Here’s the truth, writes Jenny Riddell-Carpenter: the only reason a Farage-led majority is even conceivable is First Past the Post. Disproportionate systems distort outcomes – & amplify extremes. Fair votes aren’t a luxury. They’re democratic self-defence. eastangliabylines.co.uk/democracy/el...

themusingsofspu.com/blog/ my new blog is up & it’s all about the UK Government’s #NationalCancerPlan #DepartOfHealthAndSocialCare @lizoriordan.bsky.social @breastcancernow.bsky.social @breastcancerchatww.bsky.social @thankscancer.bsky.social @welliesnseaweed.bsky.social

Anyone know why we don’t sell Bisolvon (bromhexine) in the UK for bad coughs? I bought some a couple of years ago abroad and it’s so effective compared to the OTC remedies available in the UK …

Happy New Year! This year will mark ten years since my cancer diagnosis. Nearly 18 months of treatments, some really tough but it was an aggressive G3 tumour so I needed them. I’m so thankful for medical science, research etc and incredibly thankful to be here, living life to the full!

The story was always already about an impoverished unmarried couple facing a pitiless bureaucracy, having a baby in a barn, and then having to hide from a tyrant. The baby grew up to say that the poor were blessed and the neighbor is he who shows mercy. You can’t hide from the politics of all that.

Pamela Grace, artist and printmaker based in south western Scotland #WomensArt

My latest blog has just gone live - themusingsofspu.com/blog/ This one’s about managing current side effects & a new section - ‘Explainers.’ @lizoriordan.bsky.social @breastcancernow.bsky.social @breastcancerchatww.bsky.social @thankscancer.bsky.social @welliesnseaweed.bsky.social

Your periodic reminder that mRNA vaccines are a scientific and public health game-changer. Those that have been approved have passed stringent efficacy and safety checks. They protect you and your child against potentially fatal diseases. You may, however, get a sore arm.

themusingsofspu.com/blog/ Hello, my new blog post - ‘The heat is on’ has just been published on my blogsite. Enjoy! @breastcancernow.bsky.social @breastcancerchatww.bsky.social @lizoriordan.bsky.social @thankscancer.bsky.social @welliesnseaweed.bsky.social

You are welcome! @itsmotherswork.bsky.social

@itsmotherswork.bsky.social seen at a nursery, reminded me of you!

And there it is. Mark Twain was right. “A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes!"

When you’ve been through #cancer treatments, every time you hear of someone else with a diagnosis you feel it. Sending love and prayers to Joe Biden and his loved ones and all the other #cancer ‘havers’ ‘survivors’ and ‘thrivers’ out there and their loved ones … with lots of #fellowfeeling. #cansky

themusingsofspu.com/blog/ May’s blog is written by Kate Fox. As with most of us who are disabled & then get diagnosed with #BreastCancer they have quite a story to tell. @breastcancernow.bsky.social @thankscancer.bsky.social @welliesnseaweed.bsky.social @breastcancerchatww.bsky.social

Very helpful article in the light of Supreme Court etc Scientific but not beyond this non scientist's comprehension.

Here’s a short blog post about some therapy I undertook (is that the right word in this context?) nearly three years ago. I drafted it a while back & wasn’t sure whether or not to share but decided it might help others welliesandseaweed.wordpress.com/2025/04/13/o...

Here’s a wee story about my brother that I shared a few years ago over on another social media site. It’s about how we used to play with Lego together. Iain couldn’t squeeze the pieces together, so I was his “Lego Squeezer”. #NationalSiblingsDay familystories21.wordpress.com/2025/04/10/l...

Bravo @libbysallnow.bsky.social Libby Sallnow: the gentle disruptor - The Lancet www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...

themusingsofspu.com/blog/ My new blog post is up & it’s all about how I am now, 5 years after being diagnosed with #BreastCancer @breastcancernow.bsky.social @breastcancerchatww.bsky.social @welliesnseaweed.bsky.social @thankscancer.bsky.social #BreastCancerAndDisabledPeople

To everyone around the world and in the US participating in #StandUpForScience - I deeply appreciate the important work you are doing. Thank you 💙

When people say science isn’t political, point them to this story. A clear example of political interference - directing money towards a study to which we already know the answer. There is no link. www.theguardian.com/...

Well said!

For Dolly RIP Carl youtu.be/pW2TgGy5gjY?...

The government continues to pursue benefit fraud while ignoring tax fraud. Yet tax fraud is far larger. Why is tax fraud being ignored? @richardjmurphy.bsky.social examines the issue.

Shrove Tuesday Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Pancake Tuesday And for those old enough, Jif Lemon Day

Morning folks, time for thoughts and prayers for Ukraine. Heartbreaking, utterly heartbreaking.

“She stresses to her patients not to feel guilty about occasionally drinking. “I don’t want people to feel bad if they want to have a glass of champagne to celebrate with friends.”” #Cansky #breastcancer

This snow bear is adorable!!

This is good, Julia, thank you. 💜 I still have my cancer-related stuff, but I have been Swedish Death Cleaning, and it's really satisfying. Looking at something and thinking, "If I were told I have a month to live, do I want this thing taking up space in my life today?" It's been really freeing.

Basically, private investors are looking at the economics of EDF’s reactors and thinking they’re bad Which begs the question why UK govt thinks they’re such a great investment for the country Big nukes are being steadily outflanked by new & clean technology #SizewellC www.ft.com/content/c546...

I cleared out some clutter welliesandseaweed.wordpress.com/2025/02/23/c... #cansky

Fell asleep so didn’t take my pain meds last night. Woke up at 3 am remembering why I need them. Always thankful for life. I do love life but #damncancer #lateeffects

This #chronicpain

No I swear it lasts forever or until ya know …

This!

Swearing is an important tool in coping with cancer treatment and survivorship. #cansky #cancerBS

welliesandseaweed.wordpress.com/2025/02/09/l... #cansky

It doesn't end when treatment ends. #LateEffucks #CanSky

Also I get the argument about not frightening patients about to start chemotherapy etc but that needs to be balanced by information about what can happen. That is the only way patients can give informed consent. It’s an ethical issue …

I wrote a blog about late effects an aspect of cancer that few people talk about, including doctors. I have had some great doctors but talk about late effects & they shrug. welliesandseaweed.wordpress.com/2025/02/09/l...

Late effects are tough to live with #breastcancer #cancer #cansky #cancertreatments

Fabulous news. 💚💚💚 UK scientist wins prize for invention that could help avert ‘phosphogeddon’ Phosphate, key to food production, is choking waterways, but a new sponge-like material returns it to the soil for crops www.theguardian.com/science/2025...

25 years today, the Lancet retracted the Wakefield paper and I wrote this for @bmj.com. www.bmj.com/bmj/section-...

After 14 years of demonising the long term sick, brutal cuts to sickness benefits & 1000s of successfully appealed PIP assessments why does Liz Kendall think there are suddenly millions of long term sick people out there who could be in work? Deluded. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

Me after weighing myself: Oh no I’ve put on weight. DH: Have you? How much. Me: 0.1kg DH: Julia you do realise that’s just 100g? I hadn’t thought of it like that. Why did I think that way? Social conditioning?

#writersky #authorsky #writingcommunity #writingq #writer

Auschwitz was at the end of a long process. It did not start from gas chambers. This hatred was gradually developed by humans. From ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder. Auschwitz took time.

We have a walk in larder here. This morning I tidied it up and realised we definitely don’t need any more quick cook quinoa, rice, tea , tinned tomatoes etc … 🙄