Pseudocyst

The adventures and life of a Specialist Nurse in Upper GI and Bariatric surgery. If you then double and triple this by having a primary school age child AND being married to another Nurse then you have double the trouble….aehm I mean fun. Hobbies are playing chess, board games and being taxi for our son!!!

Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this blog are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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  • The Regional Adventure: When It (Finally) Clicked!

    Disclaimer This post reflects our personal family experiences with junior tennis tournaments and should not be mistaken for professional sporting advice. All opinions are our own and written with a large cup of coffee in hand, some laughter, and mild parental exhaustion Intro Back in August, while we were still on holiday and our son Read more

  • The Return of the (Almost) Chess Player

    *Or: How £27 Bought Me Nothing but Itchy Feet* Disclaimer This blog is written in a light-hearted spirit. Any financial decisions regarding tournament entry fees, refunds, or Domino’s pizzas are entirely my own and should not be taken as financial advice. Any references to my chess titles or ratings are purely factual and not an Read more

  • When Playground Politics Spill into the Classroom (with Guiding Principles from School Policy)

    Disclaimer This post reflects our personal experiences as parents and is written in a private capacity. It is not connected to my professional role as a nurse and should not be interpreted as professional commentary. All individuals, schools and organisations are anonymised. The views expressed are entirely personal and intended for reflection only, in line Read more

  • From White Stripe Wobbles to a Yellow Belt Triumph

    Disclaimer No parents, children, or Taekwon-Do coaches were harmed in the making of this blog. Parental pride levels may, however, have gone up a notch. As always, the following is just our family’s light-hearted take on sporting life and not an official endorsement of how to revise for martial arts exams. A Kick-Start Three Years Read more

  • Compass Battles and Somerset Smashes: U9 Blackbrook Tournament Recap

    Disclaimer This blog is written in a personal capacity and reflects only our family’s experiences of junior tennis tournaments. It does not represent any official tennis body, coach, or club. Any emotional drama, questionable line calls, or parental sideline sighs are entirely our own. A Grade 4 Weekend in Taunton This weekend saw Blackbrook Tennis Read more

  • The hidden costs of bariatric surgery abroad: why the NHS can’t afford to look away

    A deep dive into the UK’s “bariatric tourism” problem — the waiting list mirage, the real cost of complications, and why we badly need an audit. Disclaimer This blog reflects my own views and analysis. It does not represent the official position of my Trust, the NHS, or any professional body. I remain firmly bound Read more

  • The Devizes Diaries

    Five matches, one bag of chestnuts, and a masterclass in keeping your cool. Disclaimer: As always, this is a family blog about our adventures on and off the tennis court. Views expressed are entirely our own (sometimes in the heat of the moment, occasionally after coffee). No tennis racquets were harmed in the making of Read more

  • Rusty Rackets and County Trials

    Disclaimer: This blog reflects personal experiences and opinions. It is not affiliated with, nor endorsed by, Somerset LTA, Taunton Tennis Centre, or any official organisation. All names mentioned (except family) are either public figures or anonymised. Whilst still officially on holiday, our son was invited to attend the Somerset U9 tennis trials last Sunday. Now, Read more

  • Romania Trip Part II: The Tooth, the Whole Tooth, and Nothing but the Tooth

    Disclaimer: This post is my personal account of an unexpected (yet oddly successful) dental detour during our summer holiday in Romania. It’s not medical advice. Please consult your own dentist (ideally before your abscess bursts while you’re sightseeing). Most families go on holiday for beaches, sightseeing, and maybe a cheeky cocktail or two. We, however, Read more

  • Romania 2025 – Castles, Clay Courts & Car Park Bargains (Part One)

    Disclaimer As always, this blog reflects my own experiences, half-baked humour, and occasionally questionable travel decisions. It does not represent the views of my employer, the NHS, or the Upper GI team (who, for the record, were probably asleep at 00:30AM while I was lugging suitcases into the car). Saturday 16th August 2025, 00:30AM: While Read more