Medical update etc

It’s Monday 25^th August, some two and a half weeks after my knee op and I guess there has been some improvement over that time but, from where I’m sitting it doesn’t really feel like it. One of the big issues is lack of sleep – I had forgotten what a major issue this was the last time (almost 12 years ago now).

One lesson I did learn from back in 2013 was to come off the heavy drugs as soon as possible. You need them to allow you to do the essential exercises and get the joint moving again but they are addictive. Last time it was co-codamol, this time it was dihydrocodeine. Both are opioids (synthetic opiates). I’m happy to say that I stopped them just over a week ago. I’m still using paracetamol on an occasional basis and I’m getting through the exercises OK.

A week ago I went to our local medical practice and got the staples removed, using a special tool. The nurse cleaned the wound and put on lots of small sutures and a light covering which was to remain for a week. Here's a couple of before and after photos:

                                                                     Staples in – staples out

Then, this morning I removed the temporary dressing:

Jo and I were due to be going away next week but given our current relative lack of mobility we have now decided to cancel the whole trip. We had booked to go on a CAMRA tour round Ludlow Brewery in Shropshire and we thought we would take the opportunity to visit Bath - somewhere Jo has always wanted to see. It was a bit of a road trip - 6 nights' away - 5 hotels and averaging about 4 hours of driving daily. Our next planned trip is to Mallaig on 11th September - let's hope we can manage that one OK.

I think I forgot to show you the photo of Gary arriving at the golf club in his (relatively) new company’s van when Scott and Lucy were here:

Last week was Barry's 71st and he and Helen went for a meal at a fish restaurant in Oban: