Sunday 15 November 2020

November Days

 

Despite another Lockdown here in England and the ever shortening days, life had started to get into a pleasant rhythm of daily dog walks and beautiful sunrises at the beginning of this month. I'm trying not to sound like a cliche but finding the simple pleasures in life seems more important than ever right now, and getting outside and appreciating our surroundings is one of those pleasures.


I  launched my final online class of the current series of three this month and although I am working on a short free class to launch next month I had decided to take a little break from creating new classes


Instead I thought I would try to get back to some painting. I've not picked up a paintbrush since before breaking my hand in the summer so I have been easing myself back by working in a sketchbook and following Laura Kemshall's sketchbook challenge to fill a sketchbook in November. It is a series of eight classes, two per week, just colouring pages, stencilling, printing etc, all very relaxed and informal... and excellent value. It was all going so well...


Then out walking with the dog on Friday afternoon, on our way home, literally ten yards from our back gate, Hector spotted another dog and lurched to say hello. I was completely off guard, so the lead whipped around my legs pulling me with it and the next thing I knew my head was smacked against the road. I thought that 'seeing stars' was something that only happened in Beano cartoons but it happens! I've never known my head hit anything so hard. What followed was a blur of trying to sit up (I couldn't), being moved to the pavement (I was in the middle of the road), hearing someone say there was blood and Stewart calling an ambulance. Neighbours came out with blankets and a hot water bottle and all I could think was that I couldn't possibly die as I hadn't finished sewing our grandson's advent calendar and there was no way Stewart would know what to do!


I was taken by ambulance to hospital and it was scary for a few hours - I've heard way too many horror stories of brain damage and worse after head injuries - but although it wasn't really what I had planned for a Friday night, I cannot fault the hospital staff who ran just about every test possible. A ct scan showed I was lucky, my head was just bruised so besides concussion, vertigo, some minor cuts and a headache I was fine. In fact, more than fine... blood pressure, heart and lung function and everything else was absolutely tip top! They let me go home at midnight.


Saturday morning the dog wouldn't leave my side... you might be fooled into thinking those doleful eyes are saying sorry, but I'm not. He's a hooligan and would do it all over again if another attractive pooch were to wander past. I do wonder what we achieved with all those months of puppy training.


Meanwhile I'm confined to the sofa. My headache has eased but the vertigo not so much. When I get up and walk I feel like I'm on a boat. It's very strange and quite disorientating. Fortunately, if I don't move my head too much I can still read, type and knit so there has been a lot of progress.  The painting and other activities will have to wait again until I can safely get out to my studio. You can find details of these hats on Ravelry. I've been on Ravelry for years but only recently started to figure out how it works! Well, how some of it works at least.


And I'm still counting my blessings and appreciating the simple things in life because to be honest, I was grateful to wake up on Saturday morning (even if it was at 4 am with a stonking headache).
I hope you are all keeping safe and well.

24 comments:

  1. Oh my Gina! Thank goodness you had plenty of people to take care of you. I do hope you are up and about soon. Take extra care of yourself. All the best Joanna

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  2. Poor you, that sounds really nasty. I hope you're back to full strength very soon. We were just today talking about what a puppy training reunion would be like. Would they all remember how to do all the good things??? I fear not. Look after yourself Gina. Claire

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  3. I do hope the vertigo eases soon, and that you will soon be up and about again. Not a nice experience at all.

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  4. Oh, blimey, that does sound very nasty and I'm so happy to hear you're back home and recovering. Similar thing happened to me in NYC when I was knocked down by a speeding cyclist and ended up hitting my bonce on a concrete bollard. (Apparently, whilst waiting for the ambulance, I was wittering on about Natasha Richardson.) Take care and feel better soon.

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  5. What a terrifying event out of the blue, but good to know you are recovering at home. The hats you are making are gorgeous. Dogs do bolt suddenly on leash, for sure. That is one reason I chose a small dog (don't tell Bounce that, he believes he is quite big.)

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  6. So sorry to hear about your fall, what a shock for you, good job you had so much help on hand and you weren't on your own. Get well soon.

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  7. all the best for a quick return to normal.

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  8. What a scare for you! So glad to hear you're on the mend.

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  9. Oh my goodness Gina!! That was a bit scary, thank goodness you're ok!
    Just rest, relax and (in my best NI accent) give your head peace!!
    V xxxx

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  10. Ouch...the perils of dog walking. Glad you returned home quickly and things are getting better. Thank goodness you can still knit:). Hope you have a calm week ahead. B x

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    1. Thank you Barbara. The vertigo is lingering but slowly getting better x

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  11. I sympathise over the wobbly floorfeeling. When had what was eventually diagnosed as a stroke yhis time last year, I kept falling sideways - not helped by double vision. It's the most alarming feeling not to be steady on your feet. Hope it wears off soon. Jx

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    1. Poor you, I hadn’t realised. I do hope you’ve made a full recovery x

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  12. Oh crikey Gina. Mike has had vertigo and it is horrible. Please take it easy and get well soon!

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    1. Thank you Jessica. It has been a bit scary x

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  13. Oh bless you Gina - what a time you've had. I know it goes without saying but get plenty of rest and get well soon. xx Jo

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  14. Oh Gina, you've had way more than your share of being in the wars recently. Do take care and rest up properly. T x

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  15. Oh my goodness Gina, this sounds awful. I hope by now you are feeling much better. Dogs, eh? x

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  16. I am just catching up with some blog reading, I am so sorry to hear what happened at the weekend. I do hope that you are feeling a little better now.

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  17. Oh my goodness! I just found this post, and wanted to wish you a speedy recovery. Take care of yourself. Hugs

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