The old ways

 Talking to my Dr yesterday, I mentioned that my appetite had disappeared, which is sad, as I do love good food. His suggestion was to drink Lucozade. That took me back to childhood memories!

Glucozade, as it was known then, was invented in 1927 by a pharmacist in Newcastle. Aimed as a 'pick me up' drink for unwell people, it was soon acquired by Beechams and sold as an energy drink. As a child I used to love it, still do, and was tempted to ask if I could have a prescription for it!

Iodine was a great favourite of my Grandma, with the never to be forgotten remark ..'If it hurts it's doing you good'. Still used by the District nurses who come to change the dressing on my knee. And yes, it does hurt!

A friend's daughter in law visited the surgery this week, with a very nasty cough, wondering if she had pneumonia. Thankfully it wasn't, but she was advised to go home, rest and take lemon and honey hot drinks. So much part of my childhood! Hot lemon and honey is one of the best recovery medicines!

I think we are all more aware of other ways of healing rather than immediately going for antibiotics, necessary though they can be.

It's lovely to see the 'old fashioned' tried and tested ways being used. One of the worst in my childhood was a 'tonic' fed into us after a nasty bout of flu or something similar, called Parrish's food .Now discontinued, thankfully, (except for racing pigeons) it was a 19th century soluble iron supplement. Our mouths were always purple after taking it.

 I wonder if you have any memories of the old ways?

Slow days

The days seem pleasantly slow here. 

We have had a week of rain and more rain. Leaves have dropped off the trees, but there are still, unbelievably, roses flowering. This is an old photo of Rose Graham Thomas, as it's too wet to go out to take a photo!

Not being quite as mobile as normal has meant that I have had to find some ways of feeling useful. So began the job of sorting out Christmas cards. Do you buy cards from Charities? I try always to have a bit of a mix, so this year I bought National Trust cards, and also cards from a Charity called 'Child Aid'. Their amazing work is mainly rebuilding lives of abandoned and disabled families in Eastern Europe .

I'm so pleased that the Hyacinth bulbs planted in September are now showing their little green tops. Soon they will come in from the cool garage to the sitting room, and I'm hoping for six gorgeously scented plants by Christmas.

 Slowly, slowly....onwards and upwards. Thank you for the many kind messages of encouragement.

Watching

 Along with the obligatory exercises and walking practice, I have spent  quite a lot of time just watching. I have been surprised at how much of my energy it takes to go through the list of exercises each day, but I know that they have to be done.

My armchair, (book, rug, drink etc etc) into which I happily flop, faces large sitting room windows. Although this is a relatively small close of homes, there is always something or someone to watch going by. I see the same faces and the same dogs. Delivery vans stop with groceries. A huge lorry came yesterday delivering stone to someone who is having work done. A friend goes by and waves, Mr T wheels his wife by in her wheelchair, two girls ride their ponies along the road. All manner of life is here.

I've also been watching TV and have been interested to see the 'Christmas advertisements' offered by the bigger companies such as John Lewis and Marks and Spencer. So many of them are wholly focussed on FOOD. So far the only one with a little bit of social awareness seems to be Lidl. It has been criticised, but at least they tried!

I am looking forward to getting out into the garden, not too safe on crutches at the minute, but soon! The beautiful red leaves of the cherry tree have fallen overnight, and the branches are bare. But there will be bulbs soon and Spring to look forward to.

Home

 

Here I am, quietly delighting in the peace of Home. As the surgeon predicted, the pain levels are receding. I have a little help in the mornings, but have my trusty crutches and a walking frame to help me.

Looking out at the garden I'm happy to see the red leaves on the Cherry tree haven't yet fallen, though it won't be long. There are lovely splashes of colour from groups of pink Kaffir Lillies which have found their own spaces in the beds. There is even a rose or two in flower.

I can't drive for 6 weeks but have lovely friends who pick up things if I need anything.

Onward.

Onwards

For a few days following a knee replacement operation, I'm staying in a very comfortable 'Assisted Living Residence'.

It is lovely not to have to think about making meals, and the Care here is kindly and compassionate. I will be home next week, on my own but with some help at times.

Walking is improving though I'm not running any races yet.

Pause

 

I will rejoin you all in a week or so's time, after my hospital stay.

Preparing for a hospital stay

 

I have never suffered a broken limb, so crutches are new to me. But after knee surgery later this month I shall be on two crutches for six weeks. That sounds a very long time.

I have seen a very charming Anesthetist, had pints of blood taken, been to 'Joint School' (yes, really), filled the freezer with ready meals, and ordered some essential equipment. One of which is a trolley, because as my niece told me 'You can make a cup of tea, but you can't carry it anywhere'. How sensible.

My surgeon told me, laughingly....'For the first two weeks you'll wish you hadnt had it done, in the second weeks you'll feel a little better, but at the end of the six weeks, you'll be glad you had it done.'

Hmm.

Not that I approve of the Disney illustration, but this did seem to sum up how I feel!