Stick with it Mum!

 It was an unsettled, humid and sticky start to what was a full on day today.  It started with a trip to Paphos General wounds clinic for Mum to have her dressing changed and for her leg to be assessed by the Doctor.

Initially she did not seem to have much pain but now she says it is really quite unbearable at times and the paracetemol don't seem to be dealing with it.  I am hoping that this pain is a sign that things are coming back to life but it is something to ask the Doctor.  It seems to be at its worst when she tries to walk around having been sitting with her leg elevated for a period of time.  I have suggested we get a proper stick to provide her with stability (having spoken to Sonia about what she used after her stroke) and I have found that there is a medical aids shop opposite the hospital which sell them.  Mum has agreed.

It was busy at the hospital but I was lucky enough to get a parking space relatively quickly and then had to push Mum in the chair over very uneven ground and, as I have said before, no dropped kerbs so I cannot go on the pavement and use the proper crossing.  It is still too far for her to walk and the chair does give a visual warning to people that she has a bad leg.

We were seen by Dimitri at the clinic pretty quickly but had to wait for the Doctor to finish ward rounds before he could come down to assess Mum.  His verdict was that it was healing albeit very slowly and he pointed out the bruising and puffiness around her ankle which he said would be contributing to the pain she was experiencing.  She needs to continue to keep her leg elevated as much as possible but spend a short period of time every hour just having a potter around to ensure the circulation is going.

We left the hospital and some lovely English man who looked to be in his 80s offered us some assistance, getting Mum into the car and helping me lug the heavy old wheelchair into the boot.  I was so grateful and he told me he could sympathise as his wife was in a wheelchair so he knew how difficult manoeuvring one around can be.

I then went across the road to get Mum's stick - the shop is excellent and the girl in there was extremely helpful and did not push me to buy any of the more expensive sticks - the one I got was €20 on offer - the only trouble is Mum can't seem to get to grips with how she should walk with it (much to mine and Lilian's amusement).  I had planned to go home after I had taken Mum's car to have the aircon checked but decided to stay a bit longer, do Mum's washing and wash her hair and then take her over for a cuppa with Lilian before Lilian's visitors arrive at the weekend and she will be occupied with them.  Mum does have a leak on the aircon so I have to take it back on Monday and the guy will need it for a while so I shall have to sit around and twiddle my thumbs (or go across to the shoe shop and spend some money!!).

We had a nice hour or so with Lilian (plus the giggle watching Mum trying to walk with her stick) and then I took Mum home and made sure she had everything she needed until I return on Sunday (unless of course something else happens which needs me back there sooner).  

I returned home via Shuks to pick up some meat including some fillet steak which John and I were going to have for our supper.  I cannot believe that he can provide such wonderful local fillet steak at the price he does.  We had two real beauties for €6 each - I was worried that because they were bigger than normal they may not be as tender and juicy but we reckon they were probably the best we have had so far.

We quickly popped across to catch up Lakis and Argy and to take advantage of their indoor/outdoor space with their amazing sliding doors.  Any initial issues they may have had have been dealt with by Theodosis even to the point where he is going to replace the leading door completely because he isn't happy with it.  

As a footnote John got his car back from the upholsterers today and the job to the roof is absolutely amazing - I really can't wait to see what he does with my beloved chair.