After taking a few pics of the bird life that turned up outside my Dads kitchen window I went for a stroll up the lane for my daily exercise.
I did the usual route but then I thought it was time to get off the beaten track and take the path up through the woods to an old yew tree I remembered from way back in my past. Its a bit of a
climb and was steeper than I remembered but the last time I did this walk I was young and fit.
I turned up the oxygen and dug in thinking if I keel over now it could be a while before I'm found but sometimes you do these stupid things and take a chance.
As I approached my destination a dog appeared walking quietly beside me, I stopped and looked back to its owner heading my way. As he got closer I realised It was one of my old Indoor Tennis friends who I hadn't seen since my illness struck me down, Dave I said and he replied Tony, what the hek are you doing up here, looking at my oxygen equipment and probably thinking you crazy fool shouldn't you be somewhere a little less remote.
Well after I had got my breath back enough to talk we had a lengthy conversation updating him on my ordeal over the past 4 years while his dog waited patiently by his side. We chatted about the years of late night winter indoor tennis we used to play and I caught up on how they still play there now once the weather starts to turn ugly again.
I told him how I really miss my Tennis and would love to play again one day but my only chance of that happening was to get a lung transplant as my lungs were now permanently damaged.
We carried on up the path to the Yew Tree that was still there just as I remembered it where he went on with his way with his very patient dog and I headed for home, downhill all the way now stopping only to buy a bottle of home made apple juice from the roadside stall leaving the payment in the honesty box. Its great that this area can still trust passers by to do the right thing.
Sat here writing this post I am still determined to return to the tennis courts one day and even give Dave R a run for his money but for now I'll settle for my life in the slow lane where I am just happy to still be here chatting to all you good people out there.
Tony. Never give up on that dream Healthunlockeders.
Written by
dall05
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Really well Tony - quite remarkable in fact. I've had I.P.F. for almost 4 years and have learned more on this site in the past few days than I have from the Hospital over these years.
That is not to criticize my Consultant and his staff at the City Hospital Nottingham - they have been great. - It's simply a matter of time apportionment and trying to remember all they have told me. Whereas, on this site, I can keep returning to review answers to questions etc.
My G.P. is no help. I am 68 (too old for a lung transplant) and have been with the same surgery for all of these years. When the GP saw my oxygen equipment he asked me why I was using Oxygen????? - I said 'because I have I.P.F to which he replied 'WHAT IS I.P.F??? - Inspirational stufff.
I've had a poor few weeks healthwise and am really glad I met you in Polperro - wish we had gone for coffee / beer for a natter. You told me of this site though and that has been really important - I had started to feel angry and sorry for myself ......bad - especially when you read the state of others.
I'm still not good on the site but I'm still clicking and I'll get there Tony.
Hi Dave , its good to see your getting some benefit from this healthunlocked site. I have found that the more you learn about your particular disease the better. There's nothing worse than feeling isolated and alone with nobody to talk to. People on here really understand your problems and will help in anyway they can.
Its easy to start feeling sorry for yourself isn't it but as you say there are many others so much worse off, we may have oxygen tanks on our backs but at least were still getting around, even on the hills around Polperro eh'. I always try and stay positive and push the bad stuff to the back of my mind and keep it there. Of course that's not always possible but I manage pretty well most of the time.
Receptions patchy around there but that's the downside of living around the Malverns. Glad you enjoyed my post peeg, sometimes things happen and you just have to share them.
Hi hp, I spent yesterday watching and training my son who is following in my footsteps. He is training to be a Motor Mechanic or Technician as they like to be called these days.
He's working at the garage that I worked at for 30 years, so their happy for me to go and keep an eye on him when he's there and not at college.
It gives me something to do and I am able to pass on some of the knowledge that I have acquired so its a win win situation. It seems I'm the unpaid volunteer trainer come tea maker these days but that's ok with me for the odd day here and there.
I've had a busy morning today with getting my blood INR levels checked at the GPs and then on to Worcester Hospital for a echo-cardiogram on my heart. As usual they tell you nothing so I'll have to wait for the results.
When your lungs don't work to well it makes your heart work harder so it can enlarge, because of this they like to keep a check every now and again. I feel fine but who knows what they might find eh', their always looking for something to ruin your day.
Tony x
That was a nice read, thank you. Glad you enjoyed your walk, and met an old friend.
Thanks sheepdog, its nice when something unexpected happens like that, I never thought I would see anyone let alone an old friend.
Glad the dog didn't attack you which Ithought was going to happen, the way you built up the tension. You have a knack for telling a story, maybe you should try your hand at some writing.
Maybe I should change my name to 'Tony Dall05 Hitchcock', what do you think? Ha Ha. What with all these bird photographs I'm half way there already yeh'
I live in an area with thousands of acres of forest, rivers, steep banks, wild boar, the lot. I can cycle the tracks on my twist & go electric bike (just mild pedaling required), & I can wizz around on my farm quad ..... which is amazing fun, but all these things when out on your own have consequences and dangers.
Next time your out & about on your own in the countryside turn the GPS on on your mobile phone ...... then, if you do slip over or have a problem and people back home get worried it'll be really simple to trace & find you.
I've also got a torch-app on my phone which will convert to a very strong intense pulsing strobe-light .... again, very useful for finding you if you come into difficulties.
Finally, I always carry a good quality pea-whistle ...... you never know what's round the next bend.
Blimey out for lunch, you should do a survival DVD. I do tend to get a bit bla-zay about things and probably take unnecessary risks which could backfire on me one day. The electric bike sounds like a good idea, I used to bring the family down to the Forest of Dean and hire out bikes from 'pedalabikeaway'. We would cycle a 10/12 mile circuit on an old railway track which was always good fun so we bought our own bikes in the end and used to do it regularly.
nowadays you can rent an off-road Segway from the Go Ape place at Mallards Pike ....... that's truly epic fun.
Not sure if Pedalbikeaway do electric bikes. I have my own & I wouldn't be without it - it's the one outdoor activity I can do where I'm every bit as good and as able as the next guy. I've just completed the entire 56km Brecon Canal towpath - we did it in 3-sections - & I'm not nearly as fit as you.
Watched the video hm, can only serve to help our situation, it was simple, clear, and worth trying.
As you say exercise is vital for us even though it can be a little uncomfortable at times. Glad you enjoyed my chatting about that little stroll in the woods.
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Stories of a Hospital Volunteer - "One more please." 
First real walk in a year
Animals
