So much for my pledge to go out for a walk every day. Today was the first time I've been out since Sunday, unless you count shopping, which I do. I didn't walk to the shop, but walking around must add up to something, 'specially with all that stopping and turning, and going back again. Just goes to show you, you shouldn't publicly state these things: just get on with it, or not, as the case may be.
I had a few things to do the last couple of days: that's my excuse.
It didn't look like the weather was going to improve at all, so I managed to get out a little while ago. It's windy and wet, and very cold. It was frosty last night, and I think it may snow a little later today. The rain certainly felt very cold, and the wind's roaring round the house as I write.
So I managed my little loop in just over 32 minutes. I stopped for a couple of minutes, because I met nearby neighbours Malcolm and Fiona, who were out walking their dog, Hyper. Yes, really! A golden lab called Hyper. All I can say is she must have quietened down a bit since she was named. It's horrible out there,and the only people out were dog walkers and me. .
So half-an-hour is the benchmark now. And I managed all the slopes and uneven surfaces a lot more easily. I only have a little hip pain, as as result of my exertions, and my stump is fine. So trying to get out more often is working.
I've had no Internet access for a while: I was having problems getting connected, but I had recently upgraded from a 2Mb link to an 8Mb one - it is the same price now - and apparently interruptions in service are normal during this period.
Anyhoo, like a twit, while I was trying to figure out if there was a problem with my kit, I pressed the 'reset' button on my router, thinking it would just do a power off / power on thing. What I found out later is that it had reset all the settings to the factory defaults, so I had to phone Tiscali to find out the correct settings. They got it right on the second attempt: the first guy gave me the wrong info, and I could tell it wasn't anything wrong with the equipment, so I phoned back to get the correct gen. Voila! It is done! All is good, and I'm back in touch.
That was quite a panicky time, I can tell you. It's amazing how much you rely on t'Internet these days, and how much you miss it when it isn't there.
30 January, 2008
27 January, 2008
Walking
I've decided that instead of trying to increase my walking range, which puts me off because it just gets too painful as soon as I get towards a mile or so, I'll just try to walk more often. A mile at a time.
I did it yesterday, but by the time I got within 200 metres of home, I was already in quite a lot of pain. I was, however, walking without my stick for much of the time, which is an improvement. I went out again today, and made it all the way round wihout stopping, and with only a little pain by the time I got home. I think maybe the much better weather might have had something to do with it.
If I can get out daily, maybe I'll get the better of this infuriating pain. We're going to New York for a weekend soon, and I'd like to be able to enjoy the time there without having to keep stopping. A mile at a time would do it, with a rest at each interval in a coffee shop or a bar. I wonder if we'll be able to find a coffee shop when I need one? :-D
Of course, we are still planning to go to China in September, so I really need to build up my stamina for that!
I did it yesterday, but by the time I got within 200 metres of home, I was already in quite a lot of pain. I was, however, walking without my stick for much of the time, which is an improvement. I went out again today, and made it all the way round wihout stopping, and with only a little pain by the time I got home. I think maybe the much better weather might have had something to do with it.
If I can get out daily, maybe I'll get the better of this infuriating pain. We're going to New York for a weekend soon, and I'd like to be able to enjoy the time there without having to keep stopping. A mile at a time would do it, with a rest at each interval in a coffee shop or a bar. I wonder if we'll be able to find a coffee shop when I need one? :-D
Of course, we are still planning to go to China in September, so I really need to build up my stamina for that!
24 January, 2008
Miniature roses, wine and choccies from Si and Deb.
They sent these after they stayed with us at New Year.
Update - It's nearly February already!
I haven't been taking any pictures lately, as I've been in the house most of the time, so there's not been anything very much to take pictures of. So, anyway, I thought I'd just do a text update.
I went to the hospital for a checkup yesterday, and everyone was there except the physiotherapist. We had a good chat, and the doctor decided to change my medication to help me with some of the hip pain I've been getting when walking, and to help me to stay awake. If I want to get back to work ever, I'm going to have to make it through the day without having to take several 'old man naps': might not go down well if there's a ton of work to do. I'll see the physio later, and see if there's some more exercises I can do at home, or at the BUPA place.
I've been told not to walk through the pain cos I might do some damage, but I should walk more often within my range. I'm put off going out for a walk because I know it's going to hurt. What a wimp! What happened to the guy that was in the gym at every opportunity when he was in hospital? He got his life back, is what. I now have other distractions like telly and computer so the gym and exercise don't have the same draw. It was really the only thing to do during the day when I was in hospital, so now I've put weight back on and I've turned into a couch potato a bit. Comfort eating doesn't help, either. I've put away so many jelly babies, I'm turning into one. Maybe if the weather improves I'll feel more like going out. My range has sort of stuck at a mile, but I could do a mile out, and then a mile back if there was a bit of a rest in the middle; at a pub, say ...
Anyhoo, the other thing they did at the hospital was to re-cast me for another leg socket: that'll be my third, I think. I'm back to having to wear 4 socks to keep the thing on, so they need to give me smaller socket. That'll make the whole assembly slimmer, and then maybe I'll be able to get my jeans and suit trousers on again. Whoo-hooo! I tried putting my jeans on, and I could do it, but they were still rather tight around the knee, and felt funny when I bent it. Maybe, oh maybe the new one will feel more natural.
There is one piccy I could post, actually. Simon (brother) and Debbie (his wife) sent us some nice miniature roses (I think that's what they are), some wine, and some chocolates (I do know what they are!) after they'd stayed here over New Year. that was really nice of them, and they looked really nice, so I took a picture; so I'll post that in a little while.
The weather has been awful lately (moan moan moan) so I've had the excuse to watch telly (new flat screen one - fabulous) and play on my computer. I've got some music mixing software now, so I've got to get organised and see if I can lay down some tracks. That's a sort of daunting prospect: where do you start? I'll need a few weeks to figure it out, and then I'll see what I can do, eh.
I went to the hospital for a checkup yesterday, and everyone was there except the physiotherapist. We had a good chat, and the doctor decided to change my medication to help me with some of the hip pain I've been getting when walking, and to help me to stay awake. If I want to get back to work ever, I'm going to have to make it through the day without having to take several 'old man naps': might not go down well if there's a ton of work to do. I'll see the physio later, and see if there's some more exercises I can do at home, or at the BUPA place.
I've been told not to walk through the pain cos I might do some damage, but I should walk more often within my range. I'm put off going out for a walk because I know it's going to hurt. What a wimp! What happened to the guy that was in the gym at every opportunity when he was in hospital? He got his life back, is what. I now have other distractions like telly and computer so the gym and exercise don't have the same draw. It was really the only thing to do during the day when I was in hospital, so now I've put weight back on and I've turned into a couch potato a bit. Comfort eating doesn't help, either. I've put away so many jelly babies, I'm turning into one. Maybe if the weather improves I'll feel more like going out. My range has sort of stuck at a mile, but I could do a mile out, and then a mile back if there was a bit of a rest in the middle; at a pub, say ...
Anyhoo, the other thing they did at the hospital was to re-cast me for another leg socket: that'll be my third, I think. I'm back to having to wear 4 socks to keep the thing on, so they need to give me smaller socket. That'll make the whole assembly slimmer, and then maybe I'll be able to get my jeans and suit trousers on again. Whoo-hooo! I tried putting my jeans on, and I could do it, but they were still rather tight around the knee, and felt funny when I bent it. Maybe, oh maybe the new one will feel more natural.
There is one piccy I could post, actually. Simon (brother) and Debbie (his wife) sent us some nice miniature roses (I think that's what they are), some wine, and some chocolates (I do know what they are!) after they'd stayed here over New Year. that was really nice of them, and they looked really nice, so I took a picture; so I'll post that in a little while.
The weather has been awful lately (moan moan moan) so I've had the excuse to watch telly (new flat screen one - fabulous) and play on my computer. I've got some music mixing software now, so I've got to get organised and see if I can lay down some tracks. That's a sort of daunting prospect: where do you start? I'll need a few weeks to figure it out, and then I'll see what I can do, eh.
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