Down, down, deeper and down. (Sorry, for myself, blues.)

[Bobbi]

Anyone think Stroke (with a capital ‘s’) is a wonder journey with every day better than the last?

Here we all go to the top of the hill . . .

Are we allowed to say this is crap (with a small ‘s’)?

Here’s an old tune:

I’m right side disabled. My left side does all the work these days.

Unfortunately 70 years ago my left side suffered a trauma. Since then I got better and have managed okay.

A few days ago my left side went on strike. If my right side didn’t work then it wouldn’t either.

The first I knew of this was discovering that without legs you rapidly arrive on the floor in a bruised and painful heap pretty much helpless.

I recognise this and have been working on a strategy to remedy it and, without too much fuss, get back on my feet. I’m pleased to say that it does work and recovery is possible in quick time.

Only problem is that if you want to stand you need, at the very minimum, at least one working leg and a sense of balance.

So here I am, without sense, without balance, without working legs. Well the legs are there, as I sit or lie, sending me messages of pain, discomfort and distress.

So I’ll do the stroke thing. Grit my teeth and hope. Perhaps the pain will subside, the pain killers will kick in. Maybe my limbs will return to some sort of order and engaging with life will again be a possibility.

In the great scheme of things this is nothing. A week of discomfort is soon past, soon forgotten, as it should be.

I begin to feel that there is improvement and little by little I’m moving along again.

I suppose ending up in a deep hole is another thing.
Not avoided every time.
There’s another up there ahead.
I’ll have to cope with it, cope with myself.

For now I’ll work at dealing with today.

Up or down,
here’s a grin from me to you.

keep on keepin’ on

(a day like any other)

[Hook]
Get down deeper and down
Down, down deeper and down
Down, down deeper and down

[Verse 1]
I want all the world to see
To see you’re laughing, and you’re laughing at me
I can take it all from you
Again, again, again, again
Again, again, again and deeper and down

[Hook]
Down, down deeper and down
Down, down deeper and down
Down, down deeper and down
Get down deeper and down

[Verse 2]
I have all the ways you see
To keep you guessing, stop your messing with me
You’ll be back to find your way
Again, again, again, again
Again-gain-gain-gain deeper and down

[Hook]
Down, down deeper and down
Down, down deeper and down
Down, down deeper and down
Get down

[Guitar Solo]

[Hook]
Get down deeper and down
Down, down deeper and down
Down, down deeper and down
Get down deeper and down

[Verse 3]
I have found you out you see
I know what you’re doing, what you’re doing to me
I’ll keep on and say to you
Again, again, again, again
Again-gain-gain-gain deeper and down

[Hook]
Down, down deeper and down
Down, down deeper and down
Down, down deeper and down
Get down

[wolfie]

[Mrs5K]

@Bobbi

You’re a fighter & I know you’ll get up again. This song came to mind. I get knocked down but I get up again..

Just take it steady. You need your legs and if no better soon please get checked over. But good to hear you feel like things are starting to improve.

Keep going.

[Bobbi]

@Mrs5K

Thanks for the chewn - luv it - big grin

might have to go easy on the whisky drinks

though Hilary is opening a can of beer for me.

been computer fixing up and down stairs,

totally krackered - must ease down and take a break.

[Mrs5K]

Enjoy your beer your Hilary is a good un.

You definitely need to slow down for a bit & maybe fewer trips up & down the stairs.

Ann xx

[Mrs5K]

@Bobbi how are you doing,? Hope things are slowly improving for you.

Take care.

Ann xx

[Bobbi]

Still struggling a bit, getting the legs to behave is a trial. Lots to do but need to rest. I’m a lot better than a week ago.

Thanks for asking Ann.

[ManjiB]

Take your time Bobbi - there is no rush
I suspect it’s your body and brain letting you know they need a bit a breather after all the exertions of recent times
Put on those oldies and reminisce. Sometimes it is good to look back with rose tinted glasses

[Mrs5K]

Glad you are improving Bobbi but sounds like you stuill need plenty of rest yet. We are cheering you on from the sidelines.

Get well soon.

Ann xx

[Bobbi]

@ManjiB @Mrs5K @wolfie

Walking a little better, balance improving.
Over all feeling I’m going in the right direction.

It wasn’t nice but I’m still here and I hope rest will put things right.

Thanks for the encouragement. You are a great gang.

[wolfie]

Good to hear it Bobbi. Glad things are improving.

We are the groovy gang

[Rups]

This is what I think …

Ying Tong Song

And then everything makes sense

[Mrs5K]

Thanks for the earworm @Rups

Hope your move went well & you are starting to get settled in your new place.

[Rups]

Getting there, has it been stressful? Yea. Has it been challenging? Yea. This is the first day I feel I can take it easy. I’ve had a week of acute symptoms, awful and then yesterday I got a little more becalmed. Haven’t completely moved stuff yet but telling myself not to worry over it. Sleeping on makeshift bed in back room, learning new routines. All grist for the mill. Struggling to go outside because I don’t know lay of the land yet, narrow pavements and unsympathetic drivers, need to put hand up while crossing road. Getting there by nook or crook.

[Mrs5K]

Glad you are slowly getting sorted. Moving is stressful at the best of times without adding in all your stroke effects.

Hopefully you’ll work out the lay of the land soon so you can venture a bit further. Always takes time to adjust to new surroundings.

[Bobbi]

Something unpleasant happened here, life isn’t always wonderful.
I’m hoping it is gradually getting back to a better state of affairs.
I can take the rough with the smooth and am optimistic.

Many thanks @Rups for your contribution.

I truly needed that.

The valves on my steam radio are now warmed up and glowing as if crackly brand new.

Wonderfully masterful.

May the goons be with you.

[Mrs5K]

Glad things are moving in the right direction for you Bobbi. I couldn’t get that Goons tune out my head all day yesterday but it did make me smile so not complaining. Hope that steam radio is doing you proud

[Mrs5K]

How are you getting on @Bobbi ? Hope you’re improving all the time & haven’t had any more setbacks.

Take care

Ann x

[Bobbi]

Thanks for asking @Mrs5K
It’s been awful, still shaky on feet but I think I’m improving.

This week to get me going

I got in the kitchen and made chicken in a light cheese sauce with dill and garlic and spirelli pasta.

Make a roux, add chicken stock, add garlic, add milk, cheese and dill.
Add cooked pasta and meat from roast chicken thighs, serve with choice of vegetables.

The following day I made a simple, tasty, vegetable stew.

1 aubergine
1 courgette
2 sticks of celery
1 bell pepper
1 carrot
1 onion
1 potato (sometimes some pasta)

Chop veg into big pieces.
Pressure cook for 12 minutes with natural release

1 tin tomatoes
1 teaspoon marmite
salt & pepper

Add tomatoes, marmite, salt & pepper.
Heat through.

Serve with pasta, a cheese toasty or crusty bread.

It was all okay so I think I’ll repeat (no pun intended) over the next couple of days.

Here’s to better times.

[Mrs5K]

Sounds like you’ve had a rough time of it and I hope you come out the other side of it soon.

It definitely feels like stew weather now. I’ve never put marmite in mine though. Will have to try it as I am definitely a marmite lover.