December is always dominated by Christmas and once again, this year, we were fortunate to have all the family here on Christmas Day afternoon for present giving and our Christmas meal. Among my presents was some really ripe and smelly cheese (Mont d’Or and Epoisses), which I love, but I do feel sorry for the poor carers who have to get close enough to feed it to me!
On the World stage, US President Elect, Donald Trump’s progression to office has not been entirely smooth. His proposed Federal budget was rejected by Congress, with several Republicans voting against it because of his request to increase Federal borrowing limits. He was elected on the promise that he would cut government costs and has even appointed Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, as his cost-cutting tsar (how much is he paid I wonder?), so he should need to borrow less, not more! But the most amazing event of the month was the overthrow of the Syrian dictator, Bashar al-Assad. Assad was a staunch ally of Iran and was backed up by Hezbollah and by Russian military might. Despite this, the rebels were able to topple the 50-year Assad regime in just 2 weeks. While Western governments will not mourn Assad’s demise, the rebels are an Islamic Jihadist organisation, classified as terrorists. Should they be recognised as the new Syrian government? Quite a dilemma.
Even more exciting, for me anyway, was Nottingham Forest’s continued winning form, climbing back up to 2nd place in football’s Premier League, and still there at the end of 2024. Quite amazing!
Medically it was not a good month for me. Although not in November’s blog, I started having a problem with swelling of the lower abdomen, including my ‘naughty bits’ (i.e. genitals for the less sensitive). They became increasingly painful, especially during hoisting and toileting. The GP diagnosed water retention and doubled my dose of water tablets for 2 weeks. That had no effect so he prescribed some different tablets. They did begin to work but unfortunately they also made me very drowsy and nauseous. In the morning, I was able to scan the BBC News and Sport web pages, and check my emails, before falling asleep for the rest of the morning. The problem there is that mornings are my productive time when I reply to emails, write my blog etc. Sleeping all day meant I was getting next to nothing done! The MND nurse came just before Christmas and suggested persisting with the new tablets as side-effects often wear off. They didn’t. By then, deep into the holiday period, I decided to leave it until the New Year.
I don’t normally stray into events beyond my blog month but this month I feel I must make an exception. The GP was called again and suggested halving the dose of tne new water tablets and if that didn’t work, try a quarter dose. If neither worked, go back to the old tablets. Again, they didn’t. My sleep pattern is totally disrupted such that I am still sleeping all day but lying awake at night. Worst of all, the abdominal swelling is back! So, here I am, in mid January, now on a quadruple dose of the old tablets and hoping for the best. I’ve been focusing my limited productive time on completing this blog so apologies for its lateness and to all of you waiting for a reply to an email etc.
One amusing event occurred at our pre-Christmas lunch with my old university flatmates, Jim and Roger plus wives. Clare had kindly brought along some Christmas crackers. Mine was the first to pulled, with a lovely crack; but where were the contents? No paper hat, joke nor trinket. The other crackers were similarly empty. Clare was incensed, but consulting the box, it turned out they were DIY crackers. The box contained packs of hats and jokes but trinkets were optional. Next year, Jim and Judith will supply the crackers!