Practising with someone different

Well, when it came time to go into Brisbane to my yoga class on the weekend I didn't feel up to the 40 minute drive, so instead I practiced at home with Mr Swenson! It's the first time I've done that and it was good. Though I only got as far as the marichyasanas, and wasn't doing full vinyasa or anything. But it felt really positive. I've had a real block about practising at home for ages - best I was able to do was practice at work at lunch-time (don't ask me what the difference is - I don't know!) Maybe now I'll find it easier ... !

I actually got the David Swenson DVD last year in the hope I could use it when I was in hospital or something - but that idea didn't go anywhere as I ended up not being able (strong enough) to practice then. Now I think I'll get the John Scott DVD too.

Last week I ended up going to the university health clinic and seeing the doctor. Hadn't seen her since I started my treatment last year so she was pleased to see me and catch up on how it'd all been. But - because my cough had been hanging around and getting worse, I felt I needed to get it checked out. Had a chest x-ray and turns out I've got (or had) bronchitis! Great!! Onto the antibiotics again and now (4 days later) am feeling much better. Not coughing myself sick at night etc anymore !!!

And ... life is good :)

For Dog and (particularly) Cat lovers - very funny!

Someone at work sent me this, knowing I was a cat person. I loved it!

Excerpts from a Dog's Diary......
8:00 am - Dog food! My favourite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favourite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favourite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favourite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favourite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favourite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favourite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favourite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favourite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favourite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favourite thing!



Excerpts from a Cat's Daily Diary. ..

Day 983 of my captivity. My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Bastards.

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now................

party, and blood levels, and easter

In the order of the blog title ...

1. I'm having a party! Yes, shy, retiring me is getting out there and having a party! I figured I've got so much to celebrate after the past few months, and decided to combine it with my birthday next month. And for the invitation, I found this photo of me taken more years ago than I like to remember! It was in India in the 70s ... :) Just a few birthdays ago, as it says!!

So the party is going to be held in the back yard of this lovely cafe in Brisbane - they are doing the catering and all. I just have to invite the people, extract a contribution from them (!) and do the music!! No doubt pictures from it will appear here afterwards! It's pretty exciting! All part of my new year's resolution to be open to new opportunities!


2. And next: I had a blood test yesterday and when I rang my doctor for the results I was fully expecting to be told they'd fallen and I needed to have another injection to stimulate the white blood cell production. But the injection I had last month seems to have jump-started my bone marrow! My haemaglobin had gone up to 82 (from 50) and my neutrophils are now 3.1 (up from 1.something)!! I was thrilled and my doctor is really pleased too!

3. And I had such a lovely time in NSW (new south wales) at Easter! My brother-in-law and nephews came to my Mum's on Good Friday and took us out to lunch. That evening she had arranged for some people to come round for drinks (my mother being an indefatigable entertainer!). Then on Saturday we went to Sydney, had yum cha in Chinatown (with Jo and Emma), and then saw the Elton John musical - Billy Elliott. Based on the film ... Just fantastic! Apparently it's going from Sydney to New York - so all you NY-ers who are into muscials - go and see it! It's still on in London apparently, too. And finally on Sunday we had a quieter day - phew!

Got home on Monday afternoon, just in time to receive 5 chooks coming to stay for a few months while their owners go overseas! Fresh eggs again - yum!

rushing ...

I smiled when I read yoga gumbo's blog this morning - why am I online! Well, I'm online coz I'm at work and since I've achieved something I have been struggling with for ages (a 3-level CSS navigation menu) I've got a bit of space to hang out! But I'm flying to Sydney tomorrow. Haven't done any packing yet, and I'm still intending to go to choir practice tonight. So before I go out tonight I've got to somehow pack without my cat seeing me doing this! Not easy - specially when I have no idea what I'm going to take! Then go off to choir practice 45 minutes drive away. Then tomorrow morning I've got to get Miss Mieke Pussycat into her carry-box, leave the house by 7am, drop said pussycat off at the pet motel, and then get to the airport parking place by 8.30am. A big ask ... So I really better not imagine I can get my laptop out at home tonight!

Despite all my whinging about colds (which I've still got!) I managed to get to yoga on the weekend. So glad I did - it was wonderful. Haven't managed to do any more since then because I'm still not feeling 100% and am doing my best to 'be sensible' and look after myself. But I'm taking my mat with me to Sydney (well, country NSW) and hope to be able to give it a go down there.

I'm also feeling a bit ashamed of myself, making such a big deal about what is really, just a cold, albeit a nasty one. I think I need to try and ease myself back from this health obsession! I know it's all understandable and everything, but still - I need to get a reality check about what I'm getting upset about! Save it up for something that deserves being upset about!

2 steps forward 1 step back - sound familiar?!

I guess that's my life story at the moment. But hey - I should be grateful it's not 1 step forward 2 steps back!!

So, on Monday evening I got that 'scratchy sore throat' feeling and thought - uh oh! One of the guys I work with had been off for a week with a really nasty cold and it looked like it was coming my way! Which it was/did! I've been off work the last couple of days, which means eating into my holiday days, as I've got no sick days left at the moment! No yoga, no 'curves' ... hopefully I can make it to yoga on Saturday. We shall see.

I started with the 1 step back bit. But on Tuesday I went to see my doctor, and the results from my blood test the previous week were pretty good! My neutrophils are up to 1.1. Can't remember when they were that high before! Just so you know, 'normal' is 2.0 to 7.5. But mine have been hovering around the 0.4 - 0.6 range for months! And my platelet count was up too, to 57. (Normal count = 150-450 so a ways to go there!)

However, before anyone gets too excited, he said it was probably largely because of an injection I was given just before I left hospital last month to stimulate the production of white blood cells. The effects of this last for about a month. However, I'm going to have another blood test in a couple of weeks, and if it's gone right down again, have another of those injections. He thinks it 'may' help my bone marrow recovery. At the least it should help me avoid getting staph infections!

Anyway, though I've been fed up having to be off sick yet again, and feeling like death warmed up(!), I'm still pretty pleased about my blood results. And today I've been feeling a bit better so I may go back to work tomorrow. Just the one day and then the weekend.

This post needs a title but I don't know what it is!!

Finally made it to yoga last Saturday. It was wonderful to be there - once again apologies and explanations to the teachers for this being my 3rd re-start!! I really noticed my lack of strength. By the time I'd done 5 Surya Namaskar As and then 3 Bs, I had to stop (the Surya Namaskars I mean)! My shoulders were really tired from being in downdog. I can't remember that happening since the days when I first started ... ! Anyway, I did all of standing, and then some finishing. Not doing shoulderstand yet but am doing that 'legs up the wall' pose - can't remember what it's called Like a more passive shoulderstand I guess.

And so far this week I've done one practice at work at lunchtime. (Didn't go as far!) Tomorrow I should be able to do another one. So that'll mean I'll have practiced 3 times this week. I guess it's a start !!!

Yesterday after work I went to my (cranial) osteopath. She got really excited because she said my body told her what treatment she should give me!! Whatever that means, it feels good now. And then on to choir practice. I'm only staying for about half of that at the moment, leaving at 8.30pm. If I stayed till it finishes normally, 9.30pm, I wouldn't get home till after 10pm and I think that's a bit too late for me at the moment! Oh I'm having to mollycoddle myself so much these days ...