought half, I bought the rest) to make my medical device more fun!
Love always,
Laur xxx
@holaurgraphic 
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