The title says it all.  How does a talented, intelligent young man grow up, pursue a career and find a life partner, with cancer sitting on his shoulder?

A fifteen year old shouldn’t get cancer at all – but Mark did – a malignant melanoma. Treatment at the time was to remove the tumour and cross your fingers. Because there was little else available, and a high chance the cancer would return.

55% five year survival; 50% ten year survival – these were the stark figures Mark heard during a medical lecture on melanoma, four years later. Yes, Mark was studying medicine – partly to help others but also to give himself the best chance. In which 50% would he fall? Would he even get to qualify as a doctor?

He did – but a severe stomach pain shattered the reprieve and on his 27^th birthday he learned that his cancer was back.

There was some hope though. Research had made massive leaps, and a new treatment could specifically target an abnormal protein found in 50% of melanomas. Would he be in the right 50% this time? He was, and started Dabrafenib. The tumours shrank, but didn’t disappear.

Importantly Mark felt better and grabbed the opportunity to live – really live.  He wrote a bucket list, ticking off every country in Europe with his twin brother, and arranged a big party in Malta. He raised money for Cancer Research UK. Within a few days he’d raised £20,000. (Today his fund is well over £200,000).

He wrote a blog. Through writing and fund-raising he raised awareness of melanoma and received numerous awards, and he gave many talks. At one of these Mark experienced another major life-event – LOVE. Georgie, a pretty medical student didn’t shy away from Mark’s frightening diagnosis. They were drawn together immediately and supported each other throughout, even training for a half marathon – an incredible achievement for someone with melanoma.

Mark gives a perceptive insight into being a patient and a doctor. He quickly learned that a consultant audience probably meant bad news; and he could spot ‘Palliative Care Team’ on a name badge from a distance.

His bravery throughout is humbling. We read how he dealt with hope, later to be dashed; unbelievable medical traumas – sepsis, stroke, excruciating headaches and stomach pain; the horror of finding his brain was full of tumours; his fight to get back to medical work and normality; his eventual acceptance of his fate.

Incredibly during all this, he wrote his book, which he almost finished – his mother, a publisher and poet, wrote the final chapter.

It is a journey of love, bravery, medical explanations and patient experience. I can highly recommend it.

Available at Poetryspace and on Amazon. Proceeds go to Cancer Research UK.

Splitting Sunlight, a collection of poems by his mother, Susan Sims, about Mark’s cancer from her viewpoint, will be published by Dempsey & Windle in January 2019.

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co,uk

For me, the best thing about January is it is too cold and wet for me to feel I should be getting outdoors and I am able to indulge myself with a comfy armchair, a cosy blanket and a pile crime novels. Here are three great new reads for the post Christmas season.

Half Way by B.E. Jones

This starts out as a story of strangers being trapped by a snowstorm in an isolated building just before Christmas. They soon realise that there is more going on than they first thought, especially when student Lee makes a discovery in the cellar. The local PC Lissa Lloyd is struggling to make a name for herself at the police station and jumps at the chance to investigate a missing person and heads out into the snow.

So far it seems like a classic plot but then the story becomes an intriguing and claustrophobic tale of twists and turns right up to the end, where nobody is quite who you think they are. I was completely caught by surprise by the final chapter. Each chapter changes which character we are focusing on to keep us readers on our toes and gives the book great pace as well as being unsettling, in a good way.

The author is a former police press officer and crime reporter bringing her ‘true crime’ knowledge to this murky world of the psychological thriller. I do hope the policewoman is not based on anyone she knows…

Little Brown pb £8.99

Under The Ice by Rachael Blok

Jenny is an exhausted young woman struggling to cope with the demands of new motherhood, let alone coping with family demands in the run up to Christmas. Then a child is murdered and Jenny starts having visions of the night of the murder.

Her sleepwalking in the crime scene leads to involvement in the investigation and the police are getting suspicious, but could a secret from her past hold the key to the solution?

A suspenseful, gripping drama that pulls you right into the confusion in Jenny’s head, which then contrasts with the clear headed lead investigator. I felt the author really captured both the domestic upheaval a new baby can bring and the fascination of good police procedure. This was a thoroughly enjoyable debut novel and I look forward to the author’s next book. – Great jacket, too.

Head of Zeus Hb £18.99

The Body In The Boat by A.J. Mackenzie

The year is 1796 and Romney Marsh is awash with smugglers. But some of the cargo is unusual. And a few days after a birthday party, why is the body of a respectable banker found afloat, having been shot dead?

The local clergyman Reverend Hardcastle, as acting Justice of the Peace, and his widowed friend Mrs Chaytor are drawn into a twisting mystery of high finance and organised crime with international implications.

This is the third outing for the engaging amateur detectives, written by an Anglo-Canadian husband and wife team of writers and historians. As well as the main characters being just charming enough, the minor characters are also nicely draw. The historical details are laid in without too much of a heavy hand, setting the scene nicely for this pacy and enjoyable adventure. Perfect to be devoured in one setting on a wet afternoon. Maybe with a tot of rum for authenticity.

Bonnier Zaffre pb £7.99

All I need now is someone to keep me topped up with hot chocolate and leftover Christmas cake.

To help you finish the hunt for the best vacuum cleaner, we review the comparison between the new V8 and its less powerful predecessor, the Dyson V6. Let’s run these two stick vacuum head to head and identify the reason you should upgrade to the new Dyson V8. 

Concerning price, the V8 comes at a higher rate than the V6 model; it’s prudent to check out all the possible aspects of various cleaners before settling on the best vacuum cleaner. 

Read below to see the comparisons:

Vacuum mechanics 

These two appliances look almost similar when positioned side by side. The only differentiating factor is the color. 

The V8 absolute has purple, red, and bright yellow stick having an attached motor on its top. The motor serves as a nifty hanger for storage in the two vacuums. The Dyson V8 weighs about 6 pounds. It has 0.14 gallons’ dirt bin while the V6 weighs around 5lbs. With a smaller 0.11gallon bin. The two vacuums can be changed into handheld vacuums so that they can access harder to reach areas. 

Cleaning and maintenance 

When cleaning the V8 is so many miles ahead of the v6. The v8 has a soft cleaner roller head with a direct cleaner head. The soft cleaner roller removes dust and debris on hard floors while the direct cleaner digs deep into your carpets to eject dirt. The V6 also involves a direct drive and a soft cleaner roller, but their efficiency is not as productive as those of their successor the v8. The machines also vary in the maintenance sector. For the v6, there’s a push button used for emptying the dirt bin, while the V8 comes with a mess-free and hygienic dirt remover. 

Battery 

During vacuuming, frequent plugging can be tedious. For this reason, Dyson v8 was designed with a battery that can last for 40 minutes unlike the v6 that only lasts for 20 minutes. If you have a bigger space to clean your house, you probably require longer battery life to accomplish the task on time. If you run short of battery, it means all the cleaning activities will be halted for the battery pick up power again. With the new v8, the waiting time will be significantly reduced because once it’s fully charged it takes a longer time before the power is depleted, and by the time it goes off, you would have covered much a bigger area. 

Pricing and accessories 

Like any other household appliances, advanced machines and convenience require much money. The Dyson v8 is more expensive than v6, but the features and quality of serves you get from these appliances is worth the price. But the accessories are still unchanged all along the upgrading journey. 

The v8 is designed with a mobile tool, a crevice tool, a soft brush, and a handy combination tool. The V6 is also lucky to have these accessories that play the same role. 

Bottom line

While we’ve reviewed the features and capabilities of Dyson v8 vs. v6, we have to accept that each appliance is a winner for each consumer. The cleaners do a great job cleaning hard floors and carpets, and they are the best in removing pet hair. Get the appliance that will work the best for your home putting into consideration your budget.  

Sponsored Content.

BLUE Chapter, Market Road, Canton, Cardiff, Wales, CF5 1QE Tuesday 5th – Saturday 16th February 2019 P

Image  courtesy of David Wilson Photography.

And every so often I find something. Washed up on the shore. Something lost. Something old. Something broken. Something in need of repair. And I’d bring it back here. I’d bring it home.

With their first foray into new writing, Chippy Lane Productions present the world premiere of BLUE – the debut play of young Welsh writer Rhys Warrington. BLUE shines a light on the current state of innumerable families across Wales, one of the most pressing issues facing the UK as vital medical and NHS services are cut. It focuses on the negative impact on those struggling to care for the vulnerable without funding.

One evening in Carmarthen, an old acquaintance comes back into the lives of the Williams family, forcing them to face their reality as a family that feels trapped, isolated, and unsupported after their recent loss. This powerful and thought-provoking play explores the concept of ‘home’, the intricacies of grief, and asks how can you grieve someone who is still alive but no longer present?

BLUE’s incredible cast features Nia Roberts (The Crown, Netflix; The White Princess, Starz; Hidden, S4C/BBC Wales, Pobol y Cwm, S4C), and Sophie Melville (Iphigenia in Splott, Sherman Theatre, National Theatre, Edinburgh, New York; Blackbird, The Other Room; The Divide, Old Vic; Low Level Panic, Young Vic; The Missing, BBC).

Joining them are Jordan Bernarde (The Sea Plays, Old Vic Tunnels; Crazy Gary’s Mobile Disco, Waking Exploits; The Passion, National Theatre Wales; Da Vinci’s Demons, Starz; The Hanged Man, BBC) and Gwydion Rhys (The Village Social, National Theatre Wales; To Kill a Machine, Scriptography; Hinterland, Hidden, BBC).

BLUE is generously funded by Arts Council Wales. The production is also supported in kind by Chapter, Dementia UK, Older People Wales, Tŷ Hapus, and David Wilson Photography.

Performance Dates Tuesday 5th – Saturday 16th February 2019 Tuesday – Saturday, 7.30pm 7th, 9th, 14th, 16th February, 2.30pm BLS performance, 12th February, 7.30pm Q&A talkback performance, 13th February, 7.30pm

Running time 1 hour 20 minutes

Age Recommendation 14+

Location Chapter, Market Road, Canton, Cardiff, Wales, UK CF5 1QE

How to get there Chapter is situated in Canton, behind Cowbridge Road East, between Llandaff Road and Market Road. Bus numbers 17 and 18 buses (Chapter Arts Centre stop) from Cardiff Central, and Chapter has its own car park.

Box Office Tickets are available priced from £14 (£12 concession) from thee box office, (0)29 2030 4400 or online at www.chapter.org/blue

Twitter @chippylaneprod, @chaptertweets, #ChippyLanesBLUE

In this crazy modern life where we lurch from high-pressure work to frantic leisure, no-pain-no-gain workouts, and don’t-forget-the-social-media-photo, we sometimes forget about that little person inside us.

Which is why we need to schedule ‘me’ appointments.  Yes, actually put them in our diary, because if we don’t, we won’t.

Mindfulness means switching off your phone, TV, Spotify etcetera, sitting comfortably and using the following simple routine.

You just need yourself for this, but Scentered Aromatherapy balms can really enhance the experience and help you focus, particularly if your brain is still in overdrive. They are 100% pure sticks of moringa mixed with shea butter, each containing up to 25 essential oils and botanicals. The first thing which hits you are the amazing smells – they are quite addictive.

Make yourself comfortable – if it’s easy, sit in lotus, but if your hips are screaming, use a floor cushion against a wall, or a firm chair. Mindfulness isn’t a competition.

Now choose the Scentered aromatherapy balm which best suits your needs – your choice includes Be Happy, De-stress, Focus, Escape and Sleep Well. Dab it on your pulse points – temples, neck and wrists – and inhale long and deep, noticing your tummy rise and fall.  Count your breath 1 in, 2 out, 3 in and so on until you reach 20.

As you focus and observe your breath, relaxation will melt through your body. Notice how you feel – really feel. Any pain? Any tension? What thoughts are coming into your head? Just notice and let them go.  Then back to your breathing.

This will take about a minute – surely you can find a minute for yourself? And if you want to make more time, your whole being will thank you.

Scentered are committed to using only the finest natural ingredients and therapeutic grade essential oils. Each balm has been tested and retested for quality.  No parabens, petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances, colours, or other nasties are used.

Visit the Scentered website for a list of their essential oils, and how they can help mind, body and spirit. The balm sticks, beautiful scented candles and gift sets can be purchased there too.

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co,uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

Incognito Theatre Company, winners of the Les Enfants Terribles’ 2018 Greenwich Partnership Award, will be making their debut at VAULT Festival with Tobacco Road from 13^th to 17^th February.

Image courtesy of Tim Hall

Based in the murky underworld of 1920s south east London, in the shadow of the Great War, this unique gangster story explores the stories never told in history books with every character being based on a real person or people.  By shining a light on gang activity, this fast-paced production investigates how young people find themselves embroiled in gang culture while exploring the necessary violence of an implacable female gangster rising through a male-dominated society.

Five resourceful young men and women try to find fame and wealth even as staying alive poses problems in a cutthroat society of thugs and conmen. Incognito’s explosive physical choreography takes the audience on a fast-paced and thrilling journey from pickpocketing in murky back streets to fixed boxing matches in dark basements.

Every character is based on a real person or people. Elsie and Freda are inspired by the ruthless female gang, Alice Diamond and her followers. Tommy Carlisle is based on the bare-knuckle boxers of Lambeth, Alfie on the thousands of young men left deeply tormented by the effects of World War I, whilst the ambitious Felix is inspired by the bloodthirsty young men who were driven to succeed by their unerring determination.

Interrogating a strait-jacketed experience of gender, this thrilling production considers the complex and impossible standards of traditional masculinity while exploring the necessary violence of an implacable female gangster rising through a male-dominated society.

Tobacco Road is a magnified examination of the real people who forged a life for themselves in a world that had scorned them as disposable. By shining a light on gang activity, Tobacco Road investigates how young people continue to find themselves embroiled in gang culture and why it can sometimes feel as though there is no other option.

Performance Dates Wednesday 13th – Sunday 17th February 2019 Wednesday – Sunday, 6.15pm Saturday matinee, 3pm

Running time 60 minutes

Location VAULT Festival, Network Theatre, 246A Lower Road, London SE1 8SJ Box Office Tickets are available priced £15 from vaultfestival.com

Twitter @incognito107, #TobaccoRoad

Ages 14+, mild swearing and use of strobe lights

, 418 St John Street, London EC1V 4NJ Tuesday 8th January – Saturday 2nd February 2019

Liv Warden’s debut play at the Old Red Lion explores a different perspective of the Time’s Up movement. The provocative and timely Anomaly will star Natasha Cowley (Othello, Shakespeare’s Globe; Connections 2018, National Theatre; The Last Days of Anne Boleyn, The Tower of London) and making their professional theatre debuts Alice Handoll and Katherine Samuelson.  Post-Weinstein, Anomaly is a story that is ready to be told.

It’s 6am.  News has just broken that Phillip Preston, media mogul and film-industry powerhouse has been arrested for assaulting his wife.  His three daughters, who lead separate lives, are left with the fallout.  As they battle the world’s press, the board members of Preston International and each other, they soon find themselves not only fighting to save the Preston dynasty but to protect everything they know to be true. What happens when a family, under the most intense scrutiny of the public eye, is faced with unbearable pain?

In our Kardashian-soaked culture of sensationalism, victims’ testimonies are finally being taken seriously. This play is not about men like Harvey Weinstein. Anomaly is not about the perpetrator or the politics of he said / she said. It’s about the furore, the collateral destruction and the family stood by the right hand of the accused. It’s about children carrying the black spot of their parent’s name. Anomaly is a war cry for the women who have been left to pick up the pieces.

Alice Handoll (Polly)

Image courtesy of Alishia Love

Katherine Samuelson plays Penny

Image courtesy of Samuel Black

 Natasha Cowley plays Piper

Image courtesy of Ruth Crafer

Performance Dates  Tuesday 8th January – Saturday 2nd February 2019 Monday – Saturday, 7:30pm Saturday and Sunday, 3pm

Running time   75 minutes

Twitter @ORLTheatre, @WildChild_UK, @LiviaWarden, #Anomaly

Location Old Red Lion Theatre, 418 St John Street, London EC1V 4NJ

Box Office Tickets are available priced £17 (£15 concessions). Available from Old Red Lion Theatre Box Office and www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk or 0333 012 4963.

Ages 14+