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.

Tuesday knee news

I was looking forward to a nice lazy day today, after yesterday at the office and gym. It started well - we didn't get up until 7:30 am and by the time we did the usual round of exercises and treatments etc, it was mid-morning. I thought I would walk along to the shops and get my paper but Jo had to go to the supermarket and get some fuel, so I just stayed at home and did some work.

So far so good. I received a couple of very helpful exercise tips from Scott and we decided to try out one of them. They were similar to those given to me by the Banchory physios, but with one major difference - Scott recommended minimum periods for bending and straightening of 15 minutes, compared to just a few by the locals. Additionally, Scott was recommending the exercises be done under more stress - using weights for example.

After lunch, we tried one of Scott's leg straightening exercises, using cans of food as weights. I then moved through to the front room to listen to the radio and read my paper, whilst Jo drove to Inverurie to pick Luca up. I fell asleep for about an hour and a half. When I awoke, my knee was throbbing and my body temperature had dropped dramatically and I had no feeling in the end of my fingers.

I popped some more pills and have now started to heat up again. Just when you think things are getting a bit better .......

We're keen to carry on with Scott's recommendations, but I'll need to increase the meds again to do it.

Last night, I received a phone call from Margaret Weir, who I worked with when I was training nearly half a century ago. (Margaret gets a mention in Renshaw's Chronicles - Part IV 1965 onwards (4)). I haven't spoken to her for years. Nice to hear from her again - she's retired now.

To close, a little piece of artistry from Friday's wedding - place names:

Julie's hair is the correct colour, but I guess Kieran's Mohican/Mohawk wasn't part of the plan.

Back at work

The start of the week and it felt like it was almost back to the old routine again - with the exception of the preparation time - awake at 6:30 am, meds, breakfast, exercises, showers, massages, tights on, then off to work at 9:15 am.

I'd arranged 3 separate meetings as part of our preparation for Auto Enrolment next year (mandatory pension schemes for all workers). In the end, only one of the meetings was worth attending - the last one was a complete farce, which left me fizzing, wishing I'd stayed at home. I suspect one of those making the presentation to us may now lose their job, such was the incompetence.

Anyway, Jo picked me up again at 2 pm and we both headed down to Bannatyne's, where I intended to try out the static bikes. Regrettably, I failed miserably - my leg isn't yet ready to do a complete revolution, no matter how much we tried to adjust the saddle height etc. Disappointed, we headed down to the pool instead, where I spent most of the time walking up and down in the water, whilst Jo ploughed up and down the lengths.

By the time we got home, it was after 5 pm - it felt like a full day's work. The car journey wasn't too pleasant either - not Jo's fault, just too long at rush hour. By coincidence, I'd picked up some of the papers that I was given on discharge from hospital and noticed that one of the instructions was no long car journeys. I know why now.

Kelly and I missed each other on FaceTime again today, so we've scheduled a call tomorrow morning, when we've got nothing else planned.

Wedding weekend

We made it down to Airdrie OK on Friday - an hour before the 2pm start - just enough time to check in and change. With hindsight, however, it hadn't been a great idea to do the trip in one, as my leg was sore and stiff after sitting in a bent position for the duration.

Anyway - the wedding itself - Julie had purple hair but was otherwise a fairly conventional bride, and Kieran was also dressed in a traditional kilt outfit, but surprised a few with his pretty outrageous Mohican - probably one of the longest and tallest I've ever seen.

Luca was on best behaviour and was an exemplary pageboy. He posed for me afterwards sitting on the stairs:

The ceremony itself didn't take long and soon we gathered in the lounge for drinks and sandwiches:

The professional photographers spent the next few hours getting the wedding party to pose endlessly in different places. We finally managed to find out that the meal wouldn't start until after 5 pm, so this gave me a chance to retire to our room to get my leg up and stretch the knee a bit.

The dinner tables had island themes - we were Barra and were seated next to Barry & Helen, John and his daughter and son, and Dawn's friend Rona and her partner Ian Miller (whose son Lee is a professional footballer - ex Aberdeen). Kieran and Julie were clapped in and posed in front of the cake - all Dawn's work:

The top table was right behind us - here's a few shots:

Jordon, best man, Dawn & father of the bride

Mother of the bride and Michael

Michael and bridesmaids - Julie's sisters

The speeches were all done before the meal and then the floor was cleared for the dancing. There had been little bubble makers on each of the tables and Luca had made a friend, and the two of them spent half the evening running around together blowing bubbles everywhere:

Soon it was time for dancing - for most. Here's a fine rear view of that wonderful Mohican:

Later in evening, in between visits to my room to pop some more pills, we took a couple of posed photos of Gary and Carole, plus Jo and I:

After breakfast on Saturday morning, we headed over to Dawn's for a cup of tea, and were joined by Barry and Helen - and Luca, who we were taking back to Banchory, whilst Gary and Carole went horse-hunting locally:

When we did finally get back home to Banchory on Saturday afternoon, I had to go to bed to rest and stretch my leg, which felt like it had regressed by several days after the two car journeys. Luca came up to see that I was all right and then brought up a photo of himself to put beside my bed "in case I was missing him"!

Luca went back downstairs and then brought me back a pack of grapes. His next trip was a "special" glass of water (tonic juice actually) to go with my cup of tea, and his final bedside gift for me was something to remind me of Jo - a metal lady in a long dress, which doubled up as a bell ring - Luca said just to ring it if I needed anything. Here they all are:

Last night was not a good night - I didn't sleep at all well, and this was despite taking more drugs on Friday and Saturday than I'd taken for a few days.

I've had 2 exercise bouts today and one round of massages, plus I managed to walk along to the High St. to buy my paper - and all the way back, via the golf club, all without a break. So far so good. Bath tonight, plus some more of Jo's torture treatments, then tomorrow I'm going in to the office for a few hours for meetings.

Thursday physio

It was back to Banchory today for more torture with the local PT. She showed us a new - and very painful - stretching exercise, which Jo is going to enjoy inflicting on me.

Generally, however, she is happy that I am now back on track and she doesn't need to see me at all next week - but I must keep up the discipline of the exercises.

I walked from there - with two sticks - to Tease, where I met up with Colin Kilgour, Richard Simcox and John McWhinnie for a coffee. What have we come to? The bar across the road is open and here we are sitting in a coffee shop, like old crones.

I walked home from there and we had lunch, did my exercises and then Raymond and Myra Orr arrived, so that was the afternoon gone. It's dark again - nearly 6 pm - and this is me just catching up with my daily knee blog.

Tomorrow, of course, we head south for Kieran and Julie's wedding. I'll be the sober one then.

Wednesday - back to work!

Slept not too bad. Sat up at 7 am and took my meds, then Jo brought my usual breakfast, after which I did my exercises and then showered. Then it was time for massage and further knee stretches. Jo oils my scar daily and also massages my hamstrings, part of which are stiff and gnarled. She then exerts pressure on my shin and thigh to try to get my knee to straighten out - she takes it to the point where I can't take any more pain and then three 10 second holds.

After that, it's time to put the compression stockings on, then the frozen peas are applied to my leg.

All of this takes 2-3 hours every morning.

We set off to Aberdeen for my physio appointment at Albyn at 10 am. He seemed reasonably happy with my progress so far, and he showed Jo how to do some more massage on the fluid on the front of my knee. I had to tell him we would only be coming back in to Aberdeen if we couldn't get sufficient appointments with the Banchory physio.

It made sense then to pop in to the office at Bridge of Don, where we picked up Jo's new laptop and I said hello again to a few of the staff. We didn't hang around however and soon we were back on the road to Banchory. Lunch then a snooze and before you know where you are it's 4 pm already - and I haven't done any exercises since the early morning ones. Must crack on.