John Coughlan

[John Coughlan @JohnCoughlan]

But any fool can work out that one, the real trick is actually shedding the extraneous claptrap and actually doing it all differently...

[John Coughlan @JohnCoughlan]

An early realisation is how so many of the parameters by which we measured our lives, our successes and failures, are reduced to piffle

[John Coughlan @JohnCoughlan]

And how is she going to deal with it? If she throws her arms around me, will she be dragged down with this sinking ship? Should she..?

[John Coughlan @JohnCoughlan]

My biggest concern is for G. I look ahead and do what boys do - wonder how does it actually work, what happens, what are the mechanics?

[John Coughlan @JohnCoughlan]

Now you know. And it is not simple, it all rushes by. The implications slowly dawn, dashed dreams, plans, hopes, we're not equipped for this

[John Coughlan @JohnCoughlan]

There are times in life you wonder what it would be like to be told this. How would you react? How would you cope? Would you measure up...?

[John Coughlan @JohnCoughlan]

Cancer of the spine, but that's not the worst. Which is that it is secondary, primary is in the lung. So Philllip Morris got me after all

[John Coughlan @JohnCoughlan]

The verdict from grave faced doctor - "spinal leisions I'm afraid", he said. Sounded like a skateboard accident to me. Wrong....

[John Coughlan @JohnCoughlan]

Eventually a young Afghanistan doctor, probably a refugee from havoc wrought by us on his land, sends me for a scan when others said no need

[John Coughlan @JohnCoughlan]

Barcelona, not Bracelona, fool. Pain got worse, back to UK, sought medical opinion. It felt like a gastric pain, one good fart from freedom

[John Coughlan @JohnCoughlan]

Left Bracelona May 19th and headed south 120 miles to Santa Carles, frined Alan has a yacht there. Almost, all under refurbishment. Pain....

[John Coughlan @JohnCoughlan]

May 19th, Barcelona. On way back to hotel from Picasso museum. Pain in my side...It would prove to be the first call from the darkside...