Hello everyone after a week off work. I won’t say we’re fully recharged as we aren’t, but oh it has been nice. We’ve had lots of laughs, mostly at mine and Kevin’s expense (nothing new there then). It was strange not being able to go to places which we would normally have in the dim and ancient past! Anyway, hip hip hurrah, I’ve had my second jab last week.
I got my text from the surgery inviting me to book an appointment so I picked 9.40am. Off Jane and I went, with my trusty wheelchair safely in the boot and me safely in the front!! We parked on Victoria Road East as Jane fancied a walk and the car park at Thornton Little Theatre is tight if it’s busy.
Learner Driver
Out came the wheelchair from the boot, and there was Jane trying to put it up so that it didn’t collapse with me in it. Now that would have caused some fun wouldn’t it. Despite having bought it at Christmas, it’s the first time I’ve been out and needed it.
She eventually managed it but couldn’t figure out how to put the brake on which made me wobble a bit I can tell you. I did wonder if she was secretly going to tip me out, especially as we were on top of the Alexandria Nursing Home. Was it a ruse to get me shoved in there I wondered? While hoping my time hadn’t come yet!
I didn’t need to worry (yet) as I managed to get in it and off we went. Although as it was our maiden voyage I did wonder in the back of my mind if perhaps we ought to have L plates on it.
Oh the pavements!
On the way for my second jab, we found out what it was like to be in a wheelchair. She tried to get me down pavements which have too-high dropped kerbs. At which point she switched into logical mode and did a three point turn to get me facing backwards and pull me up and down that way. I did think I might ought to have a seat belt fitted as I don’t relish the thought of being tipped onto the road or pavement with my feet in the air. Oh my goodness, the shame of it. Eventually having gone over the lumps, bumps and dug up pavements we got there – and it was empty!
When I went for my first jab (read about my first jab here) they were queuing all the way round Thornton Little Theatre and it was cold and raining! This time there was just one person in front of us, so we more or less went straight in and went to our assigned cubicle to do the deed.
My Second Jab
Off came my coat sleeve and cardigan, which is no easy means when your shoulder joints are very painful, I can tell you. Anyway, she asked me all the usual questions, date of birth, allergies and all the things that that they do and then in went the needle. It pricked for a second and then nothing, the whole time her plunger was plunging.
Job done, I had to get dressed again and when it came to my coat, we caused an uproar as we usually do. The nurse and computer person were having a good laugh as I kept putting my hand in my pocket instead of my sleeve! Three times that pantomime went on, until Jane said that we’d go out to the exit and get dressed there!
It is difficult when your arms are painful and you are sitting down in an enclosed space as it were. But we got there and off we went back to the car, while enjoying beautiful birdsong along the way. It was lovely.
After My Second Jab…
We decided to pop into Cleveleys to go to Poundland as Jane wanted one or two bits. Although it was very quiet, I must say I did feel a bit awkward as I’m not used to being in public in my ‘chariot’ as we always called my mums chair.
But off we went round the aisles, enjoying ten minutes of freedom. We aren’t used to this carry on of chairs and the trouble was, I was turning my head continually so as not to miss anything as Jane pushed me down the aisles. Amid a lot of ‘oohs’ and ‘aaahs’ we finally got to the checkout with the basket of bits on my knee. Very handy, instead of having to carry a basket round with you.
Motion Sickness
By the time we were served and got outside, you’ll never believe this but I was feeling car sick! Have you ever heard anything so daft in your life as being car sick in a wheelchair. As we have said before, Jane and I are blessed with quite bad motion sickness. But I didn’t know I would have to take a Kwell for travel sickness every time I went in the chair, what am I like.
By the time we’d driven home, I felt decidedly ropy but I soon came round and life turned back to normal. That is if there is a normal in our house! I’d like to think that eventually my poor body will settle down and I can go short distances on foot. But as my lot say, it’s better than having to stay in, as I certainly can’t walk very far at all. As they say, needs must when the devil drives.
Jane did inform me that it was handy to pile the shopping on my knee while going back to the car, so I come in handy for something useful after all. I don’t want to be trapped in when we can be more normal so I’ll have to get used to it!
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