I've been a bit down since the phone call from the hospital saying that there is a suspicious area that the sonographer and consultant both wondered about at my last visit but didn't want to worry me with it at the time until they had consulted each other again. Ironically, the needle biopsy came back clear, all safe and well and the little lump is just a passing visitor. He should be gone completely in a few weeks. Now the radiographer wants a scalpel biopsy to remove a lumpy area that I never even knew I had. It's concerning lymph nodes or the likes by my right breast armpit. What a buggering pest.......! Most of the time they are benign but just in case. I thought I'd said tatty-bye-bye to all the poking and prodding, too. Hey-hoe...! It has, however, made me more determined to keep abreast of the charity night's developments Yes, that cringeworthy pun WAS on purpose.
Having no internet connection has been a pain as well. My suppliers - Virgin - had an area fault around ten days ago. The whole of the neighbourhood's internet was down for 24hrs and guess whose connection was the only one not to be accepted again by their modem....? I have to receive a refund but if there is no huge bunch of flowers or money-off tokens from my next balloon trip, I'll be furious!!!
The one and only thing that has lured me out into the social world this past fortnight has been my youngest son's debut band appearance at Scotland's most sought after venue Not every act gets to grace that stage - you must prove your worth first. I don't know what it is about King Tuts in Glasgow, but it really does bring the best out in performers and the fans. I loved the rapport between both. What makes it even more special is finding blogs and video's from some-one you don't know bigging them up on Blogger. Thank you, Caitlin for this:
The second stage of my breast lump investigation is now over....phew! I had all 3 examinations in one (long) afternoon which is still excellent service. I speak not a word of a lie when I say the mammogram was ruddy well sore, the biopsy stung like the clappers (they were short staffed so I agreed to the procedure without anaesthetic !) but by the soothing voice and touch of the sonographer at my ultrasound, all was forgiven. She was a young lass with beautiful Asian features - and spoke with a soft Scottish accent - and we were talking music in no time! I just hold tight for 6 weeks on results, lest they call me back sooner.
I have to admit - sitting in a room with women of all ages, some with breast cancer, some similar to me, and others for check ups - I was truly humbled. The girl next to me, who I'd been chatting away with had 3 of a family, her youngest was 8, she was barely 40 and fighting a cancerous tumour. All that time we sat conversing, I had no idea she was wearing a wig. It was only when she had to adjust it a bit at the back that she mentioned it. Gobsmacked I was - it was the double of my daughter's hairstyle, colour and all! Incredibly natural. Everyone agreed that treatment and aftercare are so advanced these days, that it made for a more positive outlook. But even I, with my less than 5% chance of this being cancer, still can't shake off the the possibility factor.
Anyhow, I was glad to get home and needed a day or two's rest just to get over the afternoon's hullabooby-loo. And I knew things were back to normal when PrettBoy asked how my hospital apps went and then added for true measure:
" Did you remember to tell folk that I programme the robots there?"
"Of course, son....." I added, "I would have been a right (or left ) tit to have forgotten. Now get the kettle oan!" ***************************************************
I've tried to work out Warhol what was in his muddled mind Neon psychobabble from the rude to the refined
Faces radiating, all intent and all aglow Ghastly colours clashing - not quite Rembrandt or Rousseau I like to view my idols in the way the Lord intended Not skin of blue and hair of green Some may feel quite offended
Oh, how he took the famous faces of the silver screen And brought them out uniquely for his final act or scene
Historic buildings captured, wild bristles are a woven He tells his tale so vibrantly 'bout Einstein and Beethoven
And did you know he took bright hues and very coarsely painted our Majesty the Queen on high - Philip nearly fainted! Colours bursting everywhere his senses in a spin Just opened up a cupboard - and the subject lay within Bananas, ice cream, lobster - tins of Campbell soup Was inspiration overdrive - a goody-foody scoop!
Sam the cat, pandas, pigs - there's very little cuter Or easier when he soon learned his way round a computer!!
Now art is something you nor I may never know at all But a 'famous' oxidation stain that's running down your wall?
I really think that art is sometimes held in high contempt And opinions clash forever no true artist is exempt...but
Who am I to judge at all, or drink from the same cup? May not be 15 minutes but I think my time is up.
So please enjoy the song below from my heroine - Ms. Harry In tribute here to Andy for a lifetime quite contrary
If ever one was happy to see to colours floating by Where rainbows lash across the ground instead of in the sky Youths and wrinklies culminate, an ageless blend of life A festival's the very place (why won't you take the wife?)
The music's mad and manic, you like bands you really hate Time passes much too slowly, you've no patience- just can't wait Raise your hands up high, girls - let's see your underwear! Money jiggles out your pockets but you really just don't care....
You love this given energy, and think it's quite alright To pay £5 for a glass of beer - buying 14 in one night You've trodden on all sorts of things, wet the whole time through It's amazing all the places that can double as a loo
Surrounding music follows you, it's hard to disconnect When the pill you popped an hour ago kicks in with full effect Colours jump from everywhere, from each and every tent Won't be long until this happy trip goes on it's big descent
And at three in the morning, lost your mates, you're all alone Can't remember why you've ended up outside a neon phone You lift the dial and frown and sway, and give a little sigh And ask the magic troll you're with 'Eh? who the hell am I?'
Only sleep will be your saviour, he's a long long way away Just pick a tent at random, till you see the light of day Then asking if it's worth it, paranoia, pain and fear? Of course it is, this ageing hippy does it every year! *****************************
PrettyBoy came home today announcing that the next venture into his Honours degree is to be the making of a video. Of course, a music video was his choice. He has decided to use an older release single called Asylum that his band recorded just over a year ago.
The endearing thing about University is that help comes along from all departments - quite literally. This time Hotel India will be appearing subliminally in the shoot and the main focus will be directed on two friends (male and female) from the drama department. The young lass also models and is a bit of a stunner! She also has lots of props including eye contacts and special effects shit which is a bonus. HI's Paul and Ross F (there are 3 called Ross in the band!) have honours in video editing and imaging. So this time there will be a story and acting in the video.
The module, only 48 hours old, has already a beginning and an end. It's the friendly infusion in the middle, when the camera's ain't rolling that'll stick in PrettyBoy's memory more than this little mini masterpiece ever will.
See........? Students - they're not all cheap travel and traffic cones......
Right, best be off...I've a Signal to try and fit in a (window) box, now...!
***************************** Get To 'F'
This week getting to 'F' comes in the form of faeries. Not your cute ones but your naughty ones. This gal is a magic mushroom maiden. Yup, I did try them once as a teenager and was violently sick as a result but I blamed the grilled dog-piss coating for that and not the drug......*ahem*
Happy Birthday to my oldest son, Ross, or PrettyBoy (as he's more commonly known). You were the best St.Valentine's present I ever had (whatever happened to Milk Tray - eh?)
You're such a handsome lad and fit into your birth role exquisitely.
Who is the fairest of them all. The odd-one-out in the crowd? A bursting blossom of gentleness upped their eagerness to enshroud
How does she anger the sunshine by day, a pitiful pleading on knees? Only to turn from the rays that engulf to illuminate over dark seas Where did this beauty, in delicate stature, defying rights to procreate? Take a hold of an army, make loving slaves of them, no shackles or locks to negate
Why does this queen in her regal complexion, hold no fear or desire to confer? Never utter a word, no daylight confession affirms nor nullifies her
Often this young lure in bareback and breasts, toys with the need to convene A coastline of bodies to carpet her safely, through mountain, or maze or ravine
Yes, let her be, this beacon in darkness, who flits like an ocean fire-fly The spark of a wood stick, a zap of electric, cracks colours across the night sky
Who is the fairest of them all? Lucina, who'll light up your night But your soul is already taken, and your heart very strongly alight *******************************************************
We sat around the table, me with my cup of tea, while the boys had their usual morning coffee, cigarette and wheech-up-the-way, to clear the lungs.
Anyhow, I came across a book a day or two prior that I used to read to them as they were growing up, called Tim Kipper. With funny illustrations, the story was about a young lad who started smoking, which led to a consequential chimney growing from his head, with every puff he took.....! Adam still remembered some of the verse and he saw that I was touched by this but saddened that he was now a smoker.
" I know, mum" he sheepishly answered. " But everywhere is adapting to the new laws. Even long haul flights insist that smoking is strictly outside only."
" Well," sighed I, "that's something I suppo....."
If only there had been a book available back then to help recognise the signs of future smart-fucking Alecs........ ********************************************
The second stage of my breast lump investigation is now over....phew! I had all 3 examinations in one (long) afternoon which is still excellent service. I speak not a word of a lie when I say the mammogram was ruddy well sore, the biopsy stung like the clappers (they were short staffed so I agreed to the procedure without anaesthetic !) but by the soothing voice and touch of the sonographer at my ultrasound, all was forgiven. She was a young lass with beautiful Asian features - and spoke with a soft Scottish accent - and we were talking music in no time! I just hold tight for 6 weeks on results, lest they call me back sooner. 
Today, I faced up to a few facts that I've been either in denial with or too fickle about to truly accept. But:
" Well," sighed I, "that's something I suppo....."