Well, well. I haven’t written in this blog for more than two years, mainly because there was nothing that I wanted to write about. Things happened of course. First, I lost Geraldine. my best friend (outside the immediate family) for whom I had tried to be a useful carer (gardening, shopping, chauffeuring and odd job man) for a few years. Her various illnesses, which she had battled with courage and patience for many years, eventually left her prone to pneumonia, which took her from us at Christmas 2014. Rest in Peace Gerry and we will hope to meet again on the other side.
So far as I was concerned, 2015 was a blur. If anything of consequence happened, I didn’t notice or have forgotten. Then, in 2016, I started again by selling the Morris Minor, shortly followed by the VW T4 motor caravan and by buying an almost new VW Polo Bluemotion.
We planned to make a few easy trips in the “new” car when I threw a spanner in the works by having a stroke. I am now in the local specialist unit, having started for two days in the local general hospital. Here, I have my own en-suite single room.
Nine days on and I am now taking real food again having had tube feeding followed by everything puried for a few days. Everyone here is very kind but the staff are, if anything, too helpful. I have been able to manage washing and going to the toilet etc, perfectly well by myself, albeit more slowly than usually and, yes, with a slight wobble in the early stages. But the hospital wanted me to be escorted by two people every time I got out of bed. One night this led a row when I refused to allow two very young nurses to accompany this elderly gent to the toilet. After a while we compromised. Since then I have been instructed by various staff to ring for a nurse every time I needed the toilet and I have ignored them. Fortunately they have ignored me too. It has helped that progress has been good so that I no longer need escorts.
I have typed this with one finger of the left hand. The right hand will join in when strong enough. Meanwhile I will leave you contemplating the sheer joy of putting on one’s socks with one hand, or fastening or unfastening zips, or a belt. It’s all fun.
Just Williams 
Well, my goodness. I’m sorry to hear such unhappy news from you, but I’m glad to see a post, get a bit of an update, and to know that you’ve begun the path to recovery. One of my best friends had a stroke about four years ago. She was maybe 75 at the time, and it left her with real problems walking and keeping her balance, although her cognitive functions were fine. Today? Even as I type, she and a friend are boarding a cruise ship down in Galveston, off on another week-long jaunt to somewhere — Cozumel, I think!
I laughed at that system of mutual ignoring you’ve developed. I understand why the attendants want to be attentive, especially at first, but it sounds like you’re doing pretty well on your own, and I know enough of your personality to know you’re not about to lie about, waiting to be waited on.
All’s well here, although the days seem to be whizzing by ever faster. I understand perfectly how an entire year can disappear in a flash. I’m turning 70 myself this year, and am all too aware that I’d best not be wasting time. 🙂
Best wishes to you, and of course to your beloved. I’ll look forward to an update when your right hand decides to join the party!
~ Linda