Three months have passed since my last blog. Much has happened and I am still working on recovering from last July's stroke. Some days have been very productive and others full of challenges.
Nevertheless I keep plugging along.
I have had quite a battle with the French embassy regarding witnessing my signature on paperwork to sell a house outside of Paris. It seems that the employees there do not take their jobs very seriously. As a result, I had to make three trips to convince the consulate general himself that this was to be done according to the law after my "notaire" returned the paperwork twice! This is a hassle for a normal ambulatory person but for me: car sickness, having to walk up a hill, dealing with a bunch of incompetent and rude persons (and yes, all in French as their English is not as fluent as my French)... It was a most demanding challenge but I won in the end. Actually, we made the round trip in one day by the third time and I marched up the hill of that great fortress by myself! A side note: I have to pay 75% of the value of the house and its contents in addition of various fees to the French govt. YES
The garden has produced well and now it is time for fall planting. Peter is becoming quite knowledgeable as he isn't too far from my side when I take on this job. He has erected supports for my vegetables, helped me organize my shed so as to make my work easier, turned over the soil when I could not..
We have also undertaken renovating all of my flower beds. After eleven years in the ground, my 69 plus variety of day lilies needed either moving, dividing, or eliminating. At he peak of the season in July, I need two hours each day to deadhead. Since many of the beds are on hillsides, I had to revaluate their location for ease of access. It is most difficult for me to walk between plants on uneven ground. I never lost my balance but the repercussions were worst than those of the various PTs that I attempted. All is well during the actual process but my nervous system rebels shortly afterwards by clamping down on my right side. Only a good night' sleep can alleviate it somewhat. So as the last bloom has gone, each plant is moved. I am limited to one or two a day early in the AM as the sun and heat are not welcomed by my brain! We should be done by winter! Of course, this meant lifting many bulbs and curing them until the fall. After all, one doesn't want an unbalanced flower bed! They will be replanted once all of the perennials have be moved. I have to consider color and height. Yes, I am as fanatical about my plants as I am about my dancing or cooking. But you know what? It is this extreme focus that gets me through this tough journey of mine.
Health wise, I am doing well considering. I managed my blood pressure without drugs for nearly six weeks during which time my dizziness/loopiness was much better. Then about July 1rst, it started gradually rising. I'm back on a fairly low dosage of Losartan but am suffering the consequence. My present GP is not helpful by being part time three days a week and on vacation once a month. I am what you call "high maintenance." I am going boutique primary in two weeks with the brother of an old friend. The problem is that he is not so young but that has its benefits- experience.
I have heard back from Dr Yuri who is to start a new study in 2016 and I am on the list.
As far as dancing, I am hoping to do a showcase the second weekend in October. Slava and I have been working on this since this winter. Believe it or not music and dancing eliminate the sensations in my head (until I stand still). My biggest challenge is the traveling to the studio and of course dealing with night time hours. So tonight, Peter and I are going dancing for a short time to gradually increase my being able to have this come to fruition. Wish me luck.
