One week on........

Paul is now one week post op and he's doing well. He's dropping the diazepam and amitryptilline and is waking up! he's even confessed that he doesn't remember anything of the Godzone Carol service which he led!
He has good movement in his neck, and minimal pain. The only thing that isn't recovering as fast as we'd hoped is that his thumb is still numb - he did have some sensation immediately postop but it went again. We aren't panicking though as the surgeon said it could take a while as the nerves will be bruised.
I'm still knackered though - its been nearly 9 weeks now. We've just re jigged the sleeping arrangements again though to see if I can get some more sleep!
I haven't really had time or energy for much else, started back at Pilates which is lovely.
I have really appreciated the support of all our family and friends, so thank you all

Kal

The start of Paul's recovery

I am really really pleased to be able to say that Paul had his op today. 7 weeks after it started. Surgery went well, and he's looking quite good (if you ignore the oxygen, drips, drains etc). And although he's in pain this is the start of him getting better - which we all desperately need. Its been a long hard 7 weeks - Paul has either been in pain, or so doped up that he couldn't do anything, his right thumb has been numb throughout, he's been fed up, frustrated and grumpy. None of which was his fault - but it was hard to live with. So for him, and us, I'm really pleased that he's had the op.

I do know that he's got a long way to go - he'll be off work for at least 4 weeks, and he isn't a good patient but its SO good that he's safe and well

Thank you all for your prayers, please keep them going

Kal

There's snow business like snow business...........

So on tuesday/ wednesday it snowed - I doubt you were able to miss this small fact! Abingdon had about 9 inches and here we are on sunday still with lots of snow!!!!! The main roads, A34 etc are lovely and clear, the road our house on is still thick snow, and there is every possibility in between. Pj's school closed (as did they all) Sarah couldn't get to placement, I didn't go in to work (but did work reasonable at home).

Paul and I did make it in to see his consultant - and we are waiting for a date for surgery. If it wasn't for the blasted snow we'd have a date. Either next thursday, or if snow stops play (again) the week after.

And yes I am fed up with snow. Britain just hasn't got its act together. I know from our friends in America that although they have the odd snow day, they are too well set up to let it cause problems this long. And I know that economically we don't have snow often enough to have everything in place to cope as other countries do but I'd love to know how much this is costing our economy.

Enough moaning about snow, its just a fed up day, Paul is feeling rough and without a date the end doesn't feel any nearer and just generally blah................

With hope (and those of you who know me will know what hope means to me) this time next week Paul will have had surgery and will be home recovering............

Kal

2010

I'm currently enjoying the penultimate lie in of my holidays. I love lazy mornings, breakfast in bed, the balance of things to do but not so much that I feel pressured.

So 2009 was an interesting year, full of challenges, highs and lows. I think I've documented most of them but I'd like to record the highs (because one of the things I've learnt is that its much more productive to focus on the good than the bad).

In no particular order

• learning that its not my job to fix things - its Gods - the world, in particular my part of the world, is a much better place if I 'allow' God His rightful place in charge of it. He wont fail me, I will.
• the day of Grandpa's death - a real gift to all of us, and the assurance that he's in Heaven
• Grandma safe in the nursing home
• celebrating 25 years of marriage with Paul, and of course, Mauritius
• Sarah - being friends with your daughter is a very precious gift, watching her thrive in her life is inspiring
• PJ - his quiet determination to do what he needs to do, to achieve what God has in store for him is impressive. His love for Hannah, his support for her whilst she is in India. The chance this has given him and me to develop a friendship has been an unexpected bonus
• Hannah - it is something very special when you can become not just friends, but family, with your sons girlfriend. I am so proud of you Hannah - for who you are, you are just as God intended - don't doubt His handiwork
• Friends - who have prayed for us, laughed and cried with us

I'm sure there's more but that will do for now.

And 2010? I'm not in to reslolutions. I have hopes and good intentions but mostly they are summed up by the very grand desire to walk more closely with my Heavenly Papa. If I can do this then all will be ok. In the words of a New Wine speaker (brain dead as ever) left foot, right foot - we rarely change things/ God occassionally changes things miraculously instantaneously. More often it is about changing habits, retraining our behaviours, the hard slog, of daily obediance, left foot then right foot. That's my hope for this year.

May yours bring you everything God has in store for you.

Kal