May 2020 Things

Coronavirus is dominating most things where I live, and from radio/TV reports it is doing the same across the globe. Here, we have to wear a mask to get into local transport and enter supermarkets. I also wear rubber gloves when I go shopping and throw them away when I get home. Then it is time to wash my hands - again!

I recently got this photo of me on a local bike ride, and taken before my fall. I am still covering the leg wound with medicament I got from my doctor. Now the calf is expanding and going hard and I have pain in my ankles. We have a holiday weekend coming so I shall wait until next week to see how it is and decide to see the doc again - or not.

Who has a birthday in May?
Max in Berlin starts the month with his 37th on the 2nd May. Marcel M. in Hungary will be 26 on the 6th. Someone called John in Berlin will be 77 on the 8th May. A special day in German history. Isaiah in England will be 12 on the 10th May. Chain smoking Hans will be 69 on the 11th in Berlin. I wonder if he will smoke even more to celebrate! Over in the south-west of Turkey, Trish will be 68 on the 13th and back in Berlin, Heike D. will celebrate her birthday on the 16th. Moving to the famous small town of Silsden we find that my cousin Barbara will be 75 on the 20th. I wish I could be there to celebrate her big day for she is a wonderful person and a real pleasure to be with.  Back to Germany and a nice town near Bremen where we find Holger W. celebrating his 56th with his family on the 31st May. He and his wife planned to spend it in Berlin but cancelled due to the virus. Perhaps next year when the virus is under control. Take care of your health, wear a mask, keep a distance and keep washing your hands! 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY no matter where you are! 

Okay

Just a short note to say I am okay. No signs of Coronavirus but my leg wound is still not healed. The dead skin dropped off the wound when I showered a couple of days ago and it is now producing five yellow spots on the wound surface. Perhaps these are the first signs of producing skin. The calf on my right leg is now expanded and hard. I wonder what that means? Keep healthy.

Ow!

Yesterday started with reading my book in the sun on my balcony and ended with a lot of pain. I put the book away as Imre rang the bell and entered my flat at just after 11.00 am as arranged. He came on bicycle No. 1 and with Smartphone No. 3 which has two cameras. He likes it! He settled down to talk as he sipped fresh orange juice and chewed some cake. I listened to his latest news. He had not brought anything for a picnic so I made some sandwiches and we set off for a local park to enjoy the weather.

There were a lot of families with young children playing on the grass area reserved for them. We found a seat in the sun and relaxed. See photo of Imre. We then decided to continue into another area of the park and took a track to get there. That was a big mistake! I cycled in front of Imre and went on a path with lots of tree roots. One of them twisted my wheel and I fell off my bike. I skidded to a halt on my right side then noticed pain in my right leg as Imre arrived to get me back on my feet.

I lifted the right leg of my jeans to see lots of blood and a wound. It was on my lower leg and square. I could see that the fall had torn the skin to the bottom of the wound. Fortunately I had tissues so started to mop the blood. I sat down for about 10 minutes to try to stop the flow of blood. It took many tissues to do so then the blood changed into a watery discharge - strange! We finally got back to my place and I put a proper bandage onto the wound.

Imre was very supportive and I am grateful for his help. We decided to have the picnic in my kitchen. I got even more of Imre's news and opinions and was grateful not to be alone. Imre then left. We both agreed that the bicycle ride had not ended as we planned! This morning I went to my Dr. He dressed the wound and gave me 3 prescriptions for bandages and medicine. Here you can see some of these. I will not show you a photo of the wound. Not very nice. Ow!

Rabbit

I've had a very lazy day. I woke early, turned over and went back to sleep. I woke again at 10.00 am and started a day just for me = no appointments. After my usual breakfast of tea and a slice of fruit bread, I settled onto my balcony with a book. I'm reading a book published in 1955, which is a collection of short stories written by 35 American writers. It is 'political' of its time. I'm sure I shall post more about the book as I read on. I took a break early afternoon to cook a light lunch then back to the book and balcony. Nice to sit in the fresh air even when wearing a warm coat.



Yesterday morning I went to a specialist section of my local hospital. I had the third and final injection into my lower back. I also got an appointment with the doctor in mid-May to discuss the treatment and if I need more - or different treatment. I have an appointment with another hospital in May for dry, flaky skin problems. Some friends say it is all part of my reaction to allergies. I really do not know anymore. Allergy reaction is very bad at the moment but I don't know if it has anything to do with skin problems.

Last weekend (Easter) I got a nice call from a couple telling me to open my door in 5 minutes. I did just that and they stood back but reached out to give me a present. It was a homemade Rabbit made from cake. The first time I have ever been given such an Easter present. It was ideal with a cup of tea or coffee.  On Easter Sunday I met a couple of my Ko-Gang for a relaxing lunch. Here you can see what we ate. It was leg of lamb with potatoes and green beans. It was followed by raspberry and cream with crushed biscuit dessert. Again, new for me but very tasty!

More Essentials

Wearing a face mask when you go out is becoming an essential for more people around the world. On the radio I heard that some governments are considering it a legal requirement until further notice. I now wear one whenever I go out and some of my friends say it makes me look better. Ha, ha, ha --very funny!

I've decided to buy another one but at least a size larger. I also wear gloves when I go out. I now have a box containing 100 gloves to be worn only once. Travelling around Berlin you notice a big difference and I am sure it is not only here. Much of the public transport system has been reduced and less people use it. There are also less cars on the roads. Yesterday we had a nice sunny day so people went into parks to enjoy the greenery, flowers and lakes. Most kept the required distance.

I got another essential when I went shopping for Easter things in my local supermarket. I noticed shoppers pushing trolleys with toilet rolls in plastic covers. I went to the section and was surprised to see 6 such packages of toilet rolls. It did not take long for the number to be 5! There were signs saying that only 1 per customer was allowed and this is controlled at the checkout. I hope you are managing to get your essentials. Have a nice Easter Monday with your family.

The Essentials

I'm okay and hope you are. My allergies are aggressive at the moment. There are 5 trees in the garden and all on my allergy list. They are 'blooming' at the moment so I go through lots of sneezing and nose blowing. Like you, I spend most of my day at home with the windows and doors closed. When I go out, mainly shopping, I wear a mask and gloves and disinfectant my hands when I enter/leave my local supermarket and chemist's.

What have I done since my last post? Last Tuesday I went to the Radiologie for another scan. The result is on a disc and I have to give it to my specialist doctor at my next meeting which is 25th May. Long waiting periods here. Perhaps its the same where you live. I then went to Johanna's birthday lunch party. Next day was an appointment at the hospital for another injection to my lower back.

Last Sunday I went on a bicycle ride with Johanna. Nice to get some fresh air and enjoy the sunny weather.  The last three days have been quiet and I have stayed at home. Tomorrow I am meeting Johanna for another bicycle ride. On Easter Friday, I am meeting some of the Ko-Gang for breakfast at Jutta's. It is a tradition. On Saturday I shall take flowers to Birgit's grave and on Easter Sunday I am meeting the Ko-Gang again for a special lunch.

Talking of food, here is a photo of me eating a traditional German meal. Very tasty. Johanna took it when we ended a walk and went to a restaurant. Now that is not possible. All restaurants are closed. I think you know why and it is the same in many other countries. Finally, I got this photo of G&T from Ian and Birgit. They said it was 'back-up' in this time of shortage! In addition to food, clearly another essential as we move to warmer times :-)