28 July 2015

Time seems to fly by, but I have been getting some not-so-subtle reminders to update this blog (er... thanks Coral!)

Even though I think nothing much has been happening, when I reflect on the previous blog I see that things do in fact change without realizing it.

Firstly, Brian is feeling much better now and his foot has been healing very well. Next week he will be going back to Ballarat for a final xray and review of his toe and we expect a good report. He is walking pretty well, and is managing the usual household chores of washing, ironing and taking out the bins etc. Today he went for a drive around the tracks at Cape Nelson and after sitting in the car patiently for a time (at a very secret location) he was rewarded with photos of a “Rufus Bristlebird” – highly prized as they are hard to find and hop about very quickly on the ground, making them very difficult to photograph. He’s happy!

I am going along as per my ‘new normal’. Back pain has been somewhat persistent, and my new definition for ‘disabled’ has nothing to do with things like wheelchairs, but rather pain. As you would all know in varying ways, pain has the capacity to be very disabling, and the challenge is to manage it. At the moment I am pretty much on top of it, after doubling my Lyrica tablet, and then doubling it again. The trade-off for being better managed is that I am a bit sleepier than normal and my head feels slightly dipsy (some of you would sat that’s pretty normal!) Night-time sleeping is good though! 

Yesterday I had the second of my monthly injections of Denosumab (for bone strengthening). I don’t seem to be having any side-effects from this, which is good. Other than that, I am keeping up with my exercise regime – so important when I am otherwise unable to be very active. I have also had some surprise visits, flowers and a wonderful book – thank you!

Meanwhile, winter has made its presence felt with some very cold weather, and even snow in the Grampians. It’s improving a bit now, but it really doesn’t make much difference in our cocooned little world indoors. However we try to go for little drives or take the ‘long route’ home just for variety. 

This little fella was in the gum tree right near our nature strip.

Wind tower right behind the Portland smelter

Pine logs ready for export to China