For those that questioned why I didn’t attend the game last Saturday, this was why. My daughter asked me to go to the Pride parade with her, have a few drinks, a meal, and generally have a catch up on her life and her website project. She doesn’t live with me so I don’t see her that often so face to face time is very valuable

I’ve highlighted one particular part of her social media post from today. That is a nod to WWays. She was stunned by the response from here. I thank all of you that contributed feedback once again for your support.......

 

 

As some of you may remember, a year ago I set up a website that allows people to submit and share their personal stories regarding mental health, encouraging people to use their voice and realise that they're not going through this alone.

The response I received was absolutely insane. That insane in fact, that I shut it down after a few months as I couldn't cope with managing the website alongside my own mental health.

But now I'm back 💥 I'm in a better place with my mental health, I'm currently in the process of purchasing my first home, and next week I start my dream job as a Teaching Assistant in a special educational needs school.

So I've decided to relaunch my project. A website where you can anonymously submit your mental health story, in the form of poetry, short stories, song lyrics, or simply anything that expresses you.

www.mindofourown.co.uk

Edited August 27, 20196 yr by MancWanderer

11 minutes ago, MancWanderer said:

Anyway. Back to mental health, etc and away from Friday Night Fight Club

Said it before on here, even though I started this thread, I’ve never suffered any mental health issues myself. Never get anxious, never feel the black dog hanging over me, I’m one of the lucky ones

Two weeks ago today I woke at 2am with the most severe pains below my rib cage and I was in agony. How the fuck I got through that Friday I don’t know. Saturday morning was just as bad. Anyway, via 111 I was admitted to Royal Oldham with what turned out to be 5 gallstones and a severe gallbladder infection. Put on the urgent pathway, operated on and kept in til last Friday. Today finally saw all the staples taken out and the drain removed and the blood test finally confirmed that the infection had gone

But here’s the rub. It’s really clobbered me. In my 62 years on this earth I’d never spent one single night in hospital. I was born at home so wasn’t even in as a baby. I’m indestructible. I’ve broken a number of bones mountain biking but it's been hey-ho strap me up and send me home. I’ve come home unable to do anything but sit and watch TV and do frigging jigsaws. All of a sudden I feel vulnerable. Every follow-up appointment I’ve been to I’ve had the various medics do the classic sucking air through their teeth and saying just how much trouble I was actually in. It’s really odd when life gives you a really big smack in the face. Apparently I’ve become quite introverted and quiet and far less of an annoying cunt and I don’t like it. For the first time in my life I feel that summat’s not right with me. My “couldn’t give a shit” attitude has gone

I’m banned from flying anywhere for 12 weeks, signed off from work for another week, am only allowed to drive short distances, and can only sit here and vegitate. Social interactions have gone to virtually zero. I’m climbing the fucking walls

Anyway. Lessons learned. We are not indestructible. Don’t ignore severe pain. If I had done I would undoubtedly have gone into sepsis as my gallbladder was on the point of “bursting”. The NHS is ace. Reach out if you need help. Vent when you need to

Hope you get back to full health as soon as possible mate. Nowt wrong with doing jigsaws, especially while you're recuperating.

Edited March 27Mar 27 by Cheese

 

Feels pertinent this after reading the last couple pages of this thread. 

Social media and the bollocks spread on there is the scourge of society as far as I can tell. 

My wife had gall bladder issues that started with rumbling discomfort and ended up with an ambulance job to Blackpool Victoria. Operation, week in there and a good number of weeks of easing herself back to reasonable health. Tough to see and try to help her with. 

She's a fair bit better now but has made some long term diet and lifestyle changes to help manage the impact of not having a gall bladder anymore

Take it steady and look after yourself over the coming weeks and months, boring but it'll be worth it 👍

27 minutes ago, MancWanderer said:

Anyway. Back to mental health, etc and away from Friday Night Fight Club

Said it before on here, even though I started this thread, I’ve never suffered any mental health issues myself. Never get anxious, never feel the black dog hanging over me, I’m one of the lucky ones

Two weeks ago today I woke at 2am with the most severe pains below my rib cage and I was in agony. How the fuck I got through that Friday I don’t know. Saturday morning was just as bad. Anyway, via 111 I was admitted to Royal Oldham with what turned out to be 5 gallstones and a severe gallbladder infection. Put on the urgent pathway, operated on and kept in til last Friday. Today finally saw all the staples taken out and the drain removed and the blood test finally confirmed that the infection had gone

But here’s the rub. It’s really clobbered me. In my 62 years on this earth I’d never spent one single night in hospital. I was born at home so wasn’t even in as a baby. I’m indestructible. I’ve broken a number of bones mountain biking but it's been hey-ho strap me up and send me home. I’ve come home unable to do anything but sit and watch TV and do frigging jigsaws. All of a sudden I feel vulnerable. Every follow-up appointment I’ve been to I’ve had the various medics do the classic sucking air through their teeth and saying just how much trouble I was actually in. It’s really odd when life gives you a really big smack in the face. Apparently I’ve become quite introverted and quiet and far less of an annoying cunt and I don’t like it. For the first time in my life I feel that summat’s not right with me. My “couldn’t give a shit” attitude has gone

I’m banned from flying anywhere for 12 weeks, signed off from work for another week, am only allowed to drive short distances, and can only sit here and vegitate. Social interactions have gone to virtually zero. I’m climbing the fucking walls

Anyway. Lessons learned. We are not indestructible. Don’t ignore severe pain. If I had done I would undoubtedly have gone into sepsis as my gallbladder was on the point of “bursting”. The NHS is ace. Reach out if you need help. Vent when you need to

 

Sending love my good man!

Hope you're on the mend and back to yourself soon. 

33 minutes ago, MancWanderer said:

Anyway. Back to mental health, etc and away from Friday Night Fight Club

Said it before on here, even though I started this thread, I’ve never suffered any mental health issues myself. Never get anxious, never feel the black dog hanging over me, I’m one of the lucky ones

Two weeks ago today I woke at 2am with the most severe pains below my rib cage and I was in agony. How the fuck I got through that Friday I don’t know. Saturday morning was just as bad. Anyway, via 111 I was admitted to Royal Oldham with what turned out to be 5 gallstones and a severe gallbladder infection. Put on the urgent pathway, operated on and kept in til last Friday. Today finally saw all the staples taken out and the drain removed and the blood test finally confirmed that the infection had gone

But here’s the rub. It’s really clobbered me. In my 62 years on this earth I’d never spent one single night in hospital. I was born at home so wasn’t even in as a baby. I’m indestructible. I’ve broken a number of bones mountain biking but it's been hey-ho strap me up and send me home. I’ve come home unable to do anything but sit and watch TV and do frigging jigsaws. All of a sudden I feel vulnerable. Every follow-up appointment I’ve been to I’ve had the various medics do the classic sucking air through their teeth and saying just how much trouble I was actually in. It’s really odd when life gives you a really big smack in the face. Apparently I’ve become quite introverted and quiet and far less of an annoying cunt and I don’t like it. For the first time in my life I feel that summat’s not right with me. My “couldn’t give a shit” attitude has gone

I’m banned from flying anywhere for 12 weeks, signed off from work for another week, am only allowed to drive short distances, and can only sit here and vegitate. Social interactions have gone to virtually zero. I’m climbing the fucking walls

Anyway. Lessons learned. We are not indestructible. Don’t ignore severe pain. If I had done I would undoubtedly have gone into sepsis as my gallbladder was on the point of “bursting”. The NHS is ace. Reach out if you need help. Vent when you need to

 

Jesus, sounds shit, mate.

As for your offer for folk to reach out to you, so they can vent, the reverse also applies.
There's loads of us here for you to vent to also!

41 minutes ago, MancWanderer said:

Anyway. Back to mental health, etc and away from Friday Night Fight Club

Said it before on here, even though I started this thread, I’ve never suffered any mental health issues myself. Never get anxious, never feel the black dog hanging over me, I’m one of the lucky ones

Two weeks ago today I woke at 2am with the most severe pains below my rib cage and I was in agony. How the fuck I got through that Friday I don’t know. Saturday morning was just as bad. Anyway, via 111 I was admitted to Royal Oldham with what turned out to be 5 gallstones and a severe gallbladder infection. Put on the urgent pathway, operated on and kept in til last Friday. Today finally saw all the staples taken out and the drain removed and the blood test finally confirmed that the infection had gone

But here’s the rub. It’s really clobbered me. In my 62 years on this earth I’d never spent one single night in hospital. I was born at home so wasn’t even in as a baby. I’m indestructible. I’ve broken a number of bones mountain biking but it's been hey-ho strap me up and send me home. I’ve come home unable to do anything but sit and watch TV and do frigging jigsaws. All of a sudden I feel vulnerable. Every follow-up appointment I’ve been to I’ve had the various medics do the classic sucking air through their teeth and saying just how much trouble I was actually in. It’s really odd when life gives you a really big smack in the face. Apparently I’ve become quite introverted and quiet and far less of an annoying cunt and I don’t like it. For the first time in my life I feel that summat’s not right with me. My “couldn’t give a shit” attitude has gone

I’m banned from flying anywhere for 12 weeks, signed off from work for another week, am only allowed to drive short distances, and can only sit here and vegitate. Social interactions have gone to virtually zero. I’m climbing the fucking walls

Anyway. Lessons learned. We are not indestructible. Don’t ignore severe pain. If I had done I would undoubtedly have gone into sepsis as my gallbladder was on the point of “bursting”. The NHS is ace. Reach out if you need help. Vent when you need to

 

Soon as you're fit enough, your coming for a trot down the prom. 

2 hours ago, Mounts Kipper said:

Agree 100% on social media I try to avoid it and getting out about socialising is good for your mental health, also I prefer going into the office rather than working from home, in my job used to meet new people all the time in this new age it’s all done by emails…. Folk don’t even talk on the phone it’s absolutely shite. 

Must admit I'm in that phone call place now. 

Fuckin hate em. Almost feel insulted when somebody rings. Fuck that, message me or send a voice note.

Voiceys are the future, they need capping at 2 minutes mind.

7 hours ago, gonzo said:

Must admit I'm in that phone call place now. 

Fuckin hate em. Almost feel insulted when somebody rings. Fuck that, message me or send a voice note.

Voiceys are the future, they need capping at 2 minutes mind.

My self employed job , side hussle whatever people call then job is great for that.

Dealing with kids all day come home and limited what we can do at evenings  so I'd be work then home.  Instead I'm out at least once a week talking to a total stranger and getting paid for it. 

Last night was an older lady, she had a mate round because, well it's a smart idea when you're in your 80s and there's some big bloke coming to your house. Anyway proper decent natter about all this and Sunday. It's just nice to actually talk and I think social media kills that. 

I'd rather loose Facebook that WW as at least it's some type of conversation on here. Social media has become adverts, AI and echo chambers and it's making people ill. 

I am a bit hung up on mortality at the moment it is a potential black hole.

I am 60, both parents gone step mum gone, my missus still has her mum.

we both have 1 uncle and 1 auntie still hgoung

Then we are suddenly* the oldest in the family so next in line !

Daft thing is these thoughts all started with dog being ill over Xmas. 
 

I am not over thinking it but it is there, strange thoughts ! 
 

 * suddenly - really means gradually over last 20 years or so 😂

On 24/03/2026 at 02:48, Zico said:

 

two sides to every story it would seem

after

 

the replies in the twitter feed might not be so sympathetic if they saw this first

before

 

 

This is why I avoid The Stocks and travelling on those particular coaches. Full of nob heads nowadays

10 hours ago, gonzo said:

Soon as you're fit enough, your coming for a trot down the prom. 

Cannot wait to get back on my bike and head up there 

1 hour ago, Ani said:

I am a bit hung up on mortality at the moment it is a potential black hole.

I am 60, both parents gone step mum gone, my missus still has her mum.

we both have 1 uncle and 1 auntie still hgoung

Then we are suddenly* the oldest in the family so next in line !

Daft thing is these thoughts all started with dog being ill over Xmas. 
 

I am not over thinking it but it is there, strange thoughts ! 
 

 * suddenly - really means gradually over last 20 years or so 😂

Absolutely!

All the olds are now "old".

I'm next in line.

Shit!

12 hours ago, royal white said:

Aghh right, so you can come on here call me a cunt and a clown and then when I respond it’s because I’ve lost the argument 😆😆 something else you lad. 

You certainly did lose the argument last night fella 

Can’t believe you fell for that nonsense and thought it was a real story 😂😂

Nothing wrong with a few harmless insults, just a bit of banter on here. But I always find it odd that you revert to saying folk are attracted to kids. 
 

As I said, it’s often when you’ve made a fool out of yourself with a daft post and don’t like anyone pointing out.

21 minutes ago, London Wanderer said:

You certainly did lose the argument last night fella 

Can’t believe you fell for that nonsense and thought it was a real story 😂😂

Nothing wrong with a few harmless insults, just a bit of banter on here. But I always find it odd that you revert to saying folk are attracted to kids. 
 

As I said, it’s often when you’ve made a fool out of yourself with a daft post and don’t like anyone pointing out.

Like I said, you’re something special (or so you think) you crack on calling people cunts and I’ll call you a nonce, spaz, tard or whatever I think best describes on that particular day. 👍

12 minutes ago, royal white said:

Like I said, you’re something special (or so you think) you crack on calling people cunts and I’ll call you a nonce, spaz, tard or whatever I think best describes on that particular day. 👍

Rattled 🤣

Just because you fell for a load of shite.

Try thinking before you share a daft story next time petal 😄

And yes you'll carry on no doubt. 

13 minutes ago, London Wanderer said:

Rattled 🤣

Just because you fell for a load of shite.

Try thinking before you share a daft story next time petal 😄

And yes you'll carry on no doubt. 

Probably now is a good time to take some of your own advice and cut down on the screen time. 👍

48 minutes ago, royal white said:

Probably now is a good time to take some of your own advice and cut down on the screen time. 👍

Is that the best you could come up with ? 😄

3 hours ago, MancWanderer said:

Cannot wait to get back on my bike and head up there 

Sorry should be saving the bickering for another thread 😄

All the best mate. Sounds like a brutal few weeks. Hope it’s not too long before you’re back on your bike & feeling a bit more normal again.

And well done for keeping out of hospital all your life. Some achievement that

18 minutes ago, London Wanderer said:

Sorry should be saving the bickering for another thread 😄

All the best mate. Sounds like a brutal few weeks. Hope it’s not too long before you’re back on your bike & feeling a bit more normal again.

And well done for keeping out of hospital all your life. Some achievement that

Cheers pal. Yeah the Mrs couldn’t believe I’d never been in hospital until now. Smoked for 30 years before packing in a good while ago and have always boozed but I only ever eat fresh food, exercise regularly and spend as much time as I can outside doing stuff.

Brucie Bonus was that I lost 10lbs whilst I was poorly but it’s not a diet plan that I would recommend 

21 hours ago, royal white said:

How would I know? I doubt anyone on here has that kind of info and you’d have to be a bit simple to suggest otherwise 

A quick Google shows which ones.

Not many of course, but it's happened.

They've even given it a name in Scotland, even though folk working in the field don't necessarily accept that such a thing exists.

 

1 hour ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

A quick Google shows which ones.

Not many of course, but it's happened.

They've even given it a name in Scotland, even though folk working in the field don't necessarily accept that such a thing exists.

 

In the field haha - you make me sound like a scientist pal. I'll take that. 

Yes because me and @only1swanny regularly see this type of thing 🙄

A quick google search on this topic show fabricated nonsense stories in the Daily Mail and other such press looking for clickbait stories. All of which lack any context or truth to them. 

The story shared last night clearly said that pupils in a primary school in Bolton were being punished for minor uniform breaches, whilst other peers were being allowed to identify as animals and walk down the corridors with tails. We all know that's bullshit. 

Fwiw, I do know about this bonkers furry thing - from my 'field' of expertise so to speak 😉 Briefly worked with a youngster and her family when dealing with kids who were avoiding school. She was about 11 and had autism and other complex additional needs. She wore heavy eyeliner and these odd cat whisker dots on her face. I'm not denying it exists. In many cases it's just a harmless subculture thing that kids grow out of. Sometimes it's kids with significant special needs. 

Schools aren't punishing kids for an untucked shirt whilst supporting others to identify as animals. That's just utter nonsense. 

There are far bigger issues facing schools than non stories like this. Yet this is what folk want to whinge about. Ridiculous. 

6 hours ago, MancWanderer said:

Cheers pal. Yeah the Mrs couldn’t believe I’d never been in hospital until now. Smoked for 30 years before packing in a good while ago and have always boozed but I only ever eat fresh food, exercise regularly and spend as much time as I can outside doing stuff.

Brucie Bonus was that I lost 10lbs whilst I was poorly but it’s not a diet plan that I would recommend 

phenomenal effort 

aye your body will compensate at put it back on in no time I'm sure. 

can't go wrong with a good diet and plenty of exercise. All the best for the recovery. 

 

 

Makes me feel absolutely sick and anxious just watching this.

I'd rather die. Honestly.

 

 

2 hours ago, gonzo said:

 

 

Makes me feel absolutely sick and anxious just watching this.

I'd rather die. Honestly.

 

 

My old man told me a story about someone he knew who was in WW2 who was in a submarine 

They were up around Finland or Norway and to avoid the Germans they had to go to the bottom of a fjord and just sit there 

For days doing nothing and it properly fucked them up 

 

4 hours ago, gonzo said:

 

 

Makes me feel absolutely sick and anxious just watching this.

I'd rather die. Honestly.

 

 

How much do they get paid for that 

And how long to they get off ship between missions

Do they end up bumming

So many questions