Wednesday, August 20, 2025

when the world shrinks

I'm used to being independent. One thing I don't miss about Malawi was I didn't ever truly feel that. I needed more people than I would have liked. Not needing people was a theme of my youth. Want them, yes but not need anyone. Each relationship a choice. 

Surgery and disability take some of that independence and at I'm not 6 weeks I'm allowed to gain a little back. The pain in my shoulder persists and the aches come and go and get worse in the evening. The fizzes continue but not at much. 
Next step the car. If I can drive I can feel me again. 
Then work. 
If I can work I'm me again. 
So is that who I am? 

Monday, August 18, 2025

I will always remember you

I didn't know it on the day but a treat ago you lost your battle and I lost you. 

You'd sent me a happy by text a few days before. And I hadn't heard from you. And I never will again. 

It has been hurting all year. 

Your letter told us it wasn't our fault. It wasn't yours either. But my god I wish you'd have called me. I'm not sure it would have changed much. The date you did it maybe. 
But I would love to hear your voice again. 

I'm singing more again now. I can listen to us without crying every time. 

I miss you. 

Saturday, August 16, 2025

47

This surgery and this life has been making me think a lot about the letter. 
49 without screening
52 with
Kidney cancer 
The plan to have a massive party when I'm 53

The endlessness

And currently being disabled more than usual, not as much as I, we feared. 

It's all a lot. 

Time to fuck off to Disney Land? 

Monday, August 11, 2025

recovery update

It's almost 5 weeks. I've done busses and longish car journeys but they do make me ache a lot. I thought I was through the fatigue but have had a couple of days when I'm knackered. 

The muscles around my neck ache and hurt and my neck feels like it's cracking. The fizzy thing still happens, it's not unpleasant just a bit strange. It doesn't impact my movement. 

I'm less down in mood - started dreaming about being back at work. 


Saturday, August 02, 2025

PTSD?

A suggestion from a very good friend was the perhaps my involuntary sadness and tears might be PTSD. This doesn't seem wrong but a potential. Not just for the traumatic disease and the current consequences but also the work stuff. 

To be so ordinarily happy for 6 years, to come home and life change and try not change. 

So maybe, maybe my body is just letting itself feel the feelings.