Last night's dinner at the Marcliffe went OK. I was a bit late getting out, but, no matter, my chauffeuse was late arriving to pick me up anyway, having spent a good part of the evening chatting on the phone to her sister. Incidentally, they have agreed that Mary and Brian will be bringing Julie's & Guy's boys up to Banchory on Sunday 29th December. I've yet to hear from my sister and her family when they are going to manage up, but it'll also be the week between Xmas & New Year.
Anyway, back to me and my knee - today hasn't been a good day. I've got some kind of bug and haven't eaten all day, and nor have I had much chance to do exercise. Hopefully better tomorrow.
We didn't manage to source ankle weights locally anywhere so we'll have to cast our net a bit wider. Jo's rigged up a temporary fixture which will do for now.
Watched the last hour of the Test Match from Adelaide this morning - looked lovely - wished I was there!
Ian R. Stewart Family Blog
Friday 6 December 2013
Thursday 5 December 2013
Belated blog
Yesterday may have been the first time I didn't do a daily knee update - I guess I was just too busy.
By the time we did our usual morning routine, it was virtually time for us to head in to Aberdeen - Jo was swimming at Westhill and I was popping in to the office for a couple of hours. We didn't get home until nearly 4 pm - just enough time to do my exercises and then head off on the long walk up the hill to the Legion, where I'd arranged to meet Keith Gray and Richard Simcox for a rare beer.
I managed the walk OK, but struggled with the beer - just a pint and a half, but it was a bit too much. I guess I'm out of practice. I got a lift back home from Archie Cook, who was also in the Legion with Jas Bhagrath.
We had supper and then headed for bed, preceded by the usual exercises and massages. I couldn't get to sleep afterwards - I was up and down, sitting on the side of the bed and considering going downstairs - sleep seemed impossible. I must have drifted off eventually, because it was soon 6 am and I needed to get up to have my meds and do my exercises before my 8:40 am Physiotherapy appointment.
It was a stormy start to the day. The forecasters had been warning us about high winds and they were right - we thought the trees were coming down. The power flashed off and on a few times and Jo searched around for candles in preparation for a difficult day, but, after an hour or so, it seemed to calm down again and we were able to inspect the damage. In Arbor Court, all we had lost was a large branch off one of the trees:
Jo was concerned it might partially obstruct the exit to the main road or perhaps scratch her car as she went out, so she took great delight in getting her "loppers" out and trimming it a little.
I was a bit concerned that I would get a telling off from the Physio as I felt I hadn't made enough progress since I had last seen her, but that was far from the case. She got her knee "protractor" out and measured the angle of bend, which was now 90 degrees - 5 degrees more than on my last visit. Then she checked my walking and told me I could now ditch one of the walking sticks. She gave me a new set of exercises, some strength related and some balance, and suggested we buy ankle weights (they didn't have any spare to give us) to help build up the muscles. She also told me that I should be able to drive again in a couple of weeks and that I should experiment in a quiet area first of all.
So that was all good, wasn't it?
Since then, I've been along to Tease for a coffee with Dick Taylor and Les Gray and Jo's been out to Cults for lunch. Tonight, I've got a Bank dinner at the Marcliffe to attend - as long as it stays calm and Jo feels confident in taking me there and picking me up. We've had some snowy, sleety flurries today, but they haven't really come to much - I suspect the main danger will be ice. Here's what it looks like outside just now - just before 4 pm:
By the time we did our usual morning routine, it was virtually time for us to head in to Aberdeen - Jo was swimming at Westhill and I was popping in to the office for a couple of hours. We didn't get home until nearly 4 pm - just enough time to do my exercises and then head off on the long walk up the hill to the Legion, where I'd arranged to meet Keith Gray and Richard Simcox for a rare beer.
I managed the walk OK, but struggled with the beer - just a pint and a half, but it was a bit too much. I guess I'm out of practice. I got a lift back home from Archie Cook, who was also in the Legion with Jas Bhagrath.
We had supper and then headed for bed, preceded by the usual exercises and massages. I couldn't get to sleep afterwards - I was up and down, sitting on the side of the bed and considering going downstairs - sleep seemed impossible. I must have drifted off eventually, because it was soon 6 am and I needed to get up to have my meds and do my exercises before my 8:40 am Physiotherapy appointment.
It was a stormy start to the day. The forecasters had been warning us about high winds and they were right - we thought the trees were coming down. The power flashed off and on a few times and Jo searched around for candles in preparation for a difficult day, but, after an hour or so, it seemed to calm down again and we were able to inspect the damage. In Arbor Court, all we had lost was a large branch off one of the trees:
Jo was concerned it might partially obstruct the exit to the main road or perhaps scratch her car as she went out, so she took great delight in getting her "loppers" out and trimming it a little.
I was a bit concerned that I would get a telling off from the Physio as I felt I hadn't made enough progress since I had last seen her, but that was far from the case. She got her knee "protractor" out and measured the angle of bend, which was now 90 degrees - 5 degrees more than on my last visit. Then she checked my walking and told me I could now ditch one of the walking sticks. She gave me a new set of exercises, some strength related and some balance, and suggested we buy ankle weights (they didn't have any spare to give us) to help build up the muscles. She also told me that I should be able to drive again in a couple of weeks and that I should experiment in a quiet area first of all.
So that was all good, wasn't it?
Since then, I've been along to Tease for a coffee with Dick Taylor and Les Gray and Jo's been out to Cults for lunch. Tonight, I've got a Bank dinner at the Marcliffe to attend - as long as it stays calm and Jo feels confident in taking me there and picking me up. We've had some snowy, sleety flurries today, but they haven't really come to much - I suspect the main danger will be ice. Here's what it looks like outside just now - just before 4 pm:
Tuesday 3 December 2013
Tuesday breakthrough
So far, so good. I managed the night on just one Tramadol and I took just one again this morning and still managed all my exercises OK. I didn't even need a chaperone when I walked to the shops to get my paper this morning.
The big test was the exercise bike and my first attempt this morning was moderately successful - I was able to get a full turn, although it was a bit staccato with a decided stop at the top, plus a definite move of the right hip. This afternoon, I tried again:
It's still not right, but I decided to risk taking a short video to show you where I'm at:
Not great, I know - but definitely a step forward!
The big test was the exercise bike and my first attempt this morning was moderately successful - I was able to get a full turn, although it was a bit staccato with a decided stop at the top, plus a definite move of the right hip. This afternoon, I tried again:
It's still not right, but I decided to risk taking a short video to show you where I'm at:
Not great, I know - but definitely a step forward!
Monday 2 December 2013
Monday - week 5 begins
Yes, it's 4 weeks today since I got out of hospital - and still the progress is very slow. I was struggling a bit last night before I went to bed - my leg seemed to be unusually sensitive. Nonetheless, I decided to cut back on the meds a bit again today - just one Tramadol this morning, plus 2 Paracetamol, and hopefully the same again tonight, but nothing in between.
I coped with all the usual exercises today but was disappointed to again fail on the static bike - I had really hoped I would be able to do it properly today.
I've done my usual morning stroll down to the shops. Same again tomorrow probably, although Luca will be over in the afternoon again. On Wednesday, I'm heading in to the office for a couple of hours around lunchtime. What an exciting life I lead.
I coped with all the usual exercises today but was disappointed to again fail on the static bike - I had really hoped I would be able to do it properly today.
I've done my usual morning stroll down to the shops. Same again tomorrow probably, although Luca will be over in the afternoon again. On Wednesday, I'm heading in to the office for a couple of hours around lunchtime. What an exciting life I lead.
Sunday 1 December 2013
Sunday story
Full dose of meds first thing this morning, then breakfast and exercises, followed by massages, including some new ones around the collar bone and groin, designed to help drain my lymphatic system to help the excess fluid on my knee to move on - as instructed by Lucy to Jo.
While all this was going on, I was able to watch the final round of the Australian Open golf from Sydney. The Sunday Times had to be collected so I wandered down the village again and came back past the golf club, where a few of my pals were playing.
I got back to the house just in time. No sooner had I sat down then Luca appeared. Gary was doing a cross country 10K at Strachan and so he dropped Luca off, then headed for race registration. Ross was next to show his face - he'd come round to see the Thistle - Aberdeen match (we lost).
So it's been all go. Prompted by Gary, I did manage a few minutes downstairs with the exercise bike. I was (just) able to complete 4 or 5 very slow revolutions this time, so I guess that has to go down as mild progress. Hopefully better again tomorrow.
No major plans for this week - I will go in to the office once, but not sure when yet - will need to find out when Jo's available. I do have physio on Thursday morning and I've also got a dinner with the bank at the Marcliffe on Thursday evening.
That's all for today. Must try and get some photos on the next post, to help liven up this dry prose.
While all this was going on, I was able to watch the final round of the Australian Open golf from Sydney. The Sunday Times had to be collected so I wandered down the village again and came back past the golf club, where a few of my pals were playing.
I got back to the house just in time. No sooner had I sat down then Luca appeared. Gary was doing a cross country 10K at Strachan and so he dropped Luca off, then headed for race registration. Ross was next to show his face - he'd come round to see the Thistle - Aberdeen match (we lost).
So it's been all go. Prompted by Gary, I did manage a few minutes downstairs with the exercise bike. I was (just) able to complete 4 or 5 very slow revolutions this time, so I guess that has to go down as mild progress. Hopefully better again tomorrow.
No major plans for this week - I will go in to the office once, but not sure when yet - will need to find out when Jo's available. I do have physio on Thursday morning and I've also got a dinner with the bank at the Marcliffe on Thursday evening.
That's all for today. Must try and get some photos on the next post, to help liven up this dry prose.
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