Sheffield

I think I'm falling in love with Sheffield...

I've been away visiting my parents near Manchester, but I discovered that my cheapest option for the journey actually involved going home via Sheffield and Cambridge (taking in the Sheffield SF pub meet and the Cambridge ZZ9 party en route).  This was very handy as one of my sisters lives in Sheffield.

( Pretty pictures (not taken by me) )

Dupuytren's in the family

I went to visit my parents last week.  Both had disclaimed any family history of Dupuytren's.  However, when I took a look at their hands, it became evident that my mother definitely has it.  She has a couple of lumps, and growth along one tendon (less developed than mine, but unmistakably Dupuytren's).  My father has a lump in exactly the right place - the twin to one of my lumps, but no growth yet.  (hence, probably Dupuytren's, but one wouldn't say for certain without an ultrasound scan).

This double parental factor probably helps explain why I developed the disease at a relatively early age.  It normally affects people in their sixties and seventies - if you talk to someone in that age range, it is pretty well guaranteed that they will know someone who has it.

I've finished the radiotherapy sessions now.  I'll be getting a follow-up appointment in a few months to see how effective it's been.