Well folks, it’s been an interesting year... Back in January I moved house. I wouldn’t recommend winter (especially in the Scottish Highlands) as a good time to move. Everything that could have gone wrong, did! Spring was busy with visiting family and at the start of summer I started ripping my new home apart, including removing the complete kitchen..... July, I caught covid and it knocked me out. As I was coming out of covid I suffered a ‘massive’ heart attack. The Health Service were brilliant, the road ambulance arrived promptly and was swiftly followed by the air ambulance. I was flown to hospital and here I am to tell the tale. Within ninety minutes of making the emergency call, I was sat up in bed in hospital with a clot removed and a stent fitted. I owe our NHS my life. Had I still been living at my previous very remote house, I wouldn’t be here now. Four months later and I’m recovering slowly, though very limited amounts of energy. But today, enough energy to start unboxing some lamps (yes, still packed up from moving house!). The best bit was discovering lamps I’d forgotten about! Also, I’d like to mention that a few forum members (from all around the world!) have been really supportive throughout my illness. You know who you are, thank you my friends. Just before catching covid I retired. Free time and a pension meant I could start having a bit of fun, going off in the camper van, hunting lamps and generally doing as I please. Still waiting for this.... So, if you have any plans or desires, fulfill them while you can, don’t make excuses not to do the things you really want to! A happy and healthy Christmas and new year to all, Stevie.
Wow ! Sorry to hear of your health scare but pleased you're on the road to recovery. May your health continue to improve.
That's some year you've had Steve but your hear to tell the tale Good luck and health to from now on I hope Cheers pete
Hey Stevie, very happy to hear that you're beginning to feel like fettling again - definitely a good sign - and the new garage will make a grand workshop when the weather perks up a bit! Mrs G and I will be over in the new year to get under your feet and generally give you hassle! Your new place certainly has it's advantages, like actually being on the map and of course being within ambulance range!
Challenging time, glad you made it through. Bravo underfunded NHS. Politicians don’t ‘get’ what a caring vocation is and what it needs to get the job done. John
I’m glad to hear you’re still on the right side of the dirt, Stevie. All the best in your recovery. Tony
Team Buggerlugs never gave up on you mate, great to see your on the Forum again. Does this mean we can stop typing on that bloody Whatapp now? Here you go mate, remember this it's one of yours.
Crikey Stevie - Sounds like you have a guardian angel in tow. Glad to hear you are on the mend. Sounds like the new "lamp workshop" might see some action shortly
Thanks folks for all your kind words, very very much appreciated! Lamps. As I mentioned, opening boxes has been a voyage of discovery. I’d truly forgotten what I have, every box tests my ageing brain... ‘where did that come from?’... If I’m ‘quiet’ on the forum now and then it’s due to me getting tired to a point where sometimes it difficult to muster the energy just to stand up and make a cuppa. Lastly, as John mentioned above. Our magnificent NHS saved me and continues to support me with physio and regular appointments with a specialist nurse. I cannot begin to convey the amount of praise I have for our health service. After my first procedure I’ve had two further stays in hospital, though now (hopefully!) feel confident that there won’t be more! Have a peaceful and happy Christmas everyone and thank you again for your support and messages. Stevie
@BigStevie Glad to hear you are finally on the mend. I have come across several folks who have had major issues after contacting covid. All the best, Jeremy
A happy outcome, this covid is a lurking curse which can strike anywhere at anytime. Best wishes for a full recovery and of course a Merry Christmas.
2022 seems to have been a tough year for a lot of people, myself included. Wishing everyone a great 2023.
Glad you didn’t snuff it Stevie, I still have a shelf full of stuff for you out in the pig hoosie. Just give me a shout when you’re well enough to make the long journey.
There very much seems to be far too many covid cases/jabs followed by heart or circulatory issues. The correlation is simply too grand to dismiss. Glad you fared a treat and have stories to tell. Finding forgotten lamps is always a treat. My grandfather used to say the best part about alzheimers was making new friends every day. He suffered lightly, but never lost his sense of humor. Be well!
Now unfortunately this is becoming very apparent - bourne out by very real data. But the wilful silence by governments and mainstream press continues. At least it was discussed in the house of commons here in the UK yesterday. I am sure it will all come out - too big a story for it to die..
One hopes so. Sufferers who have genuinely been affected by the shot have tried to form support groups to help one another (on Facebook for instance) but these get shut down pretty quickly. It's not like there are no side effects, it is now medically accepted that there are, but those who have been affected are too often poorly treated and belittled. No matter how rare (or not) these problems are, we as a society should assist anyone who is suffering, not call them anti-vaxers and deny them help!
I think the main point here, is that BigStevie is getting all the necessary help that is required and happy with the hospital system and staff. Good on ya mate, hopefully we will see some of them beauty's as they are unpacked.
Glad you made it through, Stevie. I guess you are certainly not going to miss Chrismas this year . Not everyone could survive a major heart attack. You are certainly fortunate. Many people believe that they are experiencing certain permanent physiological changes in their bodies after Covid. Similarly so, after vaccinations. I don't know if its coincidental or just a psycological thing.
Thank you all for your support and comments, very much appreciated. Did the covid prompt the heart attack? I doubt it. I say this because my arteries were heavily clogged with years of not watching what I eat! I’ve had a couple of stents that have opened up the offending arteries, so all good there now. My continuing problem is dealing with the damage done to my heart, which I’m told needs time and medication. Anyway, enough of now of illness, I’m working up to getting all my fettling bits and pieces sorted out so I can attack the pile of lamps that have waiting patiently for my attention. Thanks again folks, have a merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful new year. Stevie. PS. Jean, as soon as the snow and ice retreat, I’ll be over to see you!
All the best to you, Stevie. I was going to say, full steam ahead with your recovery, but I might tone that down to steady as she goes with your recovery. Cheers Tony
If the damned snow eases up Tracey and I will pop over in the New Year. Happy Christmas mate and happy fettling.
@BigStevie do take it easy and I hope you are well enough soon to tick off some of those retirement ideas you had. You have commented and supported many of us average posters on this forum and I look forward to many more from you. Merry Christmas