Nb: this one of the few blog posts I’ve ever written “live” as in the actual day, it’s usually after a few days of processing and editing I’ll write things up, sometimes months , my draft tab on the blog system is huge.

Where am I now?

11 months post stroke / cardiac event, I’m in work routinely a couple of full time weeks completed and now pushing more on site hours, the past few weeks have seen a significant increase (at my request for multiple reasons) in on site activity, I’m finding routine, structure and set daily goals are doing me the world of good.

Body wise, I’m seeing continuous leg strength improvement, upper limb remains stubborn but is still getting daily physio, self led.

I’m attending robotic therapy once a month, after 5 months of zero contact I’m about to be picked up by nhs community physio, I still do monthly soft tissue work with a specialist who makes such a difference into how my body feels.

Physio wise I’ve currently paused private physio as it’s become such an expense, my favourite physio A1 wasn’t based particularly close either so meant a long drive each way. Self directed we’re in the local gym 3 times a week (me and rich) for strength work, hydrotherapy and some sauna / hot tub time. I have a goal of walking at least a mile per day and trying to improve my speed. I’ve just started with an nhs provided leg FES device, it works but is fiddly to set up and looks unsightly with wires from my hip down my leg and into my shoe. The clinicians running the FES clinic are delightful and very optimistic it can make a real difference. I still attend a 2 hour disabled gym group every Wednesday morning which is nice, a really lovely group and a good facility

Yesterday (Tuesday) id done 4 hours at work, on site, been really involved in some general day to day workings and got some of my own objectives complete, I left work with a diversion to the FES clinic to collect an additional item to try and make it a bit easier to use. Once again driving into mostly unfamiliar places, solo, getting myself out and about dealing with real world environments. Got home and did a bit more work to clear my mind.

Today (Wednesday) is my day off, I don’t work Wednesdays routinely, but everything is building to our first post stroke big foreign holiday which starts on Friday. There will be plenty of posts about this I’m sure, in the meantime make sure to follow me on instagram and threads @thebenrm which will likely get many annoying updates, apologies friends.

This morning I had expected a couple of busy work days to knock me a little but somehow didn’t, maybe it’s the routine 🤞

I was up and ready to head to disabled gym group with dad, even had time for a cup of tea before leaving.

Had a great gym session, I’d tweaked my routine and enjoyed it for the variety.

Afterwards, me and dad nipped to a travel agents for him to sort something for his upcoming holiday. I tried to get some currency while there but no dice, I did however go into a clothes shop to look for a hoodie as I’m going to need layers for our holiday. Alas it wasn’t exactly what I wanted.

Dad dropped me home, quick shower, lunch and ready for a soft tissue session. Set off with plenty of time but our single track road was blocked by a works van, quick 28 point turn and alternative route sorted; how’s that for executive thinking problem solving and driving?

I Had my hour soft tissue where it was noted how much I’d filled back out, chest and shoulders particularly, my stance is better and even my confidence was noted to be improved. Lovely stuff. They really worked some soft tissue niggles out too and we instantly found some better movements. We had a great chat for the full hour too, just a great all round session.

I then drove to the big shopping centre. Parked up, wandered in, got some currency. , first try, great.

Then set off looking for a barbers, my long term barber and friend (barber post link) has moved away I knew of 2 in the centre, annoyingly both were closed as in closed down, the second one was actually a fair old walk. For me, to get all the way there and find an empty shop.

At which point I decided I was leaving . Walked back to my car. Remembered a barbers in the town centre. Drove there. Also closed down, has there been a run on barbers or something I’ve missed?

I went home for much needed tea and decided there must be something in my little village and I was adamant I wanted my hair cutting before the holiday. I remembered where there was one, unassuming from the outside. But once in I was met by 2 lovely barbers, a great cut, hot towel shave and good price. I didn’t even have to talk about my walk or history, I am so bored of talking about it, it was refreshing to just go in, be a customer, and leave.

Afterwards I went home, we did a food shop, some last minute holiday bits shop and I swapped the top I’d bought earlier for the correct one.

My day off had involved: gym, shopping, holiday organising, getting a hair cut. It’s the most me I’ve felt in a long time. Long may it continue., the only thing missing was a sunbed session but I’m not quite ready for that yet.

If you call my name
I will run whether or not it’s tonight
Or the life to come
Or the life to come
Or the life to come

🎶the killers – life to come 2017