Wishing you all the biggest wishes for the shoulder/arm/hand getting better. All that electrical shock stuff really hurts - I was offered a sticker saying something like Brave Me after a recent treatment and I reckon it actually made it better
I think you at least deserved a lollipop Mark. Very much hoping things improve for you. I had a treatment this year which involved and hours worth of electric shocks on my face, hurt like a devil, particularly the nostrils!
Oh and the consultant smelling of garlic; I’ve come across something like this before, when I saw a consultant who smelled of something I couldn’t quite put a finger on.
I hope all goes well with your treatment Mark and I fancy trying out the recipes. I’ve got some health issues to tackle in coming years and I might write about them on Modulations, how music helps in this regard.
I am quite good at being generally pretty fit but if i have something it’s peculiar! I will avoid that massage as you suggest, with much thank to you for the advice!
What a shocker to end up in that hospital room. Really hoping the treatment works for you. And the tarte tatin is going in my Christmas meal plan, thanks
Thank you Deborah, in fairness it’s more inconvenient lack of grip in my hand on cold days now, so really not the end of the world but a bit tedious for sure
Ah damnit Mark. I hate this for you. I'm similarly affected, different cause and effect and luckily in my non dominant hand, but it sucks as does ageing in general. Above us only sky when parents die
Lovely piece Mark, made me think about decades I've begrudgingly maintained cars and guitars eventually rejecting acquisition and flogging lesser items in the realisation of the increasing burden of maintenance required. In my case all the while completely failing to pay full attention to maintaining myself. At 56 it's a law enforced fine rather than a voluntary service with a quick oil change. Life becomes fatty, the liver to be specific ( things shouted in the playground were portentous of things to come ) Stomach ulcerated through stress and a knock on Naproxen habit garnered by idiotic mid life BMX folly-(the first of the bumps that brought me down to earth) ...So good to hear that you are also suffering these important valuable milestones of inevitable decay. Not because I want you to suffer of course, but It always makes one feel so much better to be less alone. I have a new program of maintenance which, if I stick to, and I will, will ensure my internal doldrums are fully navigable and I am very grateful that I was shown the light in time. Glad that you too should ease out of yours- fingers crossed... pardon the pun. Not sure about you but I felt like I was at the peak of the hill at 33, at 44 I knew I had crested it, I think I just hit the bastard mid 50s wakeup pothole and I'm hoping that there's a big ramp at the bottom with a morphine filled lake for me to Eivel Knievel into.
You should start your own substack Jo! What a read. It's weird to feel most content and alive while being reminded by my physicality that maybe (with some great luck) I'm half way through my adult life...luckily I've never been a professional athlete otherwise the difference between then and now might really get me down. Glad you are on a Jo-priority programme...the world is a better place if you can hang around for a good while yet x
Beautifully written and tender piece, Mark. Natural dialogue as ever. Crikey your final internal question re the hospital ward invites the reader to reflect on their own fragility, something I hope I achieve in my own writing so, thank you for this.
Lovely writing, I can see why you won this year’s GMG award for the best blogger!
Thank you Jan!
Ditto Jan’s comments, Mr Diacono. Extraordinary, as always.
Thank you Mike, much appreciated
Just tried the recipe without the pastry it with sausages. Very tasty thank you
That’s the kind of offroading I like!
Wishing you all the biggest wishes for the shoulder/arm/hand getting better. All that electrical shock stuff really hurts - I was offered a sticker saying something like Brave Me after a recent treatment and I reckon it actually made it better
I could do with a sticker like that, though in fairness it sounds like an instruction to put up with an irritating me
I think you at least deserved a lollipop Mark. Very much hoping things improve for you. I had a treatment this year which involved and hours worth of electric shocks on my face, hurt like a devil, particularly the nostrils!
The way we respect yet hate the therapists who hurt us as they help us. Very British. Very funny.
Tart looks like something I’d like. Adding to my ‘Delicious Things I Imagine I’ll Find Time To Make’ list.
Very British indeed! I hope you find time for that tart…Happy New Year
Oh and the consultant smelling of garlic; I’ve come across something like this before, when I saw a consultant who smelled of something I couldn’t quite put a finger on.
Specialists in anything often seem to have a distinctive perfume don't they!
They certainly do!
I hope all goes well with your treatment Mark and I fancy trying out the recipes. I’ve got some health issues to tackle in coming years and I might write about them on Modulations, how music helps in this regard.
Wow I thought I got random stuff wrong with me but this one I have never heard of - sounds rubbish so I will give it a miss.
If you want real pain go and get a sports massage on the tendons in your foot - i said more than bugger I can tell you!
From one injured person to another I wish you well!
I am quite good at being generally pretty fit but if i have something it’s peculiar! I will avoid that massage as you suggest, with much thank to you for the advice!
What a shocker to end up in that hospital room. Really hoping the treatment works for you. And the tarte tatin is going in my Christmas meal plan, thanks
Thank you Karen, I hope you enjoy it
Gosh Mark, that sounds difficult to deal with! As always, beautifully written - and then you leave us with a fabulous recipe - thank you!
Thank you Lizzie - it's a low level tedium really but thank you
But it must have been very worrying before it was diagnosed, and can only imagine what that was like! Am glad it’s tedious and not even more horrible!
Such a wonderful piece of writing, but I am so sorry to read of your pain and really hope it settles quickly.
Thank you Deborah, in fairness it’s more inconvenient lack of grip in my hand on cold days now, so really not the end of the world but a bit tedious for sure
Thank you Mark. Your writing always touches me right where it hurts!
Thank you Fiona… I hope in a good way at least
Ah damnit Mark. I hate this for you. I'm similarly affected, different cause and effect and luckily in my non dominant hand, but it sucks as does ageing in general. Above us only sky when parents die
I would offer a solidarity knuckle tap but...
.... We'd probably both scream in pain
My goodness, Mark, your writing takes my breath away. Thank you!
Thank YOU Helen
Lovely. And the tart - I'm going to try it when next I can get some ready-made GF pastry.
Thank you June, I hope you enjoy it
Lovely piece Mark, made me think about decades I've begrudgingly maintained cars and guitars eventually rejecting acquisition and flogging lesser items in the realisation of the increasing burden of maintenance required. In my case all the while completely failing to pay full attention to maintaining myself. At 56 it's a law enforced fine rather than a voluntary service with a quick oil change. Life becomes fatty, the liver to be specific ( things shouted in the playground were portentous of things to come ) Stomach ulcerated through stress and a knock on Naproxen habit garnered by idiotic mid life BMX folly-(the first of the bumps that brought me down to earth) ...So good to hear that you are also suffering these important valuable milestones of inevitable decay. Not because I want you to suffer of course, but It always makes one feel so much better to be less alone. I have a new program of maintenance which, if I stick to, and I will, will ensure my internal doldrums are fully navigable and I am very grateful that I was shown the light in time. Glad that you too should ease out of yours- fingers crossed... pardon the pun. Not sure about you but I felt like I was at the peak of the hill at 33, at 44 I knew I had crested it, I think I just hit the bastard mid 50s wakeup pothole and I'm hoping that there's a big ramp at the bottom with a morphine filled lake for me to Eivel Knievel into.
You should start your own substack Jo! What a read. It's weird to feel most content and alive while being reminded by my physicality that maybe (with some great luck) I'm half way through my adult life...luckily I've never been a professional athlete otherwise the difference between then and now might really get me down. Glad you are on a Jo-priority programme...the world is a better place if you can hang around for a good while yet x
I thank you, and reiterate that your next book should be called 'Tart' x
Beautifully written and tender piece, Mark. Natural dialogue as ever. Crikey your final internal question re the hospital ward invites the reader to reflect on their own fragility, something I hope I achieve in my own writing so, thank you for this.
Thank you Bee - that's very lovely of you