Shorts, flop flips, and raincoats

[Bananas5]

Greetings from our sunshine island...well it isn't at the moment.

For us rain is like snow in England. We rarely get it and when we do it disrupts the whole island. Warnings for 3 storms were heeded and boy did it storm. Torrential rain which rushes down roads like rivers, closed both airports and thankfully...kept drivers off roads. Finish the rain off with gale forse wind. Half my garden furniture was in the pool the other half no idea.

Sadly tourists think they know better and venture out into dangerous areas. Lives were lost both on the coast with exceptionally high waves and in the mountains too.

Hopefully all is calm now but people coming out from UK on holidays are stuck. Airports closed and travel seriously disrupted.

So to David. He has been suffering with a sore and painful eye for some months. I was really concerned as uveitis can be a 'side' effect of Ankylosing spondylitis. Although his was painful when uveitis isn't. A number of trips to GP, assorted creams and eye drops prescribed, holistic drops from another source, and still no change. Off to optician who recommend eye specialist.

Back to GP who put 2 drops of something in his eye and promptly diagnosed cataract! Oh. We weren't expecting that. Urgent referal means June appointment. Now he will have to steel himself to lying flat on his back, with only local anesthetic, for up to half an hour. Very painful position and don't know how he will manage

He is almost off Oxycontin now. Been very long and slow but worth it. Pain no worse or better. He is though on strong CBD capsules which have helped enormously. Sleep is better when he eventually gets to bed. General well being? Not too good. . Completely off Bacclofen after research shows long term use damages muscles. Does use Oxynorm still as and when which isn't as often. But...he can do less and less as the Ankylosing spondylitis marches on relentlessly.

I have been asked to lead campaign for dropped kerbs on the island. Anyone who has ever visited the Canaries will understand disability access. There is little in the towns and none in the rurals. I like challenges! Gives me something to do!

Warm hugs to my many many friends

Pat x

[katieoxo60]

Thank you for the newsy update Pat, seems like David is still suffering varied health issues but you sound perky so guess you are still glad you moved. Storms of varied type seem to be going on world wide. Puts a lot of pressure on the emergency services and extra things for ourselves to do, clearing up the aftermath. Just had another snow storm last night with more forecast to come it is a bit worrying when you live alone, hope we don't get any power cuts.just putting on an old fashioned stew in the slow cooker.

Any way Pat get stuck into that drop Kerb issue, mobility issues are worldwide, like yourself I am still involved in campaigns for older peoples rights as well as disabled. Just discovered a new issue people being charged 30% extra for wheelchair adapted rooms on holidays in England. Beleive that is illegal under the accessibility law, but will need some investigation. One hotel is asking for 10% extra for downstairs adapted rooms unless you have a blue badge, they are using the blue badge to establish disability, when in fact it is merely a parking concession for people with walking problems due to varied conditions I beleive. Bye for now Pat, take care xx

[Bananas5 in reply to katieoxo60]

Thanks Katie. Always good to hear from you too. Slow cooker brilliant invention...good old comfort food which we still need here!!

I still have painful sij and hip but as long as I don't sweep I am OK ish. Bit hard when the dust comes over in bucketfuls and building going on all round. We wouldn't be British if we didn't have weather to talk about!!

Locals think accessibility means putting in a ramp regardless of it being sensible or 90 degrees straight up!!. If a wheelchair can't use it then it's your fault¬¬ Doorways are as narrow as ever, toilets impossible and getting on a bus well you can't. Of course I then have to explain that not all disabled people are in wheelchairs and that's where they glaze over!!

But yes...no regrets about being here. Not one

x

[katieoxo60 in reply to Bananas5]

Hi again Pat, I am house bound due to snow around 6inches deep. Had to smile at your last paragraph. You are spot on people think accessibility is what you said. But there are all sorts of accessibility issues, and lots are not being enforced either in this country or elsewhere. There are cafes that still don't have ground floor access to toilets, pubs, hotels public buildings and living accomodation. Our ring and ride has three steps onto the vehicles unless you are in a wheelchair. Many mini buses are inaccessible for travel too. Even public bus services have different style seating and access even the ones designed for disabled travellers. The list is endless. Enjoy your evening.xx

[lowlife]

I hope the rain has stopped and you find all your garden furniture. It's good that David only has to wait till June for his operation and I really hope they can find a way for David to manage the pain while having it done. I'm sure he's dreading the day. X

[Bananas5 in reply to lowlife]

Sun shining and most things found. Some will no doubt turn up in archeological dig 2 million years hence!!

You know what it's like at dentist when you can't swallow...or MRI and can't scratch your nose.

That will be David under ophthalmologist's knife!....I get the after effects to look after!

x

[RibvanRey]

Hello Pat. When I had my cataracts done I was told the same story. When I went to a pre-op appointment I pointed out my problems with my back and made sure I gave them a typed sheet of my other physical issues.

When it came to the day of the op, there were two lots of drops. One to dilate the eye and the second to numb the whole of the eye. Time on the table was 9 minutes. Hopefully David will get a short job to.

When I had to have that retina surgery after my stroke , was developing colossal spinal pain and the anaesthetist gave me a small syringe of something via a cannula and although I was just as conscious the pain was gone.

There is hope Pat. Best wishes, Rib

[Bananas5]

Thanks Rib for your encouragement. Hopefully David will forget how long I was in theatre for...40 mins for the second eye. Think they were trying to make me see at the same time!!

x