Cutting The Lawn

It’s a small thing - probably something that most of you have done already this year. Certainly the lawn needed a good trim. However, for me it is a sign of a return to normality. Since last summer I really have not had the energy to contemplate much in the way of housework let alone …

The Longest Night

Today is the winter solstice. The shortest day of the year in terms of daylight. So conversely the longest period of night. My insomnia continues to be an issue and so for all but 18 minutes of last night I lay awake. You can imagine this ongoing sleep deprivation is shattering. I have three dialysis …

Bottom of a Bucket

Kidney Disease is so insidious. There are so many different symptoms which combine to make life difficult. The incessant itching and insomnia are bad enough. Now as my kidney approaches the end of its function (remember I only have one kidney!) not only has my appetite dropped through the floor but I am having trouble …

Back To Work

The Alexa speaker alarm goes off. It is 5:45am, in my usual workday routine I will listen to the radio (UCB1) whilst coming round and jump into the shower by 6:45am. Downstairs to eat breakfast and make lunch whilst listening to Radio 4, before leaving the house at 7:30am. It takes 25 mins to drive …

The Boy in the Bed

In a ward of grumpy old men there was one who was much younger. Almost half my age (a little over 30) but looking half of even this. Severely disabled he did not speak, face mask to aid breathing up often removed with deliberate yet uncontrolled hands. Whatever his needs they were mental and physical …

Barrier

My year long sick leave is over. I have been signed back for to work. This has meant an end to ESA (Employment Support Allowance) and a move to JSA (Job Seekers Allowance). This is something I want to be on for as short a time as possible. Being on benefits is a bit soul …

One Year

A year ago I was living in Mwanza. In fact, though I did not know it at the time, this day (April 1st) would be my last full day in Tanzania. A year ago tomorrow we would be heading off for a holiday in Kenya. However, Easter is a moveable feast and as such has …

Mum

Today is a day of celebration. It's Mum's birthday and I won't say how many years. It also marks the end of my time in Lincoln as later this weekend I will return to MK. I can't express how grateful I am to Mum for providing a home for me over much of these past …

Still Here!

It has been a fortnight since I left hospital and for now I remain in Lincoln. The plan however is to return to MK at the weekend and transfer medically to that region. Life has been somewhat mundane and little has happened. Time has blurred. I have been on several walks in the local nature …

Why Lincoln?

I was released from hospital a day earlier than expected and given transport back to Lincoln. It is here I will be staying for the coming few weeks as I recuperate. Lincoln is my family home. It is also the UK hospital where I was first diagnosed and treated for Myeloma. When my wife (Anita)  …

Night Light

Could you sleep in a room which was as brightly lit as this? I imagine not. Yet this is what I'm supposed to do tonight. Some bright spark electrician decided to 'fix' the lighting this afternoon, The result, one of my lights does not go off. In truth that's not completely true. It does go …

Noises in the Night

Tick, click, whoooooooo The clock The drip The air filtration unit It's constant, rhythmic noise Not easy to sleep with all this racket Whoooooooo, Tick, Click, Whoooooooo Whoooooooo, Tick, Click, Whoooooooo Whoooooooo, Tick, Click, Whoooooooo Tick The clock marking time Tick Reminding me that it's late Tick Counting the seconds Tick One by one Click …

New Norm

The ring of the alarm. 7 am Morning comes too soon. On a good night I've been up twice. But sometimes thrice. Early hours ablutions. Within minutes they are up. Wife an daughter. Showers, hairdryers, dressed, breakfast out. The hustle and bustle of a typical morning followed by Silence. The house is quiet. Maybe another …

Weekly Photo Challenge: Waiting for Raspberries

A second contribution to the photo challenge on the theme of Waiting In our new garden there are raspberry bushes and every few days we are able to harvest fresh raspberries- well worth the wait!

Weekly Photo Challenge: Waiting (in Africa)

A contribution to this week's photo challenge on the theme of Waiting In Africa you learn to wait. Whether its food at a restaurant where you might wait at least an hour after you order (the longest was three hours!) or as in this case waiting in traffic in one of the large cities. These …