Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A quiet week spent resting my legs on the Doctor’s orders, starting new circulation tablets, wearing compression stockings, upgrading my television and sound system, and settling into a routine of feet up recovery, website work, and World Cup football.
Monday, 14th November
A new TV and a successful dinner
I woke around 07:00, made a coffee, and worked on my computer before filling in a form that needed posting back to England. After a shower I finally decided to replace my ageing television, it has had white spots on the screen for months. I found a great Black Friday deal with a forty three percent discount and ordered it with a six year extended warranty.
I went out on my disability scooter to post my letter and pick up ingredients for Asian pork. After lunch I rested, then cooked the dish in the evening. It smelled fantastic and tasted even better. I froze two portions and watched television before going to bed at around 23:00.
Tuesday, 15th November
New TV day and a worrying ankle
I woke around 07:00 and worked on my website while waiting for the delivery. It arrived at 13:30, but the box was too big for me to lift safely, so I asked Bob for help. While waiting, I downloaded old photos from Amazon storage and rediscovered some great shots from the Arizona and Sonora Desert Museum.
Bob and Connie arrived around 18:00 and helped me lift the TV into place. The fifty five inch screen is much bigger than my old one and the picture quality is superb. I set it up, explored the Samsung TV app, and watched a film.
My left ankle had a red, itchy patch that looked like an insect bite. I put E45 cream on it and went to bed around 22:30, planning to see the Doctor if it was not better in the morning.
Wednesday, 16th November
A Doctor visit and the start of compression therapy
I woke around 08:00. The ankle looked slightly better, but by mid morning I was worried again and went to the Doctor. He saw me immediately, asked about my circulation, and called the nurse in. They decided I needed compression stockings, new circulation tablets, and twice weekly nurse appointments for at least a month.
The nurse cleaned and dressed five open wounds on my right leg and booked me in again for Friday. At the pharmacy I collected my usual tablets and stronger painkillers, but they did not have stockings big enough for my legs. I tried another pharmacy with the same result.
I returned to the Doctor, and the nurse wrapped my right leg in a compression bandage. I bought rolls for lunch and spent the afternoon with my feet raised above heart level, watching forgettable films but enjoying the picture quality on my new TV.
Thursday, 17th November
Stockings ordered and a day on the sofa
I woke around 06:00 and ordered compression stockings online from a Dutch company that could deliver the next day. I also ordered a sound bar for my new TV and updated my bulk toilet roll order, always good to be prepared.
I spent the entire day resting with my feet up. The stocking on my left leg was uncomfortable and having my toes covered felt strange. The bandage on my right leg loosened repeatedly. I went to bed around 23:00 but could not get comfortable until I removed both the stocking and the bandage.
Friday, 18th November
Tablets, deliveries, and a worrying check up
I woke before my 08:00 alarm for tablets. I now take so many that I have set four alarms throughout the day. After a shower and coffee I used my circulation machine while working on my computer.
The Seur delivery arrived at 10:30 in the most ridiculous fashion, the driver threw the parcel into the lift, sent it to every floor, and ran off. Not impressed. John kindly waited in my apartment while I went to the Doctor in case Amazon arrived.
At the surgery I saw Elaine briefly before the nurse examined my legs again. Both she and the Doctor seemed concerned. The nurse cleaned and dressed the wounds on my right leg and reapplied oil and the stocking to my left leg. I now have two appointments on Monday, one at 09:30 for a blood test and one at 18:00 for another leg check.
Back home, Amazon delivered my stockings and sound bar. The stockings fit much better and are far more comfortable. The sound bar connected instantly via Bluetooth and the audio quality is excellent.
For dinner I had one of the Asian pork portions with noodles. The pork was lovely, the noodles were not. I watched television and went to bed after watching I am a Celebrity.
Saturday, 19th November
A cold morning and a day under a blanket
I woke at 08:00 for tablets, had coffee, and used my circulation machine before heading out for a small shop. After breakfast at Balneario San Antonio, chilly but good, I returned home with freezing fingers thanks to poor circulation.
I spent the rest of the day under a blanket with my feet raised, watching television. I am a Celebrity feels easier than it used to be, the trials seem far less extreme than in earlier years.
Sunday, 20th November
Dad’s birthday and the start of the World Cup
I woke at 08:00, took my tablets, had coffee, put the bed linen in the wash, and sat at my computer for a while. Today would have been my dad’s eighty sixth birthday. We had great times together, especially our golf trips to Florida. I will toast him later with a Horlicks.
The World Cup began today. I could not help thinking about Qatar’s human rights issues and how unsuitable a host nation it is. At least the spotlight is now firmly on them.
I watched the opening match, Qatar versus Ecuador. The first half was decent, but the disallowed Ecuador goal was baffling. The second half was dull and I fell asleep. Ecuador won 0-2.
The rest of the day was spent under a blanket with my feet up. After I am a Celebrity I took my final tablets and went to bed.
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