...and I'm still healthy - if not so wealthy or wise....
Here's to 2009!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 08, 2008
Weird Scenes Inside...
Today is the third anniversary of me being told I had bowel cancer. I'm holding the original CT scan.
I might not have thought about it specifically today had I not also got a letter in the post from my consultant confirming that my latest test scores are all completely normal!
I might not have thought about it specifically today had I not also got a letter in the post from my consultant confirming that my latest test scores are all completely normal!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Check Up
I had my six monthly check up today - as you can see, I was a bit nervous beforehand...
But Mr Bain says he's "very pleased indeed" with my progress and will see me in a year's time for a colonoscopy..
*breathes sigh of relief*
But Mr Bain says he's "very pleased indeed" with my progress and will see me in a year's time for a colonoscopy..
*breathes sigh of relief*
Sunday, October 26, 2008
The Red Bicycle
Seeing as running seems to be out due to my foot problem, I've decided to take up cycling to get fit!
Still doing well - next hospital check up in November.
Still doing well - next hospital check up in November.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Ouch!
I went for a run earlier this week and it's caused the resurgence of my swollen toe. It was agony in the night. I went to the doc this morning and he says it's gout.
I'm not really surprised - I've had it in the past ( but not for a few years) and my brother gets it.
I'm not really surprised - I've had it in the past ( but not for a few years) and my brother gets it.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Doing Well
Just a quick post to let those of you who don't follow my Self Portrait Project that I'm doing well. Just back from a week in the Lake District.
This is me and Alfie at the top of Skiddaw - all 3053 feet of it!
This is me and Alfie at the top of Skiddaw - all 3053 feet of it!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Leroy Sievers
Throughout the course of my illness, Leroy's blog was one of the things I often turned to.
Today came the news that he'd died.
I shall miss the humour and warmth of his daily posts.
Today came the news that he'd died.
I shall miss the humour and warmth of his daily posts.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Getting Fit Again
This morning I completed my first 10k Run since before I was ill.
I was so pleased just to have finished.
I was so pleased just to have finished.
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Back to the Wall
In late 2005 I was involved in an amazing flickr project, the Flickrwall in Newcastle. (You can see my contribution here.)
It was also the time that I discovered I had cancer and so I always associate it with a lifechanging time. I also met some great people who I'm pleased to still call friends.
Some young film-makers from Northern Stars got in touch with some us recently as they're doing a video about the wall and the people who were involved in it.
After they had finished the interview, they were kind enough to be in today's SP.
( This being-interviewed thing is getting to be a habit...)
It was also the time that I discovered I had cancer and so I always associate it with a lifechanging time. I also met some great people who I'm pleased to still call friends.
Some young film-makers from Northern Stars got in touch with some us recently as they're doing a video about the wall and the people who were involved in it.
After they had finished the interview, they were kind enough to be in today's SP.
( This being-interviewed thing is getting to be a habit...)
Monday, June 30, 2008
Happy Birthday Mum!
Mum would have been 70 this weekend.
We got all her friends together and gave her the party she would have wanted with entertainment from Fred Wedlock. Although we missed her, it was a great day.
We got all her friends together and gave her the party she would have wanted with entertainment from Fred Wedlock. Although we missed her, it was a great day.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Result
This is special.
It took no time to do it - but he knows that two years out, it matters.
Thank you Mr B.
It took no time to do it - but he knows that two years out, it matters.
Thank you Mr B.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Post - Cancer Tiredness
Interesting article here.
I've always thought how lucky I was to be working from home when I went back to work after my surgery and how exhausted I was during chemotherapy. I don't know where I'd have been without my naps!
Not sure what the excuse is now ;)
I've always thought how lucky I was to be working from home when I went back to work after my surgery and how exhausted I was during chemotherapy. I don't know where I'd have been without my naps!
Not sure what the excuse is now ;)
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Check Up
Today I had to go for my 6 monthly check up and blood tests. No wonder I look a bit nervous!
Mr Bain says he's very pleased with my progress and all my test results are "boringly normal"..
Phew.
Mr Bain says he's very pleased with my progress and all my test results are "boringly normal"..
Phew.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Sunny Sunday
I've been working from home for the last week and it's coincided with some lovely weather. It's meant a chance to get out into the backyard of the new house and get it sorted . Rather a lot of boxes inside still though :)
Have started the gym regularly now and already starting to feel the benefits - just really in a sense of well-being.
Hope I can carry that through into next week when I have to be away with work!
Have started the gym regularly now and already starting to feel the benefits - just really in a sense of well-being.
Hope I can carry that through into next week when I have to be away with work!
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Blood Pressure Update
I know that a few people were concerned about my last posting about my blood pressure.
I went to see the doctor this week for a medical for health insurance and so of course my BP was checked then. Even doing Best of Three for me, it was still quite high - but lower than it had been at the gym. But he checked things like intraocular pressure and resting heart rate and those are all fine. They took some blood to test as well.
Anyway he said he was fine to sign the form for me to start at the gym and said to get my BP checked there regularly. I'm to go back to the doc if it stays high.
I'm so pleased about the gym though - I really wanted to get started there and it would have been so depressing if I couldn't. And it must have a positive effect on my BP anyway, mustn't it?
As to the cause, well, all I can think of is the stress of moving, residual worry about getting the old house sold and work being quite tough at the moment. I'm certainly still eating sensibly most of the time and although I enjoy my glasses of wine in the evening, it's not excessive.
I might start up meditation again though - that should help.
I went to see the doctor this week for a medical for health insurance and so of course my BP was checked then. Even doing Best of Three for me, it was still quite high - but lower than it had been at the gym. But he checked things like intraocular pressure and resting heart rate and those are all fine. They took some blood to test as well.
Anyway he said he was fine to sign the form for me to start at the gym and said to get my BP checked there regularly. I'm to go back to the doc if it stays high.
I'm so pleased about the gym though - I really wanted to get started there and it would have been so depressing if I couldn't. And it must have a positive effect on my BP anyway, mustn't it?
As to the cause, well, all I can think of is the stress of moving, residual worry about getting the old house sold and work being quite tough at the moment. I'm certainly still eating sensibly most of the time and although I enjoy my glasses of wine in the evening, it's not excessive.
I might start up meditation again though - that should help.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Settling In
I'm just over a week in the new house now and I must say I'm really enjoying it! The house and I are taking some time to get to know each other before I make huge decisions about what goes where - but the basics are sorted: Kitchen. Bedroom. Internet. Office. Alfie. ( Alfie - after a fashion. We're having a huge battle about where he sleeps at the moment. He's winning...)
I joined a gym last weekend and went for my fitness assessment yesterday. The reassuring stuff was that I'm only about a stone over what I should be ( I thought it was a lot more than that) and my resting heart rate is good.
The downside was that my blood pressure is sky high! I'm really surprised by that. Throughout my illness, my BP always returned to a very normal normal no matter what they did to me. However, about a month ago the nurse at the surgery took my BP and it was up - but when I went last week, it was back to normal. Maybe it's just the stress of the move?
Anyway the upshot is that the gym say that I can't start my programme until I get a note from doctor saying it's OK. Something to get sorted this week.
I joined a gym last weekend and went for my fitness assessment yesterday. The reassuring stuff was that I'm only about a stone over what I should be ( I thought it was a lot more than that) and my resting heart rate is good.
The downside was that my blood pressure is sky high! I'm really surprised by that. Throughout my illness, my BP always returned to a very normal normal no matter what they did to me. However, about a month ago the nurse at the surgery took my BP and it was up - but when I went last week, it was back to normal. Maybe it's just the stress of the move?
Anyway the upshot is that the gym say that I can't start my programme until I get a note from doctor saying it's OK. Something to get sorted this week.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Moving On
So.
Just about my last night in this house. Tomorrow I'm in Birmingham and then on Thursday the removers come to pack me up. On Friday everything ends up the new house. Hopefully.
Alfie's left already - to the kennels and back to our new home at the weekend.
I've been happy in this house mostly. It's been the first I've owned on my own. And the first one I've chosen. J and I have had so many happy laughing times here.
But it's also the one where I discovered I was ill and where I spent uncomfortable ( and sometimes traumatic) months recovering.
And it's the last house of mine my mum ever saw - that makes me very sad. I recall how she struggled the last time she was here.
All in all mixed feelings about leaving then. But I feel good about the new place. It feels light and spacious and open.
I hope to match its mood from now on.
Just about my last night in this house. Tomorrow I'm in Birmingham and then on Thursday the removers come to pack me up. On Friday everything ends up the new house. Hopefully.
Alfie's left already - to the kennels and back to our new home at the weekend.
I've been happy in this house mostly. It's been the first I've owned on my own. And the first one I've chosen. J and I have had so many happy laughing times here.
But it's also the one where I discovered I was ill and where I spent uncomfortable ( and sometimes traumatic) months recovering.
And it's the last house of mine my mum ever saw - that makes me very sad. I recall how she struggled the last time she was here.
All in all mixed feelings about leaving then. But I feel good about the new place. It feels light and spacious and open.
I hope to match its mood from now on.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Key to the door!
It finally happened! I own the new house in Darlington - and it's lovely!
I move next week so will spend the next few days acciimatising...
Pretty healthy at the moment apart from a chesty cough.
I move next week so will spend the next few days acciimatising...
Pretty healthy at the moment apart from a chesty cough.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Stasis
A bit of a static Easter weekend really. The snow made it hard to plan anything and it seemed like everytime Alfie and I stuck our noses out of the door down it came again! I'm also getting really irritated with the delay in getting the key to the new house ( hopefully two weeks today!) - I just feel that I can't do anything until that's sorted. My neck remains quite uncomfortable as well.
But I did catch up on a lot of sleep, ate well, had some good long walks with Alfie ( in spite of the snow) and had the usual fun doing my self portraits so it certainly wasn't a wasted weekend.
But I did catch up on a lot of sleep, ate well, had some good long walks with Alfie ( in spite of the snow) and had the usual fun doing my self portraits so it certainly wasn't a wasted weekend.
Friday, March 21, 2008
A Pain in the Neck
I'm going into Easter Weekend with a really sore neck! I've no idea how I did it - I just woke up on Thursday morning with it. Even a massage last night hasn't really sorted it. A shame as I was going to spend some of the weekend tidying and sorting for my move - which still ( touch wood) looks like it's going ahead in about three weeks' time.
But apart from that, I'm fairly well - still worried about my weight but don't think I can focus on that till I move - and my blood pressure is ( unusually) a bit high. ( Any connection ? - ed)
But I'll sort all that.
Hope you all have a restful and peaceful weekend.
But apart from that, I'm fairly well - still worried about my weight but don't think I can focus on that till I move - and my blood pressure is ( unusually) a bit high. ( Any connection ? - ed)
But I'll sort all that.
Hope you all have a restful and peaceful weekend.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Noob No More! *
You may remember that one of my New Year's resolutions was to get my World of Warcraft character to Level 70.
I finally did it last night!
* No Longer a Beginner!
I finally did it last night!
* No Longer a Beginner!
Sunday, March 02, 2008
March already!
So - another month begins.
My health is still good but I have put on some weight. Need to do something about that but I think it'll get easier as the days lengthen and warm.
The house buying saga is still dragging on. We won't be completing on March 14th now - something further on down the chain has slowed things down and April 7 is the best guess at the moment. Irritating but little I can do about it.
( Ed: You're obviously in a more zen mood this morning! Last night you were all for reducing the offer and evicting the vendor...)
Happy Mothering Sunday!
My health is still good but I have put on some weight. Need to do something about that but I think it'll get easier as the days lengthen and warm.
The house buying saga is still dragging on. We won't be completing on March 14th now - something further on down the chain has slowed things down and April 7 is the best guess at the moment. Irritating but little I can do about it.
( Ed: You're obviously in a more zen mood this morning! Last night you were all for reducing the offer and evicting the vendor...)
Happy Mothering Sunday!
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Mum
I'm not able to be there for Mothering Sunday next week, so when I was over seeing my brothers this weekend I called in to see her.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Forty Nine!
Just back from a lovely birthday weekend with J.
Saturday night at M and G's Joint 50th Birthday Party - great to see loads of old piping friends. Then on Sunday to Alnwick Garden and then on to Warkworth ( such a contrast from when I was there two years ago!).
And in the evening, a meal out in Darlington with J and D.
Thanks to everyone for all your cards and presents and flowers!
Saturday night at M and G's Joint 50th Birthday Party - great to see loads of old piping friends. Then on Sunday to Alnwick Garden and then on to Warkworth ( such a contrast from when I was there two years ago!).
And in the evening, a meal out in Darlington with J and D.
Thanks to everyone for all your cards and presents and flowers!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
One Dog and His Man
I've had Alfie for a year today. I remember the moment I brought him home from the Dog Rescue place.. We just sat and stared at each other.
We still do....
The house purchase is grinding forward in spite of the best efforts of my solicitor to make everything take twice as long as it needs. ( This week's classic was a letter in reply to an email from me...) The vendor and I are aiming for a completion date of 14 March. ( Hope it's not a day later... -ed)
Still busy at work and had a quite a lot of trouble with my back this week. It's been quite sore. Too much stressed hunching over a computer I think!
We still do....
The house purchase is grinding forward in spite of the best efforts of my solicitor to make everything take twice as long as it needs. ( This week's classic was a letter in reply to an email from me...) The vendor and I are aiming for a completion date of 14 March. ( Hope it's not a day later... -ed)
Still busy at work and had a quite a lot of trouble with my back this week. It's been quite sore. Too much stressed hunching over a computer I think!
Civic Welcome
My move to Darlington had better go ahead now.
The Civic Welcome has already been prepared...
( Many thanks to Pickersgill Reef for this.)
The Civic Welcome has already been prepared...
( Many thanks to Pickersgill Reef for this.)
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Every Day Is Like Sunday...
I always look forward to weeks when I'm working at home. But by about Wednesday things start to drag- no matter how busy I am and I begin to wish I was away again! This week was no exception - I think I've just done this sort of job for too long.
I've also not quite felt 100% all week - nothing too serious - just a bit fluey and queasy. ( It's poor J who's been really ill with whatever this bug is that's going around.)
The house buying/selling palaver has trundled on as well - I think we've moved forward and I may even ( fingers crossed) have a buyer for this place. But still no completion date.
But the highlight of the week was definitely seeing Morrissey at the Sunderland Empire on Friday. He was superb. Such shame that J was too ill to go.
I'm away on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.
That'll teach me...
I've also not quite felt 100% all week - nothing too serious - just a bit fluey and queasy. ( It's poor J who's been really ill with whatever this bug is that's going around.)
The house buying/selling palaver has trundled on as well - I think we've moved forward and I may even ( fingers crossed) have a buyer for this place. But still no completion date.
But the highlight of the week was definitely seeing Morrissey at the Sunderland Empire on Friday. He was superb. Such shame that J was too ill to go.
I'm away on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.
That'll teach me...
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Gearing Up
As well as a trip to Holland with work this week, things have really started picking up on the new house purchase. What that actually means is that:
ho hum
However, the highlight of the week was definitely going over with J to a local studio to record some of her poems. Maybe we'll use them to go with videos or to post online - or maybe even a CD to sell at readings?
- the vendor and I are bickering over Central Heating Service Contract
- my dampness surveyor had to cancel because he had a bad chest...
- everyone tells me that completion will be Very Soon but no-one can tell me When
- I remembered how completely baffled I am over what it is exactly that solicitors do for the huge fees they demand.
ho hum
However, the highlight of the week was definitely going over with J to a local studio to record some of her poems. Maybe we'll use them to go with videos or to post online - or maybe even a CD to sell at readings?
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Second Anniversary
I had my major cancer surgery two years ago today
It always seems important to commemorate these things. On the fifth anniversary I'll be able to forget about it....
It always seems important to commemorate these things. On the fifth anniversary I'll be able to forget about it....
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Queasy
It's been a busy week at work and with a work trip to Holland next week, it's going to be even busier.
Things with the new house are moving forward - surveys look like they're OK and the mortgage has been agreed. But I doubt I'll be moving in before the end of February. No buyer interest in my current house so I'm going to move to the new one and then try to sell this one empty in the spring.
I've not felt too well most of the week - tummy's been upset and I've spent a lot of the time feeling queasy. I'm sure it's nothing too serious. ( I did of course, check that I didn't have any of the symptoms of Norovirus. I don't.) Probably the delayed results of Christmas overindulgence.
I'll just have to eat and drink sensibly in Holland....
Things with the new house are moving forward - surveys look like they're OK and the mortgage has been agreed. But I doubt I'll be moving in before the end of February. No buyer interest in my current house so I'm going to move to the new one and then try to sell this one empty in the spring.
I've not felt too well most of the week - tummy's been upset and I've spent a lot of the time feeling queasy. I'm sure it's nothing too serious. ( I did of course, check that I didn't have any of the symptoms of Norovirus. I don't.) Probably the delayed results of Christmas overindulgence.
I'll just have to eat and drink sensibly in Holland....
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Looking at Myself
Seems like I've spent the whole week looking at myself! Project 366 is going well but it can easily take over everything. On top of that it's been a really busy first week back at work - by Friday afternoon I finally remembered what I do for a living...
J came over last night and we had a nice evening in cooking supper and watching a DVD.
Will try to have a more interesting update next time - but heh, it is January!
J came over last night and we had a nice evening in cooking supper and watching a DVD.
Will try to have a more interesting update next time - but heh, it is January!
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Twelfth Night
...and I've just taken my tree and decorations down for another year. Next year in the new house eh?
Back to work tomorrow after a nice break so I'm inevitably feeling a bit low - but it's a nice sunny day out there (the snow left as quickly as it arrived) - so I'll take Alfie out in a while. He goes back to the kennels on Tuesday as I'm then away for the rest of the week.
Healthwise I go into the new year OK - the col/flu thing I had is almost gone. The richness of Christmas food has made my tummy play up a bit and the daily exercise is making me a bit sore but all that will pass I'm sure.
Back to work tomorrow after a nice break so I'm inevitably feeling a bit low - but it's a nice sunny day out there (the snow left as quickly as it arrived) - so I'll take Alfie out in a while. He goes back to the kennels on Tuesday as I'm then away for the rest of the week.
Healthwise I go into the new year OK - the col/flu thing I had is almost gone. The richness of Christmas food has made my tummy play up a bit and the daily exercise is making me a bit sore but all that will pass I'm sure.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Project 366 : Day 2 - Mugshot
You can see each day's photo in the sidebar now.
If you want to, that is....
If you want to, that is....
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
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