All clear! Cancer free!! Words can not express how relieved I feel - as you can imagine. I was very lucky, it was caught early and there was a surgery spot open that I was eligible for. Aggressive treatment schedule but I was glad to get on with it - and get it over.
My Mum and Dad have been brilliant and my girlfriend has been absolutely fantastic - couldn't have got through it without them! I only told a handfull of friends (and you lot as I thought I wouldn't be blogging) - everyone has been great - thank you.
The Small River has been a godsend. I'm not going to lie; when I was up all night being sick and could feel my bones grinding together under my skin it took a lot of effort to drag myself to the river - but it kept me sane, and to some degree fit!
And I popped down yesterday - to get over my good news hangover... A couple of hours - and after watching the bream sniff my bait for 20 minutes - I bagged a few barbel - 6lb 12oz (above), 6lb 8oz, 4lb and 3lb - James even turned up for net and photography duties.
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Absolutely fantastic!!!! Enjoy Christmas and I look forward to many many more blogs .
ReplyDeleteBaz
Cheers Baz, hopefully a nice Christmas pike or two coming up…
DeleteFantastic news Brian. Bumped into you yesterday along the bank so got an early heads up.it must feel like a new lease of life. On the fishing side, You really are a master of the small river. Look forward to seeing more of your success. Simon
ReplyDeleteThanks Simon, was buzzing (and slightly hungover) yesterday! You’d already had one when I saw you - hope you bagged up!
DeleteWell done Simon on that Barbel, they can be elusive at times, Brian normally brings a couple of pet Barbel along for a wander which makes it look like he catches loads :0)
DeleteAh yes, Barry and Barbra - they get the bus there on their own now!
DeleteBrian you have made my day, what great news you must be going through such an emotional blur. Your determination has been a credit to you.
ReplyDeleteAll you need is bream to make life perfect.
Cheers Dave - really was fantastic news, really didn’t want to go through that again (especially ‘cause I know what it entails now). Fished my way through it - thanks for all your comments on my blog posts. Now, am I going to get fixated on that bream..?
DeleteBrilliant news Brian! Look forward to seeing on the banks of the wye
ReplyDeleteCheers Jack, see you on The Wye - leave some pike for me!!
DeleteDon’t worry I’ve been mostly blanking so far!! I have a couple of weekends back before Christmas though so will let you know how I get on, then a good break over Christmas also. I’ll give you a shout closer to the time, be good to meet up on the river
DeleteThe Wye seems to be going through a lean spell pike wise. I remember when I was a kid you could go weeks (months?) between fish, then suddenly they were everywhere. So long as you’re catching a few it gives me hope for Christmas. Yeah, I’ll see you on the riverbank over the break. Tight lines until then.
DeleteHi Brian. I cannot imagine what it's like to go through an ordeal like that, and am delighted to read that you are out the other side. Your positive, upbeat blog posts in spite of it all have been humbling. Credit to you...and tight lines! 😄 👍
ReplyDeleteThanks Gavin, so glad to be out the other side - and at least I managed to go fishing throughout most of it - these things happen and you just have to deal with it. All credit goes to the surgeons, doctors and nurses - all I had to do was stay positive.
DeleteBrilliant news Brian, and as Gavin says a credit to you, to stay so so positive, not an easy task !!!
DeleteCheers Mick, tough year but great outcome - so glad I could get out, would have been difficult to say positive trapped inside - I had my escape to the riverbank!
DeleteExcellent news Brian. A huge relief for you and those around you. Enjoy everything that lies ahead. You deserve it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sean, hopefully get a few pike on the bank now - but the work hunt starts tomorrow - that’ll be a shock!
DeleteAbsolutely bloody brilliant news mate, glad you will be around for many years to come! I have also never had or seen a bream there.
ReplyDeleteCheers Grant, the news the barbel were dreading! I popped down yesterday and found a second bream - someone must have put them in there… Unfortunately after watching them for a bit I broke my rod - but I’ll be back!
DeleteYou still fishing it?
Yes, still fishing whenever Charlton are at home. I fish and leave my gear round a mates then come back. Greedy. Thames and Trent otherwise. I've found some fish again, though not as prolific as when the rannunculus was around. Mostly night fishing. Had around 40odd.best 13 fish to bang on 10 in a weekend. Seem to be mire carp around this season.
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DeleteExcellent. I have struggled to find bigger fish but have spotted a few eight plus more recently, even a possible double - just got to catch them now! Loads of carp, saw 8 or 10 in one swim earlier in the month. Keep up the good work, might see you down them one day…
DeleteBut not tied to the hospital now so hopefully be able to travel a bit further afield.
DeleteIt's almost like you waited to catch them for me to turn up! it was good to see you on the bank and hopefully next week we can smash up the Wye and Severn....Only 10 days remaining....
ReplyDeleteAnd you watched me cock-up three more! I blame the first hangover for a year!!! We’d better catch some Wye and Severn fish - I’m postponing having my dental implants put back in for it! Bring soup!!
DeleteGreat news Brian. I log on to read up about people's weekend fishing exploits, but that disappears into oblivion with your news! So pleased. Sadly, lost a friend this time last year to the Big C, actually an angling buddy, so your news has made me feel great! Nice fish too! you really can't stop catching!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Adam, the news I was waiting for! Sorry you lost your friend - make me realise just how lucky I was. Think those barbel kept sane (or as sane as I was to start with).
DeleteExcellent news
ReplyDeleteCheers, certainly was!
DeleteThe BEST start to the week. Thank you for sharing Brian. Wonderful, and just in time for some piking too hopefully!? :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, I shared all the boring hospital and treatment stuff - so it was fantastic to share the good news as well. Need to wrap up the blogging year with a few pike photos!
DeleteThis is fantastic news Brian. I'm stoked for you mate. Now go catch that bream... (Ben Hennessy)
ReplyDeleteCheers Ben. Going to have a blast or two for the bream… Not planning on getting obsessed - but I always say that!
DeleteVery best wishes to you 👍
ReplyDeleteThanks
DeleteJust seen this, magic. Love Monty D
ReplyDeleteCheers Monty
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