The Bag for Life 

So, it would, methinks, be fair to say that I have had a mixed relationship with my hips. To be fair, up until the last four years, we have all got on very nicely. After all, we grew up together, enjoyed early sports, matured through school and the salad days of early life, went through university together, then started the road to work. To be honest, for decades, no problem at all; if anything, we both embraced the tough, flexible, bendy, demanding world of Shotokan Karate.

Well, my dear chums, what a year it has been! Hospital visits in total for 2025:  an impressive 58. Weight put on since this time last year:  plus 4 kilos, from 75 to 80. (Note to self: less beer and takeaway food, and more calories burned after the 2026 hip replacement operations.) Cancer all clear  after 7 years, 4 months and 27 days… yes, ACTUALLY CANCER FREE! After two massive, life-saving surgeries, the first being on 18 September 2018 , where a large tumour was removed

From Stage 4A diagnosis to “cancer-free” and a Lifetime Achievement Award: one extraordinary week closed a seven-year battle. Relief, gratitude, and a fresh start. I believe in miracles.