My eldest, as it turns out, did have half a good idea when she suggested carrying some stones for my fox nemesis. The crap part of the suggestion was suggesting that I go out and gather stones and aiming them at the floor to scare him off, as opposed to a direct shot. The current tools were all reasonably close quarter fox ‘re-education devices’, the stones meant I could keep further away. I changed the stones to large metal nuts that I gleefully picked out, mumbling vengeance under my breath, in the hardware store. I weighed, calculated and scored the various bags of nuts. Not enough in the packet, too heavy, too light, too expensive and as Goldie locks would say this one was just right. Read More »
101. Love Me Tender November. Part 1
I had an appointment at Guys hospital to discuss my increasing PSA. The last count was 0.15 and at 0.20 I would need to start the dreaded radiotherapy and all the fun that entails. A few days before it was changed to a telephone appointment as those wonderful train drivers were going on strike again. This time around I got a surprise call from the elusive Mr Cathcart himself. It was short and sweet. My PSA was now 0.16 and unless I specifically wanted to pull the rip cord early, we would leave the radiotherapy until we reached that magical bonus number. I asked him what he thought, and he said it’s something we want to leave as long as possible. That was fine by me, nothing good ever came of pulling that ripcord early other that a swift gust of wind guiding you back up into the aeroplane’s propellers.Read More »
100. Do You Want The Keyring or The Telegram?
If my blog were a person, it would now be getting a telegram from the King. Up until a few months ago that same telegram would have been from the Queen.
When I started this blog, I had no idea where it would take me, if I had enough to write about and even if anyone would read it. Since that very first blog, the UK has seen 3 prime ministers (could be 4 by the time this is published) and a new monarch. I lost pops, had 2 new jobs and survived a pandemic.
Becoming a spokesperson for Prostate Cancer UK was definitely one of the best decisions I have made and one of the few good things to come out of having prostate cancer. I have met some incredible people along the way, particularly those connected to Prostate Cancer UK. I have done a lot of fantastic talks – some more memorable than others for one reason or another. I have touched, helped and encouraged others which makes me incredibly proud and love what I’m doing.Read More »
99. Is That An X-Ray or A Gamma in Your Pocket?
Another appointment at Guys hospital. It had changed a bit since I was last there. Many people were still wearing masks but the table with the security guard handing out the mandatory masks had gone. So had the many hand sanitisers dotted around the first floor. I have to admit even after my second tussle with the dreaded Vid a couple of months back I can count on one hand the last time I used a mask.Read More »
I Am The One In Three 