Wednesday, 29 January 2025

Somebody I used to know

Is that really me?

Yesterday brought some issues into stark relief as I attended a men’s group where a recording of an interview done some months before I commenced radiotherapy had ended up in a short documentary for the organisation.

Hearing my voice amplified and played back to my hearing still feels strange, there is a disembodied otherworldliness about it that leaves me uncomfortable. Having taken some readings at the cathedral, I am getting used to it, and it will only get better.

However, with my voice as it is today, the person I saw and heard looked like I was watching somebody that I used to know. There are differences I am working hard to bring back to who I once knew.

Managing the limits

For instance, I would have a brisk walk to the men’s group from my home in twenty or so minutes, that I was not even contemplating yesterday, I hopped on a bus for the three stops and on my way back, I did the same.

There is an urge to do a lot more, but I soon realise it tires me out quite easily, the occasions for rest are more frequent, and it could be a battle to concentrate. Yet, I do apply myself quite diligently to the tasks I set out to do from cooking to revising for a test among other essential activities.

No breaks in transmission

Earlier in the day before the men’s group, I was out to take a Microsoft certification test. I put in a good week of work on the material and in the process, I learnt quite a bit.

By Monday, I had done enough to tackle the challenge. Distractions impacted my ability to do a last revision overnight and from then, I decided not to bother myself any further with last dibs.

I passed the test and gained a new certification. There are vestiges of that person that I used to know that are still active. The temporary loss of strength and timbre in my voice does not indicate a loss of expression. I can be as forceful as I have always been.

After playing back the documentary, I was invited onto a panel to share views and opinions. Akin is still there, there is no break in transmission.

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