5pm, Thursday 12th July

Reading the book Songlines by Bruce Chatwin, Bruce implies man is only content whilst in a constant struggle. In a way this is true to my situation. Despite all the hard work I must do in physio to get to where I once was physically, I believe I am content at the moment. But then again, my contentedness could be stemming from having a lovely and caring girlfriend. Or my quickening recovery as I relearn to walk. Or maybe my career opening up as I attempt to write a book and am occasionally offered small diverse and interesting jobs?

7pm

Last week, for the first time in over a year, I went to the dentist. Considering I needed nurses and family to brush my teeth for two months, my teeth were in good shape.

As Debbie the dentist got to work with the dentist drill, I remembered why I disliked these visits so much. Finally, she finished and I was allowed to run my tongue along the new-found gaps, picking up the taste of blood as I went along. Now it was time for the polishing. A less uncomfortable follow up to the dental drill. As Debbie ran along my teeth I realised a resemblance between where I am in my recovery to where I am in my appointment. The hardest part is behind me and although I would rather be somewhere else, getting my teeth polished and learning to walk again is kind-of exciting.

6pm, Saturday 14th July

In school people often feel they are bad at writing. But if they are passionate, and they write on the back of that passion, a raw emotion lights up the content and they discover that after all, they can write.

9pm, Saturday 14th July

Last week, a leak in the local reservoir combined with a lack of rain led to our local reservoir drying up. The reservoir was filled by tankers and the houses in the valley had water. Water came back to our house on the hill but would stop running a couple hours later. The water companies chose not to request the local government for a hose pipe ban for fear that the government might see their faults and put in regulations which could reduce their profit. So instead we had a sporadic water supply.

My parents and I, who were home at the time, all spontaneously suffered tummy upsets. Needing a number 2 more then twice a day is annoying at the best of times. Once able to run to the bathroom, now I have to settle for waddling. Still it is far better than having to shout for someone to wheel me, then transfer me onto a commode.

This time when nature called I wasn’t prepared. My shoes and orthotics were off and I was a long walk from the bathroom. I put my shoes on in a rush and waddled through the kitchen. Half way through my journey, my orthotic strap came loose forcing me to waddle slower and with even less style than before. All the time desperate not to poo myself. What a nightmare! Anyway, you will be pleased to know that I made it.