Back to the future

After yesterday's bombshell I slept early and awoke even earlier to consider my options. 

Having struggled long and hard to reach the place I'm at I do not intend retreating at this stage and have opted for a positive outlook.  Cancer cells are hardly likely to spring back into activity twenty-odd years later, surely? 

Anyway, I have little influence on the situation at this stage, preferring to leave the issue in the hands of people I trust implicently, Royal Marsden hospital. I can't hide the fact this is a setback but I'm able to deal with the situation much better than I could have a month or two ago, which indicates progress I suppose.

Today has started bright and sunny, supporting my positive attitude.

A warm,sunny day, most of which we spent on the boat. Having loaded our supplies we had ample time for relaxation and scoffing a pizza each before returning home. We have a lunch appointment tomorrow before returning to the boat with clothes in the afternoon.

Roller coaster

As we were preparing to load the boat with enough supplies to sustain us till Xmas our roller coaster ride continued with the arrival of a letter from Stanmore hospital requesting I get my damaged leg checked as some laboratory tests on tissue removed during the operation had belatedly indicated possible traces of cancer.  The cells could be dead and may relate to the lymphoma I had over twenty years ago which was cured by the Royal Marsden hospital at the time. Having got over the shock we are attempting to re-visit the hospital at the earliest opportunity and hope they can confirm there is no cause for concern. With luck we can continue with our boating plans and avoid unloading all those supplies again.

It was sunny and cool today, but the letter put a bigger dampener on the day than the weather ever could.

Loading boat in sunshine

Yes, sunshine. Today we're concentrating on tinned food and clothing , with perhaps the odd bottle or two of booze. In other words anything with a relatively long shelf life, which hopefully includes me?

We'll fill Tardis Two with diesel so we won't need to worry for a month or two.

Happy days.

Drought end

It rained most of yesterday and has yet to stop. We have decided on a spot of retail therapy to get us out of the house for a while. Margaret's birthday present was money for a boating hat and I also need new sandals, so our mission is already defined.

By the way, Bette Midler does a wonderful version of "In my life" , which is my stuck in the head song for today so far. 

I'm still feeling good and would feel even better if it would only stop bloody raining !

Mission accomplished  plus new shades.

Prescription lottery

After several days of success in London it was almost reassuring to get back to Leicestershire NHS chaos, this time involving my insulin supply. I use two distinct types, both pork derivatives , one long-acting (overnight) and one short-acting (daytime) . Simple? Not according to my GP or my pharmacy who seem able to supply only one of them. As a result I have a fridge full of short-acting insulin but close to running out of the long-acting, which is obviously far from ideal. After several trips to the pharmacy and my GP it appears the problem may have been resolved, but I'm not holding my breath.

It is only a matter of life or death (mine) after all.

Boiler kiss of life.

After many months of frustration, swearing and anger, our old boiler is back in working order again, albeit  temporarily. We now have hot water to all taps and the shower, plus central heating, all at the same time if desired. Through a combination of being skint  and my illness we had delayed repairs/replacement  for as long as possible, but a chance meeting with a boiler engineer at the marina finally convinced us to bite the bullet.

Should you require a good, reliable , honest central heating engineer based near Burton on Trent Google JC Plumbing and Heating and mention my name.

Life has changed from a long,steep staircase to an escalator or Stenna stairlift ( other makes are available ) .

The sun is shining  and Arsenal Ladies won the feminine version of the FA cup.

My "stuck in my head song" for today is "in my life" by The Beatles from "Rubber Soul". Give it a try.

This OAP lark is exhausting but great

Apologies for the weekend Blog break, but what a tremendous time it was. The surprise 60th birthday do for a long-term friend turned out brilliantly. It was held in a very modern rugby club venue in Cobham, far posher than you could ever imagine. Add good food and an endless bar tab, a good disco and lots of people we know, what more could you want or need?   I stayed awake till well past midnight and even managed a few dances, one fast and several slow.

The tables were turned on Sunday, my 65th birthday when I was shepherded to another surprise birthday party, only this time in Bookham and for me.

Virtually the whole family attended, plus friends and relatives, and a brilliant time was had by all. Another late night but I awoke bright and breezy (sort of) ready for a return home via a very busy M1. 

The sun shone the whole weekend and last night driving north we witnessed some classic cloud formations acting as filters for the pale yellow sun as it disappeared over the horizon.

I feel fantastic and cannot wait to set sail. 

Thanks to everyone who sent me birthday cards and/or emails and extra special heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to the wonderful weekend. God bless you all.