update thingy

[darren_stranger]

Derek's doing well - on the ball, walking with assistance and able to chew and swallow without problem. Given his stubborn nature, he should recover really well. He's giving hell to the nursing staff, joking and fooling around and giving cheek. They say he'll have to take things more seriously when it comes to rehab and physio work, but i think when it comes down to it he'll knuckle down where it counts.

The only worry is that they'll have to operate on his arteries to clear debris that could cause another stroke, though i gather this is a fairly routine procedure and should prevent any risk of a repeat attack.

Mum is doing well, keeping things together as Mission Central and the crisis hotline. The biggest problem seems to be everyone constantly phoning and wanting to know what's happening, leaving never a moment of peace, but that seems to be abating.

We went up midweek and stayed overnight, which was strange as it's the first time i've stayed in my old home in fifteen odd ears. I also saw more of Ballarat in the space of a day than i have in the ten years or so since they extended the freeway and we no longer had to go through the town to get to mum's, so I was having all sorts of nostalgic moments which were strange against the backdrop of everything going on.

I was going to go up again today, but mum said it'd probably be better to space it out and go visit next weekend, so we'll do that.

I spent today catching up with housework, then went up to Edinburgh Gardens to do some patterns practice. This time i managed to find a decent shady, glass free spot without too much of an audience, and got a good hour's practice in until i started getting tired and sloppy. There was a jazz (ish) band playing nearby which sounded pretty good, so after i finished practicing i went and sat for a while to have a listen. They were just finishing as i sat down, but i hung around for a while listening to a deejay playing hiphop and reggae, sipping some cider i'd slipped home to grab (i'll miss living here when we have to move next). I'd forgotten how good reggae is for lazing around outdoors on a sunny afternoon, and given it's supposed to be the hottest summer on record coming up, i really should get some more (all i have on cd is the odd reggae-ish song by punk bands like Rancid or H-Block, or dodgy old tapes i have from from the '80s, which i'm listening to now).

Now it's time to go do some more housework and listen to some ska maybe. Then if i get time i'll try catching up with a week or so's el-Jay to see what's happening in everybody else's life.

Comments

[greylock.livejournal.com]

As per usual, you'll probably want to skip mine.

But, the short version:
Yay for unions.
Boo for Governments.
Life is bleh.

[strang-er.livejournal.com]

Life as normal, then?

[hbdeath.livejournal.com]

If you fancy some dub reggae, I've got plenty of that. Let me know if you want me to make up some mixes...

[strang-er.livejournal.com]

Thanks, may take you up on that. :)

[mr-e-cat.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear things are going well for your step father.

best of luck for the operation

you can skip my lj as well if you'd like
very little happening at all.

[strang-er.livejournal.com]

I'll still end reading it all anyway.

And thanks.

[hestia.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear your step-dad's doing well.

[strang-er.livejournal.com]

Thanks.