day 2

Today's theme tune is http://youtu.be/PXgcEea_2zo

6.38 am. In what is my 50th year, I have just completed my first ever night in hospital. Woken for observations every 4 hours. The sound of warning beeps from other rooms and the little pump sploshing the chemo through the drip in my arm meant little or no sleep.

On a positive note I felt, at about 2 this morning, whilst having my blood pressure taken and much to the surprise of the nurse, inspired to write a bit of arty prose on a serviette left over from tea. If I can read it I will transcribe it later.

10.30 am - It hadn't occurred to me that if you're attached to a drip 24 hours a day, you can't take your t-shirt off without a team of trained experts plugging the drip temporarily. Don't worry friends I have invented something to get over this.

I call it the zip-tee

allows easy egress from ones clothes whilst plugged in. A winner.

I should say that I will be making the most of my sojourn to brush up on my drawing skills which have obviously gone to shit!

Back to my middle of the night creativity. This is what I wrote:

Because I am 6'5" I naturally have a long stride. If ever I'm out walking with Keeley & the kids I'm invariably 10 paces ahead of them. It's just how it is. I'm aware that they're there (they moan at me to slow down), but I like to press along at my own pace.

This is very much how I feel about how I'm dealing with the illness at the minute.I am aware, and so grateful, of all the support and love from my friends and family urging me on from behind, but ultimately I am facing this alone. Not bullishly or demonstratively, but alone in my own way and happy to do so, knowing that if I drop the pace & drop back that Keeley, Archie, Grace, mum, Squeek, Chris, Karl & everyone else is there to shove me back up front where I need to be.

When this is done I will allow everyone to catch up and form a big old lovely circle around me.

I'd also like to,teach the world to sing in perfect harmony, with apple trees and honey bees and Snow White turtle doves....

Nuff said. It was 2 in the morning.

13.00 pm - I know, what about my Saturday waiting for visiting hours playlist. Good idea? Of course. Here you go.

• Billy Bragg-Must I paint you a picture

• Big Star-September Girls

• Teddy Thompson-In my arms

• Teenage Fanclub-Into The City

• Television-Venus