For once a useful piece from our local paper syndicate (the Budleigh Salterton / Exmouth / Sidmouth / Axminster Herald) generating my climb of Mont Blanc this summer; I did get to 'edit' it first which is great as it prevents journalists from writing things that I have never said, or more importantly getting figures wrong.
http://tinyurl.com/6co4gf3
One recent journalist managed to get the percentages relating to lung cancer research funding completely wrong, which is frustrating when I'm trying to give an accurate portrayal of what's happening, or not. The word 'survivor' in today's article was not something that I would have personally chosen, and was added after my edit. It seems to indicate that I have 'survived' cancer, which is simply not the case - I am LIVING with it, a big difference. Maybe an issue of semantics, but one I feel awkward about.
When it rains, it pours, as the saying goes! I've also just carried out the first part of a possible interview for the Stella supplement of the Sunday Telegraph, looking at how a cancer or other permanent illness diagnosis can alter the dynamics of a relationship. Talking to a number of different couples, of different relationship periods, with differing illnesses, the journalist is looking to shed light on how people cope in their own individual ways. We were hesitant to get involved unless we felt that there was something that we could say to make people truly understand what it is like, for both of us, to live with a cancer diagnosis: The uncertainty, the denial of a pre-planned linear future etc. However, Helen (the journalist) strikes me as having the right aims, so we look forward to seeing what develops.
I'm struggling on the Macmillan blog editor to be able to add a caption title to a picture, which is very frustrating. Feeling like I've hardly been out of the house because of the weather I've no 'new' training pictures to post up - however, I do love this picture from last winter. Two months after finishing my line of chemo the Lakes was hit by one of the best (for climbers!) winters in about 25 years - clear, bluebird weather, with fantastic snow. This picture shows us happy and elated after getting to the top of Bow Fell, looking towards Scafell. Nothing technical climb-wise, just a beautiful walk in beautiful weather.
I have had a bit of a hiatus in writing recently, not for laziness, but because I'd been trying to get my thoughts together about my next piece, as well as I've had a lot on because of my grandmother being in hospital since Christmas Day. Normal service will resume shortly! Until next time...
For more photographs, information on my climb of Mont Blanc this summer, and details of my fundraising (www.justgiving.com/jonathancpiper) then please visit: http://www.everydayamountain.blogspot.com
All the best, stay well. Jonathan
