PHOTOS: The Girls at the Ball; Johnny the Prize Winner; Walking Chloe to Gran's in the Morning; Snow at Gran's House; Sunrise over Glasgow; The Snow is Falling in Milngavie; Taking Chloe and Kas to see Santa; Newborn Amelia, Vicky, Kas and Chloe; Proud Dad Graham; Chloe will the Pigs; BBQ in Winter; Matt with his Shotgun; Dawsie missing another Clay; Ice over our back Pond; the drunken BMW purchase...
I don’t know how long it’ll take to acclimatise but the cold crisp days in Scotland to the arid lands of Australia couldn’t be more of a contrast. The days are among the nicest I’ve seen them on this side of the globe, with plenty of blue skies, thick frosts and crunchy white snow. I reckon we might be cowering under the air conditioner for the first few days in Oz and only when I’m brave enough, I’ll test my white skin in the sunlight. With only four weeks left until we head back home to Oz, I’m starting to get very excited…
I should be getting my PCR result back pretty soon as I was with the Doctors last Tuesday – my bloods are still looking completely normal but this time around, I’m not expecting a great deal of change with my PCR. It’s been stuck the past four tests, so I’ll be perfectly happy to be emailed a similar number. I’ve been on my new meds Sprycel for 18 months now, so if there’s not been a significant change in that time, then anything from 0.3 – 0.8% will be good. Anything over 1% won’t be well received. We spent most of the consultation talking about ways we can raise cash in the future and what new meds are being tested and trialled – I’m assured it’s looking pretty good as far as CML is concerned. Kas, a few of the 3 Peaks gang and I were invited by the Lord Provest (who ever this bloke is?...) of Glasgow to the official opening of the new Leukaemia Centre we raised £16k for, at the City Chambers. It’s good to see that the 3 Peaks effort in June is still being recognised as a pretty decent fundraiser. We’ve even been dedicated the Gel-doc machine or the ‘work horse’ as the scientists call it, with a plaque sitting proudly on top. As good as the 3 Peaks Challenge was, I still haven’t been any where near a mountain since then. Maybe it’s time to dust down the boots as get back on hills.
My work is currently in the midst of the busiest time of year, so it’s been pretty tough to get too much else done. For some reason, the booze industry defies the predictions and continues to power on with no signs of decline – maybe everyone is drowning their sorrows in this economic doom and gloom? Anyway, it’s good for us and because of this, the whole company is off to Cuba in February, a few weeks after I get back from Oz. Bring on the mojitos - gold!!
My mate Dawsie celebrated his 30th the other week and we celebrated with in a nice rented chateau in the Scottish borders. Very nice and a highly recommended neck of the woods! Then the weekend following, it was time to head along to our annual shindig that is the Anthony Nolan Scottish Daisy Ball. It’s our third ball in a row and it keeps getting better and better – the fact that I sponsored a booze hamper prize which was then won by Johnny on our table, helped get us going after consuming a bottle of whisky in record time. The entertainment was unreal as usual and the venue was stunning…after many more drams of the good stuff, Dawsie got the party going by having a soccer competition with the ex-Dutch Football Captain, I tore the skin off my knees with a monster knee slide to win a dance-off and Colin having a monster dance-floor stack that made the whole crowd turn and look. After that got out of hand, we left the premises late into the night with snow falling around us. It wasn’t until the next morning that Kas reminded me of my purchase from the silent auction the night before and when I went downstairs, I was greeted by a children’s electric BMW car that I bought for Chloe. It wasn’t until later that we read she can’t even use it until she’s three. Very funny! Anyone keen to come along next year, just let me know and I’ll sort out the tickets…
I should be getting my PCR result back pretty soon as I was with the Doctors last Tuesday – my bloods are still looking completely normal but this time around, I’m not expecting a great deal of change with my PCR. It’s been stuck the past four tests, so I’ll be perfectly happy to be emailed a similar number. I’ve been on my new meds Sprycel for 18 months now, so if there’s not been a significant change in that time, then anything from 0.3 – 0.8% will be good. Anything over 1% won’t be well received. We spent most of the consultation talking about ways we can raise cash in the future and what new meds are being tested and trialled – I’m assured it’s looking pretty good as far as CML is concerned. Kas, a few of the 3 Peaks gang and I were invited by the Lord Provest (who ever this bloke is?...) of Glasgow to the official opening of the new Leukaemia Centre we raised £16k for, at the City Chambers. It’s good to see that the 3 Peaks effort in June is still being recognised as a pretty decent fundraiser. We’ve even been dedicated the Gel-doc machine or the ‘work horse’ as the scientists call it, with a plaque sitting proudly on top. As good as the 3 Peaks Challenge was, I still haven’t been any where near a mountain since then. Maybe it’s time to dust down the boots as get back on hills.
My work is currently in the midst of the busiest time of year, so it’s been pretty tough to get too much else done. For some reason, the booze industry defies the predictions and continues to power on with no signs of decline – maybe everyone is drowning their sorrows in this economic doom and gloom? Anyway, it’s good for us and because of this, the whole company is off to Cuba in February, a few weeks after I get back from Oz. Bring on the mojitos - gold!!
My mate Dawsie celebrated his 30th the other week and we celebrated with in a nice rented chateau in the Scottish borders. Very nice and a highly recommended neck of the woods! Then the weekend following, it was time to head along to our annual shindig that is the Anthony Nolan Scottish Daisy Ball. It’s our third ball in a row and it keeps getting better and better – the fact that I sponsored a booze hamper prize which was then won by Johnny on our table, helped get us going after consuming a bottle of whisky in record time. The entertainment was unreal as usual and the venue was stunning…after many more drams of the good stuff, Dawsie got the party going by having a soccer competition with the ex-Dutch Football Captain, I tore the skin off my knees with a monster knee slide to win a dance-off and Colin having a monster dance-floor stack that made the whole crowd turn and look. After that got out of hand, we left the premises late into the night with snow falling around us. It wasn’t until the next morning that Kas reminded me of my purchase from the silent auction the night before and when I went downstairs, I was greeted by a children’s electric BMW car that I bought for Chloe. It wasn’t until later that we read she can’t even use it until she’s three. Very funny! Anyone keen to come along next year, just let me know and I’ll sort out the tickets…
The next day, our friend Mhairi left for Mumbai in India for a work trip until Christmas. She arrived in the morning to her hotel, the Oberoi, and thankfully she went out for dinner on her first night as her hotel was attacked by terrorists. As you can imagine, everyone's thoughts were with Mhairi and her colleagues and she spent the night on the restaurant floor praying the shooters didn't enter, as only two doors down, tens of people weren't so lucky. She is now back safely in Glasgow and it's very good to have our mate back!
The baby boom is continuing with Karen’s family friend Graham (or Alexei Sayle as my brother calls him) having a wee girl called Amelia. And shortly after, Karen’s cousin Emma also had a wee girl called Niamh (pronounced Neave). All babies and mum’s are doing very well. I can’t wait now until Jen and Dawsie have their baby in April next year!
I think this hill-walking thing is growing on me now, as every time I look outside to the snow and blue sky, I’m tempted to don the gore-tex and get outdoors again and again. Chloe’s commute to her Gran’s in the morning has been via the backpack on her dad’s back for the past few days. Wish me luck that the PCR sends me on a nice holiday and I hope everyone has a great Christmas and New Years!! Keep the messages and emails coming in…
The baby boom is continuing with Karen’s family friend Graham (or Alexei Sayle as my brother calls him) having a wee girl called Amelia. And shortly after, Karen’s cousin Emma also had a wee girl called Niamh (pronounced Neave). All babies and mum’s are doing very well. I can’t wait now until Jen and Dawsie have their baby in April next year!
I think this hill-walking thing is growing on me now, as every time I look outside to the snow and blue sky, I’m tempted to don the gore-tex and get outdoors again and again. Chloe’s commute to her Gran’s in the morning has been via the backpack on her dad’s back for the past few days. Wish me luck that the PCR sends me on a nice holiday and I hope everyone has a great Christmas and New Years!! Keep the messages and emails coming in…
