I've been getting a few moans this week that I've not posted the Fuerteventura pictures I promised last week.  I'm sure you are just being polite - no one really likes to see anybody else's holiday photos - do they?  Anyway - you have them now.

As I've said before - Fuerteventura really ticks our boxes for relaxing holidays - its the perfect mix of sunshine and gorgeous beaches - albeit some a fair drive from the resort.  We usually stay in Caleta - but in 6 visits have never been on its beach. We prefer to drive to the more remote beaches where the sand seems somehow better for the lack of footprints...

This holiday was always going to be about total relaxation in readiness for the journey ahead.  We actually booked a villa - never done that before - with its own pool.  On arrival at Fuerte airport we did our usual - Sarah waits for the bags and I sort the car hire while all the other passengers are pre-occupied with fighting for luggage!  (Does it get you really annoyed when people stand in front of the red line as much as it does me?  I'm sure thats why Sarah sends me ahead!). Anyway - having booked an Astra, and seeing the man scrabbling around for keys I was fearing the worse.  Not to worry - I noticed he had reached for a Saab key - that'll do nicely I thought.  He started writing out the rental sheet and then stopped... 'Are you ok with automatic?' he said - I nodded...

We found our car in the hire section - a beautful Saab 93 Convertible with cream leather interior - how cool is that!

We drove to the villa - its only 15 minutes from the airport and is set right in the middle of a gorgeous golf course.  Not being a golfer myself that was a little wasted on me - but hey - check out the villa...

That's Sarah just descending into the pool... We actually used the villa far more than we thought we would - even stayed by the pool a couple of days (and we never do that normally).  The BBQ was brilliant - we used it a few times - cooked steak, spanish sausages and one night had the most gorgeous kebabs....

You will know I like to cook - I find hardly anything more relaxing, I even cooked a paella one night with fresh squid and prawns from the local supermarket, and it was lovely to sit by the pool in the evening with an ice cold beer and take in the relaxed atmosphere..

I've just realised how many of these pictures are turning out to be food - I hope you aren't reading this while hungry!  You may recall my post before we left for Fuerte regarding the beach bar.  (I know a lot of you have commented on my poetic description of the place!)  Well, when you see it, you will realise what I meant when I said it was the kind of place you would avoid like the plague (for fear of catching the plague!)

Its not the cleanest but the beer is the coldest, and the green lipped mussels drizzled in garlic and white wine are the most divine food known to man at 3pm on a lazy afternoon (last food picture coming up - I promise)

I also mentioned that the sunsets in Fuerte are amazing.  Our favourite beach on the island is right at the northwest tip - at a place called El Cotillo.  We have driven there many times just to watch the sun dip into the sea, I actually bought a new camera at the airport and took hundreds of pictures this year.  The sea was really wild and the sky so colourful, the pictures don't do it justice but here you go anyway

Good eh?  I don't mind admitting I had a few words with God while stood on that beach - and asked him to make sure that I got plenty of opportunities to witness some more shows like the one he had put on for us that night.

Anyway - I'm sure you will be getting a bit bored by now, you will be shifting uncomfortably in your seat, wondering how many more pictures there are going to be, is he ever going to put the kettle on, can't we talk about something else now etc   (Isn't that what YOU do when you are going through holiday snaps?)

So - last picture - here's me and SJ in our favourite restaurant on the island - its a Portuguese place called El Fado - excellent food and a very dishy Portuguese owner (according to Sarah - I don't see the attraction myself).

All the best - thanks for looking, and please - DON'T FORGET TO DONATE TO TOMORROWS OWLSTALKATHON IN AID OF WESTON PARK CANCER CHARITY - http://www.justgiving.co.uk/owlstalkathon

Nigel xx

Please click the 'justgiving' link below to make a donation.  Thank you.

Ebay links

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/vootmobile

What now I hear you say!

Many of you will be aware that I am a member of a Sheffield Wednesday Messageboard called Owlstalk.  Over the Christmas period I recieved over 300 'Get Well' messages from the members of Owlstalk - it was really staggering and a great comfort to my family.

This coming Friday, as I mentioned in my last post - is 'Make It Count' day - a day that has been designated as a special day by the charity Cancer Research as it is the only Friday 29th February for 28 years.  As part of that I have organised and am promoting an Owlstalkathon - basically a fund raising day to hopefully raise a splendid amount of money for the people at Weston Park's Cancer Charity.

I've had a logo designed. 

I've received a number of pledges for auction items - that are on Ebay with expiry dates of Friday.  I will provide links to them in the 'Pinned' topic that will go at the top of the blog.

I've also opened a page at www.justgiving.co.uk/owlstalkathon - where you can make a donation.  I'm hoping that between now and Friday I can convince 1000 people to donate a suggested sum of £10 each - that would equal £10,000 and would be absolutely marvellous.  I will be posting a link to that page in the Pinned section at the top of my blog too.

Thank you in advance for your support for this - I hope we can all put a little cash to one side for a very worthwhile cause this Friday.

Kind regards

Nigel xx

Houston - we have a problem...

OK - regular bloggers will know that I had a problem with the installation of the PEG tube last week.  It seems that Rotherham Hospital have failed to inform my oncologist of this - despite their promises - and so I now cannot begin my radiotherapy on Monday.  I had hoped we could begin and then insert the PEG when required - apparently not. 

So - everything has been put back a week, and my PEG will now be fitted at the Royal Hallamshire in Sheffield next Friday after I insisted I didn't want to go back to Rotherhams Endoscopy Dept.

Initially I was very disappointed.  But hey - whats a week?  Bernie (Foran - the oncologist) assured me that the time would not cause an issue - its just the having psyched myself up to start on Monday - todays news was a bit of a blow.  I suppose its the same for others close to me to - everyone is on tenterhooks.

Actually next Friday is quite a special day.  Cancer Research are reminding everyone that the Friday 29th February will be the only extra Friday we get for 28 years - and they are suggesting you make your extra day count.  What will you be doing this coming Friday?  Will you celebrate, do something worthwhile or remarkable?  Or will you just let the day pass like any normal Friday?  Have a think about it.

Todays appointment went very well apart from the PEG news - I spent a good 25 minutes bolted to the bed by my face mask in the radiotherapy suite while lines were drawn on my mask - the final stage of the planning procedure.  I met Phil - who has planned the radiotherapy - there are to be 3 phases - the first for 4 weeks, the second for 2 weeks and the 3rd and final phase for 5 days.  This basically means that the radiotherapy waves will be concentrated in different area's on different weeks.

I found the mask much less threatening today and learned to relax by thinking of the 92 Football League clubs and putting them in alphabetical order (a technique I learned when early on the dating scene ).  Can I just say - if you laughed at that you have a dirty mind!

Sooooo - next week is now a bit of a write-off.  I'm going to make myself useful at home and finish a few jobs before everything kicks in, shelves in Dans bedroom, mirror in Gina's room, tidying the garden shed.  Things therefore will be quiet blog-wise - I guess you don't want to hear about my domestic arrangements!!

All the best

Nigel xx

PS - While we are thinking about Tom Hanks - I stayed up late last night to watch 'Philadelphia' - what a mistake THAT was...

Ever since I published the Take That spoof video the other week I've had numerous requests to post the 'Making Of' video. So, I've relented - here it is for your enjoyment at my expense! (Personally I think this is funnier than the original!!)

CLICK PLAY ONLY ONCE

Went for the mask 'fitting' today - this was to check out the fitting for comfort and function.  So - I came face to face (literally) with my own radiotherapy mask for the first time.  It was quite disconcerting at first - I took a picture with my Blackberry so the quality isn't amazing, but here you are;

Looks claustrophobic doesn't it?! 

Had a bit of fun last night with Mick, a mate who works with my pal Darren.  We had a curry and Darren had shown Mick a picture of the mask earlier in the day.  Mick does suffer a bit with claustrophobia - so when I was telling him last night that I have to be bolted down for 4 hours in the mask, 5 days a week for 7 weeks - he broke out into a cold sweat!    (Being the kind hearted soul I did admit later on in the night that its really only for 10 minutes a day!)

Anyway - I digress.  Spencer once again talked me through the procedure, laid me down in the back half of the mask, tucked my ears in (more on that later!) and then slowly, talking all the time, lowered the upper part against my face.  You can see the black clips on the mask - they are to fix the top firmly in place.  You can hear the clicks very loud against the plastic - and thats it - you are physically bolted to the table by your head! 

Its nowhere near as bad as I've just made it sound - although I was pleased it was such a good fit first time round as they use an electric blowtorch to adjust the plastic if the fit isn't quite right - although not while your face is in it (I don't think so anyway!!).

More on my ears - we tried the mask on a second time and didnt tuck my ears in this time - an early lesson for me on just how much it can nip your ears if you aren't careful! 

During the appointment I met Mandy - who works for the Cancer Support Centre round the back of Weston Park.  http://www.cancersupportcentre.co.uk/

The Cancer Support Centre offers support for patients and their carers - access to advice and even complementary therapy sessions like Reflexology, Massage and Aromatherapy.  They can even give you assistance in organising benefit support - and as someone who will not be able to work during my treatment I will be taking them up on that.

After my fitting I walked round to the CT scanner - and was given a brief outline of what to expect on the machine.  I wouldn't have to be injected with dye this time - so that was nice not to have my veins invaded again!  I was also given a list of my appointment times for the next 7 weeks - which is great as we can now start scheduling transport - so be ready for that Sarah, Dad, Lisa, Louise and Auntie Jean!!  Out of 36 appointments - 32 are at either 8.40 or 8.50am.  So we can get used to rush hour traffic!

In the CT scanner room I was met by 4 nurses who bolted me to the bed.  (I'm not sure I can actually write something like that! )  The CT scan took no more than 5 minutes - then I was up and on my way home.

On Friday I will have my dry run on the Radiotherapy machine.  More news then.

All the best to you all - thanks for reading

Nigel xx

You may recall from a few posts ago that my nurse Sam at Weston Park suggested that my radiotherapy mask moulding session was 'a little like having a seaweed wrap facial'.

Not being a regular at Spa's - I wasn't altogether sure what she meant - but it all turned out to be a not really unpleasant experience!

I had to be at Weston Park at 8.30 this morning - set off from home at 7.30 to give myself plenty of time - my Sat Nav suggested a 19 minute journey.  Finally arrived at 8.35.  Will need to be more organised when the sessions begin properly next week!

Was met by Spencer - tried not to be too disappointed that it wasn't the lovely Sam - but Spencer told me he could see the disappointment on my face when he called my name out!!   Spencer was really cool - he explained why Sam couldn't make the session - and told me he was to be ably assisted by Sue.

The procedure involves wearing something like a swimming cap, having your face head and shoulders smeared with a greasy cream, and then having bandges soaked in plaster of paris wrapped around your face to create a mould.  You have to lay really still, lifting your chin and keeping your shoulders out of the way.

It was a little uncomfortable, but Spencer spoke throughout the experience in a very reassuring way.  The finished mask is designed to ensure your face is kept entirely still during treatment, and that the treatment is targetted in the same place everytime you go.  It is actually bolted to the bed during treatment.  It looks exactly like this when completed.

The marks you can see in pen are the guides for the lasers.  I'm pretty sure its something even James Bond wouldn't be able to get out of - I may suggest it for his next torture.

i'm really warming to the staff at Weston Park - everyone seems to have been hand-picked for their role with courtesy, care and re-assurance being the primary denominator.

Chatting along it seems that this is Sues last week at work, she retires on Thursday this week.  She has spent 32 years at Weston Park - what a special woman.  (Keep this to yourselves but I'm going to take her a little something on Wednesday!)

Anyway - the whole thing took little more than 20 minutes and I was on my way home by 9.30.

I'm back there on Wednesday for the mask fitting and a lengthy CT scan to make sure everything is all set.

Talk soon,

Nigel xx

Well, after a fantastic week in Fuerteventura (more on that later), hospital matters are right back on the agenda.

We got home quite late on Wednesday night, and first problem was that no letter had arrived from Rotherham Hospital to let me know if the appointment the following day (yesterday) was confirmed.  I got up early yesterday and began trying to locate the correct department - meanwhile they called me at 8.30am to say that I was due in that morning at 9am

Rushed into Rotherham - made the Endoscopy Dept for 9.10 am - to be told that my surgery wouldn't take place til 12 noon (at the earliest).  The procedure itself would take no more than about 20 minutes - and would be carried out under sedation.

I mooched around til I was called in at 12.15 - a nurse unsuccessfully attempted to fit a canula to my hand (a canula is that needle that stays attached to you while you are in hospital so that they don't have to keep sticking needles in you).  She said I had 'awkward veins!'

I made a few jokes about getting my BUPA subscription up to date as soon as possible - and also joked with the sister that I was already considering a strongly worded e-mail to the Health Authority...   Eventually another nurse came along and found a vein - canula was fitted and I was pumped with antibiotics.  Time to go.

I laid down on the bed in theatre - was injected with the sedative - and they started.  I have to admit I was more nervous about this procedure than I had been about the neck surgery - theres something about being totally conscious I guess.  Let me tell you - the sedative hadn't kicked in when they started because I was totally aware of everything that happened while I was in there.

A doctor began to insert the Endoscopy camera in my mouth - basically a length of tube not dissimilar to the diameter of a hosepipe.  They had sprayed my throat prior to this with an anaesthetic - to prevent me from gagging.  It didn't work.  I began gagging from the moment the pipe was in there, and every inch they pushed it in made me gag even more.  They made me turn on to my side - it didn't help - and if I'm honest I started to panic.  I couldn't breathe properly - felt like no air was getting in my lungs.

The procedure was abandoned - I remember that - and then I remember nothing until I came round in the recovery suite.  To my mind the sedative didn't kick in until they had finished trying.

So - no PEG fitted yet - waiting to hear from the hospital as to how they intend fitting it now.

Later in the day I had a further appointment at the hospital with the dental hygienist.  Again I was kept waiting for over an hour beyond my appointment time - finally getting in at 4.15.  The hygienist scaled and polished my teeth - then laid the rules about my future eating habits and cleansing routine on the line.  Basically - no more sugary drinks, no more chocolate or sweet foods - I cannot risk any tooth extractions in the future.

Finally left the hospital at 5.15 - after a full day there.

Sarah is back at work today - our Dan is round though and we are planning an Xbox marathon today - not speaking much as my throat is still very bruised from the Endoscopy....

Will update the blog with a bit of a rundown of the holiday - with some amazing photos taken while there.

All the best

Nigel xx

A quick update - I'm packing right now...

Went to Weston Park today for my face mask to be created.

Met the very lovely Sam - my nurse - who agreed that it may be best to wait til I return from the holiday before we create the mould for the mask, as the swelling under my chin is still going down, and therefore in 2 weeks my face shape may well be different.  Apparently the mould will be like having a plaster cast (like when you break your arm) created around my face, Sam said its a bit like having a seaweed wrap facial - whatever that means!!!

So, new appointments dates are;

18th - Face Mask Mould

20th - Face mask fitting and CT scan

22nd - Final Appt with Oncologist

25th - All systems go.

I also found out that my first Chemotherapy session will take place on the 25th, I will be in hospital all day that day and stay overnight. 
So - slight change of plan - the good thing is the week and a half from my return will fly by and we can get straight into treatment...

All the best everybody,

Nigel xx

OK. I'm not entirely sure this will work...

Being the internet genius/legend that I am though I, errr, rang a friend who gave me some basic instruction!

Many of you will know that last May saw my 40th birthday, and some of you who were there will remember (how could you forget?) the fantastic music video put together by the extremely talented James Hargreaves for my do...

I've had numerous e-mails suggesting that we attach the video to the blog.  I have no idea how to do something quite so clever - however - I will try.

For those who don't know - I spent most of my formative years dreaming of being on Top of the Pops, fronting my own band.  As is usual, these dreams came to nothing, until one Sunday afternoon in April last year when I and 4 very good friends downed a few beers and shot our first ever music video.  Below - is the result - CLICK PLAY ONLY ONCE!;

As posted yesterday the flights are booked and I will be going for a pre-radiotherapy stay in Fuerteventura this coming Wednesday.

We have chosen Fuerte - as its 'our special place'.  We have had some wonderful breaks there.  We are totally unsociable on holiday, try to avoid talking to others and spend a week or two immersed in our books, I-pods and chatting to each other.

We always hire a car. We've stayed in Caleta De Fuste 4 times and have never been on its beach.  The beaches around the island are so beautiful and isolated we have never felt the need to surround ourselves with the usual 'Brits on Holiday'!!

Some of the beaches are over an hour away from the resort, but we love the anticipation of the drive there, and the slight burn of sun and sand on our shoulders on the way back.  Quite often we don't leave the apartment til 11am.  A leisurely start to the day.  Equally, we rarely leave a beach until the sun is disappearing over the mountains, arriving back at our apartment in beachwear just as the families are returning from their food for the entertainment in the hotel.  Its worth it for the look of amazement we get from the grown-ups - you can see them thinking "Where have they been til this time?"

This year will be slightly different, as we have chosen a villa with a private pool...

We always get a bargain and this time is no exception.  I've always wanted to do this kind of holiday - now seemed like the perfect time to do it.  The villa has a heated pool exclusively for us - I can't think of anything better to look forward to at the end of a day at the beach than coming back to the villa, lighting the barbecue and enjoying a relaxing dip while waiting for the coals to turn white and the marinade on the chicken to do its magic.

Our favourite beach has the most amazing beach bar.  Its not one of those purpose built ones - to be honest its the sort of place that in England you would avoid like the plague (for fear of catching the plague!).  Its a collection of thrown together shacks, beach umbrellas and wooden cable drums.  The constant noise of the generator affects the enjoyment of the Spanish radio station. Yet you can visit it in nothing more than a pair of shorts - sit with your feet playing in the powdery white sand - and enjoy the coldest San Miguel on the island to go with your plate of sizzling green lipped mussels drizzled in white wine and garlic.

The villa has its own roof terrace - and some of the most amazing sunsets I have ever seen are in Fuerte.  I've taken hundreds of photos of them - no artist could ever create them with oil and canvas - and to be fair no photograph ever does them justice either.

I'm really looking forward to this holiday.  Fuerteventura isn't to everyones taste - I'm amazed by how many people say 'I wouldn't go back'.  I can only assume they havent taken the time to explore it like we have - if I had stayed in the resort I wouldnt go back either.  Its always helped by the weather - its generally mid-70's at this time of year.

Here's to another wonderful break - I think I'm going to need it.

EDIT - I've just been reading the statistics for the blog. Quite amazingly - this blog had 1,174 visitors in January.  And the pages were viewed over 4,000 times.  Thats quite staggering - I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your interest - you are very special people.

WOW - things have really started moving now....

Following yesterdays appointment at the Oral Surgery department - I have spoken to Joy in the Radiotherapy Dept at Weston Park today.  Joy sounds ace, very efficient but friendly with it!

OK, get ready,

Tuesday 5th February - Impressions for protective mask - this will be a sitting with Plaster of Paris on my face to create the mould for the protective mask. Sounds kinky, but I'm sure it isn't.  Or maybe thats just me...

Wednesday 6th February - Holiday!! Woohoo - booked the flights today - am going to enjoy a quiet week in Fuerteventura to prepare for whats coming up.

Wednesday 13th February - Back from Fuerteventura. 

Thursday 14th February - Appointment with Rotherham Hospital for installation of PEG.  PEG is the acronym for a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, a feeding tube inserted into my stomach.  If I'm honest, this is what I'm most dreading.  I won't be able to eat anything in the normal way due to the swelling of my throat, and this will be my only source of nutrition. 

Thats what it looks like during feeding, if you can imagine the clear triangular plastic part without the white tube - thats what will be visible at all times.  Nice eh?

Monday 18th February - Weston Park for CT scan and Mask fitting - This is where I become acquainted with my mask for the first time.  Assuming everything fits ok I then have a CT scan in order to plan the radiotherapy.  Radiotherapy is much more scientific these days than it used to be, more directional to prevent damage to area's not needing it.

Friday 22nd February - Final Consultant Appointment - Last meeting with Dr Foran to confirm eveything is all set and ready to roll

Monday 25th February - First bout of radiotherapy - 35 sessions taking place over 7 weeks.

Still waiting to hear when the chemotherapy starts - will let you know.

All the best,

Nigel xx