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One year on

On 8th March last year I was diagnosed with a tumour in my bowel. Later, it was discovered to have spread to my liver. Two operations in April and July went well, and no chemo was possible, due to the type of cancer (MSI). From July onwards…

Fit for the Future

I am fit for the future. That is the headline news. Diagnosed with Bowel Cancer in March 2022. Diagnosed with second stage bowel cancer of the liver in April, I can now report that all the cancer has been removed and I am completely clear of…

Recovery – 2 weeks Post Op

This is me, two weeks after my liver resection to remove a tumour. I look remarkably well, but not every picture tells the true story, so here is my tale of my first two weeks post op. Ten Days of Hell Firstly, a few facts. I was scheduled…

Threshold

Threshold is the stage I am living through on my cancer rite of passage. As you may recall during the first stage, Severance, I released all my work activities. This in turn led to a separation from my creative endeavours, that was not a conscious…
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The right side of life

It's been a while. I've not felt at all creative for the last six weeks. There's not been much going on - apart from my lovely sister visiting – I think that it's been more to do with coming to terms with what I'm living through. The operation…
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Mindful Photography Books

As part of my adjustment to my recent major life event I have been working to release all of my work commitments. As part of that process I have stopped offering live and online courses, and have withdrawn from other work contracts. The last…
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Cancer is a Rite of Passage

Living with cancer is a rite of passage. At first, I didn’t realise this, probably because my awareness of living through a rite of passage, despite having lived through a couple already, is not particularly attentive. If we take a rite…
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Anaesthesia Alley

Beware of Anaesthesia Alley, anything that happens down that salubrious passage may or may not be true. Here follows the tale of my days before, through and after the alley. Readers of a sensitive demeanour may find there to be a little too…
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Self Isolation Again

Self-isolation again. I first started in early March 2020 before it even had the ‘shielding’ name, and before the government had got their shabby act together. At that time Dinah had Covid - all the symptoms, but no testing available at…
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Who Am I Now Exhibition live

Finally, after several delays, my Who Am I Now Exhibition is now on the walls, at Morriston Hospital, Swansea. And it looks great! The exhibition has been developed over two years with nine patients of Swansea Bay University Health Board,…
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Limbo Practice

I don't feel much like saying much today. The title says it all. I'm in a state of limbo; between cancer in and out, awaiting operations and treatment. The practice element is two fold. Practice sustains me at this time: meditation, yoga…
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Delayed Operation

Yes, the Bowel resection, planned for Monday, has been delayed until 25th April. How do I feel about that? Frustrated, but also relieved. Mainly relieved right now. I dare say that the inconveniences caused by waiting another 3+ weeks will…
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Good Bad News

I am not a lover of the adjectives good and bad. They often seem inadequate and lazy. However, when coupled with the word news they become universally understood. Over the last week many of you have sent positive thoughts for good news from…
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Tumour

I saw the tumour, dominant in its pink tunnel, before I realised what I was looking at. I blame the sedation that made me feel that mellow way you do after 3 large G&Ts. I just watched the surgeon manipulate some kind of sampling tool,…
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My Photography Practice

You may have read that I re-established my photography practice over six months ago. I determined that I would schedule a weekly session and follow a practice that was not outcome driven. So, how have I got on? I thought I would share my…
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Climatic

The theme for this year's Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy is Climate. This will be the fourth year I have submitted - one successful acceptance to date - so I thought I would share some of my thoughts about the process and the joy of…
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The Story of a Photo 6

It seems somehow apposite to complete this difficult year that we have lived through with a metaphorical photo. The original is below. This image feels like this is not only where we are at now, but where we have been all year: shrouded…
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Favourite Photos 2021

Each of these photos has been chosen for a reason. It could just be a successful creative intention achieved, or a memory evoked. I try to do this every year, but I failed last year. It was a strange old year huh?  Reflecting upon that…

Swansea Open 2021

Swansea Open 2021, the city's open art exhibition goes live 20th November. This is always a great opportunity to see a wide range of work, from painting to sculpture and of course, photography. What I like about an open exhibition is anything…

Portfolios live!

I have spent the last week reviewing 10+ years of photos! My intention was to identify those photos that best illustrated my development as a photographer over the decade and share them in some Portfolios. As you may know I often use my…
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The story of a photo 5

This is the story of a photo in portrait format. Not the version you see above, but the original that is at the end of this post. Most of the time I am drawn to shoot in landscape format. I even chose to do that for my recent portrait project,…