This week I had my first annual review. They jokingly called it an MOT. After extensive inspection, poking around, prodding and questioning I was relieved to be told they are generally happy with me.
They are pleased with my eating. I am maintaining weight, eating healthily and obeying our negotiated limit of 3 small alcoholic drinks per week. (Cinzano Bianco and lemonade this week with lots of ice and a slice of lemon). They are also pleased with my energy levels which are slowly improving. My state of mind seems to be acceptable to them as they consider I’m not depressed.
Apparently I need to do more to help the mobility in my shoulder. I do exercise regularly but it doesn’t seem to be maintaining my flexibility sufficiently. So I’m to try swapping back to the specific exercises I originally got from the physiotherapist after the neck dissection surgery. I stopped doing them when I got some mobility back, but it looks as if they need to be done on a permanent daily basis. It’s not going to be a problem. They only take a few minutes a day and I can do them while I’m soaking in the bath or watching TV.
I was hopeful I would therefore be told I had passed the MOT and could move onto less frequent check ups. Unfortunately I have been let down by my ears. There is continuing improvement to my hearing in the right ear but the fluid is not shifting. I thought it might be finally clearing as the popping and clicking in my ears has intensified and is now also accompanied by loud thuds and squelching noises. But apparently all that is happening is the fluid is becoming less sticky so it’s running about more. I have been assessed as unsuitable for grommets as I would be at risk of a perforated eardrum which would make my hearing worse. So in an attempt to dry up the fluid I have been prescribed a steroid nasal spray which I have to use each day for 8 weeks. I’m also going to be having regular visits to the audiologist for my hearing levels to be continually monitored.
After last week's excellent start I was very disappointed when the HOPE course did not go at all well this week. I found it difficult and frustrating and didn’t feel I’d got anywhere. My Consultant gave me the excellent advice to just spend more time doing things that make me happy. So this weekend I am planning to watch some tennis. I’ve not had a chance to watch any this week. I’m told Zverev is one to watch against Ferrer in Hamburg. I am also going to listen to my new Jay & The Americans albums which I bought last weekend and haven’t had an opportunity to listen to yet. I will make a decision next week about whether to continue with the HOPE course or not.
