“We apologise for this late arrival...”

 So now it is 2025 and I have decided to return to a refreshed blog. The last year has been a trial of my (mainly physical) health. I needed steroids to dampen down polymyalgia rheumatica which brought on steroid induced diabetes.  I am now steroid free, the blood sugars on my low carb, full fat diet are much lower (see freshwell) and my weight has stabilised at what is about right for my height.  During all this I've awaited two relatively minor surgeries. The NHS is so good it is said when an emergency arises. The wait for non-emergency (elective) surgery, is often long which is frustrating, and at times costly, in terms of keeping comfortable and safe whilst waiting. 

In the last couple of weeks I have had my prostate reduced, it is expected to be cancer free but awaiting confirmation of that. It didn't go quite as expected so an uncomfortable week went by whilst I did my best to drink the world dry. All is beginning to get to get better now and for that I am very grateful. I had however to push to get the surgery done as I need a hernia fixing too. The local hospital was getting ready to do that but I had been told the prostate needing fixing first. There was no inter-departmental communication between surgical specialties that would have helped avoid the delays. This patient has had to do the organising. Given the level of computer based record keeping that exists it adds another layer of frustration.

So you can see why there's been an impact on what I call my mental health too. That being so the last 12 months have not been without bright spots too. There have been travels to see good friends, and taking forward my ambition to do more drawing and painting. Canada, New Zealand, France have been further destinations, while Brighton and Bath have been examples closer to home. In two of that list we saw friends who have since died. Whilst immensely sad about Tim and Chris, who are greatly missed, we were pleased to have spent time with them.

Even closer to home was a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace which on an warm sunny May day was most enjoyable. As ever though the joy of being granddad stands out. Making a den in the back garden, getting messy with flour while making biscuits, singing, train rides, and sharing stories are part of that picture.

Using stories to help understand death, dying, hospice care, and nursing is something I got used to. And a new development opportunity has arisen through the Anne Robson Trust. I have been recruited as a freelance trainer for the 'Simple Wisdom' course they offer. It‘s given me something else to look forward to, as I share examples from my life to help others develop confidence when death and dying arises in their lives. It's never too late to learn about these things, so it is timely unlike this blog piece that's taken too long to come along.

D41 #100WorkingDays Having Constants

 Meeting others during training was for me a real life eye opening adventure. There was an engaging mixture of nationalities around me bringing their own influences. There were plenty of representatives of what’s referred to now as members of the LGBTQ+ community. Our nursing training was a common bond for us students. On the ward placements the hierarchy of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years students meant we learnt from those a year ahead. Trained staff were there for the big items such as signing off our formal assessments.

The camaraderie lasted into evenings and on holidays. Evenings out, and when we could afford them, meals out were enjoyed. At the end of the day I’d often use my pressure cooker to create a hot meal, and could share that with others. A birthday was often the excuse for a party, often in a house that some folk shared. These could turn into long nights that led straight into an early shift the next day. Days off if lasting more than 2 or 3 days meant I’d head south towards home. There I could catch up with family and friends.

Friends were important as I’d said in my last blog. As I found friends locally outside work they were good to catch up with too. We had access to places like Kenwood and the summer evening concerts. Getting there we often used the vintage bus owned by one of the group. Spending time with them became an alternative to nursing home life that could be closed in at times. As they had their own homes they offered food, or the use of washing machines when the ones in the nursing home were broken. That some of those friendships from both south and north of the Thames continue today is a testament to the value we give them.

Some of our friends