Life is riddled with a procession of minor impediments

[Jim_Campbell]

I'm smoking a rollie as I type this - and that's nobody's fault but my own.

Heh. Given that smoking killed both my mum's parents and, although it wasn't what saw my mum off in the end*, it obviously didn't turn out well for her, either... the fact that I'm currently in the process of stopping smoking again should give you a clue that I'm well aware that this is a thing easier said than done.

*Dementia hit early (somewhere before her mid-60s... as with all progressive diseases, it's hard to know exactly when) and she literally forgot she smoked, almost overnight — sixty a day to none. I can't recommend it as solution to quitting, though. ;-)

[Link Prime]

Best of luck to ya Sharkey.

[The Legendary Shark]

Thanks, Link :-)

Jim, I always say that quitting is easy - I've done it loads of times :-D

[Hawkmumbler]

Aye, best of luck Sharks, in health and in all that m'larky.

[Tiplodocus]

You're right Jim, of course, and I'm sorry about your Mum's ordeal. My problem is that I find it difficult to care very much about my own future, and always have - I'm a "live for today" kind of guy when it comes to my own life. I'm smoking a rollie as I type this - and that's nobody's fault but my own.

Given all the run-ins we've had, Jim, and the way my perspective tends to wind you up, I am honestly and deeply touched that you should be the first one to care enough to take the time to offer advice; so thank you, really.

He's not wrong. And giving up the flags will (after the initial hassle) make the life you live today better as well.

I should add I am not qualified to back up this statement having being too chicken to take up smoking in school (I reckon that must be where it gets most people), I've never had to give up.

Closest I've come is taking up running in later life which has helped me shed a few stone, be generally fitter and healthier (my regular back problems and colds have reduced massively) and allows me to keep up (just) with the grandweans.

But I hope it all works out well for you Sharky.

[The Legendary Shark]

Thanks, chaps.

I'm just waiting for an appointment to get scanned; apparently there aren't any available for the foreseeable future.

[paddykafka]

Wishing you the best, Sharky and hope that all works out well for ye.

[The Legendary Shark]

Cheers, Paddy - it's all part of the adventure!

[Proudhuff]

Good luck Sharkie, or that's the spirit as Roy Battie would say.

[Angry Vince]

Best of luck Sharky

[The Legendary Shark]

Cheers :-)

Scan appointment in eight weeks. Probably. (A fact it's just taken me an hour's worth of 'phone calls* to discover.)

*which equates to 2 minutes of actual conversation and 58 minutes of Greensleeves.

[Richmond Clements]

I've never smoked, but when someone I know tries to quit, I always point out that David Bowie said giving up cigarettes was harder than giving up heroin. You got this.

[JayzusB.Christ]

Best of luck, Sharky. You're a stubborn old fecker, you'll get through this no bother

[Hawkmumbler]

I recently took up boxing, one because its fun and extremely cathartic, and two to help shed some weight. I've been doing quite well, lost a whole pound in just two months and have started to feel some kind of muscle mass I haven't had in a good five years. All very good stuff.

Except not entirely. I woke up yesterday with the mother of all stomach pains, and promptly took myself into Bolton General A&E. Turns out I've developed an umbilical hernia. The doc was a good lad, explained apparently this is actually quite common for folks of certain body types who shift a lot of weight in a short amount of time. They'll be back to me with a proc date but otherwise I might actually have to use my staff insurance benefits for once.

[The Legendary Shark]

Ouch. Hope you get it sorted soon, Hawkie.