"Well here goes; hello to the smb and all blog readers. I too, as Graemes sister, like many of you, have been lurking on his blog for a while now, but as his big sis have felt like I’m sneaking into his room to read his diaries (even though he’s assured me he’s fine about it). Don’t really know where to start, but best place is probably how honoured I felt this afternoon when he asked me to do an entry on his blog. I have wanted to comment so many times but didn’t want to invade his ‘space’, plus I don’t have the right kind of email address to register and am too technically inadequate to work it out. There’s 2 years and 9 months between me and bruv and there’s only the two of us. He has been my best pal and at times worst enemy growing up. I asked his permission before starting this, to recall some funny stories, as my special times with him have always involved a bloody good laugh, either at the time or later. I was trying to think of my first memory of us and I came up with the time he fell and split his head (or maybe chin) on the tv stand requiring stitches. It’s either that or making our cat at the time, Herbert, dance to top of the pops, I seem to remember a Cliff Richard ditty being at No.1. Graeme as a little boy was full of mischief, a jolly little thing who would share anything. I, on the other hand was a bit moody and tight as a gnat’s chuff; I remember mam giving us  packs of jellies and I had to divide them EXACTLY evenly where Graeme couldn’t give 2 hoots. Other fab memories include my love of picking scabs and Graeme’s lack of enthusiasm for this past time, so I used to offer to pay him 20p to get my hands on them (aren’t kids gross?). Graeme also used to get obsessed with ‘topics’, I remember him knowing everything there was to know about dinosaurs, birds (the feathered variety) and later military aircraft. This obsession endured and his bedroom looked like the worst blitz in history, airfix models hanging from every piece of available ceiling. This led to him joining Seaburn air cadets. Me and mam would pick him up with Tess our black Labrador. Tess used to go ballistic, barking when they raised (or lowered?) the flag at the end. Every week Graeme always would come to the car, mad that we’d wound the windows down so he could hear the incessant barking, but all would be forgotten as we headed off to Whitburn chippy for a bag of chips each (always eaten in the car, not the same if you took them indoors). As we reached the heady hormonal heights of adolescence we despised each other much of the time (as with all teenage siblings). I particularly remember 2 incidents, me snogging someone on holiday in France and my 11 year old brother following me shouting ‘what you doing?’ The second incident was me catching him at about the same age having a good old fumble (and not in that comforting way he describes, this was the real I am) in the living room to Journey To The Bottom Of The Sea (yes the black and white 60’s program, ask him not me!). About 3 years later my mam also caught him in the act and came to me distraught that he was at ‘that’ at only 14! Both incidents would have been ideal ammunition, but that sibling bond meant neither of us let on to mam or dad…til now!

As we grew older we both discovered drink and the opposite sex and had a good few years as drinking buddies which also included Graeme pulling most of my mates (he’s a good looking bugger). I remember meeting my now husband Chris age 20 and him and Graeme bonding immediately over all things geeky; Star Wars, Star Trek (yawn) but at least they could entertain each other! Chris and I worked in Spain for the summer of 1996 and Graeme came out for a holiday, we had a fab time together going all over while Chris was at work. However Graeme had too much Guinness one night sang radiohead all the way home and puked steak pie and Guinness all over the flat, leaving sis to clean up. Really I could ramble on forever my memories are so vivid and comforting. Throughout this battle that has really kept me going, I absolutely adore my little brother and in that big sister way, wish I could have protected him from this dreadful disease. It has been an unreal experience for all the family, there are times I still can’t believe this is really happening to us, but it is and ultimately it’s Graeme having to deal with it. He is so brave in his philosophical approach with his sense of humour intact. I am unbelievably proud of him and have had some fantastic chats over the last few months, bringing us a closeness I’m sure not many siblings share. I am devastated at the thought of losing him physically but I absolutely know this is not the end (and I haven’t been watching too much Colin Fry to believe this!). My biggest regret is that his nephews will have little memory of him and his fight. He is their only uncle and yesterdays blog will be the best gift they will ever receive.

Before I finish I want to thank all of the smb and readers of his blog, you are amazing and this outlet and the support has been absolutely vital to Graeme (an us), something his family will be eternally grateful for. Honestly I cannot express things as eloquently as my brother but thank you from the bottom of my heart.

All that’s left to say is a personal message to Graeme; I love you so,so much and I know you’ll battle this all the way, I can’t wait to see you with the boys on Saturday, you are the best x"

JUst to be clear, I wasn't wanking at something on  voyage to the bottom of the sea, I merely wanted a wank but didn't want to miss voyage to the bottom of the sea.  Getting caught twice when I wanked on average 10-15 times a day is quite an achievement I thought, I, as mentioned before, even had a wank on a busy coach on the way back from Alton Towers.  Under a kagool.