17. April 2011

A couple of days ago I wrote about a wedding party of 30 people sitting at the same table who totted up over 1000 years of the marriage between them . (That was over 15 years ago and the same people, all of whom are going strong, would probably now notch up around 1500 years.). This against the background of a government report which, shows us to be the worst country in Europe, concerning the marriage stakes, with 50% of all children in the UK having divorced parents. The point of raising this issue again results from a discussion, on the early-morning radio, where one of the participants was asked the secret of a long-lasting marriage, She said that it was quite simple, the husband and wife had to be good friends. Pretty obvious, when you come to think of it. enduring friendship can transcend, love, passion and infatuation, which in itself is a form of temporary madness, akin to the March hare!. One can love one’s friends, of either sex, in a plutonic way, but this is quite different from the love you one feels for one/s spouse,, who, by definition, must be one’s best friend. You never let down your friends; you don’t cheat on your friends; you have an open and honest relationship with your friends and ‘you do as you would be done by/ with your friends. Following this code, it follows that if your spouse is your best friend. the relationship will endure.

As promised, Jane ‘the sheep’ came today, with her doctor partner John, bringing with them three rare sheep to graze down our paddock, now Mouse ,Alice’s dear donkey, is no longer with us. They are beautiful creatures, Manx Loaghtan sheep. – a small, brown, multi horned breed., They can each have up to 6 horns, rams and ewes alike, but Jane’s three ewes, Miilly, Molly and Hetty, have only 2 horns apiece.

16 April 2011

Bad news on the radio first thing this morning with a discussion about substantial cutbacks in social care. We have not yet even had approval for continuing care from the NHS so I hope that does not affect us. We are getting to the point when we really will need some help sooner rather than later.

    The situation in the Middle East, particularly in Libya, seems to have reached something of a stalemate. Although there are a number of major and allied planes flying around the’ no-fly’ zone daily, zapping at the odd tank or military establishment of Qaddafi’s, the rebels seemed to be no closer to advancing on Tripoli and toppling the president. Yesterday there was a joint statement in the Times, the New York Times and Figuro, from the president of the US, David Cameron and the Pres of France, all pledging to continue operations until Qaddafi was removed. Having made that pledge, do they really know who will govern the country once he has gone? The problem is that a number of other Middle East countries seem to have got the bit between their teeth with rebel forces challenging the long-term dictatorships which have govern them for some decades. In most of the other countries these rebels are being swiftly and mercilessly dealt with. This being so, how would do we distinguish between Qaddafi’s answer to the rebels by mowing them down at every opportunity and similar situations which are occuring in the other Middle East countries?. We simply cannot afford to get involved. But then morally, how can we not?

I heard yesterday about a diaphragm peacemaker, which previously I did not know existed. Having researched the web. I note that this is being done in the US by implanting a peacemaker about the size of a wristwatch, into the diaphragm, which allows the patient to breathe independent of a ventilator. It was the use on Christopher Reeve, the actor who    played Superman and broke his back,. So I intend investigating the possibility of having such an implant. As I am getting very breathless during the day and as soon as I have to start wearing a respirator or ventilator. it’s going to affect my speech and ability to dictate to the laptop, which in my case, would be disastrous

I can now disclose that the other MND sufferer I mentioned a couple of days ago (the computer geek) is a delightful chap called Steve Thomas, who is only in the early stages of MND. He’s got some great ideas about possible. useful gadgets and I’m sure, as a soul mate,. we will produce something of world shattering benefit to other sufferers, in due course. The first thing he and his ‘hands-on’ (pun not intended on) friend, are going to look at are my bionic gloves. So watch this space

 

15 April 2011

Die, (sic) who came to coffee yesterday, very kindly bought me a fresh pineapple a most unusual, but very welcome gift..In some cultures the notion of a pineapple has been associated with welcome an association bespoke of the carving of high-level motifs on woodwork, and indeed as stone ornaments on the gateway to grand houses. Personally, I love eating fresh pineapple with a really good brie.

I have vivid memories of the first fresh pineapple I ever tasted. It was in the British club in Singapore in 1955. I was on the way to Australia by air and was taking a stop over -I think in any event, it took the best part of three days to get there at that time. Wartime rationing had not been abolished until 1952, and such things as pineapples in the mid-50s was still great luxuries. When I found myself sitting by the pool in the British club. I noticed that they were serving pineapple to other guests, so I enquired how much they were and discovered to my delight that I could have a whole pineapple for the equivalent of 50 p. I can almost taste that delicious flesh today as I consume the entire fruit.

Around four o’clock yesterday afternoon there arrived a long document from the dentist’s solicitor,, about whom I had complained, commenting on my statement which I understood was to be presented to the Investigating Committee of the Dental Council that very afternoon. Of course, I objected as I had not seen this reply before and, after discussing it with the caseworker at the Dental Council, was was informed that it was most unlikely that the case would be heard that afternoon, in any event. I suggested that if further submissions were going to be allowed, they should be formally invited by direction and a date and time specified, after which no further documentation would be allowed. This whole business seizure got totally out of hand and, to my mind, has been badly handled. There should have been clear directions to both parties at the commencement of the enquiry, following this complaint, as to what, to whom it obviously and when submissions would be allowed.

I heard, on the radio this morning that there will be a programme broadcast later this summer which will give tacit support to the idea of assisted suicide, where an MND sufferer is shown killing himself at Dignitas in Switzerland. No doubt we will hear more about this shortly.

Today two of our ‘old faithfuls’, Jill and Alan Simpson, came to lunch adopting the policy we have recently introduced. When friends are kind enough to invite us to lunch, because this is quite a performance from our end, we suggest that they bring their food here and eat it with us in my study. This is one way in which’ my lovely’ get break. On this occasion they bought some delicious eats and Alan, being a bit of a wine buff, generously bought me a bottle of Prosecco. He’s been trying for years to persuade me to drink sparkling wines as opposed to champagne. Anyway, next time they come to lunch, perhaps on a warm summer’s day, we will crack open this bottle and see how good it really is.

 

 

 

 

 

14 April 2011

A pretty miserable night. Awoke as usual around 2.30 p.m. with a painful hip and aching back and found it difficult to relieve it by turning over. The problem was I’d been cold for a few nights and decided I would try wearing my old track suit bottoms to keep my legs warm but these only made it more difficult to move around so we will abandon the idea. We had a word with our OT, Lynne, who is going to look into the idea of a cage that goes over my legs. You know the sort of thing you see in a films when someone has had a bad accident and they want to keep the bed clothes away from the injured limb. I am hoping that being relieved of the weight of the bed clothes , in combination with the rubber mat that I have had pinned to the bottom sheet, I might be able to get my feet under this, gain some purchase and turn over that way.

Anyway, I’m very impressed that following my letter to Dr Lord, my GP, we received a call from palliative care yesterday and a Dr Saunders will pay a home visit on Monday. A pretty amazing response. What I feared most. when I agreed to this course of action, was that they would want to whip me into hospital and leave me languishing in bed for a few days while they did various tests and I am absolutely against that , so we’ll see what happens on Monday.

I had a Skype call this morning from a fellow MND sufferer who’ve been reading my blog and was interested in my bionic gloves. For the moment I will not disclose his name as I do not have his permission to do so, but suffice it to say that he has had some medical training and is a computer geek (he has a different name for it but I can’t remember what that is,a cyber something or other.). He is quite excited (interested!) in my bionic gloves and has ideas of his own. I think we have agreed that we will work together on the idea and I really look forward to hearing from him again shortly.

The big excitement today was that the two nice lady dentists, from the Community Dental Service, came to do a routine maintenance on my teeth. Ironically, this is a very day that the dentist, but my complained (see earlier entries ) is in front of the Investigating Committee of the Dental Council, who presumably will decide whether or not there is a case to answer and then if so, set up a Disciplinary Hearing.

Early afternoon, a friend of ‘my lovely’ ,Die (yes, that really is the way she spells her name and insists on the”e’), came for coffee and popped in for a short to chat with me. We have learned I am now husband for well over 30 years and so it was fun to talk about old friends and the good times we had together when we were younger. I remember going to a wedding and one of their children,, 15 or so years where they arrange the tables by the country of origin of the guests. Ago There were 30 of us, randomly chosen, at the table, or still married to original partner and we had over 1000 years of marriage between us. I believe I’m right in saying that there was only one couple who were on their second marriage. I think one would be hard put to find 13 couples randomly and put them together on the same table today.

13 April 2011

Our lovely physiotherapist, Mel, came this morning and fitted me with ankle supports which lifts the toe from the ground so that when one is walking instead of dragging one’s feet. the whole process of walking is much easier. For example, we tried them out while she was here and I was able to walk up the ramp from the bedroom to the bathroom far more easily than I have done in the past.I thoroughly recommend these supports, which I believe any NHS would provide, as they are not very expensive. Mel told us that she has provided them for stroke victims or patients with MS, Parkinson’s, MND, or indeed anyone with a condition with results in weak legs.

Jane’s the sheep’ came this afternoon-no bassoon but she promises me that I will be able to see how playing in the bassoon band on U tube. If not, I shall keep her to my request for a private concert. We are quite excited because, next Sunday, Jane is going to bring some of her rare sheep to graze our paddock – now that dear Mouse, the donkey, has departed this life.. It will be lovely to see some living animals in the paddock again – which I can see through a window by the side of my study chair – as it has not been that empty for many years. I just hope the sheep aren’t so noisy that they disturb our neighbours with their bleating. Mind you, it might be just retribution for’ Violet Elizabeth‘, who lives at our boundary and must of been sick almost every time she emerged into the garden!! (Readers of Richmol Compten’s Just
William will recall that his little friend, Viole Elizabeth threatened to ‘sweam and sweam until I’m thick if she were not allowed 0 to join his gang‘) Actually, to be fair, we get on very well all my present neighbours who are very nice but we did have one,. a few years back, who complained bitterly that leaves from our trees blocked her eaves gutter.. I think I suggested that she might feel happier if you lived in town! She left shortly after!!

Now for a bit of fun. If you think you can drive watch this guy.

the

12 April 2011

Another geriatric golf day. I must admit with the temperature having dropped from yesterday’s 21/22°C to 14°C I had my reservations about going at all. However, Griggsy, who was going to be away in Norfolk, kindly made arrangements for Karl (Creasy) to drive me around in the baggy, so not wishing let him down. I decided to take the chance. In fact, although slightly overcast there were sunny spells but the wind was arctic. I was clad in great-grans green cloak-purchased at the Welsh woollen Mills, donkeys years ago- and although I looked like, what the boys described as Sherlock Holmes , I kept warm enough.

As usual, it was great fun jibing the boys about their golf who all took it in the best spirit. Unfortunately, Scott, our strong secretary, was away on holiday – in Tunisia, of all places- but between Barry and the boys. they managed to bundle me unceremoniously in and out of ‘ the wheelchair without too many groans or knocks. A nice lunch, fed mainly by Bob (Lederman) and then almost immediately back in the car home with Barry. A worthwhile and enjoyable trip.

Great news. Nephew Tom (and Leticia) are having their fourth child. That will make 10 grandchildren’s for”Alice’s sister Victoria.. Lucky thing.

Ater all that crickethere is something for the football fans.

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5yDZcdYO1o&feature=youtube_gdata_player

.

11 April 2011

The beginning of a fairly frenetic week. There seems to be something happening almost everyday. No big deal but enough to keep me out of mischief. This morning Doreen, my faithful secretary came in to do some filing and sorting out some documents etc. Then, Jane ‘the sheep’ came to do her Monday stint of’ babysitting’. She is still massages the fluid in my hands.. each time she comes and stretching my arms up to the ceiling,. five times on each side in order to keep the joints mobile. Heaven knows whether it’s doing any good or not, but, at least, I cannot think it’s doing any harm. I only learned today for the first time, that Jane is a talented musician and plays the bassoon, amongst other things.. This weekend she attended a gathering of 40 bassoon players, which must’ve been a wonderful sound itself. She tells me I can see it on U Tube but if I’m not successful. I have threatened to make her bring her bassoon and give me a private concert.

Having asked my GP to refer me to a good ENT man for my runny nose and a pain consultant for my painful joints at night, who I used to use when I was a private patient, her suggestion was that I would be best served by seeing a palliative care consultant who could take into account all of my symptoms. This seemed like a sensible solution for which I have now opted/

Another district nurse turned up to discuss the Just in Case box, with which Alice had already been fully briefed last week by Sarah – a lack of communication somewhere but then better as that to should turn up than none at all. Then Peter, our gardener arrived to continue his good work.

I must say I was very proud of the garden at the weekend when our family and their American friends came, although the early daffodils and the carpets of white snowdrops have now all but gone there was a myriad of other spring flowers on the show and with the lawns beautifully mown and the house relatively recently re-thatched, it was a picture postcard scene of rural England at its best in the spring. . As our guests approached the house, from the road. passing the long beach hedge, which is beginning to burst into leaf, immediately coming into view, in front of the white paling fence was a long clipped hedge of yellow forsythia, which I planted 30 years ago, a brief forerunner of the summer to come. From the gravel drive, emerging from their car, our American guests would see an abundance of spring flowers scattered here and there, under shady trees, in flowerbeds, in the large herbaceous border flanking the brick and stone path from the small white gate to the front of the house, and in the rockery in front of my18th-century white weatherboarded, yellow doored and thatched officewith its narrow, winding upward path leading to the memorial slab to our beloved it black labrador Woody, who passed away six years ago.. Between the paddock and the house running alongside the office. the. apple espalier was beginning to spring into life. Elsewhere the almost everlasting Christmas roses; primroses; white hyacinths; small blue grape hyacinths; a great array of yellow, red, white and pink tulips; deep miniature blue irises; yellow helibores; bluebells; mauvy pink celadines; violets and forget-me-nots could be seen. Here and there, under the shady lower branches of the tall pine hedge, running along the front of the road, boundary,one will find the occasionalsmall, delicate wild orchid.Then, as a backdrop to this wonderful rebirth, overshadowing the chocolate brown Acer, at the back of the house, the two giant chestnuts are bursting into bud, as is the ash, the tall bright yellow forsythia tree and many others too numerous to mention..The flowering cherry is in full bloom and the plum and apple trees are just beginning to blossom. The climbing roses, on the fan espalier dividing the back from the front garden, as well as the grapevine on the rustic wooden arch over the little wrought iron gate are also showing strong signs of growth. Add to that the long tall pine tree hedge, dividing our property from our neighbours and the long beautifully clipped privet box hedge dividing the garden from the vegetable garden across the croquet lawn, then you have a sight to behold. Our guests could not have come at a better day in spring. What would we do without that treasure, Peter!?

10 April 2011

A quiet day after the frenetic activity with the family yesterday .Dear daughter Chlo’, who had stayed the night, gave me some help with some boring paperwork this morning before we adjourned to the garden on yet another exquisite early summer’s day, to enjoy a pre- lunch small cigar and glass of wine..

We really should have gone to the village hall this afternoon for the Neighbourhood Watch party which is very generously hosted by our neighbours. The Barrows -an amazing, almost octogenarian, husband-and-wife team,, who motorbike their way to far-flung parts of the world – who do a splendid job in organising, not only the party, but also the whole business of all of us keeping an eye on each other’s properties. However, when it came to it, having been in my wheelchair in the garden for two or three hours I couldn’t face having to talk for another hour or so with our good neighbours. I felt a little tired perhaps after yesterday. I’m sure they will understand.

With ‘my lovely’ and Chloe having struggled to get me out of the wheelchair onto my frame and back into the study, Chlo’ headed off back home to see what sort of job Karl was making of managing their small family. In the evening we watched the first nine holes of the final round of The Masters (Golf Tournament), in Augusta, USA. Our young man, 21-year-old, Rory McLroy, from Northern Ireland, led for the first three days and started with a four shot advantage which, sadly, was quickly whittled away then his hopes faded when he crashed out on the tenth with the treble bogey and a nightmare for puts on the 12th.. At that stage I went to bed and tried to listen to it on the radio but fell asleep very quickly only to wake up later to hear that the South African, Charl Schwartzel had won.. In any event, from my point of view it was a perfect weekend. Never mind, Rory I have no doubt your day will come.

Some readers might wonder how people, who kindly come to visit me, feel about seeing their name in print the following day. Well, if they are strangers or friends of friends, I don’t know that well. I usually publish and then immediately inform them to look at it on the blog and if there is anything I have said which is inaccurate or offends, I can quickly go back and edit it. So far there have been no problems and most of the people I have mentioned to- date seemed to be quite happy about what I said about them.

9 April 2011

This glorious weekend continues with yet another beautiful spring day. In fact, it was more like a warm summers day. Chloe, Karl and the children came down from London and we managed to have lunch in the garden- me, in the wheelchair. The children enjoyed tearing around the garden after being restricted by their little patch of grass in London. Never stopping to draw breath, they played cricket, croquet, table tennis and pool. Very few squabbles and a lot of laughing and enjoyment. It was lovely to see them, obviously getting bigger every time I see them and a little more grown-up. I must admit, from my point of view, it was great to be outside in the fresh air. I sat quietly watching them all playing croquet silently wishing I was able to join as I always enjoyed the game in the past.

The evidence of spring and early summer are at last with us. Last weekend was the Oxford and Cambridge boat race (sadly Cambridge were beaten by what seemed to be a far fitter, Oxford crew) and this weekend. it was the Grand National (Watched avidly by my son-in-law, Karl, who is somewhat of an aficionado when it comes to the nags-and true to form to backed the winner! I’m pleased to say I came very close second and made a few bob. All the rest of the family who were also watching and have placed some very modest debts on horses, a new absolutely nothing about other than their names appealed, all lost their money! Never mind, it’s only once a year)

Later in the afternoon son Miles and Kimberly arrived for tea with their friends from Philadelphia, Hilary and Francis. Hilary is Kimberly’s best friend and was her maid of honour at their wedding. Miles and Kimberly had taken their friends to visit Magdelene, his old College at Cambridge and while they were there. they visited a number of the other colleges before coming on to see us.. It was really nice to get to know them both a little better as on the day of the wedding. they were all pretty well occupied and we didn’t have much of a chance to get to know them.. They are a lovely couple. They come from Philadelphia, which holds happy memories for me during the days I was P/A to, the chairman of The English Property Co . I remember being sent to Philadelphia, in the early 60’s, to prepare a feasibility study on a development site that stretched from the bicentennial site, across the rail tracks to the Uris Building, in the middle of town. A massive development in those days, estimated to cost $225 million and I was expected to prepare a feasibility study within three days-sheer lunacy. Of course, I did it but what value it was, heaven knows. Obviously, the chief executive , David Llewellyn, shared my reservation. He took one look at it and dropped it straight in the wastepaper basket. Such were the heady days of the 60s property boom.

It was wonderful to have my whole family around me. on such a beautiful day and in particular to see Kimberly, who doesn’t manage to get down too often and characteristically, generously bought me a wonderful box of Turkish delight, which is one of my favourites. ‘My lovely’went about her business quietly and without fuss, coping wonderfully, as usual.

The Karl and children went home after tea as is the tricky for ‘my lovely’to have so many people to stay these days when she has so much to do for me. However, darling. Chloe stayed overnight to give me a hand with one or two things following morning. So for me the day was an embarrassment of riches.

8 April 2011

I’m glad to say, we might be cracking the problem of turning over in bed, at least for the time being.’ My lovely’ bought 5 yards of satin material and that good Janet (surname suppressed as she is a treasure. we do not wish to share!) ran it up into a double sheet. This replaced the top cotton sheet and last night we used it for the first time. It was certainly easier to turn over without the friction of the cotton sheet against my nightclothes. All we need to do now is to move the rubber mat, that we have to the lower sheet, a little further down the bed so that I can place my feet on it to gain a purchase before attempting to roll over.

The first excitement today was a visit from our lovely OT, Lynne. The main purpose of her visit was to practice with us moving me from my chair to the wheelchair and back again, using the stand-up hoist. Up to now, I have used it without the platform attachment, by placing my feet firmly on the ground and straightening my legs. In order to effect this new transfer it is necessary for me to stand on this platform and then move the whole hoist from one chair to the other.

My second, even greater excitement, was going out to lunch with a very old friend, Rowan Planterose, a London solicitor, who kindly drove down from London for the purpose.. We get back a long way and have been involved in a number of joint ventures, including working out the cross-examination which we included in my book, The Sanctuary House Case. Also, Rowan came with us to Budapest to play the part of a Galloo, from Pluto, in The Fission Chip Case,-C 19 July entry) It was a really beautiful spring day, one of the warmest, yet this year. Rowan pushed me around to The Cricketers Pub next door and we were able to take our lunch outside, finishing with coffee and a welcome cigar from which I’ve been deprived most of this current year. In fact I think this is only the fourth outside visit these past 3 ½. months so the fresh and sunshine was very welcome..

I had intended yesterday to watch the opening of The Masters (Golf Tournament) at Augusta, in the USA but somehow got diverted by Douglas’s visit and then, after he’d left forgot to tune in. I did manage to watch the highlights the first day’s play and it is very encouraging to see the Europeans up there with the leaders.