Back to the hacienda!

Well, here I am, released from exile and back at La Mort Limouzin once again. Both of us are overjoyed to be back together again, and for Kim not to have to make a three hour round trip to visit me. I shall be eternally grateful for the improvement that Le Grand Feu has made to the damage that the stroke  made to my hand, arm and leg, they are so much better than when I arrived there. I am hoping for continuing improvement and we are commencing a continuing series of Kinetherapy at a centre at Chef Boutonne
  The only blot on the pleasant landscape of my return, were a series of really frightening panic attacks the first time I have ever had such experiences.  I felt I couldn't breathe, was trembling and wanting to run, really had the feeling of being about to die. Luckily Kim was able to calm me down and pointed out that my vital signs were all normal, and I took a Xanax, a thing I never do. After ten minutes all returned to normal. Phew!!
   Research on Google into this condition, showed the feelings, though highly alarming, are completely illusionary, and exist in the imagination rather than the body. Armed with this information, I have been able to fight off any recurrence, but I assure my readers I have never been so frightened in my life.....now that has settled down, I can concentrate on building up movement and dexterity in my limbs, we have a session of Kinetherapy this afternoon at Chef. I'll let you know how it compares with the Grand Feu Kine.
  Our Doctor has also suggested a visit to a Sophrologist as a good treatment for panic attacks, so we're trying that on Saturday, can't do any harm....

   Bye for now from a hopefully convalescing Noah!

Noah's progress, back to the ark on Tuesday

Well, I seem to have been here in rehab at LeGrand Feu practically for ever, in danger of feeling that this is my natural habitat! I can see how people become institutionalised, life seems to flow along without much change, week by week. Luckily, I have been able to return home at the weekends to remind me that life goes on on the outside
   However, the time has not been wasted, looking back I can realise the difference in my current condition and the state I was in when I entered. Then, I could scarcely move the fingers of my left hand, couldn't raise my arm at all, and needed to scoot around in a wheelchair. Now, the chair is long gone, and I can walk around with almost no limp ( still working on that ) my hand works pretty well as normal, with the thumb opposable, and the arm can reach above my head. It's all a bit weak, of course, though much stronger than it was, and I tire very quickly, but it's really a question of  regaining stamina! This weekend, I have been able to undertake simple jobs like lighting the fire, letting the dogs out in the cour and don't feel so completely dependent on Kim. She has been very supportive and in many ways has been worse affected than I, having to do all the driving, housework and pet care, and has never complained. Of course, at times, I have despaired a bit, and lost sight of the progress made when I compare it to the mountain still to climb, the capacity lost compared to that regained but the main thing is to keep positive.

 Anyway, on Tuesday, I am to be released, to return home to stay, we are both overjoyed. Details need to be sorted out for some continuing therapy, but I think the best therapy will be to use the damaged limbs in daily life, to exercise the muscles in doing daily tasks. I'll let you know how we get on! Wish me luck!

 Bye for now, from Le Grand Feu, but not for long......