🦞 The Lockdown Gang still chatting 🦞

Well our beautiful girl has gone to be with Neddy. She died wagging her tail and eating ham I couldn't have asked for a better way. The vet cried...she had made friends with everyone at the practice over the last 5 months. I went on my own....big girl pants on, I won't lie it was hard. We are now sitting in the garden drinking wine remembering her. In comparison to the loss that many of you have experienced this pales into insignificance I know... Thank you for being there in spirit.

Notspaghetti I’m not someone who comes well with the heat, it drains me. I’m sitting with two fans on me and it’s still really hot here.
ixion I hope that course works for you. I wobble a lot when I walk. Go from side to side without realising. My ankles are quite stiff and with a bad left ankle and bad right knee I think my they’re bothering fighting each other to keep the weight off them.
Oh NN I’m so sorry about Luna. I know how hard it is. Our lovely yorkie couldn’t cope with the heat. It’s a tough decision to make. Thinking of all of you and sending love and hugs.
Grammaretto is your house in the market now? Any viewings ?

I hope you aren't alone Naughtyneine
Sending love and hugs xxxxx

Have you someone going with you? Xx

Thinking of you and with you in thoughts as you make this most difficult of journeys.
🥀
Xx

Beautiful Luna
Gentle hugs to all of you
❤️

Luna.

I'll be back in a while. I've just made the call to the vet. We've reached the end of the road. Still wagging her tail but struggling in this heat. We are going in at 3 o clock. Rightly or wrongly I don't know but I haven't told DH. He was distraught when we lost Neddy 2 and a half years ago and although he knows it's time I am sparing him that final moment. Keep me in your thoughts please.

Good morning from yet another soon-to-scorching day. 🥱
Well no, not really. More 🥳

Lots of tips here as well as commiserations for the less mobile of the Lobstars.
I am hoping that my 26 (😱) week course of strength and balance workouts will lead me to more stability and general flexibility for striding out, despite the dodgy ankle. If nothing else, my purse will benefit, farewell 30 minute physio sessions at £62 a pop.

There is great comfort to be had by being in a class with others, lurking at the back and furtively glancing round to see if you are the worst in class.

I hope support is rallying for you, Kaimoana. What progress? In my thoughts💐

Did you get any viewings for your house, Grammaretto?
I wonder how, these days, they sort the seriously interested from the nosey-parkers idle curious? Continuing good luck.

Is Theo coping with the heat, Jan? We bought Barney one of those cool mats last year but he doesn't really 'get' it.
He has taken to sleeping in the hall in a cardboard 'tunnel' we rigged up as a piece of keep fit apparatus for him (haha), despite me telling him his stray-days are over now
I guess the fleece blanket on every available chair, settee, bed etc are unwelcome in this heat.

How is D🐕2 faring, NN? And you both, of course.
Worry, combined with sadness, is draining, isn't it?

Pace yourselves, 🦞🦞.
Apart from Kaimoana - wrap up warm!

Doodle, how very frustrating to have ankle problems. My left foot is sort-of "tight" and "slow" generally, and that is bad enough.

* I do hope you are all doing OK in this heat*

Notspaghetti balance is so difficult when your feet won’t work properly. I’ve got something wrong with my ankles. My feet just won’t bend like they used to. I think it’s the osteoporosis /old age wear and tear,
Jan hope you had a nice afternoon with friends. Good idea not to go out without your support. Finding help is difficult. I’ve got to lots of physio which is basically sheets of paper exercises and advice to just go off and do them.
Grammaretto is it tomorrow your house goes in the market? Hope you get some serious buyers.

These are what my physio suggested
www.corebalance.co.uk/products/foam-balance-pad

*And one of these*:
www.amazon.co.uk/Urban-Fitness/dp/B0BFWGDL5Q?tag=gransnetforum-21

I was lucky that mine foot wasn't bad enough to require an orthotic - but my physiotherapist (also private) said I need to get the back of my calves working and pumping blood better again and the movement back into my foot. This has definitely helped with the swelling. It was quite "plonky" initially as the minor movements in my foot weren't being used . I didn't feel safe on uneven ground - still don'tbut am definitely improving... Bear in mind it's been 3 years since my stroke now.

I'm also still using a mat that's a sort of dense foam. I stand on the edge of it with my heels hanging off and try to balance (next to something to hold on to).
I can feel the "foot and calf workout" (and don't really enjoy it!!) but can tell when I need to do more of it
😕

Small wins.

So pleased you are getting someone to help who knows what they are doing. I was left with almost nothing help-wise as I'd made a "good recovery" but last spring the stolen foot drove me to distraction and so I felt I needed to sort something out

Good luck to you Jan. It's miserable putting work in to just get back to square one - but keep at it and I'm sure you will find improvement- and at least you feel you are doing something !

Hi NotSpaghetti
Thanks for your tip. Will try that later. My foot feels quite steady walking around the house but Im very wary about it going over and me ending up on the floor!
Ive got a neurophysio +oming to the house ar great cost! She works in our local hospital and was my community physio when I first left hospital. Shes very good and when she is here next week will ask her opinion. We are out to friends this afternoon but wont risk going without it as obviously I will have to walk outside. Do you still wear your Orthotic? No one has given me any advice on not wearing it. This is what I find annoying in that once you leave hospital you are on your own. I’ve spent loads of money trying to find help which is ok we are lucky we can afford it but goodness knows what happens to those who cant.
Enough of me. Stay safe in this horrible heat everyone and everyone enjoy the Bank Holiday

Jan16 - do you have any control over your awkward foot? I find my affected foot to be a disappointment in that it's still not great at helping me balance. Not dreadful - just still not great.
I have a massage ball that's firm and spikey and about 3½ or 4 inches in diameter. My neurological physiotherapist suggested I practice rolling it about (quite hard) if I can - keeping it under the ball of my foot.

I use it when I'm watching television (if I'm in the higher chair) and find this movement, and stretching and relaxing my calf muscle seems to help with my puffy foot.
I don't know if this might be possible - or if it would help.

Thinking of you

Jan I bet it’s hot wearing your foot contraption in this weather. Been so hot here today, I’ve got the balcony doors wide open and the tI Dow at the back. Fan on and I’m still hot.
Grammaretto lovely to have a surprise meal invitation. I love Italian food.
ixion I only have a small freezer so I have to limit my ice cream choice but I do love M***ums raspberries and chocolate one.
Kaimoana like the others I hope family can help sort something suitable out for you.

What a beautiful cat. Hopefully he/she has a home nearby. I am really fed up with this weather. I know Im a miserable old so and so but its really just impossible to do anything except sit and grumble both of which Im very good at! Theo is definitely not impressed and wanders from one shady spot to the next.
The real trouble with my foot is that after I had the stroke my stroked foot kept turning over onto its side so I was given an Orthotic which is basically a contraption of velcro that goes onto the whole of my lower leg to keep the ankle from turning. Its very difficult to put on simply because there is a fastening at the back which I cant reach so its yet another job for DH. I think its this that is making my foot swell. Ive been walking around the house without it today. Certainly wouldn’t go outside without it but so far its been ok although it feels slightly scary! Oh well as I said yet another problem!

He really doesn't look lean or hungry and wears a collar. He seems to come from the gardens of the flats on the east side. This is supported housing for special needs adults. It used to be a manse . I hardly ever see anyone outside apart from occasional carers having a fag.
The flats on the other side don't have any gardens, just a carpark. They aren't supposed to keep pets as the flats are rented.
I am not going to start feeding him.

I've been gardening. Trying to get all the veg in before I go away.

Even if someone wants to buy the house, it won't be quick.

I really hope you have a good transition to the new place Kaimoana.
Will there be any advantages to living in a more urban environment?
Not so many barking dogs?
Nearer shops?
Easier for carers to come?
Nearer to family?

He doesn't really have a lean and hungry look, Grammaretto, does he?
Perhaps he comes for a bit of peace and quiet.

Sorry the heat affects your foot so badly, Jan. Does elevating it help?

Ice creams are always good, aren't they? I put umpteem boxes of Ma**ums, of assorted flavours, on my Sainsbury's delivery list today, assuming that they would be at a premium in such hot weather. Unfortunately no, all were available.
Lots of boxes now in the freezer🙄

Like everyone else, Kaimoana, I can't get over how truly shabbily you have been treated. Are they moving you all together (I guess not) or scattering you about town? I am so very sorry.

I know you say your family are busy, but I do hope everyone can rally together to come up with help and a suitable game plan for the best ❤️.

Lovely Doodle ice cream will keep you cool.
The cat probably belongs to someone in the flats. There are flats on 2 sides, not near but the cats wander free.

I had a last minute invitation for an Italian meal tonight from the lady I drove to hospital a few weeks ago.
It was very good.

I had been doing more room clearance so had to shower and change.

I saw round the bungalow earlier with a friend. It would be good for someone but not for me. It was immaculate but the decor wasn't to my taste. I know these things can be changed but I think I would rather pay less for a do-er upper. The busy road is a drawback too as is living next to the school.

What have you decided to do about summer shoes Jan? Crocs? Berkies?

Kaimoana i don’t like the idea of you being uprooted to a city centre. Is there no alternative? Could your son or granddaughter help you find somewhere better. Do the Sallie’s have any other places more suitable for your needs? Dear lady you never complain but I’m stamping my feet on your behalf and shouting this isn’t fair. Do hope something better comes your way.
Grammaretto do you think it’s a feral cat. I like the sound of two good strong helpers. Hope you manage to find both a buyer and the right place for you.
Jan this hot weather doesn’t help does it. Could you buy some flip flops or some crocs or something so you can get round outside.?
I spent a pleasant afternoon at the hospice then on my friends balcony eating an ice cream.

Kaimoana That is so unfair. So much for kindness and thought from the Sallies. Surely they can understand the stress for all of you who are being forced to move. Hopefully your son can come to help. DH and I had thought of moving as both house and garden although not enormous are far to big for us now but we decided we just could face all the upheaval.
And you Grammaretto what a nightmare. Its so difficult to find the perfect bungalow as we have found. Near a school means more traffic, cars parked everywhere etc etc.
we are definitely enduring the heatwave certainly not enjoying it. Just went to put my trainers on to find one wouldn’t go onto the foot that has been affected by the stroke as my foot is massively swollen. No shoes fine in the house but outside??? Yet another problem but a minor one compared too Kaimoana and Grammaretto. Good luck to you both and everyone else with problems and worries

Oh Kaimoana - I'm amazed that they can move you out. What a mess! Are they finding the new home for you? Are they continuing with the same tenancy elsewhere?

I do hope so!

Oh gosh Kaimoana. Is there no alternative?

Hadn't there been a plan to live near your DGD at one time?
I guess plans change.

I asked the estate agent what will happen if my house doesn't sell. He suggested it comes off the market for the Summer months and try again in the late Autumn!

That puts paid to plans to buy another.
However, what's the use of worrying - it never was worthwhile 🎶 🎶 🎵

I will look round another bungalow today but I am minded not to be too keen. Main road, overlooked by neighbours, overlooks a very busy car repair garage....near a school.
Not things on my wish list. 😂

I was fighting my way through the undergrowth behind my house yesterday to reach a shed where I found the same cat who had previously flattened my seedlings, looking very comfortable in a cardboard box lined with shredded paper. It jumped out and ran past me but it must have got in somehow. A mystery.
There's a cat sized hole in the shed methinks.

Never mind. I'm expecting some strong helpers in June who will be more than able to deal with any problems around here, I hope.

Are most of you either enjoying or enduring a heatwave?

It hasn't reached us yet though I may take my cardigan off.

Did I tell I must move house as the Sallies are selling the se 14 properties? A challenge at any age but in ones 80s even more so.

So much for the "Tenancy for Life" we were promised.

They have said they will help with packing but the unpacking at the other end is up to me.

So in January I shall be moving from a quiet, semi-rural area (albeit on a main road, I dont hear the traffic as I as so far back) to right in the middle of a crowded city suburb, not a speck of greenery to be see.

But as always, with the many upheavals Ive had to cope wioth, 'what cant be cured, must be endured;
At least I have a home, so many do not.