Some Memory Returning?

[Gandalf2]

I'm resting at the moment in a post-pneumonia fatigue stage, which can last for weeks/months - low energy and limited reserves. The fatigue prevents us from resuming our nightly walks around the local neighbourhood (there is pretty much zero crime around here). Hiking and biking is still pretty much postponed until I'm back on form.

Winter walks in the snow in remote areas my not appeal to everybody but I'd like to give them a try again. I used to do them in the dark but that may be unwise these days.

Talking of more strenuous activities it seems there are emergency seizure medications in the form of oral and/or anal syringe 'injections' which can stop seizures until the emergency services arrive. These can be administered by a trained companion and seem pretty straightforward. If we're approved they should be free on the NHS.

Thankfully my wondrous wife is taking care of everything I can't do. Since Enc. I noticed that my word vocabulary was pretty intact despite pretty severe short-term memory loss. I still stammer at times.

To get to the point, I've noticed a change in my speaking ability recently. I've started to recall phrases, poetry and figures of speech and these can be quite surprising considering they are more complex than mere words. Some of them go back sixty years or so. E.g. 'Pot calling kettle black', 'There's a chill in the air', 'I'm down in the dumps' etc.

Here's a childhood rhyme that came back to be the other week:

"Late last night or the night before,

Three tomcats came knocking at my door,

One with a fiddle,

One with a drum,

And one with a pancake stuck to its -um"

If more memories start to return I'll be making progress. It feels good to be making progress.

I unblocked our dishwasher outlet with a dose of caustic soda crystals the other day but had to turn down a request to investigate the lady next door's leaky tap, as more involved tasks are beyond me.

There's an old radio that needs attention and the cable recoil reel on our vacuum cleaner needs sorting out. There's always a job needs doing if you have the energy, tools and expertise.

Ha, I'm running out of steam now so will close down. Best wishes to all on the Forum - G2

[The_Bass]

Ah, get well soon Gandalf2 – great to hear from you, sounding positive and I’m also happy to hear you rhyme anytime … hey, that’s a rhyme! I’ve been trying to keep a little diary of my thoughts and anything that comes to mind – I think it’s very useful to be able to look back at little, simple triumphs sometimes. I find life now is all about those little wins! They’re all important.

[Wygella in reply to The_Bass]

Totally agree. When you look back you then see how far you’ve come.

[GreenBamboo]

Hi Gandalf2,

Sorry you've been so poorly, pleased you are the other side of it now but take it easy!

There's such joy and optimism in your post. I loved your ditty and I hope you can share more as they come to you.

Wishing you continued strength 😉

[Remos]

Hi Gandalf,

Really good to hear from you again. I’ve missed you. Didn’t know you’d been so ill. If I had I’d have popped over to try and cheer you up and to share a pot of Warthog tea and maybe even a plate of tripe ‘n udder (if you can still find any!). Don’t forget to tell me if anything like this happens again.

Had a couple of really scary episodes myself recently which I posted on and got a number of very kind and supportive replies. Really makes a difference.

Your little rhyme took me back to when I was a little boy, I remember it well. Another playground one that jumped to mind was:-

What’s your name? Mary Jane.

Where do you live? Down a drain.

What’s your number? Cucumber.

What's the street? Big feet.

🤣🤣🤣🤣

Remos

PS - where’s this crime free area in Leeds - I’m moving there!

[Wygella]

Hi. I love that you’re cheering us up when you’ve clearly been and going through a really rough time. Good to hear that the speech and memory are improving though. That’s a big step forward. I know when I’m tired I still say the wrong words or in the wrong order but I can laugh about it now. Mostly.

I’m only just over the Pennines so do you fancy doing some of your odd jobs here. My husband can’t work out how to fix the grill heat regulator button on our oven!! 😂

More old poems please. I’m trying to remember my old skipping rhymes. And look after yourself.

[kayjay2]

It's so nice to hear of this progress. I love the verses! Interesting about the medication you write of.

[Gandalf2 in reply to kayjay2]

Hello KayJay2, thank you for your reply and compliments. Always great to be of help. I found this on the internet and it may be useful. There is lots of guidance and information about seizures on the web.

I have, or may suffer from, status epilepticus which is a longer lasting type of seizure. I take my anti-seizure medicine every day which at the correct dose should prevent seizures. If I don't take my medicines for some reason - hospitalized for another issue, arrested or confined due to Enc. associated behavior, panic attack etc. then there may be a problem.

Anyhow these are the meds I found:

Types of emergency medicine

There are two main types of emergency medicine licensed for use in the UK:

Buccal midazolam: this is given by plastic syringe, between the person’s gums and cheek. Brand names include Buccolam and Epistatus

Rectal diazepam: this is given rectally (inserted into the person’s bottom). Brand names include Diazepam RecTube and Stesolid

The makers of Buccolam and Epistatus have websites with instructions and videos showing how to administer their products.

Best Wishes G2

[OldGnome]

Wow G2, I had wondered where you had disappeared to, but it sounds like another round of medical difficulties found you, once again! After being fully vaccinated, the Covid bug bit me hard and I was not able to do much for nearly a month!! So I have had an "interesting time of things" lately, like yourself.

I do hope you are feeling better, and it sounds like you are improving in many unexpected areas. Keeping up with all the meds sounds like quite a challenge, though. Thankfully, your wife is of great assistance in all areas for you!

I must admit that after reading the childhood rhyme from your memory, I might not ever eat pancakes again!! I have 3 cats, and one of them is indeed a tomcat. I told him to stay out of the kitchen, and promptly checked his rear-facing portion for suspicious bits of flour and such. Thankfully, there was no evidence of pancake residue, or any other baked item.

Good to "see" you back!!

OldGnome

No pancakes to see here!

[Remos in reply to OldGnome]

Brilliant photo! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[GreenBamboo]

Hi Gandalf2,

I was thinking about your post earlier and smiling to myself and a memory of my dear grandad came to mind; a ditty he always used to say...

I went to the pictures tomorrow

And had a front seat at the back

I fell from from the pitch to the gallery

And hurt the front part of my back!

🤣😂 such happy memories that had escaped me - thank you!

[Gandalf2]

Hi Green Bamboo, Thank you, that's a good one, I've never heard that one before: I laugh every time I read it. I think people had all sorts of ways of amusing themselves in the past, riddles, tongue twisters and sayings and I guess to be remembered they have to be passed on to the next generation. As enc. survivors we may have lost some memories but it's surprising how easily they can be brought back at times. I think we may have developed a new appreciation of some things too, like Nature and the good times between people.

I remember we used to sing in the engineering factory I worked in many years ago. It passed the time, made us laugh and helped to pass the day along. It seems that Life is such an amazing experience and we barely get the hang of things as we go on.

It's getting late again - so good night and best wishes, G2