This will be a farrago, a mix of bits and pieces, an update and a catch-up, flotsam and jetsam that I want to mention.

123 blog entries, but where am I?  I’ve always suggested to new readers that they start at the beginning, 1 April, and then move forward day-by-day, perhaps reading a few days at a time because that method puts things in context.  With 123 entries so far though, you can get a bit lost when resuming reading from where you finished last time.  Where were you?  Where’s the last thing you read?  The easiest way is to go to the top right and click Journal and then All Posts.  That will now display the most recent 50 entries (until yesterday it was the most recent 12 but this change makes it even easier).  If your last read isn’t among the 50, scroll to the bottom and then click Older Entries, which will give you the previous 50, and again, and so on.  When you find the entry that you read last, click the next one.

Another way to identify a particular blog entry – perhaps one you’ve read some time ago – is to use the magnifying glass next to Guestbook, top right.  Click the symbol, write a key word or two where it says Search, click again, and the blog or blogs with those words should appear. I’ve just used it, typing ‘Square Peg’, to locate my 4 May entry (next paragraph).

Comments: When the blog started on 1 April I didn’t want comments.  On 4 May, “To blog or not to blog”, I explained how time-consuming it had proven when I’d started a very different type of blog 13 years ago; so for this one there was to be no Comments facility.  Come the 75th entry on 14 June I’d changed my mind.  From then on there’s been a Comments box at the end of each day’s entry – and I stated firmly that anyone could write anything (well, within reason and law) but I wouldn’t engage in it myself.

What I want to say here is “Thank you” to all those who have left comments.  It’s not important to me whether they’re criticisms or plaudits but I thank everyone very sincerely for how warm and interesting they are.  Do I want to mention certain names and what they’ve written?  Yes I do!  Will I do so?  No.  Everyone has been very kind, and a number have been fascinating.  All have been helpful and very much appreciated.  Do read or write at the bottom of each day’s entry, or read them all by clicking Comments (top right) and then click on the coloured blog name to see the full comment. Great stuff!  Thank you!

Emails to me: Apologies to those who’ve emailed me over the last few months. Many replies have been many days delayed.  That’s just to do with things happening at home and  the need for more and more rest.  Annoying to me as well as to others.

The hospital operation: it’s now confirmed for next Monday 14th September. Admission to the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery on Sunday 13th; operation in University College London Hospital the next day; on Tuesday 15th training for me and a friend on how to manage the PEG; and if all goes well, release from hospital on the 16th or 17th.  After that our wonderful NHS will supply magic potions for me to syringe down the tube directly into the stomach to keep me fed, watered and, I hope, energised for the rest of my life.  And frankly it’s now really needed: eating and drinking have become very very difficult and the risk of choking quite high.  Regrettably all enjoyment of food and drink has long since disappeared and will not return, but at least this should keep me going.

And the Botox: while I’m there they’re planning to inject it into my salivary glands, hoping it will reduce the constant flow of saliva that the poor paralysed mouth muscles can’t control.  If it works it will be a huge relief.  And if it works as it does for others, I might end up looking like a radiant 30-year-old.  Anyone want to bet on that?