Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
Behind today's advent calendar door is another trip to St James' Hospital, this time for my wife's monthly oncology treatment. Yesterday's bone scan went without incident for the stoic Birtley lass; although the results won't be known for a week or so yet. Hearing I was yet again en route to a Leeds medical establishment,... Continue Reading →
I'm starting this second blog of the day while sitting in the Nuclear Medicine/PET CT waiting room of a Leeds Hospital. Awaiting the missus' return from a bone scan, my eyes are constantly drawn to an ornament of two pottery ducks who're co-joined at the beaks, which reside on a nearby table. I assume the... Continue Reading →
This morning I felt moved to say hello to TV broadcasting royalty Harry Gration, who was stood next to me in a coffee outlet queue in Burmantofts, Leeds. A greeting to which he politely responded in kind, prior to us wandered off on our own ways - Me childishly giddy that I'd briefly met the... Continue Reading →
Thursday morning witnessed an early start for yours truly - Commencing when my phone alarm proffered a dream shattering cacophony, causing me to franctically search for the device's snooze button. Initially, with hand flaling floorward, it was actually my jeans I pressed in my disorientated state of reveille. Unsurprisingly, that didn't negate the alarm's din... Continue Reading →
With the sad news of Karen's mum's critical medical condition, plans for the foreseeable future in casa Strachan are understandably in limbo. My wife still in the north east maintaining her bedside vigil, along with providing support for her distraught father. I'm in regular contact with my little missus by phone and text, where she... Continue Reading →
This morning, I spent a couple of hours as part of a fundraising team representing the Marie Curie organisation. Our locale Leeds city centre, our voluntary remit to appeal to the benevolence of Morrisons supermarket customers, Merrion Shopping Centre in situ. The journey almost starting dramatically when, while waiting for a bus on Selby Road,... Continue Reading →
This morning I accompanied Karen to an oncologist appointment for the results of her recent CT Scan. Occasions like this are always tense times; the seemingly endless build up to acquire news of how her multiple tumours are behaving. Unlike reality show contestants awaiting results, our news is important - Literally a matter of life... Continue Reading →
This week sees the eighth anniversary of a life changing event that shook my family to it's core. A time my brood and I were ushered, or more accurately dragged kicking and screaming, onto an unwanted emotional rollercoaster sojourn. A ride with no height restrictions, or indeed any other discriminatory parameters, allowing for non-participation. My... Continue Reading →
On Friday I began a voluntary role where for a few hours a week I'll act as social media administrator for a charitable group. My task entailing sporadic monitoring of newly created Twitter and Facebook accounts for the East Leeds Marie Curie fundraising group. These accounts manifesting from a desire to raise the profile of... Continue Reading →