Episode 3 - John Greensmyth, Consultant Conversations and Aberdeen’s MRI Legacy

Mike Elder interviews John Greensmyth, a ‘cancer veteran’, reflects with his wife, Alison, on the brain freeze that can happen during consultations with medical staff and explores the amazing contribution made to the development of MRI scanners by an Aberdeen University research team.

Among the points of interest covered in this episode are the following:

• Erica Banks, Communications Lead for Friends of ANCHOR, provides an update on news and events, beginning by talking about the ‘Supporter Thank You’ event on Friday 7 October.  In addition, Erica draws attention to various fundraising events that are happening during October, including the Aberdeen Dance Proms that are taking place on Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 October. [00:59]
• Mike interviews John Greensmyth, who recently took part in Brave, a fashion show featuring men from the local area who have had to deal with a cancer or haematology diagnosis. John talks about living with cancer for over thirty years and how that ‘roller coaster’ ride has affected him and his family. He also describes some ways in which the Brave models supported each other and concludes by highlighting the importance of research and of treating each patient, first and foremost, as a person. (NB An extended version of John’s interview will be released as a bonus episode in due course.)[05:25]
• In this month’s foray into the Friends of ANCHOR archives, Mike shares some news stories about various fundraising activities that took place in 1997. Among the items mentioned is a barbecue, dance and raffle which put Tullynessle on the map and the initiative taken by 91 year old Effie Watson, whose ‘goal’ was to ‘kick off’ an auction for the charity by donating a football, signed by the Aberdeen FC squad, which she had won in a raffle. [20:22]
• In the ‘Finding the Words’ section of this episode, Mike and Alison recall the meeting at which the consultant explained Mike’s cancer diagnosis. Despite their best efforts, much of that meeting passed as a blur, so it was extremely helpful that Alison had prepared some questions and then wrote down key points covered in the meeting. [23:44]
• In the ‘And Finally’ section, Mike highlights the fantastic contribution made to cancer diagnosis and analysis by the work of Aberdeen University scientists, who carried out the world’s first Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) body scan, thanks to their breakthrough development of spin-warp imaging techniques. [27:48]
• Suggestions or feedback about the podcast can be sent to foapodcast@freerangepodcasting.co.uk, and Mike’s guest in the next episode will be Louise Budge, the Service and Commissioning Project Manager for The ANCHOR Centre, which is currently under construction at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. [31:04]

This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.