Day 26

 Day 6 Home recovery

Not such a good night’s sleep again waking up 3 times and finally taking a paracetamol at 04:00. I then slept through till about 07:15. The knee seems stiffer again this morning but it is loosening up as I move around for breakfast.

Checked my old blog and noted the following after 1 month back in 2018:

The wound has healed well assisted by Catharine's massage with Bio Oil and after a period of itching it is now good and flexible although the knee remains swollen especially above the knee. Most of the pain has gone from the calf although there is still residual bruising and soreness in the thigh. If I spend too long on my feet the leg does swell and it takes some time to dissipate so I have to make sure that I don't over do it.

Considering it appears that my body is dealing with Covid-19 things seem to be on track!

Physiotherapy went well this morning with me adding in a few more items to the list. I then looked for an appointment with my physiotherapist but they don’t have any slots until mid to late March. Catharine then helped me with understanding the methodology of massaging the swollen area to help to get the lymph system to remove the unwanted products of recovery. Following the massage to my legs and lower back I then elevated and put on the ice pack.


After lunch I rested up as I felt exhausted and managed about an hour of sleep before the excitement of the delivery of my peanut!

During the afternoon I decided it was time to find out why I have not received the test results from the Day 2 test. This started a very long and uncomfortable set of telephone conversations; eventually after re-registering the registered test a text message was received which confirmed my positive test. It appears that the Test and Trace system was not connecting to the NHS Wales when I selected the first option 3 to say I was in Wales. Eventually after assistance from the offices of my Senedd Minister it did get sorted out and I had a call from Test and Trace to provide all the information they required. While this fiasco was going on we both decided to do a rapid antigen test and, great news, we’re both negative!

I did my stint on the static bike a bit later than normal; very little change in the range of movement today.

After dinner rested and watched TV until bedtime at around 23:00

Day 25

Day 5 at home

Had a good sleep right through till 06:10 then did some basic exercises in bed. However on getting up the knee feels very stiff. It is not visibly swollen or hot, just stiff.

Catharine and I both tested again this morning, she is negative but I am still positive.

After breakfast ice pack and elevated before some breakfast bar stretches. Now doing some research on computer for commercial trailering. 

Physiotherapy went OK and I feel that the thigh muscles are getting better/stronger.

Moved all my overdue tasks forward which kind of puts pressure on me to get a move on. Because I reported to the Zoe App that I had symptoms I have been asked to book at drive through test. However I filled in the form but it came up with an error at the end; which I reported to Zoe.

Dozed off after lunch until I got a cold call on the phone; how annoying is that!

Afternoon session on the static bike was good and I was able to achieve around 45° to the front and just under 270° to the back. I have done quite a lot of walking around the house today and up and down stairs. I still cannot get to walk downstairs normally yet but going upstairs is going well. 

18:15 now and Catharine is cooking dinner... 

Stayed up until around 23:30 before going to bed and due to twisting my knee I was waiting till the pain from that died away a bit. 

 

Day 24

Day 4 at home

Drat, another restless night with waking up around every 2 hours. So not feeling the best at 06:30 when I went up for breakfast.

After breakfast I still felt quite run down and didn’t do too much until it was time for my home physiotherapy.

Catharine had taken Jazz out and I met her on her way back by the front gate when I took out the food waste bag.

We had decided that the equipment would be moved to the mezzanine floor above the living area so yet another flight of steps to contend with before starting the physiotherapy session. 

Next ice pack and rest for a while

In the sfternoon I did my bike session and quite a bit of walking around the house, more elevation and ice pack.

Very little change noticeable during today. Stayed up until around 23:00 and then went to bed after CBD pill. I was once again very fidgety late in the evening.

Day 23

Day 3 at home: 

A better night’s sleep but still work up 3 time overnight

After breakfast I followed my new timetable and sorted out the necessary equipment for my home physio and went through all the exercises. Then another icepack session as the swelling was evident again.

The afternoon was again taken up by the Six Nations rugby and regular moving about. Then I tried the static bike and managed to do a frew partial circles going backwards and forwards, with less height on the right pedal behind.

So not a lot to report on today as I spent the rest of the evening relaxing with my leg elevated until I got too fidgety and had to get up and walk about doing some more of thee exercises standing at the breakfast bar, just perfect height to replace the wall bars at UPA.

Day 22

Covid 

Testing day!

A really really good sleep although at one point I woke up and thought I was still in UPA trying to find the light switches above the bed!

Woke up at 06:30 and got myself organised to get quietly upstairs to test my bloods and then create a standard home breakfast. I created a schedule, on google calendar, of what to do with similar ‘appointments’ to those in UPA.

 

After Catharine got back from taking Jazz for his walk weee checked out the process of the 2 day test. FInding that the last priority post box in our area closes at 12:30, some 12 miles from here, and you are supposed to drop the package 1 hour before closing time, we didn't have a lot of time to get the test done. So test completed Catharine then shot off in the car to deliver the package while I sorted out the youtube videos I was given and found suitable bits to aid these exercises.

I should have ordered a ‘peanut’ gym ball but didn’t get round to this yesterday.

I made mental notes of the exercises which we did there but are not on the videos:

Standing by the wall bars

1. Heels and toes
2. Lifting legs onto the 2nd Bar
3. Sideways ‘lunge’
4. Step back with one leg and stretch the calf muscles.

Then

1. Lying on my back with peanut
2. Roll back/forward to flex the knee
3. Push down with 1 leg at a time; straighten the leg
4. Lift pelvis and curl spine back down

After all this preparation, exercising and walking up and down stairs to the toilet I had a rest with an ice pack and watched some TV.

With it being a 6 Nations Rugby weekend it was clear that I was going to be sitting for quite a while in the afternoon but I made sure that I mobilised regularly and didn’t leap up and down too much when Wales scored.

By the evening I was feeling uncomfortable and restless. So moving to the sofa for the 9 o’clock slot on BBC4. After the double session it was time to go to bed, but I was still uncomfortable and so took another CBD pill.

Generally I was better today than yesterday

Day 21 - Recovery at home

 2022-02-11

Not the best of sleep but tolerable. The single bed felt a bit small and uncomfortable.

Catharine volunteered to gondown from the fourth floor and get me a coffee while I indulged in my normal morning routines. With coffee in hand and the pre prepared breakfast she had brought with her I tucked in and we chatted about our plans for getting home. We decided just to leave when we were ready and see how we get on.

Back over the Mersey bridges, making a note to self to ensure we paid the toll on line before midnight, we actually found very little traffic once we were away from the area surrounding the Airport Industrial Park. The Mercedes estate is very comfortable and I didn’t find it an issue sitting for an extended period, although when we get home that might be a different story.

No real holdups all the way back to North Wales, however we had to call in at North Wales Mercedes in Llandudno Junction to drop off some return parts. Next stop was at Hywel’s garage where I collected the Disco to drive home while Catharine drove the Mercedes home via Rhosneigr Pharmacy to collect my next order of meds.

I drove the scenic route via Newborough and Malltraeth and arrived a couple of minutes before Catharine. She insisted on getting all the kit from the car and I just went in to rest up for a while.

By now I was utterly exhausted and in a bit of pain, with stiffness in my right leg and quite a different feel to the last day in UPA. So I had a very restful afternoon being looked after by Mrs Wonderful who then recommended a BBC binge watch, Hidden Assets. By the end of the evening I had successfully watched the whole series, ok so I had to stop it and go back a bit here and there when I had fallen asleep. But yes it is worth a watch!

My leg was still painful even after ice treatment and lots of foot flexing, so I took some CBD Oil spray and a pill; it would seem that these did the trick!

Day 20

Having had a good sleep following the injection I was given by the nurse last night. I note that when turning over in bed overnight it helps if I do the foot circles and extensions. This allowed me to go back to sleep and I finally woke up at around 06:30. In preparation for the day I sorted out things which could be packed and then sat down to do my blood sugar test: Blood sugar was at 5.6.

Breakfast with Sue from Wrexham now trying to think what I haven’t done in preparation for this evening’s travel:

• Boarding pass
• Covid Pass
• Passenger locator form

That seems to be all that I need.

All my morning sessions are now completed successfully and I have received the email from Physiotherapy for homework! These two YouTube videos should do the business.

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMmJ6T7Zd-8

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjrbP8UO4Fw

 

After Cryogenic Treatment I sorted out paying the UPA bill for the bar extras. I used my starling card via Google Pay and it worked a treat; simples!

As it is going to be a long day I am now resting before lunch though I might just pop out for a short walk as it is sunny… I relented and stayed 219. At lunch I met the latest group of patients from NordClinic and wished them all well before returning to 219 for a chat with Catharine before she took Jazz out in preparation for driving to Warrington. She sent me a picture of what she was taking for my breakfast tomorrow when we will be in the Travelodge.

 
Next floor 4 for my final massage and as usual I fell asleep during the 20 minute massage. I am now elevating my leg with ice pack for the first time today before my final fling here in UPA, aqua therapy at 16:40.

All done, a good session with Greta in the pool and then back to 219 to get dressed and finish packing. First time I've had trousers on for 17 days!

Early to dinner and obligingly the restaurant was open early. At 18:15 I went back to collect my luggage and go down to reception. As soon as I got there the driver arrived and helped me and my bags to his car.

An excellent driver and the road conditions were ideal for a safe and rapid transfer to Vilnius. Even though it was dark I recognised many of the landmarks as we neared Vilnius. It is a huge modern expansion of the old city.

Through customs and passport control, with the usual manual checks on my knees, to have a calming glass of wine before going to the boarding gate 9.

Now 21:35 and a Ryanair operative has walked round and checked my paperwork so all I have to show is a chit, passport and boarding pass on my phone to go through the gate. Any time soon….

Priority booking gets you through the gate quickly but you are then stacked on the ground floor of the stairwell with all the non priority passengers congregating there until the doors are opened. Once the doors were opened there was no consideration for priority just utter chaos.

On board now 22:03 good leg room sitting by the emergency exit. 

The Ryanair crew are much more specific about face coverings being required to be worn correctly, i.e. Over the nose too! We were advised that the flight is taking slightly longer due to high winds with an estimated flight time of 3:05.

I am finding the flight tedious as I didn’t unpack my headphones and the earbuds are not sound deadening enough; listening to spotify is almost worthless with the engine noise. I am sitting in the better leg length seats at the emergency exit, available to me as I don’t have the crutches with me! Just can’t get sufficiently comfortable and the armrests on these seats don’t fold up. Out of boredom I have bought a pack of Pringles for €2.50 and I have just got my second orange out ready to eat after the milestone of half the flight in 10 minutes!

All things considered it was a reasonable flight with good facecocerings, following strict instructions from the crew about making sure the mask covered the nose. I managed without moving more than twice; once when I walked to the toilet and the other when I walked form one end of the cabin to the other. On arrival at Liverpool at 11:30 local time (a 3:05 hour flight duration) the disembarking was quite difficult trying to carry my two bags down the steps and then a long walk to the customs and passport control areas. Once through to the exit area I tried to call Catharine but there was no signal until I left the building; as I called her I could see her as she walked to meet me at the pedestrian crossing. She had parked pretty close she took my bags and showed me to the car. 

Back to Travelodge next and then pretty much straight to bed…. A long day.

Day 19

Waking to my penultimate day here at UPA I didn;t feel so good, maybe the sleeping pills don’t agree with me. I slept up till about 04:00 again but then was restless until 06:30 when I decided to get up and mobilise.

I broke with tradition at breakfast and had fried egg, bacon and the dark European bread.

As I was not feeling great I retired to 219 and rested up then had a long video call with Catharine while she was walking the dog, it all looked great and I am looking forward to being home by mid morning Friday.

I reported to Greta Nedzinskienė that my leg felt very stiff this morning and she said she was not surprised following the aqua therapy session yesterday. Another good session with Greta1 this morning and I am now feeling a lot better than when I woke up. As a result of my feeling out of sorts I forgot about Polarised Light therapy and had to rearrange that after I had been to Physiotherapy, the ladies in the department were very accommodating and gave me the light treatment and then straight into the cryo therapy. The physical time of the treatments is 3 minutes for Polarised light treatment and then 10 minutes for the cryogenic therapy.

As this meant that my schedule was a little delayed I went straight up to the 3rd floor for my massage during which my ability to stay awake while undergoing the treatment was failing and I just hope I didn’t snore too much!

As with the last couple of days I returned to 219 to rest before lunch which I had with Tony and Chris and we met the recent arrival Sue from Wrexham. Having checked my sugar levels I noted that I was down at 4.5 so I didn’t inject. Fish again for lunch although as usual there was plenty of choice.

My positivity had returned fully now and I decided to take a walk in the early afternoon sunshine down the dam over the river.

The icee showing signs of melting and a lot of slush on the footpath so I had to be very careful about where I walked. The large puddles on the road also meant that when cars came passing by there was a risk of being sprayed! Luckily I was unaffected!

On returning to 219 I felt pretty worn out and took to my bed for a bit before I had to prepare for my last session of the day, aqua therapy this time with Greta Rakauskaite. As usual with Greta it was good fun with her references to the concept that she had disposed of John’s body in the woods and that he hadn’t really gone home; the messages from his phone were written by Greta! SHe obviously watches too much Netflix! It is a fantastic facility and again I was impressed by the use of technology for the security aspects. After the exercises in the treatment pool you have an opportunity to relax in the water for a few minutes which is very nice.

It is great to see my two legs upright and parallel:

I am now preparing for my penultimate dinner….

Had a good chat with Sue from Wrexham along with Tony and Chris and arranged to meet them in the bar for a drink on my last night here…

I was a little delayed as I had a call from Mike and Hazel giving me an update, Mike’s 2nd test has come back negative but Hazel’s was still positive. Otherwise they aree doing fine but Hazel is very tired and keeps on sleeping.

In the bar I met up with Tony and Chris and a delightful couple from Ukraine. We had a good chat for a while but Tony and Chris were keen not to be too late with thee Ukranians leaving very early in the morning. They also needed to get some early rest.

Back to 219 and I tidied up and had a chat with Catharine making final arrangements for tomorrow night. Then I popped in to see the nurse to get a painkilling injection as the knee has swollen from all the activity today. She also recommended that I have one tomorrow before I set off for Vilnius.

Day 18

Well I tried but could not get to sleep so I called the nurse for a sleeping pill at just after midnight. I managed to sleep through till just gone 06:00. My symptoms this morning are clear nasal passage, sore throat and a bit drowsy after the sleeping pill. Very little knee pain overnight so I am reasonably happy.

After breakfast I returned to 219. I read an article on a link between Paracetomol and high blood pressure so I am wondering if that is the reason for my blood pressure hike.

Just checking on travel arrangements for Thursday; it looks like I need to be slow getting through customs on Thursday evening as the travel requirements change as from 11th Feb!

I have just updated my covid pass so that it is valid until March 10th so I think I am fully sorted. All that remains is the need to pay the bill to UPA for bar drinks, swimmies and bottled water in my room.

I am definitely feeling better as here I am at 09:22 wondering what to do before my first appointment this morning:

The weather this morning is a little overcast but not bad and there has been no more snow. Forecast for the period up to my departure date:

So pretty mild compared to what we have had over the last week.

Back from Light Treatment and called in to ask the nurse to check my blood pressure, which has now dropped to 140 so my reduction in Paracetamol may be having an effect; or is it just that I am healing! Next was massage and then back for a short elevation and icepack before lunch

I have finished all my normal appointments this morning with just the new aqua therapy session to go later this afternoon. I went for another walk round the building, the reverse direction to yesterday so that I could test the slight downhill section towards the river. That all went well without any additional pain. Even though it wasn’t sunny like yesterday and the temperature was definitely lower it was good to get out and stretch the legs. There is a tendency to walk slowly so I told myself to speed up the walking on the second half of the walk back to UPA. That seemed to work OK and made me feel more confident about being ready to deal with the long airport walks.I am now resting for a while with an ice pack to keep the swelling under control before going to the pool

The internet here is very slow today…

What a fantastic facility this place is, the pool and the set up for the changing rooms, well can’t knock it. You are given a towel and an object that looks like a wrist watch.  

You use this to lock and unlock the door to whichever cabinet you want to use in the changing room.

The aqua therapy pool is a square with handrails and various bits of kit to aid people’s various recovery techniques. Greta was excellent in giving instructions but I was surprised how much resistance the water had on my leg and it quickly became apparent that I needed to concentrate hard on getting the maximum benefits. At the end of the session I was told to float for 5 minutes and relax.

The pool temperature was 34° and that was just perfect for exercising; the session lasted for just over 30 minutes and I really feel like I got a lot out of it. Once out of the pool you walk past the main swimming pool and back into the changing rooms for a shower and to dry your trunks in the special dryer: swimmies in and hold the top down for 10 seconds and hey presto your trunks are dry, well ish.

The towel then gets dropped in a hole in the desktop in reception and the watch in a basket, I forgot that bit and had to go back down to hand it in later.

I made a video of Greta’s recommended massage for my knee operation area.

I was told by Greta that I must not sit for 30 minutes, at least I think that is what she said, so I pottered around and then of course it was time for dinner. I sat with Tony and Chris amd we discussed their history of cruise ship experiences; they are regulars on cruises but since the pandemic they have had 2 cancelled, quite a significant story…

I wandered back to 219 and elevated for a while as I was conscious that the swelling was still obvious. Once the ice pack had worn off I was ready for a chat with Catharine. As this is my penultimate evening I decided to check on the crack in the bar:

Now back in 219 with sleeping pill I am chilling, finishing off this blog, before I forget everything which has happened today but the internet is frustratingly slow tonight.

Day 17

Armed with a sleeping tablet and more blood meds I watched a YouTube history of the Reliant Scimitar, sent by David, and then a bit of drama on Netflix with messages from Hywel and Catharine reassuring me before falling asleep.

All went well until around 04:00 when very concentrated pain in the area on the inside of the knee woke me. I got up and took paracetamol and tried to get back to sleep. No joy!

Called the nurse as a final possibility for reducing the pain and bless her she gave me an injection in the buttock. Next thing I knew was it was time for breakfast and I had to get my blood pressure checked.

By the time I got to breakfast William had pretty much finished his and he was all ready to leave wearing his travel clothes. His pickup is at 10:00.

I will rerun the YouTube video later as there were lots of interesting facts

As I prepare for the busy morning the situation with my knee this morning is as follows:

Walking - I can now walk fairly normally without crutches. For most of the time I am continuing with at least 1 crutch to ensr I don’t overdo it.

Flexibility - The comfortable angle of flex is now around 70°.

Muscle pain - I can now lift my lower leg with the knee bent but when it is straight the thigh muscle is still not quite strong enough

Out from polarised light treatment (10 minutes) and told to report for new bandage; the nurse however says no longer any need for bandage so I can have a shower today after the busy morning.

Cleaners busy as normal

Very good physiotherapy session with Svajūnas. Now having coffee before cryogenic treatment and I have just bought some swimming trunks ready for tomorrow's aqua physiotherapy.

Lunch today was spinach soup, salad and tomato sourdo

Back in 219 after cryotherapy and have changed the remaining appointments in line with the update I was given this morning. Walking up the stairs I am not quite at the stage where I can go up naturally, but it is all so much easier today.

I still have a tickly cough at times, especially when lying on my back for treatments. Other than that I have no symptoms. This afternoon I have been sneezing a fair amount but still have a very good sense of smell and taste, I am therefore convinced it is just a cold.

I was notified that my schedule for tomorrow was changed again as one of the staff is off sick. Massage delayed by 20 mins!

I took the opportunity to go for a walk around the building in some lovely sunshine. Back for a coffee and then returned to 219 to take a shower before washing my shorts and tee shirt.

Preparing now to go to massage at 17:30

.

Another delightful lady masseuse put my back through its paces; initially, when I first arrived here in Druskininkai, the harsh rubbing of the back during the early part of the massage routine seemed to be a bit over the top but it generates a huge amount of frictional heat and by the time you have fallen asleep, or the session is finished, you are totally relaxed. Today’s massage session was no exception to that rule.

From the massage I returned to 219 to test blood sugar levels and was pleased to see that they were under 7 for the first time for a couple of days. I think the levels have been high as I have been developing this cold. DInner in the café with Tony and Chris but they didn’t stay long so I have had a lengthy evening on my own.

I am not sure what to do about painkillers as I have been fairly pain free today, was that as a result of the injection early this morning? I have taken a paracetamol and will see what happens.

Day 16

OK so I slept! But I don’t feel wonderful this morning, rather more like I have a hangover. Certainly a reluctance to get out of bed at 06:38. After forcing myself to finally get up from my drowsy state I prepared for breakfast and now I am feeling much better.

With my first session this Sunday at 10:50 I am elevating with the ice pack for a bit. I had cryogenic treatment at 11:40 but then forgot that I had massage straight after; consequently I had returned to 219, elevated and had a video call with Catharine, which made me feel much better.

After lunch I saw the masseuse and apologised for missing the appointment; he was very nice about it. Lunch with William and we met up with Tony and his wife from England, although Tony is a south walian.

Today it is about 3 degrees warmer than yesterday with a lot of slush and rain about:

Everything is melting out there this afternoon,

William is a keen golfer and has been involved with Rathmore Golf Club for a long time. Flair IV is on an invite for a visit to Portrush!

Not such good news this afternoon while back in my room I suffered from some, slight, chest pains and being a little concerned I went to see the nurse who tested my blood pressure. 154! So I was given some meds and told to return in an hour, after dinner, by which time the reading was higher at 160. More meds and instructions to rest. So here I am now just having had a video call with Catharine, settling down to watch something on Netflix to try and stop me worrying! I am due to see the nurse again tomorrow before breakfast.

Day 15

Another poor night of disruptive sleep. Probably only really slept from around 06:00 to 08:08!

Breakfast with William.

Mike and Hazel message to say they have got home but tested positive on home test kit. My test result negative 😊

Massage first this morning at 09:40 then a quick call with Catharine. Now following cryogenic treatment, 10:30, I am having a coffee on my own in the restaurant.

Much busier here over weekends with families and small children coming for the spa.

My next appointment was group physiotherapy with Iveta at 11:25 whic I found quite hard again today. I made sure I didn’t over stretch anything but the point pain returns even with very gentle squeezing of the ball between the knees. Feeling a little stressed I returned to 219 for elevation and ice pcak before going to meet up with William again at lunch. Fish rolls today! These were interesting, not quite sure what was in the middle but tasty white fish rolled around a mash of something.

 

Then a coffee or two before returning to 219 elevating and ice before going to polarised light therapy at 15:00. WIth this treatment the bandage is removed and then you go to the nurses’ station to have the wound cleaned and re-bandaged.

All done and back to 219 and a bit of a nod. I then went on a round of the building up and down stairs meeting up with William on level 1. He needed some phone IT advice to be able to sort his passenger locator form out; once I had shown him the way to do it he went back to his room to access all the relevant details while I had another coffee in reception. A bit concerned as lots of young kids running around unmasked and getting close to me, so I drank up and returned to 219. It was time for a rest again as I was still feeling veerye tired so I faded for a while and then got ready for the highlight of the day, dinner.

William with coffee. He is, as you can see from his gersey, a very keen golfer from Portrush.

After dinner I went back to 219 for another session of ice and elevation before popping down to the bar for a glass of wine, William sat with me before going for his late night vape and I returned to 219 for a video chat with Catharine. I’m struggling a bit today having not had good sleep for some time so I had organised a sleeping pill and more painkillers in an attempt to ensure a reasonable period of sleep.

I was also a little concerned, following Mike and Hazel’s covid positive test, that I had developed a tickly cough. In order to chill a little I went to the restaurant and had a glass of wine before taking the meds and falling asleep. 

Day 14

I cannot believe I have been gone from the UK for 14 days as of today. It has been great being able to video call Catharine during my trip and I am feeling much better this morning after a rather depressed start to yesterday.

This morning saw the departure of my new friends from the Wrexham area to whom I sent a message with links to Minerals, Mining and railways web articles from our conversations over the last few days. That made me think about all the work I did on tip reclamation around North and Mid Wales back in the late 1980’s.

At breakfast I met up with William and then John joined us for his last breakfast at UPA. I will see him later for group physiotherapy and lunch before his departure.

My first appointment this morning is with the doctor at 11:10 when I will get some clarity on the pain levels.

John and I met up for coffee in reception after his first appointment and arranged for the final sendoff at 12:30.

OK, all good with the doctor, Viktoras and he says I can take paracetamol 1 tablet every 5 hours and increase it to two tablets in pain doesn’t clear. Mustn’t overdo the exercise and use the gel (like we get at home) on all the affected areas. He has changed the date of clip removal on the schedule not to tomorrow so that 2 days after I can go to the pool. He is very happy on two counts, one that I am flexible and seem to be doing well and the other that I am staying for a longer period than most patients.

After seeing the doctor I didn’t have much time before Physiotherapy, which was run again today by Svajūnas. The workout was good and once again he is emphatic about not doing too much. Now with a couple of patients waiting for cryotherapy I took the doctor’s schedule revisions to the front desk so that I could get Version 3 ratified and printed. I then returned to 116 to see if I could reschedule my cryotherapy treatment so that I could see John off at 12:30.

Here is John  leaviing UPA; “Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday snow” in shorts!

I returned to room 219 and sorted out various bits and bobs before lunch….

Now back in 219 for a quick ice over before massage at 14:30. Another really good session of massage but the temptation to fall asleep is pretty overwhelming! A couple of snores quickly reminded me to stay conscious! Following the doctor’s changes to my regime I next had the clips (staples) removed by the nurse and as can be seen all is good, wiith a significantly longer scar than the left leg,

As all my group had gone I was keen to meet up with William and seeing him sitting in the reception area, as I was leaving the nurse’s station, I walked down the stairs and had a chat over a coffee about cars, motorbikes etc..

Later we met up over dinner and discussed the current political situation in the UK and Northern Ireland. Why can we all see the stupidity of politicians but they continue to perpetuate irrational policies.

William then moved on and I was joined by the Canadian lady now working in the Hague for an international organisation, opcw, so the political theme continued. We had a most interesting discussion on a variety of topics but it is clear that to everyone outside the UK we are now an imploding remnant of an Empire run by politicians who have no honour or respect. My brother had sent me a ‘threadreader’ to review. This really brought things home to me in the current political situation with oversight by those who have been promoted through failure. Heaven help us! Cressida Dick’s involvement in the 2005 bombing horror in London. If I wasn’t depressed this morning I certainly could become that way this evening. And theen there is the BBC reporting on the election result for the replacement for the murdered MP not making it clear in their reports, unless you read to the end of the article, that the opposition parties didn’t stand out of respect so a majority of under 13000 with a 24% turnout cannot be called a success especially as moree than a 1000 ballot papers were ‘spoilt’

Now resting and waiting for Catharine to get home for a chat before I keel over.

Today's progress

• Today’s significant improvement is that I can now lift my operated leg onto the bed, so I no longer have to lift it on with the other leg.
• Walking around with 2 crutches for the most part but allowing some exercise with just one seems to work well.
• Clips were removed today.

Day 13

Poor sleep patterns over night, unable to get comfortable and eventually giving way to a double dose of painkillers at 04:00. In the early hours I had listened to music and then researched some information on the history of Mining and Minerals around North Wales, the subject of some discussions last night with Mike and Hazel.

I had set my alarm to 07:15 thinking I would need some time to wake up. I woke up with the alarm but then dropped back to sleep finally waking up at 07:48 so once again a bit under the weather and stressed getting ready for breakfast. Sugar levels were a little high at 9:5 so I injected 8 and 20 units before going to breakfast.


No sign of John, as anticipated, but Mike and Hazel, who had not had a good night either, and Mark and Kelli were present and bullish about their impending departure. As I had a long gap to my first appointment at 10:50 I retired to room 219 and chilled before going to physiotherapy.


It is still snowy outside and forecast for -2°c for today. That, my uncomfortable condition, the very depressing news on the situation with Ukraine, the DUP, the NI Protocol and the fact that Boris Johnson has not had the decency to step down are just all getting to me this morning. Hywel shared this to the speech by Zarah Sultana, which was encouraging that some politicians are showing more about how corrupt our democratic government system is. I must become more positive going forward; it is now just a week left here in Druskininkai.


Physiotherapy was with a different guy who was very good at stopping us from doing too much too soon. Reminding us that we need to listen to our bodies and the concept of not increasing pain levels was the key to success. John and I met up after his cryotherapy so we had a coffee and a relax before it was time to say goodbye to Mark and Kelli as they were collected by the logistics department for the start of their homeward journey via Vilnius. It was then time for my massage session. I have to say these are really great and one comes away feeling very relaxed; especially when followed closely by cryotherapy.


So straight into lunch where we sat with Mike and Hazel who have now sorted out most of their bits and bobs for their early start tomorrow. John too has now got his two ‘Travel locator forms’ for his journey home tomorrow via Vilnius, Dublin and Manchester.


This was the view from a different window on my way back from lunch:

After lunch I retired to my bed and dozed off for a while watching Euro.news! I won’t say any more! A little housekeeping; I folded my hand washing from yesterday and tidied up the room.

It is now 15:10 and I am planning to go for a wander around and meet John again at 15:30 for a brew.

At 15:30 I had a chat with William from PortRush before joining John in reception. I was on green tea and he had coffee while we chatted and noticed a reduction in footfall around the area. After about an hour we needed to get mobilised before going for dinner and so we returned to our rooms and I took the opportunity to ice the knee and elevate the leg.

Tonight it will be the last evening gathering for Mike and Hazel who leave at 07:00 tomorrow and John who is due to be collected at 12:30. So we are meeting at 20:00 for the last hour of the service during week day evenings. 

Day 12

I was awake at around 05:00 and could not get back to sleep so I took a paracetamol and put headphones on and listened to spotify then all of a sudden it was 07:43!

Normal routines to get ready for breakfast, but feeling a bit stiff in the knee so reverted to both crutches to get to the restaurant.

Hand washed 'smalls' then down to floor 1 for cryogenic treatment 09:20 after which I waited for John before having coffee as we waited for the group physiotherapy at 10:50. Iveta once again made us work hard and I had to discuss a sharp pain developing in the inside of my right knee cap. She asked me to remind the physio tomorrow about the pain.

After physiotherapy I went back to the reception area to pass the time until my massage at 11:50. This massage session was on floor 4 not the usual floor 3, good job John had pointed this out to me or I might have missed it! The session was interesting as it was the first time I have had a talkative masseuse and we chatted about the state of play in the Lithuanian economy.

The pain in the specific location in my knee was still very evident so I rested for the short time before lunch. After lunch, another meal without fish as the only choice was battered fish, I retired to my bed for a rest until my Polarised light treatment and then bandage change. 

I asked for a waterproof bandage as I was intending to have a shower and duly fitted I returned to 219 and took a shower. Unlike me, the waterproof bandage didn’t like the experience, and came unstuck, falling off as I walked out of the shower cubicle. Once dressed I returned to see the nurse to get a replacement. At the time she was busy dealing with an issue with another patient in their room and asked me to wait.

Once fitted with the replacement waterproof bandage I checked on messenger to see where John was; he was already in the reception area and I joined him for coffee and a chat. Mike and Kelli had been down to the city and joined us as they got back.

Dinner then a rest before meeting up in the restaurant at 20:00hrs for the last night with Mark and Kelli. A great evening with the group and off to bed after catching up on my blog. 

Day 11

Not the best of night’s sleep and once again felt a little under par when getting up at 07:30, maybe a little hung over from the two glasses of wine last night.

Into breakfast with all the gang apart from John who I haven't seen yet today. Mark struggles to content with what he refers to as a rock under his bum on the side where his hip replacement took place.

I had Cryotherapy at 09:20 and then a break before Group physiotherapy at 10:50; this will be a different group as Mark (Blue Shirt) had his before and I have just met up with him in reception where I am currently sitting working on today’s morning blog. The reception area is quite busy but its ambiance and the space is just lovely as a working environment and helps with the feel of time passing. Mark has also just told me about ‘app.copy.ai’ and I have just started a project to test this interesting concept.

John and I are now out from a tough Physiotherapy session with Iveta and we agreed to meet after John’s next session for a long coffee in the reception area. We stayed there until just before lunch when I went to test; even after coffee tmy sugar levels were only just 7.2 but in my haste to return to the restaurant I forgot to actually inject so after setting up my first course I had to return to 219, inject and return to meet the others for lunch.

It is noticeable that my right foot now moves in a consistent forward motion as I walk, unlike what I have had with the partial knee where my foot traversed out in an arc as it moved from back to front.

Lunch today is the first meal since I have been here where I have not had fish as the main course!

Heavy snow falls this morning but now at 15:00 there are breaks in the cloud and I have seen some folks walking around the grounds. I am now going for my 4 floor challenge of walking round the whole building at each level.

With John and Mark participating I have completed rounding all floors 1,2,3 and 4 with just 1 set of stairs missing by the end of the day. Each flight of stairs has 24 steps.

Helping John with regard to the removal of the clips when he gets home I suggested that he should ensure his GP knows which brand has been used so that they have the correct tool for their removal. I remember this being a problem last time I was here, but for me this is not going to be a problem as they are taking out my clips here on the weekend so that I can take advantage of aqua treatment before leaving here on 10th.

After dinner we agreed to have a rest period before meeting up for a send off party for Mike and Hazel at 20:00. Mark (blueshirt) didn’t make it as he has been struggling a little over the last couple of days with discomfort when sitting. It was a good evening with lots of discussions and then John doing research on me and spilling the beans on some of my antics including the photo of Catharine, me, Max and Roxy on my LibDem election pamphlet from March 2015, when I was recovering from the partial replacement which has now been replaced here in Lithuania. 

Day 10

I slept heavily over the period from 05:00 through till 07:45 and felt again a bit out of sorts as I tried to get myself out of bed. Sugar levels were good again and I am getting back close to my normal insulin injections. Breakfast fish this morning was herring, again very tasty along with flat cheese and sliced meats. This time I added a sprinkling of olive oil as I normally have back home.

The first of my 3 appointments today was at 09:40 with Greta where Mark H (Blushirt) as Greta refers to him and me, Mark (stripe), from my striped shirt, were in trouble from the start. She had definitely spotted us talking and laughing in the restaurant yesterday so she was aware I had broken the rules plus ofcourse Mark (Blushirt) had not attended his session yesterday.

After a great deal of banter and some serious efforts on the physiotherapy front, she sent us packing to Cryotherapy. I was pretty tired by the time I got back to room 219 and had a bit of a nod before rushing off to massage with Renata. This session was different but as usual wonderfully effective; I almost fell asleep on the massage table. Returning to 219 I had a sleep before going to lunch. The fish for today’s lunch was carp and my sugar levels seem to be OK again at around 7. My performance on getting things back to normal seems to be working with more exercise and less to eat, mostly fish.

John and I decided we would hang out together in the reception area, after resting for a while to recover from our busy morning. We had a long coffee and chatted for ages on a variety of subjects trying to avoid too much content on the infamous BoJo. We were then joined by a lady resident of Canada here supporting her mum who has just had knee surgery.

Tonight’s dinner fish was Sea bass and I indulged in some cheese pasta before a second sitting of salad. The whole group was there and once again we arranged to meet up for a glass of wine or beer after the next rest period at around 19:50. This gave everyone an opportunity to rest and have around an hour before the bar service closes. The arrangement was that we would knock on doors to let people know we were on our way, unfortunately Mark was sleeping and we forgot to knock on Hazel and Miike’s door; consequently they turned up a little late so were given a complimentary round! As the service closed we were transferred out to the reception area where we stayed having a very sociable evening until close to 22:00 when everyone was just becoming too tired to continue partying.

Notes on progress

• Pain levels are manageable with regular paracetamol, I am taking one every 5 hours approximately. Referring to the last visit the recovery rate seems to be roughly the same but with the snowy weather the lack of outsider exercise makes it feel a bit limiting.
• Sleep is required more than I remember and I am requiring a greater length of time in an elevated leg position
• Having company but periods of isolation is certainly good for my state and being able to video call with Catharine is very comforting.
• The service here continues to exceed expectations