Author Archives: The Musings of Spu

For my January 2024 blog, I’m reissuing the first blog that I wrote about my Breast Cancer experience.  It’s the piece that kickstarted ‘The Musings of Spu’ blog in December 2020.  I’ve also reached the milestone of the 50th blog! Trigger Warning: The blog discusses many issues including the pandemic, medication, Breast Cancer treatment &Continue reading “50th blog celebration – reissue – I Hate Staying In”

Wishing all my blog readers a peaceful, restful, Merry Christmas!  Thank you for your continued support, it means the world to me. Alt Text: A selfie pose of a white-skinned, middle-aged man & woman in front of a Christmas Tree, & a cabinet with a record player & other hi-fi equipment.  Shelves stacked with books,Continue reading “The Christmas Edition”

Today (Friday) the UK Parliament are voting on the ‘Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill’, or simply put, the Assisted Suicide Bill. I’ve written an additional blog this month to highlight that legalising Assisted Suicide is dangerous for some communities. Trigger Warning: I write from the heart & frankly here. Some of you willContinue reading “Assist me to live, not to die.”

At the end of October I had a nasty & very painful surprise! Thankfully, I’m recovering well (if a little slowly). #TriggerWarning: this blog contains medical procedures & intimate details that some may find upsetting or embarrassing. Photo Credits: Stephane Cony, left picture & Paul Bonham, right picture. Alt Text: Two photos framed in oneContinue reading “A Nasty Surprise.”

It all started with a simple exchange over social media. If only all co-authorships were as easy as this! Alt Text: The back cover of a book called ‘The Complete Guide to Breast Cancer.’ There is one line of text highlighted and it says ‘A new chapter on disability and breast cancer.’ I’ll start withContinue reading “‘Disability & Breast Cancer’ – the new chapter in ‘The Complete Guide to Breast Cancer.’”

Oh, the joys of neuropathy! This is one of the potential side effects of some cancer treatments, but what is it like in reality? Alt text: A white mug with an image of Robert Smith of The Cure printed on it. The handle is being held by my white / translucent hand with very shortContinue reading “Neuropathy pain really hurts!”

Spring & summer have been hectic & I’ve been taking the opportunity to find calm spaces where I can. Alt text: A flower bed against a backdrop of a brick wall & hanging lights. The bed is filled with purple & white flowers, lavender & yellow flowers. In the centre is a small, round, stoneContinue reading “In search of a calm place.”

This month’s blog is about recording ‘The Way We Roll’ podcast with Simon Minty & Phil Friend. Called “Live music, Breast Cancer & Me” we talk about some tough stuff (#Trigger Warning), but we also cover the highs of my life in music, not only the lows. Alt Text: An image on a laptop screenContinue reading “‘The Way We Roll’ – podcasting with Simon Minty & Phil Friend.”

Every year, the charity Breast Cancer Now devotes the month of October to raising awareness of Breast Cancer and fundraising to support people living with or beyond this diagnosis. This year is no exception. In this blog I talk about how I became one of the campaign’s poster people, & why. Alt Text: A selfieContinue reading “Wear It Pink”

Paying tribute to one of my favourite humans who passed suddenly last month. Photo taken at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 by me. Alt Text: A stand filled with beautiful varieties of flowers in whites, pinks, yellows, blues & purples. There is a small shed made out of distressed wood. Hanging on the doorContinue reading “Dr. Morgan”