Sunday 23 October 2016

Just about hanging on

Thought I would update you!
Him indoors came home on Wednesday. Very fragile and nervous. We have come a long way since but he is still very worried about knocking his arm or falling over. He can do very little so I have to help with washing and dressing. I also have to either cut up his food or give him something he can manage with one hand. I know he does not like this but it has to be. The plaster is uncomfortable and very heavy.
We are fairly relaxed about the delay in finishing the Gites. They will be ready for the next season which is all that matters. It just means I wait longer for my house to be done. We are still plodding forward doing what we can so it is not at a complete standstill.
Autumn is well and truly here. The trees are glorious. I am having trouble posting photos at the moment but will get on to it when I have time.
One of my ducks is having trouble walking. I have seperated her into her own pen and house to ensure she is getting enough food. I think this morning she looked a bit stronger. The chickens are still in various stages of moulting but I am now getting two eggs each day.
Garden work has taken a hit just now but I will do what I can. Especially with the veg patch.
Still lots of scaremongering regarding Brexit but am trying to ignore it. No one really knows how it will work. Just now a large part of me would be happy to go back to the U.K.

Monday 17 October 2016

A difficult couple of days

We were up until gone midnight last night trying to remove the hairs on the arm of him indoors. We had been told on no account to shave the area. Three applications and an hour later his arm was sore and not all the hair had gone. Give up I said, let them deal with it tomorrow. He then had his disinfectant shower and we tried to get some sleep. He slept ok but I was awake worrying. We had to be up early as the hospital wanted him there by 9am. He had to starve from midnight. He was not a happy bunny when I drove him to the hospital.
Found the ward and were shown to a double room. I asked the person who took us where he was on the list..she didn't know as she was the cleaner! Oh well. We sat twiddling our thumbs for an hour then a young man and his mother came in. A room mate! A while later a woman came in and told us she worked in the hospital helping with translations for English patients. She found out where he was on the list...4pm. And that was not a definite time. He could have had a light breakfast. Eventually a nurse arrived to admit them both. She dealt with the young man first as he was earlier on the list...so how come we had to arrive so early?
The nurse could speak English but decided not to as she felt our French was good enough! There are days I could scream! I mentioned the problem with the hair removal cream and she went and found a razor and shaved his arm. Another grrrr! A pile of paperwork completed and we now knew he would be in over night.. I had to go home and get his earphones and book so he could listen to music if he had trouble sleeping. I also took him a few English tea bags so he can have a decent cuppa!
When I got back to the hospital it was clear I was in the way so I said I would go. I stopped to ask the nurse about visiting this evening...she said not to as he would not be back on the ward before 8pm. Ok, what time can I collect him in the morning?.....no cannot visit in the morning. I have left it that he will call when he is ready to be picked up. I do not like leaving him there. His French is pretty good but I know he will struggle in that situation. He has never had surgery or stayed in hospital before.
I also do not like being on my own.
It has made us think more about being here in old age. We do not think we want to manage any chronic illnesses in a foreign country. The healthcare here is excellent. The attitude of the staff is much harder and the language will always be a problem.
I will be happier tomorrow when he is home.

Wednesday 12 October 2016

What a week so far

Monday I took him indoors for an echo gram. It showed what we already knew, one of the two tendons had snapped.
On Tuesday we saw the surgeon. It did not start well as the appointment the emergency Doctor made was not on the computer. Fortunetly they agreed to fit us in. We did not have long to wait. The surgeon was rude and brutal. We felt we should ask if his mother had died or did he just dislike us English. He launched into rapid French so we explained we were English and could he speak slowly. He said...well no one is perfect!....not a good start. We endured about half an hour then were ushered out with a pile of papers. On to see the anesthetist. A lovely man who spoke English and insisted on using it to ensure we understood. The surgeon also spoke English but was reluctant to help us.
So on Monday morning early I have to take him to the hospital and he will be operated on. He has to stay overnight.
Today we have spent ages in the chemist collecting stuff to take to hospital. I find this totally bizarre. The special sling had to be ordered and I will collect this Friday afternoon.
Tomotrrow morning I have to take him to the medical center in our village to have the stitches taken out of his back. We have a prescription for this too. We will give the nurse another prescription for dressings and the order for daily visits for five days after the surgery.Also to remove these stitches after 15 days.
We came out of the hospital yesterday with a great pile of papers. Today we came out of the chemist with a bag full of stuff!
I am exhausted with carrying the load. He will be in plaster and one armed for six weeks then it will be six months until he can fully use the arm!
I will be happier once the op is over.

Saturday 8 October 2016

Oh dear!

Just as we are settling down for winter....
Yesterday evening him indoors was trying to finish doing the electrics in the Gites. He lifted a piece of plaster board awkwardly and tore the tendon that attaches the bicep muscle to the bone. I thought he had dislocated it and he passed out with the pain. I managed to get him to our local hospital where an X-ray revealed the damage. As it was Friday evening we have come home with pain killers and his arm immobilized. On Monday early we have to call the X-ray department for an appointment for an echo. We have an appointment with a surgeon on Tuesday. It is likely he will need surgery to reattach the tendon, then be in plaster for a while to give it time to heal. It will not be a quick fix.
Fortunately when we took out our top up health insurance we included extra cover for him incase of an accident such as this. We will have to call the agent but I am hoping we will get a pay out to pay a builder to help with the Gites.
It is going to be difficult as he cannot drive or even put his own socks on!
Today I have put a sugar syrup tray on the bee hive to give them extra feed. I will check it in a couple of days to see if they are taking it.
Today we have lit the wood burner for the first time since last winter. I have also restarted on my crochet throw which will be finished before spring.
How true it is that you never know what is around the corner.

Friday 7 October 2016

Bee news!

This week we harvested some honey! Helped by a friend as we had never done it before and do not yet have the equipment. We took 4 1/2 jars of beautiful golden honey made by our own bees. A truly wonderful experience. I have left the used frames near the hive and the bees are busy cleaning them up. They will take any remaining honey back to the brood box and are cleaning off the bits of wax. Once done I will bring them in to store for next year when we start again. As this is a new hive I will today put the feed box on with some sugar syrup. This is to ensure they have enough to store for winter. When we opened the hive I found the queen which was great. The brood box had some honey stored and was very busy.
We will need to invest in another hive ready for next year when my bees will swarm. I hope to catch the swarm to start another hive. I plan to keep it at two hives and hope that by the following year I will have more knowledge and experience to deal with excess queens and swarming!
I am now looking at replacing sugar with honey! I cannot go all out with that just now but want to be ready when the honey really flows! Our honey has come mostly from red clover and lavender so is rather yummy. I have given a jar to each of my daughters.
This week I have had a very dear friend staying. She has been interested in all my green initiatives and is taking home several ideas.
My other bit of news is my youngest daughter is having another baby, due in April. Very exciting stuff!
Weather has turned much colder now, won't be long until the wood burner is blazing again! I love cold winter evenings with the fire burning.
Harvesting has just about finished and the pantry is filled with jam, chutney and bottled fruits. There are a few more apples to process.
My mission over winter is to ditch the plastic...I am already freezing in glass jars!
Always another thing to change.