The long dark tea-time of the soul day 81

Tuesday. 

We got up and ready to go to the city to meet Sue and Pete and to buy our things for our "carpet picnic" there isn't an event or street party we can go to being as Kev is at work at the weekend, so we will celebrate the Jubilee our way with some nosecco and picnic treats in the comfort of our own home. 

We met Sue and Pete at The Robuck and had a lovely lunch and a good catch up. 

They went off shopping afterwards and we went to the bus stop. We got home and I got out of the wheelchair and did my dyalog and then took a photo of all the full dyalog covers full of two years worth of insert books. A book for each month. Most have given up doing a day by day dyalog but not me and a few talented others in the group have kept at it. I love mine and looking through the past books and seeing how my art has evolved and improved. I shall continue with mine for the foreseeable future. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 80.

Monday.

Quiet day. I showered and its so much easier for Kev now I can walk to the bathroom with the walker instead of Kev having to push me on the commode to the shower. And now I can dry and walk back to the bedroom on my own that's even more helpful. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 79.

Sunday.

Kev went to work. So I got up with him so he could get me set up for the day. 

When he went I set to and put together a page in my square journal and started another. I also did my dyalog and started prepping my next. Time soon passes when you get stuck into something arty and before I knew it Kev was texting to say he was on his way home. 

I'm getting on OK while he is out. I'm not doing too much walking only when I need to. I'm doing the exercises and putting my ankle ice pack on in the evening. It certainly works. 

The long dark tea-time of soul day 78

Saturday. 

After a night of tossing and turning as I said it felt weird having a naked foot after all this time. My left ankle was swollen when I went to bed, I guessing because I had to put on it so much. The alarm went off at 7.30am Kev got ready for work then set me up for the day I put my trainers on to be able to walk on my foot without my boot. So trips to the loo and the door when the post came, then in the kitchen to fetch my sandwich and put the ice packs that came with the ankle thingy into the freezer. I must admit I am very pleased with it. It has a pack each side which is perfect for both areas that have been operated on. 

I spent a good part of the day at my desk stamping and colouring images out ready for when I need them. Dyan had a live class on in the dandelion club at four. That just finished as Kev got home. After we had eaten I decamped to the bedroom so Kev could watch the build up to the match and I could continue my own viewing. Sadly Liverpool lost, never mind lads things could be worse, you could be Man United... 

Charlotte and I watched Gemini Man, not a bad movie, but the face mapping on the lad playing a young Will Smith was a bit off, Like Avatar it's the eyes not looking like they belong to the face. Weird.

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 77.

Friday.

Up and ready to go out on the 10 to 10  bus as my appointment at Physio was 11.30 and we had the find the damn place first. Once we got there Jack my therapist saw us straight away. He got me walking in my boot to see the progress I had made. He was happy with that. Then he checked my notes and said that the boot could come off for increasing periods over the next few weeks. Slowly though and not just take it off and forget it. He also made me walk with no boot on and was very pleased with that. The bit he wasn't happy with was the swelling and stiffness ( he did say while both are normal after what I've had done) it was something to be worked on. He gave me daily exercises to do and those too are to be increased slowly. He also wants me to elevate and put ice packs on it to help with the swelling. Apparently I should have been doing both of these things through out but no one told me... Oh well, now we know we will start tomorrow to that end I've ordered a ankle ice pack that you freeze then place it on the area. It's gel packs that fit inside a sleeve to stop me getting freezer burn. As my left one swells anyway It will come in for both.

Anyway we were out of there with another appointment for three weeks time and went back into the city in the tram. We had lunch and then did some shopping for the weekend before heading home. Kev removed my boot and I sat with ice on my ankle for a bit then did the exercises for today. I'm knackered now and it's a bit sore. So an earlyish night ( sleeping without a boot feels odd at the moment, if I'm honest and Willow has already perched herself on my knees bless her. 

Kev is at work tomorrow, so another early start for both of us as I need to get set up for the day. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 76.

Thursday.

Kev came up with an idea that the loo raiser frame could double up as a seat in the shower. Now that I can walk to the shower with my walker I can step into the shower and then sit. Kev then takes off my boot and I shower. We dry in completely and them he puts the boot back on so I can walk back. This saves Kev having to lift that heavy commode chair in and out, which was a right pain and was making his back hurt. 

So we tried it out... Worked a treat. 

Hospital tomorrow and I'm a bit nervous, the next step hopefully, but as I can over think, I tried to keep myself busy. 

My stamps came from Aall and Create. The Egyptian ones. They are so cute. So I set to and tried them out by making a few cards. 

My plain black top came to go with those trousers so I'm all set if we do get any nice weather...

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 75.

Wednesday.

Up early so Kev would have no trouble getting the washing done. Obviously there is more now I'm getting dressed every day, and Kev has uniform. So he didn't want someone butting in making it hard to get done. 

I finished the waterfall insert for my dyalog. A lady did one in hers and I asked her permission to use the idea for mine. I also made a card and did my pages for my dyalog. In the afternoon we watched more of the Chelsea Flower show. 

The long dark of the soul day 74

Tuesday.

It started off sunny and warm as we got ready to go out. As we got on the bus the clouds gathered and it started to rain. There we were in t-shirts and no jackets. So the first stop was Primarni to get cheap waterproofs. Which we did, plus a t-shirt for Kev that we spotted on the way. 

We did some shopping, and typically as soon as we bought the jackets, the skies cleared and we took them off because we were too warm. You can guarantee if we hadn't bought them it would have continued to rain. 

We got back in time before the downpour began here and believe had we been in it it would have soaked us coats or not. 

I got home to a parcel with some summer trousers I'd ordered. I will be mostly wearing trousers when I go out, or really long dresses as to hide the scars until I'm at peace with them. I grew up hiding the scars on my left leg, only gaining confidence to wear nothing on my lower calf when I met Kev. Now I have more to hide. I will get better about it, but it will take time. I might be nearing 59, but I still have that little voice in my head that I need to deal with from years ago. It's not vanity, just a lack of confidence.

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 73

Monday. 

A heavy overcast day that threatened to storm. I got up and sat in the chair but, stayed in the bedroom while Kev watched all the re-run of the after match rubbish on sky sports. I sat and listened to my audible book. 

After all that was done I went into the living room and did the rest of my Tea and Quote cards. They are all done now, so I will put them in my box while I decide what to do with them. I might buy a display folder to put them in I don't know yet. 

Later on we watched The Chelsea Flower Show on TV. We were thinking that we really should go sometime when I'm fit. We've cancelled the holiday to Bournemouth next month already as I'm not going to be anywhere near ready to travel far by then, so perhaps the cash I got back for that can go towards a trip there next year. We might get a couple of days away later in the year somewhere, but I'm not booking anything until I know I'm back properly on my feet. It wouldn't have to be anywhere fancy just a couple of days somewhere relaxing. We will see. Phase three of the healing this week I hope when they possibly remove the boot on Friday fingers crossed. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 72

Sunday.

Kev went to work on the 10 to 10 bus ( he was starting at 11) although in reality he started as soon as he got there. 

He said there was a new driver being coached by Matt, so hopefully that'll mean we have less 'missing' buses but I'm not holding my breath.

I had a peaceful day doing my tea and cake quote cards and prepping my dyalog. 

I listened to an audible book while I worked on my craft area. I was listening to Strange Practice by Vivian Shaw. 

Again the day was changeable and the air con was on and off like a prostitutes knickers. 

Kev left me set up with houmous and crudités for lunch and drinks in long cups so that I didn't dehydrate while he was out. It a lot of work before he goes to work for which I am grateful for.

Liverpool were playing and very narrowly lost the Premier league. Either team could have lost or won at that point and it must have been very hard on both sets of fans. I always think that whoever wins in those circumstances has little to crow about, evenly matched throughout. In fact, I don't really understand the rivalry and hatred of fans. It is just a game. And even more so I don't get this need to constantly re-watch and pontificate about happened, didn't happen by the pundits afterwards. That bit of football is in my opinion the worst. 

It's not even over yet we still have the Champions league final to go next week. 

After that Charlotte came over and we had a good natter. We watched the start of Hunted together before she went to get ready for the next day at work. 

The long dark tea-time of soul day 70/71

Friday.

The weather is very changeable at the moment and at one minute we are switching on the air con the next minute having to switch it off again. 

I'm spending nearly all day in the living room now, walking to the craft area and bathroom using my walker. I'm getting about OK but slowly. My balance has improved a little, the boot being curved on the base doesn't help, but it is done on purpose so that you can't put your full weight on the leg that holds it. Clever really. 

Saturday.

Kev was at work today. He had to take my paperwork in from the DWP and my new sick note ( I'm off for another four weeks) and get my prescription. He worked from 10am and finished at 3.30pm. It made it 5pm when he got home. I was OK, I kept myself busy crafting and watching a few things I enjoy on TV. Kev left me well set up with food and drinks to keep me going until

he got back. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 69.

Thursday. 

Kev went to the doctors to pick up my prescription. Surprise! It wasn't ready. He had just come back when they rang to say it was ready. So back he went, bless him. 

It gets worse round here for nosy neighbours. The second time Kev came back Mrs Busy from no.4 and Mrs I've just done a 12hr shift from no. 9 were outside talking to Denise from no.3. When Kev came through the gate, Mrs Busy said " that's the second time you've been shopping today"

Kev ( who is very quick) said "Who are you Google bloody maps? Denise nearly choked on her coffee. 

Earlier on the week, Mrs I've just done a 12hr shift, saw Charlotte at the bus stop and said " you were late leaving Chelle's last night" ffs... Charlotte says she's going to start coming round in disguise. Some say it should be comforting having neighbours watching the place. I think is bloody annoying. Nosy Bastards. 

Photos are of my healing ankle. The top one is the graft area and the lower one are the two scars where they put the plates and pins in. 

Healing nicely, but still very stiff and painful. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 68.

Wednesday.

Wash day Kev got done easily even though he went in the laundry room later than usual. 

I washed and did my teeth in the bathroom, standing and leaning on my walker. Another step ( no pun intended) forward.

I had a lovely card come from Jo at work, I'm so grateful for the people who have remembered me and stayed in touch while I've gone through this challenging time. They always say when it's dark look for stars, and I've certainly have a few stars. 

My new phone came. And as usual it's frustrating at first getting stuff sorted out. But eventually it all dropped into place. It's smaller than my old one, I think that will be better once I'm back at work having to carry it around. 

The case came too, so I'm good to go. 

I made a canvas today with the abstract faces dies of Tim's and I am very pleased with it. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 67.

Tuesday.

Lovely morning so we got ready early to go into the city. I walked to the chair which Kev put in the doorway. 

We got the bus and Steve was the driver he informed us that the last bus back to Cotgrave was going to be the 5 20pm as they had no drivers. 

Later on thanks to a lot of complaints they posted up online that they would be running more, but they would be a bit scarce. I think the fact that the Forest match was on they needed to have buses on. A lot of people from here go to the matches. Stupid day to pull the plug on a much needed service. Trent Barton at it's finest. 

We did a bit of shopping in the few places that are easy to get in and around with the wheelchair. 

Then we met Sue and Pete and had a lovely catch up. 

Once we had parted company we went to M&S. Got a few bits and then went to buy an ice cream and sit and eat it watching the world go by. It was a nice treat on such a warm day. 

When we got back and I sat in the living room it started to rain. We got back just in time. 

Liverpool were playing so I made my way into the bedroom. I watched what I wanted to, and later Charlotte came round for a natter. 

I also ordered a new phone, which should come tomorrow as my contract is up with Sky and they were waving deals at me. The one I'm using right now is starting to lose it's charge, and I do always think they last two years max. I also used my saved data to get even more discounts off the new phone. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 66.

Monday. 

Because Kev was at work yesterday I showered today. I walked to the shower cubical with my boot on and then Kev removed it so I could shower. Made sure I was well dry and then put my boot back and walked back to bedroom to dress. I then walked into the living room. I used the walker each time and once I had my trainer on I found it easier to balance. 

Kev did ask me while I was showering if I could flex my right foot with the boot off. I couldn't much. It felt too stiff. That made me a little concerned, but I would imagine that is only to be expected and would be what physio will work on surely. It been held in that position in a cast and now a boot for over two months now... Maybe it will need work on it before it becomes more flexible. I can't remember how my left one was because I was only little and the scar is at the back of my leg whereas these two are either side of my ankle. I guess I'll know more next week when I go back to hospital. 

I had to ring the Doctors this morning I needed some more Omeprazole. It was only a phone appointment but it was like pulling teeth to get. In the end she said that the prescription would be ready to pick up at the end of the week as the Doctor won't ring me back for something so trivial. Charming. I was told last month that I would need to ring up and speak to the Dr if I needed more. Go figure. Coz I can't. Anyhow we will see if it's there when these I have run out. It's a bloody disgrace how they treat you. They've got so used to not dealing with actual patients they no longer want to. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 65.

Sunday. 

Kev went to work. On fewer hours but he had to help me and set me up for the day. Which he did bless him. 

I stayed in the bedroom while he was out. Thinking that safety wise that was the best option.

Kindly Charlotte, popped round a couple of times to make sure I was ok. 

When Kev got back I was able to move into the living room. 

I did a bit of crafting and watched a bit of Discovery plus.

We saw the final of the miniature challenge. I was pleased that Dominic won it was clearly deserved. All his stuff was hand made, he didn't use any 3D printed stuff. I think that was the major difference between the two finalists. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 64

Saturday.

Last Saturday that Kev will be home with me all day. I went into the living room early on and did some work at my desk. Dyalog pages and more of the quote cards mainly. 

In the afternoon I went into the bedroom as the FA Cup was on. I put stuff on I wanted to watch and rested my leg. 

Liverpool never make things easy and it went to both extra time and penalties. Finally they won! It was just before 8pm so I could then watch Eurovision my cheesy guilty pleasure. 

We knew that the Ukrainian entry would win, even if the song was rubbish, but our song did very well for once and came second... First time in year's we have got anywhere near the top 10! 

Although I must admit, it did cross my mind that they won't have a country to put on the contest left by next year... I just wish someone had the balls to go shoot Putin like they did Bin Laden. Because he's the mad man here, they'd soon back down without him at the helm. 

Kev did me some sandwiches etc to keep me going while he is out at work. I'll stay in the bedroom tomorrow to cut the risk of me falling etc. I can get to the bathroom. I just don't want to risk the craft chair moving on me or me not being able to get out of the sofa safely on my own I know I can get on/off the chair in the bedroom and lie on the bed if I need to rest my leg up. I have my lifeline pendant to call the wardens if I have any major problems, but I am sure I'll be fine. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 62/63

Thursday. 

Again I got up and got dressed albeit in comfy trousers and t- shirt and went into the living room. 

Apart from it being nice to sit and craft it is nice to be able to see outside. 

Another Kev bright idea he came up with so I can sit on the sofa is that if he puts both cushions on top of one another it makes it high enough for me to sit comfy. So that's what we tried, and it works great. I wouldn't be able to put that much pressure on my ankle if I was lower down. 

Friday.

Again I say in the living room from the morning until bedtime. Moving just to the bathroom when I needed to. 

The sofa thing worked so later on in the day I moved to there and was a lot happier. 

My friend Suzannne sent me some craft stuff in a care package, collage clippings and stamped images as well as Tim's paper dolls and die cuts. Very kind of her. 

Charlotte came round in the evening ( Ian bought the shopping round earlier) and we were able to play a game of Monopoly which was fun. It's the little things. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 61.

Wednesday. 

Wash day. Kev only had one bag so it didn't take long. 

It was a gritty day windy and rainy and for once I could see it as I sat in the living room! 

I can't sit in the sofa as it is too low, but if Kev holds my craft chair steady I can sit on that. Which gets me out of the bedroom for a big part of the day. It's a big step forward along with being able to go to the toilet on my own now... It also means I can wear comfy trousers around the house now that I can stand, and pjs again which means I'm more me again. Night shirts are ok and I got some good ones, but I've always been a pjs type of girl. It also means I can craft and without having to bother Kev to fetch stuff which is a bonus.

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 59 and 60

Monday. 

I am happy to report that the pain had calmed down to a level I can deal with and I did walk to and from the bathroom a couple of times and did my exercises. 

I do get a bit fed up on a Monday as it feels like another long stretch of week is in front of me. I keep busy or try to, but the days do bleed into one another, pretty much like they did during lockdown but at least then I went to work for two days then. And I could move around the bungalow under my own steam. Things are improving slowly, I can go to the loo on my own now and yesterday I sat in the living room for a bit in my craft chair. I can only do that if Kev is here as it moves, so he has to hold it while I get on or off to reduce that risk.

Tuesday 

A half decent day so we got ready and went into town. It was nice to get some fresh air and I didn't need a jacket. It wasn't really to shop as we hadn't much we wanted, but more to get me out of the house. It's a lot of extra work for Kev but I appreciate that he does it. 

We had lunch out, only at Maccy D's and sat outside,  but it made a change. I like the plant based burger they do, it's improved since they first bought it out. Town and the bus were busy. Usual problems someone was sitting in the disabled bay with a dog and moaned a bit because they had to move. Aw diddums. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 58

Sunday. 

Shower day. I walked to the bathroom save Kev having to push me on the commode. Once there I sat on the already positioned chair and we removed my boot. After I was done and fully dry and rebooted I walked back. 

It got us talking about how little for saying these are disabled/ elderly properties they have that are useful if you are mobility impaired. The doors are no wider, there are still little ridges before you get into a room, and there isn't much room to manoeuvre a wheelchair, scooter or even a walker around. The only difference is being on one level and the life alert system. I hope any they build now have a little more thought behind them but I doubt it. It's not a complaint by the way just an observation on our part. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul days 56/57

Friday. 

So more practice walking today with the walker and the loo raiser came so I can get on and off the seat myself. I'm only walking so much each day and doing my exercises. I'm being careful. I ordered two journals to take the pages out of to make the cards from this weeks class and for stamping onto, they should come tomorrow. 

Saturday.

Kev went on to work to talk to his boss about going back to work on less hours for the rest of the time I'm incapacitated. So he left me with everything I needed to get by with while he was out. Charlotte nipped round to check in on me. 

Kev got back around 2.30 ish and he bought back sushi for lunch. It sounds like he has sorted out what will work for a while at least. We will see how things go. 

My journals came before he went out so they didn't have to languish on the porch until he came back. I shall start my cards tomorrow. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 55.

Thursday.

OH sent me a walker. One of them came out to see if I was ok on it. She was fine with it, but, was concerned that I don't do too much. She doesn't want me going into the living room because the seating would be unsuitable at the moment to get up from and as my craft chair moves she doesn't want me using that either. So bedroom for another month it is then. 

She only want me to walk to the bathroom when they have put an additional frame around it to support me and higher it up. All things you don't think of. She was happy that I'm being sensible and not rushing my recovery. As she said this isn't a regular break repair, it has to be a gradual build up to normal movement. 

I feel a bit down about that at the moment but I'll get my head round it and deal with as I always do. I knew it wasn't going to be easy. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 54

Wednesday. 

OH rang Kev they are sending me a walking frame hopefully by Friday. Which means that Kev can go back to work because I can get to the loo myself and Kev can leave me some food and drinks ready so all I would need to get me through until he gets home. I have my medic alert pendant so if I get into trouble I can call for help so I should be ok. A big leap forward so long as I'm careful not to do too much. 

Charlotte nipped round in the evening and kindly shaved my leg, as they had shaved it before the op and it had grown back very dark and rough. I joked I could backcomb it and keep my stockings up! Now it's nice and smooth again and the cream should sink in a bit better as it is still a bit scaly... 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 53

Tuesday.

We got up and got ready to go out and shop and meet Sue and Pete for lunch. I walked to the wheelchair from the bed just using the bedhead for support one side. Kev was there if I needed him, obviously, but I managed ok. 

We went into town and got what we needed, we ran into Sue and Pete when we were in Poundland so we all walked ( me in the wheelchair) down to the pub. We got in there ok and we had a good lunch. It got busier in there as we came away. 

We parted company and Kev and I went to M&S mainly because there was someone else at the bus stop with a mobility scooter and we knew there would be no way we could get on at the same time. Rather than sit for 40 minutes we thought we would go get a few extra bits we would normally get from round the corner shop. 

When we got home I walked back to the bed and then got changed and rested. Enough for today xx 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 52.

Monday.

I did my exercises from the physio and then we decided to get me to get on the knee scooter. I walked as I did yesterday from the chair to the end of the bed. I got on the knee scooter and went up and down the hall. It would be perfect if we had the room, but the turning circle is so tight in here,  so I think a walker would be better. I walked back to the chair. I received my trainers yesterday, so I put the left one one and it did make a difference, because I didn't have to compensate for the difference in height from my left leg to the right in the boot. 

Kev unbooted me to put moisturiser on my leg again and then put the boot back on. 

Just a bit more movement than the day before, but I can feel it increases my confidence, but I also know it hurts, so that's enough to make me not push it too far. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 51

Sunday.

Shower day. Rather than scoot over the bed to the commode to shower I walked, holding on to Kev and the bedhead but I made it and made it back after the shower. 

I washed the scar and graft area gently and patted it dry with one of my gentle face cloths so that we didn't catch the scabbed area then we slathered on loads of Aveeno onto my scaly leg.  Kev rebooted me ( not like a computer) and I made it back walking to the bed holding onto Kev again and the bedhead when needed. 

I'm thinking that maybe she was a little hasty in not giving me a frame... If you think about it, I had just that minute had my boot fitted and hadn't stood for 6 weeks, expecting me not to be wobbly is a bit of an ask, mind you, I know they don't have much time with each patient. And a hell of a lot nicer with it than they were at Durham. So Kev is going to ring OH and see if they can lend us a walker... 

I've also ordered some sketchers trainers ( arch support) because I think if I can give my left foot the same sort of height as the boot it might help. They'll come in for next month when I can wear footwear again ( all being well) as I'm going to have to be careful what I do wear on my feet. The one's I have ordered are made with that light mesh fabric so there's no chance they'll rub the graft area.