Health (stroke) update

Lots of people ask how I am doing with my stroke recovery, so here is a summary. I look (externally) much better than I feel inside. Some people who see me think I am back to normal, but external appearances can be deceptive:

• I am still suffering from balance (giddiness) issues. This an issue when on my feet and moving. When seated it is not an issue. It feels like everything sways and I've had too much alcohol,but I have not touched alcohol since before my stroke last September!
• I can eat most foods by mouth OK. Some foods are easier than others, preferably softer foods are easiest to eat. Ginsters pasties and Mediterranean vegetables are my current favourites. All my food is now solid and by mouth. No liquid foods taken any more. This is a big improvement.
• Each day I manage 3-4 drinks (tea or coffee) by mouth. Drinks are still not easy. I take 2 to 2.2 litres of water by my stomach tube each day as well.
• Stomach discomfort is my biggest issue at present. Currently I am being tested to see if I have an H.Pylori infection. My stomach is "uncomfortable" all my waking hours and this is getting me down. I have the feeling this, and the accompanying bad breath, are not related directly to the stroke. If it is H.Pylori then it should be treatable and I should feel so much better.
• Although not allowed to drive (although no-one has actually said I can't officially), I now feel able to drive. When seated in the car, I am not giddy and feel in control. This is much better than even a few months ago.
• Walking is now without any walking aids. Distance is not the issue - it is the giddiness.
• I am registered disabled (a blue badge holder) and this has been useful.

Overall, improvements have slowed. There are still improvements to be made but I feel these are going to take longer than I expected. I have another MRI brain scan and video fluoroscopy at the end of this month and an ENT (ear, nose, throat) examination near the end of August.

UPDATE 11.7.14 1800z:   For tea this evening I had pork tenderlon, marrow and roast potatoes - perfect! It tasted great and went down well.

Golf - McIlroy's amazing drive

See http://www.pga.com/news/golf-buzz/rory-mcilroy-crushes-436-yard-drive-scottish-open .

The length of drives in modern golf amazes me. No doubt clubs are better now than when I was a keen golfer in my youth. My best handicap was 16.  If I could hit a ball reasonably straight 200 yards I was pleased, but McIlroy managed to hit his drive a stonking 436 yards in the Scottish Open this week. That is roughly 4 soccer pitches! How do these people do it? Clubs help, but it must come down to swing, timing and raw power.

Cruising?

My brother-in-laws and their wives enjoy cruises. My wife and I do not like the idea. Maybe it is an age thing? At least you only have to unpack the suitcases once and the "hotel" takes you to each destination. I hate the idea of having to dress up for dinner. This whole idea fills me with horror! I prefer to go really casual on holidays but all I hear about cruises makes me believe that dressing up for dinners is "par for the course". If so, cruising will not be in my plans anytime soon.

By pure coincidence, our Australian friends, Pat and Ced, are on the same cruise to Iceland, the Faroes and Norway  as my brother-in-law and his wife. I understand they have met up for drinks.

Plane safe, just - amazing video (fake)

Just seen this video. The pilot remains cool and collected and manages to land the plane,less a wing, safely. This is quite remarkable flying. The pilot is safe and no fire. Quite unbelievable.

Indeed - quite unbelievable. This video is a viral FAKE. See http://www.snopes.com/photos/airplane/onewing.asp
If you look carefully you can see how the fake was made.Very convincing.

Jean and Alan

As you may recall, my brain bleed last September means I am not allowed to drive for a while. I am still awaiting a decision from the DVLA as to when I can resume driving. Whereas a few months ago the thought of driving would have been stupid, I now know I could safely drive again.

In the meantime my wife is doing all the driving and I am extremely grateful that she can do so.

Today we ventured to Letchworth in Hertfordshire to see old friends Jean and Alan.

We have done this journey, with me driving, dozens and dozens of times. Why is it that my wife does not know the way? :-)  What is it about women drivers that makes them, apparently, such hopeless navigators?  Also, I anticipate trouble coming up ahead and slow down and change down. My wife seem clueless of such dangers. At the moment I have no choice but to be a passenger.

 I shall be very glad when I can drive again.

Kindness

Last night, we were sent a copy of our oldest grandson's school report. He is 6.5 years old and lives in London. He is getting on really well, but the thing that pleased us most was that the school think of him as a kind little boy who is faithful to his best friend.

One thing my recent illness has taught me is you find out who your real friends are. Some people that I had expected to be overflowing with kindness and genuine love just don't want to get involved: they have avoided finding out how I am really feeling and this shows and hurts.   Others have gone out of their way to be genuinely kind and caring, bless them. Most times I try to manage but it is good to have genuinely caring friends and relatives. Genuine love shines brightly.

As an example, one of my hobbies is amateur radio and I normally enjoy building and experimenting. This week, two people, one a total stranger, have offered to build a kit I've had for some months. The kit has been left unbuilt as my hands are too clumsy. Such genuine kindness. I was overwhelmed by their offers.

I am so pleased that my grandson is kind and caring. We love him to bits and this is how we find him. I hope he grows up to be kind and loving.

Strangford Loch

This afternoon Jackie (of Jackie and Bill) called in for a chat and cup of tea. Their two sons work in the Far East, in Shanghai and Hong Kong.  Jackie is hoping they will move back to N.Ireland to a house not too far from her sister. 

N.Ireland is a very beautiful part of the British Isles, unknown to most in Britain. Recent political unrest did N.Ireland (Ulster) no favours. The distrust goes back centuries and make no sense in the modern world. 

Strangford Loch http://www.strangfordyachtcharter.com/images/stlview.jpg

Jackie and Bill hope to move to a place near the top of Strangford Loch, one of the best places in the Province.

See http://www.strangfordlough.org/ .