Chapter 1
At the start of 2013, I had decided that it was going to be a year to remember.
It was my 50th birthday. I had personal goals, but realistic to know that during the next twelve moments, there would no doubt be a few challenges along the way.
It’s part of life; we all get them. But nothing like this.
At the end of April 2013, I had a lump the size of a gobstopper removed my neck. Weeks later, after being told I had achieved personal ambition in achieving a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Then I was told that I had thyroid cancer.
But thanks, too much needed support from friends and family and a touch of determination, or should I say a bucket load, the feelings turned into optimism when (cliché alert) I officially batted that curveball out of the park
This resulted in a series of blog posts detailing my cancer journey, which resulted in a free e book download, The Thyroid Diaries.
Then, several books, numerous radio shows, and a couple of TV appearances later, things were never busier and productive. I therefore decided that 2026 was going to be a year to remember (sound familiar) me and my big mouth.
Lady Luck had other ideas when life threw me a familiar curveball. Not the same thing; the surgeons dealt with that, but now I might need a bigger bat.
I remember the last time this happened, wondering what might have caused my last Cancer journey. It was not diet, lifestyle, or maintaining the “body beautiful”.
I usually pause at this point to allow Mrs Frankie Boy to finish laughing.
But it was neither of these. Unfortunately, this is a much bigger and more annoying beast.
I cannot blame the Chernobyl Disaster this time.
I have been diagnosed with a Lymphoma – the Non-Hodgkins kind. Or should I say the annoying kind?
I had no idea who this Hodgkins guy is. Did the put the “non” part before his name to let people know it has “nothing to do with me mate.”
When I say the annoying kind, it was something that deserved a stronger description, give it a bit more punch; I prefer to describe it as a kick in the gentleman’s area description, the kind to get you banned off Facebook.
I had plenty of tests, two biopsies the last one was the most memorable as whilst I was getting a hypodermic shoved into my neck, on the other side, was a nurse who was a Butlins Ayr enthusiast where we started talking “Stuart Ballroom” whereas one of the young Docs was also asking about my books.
Despite having the needle stuck in my neck, I could not pass up a sales opportunity.
What can I say – a sale’s a sale
Now I am about to embark to new cancer journey. My Dad always used to describe me as a determined individual, and I am going to prove it. I would say it is a family characteristic.
What I have is a much more testing health issue than the last time, but there is one element that remains: a coping mechanism. Part of it involved the production of a series of blog posts of my various challenges that I met in my unconventional style.
The idea was not an ego trip, tempting as it was, but the idea was to channel my thoughts, what I find on my journey, and any tips that may be of use to those in a similar boat.
Whilst there were challenges, there was also positivity. And with this, a much tougher journey, the positivity will be turned up to the max.
There will be plenty of testing moments during the coming months, but there will be some fun along the way.
In dealing with situations like this, a sense of humour can be such a powerful weapon
So let’s begin:
Welcome to Thyroid Diaries II: This time it’s even more annoying