Scotland plus Family Health Issues [2] - Accident, Foot & Cat

Hello. Well, it's been a long time. There's been a chapter of accidents for us after my son T. and I came back from our September holiday in Scotland, ont he North West Coast plus Edinburgh [we did it all by train and local buses]. That was great - we spent time together, talked, did much walking and saw beautiful scenery. In Fort William we stayed at an excellent small guesthouse, Alltonside [see their website - a lovely view of Loch Linnhe]. In Ed'burgh we visited the Castle, St Giles High Kirk & the Calvinist preacher John Knox's fascinating house on a cold day. I had never been properly to Ben Nevis - only went past it before. This time we walked there, went up on the cable cars [only ones in UK], and had a great day at Glen Coe. We also visited Loch Ness, and assured ourselves there never was a 'Monster'! Glen Coe has the most evocative, rugged scenery - a reminder of our late daughter Alice who loved and lived in Scotland and walked there often with her father D, and of course the Glen Coe Massacre, of the Scottish Clan Macdonald in the 17th Century. We went to see the memorial cross...

So when we came back, then what?... Not long afterwards I had a bad accident on my bicycle - I was lucky not to have broken my skull or legs. A car grazed my bike not far from my home in strong sunlight. I was going carefully, but was wearing no helmet - shame! I was thrown to my right, adn no car ran over me. I was grazed on one knee or the shin of one leg, also badly bruised -and my left thumb badly cut- I was dripping blood. I am right handed - so maybe my higher power was looking after me, and as I was not more seriously hurt. My head was banged ont he right side, but not seriously. The driver kindly stopped and drove me to my doctor's surgery. They patched me up, but sent me to the local hospital for my head to be examined. I needed no X-Ray, but needed lots of steristrips on my thumb, then to have it heavily bandaged, plus dressings on both legs. I could not ride the bike for a while, but soon bought a helmet. After a week I ventured onto the bike again - I have to use it. At 64 I have to keep up my exercise level, and it saves time. I was partly incapicated for 4 weeks, and the wounds healed after 6 weeks or so. I am used to the helmet now - it is pink and silver, quite pretty in a way.

Just as this was getting better, I developed a bad strain in my left foot, with acute pain in the heel. I could no longer walk far - yet I am a keen walker. I had that checked - it turned out to be plantar fasciitis, with a "heel spur". The arches under my foot, and Achilles tendon are strained. I was in agony for 2 days, but bought shoe in-sole supports which help. I went back to my doctor - she said an operation may not help, but just do foot exercises and take ibuprofen. I am trying all that now, and it's a bit easier. I cannot wear my prettier shoes, and bought some big clomping black unisex trainers. Another pair of ladies' shoes will just about do, however. I am learning to live with this. I have had conflicting advice as to whether an op. will make any difference. The doctor said it does not, but 2 others have said it does. I feel quite buffeted.

The 3rd bad thing is that our poor cat Charlie [a 9 year old black neutered male] was in some sort of fight just over a week ago, and lacerated his tongue: he is quite "territorial". He had to go to the veterinarian and have an operation under anaesthetic to stitch this up on both sides. They had to remove some dead tissue too. The poor animal could not eat for a day afterwards, but then managed some mushy cat-food. Since then he is doing well, but is still not allowed outside. He went back to vet who says keep eye on him - and she is seeing him again in 3 days' time. There was a bit of tissue on his tongue that she did not like the look of - maybe it will have to be removed too, so another operation might follow. He hates being kept in - he's very much an outdoor cat,with all the dangers this entails [no pun intended!]. He also resists when being put into his basket to go to the vet's, and scratched my wrist last time - though I was wearing old leather gloves! Luckily I was still on antibiotics for my leg wound, following my own accident.

But a good thing is that my son T., who had such terrible alcohol addiction issues, is nearly 1 year sober by now. The year will be up on November 21st. He is turning his life around - is now taking a part time course in counselling. He still has obstacles to overcome, including a difficult course to attend in a few weeks' time, and the fact of a criminal record. But our life is much quieter now, and he enjoys his studies. He's got into films and rock music as hobbies. I am still doing things with my photography - I filmed a friend's wedding in September, and have been making Christmas cards using photos of my various cats [in "window" apertures]. I have had my tiger photos from India put on T-shirts and mugs as gifts for various family members. I have planned a 3rd trip to India in November 2008 with T., [1 week] to Ranthambore National Park - where I've not yet been. There are tigers and amazing, ancient sites there. T. would like to go - he is interested in the spirituality of the far East - altho' he's a Christian. That would be his first visit. He has not been abroad since he was a teenager [with school to France and Russia]. I am going to end here - this is enough for now! As before I must cook the meal...

All the very best - love and peace [I hope...], Tigey