Costa Women Blogs

If you are waiting for your knee or hip operation it can get a bit disheartening. It can feel like limbo – you aren’t getting better, just . . . . waiting. And often you don’t get a referral to a physiotherapist or other support and help until AFTER the operation. And if that operation is delayed or postponed because of a crisis (here’s looking at you Covid-19!) then you get stuck. And that sensation isn’t going to help your knee or your hip feel any better. What to do while waiting for your knee or hip operation In my opinion, the best thing you can do while you are waiting for your operation is prehab. That’s short for prehabilitation – it’s like rehabiliation but you do it BEFORE your operation. Ok but why? Several reasons actually: It reduces your pain and increases your mobility in the short term. It makes your recovery after the operation faster and more comfortable. The basic premise is that the better shape you are in BEFORE you have surgery, (which is, in case we forget – major trauma to an already unhappy and traumatised area! ), the better shape you will be in coming out. And in the short term we know that these exercises will make you more comfortable and help you become more mobile – so the waiting will be less painful. Let’s be honest – what have you got to lose? Except possibly some of your pain . . . . So follow the links for  Knee Operation Prehab Hip Operation Prehab And follow the instructions to get a detailed video and exercise program to start your prehab today.  And if you have any questions or need modifications just drop me a WhatsApp on 699703936 or email me at reception@theBodyworksClinic.com and I’ll give you some tips and tweaks to personalise it for you. 

It´s Saturday 15th March – a beautiful sunny day.  I have just met my daughter Jade (who at the time was 35 weeks pregnant) for a lovely healthy breakfast.  It´s my day off, so I plan to enjoy it to the full.  There is talk about lockdown and quarantine, etc., but people are laughing at those in the supermarkets who are wearing masks.    I move on now to catch up with my friend Coral for a couple of beers and tapas.  We sit at a busy pavement café enjoying the sun, watching the world go by.  Then after lunch, I meet up with my boyfriend Florin to go for a hike up the mountains among the nature.  It is hot, but so peaceful….just perfect!  We have dinner, and watch a movie, called “The Flu” – wow!  It seems a bit surreal, and maybe a little farfetched.   My boyfriend goes home.   As it approaches midnight, the police are telling all the bar and restaurant owners they must close NOW!   My daughter and her husband have to close their bar in Marbella – just like that!  BAM!!! Since that day, everything has changed – some things for the better, others not.  I am sure everyone has their own stories, difficulties and triumphs.  For me, it has been like this… The first couple of weeks, I thought this is OK, time to catch up on all the things I didn´t have time to do, a chance to learn new things, spruce up on my Spanish and lose weight.  I always try to look at things in a positive way, so I threw myself into it.  Started a good routine; Getting up early and running up and down my 42 external stairs Logging in and doing 2 or 3 workshops back to back Lunch Building websites Virtual PT Gardening Dinner Bed This was pretty much how I spent those first two weeks.  I had no time to dwell, and at this point, we didn´t really have an idea how long it was going to last.  I was then asked to help with one of the local charities to cook meals for those in need.  I gladly accepted the challenge!  My daughter always says I never know how to cook for just 2 or 3 people, I always make too much – well cooking for 40 is a whole different ball game!  I actually got really stressed.  The day after, I felt quite ill and upset and low.  I spent two full days in bed just crying for no real reason.  I seem to have a low day at least once a week now, although not to that same extent. After those first two weeks, the amount of kindness from people offering classes, seminars, workshops, moral support etc became actually quite overwhelming.  However, nature enjoyed their freedom, and we saw more and more “wild” animals on the streets.  I live on the mountain, and have seen lots of different animals out for a stroll.  Through social media, we saw the best and worst of people too, and we began to see some people publicly breaking under the stress.  I count my blessings I have plenty of indoor and outdoor space, but I know many who don´t.  For me, I found when I started to wobble, I either needed some quiet time just for me to switch off, or a zoom call with my daughter, Coral, or my friend Arlene in Scotland.  It was also very hard not seeing my boyfriend.  He is my rock, and makes me laugh and smile no matter what.  To help me avoid getting to that point, I have found that a routine helps.  It gives me purpose and a reason to get up in the morning.  I also have a range of “positive statement” t-shirts, which actively makes me think which statement I want to choose for that day.  It keeps me focused. Just over one month into lockdown, my daughter contacted me via zoom.  She has to go for a planned Caesarean Section the following morning.  This is particularly hard as it is my first grandchild, a daughter!  Marc, her husband is not allowed into the operating theatre due to the Coronavirus.  He has to wait in the next room.   Sofia Patricia is almost one month old now, and I still have not seen her in the flesh or had a chance to hold and cuddle her.  I can see the various new cases and mortality rates continuing to rise throughout the world, and have no idea where this will end, or indeed how it really started (that´s another blog).  But now the Government are starting to introduced phased in “getting back to a new normal” plan.   I don´t even know how this is going to work either.  I am frightened it is all happening too soon due to pressure from various areas.  There are many questions unanswered and many steps and financial provisions still not in place.  I worry about my daughter and her bar.  She has a high rent to pay due to the location, and 6 people in total full time to pay (including her and her husband).  How can they possibly function if they can only use 30-50% of their outdoor space and still pay all the same outgoings as if the bar was as full as it normally was at this time of year.  For me, my work involves dealing with holiday makers in hotels around swimming pools.  This doesn´t just depend on when Spain relaxes rules, it is also dependent on other countries relaxing theirs and allowing travel.  I don´t see this happening until August at the earliest.   These are the thoughts that go through my head on a daily basis…. This is when I need to stop, sit back and re-focus.  Nothing I think or worry about will change this.  Whatever is going to happen, will happen.  In the meantime, I am thankful for all the help and support and for all the new skills I have learned and been able to put to good use, and for all the new people I have met “socially and through business” online. Monday 11th May hopefully sees the start of some more changes.  Hopefully then I will get to see my daughter and granddaughter and my boyfriend.  I don´t think this extends outside the municipality, so for my other friends – we will continue to meet up on zoom! Copy and past the link below and enjoy “What a difference a day made!”     If something I have said has resonated with you, then please leave me a comment!   PS I still haven´t had time to catch up on all the things I didn´t have time to catch up on before!!!   Lorraine Williamson x

#LivingInLockdown Day 52 – Wednesday May 6th Today has been the complete opposite of yesterday, as in not remotely full. Mainly because I spent most of last night kept awake by a bloody mosquito whining in my ear. It’s bad enough that the little bastards drink your blood and leave you with itchy red lumps over any limb that foolishly escapes the confines of the duvet, but do they have to be so damn noisy? It’s impossible to kill the buggers when it’s dark and you’re half asleep and equally impossible to get back to sleep when it’s buzzing around your ear. Consequently I had about 3.5 hours of sleep last night.   I sensibly turned my alarm clock off and planned to move my daily walk to this evening, but it seems my body is now primed to be awake at 7am, so off I went. I treated myself to a cafe con leche and a chocolate Neapolitano on the way back. When I returned to my bedroom the mosquito was sunning itself in plain sight on the ceiling by the window. I got great satisfaction splatting its blood filled body (my blood!). Safe at last I went back to bed and didn’t wake up until gone midday. Well, that’s one way to fill the time. I’ve spent the rest of the day in the sort of fog you get when your sleep cycle is screwed.   The big question today is whether the Madrid region will move to phase 1 next week. Today is the day that each region must apply to the Ministry of Health to progress from phase zero to phase one on May 11th. It is by no means guaranteed that every region will do so. There is a set of criteria that must be achieved by the health authorities of the region, namely that they have 1.5 ICU beds and 3 critical care beds available per every 100k residents. Obviously the more Covid-19 patients a region currently has in hospital the less beds will be available. Madrid and Cataluña between them account for half of all cases in Spain so we are likely to be the last to complete the phases.   The Madrid council has been gathering the necessary information from the various hospitals and putting their report together all week. It was finally completed yesterday and Madrid Region Vice Premier stated that we did meet the criteria set. Then today the Madrid Region Premier stated that we were not ready to move to Phase One next week. Talk about confusing. I feel these two politicians need to speak to each other and get their stories aligned. Either way it is up to the Department of Health to decide once the application is made. As yet I don’t know if Madrid has submitted the request. They have until midnight tonight, I believe, but it is looking unlikely.   Mind you at one point it looked as if no applications would be necessary. The current state of alarm was due to end on May 10th. The government had applied for an extension until May 25th, but at one point it looked like the opposition parties might not support this. Without the state of alarm the police have no power to enforce the deescalation phases and it would effectively become a free for all. We would be dependant on individuals safely following the guidelines, as is the case in Sweden. Unfortunately I really can’t see the Spanish, or the British for that matter, doing this. We’re a belligerent bunch and tend to do the opposite of what we’re told.    There is concern amongst the right wing parties and some regions that the state of alarm gives the central government too much power and sets a dangerous precedent. This is true. The government argues that without the state of alarm Spain would be unable to effectively manage the quarantine and hundreds of thousands more people could die and the health services overwhelmed. This is also true. You can see the dilemma. Congress has been at loggerheads discussing this for the last two days.    As of about an hour ago the extension to the state of alarm was finally agreed, but we need to make sure these deescalation phases go smoothly as some people have clearly run out of patience.

#LivingInLockdown Day 51 – Tuesday May 5th   Today has been pretty full. Up early to do my outdoor exercise before the crowds form, followed by breakfast and updating of Facebook posts for the groups and pages that I run. A nice half hour soaking up the sun in front of the lounge window, then a two and half hour marathon of telephone calls to friends and family. Quick lunch of stir fried rice before the Costa Women Hosts’ Zoom video conference call. Then it was time to do my daily 1000ft of stair climbing (the leg muscles have now forgiven me and are feeling fine). Some stretching and a long shower and it was back into slob clothes whilst I settled down with the iPad and iphone to deal with a myriad of emails and whatsap messages.   I was just contemplating cooking up some pasta and opening a nice bottle of white wine to enjoy whilst watching a DVD, when it occurred to me I hadn’t yet written today’s blog.   You know what? I really can’t be bothered to write today. I have no thoughts to share with you except that the wine is calling me.   Cheers until tomorrow 

50 days of lockdown! I started fully motivated doing the right thing. I was writing a daily blog and attended various webinars. After around 3 weeks this changed, when the lockdown was extended and extended and extended again. I became frustrated. Felt isolated, although living with my hubby and dog. Another week (or 2) later I pulled myself together and extended my “lockdown diaries” with global articles from the USA, Mexico, and France. After 50 days of lockdown I am thrilled- over the moon – that restrictionis are lifted. Hairdressers are open, restaurants open from May 11. This might be a very selfish. But being brought up in Western Europe, freedom and independence was always on top of my list. Not being able to go wherever I want. Not allowed meeting friends. I felt like in prison. Very pleased that we are allowed to go out again. I am now looking to support the local businesses, community. I think a lot are f***** up (excuse my French). That is my lockdown summary so far. My blog articles are added as link https://www.andalucia-mi-amor.com/blog/categories/lockdown-dairy

#LivingInLockdown Day 50 – Monday May 4th   Today was the day certain businesses could reopen only for pre booked appointments. This includes cafes and restaurants serving take away food and hairdressers. Possibly other businesses but I wasn’t paying attention as they didn’t interest me. I went out twice today: once on my early morning hour of exercise and then again about 3pm to do my supermarket shop. Here are my observations of this part of phase zero.   There were a lot less people exercising this morning. I expected that as most will be back at work, all be it at home, and their kids home schooling. This gives then less time to be out and about, which is fine by me. I’m not a morning person but I have to thank the government for forcing me out of bed at the crack of dawn with their time slots. It’s much better to exercise in the morning when it’s nice and cool. This afternoon was seriously hot and muggy. It wouldn’t have stopped me walking but with nowhere near the pleasure.   You’ve all already seen my joy at being able to get a cafe con leche to go. There were in fact two places offering this service on today’s route. This afternoon I also noticed my nearest asian restaurant has now set up a table outside the front door to do take away food. Tomorrow I’ll walk down Carretera de Canillas, another high street near me, and see who is open there. Then on my way back from the supermarket I saw a number of businesses, who aren’t yet able to open, were busy cleaning the premises in preparation for opening hopefully next week when phase one may come into effect. This included my local pub, the Calway Station, so with any luck their terrace will be available.   The local supermarket, Coviran, who I tried to support earlier during this quarantine has now reopened, as has the Chinese corner store opposite the metro station. To be honest Coviran is little more than a corner shop itself, but it is super close which gives me the option of grabbing the odd thing I may have forgotten on my weekly shop, when I pass it during my exercise.   Finally I passed two hairdressers on today’s route: one for men and one for women. There was a queue at the barbers of men just trying to get an appointment slot. Who knew men were that fussed about their hair. The ladies’ hairdresser was relatively empty. Mind you the barbers had the tiniest premises, whilst the hairdresser was much roomier and probably way more expensive.   My final observation is that those bloody masks and gloves we’re supposed to wear are damned uncomfortable in this heat. They’re going to be impossible once the full summer heat hits us. Also I now know why I usually buy food on a daily rather than weekly basis. It’s not just that I don’t like planning weekly meals (which I hate), it’s because lugging a week’s worth of shopping home in your backpack is damned heavy. I think I sweated the skin off my back this afternoon. It’s a good thing we had all that rain in April because I foresee an awful lot of showers in my future.   I leave you with this week’s statistics. I cannot vouch for their accuracy as they keep changing the format. I usually deduct last week’s total of cases and deaths from this weeks to get the weekly number of new cases and deaths. The charts provided by the authorities include a daily figure for new cases. When you add this up over the seven days it doesn’t agree with totals. Using their figures for new cases the weekly total should be 8211 for Spain and 1847 for Madrid, which are lower than mine.    Either way the case and death numbers are definitely going down. This is the important point. It will be interesting to see if we get an increase in 2 to 3 weeks time due to the deescalation. Let’s hope not.