³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

Wise words again Chris, you are absolutely right. My ex went through a tough time having a lump removed from his t****cle and has now gone on to father 2 children, so it just goes to show these things can often be sorted if found in time. Don't die of embarassment people!!

X

Gail.

Christoff, we must all take heed from your warning. It's great that you spoke about it on the radio this morning.

Enjoy your game of golf and sausage sandwich, you deserve it.

Pen xx

i agree, Ive off to meet my old boss this evening, she dound a lump, had a breat removed and now can watch her kids growing up - that is what something done early can do!

and my boss is in her 30's - its never to early to start checking!

Chris you are doing a good thing by being so open about this bit of invasive investigation, noticed that it made the daily snail today too.

Everyone needs to know that for a minutes unplesantry or embarrassment brings a longer life of memories and joys.

Enjoy your golf and try not to get too many crumbs on the fairway from your sausage sarnie

Maddy hope the olives dont bite, what do you think?

Bagpuss, whether veggie or not you have had a wide range of culinary experience.

I have got the ipod on for a change and am flitting between Etta James and Amy Winehouse I think that tells me alot about my deep bluesy/Jazz mood at the moment.

CB xx

Wise words Chris and well done for sharing your experience to help others.

Enjoy the golf and your sausage sandwich xx

Mary xx

Afternoon Each,

From the previous blog, I am glad that the sun is shining, for a change, on our Scottish friends - you keep it there for a while, I don't mind at all xx

What you've highlighted in the past 24 hours Chris is fab, but (and it is only a teeny tiny butt...lol (see what I did there)); not all of us are in the financial position to pay for these procedures if we feel that something isn't quite right. Often we have to go through a lengthy process of elimination first before the GP will finally send us for tests, unless of course it is glaringly obvious what the problem is.

My suggestion is that if you are really concerned then you will have to fight with your Dr to get it seen to more urgently than perhaps his/her normal procedures would allow.

Having said all that I am glad that you are OK Chris and will be around to entertain us for a lot more years yet.

AliB
xx

You're right Ali, David and I are fortunate enough to have private healthcare though my work, which I am sure would make all the difference.

X

Gail.

And Amen to that Christoff. It's a valuable thing you do, my friend.

If only my lovely Aunty Dot hadn't suffered in silence; of course, I look back now and worry that I should have spotted the signs in her behaviour; she did become somewhat withdrawn, and in my wisdom I tried to jolly her out of it; but I can see now that it was less to do with inertia than that she was simply in discomfort. But hindsight is a very clear thing, none of us could have predicted or imagined what was needed. She was such a modest and proud lady and was never going to fess up to the type of problems which manifested themselves until it was way too late. I can't beat myself up about it.

Yet I do, if I'm honest. And I daresay I'm not alone...

What I have learned from this, and also my own experience of a dodgy mole, is that pride and denial are deadly. Ergo I scrutinise meself regularly for them cheeky little beggars and get anything suspicious zapped at the first opportunity.

And never eat chocolate biscuits in bed.

Clodagh.xx

I completely agree, the NHS migge be privatised soon and that would be a disaster!

I havent had private medical care the last few months as Ive been temping and it has been a real worry for me.

Chris: what an inspiration you are. I have been saying this to you for long many a year now, but never has it been more relevant than now. It is wonderful that you are being so public with this situation and I am sure you will have encouraged so many people to seek help.

I, too, have private medical care. It has been an absolute god-send in the last couple of years, for various reasons. But the NHS is wonderful and if we lose that, we are well and truly scuppered.

AliB: you are right, if someone is in the situation where they KNOW something is wrong, then they must kick up an almighty fuss.
And, thank you for understanding about the sun. xx

C xx

That's a fair point, Ali. But in fairness, if you do as I tend to do and waltz into the doc's surgery like summat off Britain's Got Talent, laffin' an' jokin', it's not really any wonder he/she doesn't take you seriously, is it.

Ok, so I'm a bit daft and am not helped by the fact I run into my doctor from time to time over a vodka tonic an' a charred lamb chop, not to mention wit me Left Hand On Red, Right Leg On Blue an' 'is right hand firmly under my left foot. But how often do we feel so relieved the very instant we sit in the chair, that we respond to the question, "And how are you?" with "Never better, sunshine.."

I'm also thinkin' of the time I went to see my lady doc with a rather delicate post-natal problem and found myself faced with the locum, whom I'd last met behind the bus-shelter at school.

I came out wit migraine pills.

Jayzus.

Clodagh.xx

You are a tonic Clodagh!

Ooo cheers, Gail. Stick a vodka in it, would yous?

Slainte.

C.xxxxx

Just sneaking in to say Hi!
Loving the bloggage of the last couple of days, feels all buzzy and refreshed!

CLP well done on raising the profile of what you have done, and mightily glad you are here for a wee while longer!

Too many posts to mention - apart from have to say - Hooray, Clodagh is back to play!!!! You've been well missed you mad woman, but I knew you were around with the odd mention on the show :-D

Right - like Barmy am "working from home" but unlike in the old "freelance days", this actually is like is says on the tin - bums!

Happy Hump Day everyone
debs
x

Howya Debs!

Mad woman? Oy. Miss Pot, meet Missus Kettle....

Hahahahahahahaha!!!

xxxxxx

Clodagh: honestly, you are such a tonic - YOU should be available on the NHS! I know what you mean about getting to the doctor, but then sort of laughing off what's really wrong. When I had my "life threatening" situation, it was my gorgeous, adorable GP who diagnosed what was wrong, and I was whisked off to Casualty.

Years later, I realised that I had never really thanked him, and when I saw him for a minor complaint, and he was being assisted by a new junior doctor, I took the opportunity to tell him that he saved my life. He laughed a little, and then checked my notes ... in that moment, that junior doctor realised he was being guided by a genius.

C xx

Thank you for spreading this message Chris. We all take a lot of notice of celebrities telling us these things.

I always felt that nothing would happen to me as there was no cancer in the family but then I went and got COPD. I didn't feel too good for a long time and came up with all sorts of theories, i.e. it must have been the flu which has left me with ME or something similar. I put off going to see the doctor until I was rushed into hospital with heart and lung failure and then diagnosed. I'm OK now but can't walk too far without getting breathless and am on 15 hours oxygen a day. This could have been prevented if I'd got medical attention earlier.

We all think that these things only happen to other people and that we ourselves are not affected.

Anyway, so glad you are all clear Chris and enjoy your game of golf and sausage sandwich.

MM xxx

PS I opened the tub of olives & cheese and went in. Ugh! aargh! splutter! choke! NO! My instinct was right, I don't like olives and the tub has gone back into the fridge until after 08.2011!

Clodagh - brilliant, that made me chuckle out loud - thank you xx

I met my Doctor in Maderia once, it took me a long while to work out where I knew him from and then it clicked. After that I gave him a knowing smile and we both got on with our holiday. The Doctor I have now is something out of the ark, but as I go so infrequently he does tend to listen and take me fairly seriously.

I've been in hospital once when I was two and a half to have a cyst removed from my neck, I'll show you the scar next time I see you if you want :) Unfortunately now I have a real fear of hospitals and really struggle to visit loved ones should they ever be admitted.

It must be time for a brew, anyone want one?

AliB
xx

Only if yous are brewin' it in a pot, Ali. Milk an' 2 lumps please.

Ere I hope the doc didn't utter the immortal words, "Ah, I didn't recognise you wit your clothes on", did 'e?

I know what you mean though. I met my obstetrician on an adventure weekend a couple years back; couldn't place 'im for the life of me till 'e got ready for goin' potholin'.

Clodagh.xx

Here you go Clodagh, milk 2 sugars.

Again you've just made me laugh out loud, you are naughty but I love it (and you) :)

AliB
xx

at my surgery we have one lady doctor, who works part time, if you want to see her you have to wait weeks but she is really good, absolutely no nonsence and when you are discussing embarressing issues that is excatly what you want.

Pressed apple juice please Ali!

Oh Dear MM, I'm not sure I can help you with that request. I've got some orange juice in the fridge and some bottled water, there is also half a box of Roses, but there not mine. Does any of that take you fancy?

I totally agree with you about Olives...yuck, yuck and yuck again!

A
x

There's a couple lady doctors at my surgery, Baggy. But the Old Trouts prefer the men; the lady docs tell 'em disturbin' an' upsettin' things like They're Fine.

Mind. Years ago when I was a cr@p farmers' wife, our doctor was also the local pig-farmer. He had a marvellous approach. If he didn't tell you It Was Goin' Around an' Go an' 'ave a Whisky, he'd prescribe you paracetamol an' a Tonic. On one occasion, I noticed he was listenin' to my graphic description of my symptoms rather more intently than usual, then he leaned forward, took 'is glasses off an' said, "D'you know what. I've bin feelin' the same meself. I wonder what it is."

Oddly enough you always felt better afterwards.

Clodagh.xx

Orange will be very nice thank you Ali!

The olives were indeed yucky, I tried to pick out the pieces of cheese but they's been contaminated by the olives.

MM xxx

Make sure the door is closed and padlocked!!!

In reply to yesterday's comments from Bagpuss and Obamarama

Bagpuss - Me and Mum did it the first year after my friend got the all clear from Br**st Cancer - we decided that as a thank you for all the care she received and the care that other people needed meant that we had to do something so we got our butts off the sofa and walked the 5k. We've done it 3 years in a row and each year we're a few minutes quicker!

Obamarama - my boss sponsored us and put "This contribution is towards the huge jug of beer at the end!" as the comment lol.

Afternoon each from sunny Fife. Too hot to go out in the garden so I'm in the kitchen with the patio doors open.

Glad all is well with you Chris and well done on speaking out. Men need to be able to talk about this without embarrassment, much as women now talk about breast cancer.

Nice to see everyone.

xxxxx

Hannah, I have done the 5k for a few years now and this year I did 10k, just outside wormwood scrubs, yes it was hard but it a good cause and well worth pushing myself for!

Steve is in melt down on CLP bloggers page. We need help from Admins - HLS, Clodagh or Paul.

xxxxxx

I guess I am lucky that where I live the NHS has been brilliant for me. I have had to have a couple of similar procedures to CLP recently and was seen within a month of referall for the first and the second I had 10 days later.
Dont be put off. As many people have said, it may be (very) embarrasing but the alternative is MUCH worse.

............and Clodagh. I love you to bits. You never fail to brighten my day.

Regards to all,
Thunder (heading back under the rock)

Hiya

Chris, I'm sure that by speaking so openly about this, you will have encouraged a lot of people to take action where they might have waited too long

Am pleased to say I have had a much better day today, still didn't get any work done though!

Oh well, there's always tomorrow!

Sezza xxx

Hello everyone.

Chris, very wise advice again today and on the radio this morning.

Sezza, glad you had a better day today.

csn. xx

I am a cancer survivor...and I'm the direct result of finding it and dealing with it early. I gave my cancer a name - BOB. It would have been BOOB but there is a bit missing! (Yes, I had bre*st cancer). I wish more people would get themselves checked out. Don't worry about being embarrassed...you have nothing that the experts haven't already seen before!
Chris, my prayers are with you and I know your results are going to be good.

Ellie x

Hallo Ellie, nice to see you.

Glad you gave BOB the heave ho - love your sense of humour.

xxxxx

Evenin'

So glad you are a sensible man young CLP as you never know what's lurking inside you and especially with the family history. I do hope you become a patron or something to continue to inspire and urge others to do a similar thing.
I was part of a local NHS trial for all ladies between 40 and 50 to have annual mammograms once you hit your fortieth birthday. Luckily so was a friend of mine who at 44 had the bad news everyone dreads - but if it hadn't been for that trial it might never have been caught in time.
The earlier the better as Chris and others have said.

Hope the band of bloggers is merry?

Love

Suse xx

I am guilty of avoiding the docs at all times, mainly cos I won't take or even get their meds.....

I need to be braver xx

JG x

Hi Chris. I was going to say how shocked I was to hear about your condition, but then when I thought about it, I seem to hear of more and more people who have contracted some form of cancerous condition these days. People I know, people in the public eye, and friends or relatives of friends. No-one is immune to it, yet life carries on, and if anything for those who have been lucky enough to beat this terrible disease, life actually gets better. Sweeter. Appreciated. I genuinely and sincerely wish you all the very best for the future, and pray that you have a long and healthy life with your family.

Night everyone

Sleep well and take care.

After having had a cancer scare myself at the beginning of this year, I do know it makes you look at life after it very differently.

csn. xx

evening all, hope you're well?

Chris, wise words my friend.
I think cancer has affected most people nowadays. As you will know, my daughter lost a parent at a young age and to watch that unfold is unbearable. How you cope with it (or appear to) at such a young age is beyond me.
The way you have highlighted this and made it so open is onyl something I can commend. I do my 'ahem' checks regularly and now try to keep as fit as possible to meet the big man up there halfway. The running I do (which is't as much as most people) is all about raising money for continued research. I am so excited at the thought of getting a place in next years London marathon so I can raise more, I can't even imagine not getting in. But what will be, will be...
My daughter has even sorted her own. I will put thje link on a seperate entry as it normally gets removed.

Good to 'see' lots of regulars, sorry I'm not one but will put the effort in - promise

bonnet de douche

KWx

Evening all,
Hope everyone is fine and dandy?
That's fantastic news Chris, the best ever.
And fair play to you for raising awareness for the cause too.
You're some man for one man!
Alib, will def get that mini meet sorted when I get back from me holliers

proud parent moment -

Oopps, poxy phone!
I'm off to the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖland for three weeks with the kids at the weekend, can't wait!
JillyG if you are out there, HELLLOOO xxx
T xx

Hi all

I've not got much to add to what has been said already. My mum had breast cancer which we thought she had beaten after her mastectomy (she found the lump and got it sorted). Unfortunately it came back with avengance this time in her liver and bones and that time it got her. More than 10 years ago I had my own scare following a regular checkup (the ladies will know which one....). Laser treatment sorted that and I am in the clear now.

Keep up the campaigning and awareness.

mtd ffb xxx

what beuatiful, wonderful messages.

my grandad died of the cancer variety that only men get, and my uncle was treated for it (still going strong) so my dad gets regular checks, its the only way.

I have no family history on my mothers side (including her) so it is even more difficult to know what is coming but I agree, if you need checks, get them done, what is caught early can be dealt with.

The sad story is mr bp's granny, she was complaining of pain( but she always complained about nothing), but then lost her mind, within weeks we had got her to the doctors, found out she was riddled with cancer and she passed away, all becuase we didn't know something was wrong. It was a terrible time for the family.

Baggy

PS - ginge I would love to do your run but it is a bit far away, sorry

Morning all, agree with Baggy about the lovely messages and also the vibe of the blog - back to the good old days with some missed returners and some newbies joining in - hellooooooooo stick around please! the more the merrier!

Much excitement is building in the household. GD is off to her 1st Festival tomorrow via mums taxi - we are having a practice of putting AWAY the pop up tent and are off to the supermarche to find foods that are suitable for not needing refrigerating or heating..... top of her list is a tin of "all day breakfast" which she assures me is better cold than hot....

Luckily the weather is set to be fair so the parent doing the "pick up run" shouldnt have mud to put up with - but will have 4 smelly hungover girls....

And me - only 2 more sleeps to a picnic wot I is going to! as Noah just said "huway" :-)

Right off to commute to the back room
Happy Thursty Thursday everyone
debs
x

Morning each

Nice to see you Gingembre and good luck with the London Marathon.

Debs, that breakfast in a tin sounds truly awful, especially cold. Hope the GD and her friends have a fab time at their first Festival.

Have already been out to do an hours work and am off to Edinburgh later to be videoed - that'll be fun - not.

See you all later. xxxx

Sentimentations Of Summer Sent Ter CLP And Each And Every Blogger (unless yer 'ate summer)...

Bingo Star 'ere...

CLP - WHATTA COINCIDENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FREAK OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A too at this very moment am feeling very sore in the above mentioned location after attempting ter beat cancer too!!!!!!!!!

For the first time this week a got me bicycle out and decided ter cycle the 7 miles ter work.... And 7 miles back!!!!!!!!
All in the aid of saving money on 'igh fuel costs/ wear & tear on me motor... And tr get fitter & keep all those nasty illnesses at bay.... including cancer!!!!!!

And it's not an easy cycle.... the whole 7 is up & down.... down & up.... up & up.... down & up!!!!!!!!!!!
In fact after the 7 up & down ride... A needed gallons of 7up just ter stop sweating!!!!!!!!! (PS Anyone know where a can buy some 7up???).
Now am not boasting or being egotistical.... but it requires a man of steel... not only in the mind.... but from the imense agony am left with terdee sadle sore & me legs feel like the muscles are bruised inside & out - not that am after sympathy!!!!!!!!!!!!

All a can say CLP is on a serious note: Am DAMN glad yer got yer problem sorted ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gotta go... Ave gotta remove some plaster from me wall.... If me legs will allow it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bye!

Bingo Star Striving For A Substantionally More Sustainable Future ;-)

So pleased you're ok as i knew someone who died of it.

afternoon peeps
I too am loving the chatty vibe on the blog, albeit that a serious subject is the catalyst.

oops pressed post too soon. What I meant to say next was ...
Debs - re the pop-up tent, I hope you have more luck than Adam and I did last year with the one he had bought to go to Bloodstock. After about a dozen attempts to twist the blessed thing into the figure of eight that was shown on the tiny instruction leaflet, I managed (in my temper and amid lots of bad language!) to snap the metal rod!

So tent 1 in the bin! Tent 2 purchased - different design but didn't take any risks trying it before the trip.
A & H go off to the festival and tent pops up great ... but was so water logged after 4 days continuous downpour that they just left it there!
Two lots of £20 - chucked!

and the next bit - as it won't seem to let me post it all at once..
Guess what .... Hannah has won tickets to go again this year. Tent No 3 bought from A***s ( a 4 man frame tent this time - they couldn't even sit up in the 'tube' they abandoned last year) - not a pop-up so heaven knows if they will figure out how to put it up. Adam is not the most patient of people and I am usually the one weilding the allen key when flat pack furniture needs putting together!

Deevs - you are the nearest to Litchfield - cock an ear for the screams will you?

and finally ....Re the picnic - and having just seen Bingo posting,which is what reminded me - the web site for our rendezvous says "Electric scooters are available, free of charge, for people with mobility problems"
Debs, fancy a race?

ttfn, Crumpy xx

Is this blog broken? I've tried three times to post and now I've gone and lost what I wanted to say ......

ha ha Crumpy re the race - you are on! and pop up tent is duly "airing" on the grass - we have yet to put it down - if all else fails one of the guys I am taking is apparantly "an expert" at doing that so we might need a detour after picking him up tomorrow am....

And to be fair, the reason I bought the pop up one as I felt it was a better option than letting my "proper" tent loose in a festival field....

Right back at it, laters taters
debs
x

Afternoon all.

Nope - seems the blog isn't broken after all .... right, here goes!

Welcome back Christoph and well done on talking about such a delicate subject area(!) so publicly. It can only do good x

Fairlyodd - hellooo right back atcha. I'm really sorry we didn't get to meet up before we moved but it was a crazy time both at home and at work, speshly as we moved over Easter. See you at CIN if not before, and I hope you have a wonderful time with the rest of the fairlyodd family xx

Isn't it lovely to have such a lively blog again.

By the way CLP - pleeeeeeeeese can we have Richard Allinson sitting in for you next time you're away? He's brilliant and we just don't hear as much of him as we should on R2. I have to admit that the radio stays off when RM is on .....

I think it's cup of tea time. Does anyone mind if I have a piece of flapjack with it? It's got cherries in so it must count towards my five a day ...

jillygoat xx

Afternoon,

Finally the sun has decided to try and shine - hooray.

JG, Knock yourself out with the flapjack, currently I am eating my body weight in Liquorice Comfits!! It's good to read you on here. Fairlyodd said she would organise a mini meet when she is back from the Emerald Isle xx

Nothing wild or exciting happening in my life. Off out to a friends for dinner tonight and a shower! It's a requirement now that if I go to dinner I take my towel and shower gel. But this time next week, hopefully, I will have hot water and heating (not that I need that quite yet!).

Last night I went to a friends, who is on holiday, for a shower (I also fed her cats); now this in theory was an excellent plan until I realised that she had turned her hot water off!!!

Saturday sounds like fun, I hope you all have a splendid time - don't forget to post lots of pictures.

AliB
xx

Hi everyone:

Just great to see so many lovely bloggers returning this week. xx

Gingembre: just to say, I checked out your link - my goodness, your daughter is a star, and her mother was absolutely beautiful. No wonder you are both so driven in your quest for raising money for research.

This week on the blog has been so humbling, so many wonderful stories that must be such an inspiration to the (I'm guessing) many hundreds of people reading Chris's blog.

Happy Thirsty Thursday everyone ... for some reason, I have had a Thirsty Wednesday this week, too!

C xx

Hiya,

AliB you will be so glad when you get your boiler sorted.

The sunshine has left us :o( it was beautiful while it lasted. Now it's pouring with rain and my nice new car is getting very wet!

Hi Jillygoat xx

Hiya Fairlyoddmother - lovely to see you, have a wonderful holiday.

Gingembre - I agree with Chrissie. You look like a very proud Dad, and so you should be.

Lovely vibes coming from the blog this week.

Chrissie - snap I had a thirsty Wednesday too - it was such a gorgeous evening last night I couldn't resist the chilled Sauvignon I had in the fridge.

I hope those of you going to the meet at the weekend have a great time.

Take care folks!

Mary xx

Mary: yes, my excuse also was the heat yesterday. I tried water, I really did, but it just didn't work. A few glasses of wine, and my thirst was quenched!

AliB: I did mean to say, what a nightmare for you still without your boiler. Lovely that your friends are supporting you!

Annie: how did the filming go today? I have seen myself on video - good grief, not a pretty sight!

C xx

Good afternoon blogettes:

Can I echo what others have been saying - a really nice feel on the blog this week -even if we've had some difficult things to discuss. Long may it continue - the nice feeling I mean.

Looking forward to the blog picnic on Saturday - just hope I don't get lost and turn up after everyone's gone home. No .......... that's never happened to me before .... ahem

It's tried to rain this arvo but only for a couple of minutes. What's that all about?

I'm off work tomorrow so play nicely guys. See some of you on Saturday.

Regards PJ

Afternoon, little late today loads of stuff to do innit!

Have you seen who the guest is tomorrow should make for an interesting Friday show.

Off tomorrow for a pamper with me mum her 70th birthday present from us. Loads on the weekend busy busy busy including a trip to the jewellery quarter to spend Pa's cash. Have fun at the meet on Saturday and enjoy the Chase.

Ooh Steve is playing my ole fella's song by Barry Benditoy!

"I can't laugh, I cant sing I'm finding it hard to do anything......" you dont get lyrics like that anymore.

CB xx

Hi Chris
Sincerely, thank you for your post. This is so important. 4 years ago next month my lovely wife Carrie died from bowel cancer aged 37. It had never occurred to us that this kind of illness might affect younger people - and is really preventable. If just one person gets the scan after reading your blog, then you have done a truly wonderful thing x

I'm back, through the rain, ginormous puddles, fifty million traffic lights and soggy tourists in Edinburgh. Chrissie, I did the video but declined to watch it. I just signed the form so they can use it if they wish. Couldn't bear to see myself waffling.

Welcome to the blog Richard. I'm so sorry to hear about your lovely young wife. Hugs. xxxx

And just to say to Gingembre - what a brilliant daughter you have, that has really moved me - I think we are friends on FB, so I'm sure I'll find your just giving page when payday arrives on Monday - wonderful that something so positive can come out of something so tragic {{{{hugs to your lovely GD }}}}

off to find some chards....
debs
x

Evening everyone.

I had a really busy day today, housework, food shopping and now creating something nice for dinner. LOL!

Annie, I was just wondering how you got on today. xx

Hello and welcome Richard, I'm so sorry to hear about your wife. xx

cockneybird, have a lovely time with your mum tomorrow. xx

csn. xx

AliB

Must be awful for you at the moment, hope you get a new boiler sorted out next week. Enjoy your meal tonight and the shower.

csn. xx

I'm Sorry Evans but with The Papers saying you won your battle with Cancer, I find disgusting and insulting to all those people who have fought for a long time putting up with operations and radio and chemo therapy. Because you have the money you could be seen and dealt with before you even knew you had anything seriously wrong. You did not have a battle so apologise

So when has what the papers say have anything to do with fact?

S

Evening Roy

I think your anger should be directed at the newspapers - they seem to have sensationalised this story. As far as I can see, Chris hasn't said anything about 'battling cancer'.

Hear hear Suse, Chris never said he had a 'battle'. All he has said on here and on air is that he had a procedure (which was only supposed to be a check up) and that some cancerous cells had been found and dealt with. Please get your facts right before you start demanding apologies.

mtd

Evening all

Roy, I'm sorry this has upset you so, but as the others have said, Chris himself said on the radio that the papers had over-dramatised his situation.

I just hope that him being open about a very undignified procedure and the positive result it has had might make some people take action they might otherwise have avoided

Sezza xxx

PS, I don't want to worry anyone but the sky here has gone a very funny colour!

Sort of, well, I don't like to say this, but sort of bluish!

Very strange!

Sezza xxx

Forgot to say Hi to Susan (are you on the move?)

Sezza, blue as in 'blue sky' or blue as in 'stormy'? Haven't seen any blue sky here today.

xxxxx

Hi Annie, MTd and Sezza

Yes Annie OH has been transferred to Harrogate to need to sell up and move!

Suse x

Annie, blue as in blue and not stormy or rainy or cloudy!

Can't remember the last time I saw that!

Don't think it's going to last long though!

I forgot to say Hi everyone so HI!

Sezza xxx

Exciting times Susan. Isn't Harrogate a rather nice Georgian-type town? Or have I got that wrong?

Sezza - am soooo not impressed with your showing-off. Send that blue back immediately.

xxxxx

I forgot to say Hi too. I just got a bit wound up with ill informed people.

The sky is all white here.

mtd ffb xxx

Roy.

I'm guessing you or someone you care for has had to fight against cancer. If so, I am sincerely terribly sorry for you, but your understandable anger needs to be directed at the papers who, as usual, have taken a thread of fact and woven it up into a tapestry of conjecture. Or you can just take it all with a pinch of salt as I'm afraid we all have to do; because none of us but for Chris' nearest and dearest know the truth, or indeed, have any right to know. He has simply generously chosen to share it and I'm quite certain it won't have been a frivolous decision.

For my part, like Chris, I lost my adored father to cancer years ago. And the reason he had to 'battle' was because he ignored the symptoms for way too long, and by the time he was diagnosed it was too late to save him. I shall never forget watching this funny, proud, dapper and fearless man, the life and soul of the party and indeed, my life and soul, slowly taken from us as he fought to keep his spirit bright. Even now, 20 years after the last time I saw him, his eyes sad but always twinkling, and felt his fingers drumming on the back of my hand (I still sometimes wake up feeling that), although I can't think of him without smiling, nay chuckling, the grief can still be quite raw and I berate myself for not somehow forcing him to get himself checked. But in the final analysis, each and every individual has to take responsibility for his or her own health. Only YOU can know when something is not right; no doctor, family member or friend can possibly know, human beings are not psychic. This is not a perfect world and goodness knows, the NHS isn't perfect; but we should thank all our lucky stars that in the 21st century, we have the knowledge, resources and fantastic people willing and able to make huge strides in slaying this particular dragon.

And this is why I, for my part, am fully appreciative of Chris bringing this out into the open. If it gives one person pause for thought, reduces the fear in any way and encourages them to take action, thus saving another family from heartache, then that's priceless. I don't give two hoots how the papers choose to frame it, and I very much doubt that Chris does. His integrity is intact as far as I see it.

Clodagh.xx

I've been watching the snails and slugs come out to play in the rain in the garden. Yuk.

And, staying with Yuk - forgot to tell you about my trauma the other morning. Got settled back in bed with the tea and toast, turned round to sort my pillows and a spider sauntered round the corner of the pillow - I was out of there like an Olympic Hurdler, heading for my spider hoover (yes, I keep it in the bedroom).

xx

What's this blue sky you are all talking about? No idea what you mean - is it one of those business speak phrases?!?

Sort of exciting Annie and yes a lovely place but too expensive to move very close to. Just need someone to want to buy ours first though.

S xx

At the moment, there's quite a bit of blue sky here so I'm prepared to share

(but I'm saving a special bit to send to Clodagh! I want you on my side!)

Sezza x x x

Yah Clodagh. Two days in a row xx

Sus x

Annie, I picked a jumper off the floor this morning and a spider leaped at me with its huge legs waving and its great big fangs bared (well, that's what I saw!!)

I managed to throw a cup nay a bucket over the top of it and chuck it out of the window!

It was last seen running into the forbidden forest!

x x x

Good luck with selling the house Susan.

Howdedoody Clodagh.

xxxx

Oh God Sezza, I'll have nightmares now. I've been checking the bed before I get in - under the duvet, inside the duvet, under the pillows, inside the pillows. Takes me ages.

xxxxxx

I remember once, when we lived in a house where the bedroom wall was quite close to the bed, I got under the covers one night and there was a spider on the wall.

By the time I'd found something to dispose of it, it had gone!

Didn't sleep a wink that night!

Sezza xxx

SEZZA!!!!! My bed is next to the wall. Might sleep on the sofa tonight.

xxxx

Ah girls, what's all this about the spiders. Bless.

Yous should see the bad boy I 'ad to escort from the premises a couple days ago; it 'ad legs like Martin Johnston, a pit helmet an' a right attitude. But I 'ad to reflect, as I got it in a half-nelson an' did 3 falls an' a submission on the back lawn, that said arachnid musta bin thinkin' somethin' similar as it clocked me in the wincyette pyjamas an' Phyllis Diller hairdo, smellin' like Satan's toilet after some eejit suggested infusin' tissues wit olbas oil an' Renee promptly doused every soft surface in the house wit it.

Anyway, the thing gave me a rude gesture an' the Death Stare, picked up its chain-saw and went on its merry way so all is well.

An' mice. That's another thing. What is it that has everybody so hysterical over an ickle mouse? I've seen an England rugby coach stood gibberin' on a hotel dressin' table while 'is diminutive missus charged around the room in pursuit of a field-mouse which had found its way into the bed.

Wasps, mind. Now THEM bad boys are a different matter. Don't bat a wasp off; it'll be back later wit its dad an' 50 mates. And it wants you dead. Oh yes. Wasps. Eee.

Clodagh.xx

Clodagh, your wasps remind me of the cow on Tiree that disappeared and came back with its extended family. My friend and I were up the only hill on the island before you could blink.

xxxxx

Ah yes, Annie. Never underestimate a cow. 'Specially if it's got a ring in its nose an' no bagpipes an' it's in your back garden.

C.xx

And the Tiree bull was in someone's back garden Clodagh. Why would you??

And on that note I'm off up the stairs to start taking the bed to bits.

Night all. xxxxx

Hi peeps
PiP has just posted a new discussion on CLP bloggers about another meet, pop over and check it out!

Tiggs xxx

Thanks for the heads up Tiggs.

Night all

Susan xx

Huway! its the candy man!

Happy Friday everyone, off in an hour to take GD and 4 friends to their first festival just a small matter of approaching a rural airfield on a B road with 249,996 other people....

Hopefully I will be back later - my chards is chillin - I may need to open FNWC EARLY!!!!

Happy Friday everyone
debs
x

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