It has been three months since I was given a grave prognosis at the hospital and psychologically prepared myself for the possibility of departure from this life as we know it.
This was a couple of days before they noticed my INR (Blood Thinner Measurement) had soared to twenty times normal.
But it would appear my time had not yet come and I now dare to think about a future and even another trip to Thailand, if I can make it through till the coming Winter.
When I came out of the hospital, one of the things that bothered me, was that I would not see Thailand again. But as I continue to feel stronger, I am working towards that becoming a reality. I have brought a set of weights and am now into a regular work out program.
I am very familiar with weight training, having used them most of the time I was in Canada. When Gary and I set up home in Toronto in 1971, one of our early acquisitions was a work out bench and weights. Years later followed with membership at the Muscle Factory in Markham.
In my frail condition following my illness and heart situation, I have to start weight training with caution. This involved high repetitions with an empty bar, then reduce the repetitions as small weights are added, then reps built up again, followed by further increments and so on.
I feel good at any weight increase in the program and am well motivated as I attempt to get my body back and return to a level of health to enable another trip to the Southern Hemisphere.
The weather this year has been atrocious, in the U.K., here we are almost into June with very low temperatures and little sun. As I am advised to stay out of wet cold conditions, I am having trouble scheduling lawn cutting . How I miss the warm sunny days of Thailand. I should have emigrated there years ago, instead of Canada !!! But at least I found this paradise eventually.
Europe is experiencing similar weather patterns, with the Tour of Italy cycle race (Giro) just having canceled the huge mountain stage because of snow and bitterly cold temperatures. So much for "Global Warming" It was to have been televised in its entirety, so very disappointing, for us cycling fans.
Where are the Thai Cyclists ? I haven;t seen any in the pro peletons of Europe yet, although the Japanese Cycling star Arashiro trains in Thailand in the Winter I believe. Smart guy.
Shortly after my racing cycle was stolen here in the U.K. when I took a bus over to my Sisters to cut her lawns. I eventually acquired a replacement from a local recycle chapter.
With the awful weather we have experienced here, I have now brought an exercise bike, so I can keep the legs turning, without leaving the warmth of my apartment.