Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Second lot of X-Rays

I rocked up (perhaps hopped up might be a more apt description) for my second X-Ray session around the middle of the day today, clutching my packet of X-Rays from 10 days ago. The radiographer was very freindly and competent and seemed surprised when she saw the first X-Rays, saying that I should have been in more pain. After the obligatory 'hign male pain threshhold' and 'no brain, no pain' jokes were discharged I asked why.

She said I actually had 3 fractures, not 2 as first thought. There were some subsequent discussions between health professionals as to whether to leave me as I am or plaster the foot, or perhaps use a moon boot. My GP is still very happy to keep things as they are. I need to continue to treat it gently, keep it up/elevated as much as practical to help the swelling. He said I need to watch out for any twisting motion. (Definitely NO golf swings!!!).

WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?

• In Denver, Colorado, it is unlawful to lend your vacuum cleaner to your next door neighbour.
• In Miami, Florida, it’s illegal for men to be seen publicly in any kind of strapless gown.
• Idaho state law makes it illegal for a man to give his sweetheart a box of candy weighing less than fifty pounds.
• In Gary, Indiana, persons are prohibited from attending a movie house or other theatre and from riding on a public streetcar within four hours of eating garlic.

Cheers,
Bruce
bbremner@ihug.co.nz

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Crutches meanwhile...

I have now bought a decent set of handgrips for my late Dad's old pair of crutches. Now much more comfortable and a lot less painful on the hands.

The left foot with 2 x bone fractures seems to be progressing OK as far as I can tell. There is considerably less pain than this time last week (Sunday night). The voltarin tablets help somewhat, and the foot has settled down a bit. Swelling and bruising are still quite obvious, but it feels better than it did. I just have to keep looking after it as much as I can. They don't seem inclined to put it in plaster at this stage, but I have another X-Ray this Thursday so they can make sure everything is going according to plan.

Last week I had quite a productive week sales-wise, working from home with my foot up - and the trusty VPN hook-up back to the office server. It seems a more efficient environment than an open-plan office. Sure, I accept that there are advantages either way.

Have had a pretty sedentary weekend. No early morning ANZAC dawn parade for me on Saturday morning. Had our monthly family get together out at Whenuapai today (lunch - afternoon) where we get a chance to catch up with the rest of Jeanette's family. Her Dad is soon turning 80 (going on 56!). We're having a birthday celebration with him at the Langham in a couple of weekend's time.

When sign makers go on strike, is there anything written on their picket signs?

When you open a new bag of cotton balls, is the top one meant to be thrown away?

Where do forest rangers go to get away from it all?

Why do they report power outages on t.v.?

Have a great week,

Cheers
Bruce
bbremner@ihug.co.nz

Monday, April 20, 2009

At last.... more health news to report!

Maybe not quite what I'd like to be reporting - however...

On Sunday morning (yesterday) I had a low blood sugar episode and fell awkwardly in the hall while heading for the kitchen for a quick carbo hit. Unfortunately I rolled my left foot on a weird angle. I should have put it up and shoved a bag or frozen peas on it, but I wanted to get to church and see Sel & Ruth who were down from Kerikeri to see their wee twin granddaughters dedicated. I was in a bit of pain, but not too bad. I could walk (carefully).

We then were off to the Ellerslie pitch and putt course for the second beginners golf day run by our friend Vicki who is a sports psychologist who has specialized in golf. By the time we got there, I was more uncomfortable than I had been at church and was quite sure I wasn’t going to be any good for a 9-hole game. I loaned my clubs to someone else who didn’t have any and sat at a table with my leg elevated but found it getting more and more uncomfortable. I hobbled off to the toilet which was a bit of a mission (the trip there, not what I did when I got there! Too much information!).

Once we got home, I had some anti-inflamatories and Jeanette strapped it up with a crepe bandage. I also sent Joel next door to Mum’s to fetch an old pair of crutches that my Dad had when he had hip ops. They work much better than using a putter as a walking stick!

This morning I went and saw the GP. He said that because I had had limited mobility, it was probably just a bad sprain. But, he still sent me off for an X-Ray just to be sure. As it turned out, I have 2 x fractures in my left foot/ankle area! I must just have that legendary male high pain threshold. Seems I’ll have to keep it elevated and keep off it as much as possible for a while. At least I can still do work stuff from home as I still have the VPN hook-up to the main server at work. I've done some quotes and emails this afternoon. I might have to pop back into the office to get some papers of some jobs I'm currently working on.

Just after we got home late yesterday afternoon, Mike Henderson called me to ask me "What is the difference between a Lada and a Jehovah's Winess?". Apparently you can still shut the door on a Jehovah's Witness!

The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from too much pi.

I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian.

She was only a whisky maker, but he loved her still.

A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class because it was a weapon of math disruption.

Cheers
Bruce
bbremner@ihug.co.nz

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Good Golf is 90% in the brain, and the other 10% is in your head

Enjoyed watching the many dramas of the US Masters golf unfurl over the weekend. Some amazing golf was played and also some awful shots were fired. The pressure there must be immense. I guess that ridiculous tension between elation and frustration is always going to be the very nature of the game, whether at the top level or at the bottom rung of the ladder like Jeanette and me.

Just so you don't think we'e quite as bad as I make out, Jeanette and I both got our first 'birdies' the weekend before last. I was really delighted that she managed that milestone before I did. I went on score 31 on the par 27 nine holer! Previously my best was 33.

On Saturday, full of inspiration having watched plenty of the Masters, we headed off to The Lakes golf course between East Coast Bays and Silverdale. It is the sort of course which is perfect for bunnies like us who want to play 18 different holes (not 9 holes twice like at Ellerslie). There is much more scope for getting into trouble than at Ellerslie - and we had to try doing some of that. Instead of being all par 3s, there are a couple of 4s. I fluked another birdie on the 1st hole, but couldn't seem to maintain that pace for long. We got plenty of golf for our money, which was only half the normal price thanks to John Stradwick's coupon! Thanks mate!

Was very inspired after spending some time with Gerald vW yesterday. He is facing a much bigger hill to climb than what I had, and has got such a great attitude to both his cancer, his family, his faith and all the associated flow-on effects. Go for it Gerald! Great to get your update blog today. Good call.

Tonight we are dog-sitting Louis Eadie (poodle) from next door. He and Blue have been having fun socialising as dogs do. Louis is still busily poking around, exploring and watching all the goings-on of a different household, he seems to be happy to be here. Blue has retired to his usual spot for a wee lie down. Louis' family return tomorrow.

I have nothing medical to report, so I won't.

Do illiterate people get the full effect of Alphabet Soup?

Does pushing the elevator button more than once make it arrive faster?

If Wyle E. Coyote from the Road Runner had enough money to buy all that ACME stuff, why didn’t he just buy dinner?

If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, then what is baby oil made from?

Cheers
Bruce
bbremner@ihug.co.nz

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Nearing the end of Daylight Saving...

The amazing run of fine autumnal weather continues and seems to have gone on for about 3 weeks (VERY unusual in this neck of the woods!). Tomorrow morning we flick back to standard time and that always seems to bring on the winter mindset somehow. I guess that will put an end to my after-dinner trips down to the Unitec grounds to chase golf balls around - unless I paint them with glow-in-the-dark paint.

Work continues to be busy for me with plenty of activity to keep my head down and tail up. Jeanette & I are still keeping an eye (or two) out for a suitable business that we could buy and that she could develop and add value to.

Some we've looked at have been literally "sale proof" while others have had possibilities. There is also a long held idea for a 'start-up' idea which we may well look at this time. The product would certainly have better application in troubled times than when everyone is overly flushed with surplus cash.

Enough of the serious stuff...

Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, “I think I’ll squeeze these pink dangly things here, and drink whatever comes out”?

Who was the first person to say, “See that chicken there…I’m going to eat the next thing that comes out of its bum”.

Why is there a light in the fridge and not in the freezer?

If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a song about him?

Cheers,

Bruce
bbremner@ihug.co.nz