Broch trip

It's Thursday afternoon and we've just arrived back home after our trip to Fraserburgh. We got to my work just after 10 am and left again just after 1:30 pm, stopping for a late-ish lunch on the way back at the new Formartine's (http://www.formartines.com/) cafeteria/shop/visitor centre at the entrance to the Haddo estate between Oldmeldrum and Methlick - and very nice it was too. We even brought a doggy bag home, so that's tonight's tea sorted.

Now for the (lack of) sleep report. In short, even the Nytol didn't work last night. In fact, I was so bad that Jo gave up on me about 4 am and came downstairs to watch TV and lie on the settee. Partly on the suggestion of the pharmacist, we had bought the 2-a-night pills, rather than the stronger 1-a-night, and I only took one of them to start with - but, by midnight I was already up and rolling around, so I took another one, but even it didn't seem to have much effect until after 3 am. We'll try again tonight - but I'll definitely be taking 2 pills this time.

My leg was sore during the night and we wondered if I'd done a bit much yesterday, with 2 separate walks, plus the usual round of exercises and also 3 short stints on the exercise bike. Today, I'm easing off a bit - I still need to stretch and exercise a little, but I'm not going to push too hard - and we may ease off a little on the leg massage as well.

My exercise regime is now geared towards strength and balance, and Jo managed to acquire proper sand-filled ankle weights at Tesco on Tuesday:

Much easier to use than our mocked up efforts.

It will be 6 weeks tomorrow that I had the operation, which means that I'll finally be able to ditch the compression stockings I've had to wear - that'll be a relief. When I went in to hospital, I promised Lucy that I would do a blog every single day with an update on my progress. Looking back, I didn't quite manage every single day, but 38 postings in the last 40 days is a pretty good effort I feel. Of course, I'm far from finished yet, but there may be a bit of a tailing off in blog postings now, back to more normal levels.

To close, we noticed one blemish after the windows were installed on Tuesday - one of the new kitchen doors was smeared with what looks like some of the glue the window installer used:

Barely noticeable - but we know it's there now and it's annoying - and we don't know how to remove it without damaging the door. Suggestions on a postcard please.

Wednesday's news

Let's start with the usual moan about lack of sleep - yup, it was another bad night last night. Enough is enough, we decided, so we went out this afternoon and bought some Nytol (http://nytol.co.uk/) for tonight. I've never in my life felt the need to use sleeping aids in the past, but after 5 or 6 consecutive nights of very little sleep, I've had to resort to desperate measures. Look out for tomorrow's exciting sleep report.

What else has happened today? Lunch at Tease while Jo went swimming - I met up with Colin Kilgour, John McWhinnie and Ian Sharp after they had finished their regular Wednesday cycle run. They have been doing this for a month or so now - today they caught the bus to Culter and cycled back along the Deeside Way to Banchory. Wish I was fit enough to join them - not yet, but the good news is that I jumped on the exercise bike this morning and got my knee going immediately, with little hesitation or preparation - another small sign of progress.

Kelly FaceTimed again this morning/evening and Chris demonstrated Miller's latest trick - holding his bottle himself - with all fours! (Miller, that is, not Chris).

Tomorrow, it's the long drive up to Fraserburgh for a key meeting with the Union. Jo's driving - in her car. I have to confess, however, that I stepped in to my car this afternoon when Jo was out, just to see if I could manipulate the pedals OK - and I could, so my next trick was to let the car slide down the driveway, then reverse it back up - no problem. Next stage will be to take it in to the Tor-na-Coille Hotel car park and drive around a bit.

Jo's been toying with buying this console for the hall over the last week or two:

What do you think? Should she buy it? Available for Christmas.

On Saturday night, it's our annual Xmas dinner with our golfy group and wives - and we're returning to the Tor-na-Coille Hotel for the first time in many years - the scene of former crimes. Just dinner - no dancing, no party.

Tuesday week 6

I thought last night was a little better - but Jo didn't agree. We stayed up fairly late - for us - watching some of our TV recordings (Borgen, The Blacklist) and settled down about 11:30 pm. By 12:15 am, I was up again - no pain, just awake. I took a couple of Paracetamol (it was time to) and decided to read a few chapters of my book before putting the bedside light out some time between 1:30 and 2:00 am. My next awareness was just after 5 am, so it seems I had 3 hours + of sleep.

I lay awake until precisely 6:30 am when I thought it was a decent time to get up. Jo's first comment was that it had been a bad night for me again, but that hadn't been my perception - it had been the least troublesome night I'd had for several nights - not great, but a slight improvement.

Anyway, after the usual 3 hour routine of meds, breakfast, exercise, shower, massage and ice treatment, I headed down to the village where I'd arranged to have a coffee with Dan Corbett and Archie Cook. On my way back, I took a photo of the latest hole in the ground to appear at the former Tor-na-Coille Garage, which has now been lying vacant for over 2 years. Gleaner Oils are having to clean up the site before they can complete the sale to a local builder, who plans to erect houses there. It looks like they are having problems with the underground tanks and/or seepage in to the ground. Will they ever complete this - or even tidy up the site a little?:

Back home, here's the new front of the house, from the outside:

The old windows in the kitchen and study were removed this morning, leaving a rather nice panoramic view from our kitchen:

It's now finished, however:

That's about it for today. Jo's away to Inverurie now to pick up Luca, so it's just me and the window installer here now.

Monday week 6

I'm in to my 6th week now since the knee op, so, officially, the (compression) tights come off on Friday. My follow-up appointment with the surgeon is next week - the day before the invasion from America and Australia.

Regrettably, last night was another sleepless one for me - how many of these can I have before I collapse completely? I'm beginning to hate my bed - it's full of bad memories just now. I doze for an absolute maximum of one hour at a time, but then I'm awake for at least the amount of time that I've been asleep, before dozing off again. Last night, it was sharp pains in my leg that kept me awake, but I was damned if I was going to revert to Tramadol again.

I long for the alarm clock to display 6:30 am - I feel that's not an unreasonable time for me to sit up. Any earlier and it's not fair to Jo. Today we had to be up anyway as the new doors and windows were being fitted. Surprisingly, it was a one man show, but soon he was laying out all his materials in the driveway for his first day's work here:

He's finished for today now - he's done the 3 doors:

Front door (from inside) - brown externally. Same 3 pane layout as before.

Door to garage from utility room.

Back door from utility room

Tomorrow, it's the windows in the kitchen and the downstairs study, where the exercise bike is now located. Talking of which, how would you like to see another video showing how my knee is improving? It's a bit of a rusty start, but once I get going, the movement is relatively seamless, I think. My main problem is that after almost 6 weeks of doing very little other than lying on my back, I am as weak as a kitten and 30 seconds on the bike and I'm knackered! Hopefully, I can improve on this as time goes on. Here's the video:

We managed to connect with Kelly (and Miller) this morning on FaceTime. Miller's favourite cuddly toy is one Aunt Mary sent him:

Sorry - it's upside down again! Kelly sent it to me via i-Message and no matter what I do, I can't get it to appear the right way up in Blogger.

Today, Kieran and Julie posted the family photo that was taken at the wedding on FaceBook. It took absolutely ages to get everyone to turn up and pose and yet the finished article shows Luca sticking his tongue out!:

To close, yesterday we finally got round to booking some of our flights for our USA holiday next year. We plan to descend on the Lesinas at the end of July - the very day that Lucy's friend Lorna and her family leave Oregon after 2 weeks. Jo and I are flying in to New York and planning to spend 5 days just south of there in Galloway, New Jersey - near where Uncle Alex lived - before flying over to the West Coast. We'll hire a car and visit nearby Philadelphia, and, of course, we'll visit the famous Boardwalk in Atlantic City - we've been watching a lot of Boardwalk Empire on Sky - tales of evil deeds in Prohibition America! Here's an image of the resort:

That was very easy for us to book as it's a Marriott resort and we acquired additional points with them this year. We were also able to book just 5 nights here at the lowest rates, avoiding Friday/Saturday night premiums. We don't have the same flexibility, nor the ease of booking at other non-Marriott resorts, and we've left it a bit late this year to book another holiday with the Lesinas, but Scott and Lucy will have to use up a good bit of their holiday entitlement when Lorna and her family are over there with them anyway. In light of this, I have just put in a request for a week locally at any resort in Oregon when we're there and we'll see what happens. If we get something relatively close, hopefully Scott and Lucy will manage to duck and dive a bit between the resort and work.

Sunday morning catch-up

Well, it's not been a great couple of days for me. I picked up a slight bug and haven't been eating but, more importantly haven't been sleeping at all. I dread going to bed at night, knowing I'll just toss and turn all night long. Last night, we were in bed fairly early - 9pm to be exact - but within an hour I was up again. I went downstairs and watched Match of the Day, and thought I would take a Lemsip to see if that helped (I'm told not to take these as they don't mix with my other meds), but still couldn't sleep when I returned to bed about 11:30 pm.

I got up again after midnight and again went downstairs and watched some sport on TV - this time the Test Match from Adelaide. At 2 am, I returned once more to bed and, feeling slightly desperate, took a Tramadol - I had been weaning myself off these and hadn't had one for 3 days. I did eventually get a few hours sleep, thank goodness, and feel marginally more human this morning - I'm ready to go a walk and get the papers now, after not having walked at all the last couple of days.

Now here's the question going through my head - did I finally get a few hours' sleep this morning because the bug I had is now going, or was it the Tramadol? Perhaps my inability to sleep over the last few days has been withdrawal symptoms? In either case, I really don't want to take any more opiates and hope I don't get desperate enough to slip back again.

Yesterday, I managed to help Jo a little bit in loading the back of my car and taking some of the junk that has been filling our garage up to the tip - all without using my walking stick, so things are improving.

We missed Kelly's Face Time call last night - pity. She did send us a photo of Miller at a wedding:

Cute, eh?

Tomorrow, our new windows and doors get fitted, so it's going to be noisy and busy round here.

Friday update

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!

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:

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!

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.

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.

Saturday drugs

Took a full complement of 2 Tramadol and 2 Paracetamol before bed last night and first thing this morning. Since then, just 2 Paracetamol - apart from a pint and a half of real ale in the Stag this evening - my first since before going to Tenerife. Jo was going out tonight so I decided it was perhaps an opportunity to pop down the pub and try a quick pint, whilst watching the football with Colin.

I've been mixing up my exercises again today, and I had another go on the exercise bike. I still can't quite do it, but it was a bit closer than yesterday's attempt. If I took my bum off the saddle and kept my right foot out of the stirrups and allowed it to twist a little, then I could get a few revolutions. That was more than enough anyway, as the effort knackered me after several weeks of doing nothing but sit around all day. Hopefully in another couple of days I'll be able to use it a bit better.

So that's twice I've walked up to the village and back today - progress?

That's about it for now. Thistle - Aberdeen cup tie on the box tomorrow lunchtime. Gary is planning to come round after his race in Strachan, and Ross may come round and watch it as well - if he behaves himself tonight!

Friday home alone

Yes - Jo's out for an extended lunch with pals, so I'm home alone just now - but I can cope, although I don't think Jo believes I can.

I was awake fairly sharp this morning - I needed some meds. I only took one Tramadol at bedtime last night (plus 2 Paracetamol), so I took 2 this morning. They say they should kick in in half an hour and that's the best time to do the exercises, but I've found it to be nearer an hour before I am pain-free.

I haven't been taking meds during the daytime for a while - only mornings and evenings - but today I decided to take Paracetamol at lunchtime today to see what difference - if any - that made.

Right now, my knee feels stiff and swollen. We picked up the exercise bike from Jack and Frances Simpson yesterday and I had hoped to give it a go today, but I failed again. Scott gave me instruction on how to do it, and I tried his technique, but still couldn't do it. It's fear factor, I'm sure, but when it gets near the top of the cycle, I can feel a sharp increase in pain and I'm scared to go further. I'll just need to keep working on the knee and get some more bend, then try again.

The bike is downstairs in the study - what used to be Ross' room:

Oh well, back to work then.

Thursday lie-in

It was 7:30 am when I finally gave in to the urges of my bladder, but I then went back to bed and it was nearer 9 am by the time Jo awakened - I think she needed the rest. So, we've been running late all day since then.

I've cut down a bit on the meds again and I'll see how I cope this time. I don't want to skimp the exercises, but nor do I want to carry on taking Tramadol for ever more and if I can cope with just Paracetamol, that'll at least be a step forward.

I've been mixing up the UK and US exercise regimes again, but I wish there was an easy way of measuring my progress. My next physio appointment is next Thursday 5th December.

We walked along to the village to get my paper about lunchtime and decided to pop in to the Burnett Arms for a bacon buttie and a cup of tea for lunch. Jo popped in to the butcher's afterwards and I walked on, letting Jo catch up with me eventually. It gave her a chance for a critical view of my walking style - she reckons my right leg is now straighter than my left!

Later on today, we're driving over to Jack Simpson's. I made an appeal for anyone with an unwanted static/exercise bike and Jack was the first of many to respond. They reckon it's the least wanted item round most people's homes - everyone thinks what a great idea they will be, but they soon tire of them. Anyway, I only want it for a short while, although Jo reckons she will want to use it - we'll see.

Tonight is the grand switching on of Banchory's Christmas Lights - whoo, whoo! Think we'll pass on the ceremony.

Wednesday at home

It's 6 pm on Wednesday and what have I done today? Not a lot, I'm pleased to say.

I slept in a little and then went through the usual morning routine. I was due to go in to Aberdeen for a lunch at the bank, but I cancelled this first thing. I did go out briefly - meeting the boys who had been out cycling for a coffee at Tease. At least it gave me some walking exercise.

I noticed when I was out that the diggers are back at the garage next door - looks like they're having to dig out more trenches to decontaminate the site.

Indoors, I have been mixing up the UK and US recommended exercise routines. There's no immediate feedback of course, so it's really hard to judge the progress.