It is quite amazing to realise that I last wrote this blog more than 2 months ago, while still on the Bermuda islands. I planned to write about my trip to the UK and the amazing time that Ian and I spent in the Lake district, but........ we know all about the road being paved with intentions!!! Added to that, I didn't have time to while away at a working desk while looking busy!!!!
The first month back in SA, passed in a fairly humdrum manner, though I did find it quite challenging finding my old routine, but I re-connected with my Sunday evening bridge buddies; spent a few Tuesday and Thursday evenings with 'the walking/running group with a drinking/eating problem'; spent my Thursday mornings happily with my 2 learning partners (reading English) at Shine; got involved with making Mandela day baby's quilts both on the sewing machine and crocheting and at the end of June, I flew to Sedgefield to look after Linda who was having some minor surgery. We had a lovely week and I flew back on Sat 4th July as I was due to give a lecture to the Med Techs on Monday 6th........... and that is when my world ended in the gutter - stone-cold sober I might add!!!!
On Sunday 5th as I was making my way down my road to meet with Yvonne for a normal Sunday walk, I was undone by the wet (misty) rather undulating pavements that we are blessed with on our rather steep road, and I slipped. As I heard the crack and as I looked at my foot, I realised that I was still able to practise Orthopedics 101 - my left ankle was broken!!!!! Yvonne and the alarm company were superb as were the ambulance crew and I was extremely impressed with the Christian Barnard Hospital to which I was taken and which became my-home-from-home until the Friday. Brother, Rob was consulted from afar and the op on the Monday involved plating the tibia and pinning the fibula!!!
For the medics!
Since then I have been I have been rather housebound which has not been a huge problem as we have been having quite a severe Cape winter with lots of cold, rain and wind, though cabin fever does set in.
My friends have been fabulous with numerous meals and visits as well as lifts. luckily my maid, Joslyn, was able to move in as well so I have had a night carer, cook and companion! I think she has enjoyed living on the Atlantic Seaboard as well as I have sent her out on regular walks plus she is knitting beanies and has found an outlet so is now also making to sell!
We have had some fun outings. I decide that I wanted to do the 'Sea Point Kugel thing' and go to the shops with an entourage! So on Linda's birthday we set out for the waterfront, the birthday girl, the 'shoffa', Helen, the 'meijd', Joslyn and the 'merem' in the wheelchair!
We had a lovely lunch followed by a shop in PnP afterwards but didn't block too many aisles! My shoffa a and pushas have also taken me out on the promenade, to bridge and on a couple of shopping expeditions.
This last weekend, Rob was down for a conference, so I was able to get a lot of advice plus he showed me how to use the crutches and has allowed me do some weight bearing, so I am no longer confined to hopping with a Zimmer frame. I have been able to walk up and down the promenade a couple of times and also to the Arscape to see 'West Side Story' which was magnificent.
This last weekend, Rob was down for a conference, so I was able to get a lot of advice plus he showed me how to use the crutches and has allowed me do some weight bearing, so I am no longer confined to hopping with a Zimmer frame. I have been able to walk up and down the promenade a couple of times and also to the Arscape to see 'West Side Story' which was magnificent.
This last outing made me realize that my next travels which start this Thursday when I fly to Jhb with my suitcase, my boot, only right shoes!!!!, my crutches and a wheelchair for the first leg of my 'bucket list journey' to Alaska, are going to be quite challenging not only for me but my companions.
I am going with sister-in-law, Karen and her cousins Linda, Jenny and Lauren and we are meeting with Kathy, Amy and Steph along the way. We fly via Emirates to New York for 5 days, to Seattle for 2 and then go by train to Vancouver, another 5 days and THEN on the Cruise for a week!! - see map below!
So expect some more blogs which will include the adventures of being mobility challenged - now that I have learnt how to (hopefully) use the iPad to blog and add photos!
Chat again soon!
Same rules apply please - I would love to get news from you all, but it will have to be via email of Facebook as I don't think the comments field works!
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