Wednesday 11 November 2009

The perfect end to a perfect day...


Leek & Potato


That was gross... much more so than it looks


I was so hungry, I ate it. Gulp!

33 comments:

  1. NHS really must have a stash of custard! Whatever is under this batch does not look appetizing at all. Was that meat byproduct slice really Spam, Spork or some other meat byproduct mushed up meat in a can? It doesn't even look like it was fried (the 2nd best way after sandwich filling made with green relish & mayo).

    Have you gotten up and about today? I'm rooting for you!

    LK Canada

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  2. I've done quite a bit of walking with my crutches. It's very hard but I'm trying. Goodness knows how long it's going to take before I can walk properly, if at all. It's very worrying.

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  3. what on earth is that pink kinda spongy looking stuff lurking next to the salad?

    Or what is it MEANT to be ?

    *shudder*

    and *hugs* on the going home news :)

    Beware friendly cats, they seem to like to sleep on the sore bits.

    The whole walking thing will come back with practice and time. I eventually even got rid of the walking stick (shame that, was good for getting annoying people out of my way at the shops actually.. and doubles as a hockey stick)

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  4. Hi XTM, I once had a bone broken in my elbow back in the days when it was still plastered during healing time; then after the plaster was cut off I couldn't stretch out my arm straight. They just told me: "It will come back, some day you'll realize you can straighten out your arm again". That was all. And sure enough suddenly one day I realized I could do it again ...
    I'd think it'll be the same with your leg. Now I guess the muscles have to gain strength first thing of all after all that traction time, and this will be a bit tedious, but you'll overcome this, I'm sure. And most importantly: at HOME!! Surrounded by your family, friends, kitty, books, music, views, ... and good food! You'll gain strengths like a lion in comparatively no time, keep us posted about it!! Greetings from Styria. Barbara

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  5. That pink foam stuff is paté... and the whole dish is called a ploughman's. Was terrible. Left it.

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  6. Ploughman's? Really? Shouldn't there be cheese at least? My theory - the wrong 'p' meal got loaded onto the truck from the factory so you got pate instead. Was the bread roll any good?

    Congratulations on being homeward bound. I have a genuine recipe for Mock Brains (chief ingredient leftover porridge) if you need another course for your welcome home feast. Up until the time I started following your blog I considered it the worst culinary invention I had ever come across. I know better now!

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  7. A ploughman's? Even with my cynical hat on and spittting at the advertisers who scammed this up way back when, it doesn't even have cheese or pickle!

    There's just no hope.

    Oh TM - I bet you are straining at the leash to get home! The cat of course will be sighing deeply and looking pained - or will launch itself at you and then try to sit heavily on your thigh just to see you grimace with pain. Kosmos is right - they seek out the most painful bit, ostensibly to rub it better but actually to inflict their weight on it.

    Just take it slow with the walking. You've been immobilised for months and you won't be running for a bus any time soon. Those muscles have shrunk with lack of use and everything's going to take a bit of time limbering back up to peak performance again. After my op I couldn't even lift the kettle with a cup of water in it without thinking my stitches were going to burst asunder ;-)

    A little exercise and often, and you will soon see improvements. Patience, grasshopper ;-)

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  8. Glad to hear you're going home. I missed that bit of news. When will you escape?

    I had a lot of muscle wastage in my thighs from inactivity after a lengthy period of very limited walking through arthritis. It wasn't nearly as radical as what your leg is recovering from but I got more strength back than I feared. It's amazing how our bodies can recuperate. Very best wishes on your recovery.

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  9. Hey Traction Man; shouldn't a Ploughman's lunch include an apple?

    What does the title ("A Perfect End to a Perfect Day") refer to?

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  10. The bread roll was freezing but the pâté was congealed cat sick. I took one taste and left it. I actually ate the pudding because I was so hungry.

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  11. I once sent a roll back in a restaurant because it was still frozen in the middle. The waiter thought I meant it was just cold! Told me they didn't like to heat it up too much in case they burnt it! My colleagues and I had to reassure him that we really would prefer our rolls defrosted!

    As for the walking, just give yourself time. Think how long it has been since you last walked properly. Now, isn't it worth being patient with yourself and cooperate with physio. It will take longer than a few days to get back to normal, it will take months of hard work. But you will get there.

    Just focus on getting home to some proper food, a wonderfully attentive spouse and your own comfy bed. Nothing else matters at this point. Even the rubbish food!

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  12. Perfect end to a perfect day is pure sarcasm and il-temper

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  13. "Perfect end to a perfect day is pure sarcasm and ill-temper". And whisky, man, and whisky!

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  14. Great news, you are being released for good behaviour I hope. That will really buck you up but boy will you be knackered and wonder why. Take it steady and please, please, please don't give up the blog we need to know how you are getting on. It really surprised me to realise how much I love to log on and see what little witticisms you have lined up for us each day.

    Love to all your family, including the cat. See you at the London Marathon in 2011.
    Ruth

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  15. I'm starting to get deja vu. Saw the picture of the soup and thought "Ah, I've read this one".
    So pleased to hear that you are going home but going to miss the blog very much. Can you leave your camera with a patient who will continue to take photos of horrible hospital food? And will you please carry on blogging?

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  16. Excellent news XTM, don`t over do things, take each day at a time.

    I shall still come here every night ,in the hope that you and all the faithfull followers have posted .

    I wish to take this opportunity to thank you all for uplifting my heart ,and making me laugh out loud when in times of extreme pain through arthritis.

    TM, I hope someone with wisdom and foresight will make a comedy series about you and your experience for the TV. If that does not happen then I emplore you to write a book.

    Thank you so much TM, and thank you all for making my life a lot more bearable in the last few months.

    Ness..xx

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  17. You've all been so friendly and supportive, how could I stop now? The story's not yet over.

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  18. I'm glad to hear it. Checking out your blog has become part of my day.

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  19. Does the NHs have an inexhaustible supply of leeks?

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  20. Good to see your sense of humour is holding up, TM. They say it kept men going on battle fields and in prison camps too.

    Are you sure there isn't custard in the soups as well? They look strangely similar...

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  21. Is this pate X-Man, surely it has to be, I cannot think what on earth it can be otherwise, though if it is pate, tis the strangest one I have ever seen.

    You will be fine, after being in hospital so long, you have to be worried, and scared, this is only natural, your body has a wonderful way of healing all things.

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  22. Just read the comments, it is pate, oh boy, don't think I want to know what kind of pate it is, think we can safely say it is not pate de foie gras, thank goodness.

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  23. The NHS has a watertight supply of leeks!

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  24. Dear XTM,
    Glad to hear you're finally getting to go home, where I know you will heal so much better with the positive effects of family, food, and your own bed. Just got out of a week in hospital (spinal fusion) and even though our food was nothing as bad as your's appears to be, I was really glad to get home.
    Best of luck to you!

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  25. Just thought I would ask..... Can we still donate..????

    Ness..

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  26. Sure... Anyone can donate if they feel like it. Got to pay for some orthotic shoes somehow and hope they don't make me look like Frankenstein. I don't know why seeing my NHS shoes has affected me so much. I suppose it's the first concrete evidence I've had that this is permanent and will have an impact on many asects of my life. I'm not vain and I only own three pairs of shoes but I think I want to try to get some made that don't make my disability look quite so obvious.

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  27. Its all about perspective and how you see it.If you see it as a disability you are right and if you see it as a challenge you are right too.So I suggest you try and look from a different angle.At least you still have your leg which was touch and go for a while.
    And be proud of the battle you have one and fought.If the trophy is a short leg so be it but you won.
    Light and Love to you and take is easy when you get out.We feel invincible in the small space of the hospital.Dont go doing what I did after having my chest opened and think you can go for a walk down the street alone.It takes time.Be gentle with you and it will happen faster.

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  28. Aardvark Silver means do things slower (which takes more time), and healing will be quicker ??? couldn't resist it but I understand what he/she means.

    I think after all this ordeal we aught to have a meal fest. Have you seen that excellent tv program 'come dine with me'? Well maybe bloggers could invite you round for a dinner at their houses and you could mark it out of 10, or even compare it with NHS grub lol. It wouldn't be the same without that narrator though - no idea what his name is but that is akin to you've been framed without Harry Hills narration - very funny.

    Good luck

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  29. I hope you do keep Blogging ET, even once the leg is back to 100%, as I like my daily ritual of coming in to see what you have written.

    I wish I was still in the UK as I would have found out your hospital and made you an endless supply of Sushi :) with lots of WASABI ;) and soy. I love making sushi, and to top it off, it is good for you :)

    I hope things go well for you at home. Yes the cat will find the sore spots, they have a built in soreness locator, I have to inject Clexane (two injections twice daily) so that I do not throw any more blood clots into my lungs, and the site will bruise, go lumpy etc and generally quite sore, the cat knows exactly where todays sites are and will try to match the hole with precision ones made with her claws..... BLOODY cat, but she is my child (all my cats are) and I would never be able to live without her...

    Best Regards,

    Kat from Perth.

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  30. I have had uneven legs for 35 years now and when I see pics of myself with even legs I think I look strange! It is hard to adjust when you come out of hospital as you become hospitalised no matter how hard you try not to. Sleep lots, eat well, do as the physios say and thank your lucky stars that you are on the road to recovery. This was a battle and you won it. As for the ploughmans..... least said I think.

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  31. XTM, there are some lovely comments on this page. Some brought tears to my eyes (I think I'm getting more sentimental as I get older). If our thoughts and wishes were able to physically help you, you would be able to run home tomorrow. However, I do hope that they will spur you on when things get tough.

    Just think - after tomorrow, peas and custard will be off the menu...permanantly!

    Good luck, XTM, and a safe journey home.
    F

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  32. I never knew I had such a large and loving family. Thank you all. Please give me a day or two to sort myself out and we'll pick up where we left off.
    XTM xxx

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  33. Enjoy being home X-Man, we all await your return when you are ready

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