My continuing ‘Prostate Story’…
See for earlier blogs: http://nickardley.com/ditch-crawler-sails-onward-radio-therapy-done-with-freshly-antifouled-we-chased-barges-on-the-medway-2019-match/
Time ran on nicely as we pottered around the rivers Blackwater, Colne and subsidiary creeks, but in the back of my mind was my looming appointment for the first post radio therapy check up.
We had a few days at home – a 20/20 cricket match at the Oval with ‘the boy’, a blood test and a ‘family do’ all fortuitously coinciding. Returning to the boat we continued to potter before ‘high-tailing’ to Southend Hospital from Bradwell Marina (Handy having a car u there!) for my appointment.
After a longish wait … 30 minutes … I was in.
Less than five minutes later, after answering questions about loo visits, pooh problems and other stuff – like telling the youngish lady that everything was still working – I was out, clutching a fresh blood test form. Around my head buzzed the news that my PSA count has fallen to virtually ZERO.
Christobel heaved then cried. I was somewhat choked…
Very good news indeed…
I go for a further test in a little over three months.
Since then we left the sheltered waters of Essex’s middle rivers and made passage for Pin Mill with the weather fair…
Departing a little after four in the morning (a few days ago) we had a quiet motor-sail, with barely a mile under sail alone for the 27 mile trip.
Yes folks. Diesel was burnt!
We’re now pottering in the Walton Backwaters …
Today we sailed up into Oakley Creek and viewed many seals – it doesn’t matter how many times one sees them the allure never fades. The colony was seen basking way off in the distance round the inside of Garnham’s Island.
Sailing up Oakley Creek … note the coaster up at wharf.
Seals in Oakley Creek.
Leaving the seals we sailed into the Walton Channel, initially to anchor, but a squally period set us heading further up to find a vacant buoy. We found these to be numerous … and picked one under the west saltings edge.
Sailing into the Walton Channel across the top…
Once moored, I had tome to look around. To our amazement a group of dinghies of mixed classes came sailing out, tacking and gybing round two buoys local to us…
A series of ‘dinghy’ pictures follow…
Boisterous conditions can be seen!
Up, up and away…
Oooooops!
On the mud
And in the saltings…
A close encounter…
Tomorrow we plan to anchor Whimbrel in the shallows off Stone Point around two hours before low water, careen the ‘ol girl and scrub her bottom: I have seen weed growing happily on the rudder out of reach below the waterline. From experience we both knew what was coming. The Mate, Christobel, is so looking forward to it…
The call of a laundry can be heard from our washing bag, so later tomorrow will see us in Titchmarsh Marina.
That last picture ‘A close encounter…’ resonates with my thoughts currently. Part, a blessed joy in having got through this last year with a psa level first at 13.6 and now ‘0’, and of relief, an overwhelming relief, at where I am now …
But for the Grace of God go I.
My thoughts are with those who I know are currently undergoing treatment. For one ‘old boy’ his prognosis isn’t good, but for another it should be.
Favourable journey’s chaps…