What a week – truley one off those that never seem to make ya wonder sometimes.

Let’s start with Thursday week.

The excitement of the week before last Thursday was palpable. Anticipation built as I waited for my special appointment to finally arrive, eager to gain insight into the upcoming plans for my hip. The date for the procedure was to be confirmed during this appointment, leaving me with a mix of emotions – from eager anticipation to some uncertainty. As I conversed with the doctor, my mind raced with thoughts about potential outcomes and the impact on my daily life. The details discussed with the doctor now held significant weight, as they would determine the path forward for my health.

I have to say I was a bit down walking out of there. As I look at being operated on from now till April 2025, the worst case scenario and the best case scenario is October this year as I’m a category two, very high in damage control. But the specialist said straight out, “Unless you lose twenty kilos, fatso, and give up smoking, I will not operate on you. Do you understand, Paul?” With no smile on such a stern face, he turned his back on me and walked out.

The situation was quite challenging and perhaps even disheartening. However, it also presents an opportunity to focus on improving my health. While it may seem daunting, making the lifestyle changes suggested by the specialist could significantly impact my overall well-being. It’s important to remember that taking steps towards better health is a valuable investment in myself. Small progress can make a difference; I don’t have to do this alone. Various resources and support systems are available to help me along the way. So, I don’t lose hope; take this as a motivation to embark on a journey towards a healthier you.

The Next day or that afternoon.

The specifics of the situation unravelled slowly before me. The unease and discomfort crept in, leaving me to ponder the cause. Could it have been the elation brought on by the great news, or was it an unwelcome onset of an ailment? Only time held the key to this mystery. Alas, the mystery was solved today when I found myself in the clutches of an insidious bug looming since Friday evening. Its relentless grip left me feeling terribly unwell, altering my plans and casting a shadow over my well-being.

In bed three days and counting, get a phone call.

It’s mum to let me know dad has been rushed into hospital as he has a bug as well, but being 96 years of age, it got hold of dad in a hazardous way because of his age.

Mum is very strong-minded and has great willpower when there is a mission in front of her, so she is in there every day with Dad. He looks at being in there for some time; he is on an oxygen machine, drips, and whatever else they put on him. Mum is in there every day for ten hours, just letting him know she is there for him. Mum and dad have been together for 62 years which is their anniversary next week, that’s special hey 62 years. I don’t hear much of ten years these days, so it’s a remarkable and awesome achievement in today’s society.

Second call.

A good mate rang me to let me know a perfect and close mate had an accident on his Harley; he lost his left leg just under the knee. That hit hard as we have been mates for over forty years, so it’s not what you want to hear. Dave has just been told he has beaten stage four cancer after many months of chemo and procedures; he was ecstatic if I could say we all were. So, as we do, he got on his true love, his Harley, an hour into the ride, and his life changed again. It’s funny that some of us can easily handle lousy news, whereas I find it hard to make that phone call to ask how are you, buddy, I don’t know what it is, but it’s something I find very hard to do. After many hours of building up the courage to see where he was after the accident, I spoke to Dave.

Can I say his attitude and strength are remarkable? His thoughts were he got out of this lightly; he had his leg for 70 years, and he was looking forward to going to his first fancy dress as a pirate – Captain Peg Leg; he has been booked into Hollywood Hospital to start his physio and learning to walk with a prostrate leg.

Another disappointing phone call.

Maree, my ex-wife and now true friend let me know her operation didn’t go well at all; she has had significant stomach and digestive problems for most of her life, but one that is and can be very dangerous in life. She said with a smile that they were booking her in for another operation; these procedures are the first to be done in the history of medicine, so they take a lot of planning to do. Maree is a very cheerful lady, very strong-minded, and loves her kids, grandkids and life with so much awe when she walks into a place, forever putting other people who need help in front of her beside herself.

Today is the first day out of bed. It’s been a whole week. I can’t remember the last time I was so sick, but I’m getting there. As I write this, my mind is telling me that I’m doing okay as my family and friends are doing it a lot harder, so I have six to twelve months of continuous pain but one that I can program the mind to accept and keep positive, as mine is eventually going to be better for me.

Mum thinks her husband, one she loves so much and has been her whole life for the last 62 years, will live another ten years, and being my dad, I would love nothing better to have him around for another ten years of my life.

Dave knows his life has changed again, but he thought one challenge was beaten, and now one is to learn to live with his new prostrated leg and adapt to the changes that will occur with it. Maree keeps smiling and follows what the doctors plan for her; she is positive and has a great attitude. Dad will get better and closer to the hundred mark, which I’m happy for Mum, my sister’s brother and myself.

For me, today is the best I have felt in the last week; as for pain, I learnt from the last one how to adapt to that, but this time, preparing for a lot longer; they say mind over matter for me, its im doing okay in life and I’m so glad to have a great family with mates for life.

#Journey Through Life

mags64@journeythroughlife.blog