Today was the date for my 2 monthly clinic session at Addenbrookes Hospital as part of the follow-up following my stroke last September.
Again it was good news: I can reduce the liquid feed through my stomach peg by 200ml every 2 weeks, meaning I could be totally free of liquid peg feed in about 2 months' time. This assumes I maintain my weight. I am already eating soft foods via my mouth and these will increase again.
I still have to take some water via the peg (my liquid intake is too low) but to be free of peg feeds will be a real milestone on my road to recovery.
Recovery from my stroke is taking a long time, but I am recovering, thankfully. Many don't do as well.
Friday, 25 April 2014
Thursday, 24 April 2014
Israel - are they ALL mad?
BBC link corrected.
Israel totally baffles me.
You would have thought the nation would realise it needs good relations with its neighbours for its long-term security. Instead they seem hell-bent on upsetting the Palestinians. Already treating the Palestinians as non-people with no rights for years and years, it has now said peace talks (a real joke) are off if the Hamas-Fatah reconciliation goes ahead. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-27149225 .
Israel, please realise you need to make peace and not war unless you want to live forever in a state of insecurity.
Israel's position is strengthened by the ongoing support of the USA. Surely the USA must become more even-handed in the Middle East. It chooses its friends for its own vested self interest. The USA is a plutocracy not a true democracy. From Wikipedia, " In modern times, the term is sometimes used pejoratively to refer to societies rooted in state-corporate capitalism or which prioritize the accumulation of wealth over other interests." Is this not the USA?
The Middle East issues could so easily be fixed with a true will for peace on all sides. The precidents of N. Ireland and S. Africa give me some hope. Nations and individuals can and do change.
Israel totally baffles me.
You would have thought the nation would realise it needs good relations with its neighbours for its long-term security. Instead they seem hell-bent on upsetting the Palestinians. Already treating the Palestinians as non-people with no rights for years and years, it has now said peace talks (a real joke) are off if the Hamas-Fatah reconciliation goes ahead. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-27149225 .
Israel, please realise you need to make peace and not war unless you want to live forever in a state of insecurity.
Israel's position is strengthened by the ongoing support of the USA. Surely the USA must become more even-handed in the Middle East. It chooses its friends for its own vested self interest. The USA is a plutocracy not a true democracy. From Wikipedia, " In modern times, the term is sometimes used pejoratively to refer to societies rooted in state-corporate capitalism or which prioritize the accumulation of wealth over other interests." Is this not the USA?
The Middle East issues could so easily be fixed with a true will for peace on all sides. The precidents of N. Ireland and S. Africa give me some hope. Nations and individuals can and do change.
Tragic Death
Today, we heard that the son-in-law of one of my wife's old school colleagues has sadly died of cancer leaving a wife and a little girl not much older than our grandson. Despite knowing this was on the cards, it must be a terrible shock. The husband who died was 30s or 40s only. He has been ill for some time.
My heart bleeds for the little girl, who is delightful. She came to play with our grandson last year. I pray she will cope OK and still remember her dad as she grows up. That poor little girl. She is too young to have to cope with this.
My heart bleeds for the little girl, who is delightful. She came to play with our grandson last year. I pray she will cope OK and still remember her dad as she grows up. That poor little girl. She is too young to have to cope with this.
Wednesday, 23 April 2014
Swallows in East Anglia
The barn swallow has been seen in S.Devon since mid-March, but here in East Anglia they are later arriving, at least in significant numbers. There may have been the odd ones earlier this month.
Today April 23rd, I had my second view this year (first last week) and my first close-up view, close to the River Ouse in Ely. The return of swallows from S.Africa, crossing continents and deserts to reach here, lifts my spirits. Even more so when the swifts arrive in a few more weeks' time.
"All's well with the world" as Robert Browning said.
See http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/s/swallow/ . But numbers are declining.
Today April 23rd, I had my second view this year (first last week) and my first close-up view, close to the River Ouse in Ely. The return of swallows from S.Africa, crossing continents and deserts to reach here, lifts my spirits. Even more so when the swifts arrive in a few more weeks' time.
"All's well with the world" as Robert Browning said.
See http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/s/swallow/ . But numbers are declining.
Flight MH370
The mystery deepens: still no definite wreckage found and no black box recovered and the black box batteries have probably died by now. If on the deep sea bed it could be a long time being found. I even read they are re-examining evidence that the plane may have landed somewhere after all.
A nagging gut instinct tells me we are not being told the full truth by the Malaysian authorities. Do they know something we don't? Maybe the Malaysians shot it down but are too scared to admit this? For the relatives it must be sheer hell: a roller-coaster of emotions and uncertainties.
For all involved, I hope there is some definite news soon, good or bad. Good would be wonderful, but even bad allows grieving to begin.
A nagging gut instinct tells me we are not being told the full truth by the Malaysian authorities. Do they know something we don't? Maybe the Malaysians shot it down but are too scared to admit this? For the relatives it must be sheer hell: a roller-coaster of emotions and uncertainties.
For all involved, I hope there is some definite news soon, good or bad. Good would be wonderful, but even bad allows grieving to begin.
Tuesday, 22 April 2014
Progress?
I have to keep reminding myself that I am making progress with my stroke recovery.
Walking is now easier, I am taking less liquid feed via my stomach peg (currently 700ml a day, was 1000ml) and I am eating a bigger variety of food by mouth. My biggest issues remain my giddiness/clumsiness (feels like I have had 8 pints of beer to drink, whereas I have had no alcohol since last summer) and a feeling of sickness/nausea that may be is helped by pills I take.
The real breakthrough will be when the giddiness is better.
Walking is now easier, I am taking less liquid feed via my stomach peg (currently 700ml a day, was 1000ml) and I am eating a bigger variety of food by mouth. My biggest issues remain my giddiness/clumsiness (feels like I have had 8 pints of beer to drink, whereas I have had no alcohol since last summer) and a feeling of sickness/nausea that may be is helped by pills I take.
The real breakthrough will be when the giddiness is better.
Monday, 21 April 2014
Grandchildren gone home
Our home is very quiet again. The 2 "London" grandchildren have now gone back to their London home and the elder one (6.5) goes back to school in the morning.
We have had the children on their own Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights - they were perfectly behaved - and their mum joined us on Sunday. Even though I felt quite rotten at times (stroke - sickness and giddiness), it was a great pleasure and joy to have them stay and again enjoy their childhood sense of wonder with the world.
For a few days my illness was not the main focus of attention. It was such a pleasure to have them and to enjoy their joy of life. We are fortunate indeed to have 4 lovely little grandchildren in our lives.
We have had the children on their own Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights - they were perfectly behaved - and their mum joined us on Sunday. Even though I felt quite rotten at times (stroke - sickness and giddiness), it was a great pleasure and joy to have them stay and again enjoy their childhood sense of wonder with the world.
For a few days my illness was not the main focus of attention. It was such a pleasure to have them and to enjoy their joy of life. We are fortunate indeed to have 4 lovely little grandchildren in our lives.
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