Mums feeling better but they still don't know the cause of her strokes so she's staying in hospital for the near future. Now she's worried that I might catch a bug if I go and see her before my op in three weeks time so I'm banned from that cauldron of lurgs!
Now, if you're following my blog, you might remember that yesterday I was off to a new venue for my swimming exercise, one I hoped that wouldn't be filled with superfit OAP's who swam non stop up and down at about double my speed! And we had success :-). Timed my swimming just right in that it was a great mix of serious swimmers and families just having fun. But I was a good boy in that I left the floats and toys alone and swan my lengths - two more than last time - me chuffed!
But I was knackered. Legs are fine, they are quite strong due to many years playing rugby when I was younger, but the arms! My arms were obviously left out of the fitness and strength lottery. I am Mr Weakling as far as the arms go so swimming isn't one of my strong points. But hey, that's what this is all about, getting fit. Being as fit as I can before my op so that recovery time can be the best possible. So today is a long walk and I will squeeze in another swim on Saturday before we go off to the Banstead Booze Up. If you're not going do think about it as it looks like it will be a fun and supportive day.
Now family. I have got used to my other half writing her own blog on here ( tgirl ) but just a few seconds before my "thoughts from the frontline - 8" went live yesterday, my son, Phil, posted his first blog on here ( PhilConsequence ) and it brought a tear to my eye. He tells me, well the world actually, that he's proud of me. Well I'm bl**dy proud of him. If you have not read his blog please do as this 24 year old says some very important things about life. Thanks Phil. And I'm also very proud of the fact that we have so many good friends and family who are being just great. I can't name you all as this blog would be a mile long. Support without being needy themselves. A few minor exceptions but I can get a bit emotional when I realise how many people are there to fight this battle with me. And I include you lot out there reading this blog as part of my team. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Even if you just read our brief notes about the battle, our life that now revolves around operation, diet and fingers crossed we thank you all.
I've been thinking a lot about life these past few days and remembering past events, people etc and you know what? I like my life. I've done lots of different things I'm proud off. Many things I would rather people forgot! Somethings that have been very painful. But overall, life has been good. I know that by being born into this time and place has meant that I have a great medical team behind me at my time of need. No worries about the cost of treatment, no arguments with insurance companies. Thank you NHS and thank you MacMillan.
Now the other side. I can't imagine what it would be like to go through all this on your own. To those people reading this without a large support group I send my personal hugs and just say that there are hundreds on here that are all behind you. Do take that plunge and write a blog or a message in one of the forums. Or even private message a person you feel knows where you are coming from. I get quite a few private messages and feel honored when I can help with either a few bits of advice or just a few hugs from someone who does care. To those who are the silent ones on this website - we are all there for you, big hugs.
A xxx
