An Update

[doug]

Not had a very good year. Herself hasn't been too good, which is why I've not been here much. Last winter we decided to come to Gran Caria for 4 weeks. So. we've been trundling on. Herself has had many falls so we bought a Mangar Elk. I call it her whoopie cushion. I roll her onto it. Sit her up the plug in the motor, this inflates each of 4 cushions to about 5psi which become rock hard. When it's got to about thr height of a chair I can haul her upright. With this we were coping. An unfortunates consequence of her MS is bladder control, meaning Loo trips every 2 hours, which limits the distances we can travell.

The recent episodes have happened at night where she falls going to the loo. 6 weeks ago she went down at 2 am resulting in a trip to the hospital an 11stitches over her right eyebrow. The 4 and a half weeks back she goes down at 4am. Got her to the loo and thought her shoulders don't look right. So off to the body shop again to find that her right shoulder was dislocated and. Part of a bone chipped, and in passing her blood sugar level was going off the scale.

This has meant dragging about everywhere. By the Tuesday I was about on my knees. Knew full well there was no way I could get her to the surgery for her diabetic checks so I went down and pleaded for help. Doctor came out and set in motion a series of events where we had a team of 2 ladies each morning to wash and dress her. Why on earth didn't the hospital tell me that there was a raft of assistance that could have been provided when we were most in need? She is very slowly getting some strength back.

We got here to the hotel late last Saturday where our room is just right. On her little electric scooter she wiz around from the bedroom to the bathroom, balcony, breakfast and dining rooms. I've still got to heave her on and off everything but at least I don't have to struggle withe the stair lift.

It's going to take several months to get the shoulder back into good working order. I did'nt say that it's the right shoulder and she's right handed.

So that's a brief summary go the lowlights of this year's happenings and a partial excuse for not being active here.

[-pops-]

Blimey, doug, what a time you've both had. I hardly know what to say.

I truly wish you both all good wishes and I'm very pleased that things are looking up for you.

[Irene]

Goodness me, Doug, what a terrible time you have (both) had!

I sincerely hope that you can now relax a little and begin to enjoy your time away. Although I don't suppose you have any assistance whilst you are there?

As far as WF is concerned, I am sure that I can speak for all of your friends here, when I say that we will be happy just to see you popping in from time to time, to ensure that we are doing a good job. ;) xx

[doug]

Will do. Just starting to relax. Even did 5 mins on Hotel jogging machine, thought it 6mph but then realised it was kph. Am I out of condition! Ambition is to trot round the harbour and Marina both we return, or even Amadores and back. Not sure how far, they use these Napolean units here. Food very good, haven't had to fire up the microwave all week!

[Alan2273]

Nice to hear from you again Doug.

Time for things to take a positive turn.

[andsome]

I only hope that things improve.

[doug]

I have to wait 'till about 12 each day after I've got Mummy showered,

dressed, breakfasted and settled down by which time it's starting to

warm up. My route has been just round the harbour/Marina which is

probably about 1 km/mile. It's mostly a short shuffle followed by

walking rests. However my times are starting to show improvements and

I'm beginning to sense the development of a bit of bounce in my stride

and even the possibility of stride lengthening. Here's my times to date!

12/10. 15:19

13/10. 15:20

14/10. 14:26

15:10. 13:53

18:10. 14:01

21:10. 13:58

24:10. 13:27

27:10. 13:29

Copy of text sent to family showing progress towards getting fit again!