paul

02 Thursday Jul 2026

Posted by in cancer, friends

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My friend Paul died yesterday in the wee hours and was cremated this morning in Jerez. It still feels unreal, even though we’ve known for some time now that this was going to be the only outcome. Paul was first diagnosed with an aggressive and rare form of cancer about five years ago and, although he rallied a few times after surgery and chemo, and other treatments, in the end the treatments stopped working and it was time to go.

I last saw Paul when I was in Jerez at the end of May for Vinoble. On our last afternoon there Peter and I stopped by for a short visit. As much as I hoped to see him, which I was pretty sure was going to be for the last time, I also didn’t want to impose because I knew how hard this has been for his wife Anne, and I also wasn’t sure if he’d be up for visitors. So we stayed for about 45 minutes and, well, he was mostly there. In any case, I’m glad I got a chance to see him, give him a hug and a kiss and tell him that I love him.

Paul was very… Paul. He loved telling terrible jokes and had a repertoire of stories and tales that he delighted in recounting in his own exuberant way. He also loved good food and wine and sharing both with his friends. I’ve been out with Paul and Anne, both in Jerez and Sevilla, more times than I can remember. Always a good time, and I’ll miss that. I’ll also miss my WhatsApp “relationship” with Paul, which began shortly after he was diagnosed. I guess because he knew I’d had cancer he felt able to share his experiences with me there, and I hope I was able to provide some company and comfort for him.

Anyhow, thanks for all the good times, Paul. For being a good friend. For being your irrepressible self. And for liking me. Hasta siempre, amigo mio. ❤️

Paul at the María Luisa hotel insisting that HE make the martinis,
the barman wisely didn’t try to stop him… still the best martini I’ve ever had.

and so it begins…

30 Tuesday Jun 2026

Posted by in health, sevilla, wegovy

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… my journey into Weight Loss Injection Land. In the end Peter popped back to the farmacia yesterday evening to pick up the first hideously expensive batch of Mounjaro – 4 injections for 210 euros. I decided to wait until this morning to get started but upon opening the box and seeing THESE INSTRUCTIONS (gee just 17 easy steps) I was a bit overwhelmed to say the least. And then I read the fateful words NEEDLES NOT INCLUDED and was like… what the FUCK. Also, why the fuck didn’t anyone ask Peter if he had needles or needed to buy some?

So it was back to the farmacia today and hey, they only had boxes of 100 NEEDLES that are compatible with Mounjaro, but whatever. Bought them. Then it was back home to do the deed. Luckily my friend Jane had sent me this very helpful video, which made more sense to me than a metre long fold out page of printed instructions. And then I did it! It’s a bit faffy because you have to work out the dosage each time and “prime” the thing (unlike the easy one-shot belly injections I had to do after all my cancer operations) but I am now INJECTED. And so now what?

Well apparently “Mounjaro (tirzepatide) starts working within hours of your first injection, though the timeline for visible results varies. Immediate Effects: Appetite suppression and reduced food cravings can begin within 24 to 72 hours.” (googled info)

Which got me thinking yet again… I don’t actually have a big appetite that needs suppressing. I don’t get food CRAVINGS (at least not the all caps variety – probably the only thing I ever actually crave is a nice glass of wine). And once I start eating (thanks to the adhesions) I am not able to overeat in any meaningful way. So do I really need an appetite suppressant drug that works by making people feel nauseous? I guess we shall see.

Meanwhile meanwhile… today I was going over the properties for Wegovy (my first choice before the GP talked me out of it) and dammit, I wish I’d stood my ground. Because Wegovy is a lot more than just a weight loss medicine…

Wegovy (semaglutide) reduces excess body weight (by an average of 15-19%), and lowers the risk of major cardiovascular events like heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death. Beyond appetite suppression and weight loss, Wegovy improves several interconnected health factors.

Cardiovascular Risk: It is the first weight-loss drug officially approved to specifically reduce the risk of serious heart and circulatory issues in overweight/obese adults.

Blood Sugar & Insulin: It helps the body release insulin when eating and stops the liver from producing excess sugar, lowering overall blood sugar levels.

Inflammation: Clinical studies show it reduces systemic inflammation markers and lowers blood pressure.

Liver Fat: For individuals with metabolic dysfunction, it reduces fat build up and scarring in the liver.

All of that sounds like it would benefit me more ALONG WITH losing weight. Also… cheaper! Well, just by 30 euros a month but still. And it comes with its own needles, plus is way simpler to use. So I am feeling like I made a mistake going with Mounjaro but I’m in now for at least this first month. Wish me luck!

wegovy vs mounjaro

29 Monday Jun 2026

Posted by in health, knee saga, knees, sevilla

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Spoiler alert… Mounjaro has already “won”, at least for now, but mostly because I was put on the spot today and didn’t want to have to wait another two weeks to see my GP again. It’s like this. Wegovy (semaflutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) are both GLP-1 drugs that slow digestions and suppresses appetite, but Moujaro has another hormone called GIP that has a stronger impact on blood sugar regulation and hunger reduction.

I had been leaning towards Wegovy as I had read that it is also approved not just for weight loss but cardiovascular health, helping to lower blood pressure and inflammation, as well as reducing the risk of “cardiac events” by as much as 20%. Sounded good to me. And I was hoping that today’s blood test results, combined with my heart issues, would mean that it could be prescribed for medical reasons (not just weight loss) so I wouldn’t have to pay.

Mounjaro is mostly prescribed for Type 2 diabetes and weight loss, with no obvious cardiac benefits. The Endo had made it sound like the only way I could get either of these covered by social security was to be diabetic, hence the new blood test. But it turns out that not only am I not diabetic, my GP informed me today that neither of these drugs are covered under SS so I would have to pay in any case.

So then I asked… how much? Wegovy is 180€ for the first month, Moujaro is 210€. Apparently the price will either remain the same or increase depending on whether I need stronger doses going forward. But GP insisted that Mounjaro is the preferred option these days but if I wanted to think it over… no no, no more delays. I went for it.

Effectiveness… Wegovy shows an average weight loss of 15-21% over 72 week, Moujaro 21-22.5% over the same time period.

Meanwhile, I dunno. Yes, I’m going to give it a go. Picking up the prescription this evening (they had to order it in) so will start tomorrow. But everything I read is about it suppressing appetite, even about losing “obsessive thoughts about food” (probably from feeling nauseous from the drug) and this just isn’t my problem. I mean, yes I do obsess about food, but more in the sense of photographing it and, yes, making it too, but not about wanting to eat all the time. Because you may recall, after four major abdominal ops, my belly is full of adhesions (look at your own risk) so if I do ever happen to over eat, which rarely happens anymore… PAIN PAIN OMG VOMIT VOMIT MORE PAIN. I mean, it’s like I have my own built-in Wegovy/Moujaro. Anyhow, we shall see I guess. Wish me luck.

Apparently I should be down to acceptable knee op weight by Oct/Nov and then I’ll have to get my GP to request another Traumatology appt (average waiting time: 6 months) and THEN they’ll put me on the waiting list for an operation (as long as I’ve kept the weight off). Honestly, if I despair at times, can you really blame me? Every day the pain gets worse, walking (hobbling) is becoming almost impossible and now I have a whole year ahead of me before I will even be able to see the slightest bit of light at the end of this awful awful pain-filled tunnel. Anyhoodle… out of words.