I’ve been quiet, I know. My writing was always going to be sporadic, providing sparks of illumination on a life less ordinary but lately I’ve been doing a lot more contemplation than writing. It’s probably tied up with my acceptance and commitment therapy. When seeing a psychologist the hard work is done between appointments. The … Continue reading All quiet.
Author: Chris
I write about the music I love and share my playlists. Founder of @humanplaylistr | humanplaylistr.com – 100% handcrafted playlists.
The end of the beginning.
September has always been my favourite month. The sun radiates its final glow before winter's arrival, the air is that bit crisper and I find my mind selecting a new gear with the slow change in season. Warm days give way to cool nights via supersaturated Technicolor sunsets, the gentle and evocative smell of wood … Continue reading The end of the beginning.
I can’t make you better.
"What's it like, having a brain tumour?" Asked everyone, secretly. I’m willing to bet that's a question you'd like to ask but there’s no short and easy answer. Just look at the length of this post. When my brain tumour first showed up on a scan it was almost like it wasn’t a surprise. Human … Continue reading I can’t make you better.
A big day.
When I was diagnosed as seriously ill, I started to prepare for the ultimate catastrophe: being dead. That really would be a bump in the road to recovery. Funnily enough I was actually least concerned about me. Perhaps it's common in serious conditions. I know very little about a terminal diagnosis and the emotional impact … Continue reading A big day.
Does he really need that stick?
The first rule of stick club is that you need to have a stick. A common phrase I’ve come across is, “Not every disability is visible,” which is very true. I finally accepted I needed a walking stick because I kept veering into other people or, rather more worryingly, lurching off the pavement into oncoming … Continue reading Does he really need that stick?
King of the road: giving up driving.
"Sir, based on the information you've just provided you're going to have to stop driving immediately and return your licence to us." The DVLA Drivers Medical Group know how to tell it like it is. That was the end of the conversation I had with them two days before my brain biopsy. Of course it … Continue reading King of the road: giving up driving.
The time has come to make a video diary.
I read an article some months ago about parents with terminal illnesses are advised to video themselves answering typical life questions that their kids might have growing up. Research has shown that kids really value seeing their parent's facial expressions, hearing their voices, hopefully getting across some of their personality. My diagnosis means my life … Continue reading The time has come to make a video diary.
An unexpectedly bad year.
It’s twelve months to the day since I underwent a brain biopsy confirming a brain tumour diagnosis. Six hours rendered unconscious whilst a tiny hole was drilled through my skull and then a very fine needle inserted, guided by a live MRI scan to take a small tissue sample for analysis. My anxious family waited … Continue reading An unexpectedly bad year.
It’s 4am. It’s dark, quiet and I’m consuming biscuits at an undignified pace.
It's fairly standard procedure after a biopsy to control the swelling in your brain with steroids. In my case I was sent home with a truckload of dexamethasone and a blue medical card to carry with me at all times. The level of concern from the medical teams at discharge is carefully metered out in … Continue reading It’s 4am. It’s dark, quiet and I’m consuming biscuits at an undignified pace.
I apologise for the blunt delivery.
I wrote this post on Facebook the day after my biopsy. It was the first time a lot of my friends knew something was happening. That's not to say we weren't in touch, but the lives of my friends were also busy and Facebook has become something everyone my age is using less and less. … Continue reading I apologise for the blunt delivery.
