Exploring the coast north of Altea |
February in the Costa Blanca |
It is getting close to the time to head off north now, the mission on the Costa Blanca more or less accomplished - the rest of my life awaits!
An occasional listing covering bits and bobs about my various trips, climbing or otherwise, plus anything else that pops up. Feel free to add a comment or ask a question.
Exploring the coast north of Altea |
February in the Costa Blanca |
It is getting close to the time to head off north now, the mission on the Costa Blanca more or less accomplished - the rest of my life awaits!
Sherri guarding my chair |
So we bided our time for about a month waiting for my pre-op visits to the hospital, getting out every day in the sunshine but I was really struggling - at the worst it was four rests (on the small chair Sherri bought me) to cover the 300m or so to the Promenade. Then something odd happened - the aching in my legs faded, so we kicked the painkillers meds into touch - then I walked to the Prom without stopping - and day on day I got a little better, steadier on my feet and covering longer distances. After several days we began to think a small miracle may have occurred - we visited the docs and she was impressed with my sudden progress. She suggested the cyst had either burst or been reabsorbed - and more to the point, was sure any operation should be postponed at least for the time being. The relief was palpable, after two months of depressing decline there was a little light ahead.
A smile or just signs of relief? |
My Minder keeping a watchful eye |
About to spend 30 mins in a noisy tube |
So after a lot of stressing and throwing ideas around, plus asking questions on FB we decided out best option was (probably) to head back to the Costa Blanca and try and get sorted by going private. Of course Christmas/weekends/New Year got in the way but within three days I had seen a doctor and had an MRI scan which was pretty amazing. We await the results while I hobble around and chew through twelve tablets a day - not a lot of fun, but at least the pad is nice, the weather is good and Sherri is on hand 24/7.
Update: The scan shows a synovial cyst pinching by lower spinal cord - the back specialist says it is 'serious' and needs sorting - more scans to come and probably an op :-(
Update 2: more scans and the surgeon thinks I need 3-4 discs replacing with titanium inserts and the cyst removing - a four week wait, a four hour op and £18,500 for the pleasure - ouch on every count.
Our pad at Mascarat - though not all of it |
The last supper, Pal and the final sunset |
You might guess it is windy around here |
The way home |
We have decided to head to the Costa Blanca for a month, I have a book to finish and (as ever) it looks very nice down there. As an aside, we have been asked to do another possible cat-sitting in Kalymnos in January - house and car provided - that would be a nice mini-break.
Calames and mackerel sky |
In the event, John's contract to work in South Sudan was late, so we were only needed for two day's cat sitting - the two week's free accommodation was a bonus.
Through the autumnal parks |
Next we are heading west to check out the Haute Pyrenees, last time we were over that way, last February, everything was snow-bound!
The Maurienne - we like it around here |
Our local crag - 120 routes, minutes from the parking |
Then onwards again, over the Galibier Pass (8C and thick fog) to a pad near Briançon for a week - looks like a chance for a bit more rocking.
Currently booked in for two weeks cat-sitting at Chez Arran in ten days time - but just waiting for the final confirmation.
Exploring the coast north of Altea February in the Costa Blanca Three weeks on and we are still seeing slow improvements in my stamina, bala...