Tuesday 9 September 2014

Electrodes

Can I firstly just thank each and every one of you for your kind wishes and comments about recent events. It hasn't felt right to reply to each comment individually, but it never ceases to amaze me the thoughtfulness out there in blogland. I wish I could thank each of you in person.

Wednesday is nearly here, and it's the day that I head into the local neurology department to have my head wired up. Apparently they are going to submit me to seizure inducing visual images etc, and take readings of what is happening to my brain at the same time. I hope they don't induce another seizure, as the last one ruined my day! In the meantime, on top of all of the restrictions I am having to face, there is one more thing that I am having to submit myself to......alcohol free beer....what is in that stuff?


So far, we are coping on the gardening front. Son-in-law is spending this fortnight with us, and is doing  any hedge cutting that's needed. We also have a small planting scheme to do this Saturday, which will hopefully leave us as 'up together' for the ending of the season as we could hope for.
The house in Sandbanks is back on the maintenance schedule, with the new tenant happy to keep us on, and a new quote for another property has just gone out. It's difficult to explain why gardening should be so difficult at a time like this, but the logistics are the biggest problem. For some reason my head doesn't feel the same, whether it's real or just my imagination I don't know, but it's there, and having to deal with that, and at the same time work just as hard, continue with the quotes, paperwork, accounts, machinery problems and such like is just not as 'fluid'. Amanda is being amazing. She has suddenly found herself having to drive the van everywhere for a whole year, and is having to come out to work full time once again, which will of course take it's toll on her. I can't go anywhere without her, particularly at this point. I can't lock any doors behind me, and so showers must be accompanied, I have my own 'Gary is in here' toilet sign. The whole process is kind of emasculating. I know that come Wednesday a lot more will be clear hopefully, and in another job I would probably worry less, but being a self employed gardener in the world of large contracting, it is a problem.

On Thursday we had planned to stay in Wells for a couple of days. We had two rare tickets to see The Sixteen perform live at Wells Cathedral, with an overnight stay in a 15th century coaching inn, but an appendix will wait for no man, and alas we had to cancel. As luck would have it, we found a close friend and her husband who were delighted to be able to take our place, and so at least the event and cost didn't go to waste. 
The appendix belonged to our youngest daughter Rebecca, and she was rushed into hospital with it about to rupture. It took three days before they took it out, as she was stabilised in bed as 'more urgent surgery' was carried out. She would have been rushed in if it did rupture, but the process wasn't good for her nonetheless. What made it harder was the fact that she was kept nil by mouth until dinner time each day, and the staff neglected to change her saline drip a few times. The concert was a one-off, but we had to be around. You do, don't you. The whole family have been pretty amazing, with everyone stepping up to the mark when needed. A difficult few weeks all round, but it could have been so much harder, and I am truly thankful for that.

Another days gardening is about to start, with son-in-law arriving in an hour. There are six properties to get through today, and so a tough one. It all starts with son-in-laws first trip to Eco, to dump the last few days rubbish, and so an 'interesting' start for him.

I'll leave you with a bit of The Sixteen. Have a good week.







19 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks Adrian, and I hope the midges ease a little.

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  2. Hello Gary,

    Oh dear, how worrying all of this must be. Gardens wait for no man......they simply keep on growing so we can totally understand your concerns about keeping on top of things. However, it is wonderful that you have the unfailing support of your wonder woman wife and family at these most difficult of times. When one is self employed, there us never a whole back room team to call upon, so it is good that they are there to lend a hand.

    We can only assure you that all will be well. We have been through scary times ourselves but the NHS has invariably been brilliant. Try not to worry....stay calm and drink tea!

    You and Amanda are in our thoughts. Take the greatest care!

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    Replies
    1. Dear Jane and Lance,
      I have passed on your 'wonder woman' comment to Amanda, who laughed out loud at hearing the title! I do believe that the NHS is a marvellous thing to have, and we are indeed very fortunate in this country to be able to call on it. Thank you for such nice words.

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  3. I "hear" (and know fro experience a bit about) the disruption of life you're experiencing now. Maybe it will be just a "blip" -- or perhaps your "new normal". Your fine character is being strengthened, expanded, refined and polished. You ARE blessed to be supported by your wife and kids. They will be blessed in a different way by this whole experience.

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    Replies
    1. Hello Rebecca,
      I suppose I am sort of settled into thinking that whatever comes of the tests, and future for that matter, I will accept it as my 'new normal', as you so very aptly call it. I am indeed blessed to have those around me, and hope they feel the same at the end of all of this lol. Take care.

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  4. Gary,

    How most thoughtful of you to introduce us to The Sixteen at this time, most enchanting, I will be seeking more of them, thank you.

    I hope that Rebecca is recovering well after what truly sounds to have been a most nervous time for yourself and Lady A as well as the rest of the family. And prescribed starvation must have been unbearable to witness as parents. My thoughts for a resounding recovery for her go out.

    Likewise, you will be in my thoughts Wednesday for prompt diagnoses and prescribed treatment for a full recovery in the immediate future. And a release from this whole “alcohol free beer” :-( situation. Take care. – gary

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    1. Good evening Gary,
      The Sixteen are really quite something, and the video doesn't truly do them justice. Rebecca is recovering well thank you, and we are just about to head over there for the evening to catch up. Hope all is well at your end. Bring on proper ale is what I say to all of it!

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  5. I don't remember that many electrodes when I had my test. The electrodes just stick on. I wasn't given seizure images but I think I had to listen to sounds. Medication has controlled the seizures and I'm nor restricted to any thing. I hope they find something that can be treated successfully.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Red,
      Thanks for you helpful comments recently, they are reassuring. I think sounds are going to figure too in the tests.

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  6. Oh my goodness, 'alcohol free' beer, that's not real beer.

    You, Amanda, Rebecca and the rest of your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

    You all will grow through this experience together.

    Life sure can send us curve balls at times, I know all too well, but God has been my strength and I know He is yours too.

    Please keep us posted. We all care a lot about you and yours!

    FlowerLady

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    Replies
    1. Hello Lorraine,
      Alcohol free beer isn't great at all, but I have found one called Becks 'Blue' which isn't too bad. I expect the real stuff can come again after all of the tests, but the old brain box has to be kept clear for now. Thanks for the prayers, I am sure they are being answered for each of us.

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  7. Family….the most important part of our lives, the rest will all come together in time. Wishing you the very best Gary and all our prayers for a good outcome.

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    Replies
    1. Hello Doc,
      The family have been incredible, and we are truly blessed to have them around us. Thanks for your kind wishes and prayers. Have a good week.

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  8. Good luck on Wednesday Gary. I hope it shows the situation is not has bad as that. I am sure you will enjoy Wells. I enjoyed the recording.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Alain,
      Today (Wednesday) is proving to be a little more complicated than at first hoped. As for Wells, we had to give the whole break to a friend.

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  9. Well, I hope all goes well !
    One of the craziest test I every had was a scan of my brain (insert joke here) looking for an aneurism they knew had to be there. Had all the signs. After injecting me with iodine (It feels very warm) they got a better photo (fourth try ) of my brain and decided I have a malformation head .
    The suprise is that I have had several micro mini stokes, everyone gets them. But they have affect me.
    So what this poorly written comment is trying to say, is what they find may not be as bad as they/you think and once the answer if found you can deal with it.

    I hold you and your family in my heart.

    cheers, parsnip

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    Replies
    1. Good morning parsnip,
      Thanks for such kind thoughts and wishes. It's an odd time in my life for many reasons, but it will be good to get some results. Today however is going to be trickier than first anticipated.

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  10. Wednesday has come and it's gone. Gary, I hope today went well for you today. Best wishes for a speedy recovery to your daughter, Rebecca too. The music on the video you've posted is really beautiful and one day soon, when you're up and running again, you'll be able to see, 'The Sixteen' in person. All my best wishes to you and your family.

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