Acupuncture, rain, and my wino wellies

Yesterday I went downtown, to see Dr Alex: the new to the island, British certified, GP with a specialization in acupuncture! 

He  is shaping up to be a really good doctor.  I can't tell you how reassuring that feels!  Really!

He did acupuncture on my knee a few weeks ago and it worked fantastically well.  So I decided to go for the "treatment" which entails twice a week visits and is a bit longer as each session take about 30 minutes. 

[view looking towards Kanoni]

So, Thursday was a beautiful day with plenty of sunshine and of course no parking places.  I ended up parking in Kanoni and had a nice 15 minute walk to the doctors office.  Under normal circumstances that wouldn't be so bad, but I was going to the doctor because my knee hurt!  (Catch 22) 

Anyway after the first treatment, I felt so much better I went to get a pair of  rubberr boots, to facilitate crushing the grapes without that small detail of having purple-blue feet for an indefinite period of time afterwards. 

I should probably just call them my 'wino pink jelly wellies'.  I must admit a bit of disappointment at first as the only choice was between a red tartan plaid, zebra stripes or these.

But after a while they kind of grew on me.  Then too they had them in my size!  And, as I tried them on without socks, I was sort of committed to them - as I couldn't take them off without assistance.  (MUST remember to wear socks for grape crushing!)

From there I went to see Andreas, the wine god,  with a bunch of grapes I'd picked before I left the house, to have the sugar level measured. 

The grapes registered 18 out of the desired 22.  But the bunches were starting to be overripe and soggy- two things you DON'T want your grapes to be.  Andreas said that I should pick them on Sunday.  (well he said "over the weekend", but my friend who knows what to do can come on Sunday)  basically on Monday I must go in again to see Andreas, with some of the pressed juice and estimate how many liters I've got and he will tell me how many kilos of sugar to put into the vats.  [And that is my first learning about winemaking cheat sheet idea...]

So the great grape harvest will be off and running on Sunday.  (Good thing I got the boots!)

 ~~~

Today I had to go back for the next session of acupuncture, and first thing this morning we had a MASSIVE thunderstorm.  As it had rained all night without a thunderstorm, it was a big surprise- particularly to the dog who cowered next to my bed.  (with T gone she's much braver about coming into the bedroom as I am more inclined to pat her head and continue dozing, while T finds her snoring and sometime doggie aromas annoying and banishes her if he catches her creeping into the bedroom.)

As I knew I had to be in town for a 10 AM appointment, I walked the dog at the first lull in the rain. (she gets TWO 20-30 minute walks a day, which IS excellent exercise- but sometimes not too convenient!)  A lull which lasted until we were at the furthest point from the house and then it started to come down steadily and very, very wetly.  

I told the dog that we could pretend we were in England... only the smell underfoot of the crushed wild thyme, mint and wild fennel, sort of made it harder to pretend. I came home pretty wet, but toweled off and fed the cats and the dog and then scrambled to get ready.

I drove in earlier than yesterday hopeful to find a great parking place, only to discover when I got downtown, that everyone had gone in early - because of the rain- to get a parking space. 

So, I parked again in Kanoni and was glad I remembered my big umbrella.

Does anyone know if there is a protocol for umbrellas??  Or is it supposed to be just like running with scissors or shooting BB guns that can put your eye out? 

Everytime I unfurl the thing, I spend so much time keeping it from taking out other umbrellas or the heads of the umbrella-less (better known as "the damp") That I often wonder why I bother taking it along.   I suppose my umbrella ineptness is what comes from living in a climate that's mostly sunshine. 

Anyway, days end and my knee finally feels better.  I am most pleased.  

I have to be careful not to over-do, as since it feels better I feel like I can do a lot more.  Slowly, slowly. (σιγά, σιγά.)  I must go back for my next treatment on Tuesday.  We'll see if this "healing" continues!



~~~

After the party

A few photos to give a general idea of village celebrations.

All was enjoyed, by T. and visiting grandson. Much eating and fire jumping ensued (grandson is 15 and eats selectively- he selects then eats) Everyone came home smelling much like a giant fire sale. Explained that clothes must be removed outside before entering and stinking up the house!

Fun celebration included v. short video of parade is below. click on square to make work (well ok, then you have to click on the little arrow)...





~~~

Yesterday was fraught with yet another interesting challenge of overseas living: visiting a doctor.

For our 40 Anniversary last March 1, T. and I went to London. On arrival I hefted my suitcase down the stairs of the underground and heard a disconcerting "pop". Holborn tube station will forever hold bad memories for me- and it was only a transfer!

Well the assumption on my part at the time was "%#!^", "there goes either the ACL or the meniscus!" And finally, this past week after an MRI, I was proven correct. Both went- but only slightly. (wonder somehow, if that's like "a little bit pregnant"?) The added joy is provided by a small cyst and a slightly dislocated kneecap. Isn't aging fun?

I kept hoping it would miraculously self cure, but of course it didn't meaning I had to find a doctor here who:
A) spoke English
B) knew what he was doing
(and of course)
C) could convince me, in English, that he knew what he was doing.

I found one and after a few bumpy starts wherein I explained that I was NOT going to have surgery just to have a "look see" we decided on a repair plan that includes physical therapy, ice, mild exercise and rest.

Sadly it also included weight loss. So as of today, I am starting on a 1200 calorie a day diet.

To support me, my new doctor unearthed a useful secondary specialty: accupuncture. So now I am wearing two small needled tabs in my ears that will curb my appetite and make this diet seem like childs play. (one hopes) I must admit tho I feel like a "tagged" heifer.

I will say that it is bad enough having to go to a doctor, but in a foreign country, it can be really frightening. Not so much because of mistakes (which happen anywhere), but because everything is happening around you in another language, that you mostly don't understand, by people who seem nice but could be axe murders. I have a great mistrust of the medical profession. And tho I marvel at all they accomplish- their magic somehow never extends to me.

There is also the small matter of ridiculous cost for value that I still can't get my head around. In my lifetime I have seen the cost of a doctor's visit escalate to ridiculous heights while the time with the doctor has dropped to a fraction of what you need to explain your problem. Compound that with the reply and treatment - which for the most part hasn't changed day to day from 50 years ago (aspirin, to antibiotics...) and somehow the cost of our medical insurance -monthly- is more than what we paid out monthly for our first mortgage payment! AND that doesn't include the cost you have to pay anyway! (ah but I digress... this is about Corfu, not the REAL world.)

Anyway, this topic of medical treatment in Corfu will no doubt continue to develop, as the doctor informed me it could be several months of rehabilitation on the knee.

hmph. Oh yeah, AND it raining again! (as it's 5:30 in the morning however it's allowed.)