Category: Uncategorized

Seven weeks and back to the full Saturday morning walk with Finley via the fields and town to call in at the butchers and bakers (no candlestick makers). Finley enjoying a spot of sunshine while he waits. Never managed to get this dog a bone yet! For locals to Hitchin I would recommend Keith as…

7 weeks down the track in the recovery journey and this week feels like a step change down in the levels of pain. I am still on painkillers but now moving to just cocodemol before bed and just paracetamol during the day. The levels of pain have dropped. It feels more like I have a…

Sounds like I was coming out of prison. And in truth, those first steps outside felt like that. A mixture of freedom and worry – am I going to be ok? This is about the broader context of being social – meeting and mingling with those outside my close friends and family. Leaving the hospital…

A joy to join Isaac and Lorna at the Triangle Community Garden coffee afternoon in support of MacMillan. Some amazing cakes to try and also to take home for the family. Isaac’s preference was the Brownie of course! He showed me the 152 green tomatoes he had picked. And I got to see his bonsai…

Another mini-series of reflections within the recovery journey. I’ll start with getting back in touch with family and friends. Sounds easy but managing renewed contact after major surgery and cancer diagnosis is an interesting one. Post-operation in the hospital the initial focus was on family visits. I guess less socialising but making sure I am…

First time down to Oughton Head for over 6 weeks with this fine fellow! Longest walk so far – nearly 7,000 steps at a very gentle pace for just over the hour. Managed to miss the rain 🌧️. A tired hound now!

I was in Newcastle as a student when Viz became a thing. I haven’t bought a copy for a long time but it always reminds me of Newcastle in the North East. A reminder of my younger days. The range of the characters – Finbarr Saunders, Buster Gonad, The Fat Slags, Roger Millie and Billy…

Good initial visit today to meet a physio. Clearly he hasn’t had many colorectal patients with a stoma through the system so he was on a learning curve! We did work out that by placing a pillow under my back I could lie down and start some basic core muscle engagement work. Simple idea but…

As I said, movement is improving. Up to 15k in a day for steps. Still slow up the hills ⛰️😮‍💨

Back to a physical recovery topic. This is related to the surgery and my stoma (SpongeBob). As a result of these they had to cut away through the muscles in the stomach. So until the body fixes this my core muscles are weakened and there is a risk of me getting a hernia around the…