Thursday, August 11, 2022

Good News

I'm finally walking. I have a marvelous physiotherapist who's one of the few making home visits. Not walking far but walking. Getting the odd night, very odd, in my bed as I still wake up with pain and have to move to the recliner for any ease.

I had to really talk myself into going outside my apartment and walking. Agoraphobia had set in - a fear of falling, a fear of being outside without help, a fear of catching Covid as my building is not safe. 

I drove my car after months of not. I met a friend for coffee. We are super safe and joke we're the only two eejits wearing masks on the whole island. But elders are falling like flies here and very, very sick. And mortality rates in my age group are very high. 

I had a treatment today and he noticed I was very tense. A type A personality does not drift easily into old age and serenity. I am pain free for now after the treatment.

I'm working away on a memoir of a year in my life way, way back in prehistoric times. Creative non-fiction. I am startled as to how much comes back to me. It's really all coming to life and I relive the intensity of that long buried time.

As for the rest of me, still taking my - what feels like - 200 pills a day and marveling at the fact that I have outlived most of my friends. I will be 79 in a few days and at some point later in that day I will enter into my 80th year, my 80th turn around the sun. I am astonished. I lived hard and fast for many years and had terrible depressions and considered ending it all many times.

Looking back, in spite of everything (life is far from perfect) I am so very grateful to still be part of the human race, still full of curiosity and occasional joy, capable of sadness and delight, still full of wonder and awe at how beautiful this planet is, especially my little corner of it.


We have a fishing village, Quidi Vidi (pronounced Kyda Vyda by many old timers!), right in the middle of our city of St. John's. This village is right around the corner from where I live and has fabulous restaurants, a brewery and a whole building full of incredible artisans while fishing life goes on around them.

27 comments:

  1. I cannot tell you how happy I am that you are walking, and driving again. Not to mention being able to go to bed again. And seeing some joy.
    And how I would love to wander around Quidi Vidi.

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    1. You would love QV EC, it lifts my heart every time I am there. And the boats leaving is a sight that is incredible as the entrance is so narrow they have to wait for a wave to carry them out.
      XO
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  2. Getting out always helps me. Just getting in the car and going to pick up Taco Bell for my husband helps me. Moving around helps.
    Glad you are glad to be walking.

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    1. It's the little things Debbie, you are so right. Just going to the library for me is a joy when there were months that I couldn't even do that.
      XO
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  3. It ain't over 'til it's over! Glad you're able to move around again. The way I'm hearing it, you sound like a normal human being - with the added bonus of living in a place you love!

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    1. Oh I so love it here, Molly. Ireland outside of Ireland if you know what I mean. I am feeling more normal, tho still with some pain but not as terrible as it was. So grateful.
      XO
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  4. Walking and driving out for coffee! Admittedly not far or often, but still, it's progress! the going out for coffee is such a big step and I'm glad you did it. I find myself staying home and inside a lot these days, mostly because I just can't be bothered going anywhere unless I really have to.

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    1. I was falling into that rut too River, a rut for me and I understand not for everyone. I like having choices, I like having the ability to drive my car even tho I might not drive it for a week. It's the lack of choice that drives me mad.
      XO
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  5. You made my heart skip. I feel your happiness. I wish I got out more with friends, but am low on them. When we do meet, I brandish my two canes and move along!

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  6. Congratulations. It is great news to hear about your being mobile and active again. The worries about falling down will fade soon enough. And, not to worry, hitting the eightieth will be like you hit the seventy ninth!

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    1. Your walk inspired me a lot Ramana as I know you hadn't felt capable either. Hearing of other elders and their little battles is so heartening.
      XO
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  7. So happy to hear you being chipper!! We will be in St. John's near the end of September!

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    1. Now chipper is a bit of a stretch Jackie. I'll work hard on the chippery. Oh, I do hope I am mobile enough to see you and Himself. I will keep plugging away.
      XO
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  8. Happy! And oh, I would like to visit Quidi Vidi and taste and see and smell how life is in your place. Curiosity is in my book the best antidote to aging. Thank you for this update - inspired by you I'm off to do my PE!

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    1. Good for your Charlotte, off to PE. Endless curiosity is a great antidote for all that ails us.
      XO
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  9. That all looks very promising. Especially good that you're walking again. Two hundred pills a day, that's crazy. Surely some of them could be dispensed with?

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    1. I was tongue in cheek on that Nick, it's more like 30.
      XO
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    2. When I was updating my medications for a nurse before my appendectomy last week, she commented, "That's a lot of medications." I felt so humiliated and wanted to tell her that I took zero before rheumatoid arthritis and then a cascade of problems hit twelve years ago. I've decided to embrace those medications while continuing to make every effort to drop some, because they keep me functional and able to recover from things like that appendectomy or even two brain surgeries. Without them, I'd be flat on my back. Or, not here at all. So, now this week, I mentally said thanks when I filled up that pill sorter I hated so much previously.

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  10. Brava! and Brave. Happy news, WWW. And oh, my heart - QV image is absolutely gorgeous, so glad it's close to you. I visited Ireland in 2012 - it's in my ancestry - and I felt so at home there. It was strange. I still think of that land often, especially Galway - maybe because of seeing Logue's shoe shop - my maiden name! Keep on keepin' - and best wishes for a new decade. Kim in PA (USA)

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    1. Thank you so much Kim, so glad you got to the country of your ancestors. I am Irish born but when I came to Newfoundland first I had the visceral feeling I belonged here. It was extraordinary and it proved to be absolutely right.
      XO
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  11. I am so pleased! walking! sleep! an outing!
    these are the things that make life ......well, life :)

    I am amazed at people who write memoirs, there's very little I remember and even less I could pin down to a particular year. I look forward to hearing more

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    1. My memory is astonishing Kylie, I didn't realize it until the last 10 years. I am like a sponge - even for others. Fifty year old conversations as clear as a bell. Minute details (colour of mother's blouse, dad's raincoat). I suppose it's a gift tho I had never thought of it that way.
      XO
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    2. That is truly a gift! I'm glad you're using it to write your memoir. I've found that images help me remember additional details so a camera is always close at hand. Kim in PA

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  12. Ah, 'Happy Birthday!' with two day delay, dear Mary. May you enjoy your next sun-orbit.

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  13. Happy Birthday in advance. What hard work you've put in to get to regain the ability to walk again. Kudos.

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  14. Happy birthday for your up and coming one. Wonderful you're walking and able to get out some. The colorful fishing village nearby sounds delightful. And... you're writing your memoir. All good news.

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  15. Happy birthday early, and that is good you are walking a little. That fishing village looks charming.

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