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Welcome to the Teal Thursday chat for July 2026.

Teal Thursdays are an opportunity to connect 'live' with others by posting in the thread below. While the Teal Thursday is set for Thursdays at 1pm Eastern, feel free to add to the conversation when it works for you.

If you would like to revisit the Teal Thursday conversation from June 2026, you can do so by clicking here. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to me, anytime. 

I hope you have a wonderful July, 

Marianne

Hi all and welcome to the first Teal Tea of July. Summer is definitely upon us here in Southwestern Ontario on the shores of Lake Erie. It's going to be 41C again tomorrow with humidity. I guess we were begging for nicer weather during the depths of winter so here it is!

I'm headed to Stratford today with my hubby. Off to see "Something Rotten" and overnight at an Airbnb. We've got some nice meals planned and will do some exploring of the area as well. My hubby loves going in all the fun little stores. Plus I hear there are good butter tarts in the area. It sounds like it may be a rainy day but I'll take rainy and warm. 

I did recently get some vindication which I'm pretty happy about. Long story short, due to some minor reactions during past CT scans (I had itchiness around my eyes that lasted for about a minute when the contrast was injected into my system), I was told by the radiologist at PMH that I was 'no longer eligible for scans with contrast'. My 'reactions' were only happening at PMH (I'd had scans with contrast done at other hospitals in Toronto without any reaction). I chose to advocate for myself and with my oncology team's help, was referred to the Sunnybrook Allergy Clinic. The clinic doctor did a CT contrast test and confirmed I do not have an allergy. There are in fact FOUR different contrast solutions that can be used. They confirmed that the contrast used at PMH was the only one I had shown a minor reaction to. So, the Allergists report indicated that in her opinion, I'm fine to receive contrast. If necessary I should have Claritin in advance (fyi, the protocols used to be Prednisone and Benadryl and apparently this has since changed in Ontario). What I also appreciated from the Dr. report was the suggestion that PMH use one of the other three contrast solutions if there are concerns. Not sure why they couldn't have considered that in the first place.

I'm very thankful that my oncology team (also at PMH) listened to me and were supportive. It was a reminder to me to always be your own strongest advocate. 

And with that story....I hope you all have a lovely Thursday. I won't likely be on at 1pm today however I will be checking in when I can.

@Alwayslearning hope the show was great!  How were those butter tarts?😋. Gosh I feel like I've been consuming so many sugary treats lately, so hard to refuse.  Hopefully you will get the non reactive contrast next time you get a ct scan.

Hi @Meinvan ... the play was excellent. Highly recommend. It was so funny. A great night of laughter. I never found butter tarts in the downtown core area. Lots of candy/chocolate shops but not butter tarts. I saved myself some calories 😀

@Alwayslearning I was in Stratford the day before you last week! I love popping into Rheo Thompson's when I'm there, but skipped it this time (I had a schedule to keep, lol). Met my new obgyn, she and her clinic was very welcoming and understanding of everything I've been through, especially when it comes to my past experiences with medical professionals. Then I went for my pelvic ultrasound yesterday at my local hospital, I am glad my gyne oncologist ordered it for me (for ongoing pelvic pain), as I am experiencing spotting and light bleeding from my repeat biopsy three weeks ago. I follow up with him next week, to go over biopsy results, this ultrasound, and to talk about my questions and concerns (I need to take some time this week to prep my questions, etc.). I also got a call from another local hospital yesterday, to book me for a series of iron Infusions. I was surprised to get their call because I had only just discussed it last week with my NP., but I guess we are going ahead with it! I have been iron deficient or even iron anemic at times over the last several years due to heavy menstrual bleeding. My iron levels started to improve in September, but i am back down again, and no longer absorbing the iron supplement I have been taking for over a year. My hemoglobin is okay still so not anemic right now, but we are hoping it will help me feel a bit better. It's supposed to be three weeks in a row starting this Saturday, but I am traveling on holidays starting Aug 1, so we will have to do the third Infusion when I am home from holidays in mid August. The lady that called to book said be prepared to be there for three hours, and to bring snacks and something to entertain myself with. At least I know what my plans are for the next couple of Saturdays now lol.

Hi @MissERP ... oh we stopped into Rheo's. My hips expanded the moment I walked in the door 😋. Thankfully I wasn't in a chocolate mood which is odd for me. So we escaped empty handed.

I'm so glad to hear the appointment with your new obgyn went well and you had a positive experience at the clinic. Glad you also got that ultrasound and you have that appointment next week with your gyne onc. It's always hard when there's a large span of time between tests and the appointment. I hope you get some insight into what may be causing your spotting and that it's nothing overly concerning.

I hope the iron infusions go well. My niece used to have those. She is grossly iron deficient in her teens. They helped a lot. I hope they will do the same for you. Glad they gave you the 'heads up' to come prepared for a wait. It's such a shame it will take that long however as you said, it's great they were able to get you in so quickly. Time to download some good movies or shows or books to keep you amused!

Please if you get a chance, keep us posted on how things go next week and your infusion experience. I have no doubt you are looking forward to your holidays. 😎

#Healthandwellness

Hello all,

Well, today is my birthday!! 🎂 Always thankful to be here, celebrating with family and friends for another year.

We are, like so many in Ontario, experiencing horrible air quality from the terrible forest fires up north. Our sky is yellow and completely hazy with smoke. We are on Lake Erie and I can't imagine what it's like in the Greater Toronto Area let alone northern Ontario. Praying for rain and some relief for those fighting the fires and who have suffered losses as a result of these fires. 

I just finished making cashew pesto with my explosion of basil in my garden. It's been growing like crazy. I also picked my first cherry tomato (and ate is right away...so good). Now I need to figure out some fun recipes (other than pasta) to use it in.

I hope everyone is doing well. I always appreciate everyone's engagement on this forum. It's always amazing how wonderful relationships can be born from 'tragedy'. Hugs to you all. 🤗

Glad to hear you are finding your new team helpful@MissERP.  I have had iron deficiency anemia since diagnosis.  My last ferritin was 26, but hgb is stable.  Suppose to recheck it at the end of the summer.  I have been taking feremax every 2 days since Feb.2025.

@Alwayslearning happy belated birthday!  What wonderful thing did you do for it?  Cashew pesto sounds great.  I have some basil in my pots, I've used a little in salad so far.  Can you make tomato confit with the tomatoes?  Usually I do that with cherry tomatoes and put it on a nice French baguette or as a pasta sauce, so delicious!  Tomato soup?

@LeslieA I'm so enjoying the cooler weather!  I'm still sweating even on the cool rainy days.  We so need the rain for all the fires, but they can keep the lightening.  I can't imagine being in the areas affected by the fires, so sad.

my heels and feet have been bothering me for the past week or so, so haven't done too much walking which I have been missing.  Started yesterday getting back to little short walks.  Gonna be so hot here this week, but only 3 days so hopefully I can push thru that.

hope everyone has a great weekend!

@Meinvan thank you for the BD greetings. It was pretty low key. Out for dinner with my in laws and hubby. I just enjoyed making things from my garden. I have a cherry tomato plant and it's going to explore with ripe tomatoes soon. I tend to eat them as is...they don't last long around me. 😁

I hope your feet are feeling better. Maybe it was a sign to stay inside during the heat!

#

@Meinvan @Alwayslearning thanks ladies. My first iron infusion went well, just some bruising from the iv. My appointment today was so so, I got to express some of my concerns and forgot some of my questions despite having everything written down (I've been feeling very on edge or overwhelmed today). I am getting a referral to a reproductive endocrinologist and hopefully they can better help with some side effect/symptom management.

Hi @MissERP ... glad the first infusion is done. It's been a few days so have you noticed any change in your energy level? I have no idea how long it takes to work it's way unto your system however I figure an i/v vs. a pill would work faster.

Sorry your appointment still have some disappointment. Perhaps at the next appointment, take a deep breath, open your book/journal to your questions and work your way through them until you are finished. Don't let them take you down their pathway until you've walked down yours. Just a thought. I do understand the concept of feeling 'on edge' and 'overwhelmed'. Try to reward yourself for the small steps forward you are taking or wins you are getting. Sometimes breaking it down that way can help reduce the volume of noise that can come at us. 

Hopefully the referral will help. Sending you a hug 🤗

#Supportandencouragement

Hi @Alwayslearning, I am not sure how long it takes to feel a difference from the iron infusion. I felt poorly Monday afternoon, which I think was maybe a delayed response (the internet says you can have flu like symptoms 24 - 48 hours following the infusion). I have felt generally unwell most days over the last several months, today included, a medication side effect pperhaps. My neutrophils were elevated when I went for my infusion so maybe I am just dealing with a bit of an infection right now, I don't know (my neutrophils seem to be elevated more often than not, I wonder if its an inflammation thing? Again, I don't know). 

Thank you, yes, focusing on the small wins etc., is somwthing I need to work on more. It does feel good when I can stop and see how far I've come over the last months 🩷

@LeslieA thanks for the BD greetings. I had a lovely day. 

Yes the fires have been horrible. It smelled and tasted like eating ashes. It was gross. It's all cleared here now thankfully as we had a massive storm last night. They got some much needed rain up north thank goodness. I'm so sorry about the BC fires as well. It's so awful. 

I'm jealous you have yellow beans. I LOVE those. I may have to be more ambitious next year and try to grow beans and perhaps some lettuce.

I did put the pesto on salmon. It was delicious. I put some individual servings into the freezer to use at a later time. I can't wait to have it with pasta. 

Hope you had a nice weekend. 

Happy Teal Thursday...sorry I wasn't on at 1pm. I was on a beach catching some rays 😎. Our friends are visiting so we were doing the 'beach' thing (I live a 5 minute walk from a beach). It was sunny but the wind is out today so I had to wrap my towel around myself. We are headed out tonight for some fun...going to the local theatre to see, "Secret Service". The local theatre always puts on a great show plus we have a nice meal out ahead of time.

How is everyone else doing out there? There's been quite a bit of activity on OVd the last week or so. It's always great to see all the discussion threads. I always learn so much from each of you.

As a reminder, if you haven't had a chance if you can take a quick moment to complete the OCC poll on the front page of OVd. It's one question and should take all of 5 seconds. Our feedback helps them to better understand the value that OVd is providing. Thanks again to all who have completed it and in advance if you are about to.