Yesterday's post for Friday's This Moment was of a Black-backed Gull, that graced the railings of New Brighton Pier. New Brighton is the Eastern shoreline suburb and beach of Christchurch, New Zealand where I spent much of my youth getting into the usual sort of mischief young kids of that period got up to. Swimming and sun-baking on this long stretch of sandy beach fills many of those nooks in my memory.
The often severe sun-burning may also account for the constant vigilance required these days to monitor for melanoma; already one has been removed.
Two contemporaries have succumbed to cancer, initially diagnosed as melanomas and excised, but later reappearing as cancer in other organs. Both died way too young. Early detection is vital.
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| New Brighton beach looking north from the pier. |
My brush with melanoma started when my physiotherapist suggested I should have a mole on my back checked out. An excision was performed by my doctor under local pain-killer and the cut away sample sent off for biopsy. I was called in when the results came back and sent to a skin surgeon.
The specialist reckoned the melanoma was in remission when it was removed: biopsy indicated it was smaller than it could have been, hence the need to ensure all suspect cells were removed, so a deeper, larger excision need be done.
Now why was that I asked?
"Because your immune system is attacking it." advised the specialist. "Something has boosted your immune system."
"Interesting that the previous year I had cut out drinking beer and now enjoy a couple of glasses of red wine each evening."
"You keep on doing that then!"
So that's the best prescription a medical practitioner has ever given me!
Amazing that when I began to write this article, I intended to just post up a few photos to illustrate where the picture of the seagull was taken, and here it is turning into a post about cancer awareness.
But that's the way it goes, as October is Breast Cancer Awareness month here-blognostics-for-jens-sakes-pinktober
No doubt about it- red wine is fine! Keep those anti-oxidant levels up...the enjoyable way.
And remember- early detection!
Let's get back to New Brighton Pier and seagulls.
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| New Brighton Pier looking south. |
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| Walking out on the pier. Our gull friend is just visible on the left railing. |
Early this month we took a trip back to Christchurch, our hometown. It was a very nostalgic return, the first since earthquakes have struck, so it was a very sad, and at times an emotional visit to many of our old haunts. The old pier of our earlier days, which was built in 1894, has been replaced with a new one in 1997. You'll note a slight slump in the railing line: movement resulting from earthquake.
Enjoy these pics of our posing friend, and the scenery. A cool spring late morning.
Enjoy these pics of our posing friend, and the scenery. A cool spring late morning.
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| "What? You want my pic?" |
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| "This way?" |
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| "I think my left profile is best. Can I have a fish now?" |
Keep well. Remember - Early detection!
