From the Man himself...

Feeling the love and positive vibes

Some time ago Wife suggested I take a turn at writing a contribution to her blog. She’ll probably say it’s ‘our’ blog, not ‘hers’, but on the basis that it was her idea and she’s written every instalment so far I’d argue that. I haven’t written anything up to now, in part, as she writes so well that my rambling is certain to look amateurish by comparison. Nevertheless, with Wife having posted nearly 20 entries I have to man up so here we go...

It strikes me that this illness is almost certainly as hard, if not harder, on Wife than it is on me. Aside from doing all the household chores and working full time (and all whilst I lie down doing little more than browsing Netflix and MTB videos on YouTube) Wife has to watch her husband of just two years endure a bit of a crappy time. And whilst she’s barely uttered a word of complaint that’s not a recipe that sits well with the happy wife = easy life formula.

Wife’s last blog, posted on Sunday, generated quite a response. It was pretty hard hitting and, as I only get to read them with you after they’re uploaded, I didn’t have any input let alone editorial control! And neither should I. After all, the blog has been not only Wife’s way of keeping friends and family updated but also her release, her vent. On the plus side it did generate a few extra visits and even presents so maybe it could be worth repeating the more brutally honest style purely for the material gain. Thanks to friends this week, Macy has been walked, delicious homemade jam and chutney delivered, a fabulous evening meal with accompanying real ale shared and a box of goodies, card and beautiful letter from work colleagues received in the post. It’s all conspired to make me feel very privileged and, despite my mediocre attempts at insults, banter and sarcasm, perhaps even appreciated by some of those around me. I have to say I’m genuinely touched and never expected this kind of reaction, particularly from - in some cases - people I didn’t know really had any particular affection for me. It would be easy to think ‘they’re just glad it isn’t them’ but I don’t think that’s the case. I think this kind of crappy illness just brings out the very best in people. Whatever, the net effect is that I’ve never felt so appreciative of my friends and am genuinely feeling the love. Which, as they used to say on The Fast Show, is nice.

It seems that even Kent County Council cares. Today it was confirmed that I will shortly be the recipient of a Blue Badge which will undoubtedly make life easier, especially when visiting UCH in London that only have disabled parking bays.

The medical update was good this week too with my paraprotein measurement dropping to 5. The falls have slowed of late but Dr L remains very upbeat about the progress and I take heart from her positive assessment.

So all in all it’s been a really good week, helped not just by the kind words and deeds mentioned above but also, let’s be honest, by the installation of Sky Q in our bedroom and purchase of a shiny new iPad on which this blog was written. I somehow doubt that the anticipated delivery of a new tumble drier and dishwasher on Monday will elicit quite the same excitement in my next entry but they might make Wife’s life easier whilst I’m leaving her all the chores. And as we know happy wife = easy life.


Martin