Birds, Leps, Observations & Generalities - the images and ramblings of Mark Skevington. Sometimes.

Sunday 25 October 2020

Brief Silence ....

I'll be away from blogging for a while, at least in the sense of creating and posting anything, entirely as a result of having nothing to blog about whilst I am incapacitated and recovering from major surgery next week. I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was having to make a decision that I didn't want to be making, and this was it: life-changing surgery to give the best chance of longevity. It's clear from the most recent scans/checks I've had that the chemradiotherapy and subsequent contact radiotherapy last year was not successful and my cancer is coming back. It is what it is, I've got over the disappointment and I'm resigned to what is coming.

I will be hospitalised for a couple of weeks from Thursday. Whilst away I will be avidly checking out other's blogs, keeping myself entertained with varied music, watching some long-forgotten films on my iPad and following the LCFC European Tour.

2020 has been a bastard of a year for many, but overall I've had one of the most interesting years for a while in terms of new species, photographic opportunities and varied blogging. The early part of lockdown and working from home presented stuff from the garden and locally that would normally have been missed, and I've had some good times out and about looking for and at things that I'd usually overlook.

My surgery will be life-changing, but after recovery it will not be life-limiting. I am very much looking forward to being back to some sort of normality in time for the early spring ento-action well before the clocks spring forward. I will be back to blogging as soon as I am able and have anything to share.

In the meantime peace, good health and positivity to all*


* Except those that believe victimising the most vulnerable and desperate in our society is justifiable; that whittling away our protections and standards behind the scenes is progress; feel that money bunged to private companies to profit from Covid whilst dismantling the NHS is acceptable; that 'them bastards in the EU' are the problem; that destroying ancient woodland and irreplaceable habitat to trim minutes from journeys out of London to anywhere north of the M25 is necessary; think that any kind of 'levelling up' is really going to happen, or thinks that everything this despicable Government is doing is fair. If that fits you, we really have nothing in common.

13 comments:

Ipin said...

Best of luck Mark! I hope it goes to plan, fingers crossed for you mate.

martinf said...

I hope all goes well. Will be thinking of you. I may even try and post a couple of poor beetle posts to give you something to read. Also check out Lebanon Hannover back catalogue, you might enjoy...

Gibster said...

So you're coming back in a coupla weeks as Mary Skevington? Excellent, I always thought you'd look great with a bit of lippy and mascara! But actually, being serious for about the third time in my life, hope you adjust/recover as quickly and as smoothly as possible. Take care buddy and I look forward to hearing more of your exploits (and musical choices) real soon.

Skev said...

Cheers all.

I'll look up your recommendation Martin.

Seth, can't believe you managed to see through my thinly veiled ruse that this is all about being the person I've always wanted to be. I was always going to be Mavis though. BTW - I've assume that you are Wrong'un in the Tiny chronicles rather than Grumpy. I am looking forward to your lavishly illustrated blogs about the trip ....

Gibster said...

Wrong'un? Moi? How very dare you! Sadly, under solemn oath, I'm not at liberty to divulge any information as to the true identities of TeamTiny. Not unless I want to be stoned to death by Lego blocks.

But I definitely ain't Grumps ;)

colin said...

just to wish you all the best Skev and hope it all goes well.

Skev said...

Cheers Col, maybe I'll be good for a twitch or two next year .... reckon I'll be alright before we're out of Covid!

Martin Gray said...

Hope it has all gone well, I will soon be pinching your ideas again from your Blog.

Steve Gale said...

Skev, may you sail through surgery and recover with the speed of a Vardy. You’re strong, you’ll be just fine. Us cancer boys stick together. Much love.

Skev said...

Cheers all, op went well and after a couple of very rough days the recovery can start.

Unknown said...

Glad to hear that your recovery can now start properly.
Enjoy the pampering the nurses are now giving you... the ones that come later (Physios) are the ones to watch !
K

Gibster said...

Good to hear buddy! Very good to hear. Have you seen the Norwegian film Mortal? Watched it last night, not too shabby. Same ilk as Trollhunter, also not too shabby, should you have a spare hour or two.

Alastair said...

Love the *coda Skev, excellent. Hope you're back in action soon, your blog's always interesting and you've (unwittingly) helped me to a few IDs. Here's some music to listen to, likely not your thing but if you've time on your hands - https://literateherringthisway.blogspot.com/p/1.html