Saturday 2nd November
Still Celebrating: Our friends, Danielle and David, were over from the UK for a short period, so we arranged to meet at La Sala Banus for lunch. I was still in celebration mode, so really looked forward to seeing them. They introduced us to a charming couple, Viv and Gary, who were also over from the UK. Apart from the usual embarrassing struggle for me to settle in, the staff were lovely and I had a fun time as we caught up on our news. Of course we just had to toast my latest medical report – hee, hee ……
Della Reduced Days!: We began cutting down on Della’s days over the past couple of months. She began with us by working full time but, as I improved, her days were reduced from four times to twice a week. This suited Della’s new business arrangements, but although it suited both of us, I had a pang in my heart as I wouldn’t have the daily verbal abuse and our usual banter.
Introducing Johanna: Colin and I really needed help with our house. As we had known this lady for many years, Johannna came to take over cleaning in our humble place. She went through our house like a “human tornado”! She was efficient, friendly, precise and got on with her work quickly. An excellent addition to our team.
Thursday 7th November
Golf Fancy Dress Meeting: Our gang of “Naughty Girls” of Marie, Doreen and Agnete met at the El Paraiso Club to discuss updates on our fancy dress theme for the December event. Fay was my replacement on the team. We were also joined by Maria but she would be neutral because she wouldn’t be in Spain for the event. We discussed all sorts of characters and what our team would be. The girls kindly included me in fancy dress even though I wouldn’t be able to play. I was designated the “buggy driver” for the day. Was looking forward to it!
Lunch With My Boys: Colin and Christian joined me for lunch at the club later. It was nice to mix with other familiar faces from the club that day.
No More Laces: At last I no longer had to fight with the laces on my trainers. Colin gave me an “Happy UnBirthday” present of some ankle boots with small heels. I Thought, “Are you kidding Me!”, as I could bearly walk in flat shoes. I found that I could actually wear these new winter zip up boots. I couldn’t wait to have a go out socially and take them for a “test drive” and see if they would work.
Blog Update: I struggled with the design, what I could write about and wondered if it would be of interest. I thought, “Why on earth had I begun in the first place”. Colin told me, as he read the first drafts, that it was fine. I was ashamed about my writing. I knew Colin had been kind, but I knew that I would have to work more on the “Blog”as / if I was to carry it on.
Continued Exercise: I continued with my daily routine of leg, arm and finger stretching exercises. The routine consisted of the usual leg kicks of back, side, scrunching and pushing forward. However, my ankle remained stubbornly rigid, painful to the upper leg but with still little feeling to my ankle. I was Ok to get my right leg to bend back freely while I stood on my right leg, but my left leg just wouldn’t bend well enough. As for my bad arm, I tried stretching it out, up and down. It bacame a lot easier while I laid on my back in bed, instead of standing upright.
Unfortunately, when I moved the left arm, I felt a pull of my arm and shoulder and this stopped me moving further. I admit that I gave up frequently out of frustration and anger because the pain and strain of completing each simple task. That horrible cycling machine was still part of my agenda! Although I hated it with a passion, my cycling became faster and steadier (out of anger) but at a lower pace than when I previously “showed off” on social media weeks before. The main thing was that my RPM (miles per minute) maintained a steady speed of around 30 – 34 RPM. I got tired easily, but I no longer cared. To maintain my daily regular numbers became more important than my fatigue.
More Finger Senses: I began to have more feeling in my fingers of my left hand. When I stretched out and applied pressure to the finger tips, it felt like pins and needles. However, I couldn’t feel anything when I applied pressure to my finger nails. Really strange ……..
Cutting My Own Steak: Colin made me a steak dinner one night. It was pretty impressive. Previously I had to have my meat cut up for me. However, this time I managed to use my knife and fork properly (sort of). Who was I kidding? It had been a very awkward exercise because my left hand grip was still quite weak. I was stubbornly determined to cut that piece of meat myself. I ended with a very bent left arm, elbow in the air, while I tried to apply pressure on my fork to hold the meat in place. In the meantime, I tried to cut the steak with the knife in my right hand. It must have looked like an ugly scenario, but I eventually managed to cut a piece! It was frustratingly slow but, although very awkward looking, it felt so satisfying. Colin stood over me, in case I needed his help. I desperately wanted to prove that I no longer needed assistance while I ate. I think I failed because my meal grew pretty cold …….
Saturday 16th November
Walk in Progress: Although my left leg remained straight while I walked, my balance and speed had improved slightly. The video was just to show the improvement from my initial “George and Mildred Shuffle” from several months before, in “my first baby steps” when Colin had to hold me up.
I had intense pains and cramps a few nights later, which resulted in my walking not as good. I was really frustrated. It was like “two steps forward and one step back” with my progress!
Media News: Colin and I followed the UK media and saw that Prince Andrew became headline news. Regardless of the scandal headlines, people have their own opinion. Also, there was the “Brexit” campaign being promoted. Although Colin and I settled in Spain, and don’t have a vote, we both felt this was a huge mistake for the UK to leave Europe. However, that was our opinion, and I think it reflected the majority of our ex-pat community out here in Spain. We will see if Boris Johnson manages to succeed in convincing any of us to change our minds.
Barry’s Passing: Heard the very sad news of the passing of one of our golf club members. Barry was fun, an excellent low handicap golfer and partner of my hairdressing friend, Jacquie. I was so upset to hear the news, as we all knew that he hadn’t been well, but were very shocked to hear that he had lost his battle so suddenly.
Friday 22nd November
Social Security Medical Check Up: Colin and I had to be in Malaga, yet again to prove my invalid condition. Our friend, James, kindly drove us this time. It couldn’t have been a great deal of fun for him to be parked outside while it rained heavily that morning. Colin and I eventually found the office, but got drenched! After we passed their security check, we were ushered to a communal seating area where we waited for our number to show up on the screen. It seemed to be an odd waiting system. I had number 68, but their system had confused us all. When it was my turn, we were passed into a female doctor’s office where I had to go through a series of a few questions and tests in Spanish. When she asked me how I felt, I don’t think she expected my response. I told her that I felt “frustrated”, which was the usual scam reply. Anyway the doctor appeared to be satisfied and made arrangements for me to be monitored again in the near future. I wasn’t sure if I’d passed or not! James had waited patiently outside to take us back home. It was so kind and patient of him to be our driver that morning ….
Monday 25th November
Horrible News: I was shocked to hear of the death of Gary Rhodes (well known UK chef), of a brain bleed, similar to my condition. It made me feel even luckier to have survived my own attack. Also, there was Clive James, a well known writer, broadcaster and TV critic, who had leukemia. Such sad news of the loss of two vibrant personalities.
Thursday 28th November
My First Thanks Giving
First Attempt to Colour My Hair: “Thanks Giving” was a festival I never celebrated before. However, since my increased internet contact with Chuck, my birth father (from Texas), I became more interested. I had to make preparations to get ready. As it was Della’s day off, I had to try to dye my hair alone. I think I did a half decent job – after so many hours! Not as good as Della’s standard, but even Colin was impressed!
A group of John and Anisa’s friends met at the Hotel Andalucia Plaza for the event. John was really efficient to organize the rest of our gang to arrive by mini coach to the event. I felt excited when we joined an even bigger group of strangers in the main dining area. There were rows of tables and display of wonderful hot and cold dishes. The event was very well organized.
When they played the “Stars and Stripes” song, I felt so moved that I had to put my hand to my heart and join in the singing. It felt quite emotional, as I gave thanks that I was there to experience the moment, which Colin sneakily captured on camera! We enjoyed the rest of the afternoon, as Colin laughed at my new silly moves on the dance floor. I had a wonderful time and promised to attend again the following year.
After the mini bus collected us, we all decided on drinks at the Estepona Chilli Restaurant as a drop off point. It was a wonderful end to a very enjoyable afternoon. It was also obvious that I had enjoyed myself when John took a snap shot of me laughing. I really love that photo because it exhibited the happiness that I felt then.
Please view next page 26 at link “Xmas, Condition Update & Emotional”: https://www.rebootinglinda.com/26-period-leading-to-christmas-social-gatherings-condition-update-an-emotional-month/
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