Stewie’s guide to life.
Hi, I’m Stuart, a retired Sales Engineer, Marketing Engineer and blogger. Back in 2022 I was diagnosed with two brain tumours, a Meningioma on my brain stem (I called Marty) and an Oligodendroglioma on my right frontal lobe (nicknamed Gary the Glioma). I spent that year in and out of surgery and shared my experiences through my blog to try and help others going through the same. I also blog about more diverse subjects such as the transition to Electric Vehicles and dabble in the occasional politics. I hope my blog is though provoking and also inspiring in that despite 2022, I am fit and well and so far clear of any reoccurrence of my brain tumours.
- We’re having a heatwave, a tropical heatwave!It is an Englishman’s birthright to not only constantly talk about the weather but to never be satisfied with the weather we are having at any given time. Thus as… Read more: We’re having a heatwave, a tropical heatwave!
- M.E.G.AAs the U.S.A looks inward and Trump is pursuing self destructive defence and financial policies, Europe must stand strong, rebuild its military and once again show that it is a great place to be for life, industry and freedom. This post also explores the harsh reality of the law of unintended consequences.
- Don’t fear China, she might save the world.Don’t fear China, she just might save the world. Western talking shops like COP 29 fail to bring meaningful change while China races towards a fossil fuel free future.
- Episode 16 of my podcast is now available.In this episode I look back on my concerns about my craniotomy causing personality changes, what did happen to me and how things are going now two years later. open.spotify.com/show/7ejKe9hK0CEhukktFzjbhg
- A Fear of Flying
Episode 14 of my podcast is now available. In it I discuss how I cured my fear of flying and the used the same technique to control my fear of… Read more: A Fear of Flying - from Brace to EmbraceReplacing Fear with Faith & Hope! Brain Tumour Day; June 8, 2024 As a neurosurgeon, I have the profound honour of working on the front lines of brain… from Brace… Read more: from Brace to Embrace
- Episode 13 of my Podcast is now available.
- Want the truth about EV’s, take this guys advice!
- Cruise Blog – 10 Decks of Grey Pt.5 – Slow motion jet lag.
We are used to getting jet lag after our long flights to New Zealand but we didn’t expect to get it on a cruise. - Cruise Blog – 10 Decks of Grey Pt.4
What Andrea actually said:“There’s lots of sparkly numbers around”. What I heard, “I just farted as there’s no one around!” - Seeing the smaller picture
Recently I found myself feeling very low and stressed, but Health wise I feel good and I couldn’t understand why I was feeling in such a low mood. - Cruise Blog – 10 Decks of grey Pt.3
I booked with Cunard to see the world and what did I see, I saw the Sea! (Day 5 at sea, one day out from Bermuda) Andrea’s Classic of the… Read more: Cruise Blog – 10 Decks of grey Pt.3 - Cruise Blog – 10 Decks of grey Pt.1
10 Decks of Grey: Pt1. And we’re off, on the coach and heading to London. “Take The National Express, it’ll make you smile etc.” just running through the lyrics in my mind and we have the feeble old dear (not Andrea lol) and a screaming child. With thousands of miles to travel our first hold up was roadworks in sight of the bus station. Such a typically British problem. - Cruise Blog – 10 Decks of Grey Pt.2
10 Decks of Grey Pt.2 Andrea just came out with a classic. Me “I can feel the ship moving” Andrea “I’ve finished in the loo” Me: “No, I said ship”! - The ‘T’ Word Part 18 – Celebrating My First Craniversary with Imposter Syndrome!
So here I am, heading towards my the first anniversary of my Craniotomy, a time for celebration I guess; but I find myself feeling very reflective and also feeling a bit of a fraud. I continue to read the battles of fellow Brain Tumour Warriors on Facebook and feel guilty that I feel so well at the moment. - Episode 11 of my podcast now available.
- Episode 10 of my podcast is now available.
- The ‘T’ Word Part 17 – I thought my tumour had returned but it was actually a chocolate problem!
On the lead up to our recent house move I started to have migraine headaches which I attributed to the stress of the house move. After arriving in Bury St… Read more: The ‘T’ Word Part 17 – I thought my tumour had returned but it was actually a chocolate problem! - Merging my podcasts.
After some thought I have decided to merge my ‘Brain Tuner’ podcast with ‘Gary, Marty and Me’. - New Episode of Gary, Marty and me coming soon
- New Podcast EpisodeIn this episode I chat to my daughters about how my diagnosis affected them. https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Q8OeuEyRDG6Jj7uSy88Xy?si=cg77tElLS7uHQd_9_ZaiYg&context=spotify%3Ashow%3A7pUClykTMT4Vh86xeHekeg
- The ‘T’ Word – Part 16 – It’s not you, it’s me!
When I think about me teenage self and my girlfriends, I want to go back in time and give myself a slap. - Under 40? The Tory Party wants to stop you voting! Don’t let them!
The government has introduced a requirement for photo ID in order to vote in a blatant .attempt to suppress votes against them. In the last election out of the millions… Read more: Under 40? The Tory Party wants to stop you voting! Don’t let them! - Podcast new episode.Listen to the most recent episode of my podcast: Episode 3 – Christmas 2021 – Our first Christmas Together https://anchor.fm/stuart-hannah/episodes/Episode-3—Christmas-2021—Our-first-Christmas-Together-e1vaidl
- My second podcast is now available.Check out my podcast, Gary, Marty and Me – My story of surviving two brain tumours., on Anchor! https://anchor.fm/stuart-hannah
- The ‘T’ Word – Part 15 – A Glioma is for life, not just for Christmas!
it looks like Gary & Mr Mathew will feature in my life for many years (Mr Mathew is fine, not so keen on Gary sticking around) - Back inside despite good behaviour!
I have been back in the Leeds Royal Infirmary as my operation site had become slightly infected and I was suffering with really bad head pain. After a few days… Read more: Back inside despite good behaviour! - Day 5 post craniotomy recovery update podcast episodeListen to the most recent episode of my podcast: Day 5 post craniotomy update https://anchor.fm/stuart-hannah3/episodes/Day-5-post-craniotomy-update-e1sn9el
- MIDNIGHT ON THE MENS WARD:
MIDNIGHT ON THE MENS WARD: It’s not always easy to get your recovery sleep in as the snores and other assorted low frequency noises rumble around the ward like thunder… Read more: MIDNIGHT ON THE MENS WARD: - Putting My Stoicism to the Test
This last month has been quite tough. Lots of preparation for the Christmas holiday combined with preparation for my 2nd operation. So far though, we have managed well, with an… Read more: Putting My Stoicism to the Test - The ‘T’ Word Part 14 – Getting fit for my operation
One thing that I remember being told time and time again was that as I got older I needed to get my fitness back. When I was young, I was definitely guilty of taking my health for granted - The Wisest Words I’ve Ever Read
I wanted to share these words from Carl Sagan. As a Stoic, these words put in perspective our worries and how pathetically small the worlds dictatorships truly are. Pale Blue… Read more: The Wisest Words I’ve Ever Read - The ‘T’ Word Part 13 – iPod Therefore I Am.
We’ve been busy bees recently, getting ready for operations that didn’t happen and then embarking on a Grand Tour to catch up with lots of our friends back in Leicester… Read more: The ‘T’ Word Part 13 – iPod Therefore I Am. - We’ve Run Away!
You would think that being retired would be a permanent holiday but what with hospital appointments and looking after Mum in law we have recently found ourselves feeling a bit… Read more: We’ve Run Away! - #twinmumlife Pt.4#twinmumlife Pt.4 #twinmumlife Pt.4 — Read on twinmum404537270.wordpress.com/2022/10/31/twinmumlife-pt-4/
- The ‘T’ Word Part 12 – “Buried with Ham”
n Yorkshire there is an expression “Is he being buried with ham”?, in other words is there going to be a wake? I’ve decided that when I do go I’m going “up t’chimney” but my family are only allowed to send me off with ham if they promise that it will be an opportunity for laughing about all the dumb things that I have done throughout my life. - #twinmumlife Pt.3Career vs Mum life, the constant battle of guilt vs drive. We all want what is best for our kids right? Well, that only happens when we are able to… Read more: #twinmumlife Pt.3
- Don’t Throw Away Your iPad 2!
Give your old iPad 2 a second chance as an eReader and re-kindle your relationship with the old girl. - A Nation Reunited ?Our politicians have spent the last few years dividing us. The Queen’s passing has, for a while at least, brought us together again. Let’s enjoy this moment of unity while… Read more: A Nation Reunited ?
- Isn’t it time for a little unity?
Why don’t we let those who are embracing the moment just enjoy some national unity rather than spoil it with arguments about the past. - Falling off of the Stoic Wagon
With everything going on in Westminster this week I found myself drawn unconsciously into the fray on Twitter (everyone is angry on Twitter) and sharing posts about the dire situation on Facebook……naughty Stuart, I have been the exact opposite of a Stoic the past few days, maybe even weeks. - And, stand down again!
Operation number 2 cancelled for a second time. There is only one thing for it, a Wetherspoon’s breakfast and a curry tonight! I’m not upset, I have got myself to… Read more: And, stand down again! - The ’T’ Word Part 11 – A Fear of Flying.As I approached my first operation to remove one of my two brain tumours, there was so much that I didn’t know about what would be happening to me that my immediate reaction was fear. By the time that my operation day came I was able to be calm, cheerful in fact
- The ‘T’ Word Part 10 – On the wind down from the operation that never happened.It’s a strange feeling to be sent home from a cancelled operation, an anti climax that’s hard to describe. As the days and hours tick down to your operation (in… Read more: The ‘T’ Word Part 10 – On the wind down from the operation that never happened.
- The ‘T’ Word Part 9 – The End of the Road – A long driving career is about to take a pause.Driving has been a big part of my adult life and like many people dealing with brain tumours, I am facing the prospect of giving up my driving licence.
- Pause for effect.
Hi All. I had hoped to keep up with the blogging whilst ‘down under’ in New Zealand and I do have some nearly complete posts. I found that I needed… Read more: Pause for effect. - The ‘T’ Word Part 8 – Stewie, Know Thyself. Coping with possible changes.
The title of this blog paraphrases a quote from Socrates (Man, Know Thyself) which came to mind when I was recently reading about the possible effects of my upcoming Craniotomy and tumour de-bulking. I’ve read about memory loss, loss of behavioural filters and even personality changes. - The ‘T’ Word Part 7 – Positivity in the hardest times.
It is a frustrating fantasy to think that we can control everything through sheer determination or will power, the universe does not work that way, and as individuals we cannot stop the random cruelty of our circumstances, but with Stoic thinking, it is a certainty that you can control how you think and react to these circumstances and therefore how happy your life is will be back in your hands. - The ‘T’ Word Part 6 – Operation Day
In total I was only in hospital for 48 hours, which was great and I am aware that I was very fortunate, however my experience was a good one, made possible by dedicated and patient people, who were completely focussed on looking after us. - The ‘T’ Word Part 5 – It’s Time To Talk About God.Anyone who knows me well will be aware that I am an Atheist, but this has not always been the case. These days I try to understand life through the lens of science, but at one point in my life I was such a devout believer that I seriously considered becoming a priest and dedicating my life to God.
- The ‘T’ Word Part 4 – A Life Lived in Sharp Focus.
After a diagnosis like mine, the clutter and trivia of life is cleared away and you are left with only clarity and truth. - #twinmumlife Pt.2“Being a mum is a full time job” – WRONG Hello, me again! I was rushing around today and I had a sudden thought that I felt I needed to… Read more: #twinmumlife Pt.2
- #twinmumlifeThe realities of being a twin mum, highs and lows Who am I? My name is Charlotte, I am a 33 year old first time twin mum going through this… Read more: #twinmumlife
- The ‘T’ Word Part 3 – Our First Christmas Together.
For my tumours and I, this is our first official Christmas together and it would appear that Marty my Meningioma and Gary, my Glioma decided that they should celebrate this by giving me some gifts to go with the ones that they first gave me and led to their discovery in the first place. - The ‘T’ Word Part 2 – My First Neurosurgeon Appointment – Now it feels real!
My wife asked “what if it is a high-grade Glioma”? The consultant paused for a moment and replied “Then we are talking prognosis and timescales”, that was quite a sobering moment, and as I write I have yet to have the confirmation that the Glioma is behaving. - The ‘T’ Word Part 1 – The Power of Words.
Some words can change your life. For us these words were spoken by my GP, “Sorry Mr Hannah, but you have two tumours on your brain”. - Notes From a Care Home Pt.3I hadn’t seen such a mass of shuffling and stooped figures moving together since I last saw Caesar Romero’s zombie movie ‘Night of the living dead’
- Notes from a Care home Pt.2
“It is perfectly reasonable to believe that someone is out to get you!” - Planning meltdowns (and how Rocketbook cured them for me).
There are however a significant number of people (as I have recently discovered) who, like me, suffer from a kind of ‘Organisational Nirvana Hunt’ bouncing from planner to planner, system to system. We sometimes end up in a state of ‘Paralysis by Analysis’, having organised ourselves to a standstill and finding ourselves staring at a plan that isn’t talking to us, we sit head in hands cradling a stress headache, unable to do anything. - Notes from a Care Home Pt.1It has been an eventful few months, including H having a car crash that happened without even leaving the driveway and two attempts to assassinate me with COVID19!
- The Loneliness of the long-distance worker
I don’t know about you, but the announcement of lockdown really felt like a chance to reset my work life balance? - We must not forget our ‘Key Workers’ when COVID:19 is gone
“We have the opportunity to change our nation for the better as a result of this health disaster by making our kids realise that they can genuinely make their mark in the world, not by some vague dream of fame but by working in the key worker careers right in front of them”
www.stuarthannah.com 