Well, it seems retirement is going to keep me busy and there will be no room for just wasting the days I can now claim as my own. My own because I no longer have an employer that I am answerable to and that is a good thing.
I started the week with a morning volunteering at the local SPCA Op Shop. So that was Monday morning taken care of. Then in the afternoon I met with a friend who I used to work with up until recently. It was lovely to catch up with her and hear about her life and work. I admit that I looked at her and thought how tired she looked and thought ‘I’m glad I no longer have the stress that goes with a Social Work job’. As many who knew me before have said, she commented on how happy, relaxed and well I looked. I certainly feel much more relaxed now and feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
Tuesday was bowls day, one of two days I have been playing and I look forward to it each week. Now, last week I saw my Neurologist for the first time in a long, long time. I had asked about something in the way of medication to help me through the second game as my energy starts to be depleted half way through and I feel heavy and slow. He gave me some Madopar to take about an hour in, one tablet or two if needed. I proceeded to do as instructed, only taking one tablet. Within half an hour, I was on the green when suddenly I started to feel light headed, then just as suddenly I had a feeling that if I didn’t sit down I was going to faint. So, I sat on the edge of the green to recover. Several bowlers stopped to see if I was OK and it was decided someone else would finish the game for me. I sat inside out of the sun and recovered. I caught up with some of my friends at the end of play and we all agreed that the only thing that had been done differently was taking that tablet. I certainly wouldn’t take another in a hurry! Emailed the Neurology Nurse and she made a comment that I was probably dehydrated and needed to drink more fluids and have more salt in my diet. I thought the comment about salt unusual for a health professional.
Wednesday I had a chest x-ray and back x-ray. Chest because of recent chronic cough and back because I have developed an extremely painful shooting pain, mainly down my left leg. My husband and I think it is sciatica. He made the comment – which I agree with – that as soon as one painful condition recovers, it is replaced by something else. So, hopefully someone will find out what is causing the pain and how to treat/manage it.
I have volunteering at Housie tomorrow and a talk on Parkinson’s on Friday evening, then a day of bowls – my first proper tournament – on Saturday. So, life is very busy. Amongst all of that my ‘Boosted’ crowd funding for the cost of printing my book ‘Dad’s turn to learn, a child’s journey through their father’s stroke’ has finished and I successfully managed to raise the amount needed thanks to all the wonderful people who donated. So, now I have the task of getting it out into the community. That will certainly keep me busy. If anyone is interested, the link to buy the book on Trademe is https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/books/non-fiction/health-lifestyle/other/listing/4874203578?bof=pewKAnW0
I have kept the price low as all I want to do is cover the cost of printing plus a wee bit more to go for costs as we go along. I would dearly love to give it away, but it needs to be self-funding.
So, that is my retirement.
Almost as busy as working.
But it is busy of my own choosing!
Retirement rocks!
My journey with Parkinsons 