I have often been struck by the affection JK shows towards his late mother, and was moved to post about my Dad who may be about to be given bad news.

I called him yesterday to arrange to visit him and my Stepmum for her birthday next week and he said it might be best if we waited a bit as he is waiting for test results from the hospital (news to me).

He had been passing blood in his urine. It took him 10 days to go to the doctor- what is it with his 'wartime' generation, wanting to 'grin and bear it' as they say. I would not have waited even one day.

The doctor gave him an urgent referral to the hospital, and they called him a day later with an appointment. The specialist was also concerned and referred him for a scan. They mentioned the possibility of cancer.

My Dad mentioned a condition he had suffered from a few years ago and the specialist said that could be the reason, but it could well be something worse.

He is waiting for the results. As it has now been 2 weeks he is hoping that is good news.

This has kind of knocked me.

but here's what I really wanted to post about:

I once had a difficult relationship with my Dad- he was aggressive and used to beat me and my brother for the slightest thing. He and my stepmum also disowned me due to my sexuality. However in the past 9 years since I returned to the UK we have developed a great relationship- when I moved to Nottingham to be with my ex partner Mat he congratulated me and invited us both to visit him. A big turnaround, and credit to him.

When I think about it, in spite of his flaws, my Dad has been a real role model for me. He rose from poor working class origins to working in a high-level government post. At the same time he was single-handedly bringing up two boys, following my mother's disappearance when I was 6.

I am proud of him.