I am throwing in my hat first....

[cathidaw]

At long last I am about to contribute once more to WOL ...if I may after lapsing for so long.
The fact that the past few years have been difficult for me is no excuse but it's the only one I have-so here I am.
I have had 2 ankle replacements since I last wrote-and frankly could not be bothered. ---With daily life as it was, even though I have been lucky.A bit of news last week has knocked me back a bit but I have kicked myself hard and hope I can cope with the fact that one of my ankles have failed and 'something has to be done' I'll know next Thursday. Problem is -no driving for 6 months after op..and I've just bought a camper van again after 8 years with a car...

what's new?
oNE NEW gRANDSON
ONE NEW GREAT GRANDSON.
ONE DAUGHTER MARRIED.
Luck with nuneaton arts festival in photography and writing-so I MUST HAVE MADE A LITTLE EFFORT.

NOT NEW?
oNE GARDEN GROWING MORE JUNGLE LIKE..with a series so called gardeners who don't appear to like gardening..
A curtain fitter who doesn't like fixing curtain poles,
and a garden 'slabber' with a bad back.

I MISSED YOU ALL.

[Lex]

Welcome back Cathi! I, for one, have missed you. Looks like you've had a really busy time of it. Congratulations on all your good news, and may I offer you my sympathies on your not-so-good news. Hope you get on the road of getting your ankle sorted on Thursday.

[rebbonk]

Get stuck in Cathidaw, you can let it all out here.

Sounds a bit 'off' about your ankle, please do keep us informed. Meanwhile, take care.

[Gladys]

Welcome Cathidaw, sorry to hear about the failed ankle op. If it is any consolation, I had a failed Carpel Tunnel op that made it worse than before surgery. I was hence very reluctant to let any surgeon try again but eventually did and thankfully, this time it was a success. Just make sure you get the credentials of the surgeon and he or she is actually the best. My first op was through a NHS contracted company which after the event were investigated. I was not the only problem but one of several failed ones. The 2nd op was through the NHS surgeon who was appointed to investigate these failures and she is a real specialist. Check out who did yours , who is going to do the next if you agree to it and if they are OK.

[Shizara]

Hello! My turn to have lapsed and return again and I step in here to see our much loved Cathidaw has returned. Are we all present and correct now?

Cathi, you have had quite a time of it. I looked at your lists and thought.. Crikey and like all the positives but the other list:

NOT NEW?
oNE GARDEN GROWING MORE JUNGLE LIKE..with a series so called gardeners who don't appear to like gardening..
A curtain fitter who doesn't like fixing curtain poles,
and a garden 'slabber' with a bad back.

I sometimes say I miss not having a garden and it's true, I enjoyed growing things, but in today's world, with the shifts that I work I don't think I would have time anymore though there is something therapeutic about pottering in your own bit of garden.

[cathidaw]

Are we all present and correct---I love that, Shizara and feel I belong again.
I love my garden but am not a proper gardener.I reluctantly plant stuff and hope it grows. No bedding plants-too much bother-But the garden looks ok to me.
3 years ago a lady in my art class-(Istill do that) gave me a bag of dalhia corms with strict instructions to plant carefully and lift at the end of the year.I thanked her thinking -blow that for a game.They came up spindly and then died off, poor things.Then heigho ---this year they surprised me with a -ner-ner and a beautiful glut of red single flowers which keep multipying.I just go round and cut off the dead heads. Easy.
Still haven't got my curtain rail up but hopefully next week...same with my hedge.Promise-promises.
Thinking of getting a sheep!for the lawns.

[cathidaw]

Welcome Cathidaw, sorry to hear about the failed ankle op. If it is any consolation, I had a failed Carpel Tunnel op that made it worse than before surgery. I was hence very reluctant to let any surgeon try again but eventually did and thankfully, this time it was a success. Just make sure you get the credentials of the surgeon and he or she is actually the best. My first op was through a NHS contracted company which after the event were investigated. I was not the only problem but one of several failed ones. The 2nd op was through the NHS surgeon who was appointed to investigate these failures and she is a real specialist. Check out who did yours , who is going to do the next if you agree to it and if they are OK.

Here I am8 weeks after having an ankle and foot reconstruction,Quite a shock as I thought I'd be having a new replacement ankle.but the heel had disintegrated.I saw the x ray last week .My goodness it looks like one of Emetts jobs.-remember him-or Heath Robinson. I trust my consultant so it'll be fine.
It feels ok but having the plaster off and a pneumatic boot fitted, he just said-now walk! After sitting for 8 weeks I felt a real stiff old crock.Even now it is difficult to walk but I know it'll be ok by Summer if I take my time
I thought to myself - I'll get someone to take me swimming at the new baths in the Bell Green area, now that my favourite Livingstone Road one is closed.
Firstly it's behind the A T 7 centre,with a grimly industrial look about it .Then there's the ramp- very steep for a wheelchair,the steps look lethal too. We laboured up the ramp and were shown around.Very nice -a bit small, but all those corridors and lifts put me off. Obviously whoever designed it had never been wheelchair bound.
I mourn Livingstone Road--and last week it was demolished.
I haven't felt much like writing but always look at WOL now hopefully I'm back again.
My garden's a mess- the latest gaggle of gardeners haven't helped but there's hope- I have new one who seems to know what he's doing.The last one cut the grass and left all the grass and weeds on the paths and was so surprised when I asked him to sweep up.He said,"Won't do it now buroll bring me blower next time"
Even more surprised when I said 'there won't be a next time.' He'd just had a large mower given to him--which made him a gardener.The lawns looked as tho' he'd cut it with aknife and fork-and he hadn't even noticed the edges.Think I'll write a gardening book on gardeners
My 3 wrens are back, the pigeons are back, and the squirrels are desperately looking for food even chunks of pizza.

[Margaret]

Hi Cathi, you have been through the wars, I hope it will be better for you soon. You must have the patience of Job.
Is the problem with your ankles due to the years of wear & tear treading up and down wards when you were nursing?