It turned out that there was not nearly as much time for musing in the corridors as I had imagined there would be... although sadly, as the radiotherapy sessions progressed beyond the first week I found that the increasing level of acute discomfort tended to be too much of a distraction anyway. Thank goodness the Oncology team at Addenbrookes Hospital were so wonderfully efficient, and I cannot speak highly enough of the dedicated attention and care they provided for both me, and my wife throughout the month long treatment.
I have to say there were however several amusing moments during the mid term review with the Specialist Radiographer, and at one point he chuckled when I mentioned that I felt a bit like James Bond strapped to a metal table, with the huge laser creeping ever closer to my nethers!
"Don't worry" he said; "We won't be cutting you in half..." and then he continued: "Well actually, we already have... would you like to see the pictures?!"
"Ooh, yes please" I replied, adding that; "I did have some previous experience in medical illustration, so shouldn't be too shocked!"
He swung the monitor screen round on his desk...
"Ahahh!" says I...
"Oh!" said my wife!
Then turning to Mrs. I., the specialist declared; "There you are dear... you always thought you could see right through your husband... and now you really can!"
Since then, recovery has been painfully slow, so I have not been much inclined to engage in any railway matters... although finally receiving a batch of four lovely new steel wheels, specifically for the "Horwich" engine was a tremendous uplift for the spirits!
I now have enough to re-wheel both of our locomotives... just as soon as I can obtain a helping hand with the detail machining... and work out how on earth to fit them!
Meanwhile, Mr. O., has selflessly set himself to the strenuous task of digging out and preparing the foundations for the new "engine shed"...
As I want to be able to run rails directly into it on the far side, and have a sturdy workbench along the near, I had decided it would be preferable to lay an overall concrete slab, rather than mounting the floor on more conventional blocks.
The company secretary had agreed, and funds set aside for that purpose... but I was seriously concerned that I would not be well enough to start construction this summer?
Work has nonetheless started in earnest now though... so there's another wonderful team for me to be eternally grateful to now!
Pete.
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