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Health & Future Plans Update: A Dramatic Reduction in HbA1c thanks to Medtronic Insulin Pump

By Books & Authors, Creativity, Gigs & Shows, Happiness & Joy, HealthNo Comments

Health Update

There has been a dramatic reduction in my HbA1c thanks to my Medtronic Insulin Pump. I’ve gone from a HbA1c of 99 to 58. This means I’ve gone from being in the red to the green. It’s all thanks to the insulin pump’s SmartGuard, an algorithm that helps manage my blood sugars and insulin through use of a sensor and pump that work together via Bluetooth.

I’m feeling the benefits of a better controlled blood sugar – less tired, more energy, less susceptible to infections and next to no symptoms of a high blood sugar. There are benefits to my mental health as well, I don’t feel like I’m constantly failing to manage my diabetes anymore and like it is a constant battle every minute of the day.

The hole in the roof of my mouth is still there and still causing me problems with talking, eating and drinking. The surgeon wants an MRI and CT scans before proceeding, but there is a two to three month wait for these on the NHS. I often find myself apologising when I can’t be understood by others and it inevitably impacts on all areas of my life. But it will get fixed and that’s the main thing. This is temporary.

Future Plans Update

A friend and I are planning to go to some of Lancaster Literature Festival. This is in part to get ideas for Wigan Literature Festival. A festival I am hoping will be held later this year.

A friend and I are going to see Comedian Larry Dean in Salford.

Mum and I are going to meet some Alpacas and to watch The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Finally, I get to go away to Wales with my unofficial adoptive family.

In October, my next book Z-Virus Monsters is released. You can pre-order a signed paperback copy here. Fanatic Members will get the ebook free on release.

I’ve also had another idea for either another article or book, depending on its length and have started the research for it.

I’ve got a lot to look forward too.

Write soon,

Antony

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All Write Up North Event – Wigan Has Plenty of Writers

By Books & Authors, Creativity, Friends & FamilyNo Comments
All Write Up North, Image From & Copyright Wigan Council, 2020.

All Write Up North was the first Writers, Authors and Illustrators event in Wigan. The event was held yesterday and was hosted by Wigan Council’s Libraries. The event was well attended and had a warm welcome. Refreshments were available throughout and lunch was provided. The event couldn’t have been better organised.

I went along hoping to learn something from the workshops, to use the opportunity to network and to promote my book.

I didn’t manage to get into any of the workshops. The first one I missed due to the room being too small for the number of people interested, the other two I missed due to getting chatting to some friends and losing track of time.

It was wonderful to be around so many Writers. Although being honest it was a little disappointing to see the lack of Writers in my age group, most where older.

I met author of Address Book, Simon Tingle. Address Book is a short book of poetry about the people that have or do inspire him. I shall do a book review soon.

I’m looking forward to future events and to entering any future competitions they have. I only found out about the event a few days before. So to avoid this happening again, I am now following @WiganLibraries on Twitter.

Write soon,

Antony

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Charitable Donations 2015

By Health, Money / Finances, The Web, ThinkingNo Comments

Having struggled with my own mental health this year (see Finally…in Recovery and getting Back to Life), it’s unsurprising that two of my charitable donations have been to mental health charities:

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SANE

SANE is a UK mental health charity, which aims to improve the lives of people affected by mental illness.

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Mind

Mind is a UK mental health charity that states that it won’t give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect.

JDRF-logo I gave another donation to JDRF who are an international charity that fund research into a cure for type 1 diabetes. Currently one of the things they’re funding is smart insulin, which could be life-changing for diabetics.

They have great Christmas cards and wrapping paper in their shop, all the proceeds of which go to them. So I stocked up.

the-brick-project-wigan-logo My final donation was to The Brick Project, which supports homeless people in the Wigan borough (my hometown). Through circumstances and life events anyone could end up homeless. I’d never want to be homeless and like to support any charities that help people to rebuild their lives.

Blog soon,

Antony

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