Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
Yesterday, in 'celebration' of reaching the third anniversary since suffering a heart attack, I relayed the first narrative written from my hospital bed post-cardio scare. With my gratitude to the skilled LGI cardiologist and his team still at the very forefront of my mind, today I enclose the words I penned following the heart procedure... Continue Reading →
One year ago tomorrow the most frightening, yet ultimately life enhancing, event I've thus far experience blind sided me while laying in bed at my then east Leeds abode. The time was shortly after midnight, and laying alone spreadeagled starfish-like across the mattress, I was becoming increasingly concerned with a nagging chest discomfort, along with... Continue Reading →
This morning, I'm afflicted by an ordinarily infrequent case of writers block. A rare creative imposter which I'm currently unable to vanquish, despite sitting in a White Rose Centre coffee house indulging in a spot of people watching. A pastime which ordinarily manifests ideas aplenty, but thus far hasn't provided GJ Strachan with any noteworthy... Continue Reading →
On Sunday morning, arriving downstairs post-reveille to the sight of my mother baking momentarily regressed me back to my boyhood. The pouring of Kellogs' cereal into a yellow Tupperware bowl, which we'd had since the late 1960's, in association with mater's mixing bowl magic transporting me back to my Gateshead childhood. Up to her elbows... Continue Reading →
This morning, I undertook the next step in my cardio rehab programme, enrolling on a local leisure centre's circuits class. A session filled with mucho perspiration, intense focus of programme objectives and the realisation that wearing your undies on the outside of your tracks bottoms doesn't necessarily impart you with superhuman powers. The latter a faux... Continue Reading →
Simultaneous to his heartbeat, the beeps grew faster as his exertions increased. These ever quickening pings, designed to test GJ Strachan's physical fitness, reminding him of mid-January and his four day audio accompaniment produced by the Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) cardio monitors. The start of a post-heart attack journey which didn't end yesterday, but encouragingly... Continue Reading →
Tomorrow sees my long-awaited post cardiac arrest health assessment. This a pre-requisite so cardio rehab staff can formulate a bespoke rehab plan for me to utilise at my local gym. This fitness strategy being drawn up to strengthen my heart muscle after it sustained moderate damage during the life-threatening incident. A plan that, although not mandatory,... Continue Reading →
I've been lax with my rehab exercise regime over last couple of days. This tardiness including not having walked for any decent duration since Monday when I trekked to the back of beyond. This a distant place that smells of antiseptic mouthwash and uses the old Spanish currency peseta as its legal tender. The back... Continue Reading →
Late this afternoon I'll be confronted by a conundrum which afflicts us armchair sports fans once or twice a season. Not a problem of earth shattering proportions by any stretch of the imagination, nevertheless a decision still requiring careful consideration. This trivial poser the three football/rugby teams I follow being broadcast live on TV almost... Continue Reading →