Events have shaken me somewhat. I am okay but two prominent people Bryan Gould and Christopher Hitchens have recently both dies from Esophageal Cancer. On top of that yesterday(December16) Karen, one of the members of the Upper GI Patients' support group, passed away. It makes you realise that recovery from this sort of illness is not guaranteed. On the other hand another member of the group Mike who had the operation in 2008 missed the last meeting because he was attending a business conference in Bruges.

The other day I had another acid attack. The infrequency of these attacks makes it more of a chore when it does happen. I can only put this down to eating a mince pie late. Otherwise though all is going well. The winter has finally arrived so it's wrap up warm to stop any chest infections. I am due to see the ONT Specialist at the end of January.

I try hard not to bring politics into this blog but I have to say rumoured Government proposals for work place assessments for those on chemotherapy are plain daft. Having been through this, the effects of chemo vary from person to person. What still sticks with me was that no two days were ever the same. Yes had I been of work age there were days when I could have gone in but more often it would be a non starter. Now I am as anxious as anyone that welfare money isn't wasted on those who are deliberately absenting themselves from the workplace but I wouldn't put those undergoing chemo in that category.

I shall try and post again before Christmas but in the meantime I hope your preparations are going well.

Well I saw someone from ENT at the Hospital last Wednesday. Nothing seems to have changed since the last time I saw them way back in July. I am to see the Head Honcho on 12 January.

I had wondered if the appointment would have gone ahead. For readers outside the UK, 30 November was a day when large sections of the public sector workers were on strike. Though some Hospitals around the country had to cancel out patients appointments St. Mary's here on the Island wasn't one of them. The only difference was that those staff who were in couldn't access the re booking computer system so they made a manual note to send an appointment the next day which as above duly happened. Speaking of the strike, the organisers of the winter of discontent in the 70s would be turning in their graves. There were pickets outside the Hospital but rather than make drinks by heating water from a brazier they came into the League of Friends Coffee Shop in the Hospital for a Coffee.

Otherwise I had a great trip back to the North East to see some ex colleagues who worked on the Regional Training Team. That period was my happiest time in the Inland Revenue. From those who still work there all is clearly far from well.

One of the Ferry Companies is threatened with strike action in the run up to Christmas. It's over the sacking of an Employee. What he is supposed to have done nobody knows except the protagonists.

Anyway my health continues to be good. I am keeping my weight up, take regular exercise and am eating well. On Tuesday Ev and I are going to the Patients Support Group's Christmas Lunch which should be fun and on Thursday on Angel Radio I am looking forward to interviewing Paul Armfield a local singer songwriter who also is the Island Branch Manager of Waterstone's Book shop.