Author Archives: Topherwelch

A few years ago, we (colleagues at work) were considering starting a research programme based on the use of smart materials. I needed to investigate the most interesting topics and figure out where the frontiers of the current research were at. As part of this effort, I enrolled in a conference in Busan, South Korea.Continue reading “Moonlight”

It has now gone a little over one year since I became ill. The time since then has been a bit of a roller-coaster ride with good days and not-so-good days. Fortunately, most have been good days. The initial information was hard to take in. I could easily have quoted John McEnroe “You cannot beContinue reading “Naked and afraid, but not alone, in the healthcare system”

I went for an MR scan last week. It was fairly routine as I am not one of the claustrophobic types. I did have a slight issue concerning the vein catheter. I now have a multicoloured bruise on my arm. After a few days of anxious waiting, I got to see the oncologist, who gaveContinue reading “MR Blue Sky”

Every year, between August 9 and 14, a shower of shooting stars, called the Perseids, can be seen in the night sky, providing that it is cloud free and that there is not too much light pollution. Tonight, being right in the middle of this period, and with the sky being free from clouds, BitteContinue reading “Shooting stars from Perseus”

The final of the European football championships will be played this evening, and naturally, I will be cheering England on. The last, and only, time I saw England IRL was in November 1981. It was the last match in a qualifying campaign for the 1982 World cup. This campaign included England’s famous first, and only,Continue reading “Come on England”

We are currently nearing the end of of major house renovations: new roof, new windows, bathroom upgrade, new veranda and a total garden makeover. Our (sort of) lawn had been churned into a muddy field by the heavy machinery and needs to be resown. I envisaged that the new lawn would require constant attention and,Continue reading “Déjà vu”

Once again, it’s been a while since I added to the blog. Having just re-read my latest contribution, I think that the delay has ben quite ominous ☹ However, things are so much better😊. With a good set of test results in hand, I restarted the chemotherapy. As expected, I was very tired for theContinue reading “Back on track”

Three weeks ago should have seen the start of the third cycle of chemotherapy. However, tests showed that my neutrophil granulocyte (a type of white blood cell involved in the immune system) level was so low that my oncologist was not prepared to risk me getting ill with an infection. I have, therefore, been onContinue reading “A slight setback”

My cousin Susan lost her beloved husband, Tom, a few months ago after a long and valiant fight against several illnesses. I had the pleasure of meeting Tom and Susan when they lived in London for a while in about 1980 and sometime later when they were stationed in Nuremburg. Tom was a great guyContinue reading “Almost, almost famous!”

The second, of six, monthly cytostatic treatments is now in progress. The dose has been increased by 50 % to three times the dose I had during the Autumn. I can assure you all that these are powerful things and, as a consequence, I have been completely flattened for the last week or so. Today,Continue reading “Good days and not so good days”