Summer and Slimmer

Slimmer and Fitter?

Well here I am having just had the results of my last 3 month scan. It’s been an interesting few months of medication changes following various bouts of fatigue, nausea and "bottom stuff". By far the most irritating problem is the fatigue. Just waking up was getting to be a problem let alone exercise. But we pushed on through the side effects of my cancer drugs with a break or two to facilitate a recovery and here we are in one piece just in time for the summer.

Once again I seem to co-ordinate my weight loss and “puffy free” physique with better weather. My skin tone has taken a thrashing this year with the radiation and chemo and I can now take the opportunity to add a bit of colour to give the impression of good health at least. For years I had been telling friends and family that my olive coloured permatan was an occupational hazard of being sent off to such places as Australia, Singapore, Africa and the Carribean. Somebody had to do the job after all! However, I seem to have lost my occupationally acquired protection from the sun’s rays. I know at this very moment you are all close to tears, sympathising with my hard work life with the airlines. This very ethic of perfect colour tone, achieved by thoroughness and perseverance, was never easy when added to other the decisions expected of me, perhaps the I hardest of which being which beer to poison myself with. It was often a tough decision, taken with care and attention. For instance: Drinking during the course of a hot day often lead to amnesia by teatime and the inevitability of missing of the evening entertainment due to being unconscious, exhausted from the day’s imbibing. If however you made it back to your room (the number of which eludes you as it is the sixth room of the month) you will invariably need to change pretty smartish to make it back to the bar for Happy Hour. Two for one drinks makes far too much sense, especially when the crew believe it was their right to be bought drinks by the tight fisted Captain. I’ve even known a couple of bottles of champagne being bought as this was cheaper than a round of drinks in the hotel. This charitable act was often however a oneway alcohol traffic scenario with a thoroughly dis-proportionate ratio of beer coming back to you. But it made for good management of staff resources. Some of my colleagues however, failed to relate to this technique and missed some great parties, not to mention gaining a verbal pasting from the crew-room malcontents eager to label you as an unsociable party pooping skin flint. You may be a talented pilot, but what does that count for if you never stand a round at the bar for the crew?... It’s so easy to offend 18 year olds! Actually to fully digress, BEER! A subject close to my heart but one that is still illusive in my diet because it isn't my heart it affects!

I have been briefed over the years in the benefits of both bottle and glass delivery. Faced with the option many would go for the bottle, as it would seem a more “personal“ delivery system after all. But in many countries the empty bottles lay unwashed out the back of the bar amongst the wildlife and never get the cleaning they deserve before being refilled. Many a happily drowned and now pickled creepy crawly has found its way down the neck of the bottle before being gagged on. As we motorcyclists say when a bug hits the back of your throat doing 70mph, do you spit or swallow? So, obviously the glass option is better. Well… if I may offer this question, “when was the last time you saw a dishwasher at a beach bar?” You chose! Now that I have totally freaked you out should I mention that the preservatives they add to beer in warm climates is guaranteed to give you the most amazing headache way before a hangover is deserved. That’s settled then…Take your spirits neat but DON’T HAVE THE ICE! …that’s a whole different story! Why do pilots carry prescribable drugs for Gastroenteritis?

Needless to say NO ONE takes liberties with alcohol way before a flight is due to be operated unless you count the hotel cashier with your weeks’ bar bill!…Just thought I’d make that clear to Mr. CAA…Sir.

Now, talking of both booze and money.

It’s that time of the year again folks when I punish myself for being ill and try and do something good for charity. As usual I support the Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign. This year I am only able to complete the one charity task and that is the 60 mile London to Southend Cycle Ride on Sunday 18 July. Together with a few friends to encourage and support me (and vice versa) we aim to raise if possible, a thousand pounds in sponsorship. May I ask those of you who can, to afford a little cash to sponsor this tired old fool in his efforts to help others. If everyone were able to be as comfortable with cancer as I am with mine, due not least to the excellent care I get, I feel my efforts are well worth the pain and the agony (just joking about the pain…I have drugs for that!!) Please help if you can and give me a huge lift at the same time by clicking on to my Justgiving web site.

Now, where’s the Vaseline and the padded shorts?

http://www.justgiving.com/richard-copley

Thankyou everyone.

Richard

Oh, my scan? All tumours are stable. I’m fine in myself, in fact I consider myself a very lucky person, I have great friends and family and a secure lifestyle. I may have to store the toilet rolls in the fridge but I really have no complaints. Some would say I’m blessed, others say I'm pig-headedly stubborn!