Bernice Summerfield: The Crystal of Cantus

Onto my next story, and it's the last episode of season 6 of Big Finish's Benny audios.

And it's a key story. I can't really say much even in spoiler space without giving too many important things away. But it certainly changes things up.

It's also impressive how full cast it feels, against so many Benny audios that feel too sparse. There's a key core cast here of Benny, Jason, Brax and one other. But then there are another eight or so cast members. And it just feels full of folk. But also very well paced in the writing. Joseph Lidster has done a fantastic job.

I do feel I'm missing out on some of the beats in this story by not having read the Big Finish Benny books around this time. Particularly some of the short story collections. However I have most of the books in house, so may dig out a few key short stories to read.

But, yes, epic, very moving, and a huge shake up to the status quo.

Great news re bones

Wonderful news from the rheumatologist - just found her letter waiting in the hallway. My latest bone density scan 2 weeks ago in Perth showed that I have improved, going back from full blown osteoporosis 8 years ago to osteopenia, which is like part way between normal/healthy bone density and full osteoporosis. So the strong bone regrowth drugs I've been on ever since 2017 have helped a lot! I am to keep on them though, because I continue to be on a pretty decent daily steroid dose. But that's ok. They are helping. They are a big complication for dental treatment options, because of how they can cause bone death in the jaw, limiting the types of procedures that dentists can safely do. But my dentist is working around them. And we are coping. So yay!

I've been on daily steroids permanently since 1998. Also my periods stopped completely for much of my 30s due to my toxic cocktail of other drugs. Only to resume for a short time after. So my bones have taken a pretty big hit. But reverting from full osteoporosis to osteopenia now is wonderful news.