So, after last month’s GP visit I am still waiting to hear about my next traumatology appointment for The Shoulder, but today I got the results back from the stool test that confirmed the presence of “occult blood” and well fuck. I mean, you know, maybe it’s nothing serious or maybe IT’S CANCER (again) but I won’t know anything for a while. GP has sent the test results to the specialist who will decide whether I should see him/her before or after having a colonoscopy. So lots of fun coming up. But I wish I had known about these tests before (as in, I wish someone had told me!) because they are a very easy and efficient way of detecting intestinal bleeding. Apparently I should have been doing this every 1-2 years. Oh well, for now it’s fingers crossed… 🤞
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.
Yep still doing this which means… I’m still here! As I hope to be a year from now to continue this annual message of hope (from that first time in 2009) when I boldly posted my daybook turned to January 3rd 2010 with the words “STILL HERE!” written on it. After having been diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer mid-2008 and going through three major operations and chemo twice and being told my chances of survival weren’t very good. But I made it to January 2010 and I hope to keep posting this every January 3rd for some time to come. Watch this space.
Well wouldn’t you know it… still here! And hope to still be here a year from now. I continue with this annual message of hope since that first time in 2009 when I boldly posted my daybook turned to January 3rd 2010 with the words “STILL HERE!” written on it, after having been diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer mid-2008 and going through three major operations and chemo and being told my chances of survival weren’t very good. But I made it to January 2009 and I hope to keep posting every January 3rd for some time to come. Watch this space. ❤️
After getting booted out of the “cancer club” last week I still had one more hurdle, which was a backup ultrasound after last spring’s mammogram. Which was this afternoon. And the very good news is that I am ALL CLEAR. Phew! So there was a glass of bubbly on the way home and now… well, I just hope that I will be hospital-free at least for a while. There will be the usual GP maintenance check up in a couple of months with a blood test, review of my blood pressure status and – maybe! – some info about my FUCKING KNEES. It’s a bit alarming how they went from being a bit painful to needing a stick in just 3-4 months. But that’s for another day. Today I feel so relieved about this good news that I may even sleep tonight!
casa azahar 