CW: Medical talk. One thing my doctors didn’t tell me when I was diagnosed with myeloma 13 years ago is that you can literally shink.

I’m not talking about around your midriff, I mean your height. Fifteen years ago, I stood 173cm. As a result of three collapsed vertebrae, I am now the lofty height of 162cm – 11cm (four inches) shorter. I am now officially the shortest person in our family by about 4cm. My wife and children have endless fun with this information.

I am having to update records held by various clinics I visit. The administrators are often surprised and I have to explain how it happened.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t save any money buying clothes (not that I’m buying any new clothes at this stage of life).