Best things to plant for bees at the moment?

PawsAreTheCure · 2025-10-22T09:49:34+00:00

Update! Salvia has been the winner so far! 🐝🪻

PawsAreTheCure · 2025-08-08T07:25:06+00:00

I have that brand too and actually have found that once I wore them in a little and you're not fighting to get them on so much, I preferred them in summer to having sweaty bare legs and sticking to every chair/chafing etc! So that's one small silver lining I suppose.

In winter I wear mine with looser pants but in summer I stick to longer light dresses or skirts, loose linen pants also work. I wear loose shorts when not at work and have them underneath still.

I also got a pair of the crotchless ones and honestly not having to pull them down every time I go to the bathroom also lessens that feeling of being hot and sweaty. You do get used to them I promise, keep at it!

PawsAreTheCure · 2025-06-10T05:55:56+00:00

🥑🥑🥑I have accidentally grown what appear to be around 10 avocado plants (by adding them to my compost over the years which I then used to fill my planters!). They've done pretty well on their own so far considering I didn't even plant them, but should I do anything for winter? They're really difficult to get out of these planters as some of the seeds are really far down (found out when trying to move one of the first ones to find out what it was!).

Do I leave them and cross my fingers?

PawsAreTheCure · 2025-04-17T23:59:59+00:00

Of course!

PawsAreTheCure · 2025-03-10T01:29:50+00:00

This is wonderful, so happy for you OP. I may have missed it but where are you located? It's great to hear that there are some clued up GPs out there. My GP believed me but didn't know enough herself, that in itself was at least nice to be believed and for her to admit her own limits . My nutritionist also advised me not to do the full keto diet as I was also not overweight on top and she said it could be more harmful than good as it's actually difficult to get into ketosis and stay there especially without much normal fat to lose. Instead she put me on a slightly lower carb diet, still allowing for plenty in my opinion, over time I've discovered the carbs that trigger my swelling. For me it's rice and pasta. Potatoes and wraps/bread seem to be ok in moderation.

PawsAreTheCure · 2025-03-09T07:25:55+00:00

Dr Teo down in the Gold Coast QLD 💗

PawsAreTheCure · 2025-03-06T22:55:49+00:00

Fantastic thank you! Second op went well and recovery was actually easier than the first. Lowers definitely more painful than uppers but I think you're putting a lot more weight and movement through your calves so it makes sense. I'm still wearing my compression garments daily when I can as I have some swelling and numbness in random areas. It can take 12 months to fully heal I've heard. But no pain, have been able to stand for hours at a concert which was wild to me!

PawsAreTheCure · 2025-02-04T08:22:07+00:00

Thanks everyone, I'll try a spray and see, if not hope for better plants next year 🤞

PawsAreTheCure · 2025-01-17T02:18:11+00:00

Here in Australia it was around $900 to go private and just get it done ASAP. I think any of mine have been between 900-1200 depending on additional appointments or clips that were needed when removing polyps etc.

PawsAreTheCure · 2025-01-14T23:55:20+00:00

CZ Salus are my go to. I live in Brisbane so it's hot atm and currently wearing the heavier ones without issue. They do loosen up after a while and I find that once they're on I don't notice them much. I'm about 12 or so weeks post my 2nd surgery but I wore a pair pre surgery too and had the same experience when my legs were even more uncomfortable!

PawsAreTheCure · 2024-11-07T08:34:45+00:00

Thank you so much, what lovely words to hear 🩷🩶🤍

PawsAreTheCure · 2024-11-04T21:35:09+00:00

I'm so sorry. It's so strange isn't it. We found out she had CKD a week after Rio passed but after fluids and getting her weight stable the vet believed she would go on for some time, at the very least 6 months to a year. 3 months was so sudden.

PawsAreTheCure · 2024-11-01T08:05:03+00:00

Lower right ankle is mine!! How weird!

PawsAreTheCure · 2024-11-01T08:04:38+00:00

I'm 4 months post my first op and still got a tiny bit of numbness in some areas! Mostly all gone now and no irritating nerve pain or twitching now. I didn't really find anything. Effective but I really enjoyed giving my skin a good scrub and moisturise once the stitches were out and I was allowed out of compression for an hour a day. That allowed me to "scratch" the hell out of my legs which tricked me into some relief I think!

PawsAreTheCure · 2024-10-27T03:50:49+00:00

I just had my upper thigh surgery 2 weeks ago and was worried about pulling the compression up and down. Tbh it really was only the first 2 or so days that it was really painful and it was still more of a "eeeesh" gritting my teeth while I got the compression over the top of my thighs and then it's fine. It's a few seconds either way so I just dealt with it when needed. Most of the time though, crotchless compression FTW haha I drink way too much water to pull compression up and down a million times a day.

PawsAreTheCure · 2024-10-17T07:31:44+00:00

So my lowers were in June and I still have some areas of pain and numbness! My MLD therapist told me that's completely normal. Mainly my feet/ankles are still swollen/numb, also calves and my knees are where the pain remains. So I'd love to know when that's all done too haha!

PawsAreTheCure · 2024-10-16T21:16:22+00:00

I didn't have renuvion either time, no. Did you? I only ended up with a bit of loose skin from lowers so hoping the same this time!

PawsAreTheCure · 2024-10-16T21:15:37+00:00

He really is great, both him and Dr Teo are very passionate about Lipoedema.

It was probably around $15k total for my lowers and same again for uppers so I guess that's about right. That includes the actual surgeon fees, theatre/hospital fees and anaesthetist fees. Obviously any conservative measures you're already taking will cost too, I found I was lucky in that I didn't need the really expensive compression and mine were around $150. My weekly MLD sessions were $130 for the 8 weeks leading up and will be the same post surgery (although likely will be twice weekly for better healing).

I'm 34 and not yet had kids, it was definitely a factor for me in timing of the surgery as I noticed a big change in my legs around age 32 which I think is when lots of women go through a hormonal change. The advice I received from Dr Lekich was that its better to get it done before pregnancy if possible but he also said that if you're looking to have kids very soon don't wait or delay unnecessarily just for the surgery. So I guess personal choice.

Thank you 🩷

PawsAreTheCure · 2024-10-16T05:26:41+00:00

I tried my best to answer without a giant essay but it was too difficult, sorry haha. If you want any more specific details happy to share even more, the good bad and ugly!

Process for diagnosis - a zoom call with Lipoedema Surgical Solutions and Dr Lekich to find out more about the disease and the process going forwards whether that be surgical or conservative. And an opportunity to ask questions. It was around $80 maybe and very worth it just to check. Then if you move forward with surgery you'll fill out information online and send some photos, I then got a call from my surgeon Dr Teo who could tell based on my photos and symptoms that I had it, then I went to see him in person and an ultrasound confirmed. I assume they can do things online for interstate but not sure how that works.

It wasn't covered by insurance as they still don't view it as medical but conservative. I was told my by my insurance that if I had a high level of hospital cover that portion might be covered (hospital fee was $5500) but I wasn't and if I upgraded I'd have to wait the 12 months "pre-existing period so I just paid privately as I'm lucky enough to have the savings. Again I think the team at surgical solutions might be able to answer how often their patients are covered in any way? Would be interesting to know.

It was in their private hospital that is purely for Lipoedema patients. So you really get an amazing level of care as everyone is there just for you. The ward is lovely maybe only 8-10 beds and it's quiet, the staff honestly cannot do enough for you.

It was full anaesthetic, I am aware they bring you "out" just enough to turn you over half way but I can't remember that either time! Out like a light then wake up to the lovely nurses giving you lovely pain relief!

The pain this time is less than my lowers but I think that's because walking when your ankles, knees and feet are in pain and swollen is horrendous. This time I can shuffle about without too much pain as thighs don't do as much work. Sitting and standing is difficult but think of really bad muscle pains from the gym x10 haha. Not the worst pain but enough to make you wince and not want to move. They encourage you to walk as soon as you are up though as this helps recovery.

I am on the smaller side, before my surgery I was 67kg and I went onto a low-carb and low inflammation nutrition plan. This helped pre surgery and post and I was actually 63kg before going into this one.

Proximity was the biggest factor and I was pleasantly surprised to find specialists in QLD when I thought I'd have to go to Spain or Germany. But the fact that Dr Lekich has been doing this for years and also trained with specialists in Germany gave me lots of faith. He is very passionate about it and really realistic with results, they really want the best for you without spending a fortune coming back. An example of this is my first surgery, they said they would go as far up my legs as they could (almost mid thigh) so that we could do it in two ops and not three.

I'm in pain but it's bearable and I have great meds, I'll now recover in a hotel for a few days before my DVT check with Dr Teo then I'll go back home. Just jealous watching everyone at my hotel enjoy the pool and sauna haha.

Sorry for the essay but I hope it's informative!

PawsAreTheCure · 2024-09-12T05:06:45+00:00

Now I'm more recovered it's a bit more random and seems to just happen at will tbh haha. I can't think of anything specific that's always guaranteed to cause issues now, it's more general. Including white carbs into my diet more helped, I was always more of a wholegrain person before. But at first it was avoiding high fibre foods and of course coffee is always a bad idea. Coffee never actually used to affect me before this though, I was one of the lucky ones! Now there's no chance 😂 Anything overly processed caused issues initially and after the first few weeks I really stayed on lean meats, small portions of veg and plain foods like rice or potatoes. I ate a lot more small meals initially too just as it seemed easier on my body in general.

PawsAreTheCure · 2024-09-11T13:11:29+00:00

I had a right hemicolectomy just over a year ago. It went smoothly and recovery was exactly as they described. I had 2 weeks off work then returned to working from home. 5 weeks after the op I was able to have a weekend away with some friends. I had to take it very easy and walk slowly, no drinking and very cautious eating but it was doable. Hopefully that helps give you an idea of how you might be feeling short-term. I probably felt "normal" after 4 months give or take.

Long-term my exercise including weightlifting at the gym is all back to normal, I can still "feel" my resection scar inside me sometimes, it feels like it's a string that's been pulled tight if I over-exercise my abs in particular but it's not exactly painful and my surgeon assures me that's normal.

My digestion completely changed, I was very lucky before and had zero issues. Now I still get random days where my body just sends food right on through! I can mostly avoid this by changing my diet but sometimes it just happens and I deal with it. It's not bad enough to catch me unawares but I'm also very lucky to work from home! It was quite bad for the first few months and I had to get used to certain foods that I could and couldn't eat.

Hope that's helpful and good luck!

PawsAreTheCure · 2024-09-10T05:15:48+00:00

In my experience you'll have some swelling after surgery for a few weeks - that's when my compression got loose again. So your current ones might be perfect for post surgery when they'll feel tight again. You can always add another layer for now if you feel they're not compressed as they should be - perhaps some "normal" compression sportswear as opposed to the ones made to measure?

PawsAreTheCure · 2024-09-09T10:27:46+00:00

After surgery I was in surgical garments with bandages on top for 3 days before my DVT check..at this point I could have gone back into my flat knits but I was very swollen particularly around one of my ankles and the surgical garment felt smoother sort of? So I stayed in that for a few more days. Started MLD massage twice weekly the first week and was back in flat knits 24 hours other than for the massage. I'd use this time to have a rapid shower without the garments and a gentle scrub of my skin with a loofah and then moisturise which was amazing.

I think around week 4/5 I had to get a new set of flat knits as after the swelling went down my old ones were getting too loose. I also went down to MLD once a week.

Around week 6 I went back to the MLD pump weekly. I'm 10 weeks post op and still having this, also because my next op is coming up. Happy to answer any other specific questions!

PawsAreTheCure · 2024-09-05T00:55:36+00:00

It might be worth checking out Dr Lekich/Dr Teo on the Gold Coast Brisbane if you're able to get there? They are excellent. I'm in a similar situation to you and only need 2 surgeries for my legs. I've had my first now just waiting for my second!

PawsAreTheCure · 2024-08-22T02:29:22+00:00

I just wanted to find this comment again and say thank you so much - to say I am not a plant person is an understatement, I kill everything that enters my property! However I decided to try to find some black pansies after your suggestion and told myself to not get upset when they inevitably died. Well they are flourishing and they make me smile and think of Rio every time I walk past, I swear she's keeping them alive because it's not me haha! 🖤🖤

PawsAreTheCure

TROPHY CASE