vivdunstan

As I say on my profile page I mainly use this blog to keep track of dosage changes and symptom patterns/progression in my neurological disease. Those entries are restricted to family only.

I do post more widely though. Many early entries are friends-locked. If you know me, either in person or online, feel free to friend me.

But some entries will be on more open access, especially those I link to from Twitter.

Marvelling at how helpful I found the hysterectomy subreddit before, during and after my recent major surgery (hysterectomy + extras) for possible gynaecological cancer (good news it isn't!). So supportive. I've been happy to support others with my experiences too. A positive use of social media.

Dealing with a problem company at the moment, who've been bad at dealing with a recent order, and terrible for answering queries about what's happening. When they finally replied today it was not a great start when the email begins "Hello Vivian". I know I have a rare first name, but spell it right.

Thank goodness I don't need them to spell my Scots Gaelic middle name. And they probably won't have a problem with my admittedly rare Cornish married surname. But goofing up on the customer's first name (if not using my oft abbreviated version) isn't a good step. Head of Customer Experience too.

Catching up with Andrey Kurkov speaking at the Edinburgh Book Festival, including his powerful commentary on life in Ukraine during the ongoing war. Available to stream on demand.

Good afternoon outing, starting with a dental checkup, with nothing further needed, apart from the regular hygienist visit. Then over to Montrose - very busy roads! - and the Jacobite exhibition at the museum. Then Costas afterwards, near Dobbies / near our home. Martin was just saying that the Costas serving lady recognised him and asked "and a frappé?" after he placed our order. I usually have a frappé! It was heaving in there at about 4pm, though we found a quiet corner to sit. Now home, rather felled, and will see how I am over the coming days. But hopefully all will be good, and I'll know I should manage a longer trip soon to Mum and back. A few weeks ago I couldn't have managed today's car journey to Montrose. Progress. 6 weeks on from the operation now exactly.

Healing is ongoing. My six incisions are mostly healed, but still have a way to go. And there is a lot of internal healing to go yet. But I'm much more comfortable now. Albeit still being a bit cautious. Both the hygienist (who I saw on the way into the dental surgery) and dentist were rather shocked at my recent operation / cancer scare.

Using my NHS icon mainly for the dental visit today. I'm very lucky to be able to get good NHS dental care. Just a few minutes drive from our home.

Computing progress through a big task. There's a lot to do after I get to 100%. But hey, getting there! And bonus 42.

Hoping to fit in some pre Halloween film viewing in the coming weeks. Currently provisionally scheduled in are Young Sherlock Holmes (well it has horror elements!), Night of the Demon, and The Name of the Rose. Not sure if we can manage all those, let alone anything else. But it's an aim!

Ok a few changes since last time. I've three rereads on the go, one for fun, one for my book club, and one for - yes well fun too - an annual pre Halloween tradition.

I'm also newly reading the poems book, in print. And continuing to slowly read The Bookshop Book and the book about the Eleanor Crosses.

This time doing a collage of covers using a collage program I have on my Mac. Which didn't exactly collage them for me, but I was able to drag them about to get the desired result.

Ordering us the new limited edition 4K+Blu-ray version of The Name of the Rose starring Sean Connery. I've never seen it right through, but should enjoy it. And though we can't play 4K yet we may be able to in future. Apparently the picture quality in this release is very good, with lots of bonus features, and an accompanying hefty book too.

Just got a phone call from the gynaecological surgeon with my pathology results. Clear for cancer, so mega woop. Of the two cysts removed, the left one was totally benign, the right one “borderline”, but not cancer. That right one was especially large and dangerous to leave in place, so I’m very glad it’s out. Big relief here anyway. We already had a dinner out booked for this week. It will be a celebration meal now.