1 EAGLETON NOTES: A Week and A Day

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Tuesday 26 April 2016

A Week and A Day

Yesterday, one week after I returned from theatre, David took me back to the hospital. I wanted to walk onto the ward without any stick or aids to take a thank you to the staff and find out how one patient in particular was doing. He had gone to surgery a good few hours before I left the hospital but hadn't returned when I left. He'd had a rough time but was doing well.

I felt good being a walking beneficiary of all that is best in our National Health Service.

Today's been an easier day: coffee at The Woodlands and then rest and exercise. I cannot believe how much time getting back to full strength occupies. All the plans for doing this and that have still not materialised. No showers until the dressing comes off means washing takes up quite a lot more time as do exercises (absolutely essential) and rest (unfortunately also essential). And I don't even have to do anything else because David and Molly are looking after me.

This will probably be the final 'bulletin' post although the fact that I shall not be allowed to drive or put too much pressure on the knee for another five weeks at least will doubtless get a mention as my knee gains in strength and I want to do things.

After some glorious days (with lots of sun but cold winds) when David planted out my potatoes in sacks and tubs:


Yesterday, however, turned wintery with a blast from the Arctic and snow on the Mainland hills driven by near gale-force winds. This morning, for the first time, I saw the ferry MV Loch Seaforth venture past the house in the lee of the Island before executing a u-turn to run with the heavy northerly swell down and across the Minch to Ullapool. I may be sitting in the conservatory soaking up the heat from the sun but David and Molly are walking on the shore dressed up to the nines against the icy conditions.




34 comments:

  1. Glad to read all is going to plan and you are doing well. Yes exercise and rest are all too important in the healing process. Sounds like you are being well looked after.

    The weather here alternates between the sun shining, then next minute rain, clear and then some hail, it even tried to snow today!

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    1. Yes Serenata things are all going well ta although I'm not quite getting the rest/exercise balance quite right and have a tired leg again tonight. But, hey, it's tired so it must have done something useful today.

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  2. Good to hear that you're making progress, and also that David is still there to help you. I'm not surprised that you find rehab/healing/rest taking a lot of time and energy (remembering all too well my own experiences after different kind of surgery ten years ago). Hopefully the long term result will prove worth it! :)

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    1. I'm sure it will all be worth it Monica. I'm making the most of having David here for a few more days!

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  3. Wonderful news Graham, you're healing nicely !
    I can attest to all the hours spent, washing and resting and exercising, there's not much energy left over to do other stuff....
    Not long now, and you'll be doing the Highland Fling.
    ~Jo

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    1. Jo my dancing skills were never very good but last time I tried the Gay Gordons my knee put an end to it quickly or it put an end to my knee!

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  4. Wow, look at that spray. Snow is falling on my son and his Silke in Gemany, so spring is clearly not sprung up your end of the world quite yet. Here, the leaves are coming off the scarlet oak, and, for the first year, a fine crop of tiny scarletoakAcorns. So pleased you are a textbook sucess. I'm sure it is taking great effort, just the same.

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    1. Yes Kate Europe is having some strange weather. Sun today, and hail and tis evening the temperature has dropped to 2℃. That is unusual in Eagleton at any time of year.

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  5. Great that you are feeling so good. I hope your recovery continues. That's quite a storm.

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  6. I'd rather be sitting with you in your conservatory than out there on that ferry! How like you, Graham, to go back to the hospital to say your thanks. I'm sure it was appreciated. I think you are probably needing a patience pill, too, round about now as I suspect spending so much time concentrating on yourself will be hard to do. Suck it up, as the young ones would say. I hope you continue to make good progress.

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    1. Pauline the conservatory has been toastie in the sun even when the hail has been making a din on the roof. I'm not sure what it would have been like on this new ferry in such a sea.

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  7. Glad to hear that everything is going so well. And bless David for planting the potatoes. xoxo DeeDee

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    1. DeeDee David just loves working with plants and getting stuck in so he enjoyed it and I, hopefully, will benefit.

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  8. Great to hear that all is going well, Graham! I can truly empathise with you as I've had 9 knee surgeries now in total -- my surgeon is are trying to stretch out a replacement due to me only being 50, which is too young for a replacement (nice to hear "too young" for once)! Being unable to drive is I think one of the worst things as it takes away your independence.
    It sounds like you have some great care and help. Keep up those exercises!! Thinking of you.

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    1. Liz I used to be told that knees don't last. However I know someone who had a partial replacement 15 years ago and it's just about getting time for a new full replacement. I'm told the latest knees will last for much longer.

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  9. Keep on keeping on. I suspect it is extremely hard work. Hopefully in a couple of months you will have difficulty recalling what it was like to have a bad knee and not even notice the new one.

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    1. As usual Adrian I'm sure you are absolutely correct.

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  10. Good to hear that everything is going according to plan, those 5 weeks will fly by. I used to dread the channel crossings, but that ferry looks like a nightmare. Far too choppy for my lunch to stay in place.

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    1. Cro I'm fortunate enough to be a reasonable sailor. The old ferries sailed in much worse conditions. I'm told this one has a peculiar motion because it has massive stabilisers. I have yet to find out for myself.

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  11. Being a patient patient is a very special and rare trait........if you can achieve it at all. Take care and remember that the small step and gains will soon add up to full recovery!! How wonderful it will be when you arrive there. Do some crosswords or scrabble. Plenty of stretching too! Keep flexible my friend and good luck GB.

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    1. Thank you Jaz. I do plenty of crosswords and I'll certainly never give up on the knee until its A1.

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  12. How kind of you not only to thank the staff but also to look in at the other patient! I'll have a visitor tonight - a lady who was in the same hospital room with me when I had minor surgery in 2010. We've kept in touch and meet up every now and then. Tonight, I am going to show off my "new" rooms :-)
    I am not surprised your days seem full with things like washing taking up a lot more time than a quick shower, plus exercise and resting. Getting back on your feet is a serious business, and a test of patience for most patients (I like the sound of that!).

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    1. Meike we rarely get the chance to thank health staff adequately so I wanted to make sure they saw the results of their work and could be proud of it. People are too ready to complain and so often forget to thank. It distresses me.

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  13. Take care. You are lucky to have someone to help you out at this time.

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  14. That's great news!!
    Awfully kind and thoughtful of you to pay your hospital friend a visit to check in on him.
    David and Molly seem right at home....they're the best! Maybe they will come over and help me plant a few potatoes too one day.
    Take care GB!

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    1. Virginia I was really concerned to know what had happened and was delighted when I found him on the road to recovery.

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  15. Well, I for one want bulletins...so keep them coming!

    Exercising patience is the most difficult exercise of all, Graham. :)

    Take it one day at a time...you'll get there with the help of your friends...a few good books and some engrossing movies. :)

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    1. OK Lee I'll make sure that I slip it in somewhere in my posts.

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  16. April has also been an odd month down here in The People's Republic of Yorkshire. Some days have contained all four seasons. Last week I walked down to Oxfam in a short sleeved shirt but this week I had to put my winter coat on and pull my hood up to protect my bonce from the hailstones. I blame David Cameron.

    Nice to hear you are progressing steadily.

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    1. We had winter yesterday YP and today it's spring. Tomorrow? Who knows.

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  17. What a blessing to have great friends huh? I am sure there will be others to drop by and break you out for coffee .. Hehe.

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