Don't judge a book . . . . .

People watching can be quite interesting. Rotund ladies with brightly coloured lycra outfits several sizes too small seem to be in vogue at the moment, as do overweight men wearing undersized clothes that reveal their man boobs to be of a size Katie Price would be proud of. What about the young man about town with the crotch of his jeans somewhere between his knees or the young ladies with so many piercings in their flesh that they don't sweat, they spout! Then we mustn't forget the oldies who, no matter how hot it is, dress as if it is the middle of winter. Do these people not have mirrors, or friends or partners than could put them right?

Oh, hang on a minute. Oldies who dress as if it's the middle of winter when it isn't? Better tread carefully here because that could soon be me. No, I haven't suddenly decided to act my age and dress like a pensioner, rather it looks like being forced on me.

One of the possible side effects of chemotherapy is something called peripheral neurology. The drugs used can cause problems to the nervous system. It's usually  the hands and feet that suffer with tingling sensations in the fingers and toes, causing discomfort and a certain amount of a rather strange pain. It can be triggered by or exaggerated by low temperatures. Simply reaching for something in the fridge hurts! As the chemo builds up in my body this is becoming a bit of a problem for me, and it's more apparent as I already had damaged nerves in my right hand and arm.

This evening I ventured outside after dark and handled a piece of cold metal. I really must stop rummaging through neighbours' bins. Anyway, I immediately had to put it down as it was as if I'd had some sort of electric shock to my hand. Eventually I had to come indoors because the cold had really got into my hand and arm. Some four hours later my right hand is still stiff and painful, and feels swollen (though it isn't). My sense of touch is such that my skin feels to me as if it's been dipped in glue, and handling small items and carrying out fiddly tasks is almost impossible.

The cold, either from the atmosphere or from a simple cold drink, can also affect the throat in a similar way during or immediately after a chemo session, resulting in laryngeal spasm. The severity can vary from a mild problem with vocal chords, which I've already experienced, to a full throat spasm, which I've witnessed someone else suffer from. Pleasant that ain't and it's definitely something to take precautions against.

Whats all this got to do with what people wear?  Well, despite it only being September, the temperatures are already falling and people in my position have to start dressing to suit the degrees centigrade rather than the decrees of fashion. So if on some sunny day you see some old gimmer with a beard wearing a coat, scarf and gloves, and carrying a vacuum flask (tea, Bovril, Complan - take your pick!) don't take the Michael. It might just be little old me trying to stop my throat from seizing up or hoping to keep my hands and feet working properly as I go about my day.

If you recognise me under all the layers, don't be afraid to come and say hello - even if you're in bright yellow tights with the gusset at gutter level. I won't be embarrassed if you're not!