Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
As I write I'm sitting in the entrance waiting room of Leeds General Infirmary's (LGI) Jubilee Wing. Accompanied by my wife Karen, yours truly indulges in the addictive pastime of people watching. The 'entertainment' provided by scores of individuals oblivious to my surreptitious surveillance techniques - Some plying their trade within the chambers of this... Continue Reading →
I'm sat with the missus in one of the oncology unit waiting rooms of a Leeds Teaching Hospital. A four weekly jaunt we undertake so the 'trouble and strife' can undergo her monthly treatment. As the moment there's only the two of us residing in the 'linger lounge'. A couple of seats to my left... Continue Reading →
I'm penning today's narrative in a waiting area of a Leeds hospital's Bexley Wing. A consequence of accompanying my wife Karen during her four weekly receipt of oncological treatment. As I aimlessly type seeking inspiration for a 500+ worded monologue, Karen is sitting patiently poring through her current read. Due to the angle she's holding... Continue Reading →
After a pain free car journey in rush hour traffic on the Leeds inner ring road, followed by breakfast muffin sustenance in the Bexley Wing Costa coffee, I'm now invigorated and ready for the day ahead. Getting out of bed for Karen’s early appointment with her oncologist required some effort today. In fact, it took... Continue Reading →
As I pen this narrative, I'm currently sitting at the Bexley oncology wing with my dad (Mally). My mum, who is also in attendance, reckons today is his penultimate radiotherapy session. Although I'm pretty sure she's incorrect and it's his second last treatment. As I write this he is filling his time reading a tabloid newspaper. It is... Continue Reading →
No hospital visit with Bert & Mavis today. Thankfully for the octogenarian Yorkshireman he has the weekend off from his radiotherapy treatment. He will spend this respite from his gruelling routine doing what he loves best; watching sport, imbibing the occasional glass of red and ensuring Mavis is cooking the meals in the right pans. Likewise, radiotherapy... Continue Reading →
I commenced the penning of this narrative on 2nd December at 15.39 GMT, whilst residing in the waiting area/reception of a state of the art oncology unit in West Yorkshire. I sit with an aging couple (who I shall call Bert and Mavis) and a younger couple (who I shall also call Bert and Mavis just... Continue Reading →
An over cautious approach by a family member, meant arriving considerably earlier than necessary for their hospital appointment this morning. I’m a big advocate of punctuality, organisation and planning; however arriving an hour early for your scheduled treatment is slight overkill in my book. Despite this though, my family member, who for the purposes of anonymity... Continue Reading →
Another day, another visit to the Bexley Wing at St James’ Hospital, this time for Karen’s four weekly treatment. I dread to think how many hours we have spent down there, or the Leeds General Infirmary, in the last five years. Bless her! While we waited today, we both tried guessing the cumulative time spent... Continue Reading →