As the Season Turns !

So, it's 7 weeks since my catheter has been changed. A small semi-sterile procedure done by the district nurse, which requires hoisting, prep and a pipe inserted directly into the bladder. Relatively painless, and an ongoing procedure for life - or, that's is what they think !!!. I am clamping, testing, and trying desperately hard to maintain spasticity in order to ditch all this ONCE I find my legs again !! Against all odds, I firmly believe that the mind can, and will, overcome these hurdles dished out in life ! My usual nurse, Angela, is on leave - she is amazing, takes my sense of humour and we always have a laugh. Today, though, two substitute nurses arrive ! They were blown away with my attitude towards life, could not believe how un-fazed I was about the procedure, and were shocked at the organisation of medical supplies - all thanks to Eugene, who runs the place with military precision !! DONT mess with his drawers of supplies ! NOT EVER !!!!

Working backwards and forwards over these past two weeks, has seen this cripple attacking London with a vengeance ! A short bus ride away, Easter Monday night at my old digs for diner with Jacs !,  The usual No 97 salad and an amazing salmon and pasta dish. Eugene was the assigned companion to see my safe journey there and back. As always, totally committed to my well being, and pleasant bus ride to our destination. New dish now added to the weekly menus for home - Fresh pasta, salmon and capers written on the blackboard shopping list !

Well worth mentioning to anyone in London, or visiting, was an absolute treat, hosted by Jen and Tess, an authentic Indian restaurant called Dishoom. An eclectic mix of Indian, Moroccan, Turkish decor, housed in a semi warehouse atmosphere with exposed aircon ducts, exposed chandelier wiring, open viewable kitchen, and spacious layout of tables, with a menue almost " to hard " to choose from ! Tessa took control, and ordered various starters and mains which we all shared. An excellent call !! There are four franchises ( I think ), and we chose the Shorditch one. Shorditch being a buzzy part of London known for its hidden gems tucked away in the tiny cobbled streets off the High Street. Also home to the famous " Brick Lane ". What, for me should have been a seemingly stress free commute turned into a nightmare !!! First train change over.... To be informed that the overground had engineering works and no direct line to Shorditch ! Rameez finds the info button on the platform and asks the station supervisor what they are gonna do about getting us to our destination. We are asked to go to the control room. We oblige, and they call for a suitable cab for my chair and 10 minutes later one arrives - costs courteous of London Overground !! Traffic hectic and we arrive 45 minutes late ! Completely chair friendly, with a short cobbled pathway on entry, so if one is prone to spasms, it is advisable to top up on the Baclofen prior to arriving !! - that was Easter Sunday !

The day before, we caused untold havoc on the train line en route to a BBQ at Rob and Daves place. Having researched the route, checked the Transport for London's website, double checked with station staff, to be assured that our route was step free, we arrive at Sydenham Station to be confronted with a gap from coach to platform far to great for exiting !!! Doors close and I " loose my shit "...... We pull the emergency button ! Train stops, whistles blow, doors open and next thing driver, supervisor, controller etc etc, are at our carriage. I express my feelings as to the " false info " of website, station staff and maps, and demand that I need to get off at this station. Problem is, they don't have a ramp for the weight of a power chair !! Not my problem - sort it out. So after loads of radio to'ing and fro'ing, a ramp is going to be Brough from the next station by the train travelling in the opposite direction to us. I apologise to the few commutes in our carriage, who all take my side and totally agree with my actions - note to self - take this up with TFL !

The week prior to Easter, I was fortunate to have spent two nights with one of my best friends from Durban days. We seldom speak, seldom email, and if we do it is " one liners ". But when we do meet, it's like we saw one another last week! Not many people are privileged to have that kind of friendship. Stayed up till early hours of the morning, sipped on too many PG's and laughter until even my paralised side ached !! Thank you, thank you, thank you my friend - you know who you are !

This past week has been relatively uneventful apart from the usual paperwork, computer studies, and continual excersizing regime to encourage further function in the ongoing quest to find full function of the body. Some would envy the attention given to my morning foot massages with peppermint oil, full body daily muscle massage with cream, foot spa treatments etc etc, slowly, and I mean SLOWLY, but surely the improvement is evident, and the truth is there is no quick fix - it is a long haul ! Somebody asked me recently " how do you manage to maintain a positive outlook ? You have one arm and a head ". My answer..... " I have to concentrate on what I can do and achieve now,  rather than concentrate onwhat I could do and achieve then ". In doing so, I am learning, and growing from the inside out again. Don't question, don't hold grudges against fate - embrace ones situations and allow life's hurdles to feed the soul rather than waste the energy on trying to figure out the reasoning !

I have spent many hours, days, if not weeks arguing with the Higher Powers about my situation, and as yet, no clear answer has been forthcoming. Apart from the realisation that this has happened for a reason. I now embrace that, live it, and understand that in order to make a difference in life, I need to use this hurdle as a tool to make a difference ! I was fortunate enough to have experienced 50 years of life as" normal " life, prior to my injury. Hopefully I do not have another 50 to go ! But, I was privy to seeing young kids as young as 6 or 7 who had injuries far worse than me....... And they still have a lifetime ahead of them!!! It is now my mission to make a difference for them. Have a plan up my sleeve which I will divulge once in place !

As always, tell the ones you love, treasure, and look after your health, and don't let the shadows overtake you.

Ongoing good health wishes. With love.

G.