All's Well That Ends Well.

 Roberto Matta.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Matta 

We were very worried about Cyril last night because he could not walk on his right paw and it seemed to be giving him a lot of problems.

Richie called the vets as soon as he could this morning and they gave an appointment for 1200.

Before he left he got me my laptop so I was all set to look at my e-mail, open my blog and write today's blog post.

Just as I opened my e-mail program the laptop screen became black and shortly after the power went off.

I waited for a minute and tried to restart the laptop sadly without success, I tried it several times, then several more times before deciding to stop.

What amazed me was how calm I was about this happening, I think I realised that was little point in getting all worked up and upset when it seemed I could not remedy the situation.

The idea that my laptop was dead is not a nice thought however I decided I would just have to get on and really make an effort to learn how to use the Seetech computer.

I think learning how to use Seetech is not going to be difficult as I thought it would be, last night I decided that I was no longer scared but saw it as a challenge.

It is good that I thought that last night because it made it easier for me when I thought my laptop died, which it hasn't.

As I found out when Richie got back from the vets with Cyril, apparently Richie had forgotten to plug the laptop in to the electricity supply.

That explains everything and now I'm sitting here writing this on my laptop, Richie also reassure me about Cyril.

Apparently he has an infection in one toe which makes walking very painful for the poor little dog; he is now on antibiotics as well as painkillers.

He should get better in a few days so all is well Cyril as well is with my laptop, and all is well with the weather too, it is a beautiful sunny day temperatures of 20° and perhaps higher temperatures mid-afternoon.

It would be great if it got warm enough to use air conditioning which was installed last week on 9^th and 10^th of October.

Determined to give it a go.

Roberto Matta.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Matta 

It was tremendous relief that yesterday's catheter change at the hospital went so well.

last night I was hoping that as a result of the success at the hospital that I would get a good nights sleep.

sadly this did not go as I wanted, because I woke up at least five times during the night, this was due to my legs being extra painful.

the other reason was that the duvet is still too warm for me because the weather while cool is not cold enough for such a thick cover.

tonight I shall as Richie to replace the duvet, with an blanket in a duvet cover which should give me all the warmth I need, without making me uncomfortable.

this afternoon I had a very pleasant visit from Anne, who visited me for two hours which was lovely.

We had a good time chatting and laughing, at the end of the visit I promise that I would be more proactive and called her regularly to ask for a visit.

On Monday I mentioned that I would be practising how to use the Seetech computer, which would mean I wouldn't be able to blog until I was Seetech literate.

When I got back from the hospital yesterday I just wanted to write a brief post using Dragon voice recognition, after which I would practice on the Seetech computer.

I did have a look at the Seetech computer together with Richie, it was even more difficult I imagined.

What confused me was not understanding exactly what I have to do, I tried opening various items and only succeeded each time in closing down the computer totally.

after an hour when I was starting to get a headache, we decided it was enough for one day.

I'm hoping that it will get easier time I tried to use it, it would be nice if it became clear to me quite soon exactly what I have to do.

Learning how to operate new software is not going to be easy and not as quick as I would like, I want to write my posts on my new computer right away.

I realise now that once again I'm going to have to be extremely patient and take things one step at a time, not easy for me but I'm determined to give it a go.

Overcome My Fear.

 
Roberto Matta.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Matta

This afternoon I have realised that I need to start using the Seetech computer which is in the other room.

Since the English and German dictionaries were installed over 10 days ago every day has gone by without having a go.

Richie quite rightly was remonstrating with me about the fact that I haven't bothered to use the Seetech computer yet.

He is right of course I should use it, and I absolutely agree with him that I need to start using the Seetech software now.

It became pretty apparent this afternoon that I do need to move on, as I'm having a difficult time trying to click using an increasingly ineffectual left-hand.

After talking to Richie, I thought about what he said and realised not only how right he is also why.

I realise now one of the reasons I'm putting off starting using the Seetech computer, is that I will no longer be able to use my hands.

There is no doubt that my hands function is getting very bad now and will cease altogether very soon.

I think I've been trying to avoid acknowledging this by not using the Seetech computer, how funny that have been trying to fool myself like that.

The other reason is that I'm finding the idea of using my eyes to operate a computer worries me, because I don't know how it works and               what I have to do.

Having thought this all through I know now that I am going to start using the Seetech computer from tomorrow afternoon.

It would be nice if I could manage to write a short post on my blog, but it may not happen tomorrow, in which case I will be back blogging as soon as I am Seetech literate.

Looking Forward To Next Week.

 
 

Roberto Matta.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Matta 

It's a nice autumn day to day, blue skies sunshine with the occasional cloud cover which then moves away again to reveal more sunshine.

Today is going to be the last pleasant day according to the weather report before a low weather system moves in with lots of rain and high winds.

I spoke to our friend Lin from the British General Store this afternoon and she said that she intends to go out blackberry picking tomorrow whatever the weather does.

It would be lovely if she were successful and picks lots of blackberries as Lin has promised to give us some.

Looking forward to Richie making jam and maybe a small blackberry pie or even a blackberry crumble that would be delicious.

Despite finally getting a good night sleep last night I don't yet feel 100% recovered from Wednesday night’s alarm drama.

We've had it switched off since Thursday and won't switch it back on until the new battery and alarm box is installed on Tuesday afternoon next week.

Mind you I've been wondering whether I actually need the alarm, seeing as I can easily telephone the emergency services using the Home servant IPaq.

Also once the Seetech computer is totally organised I can add the emergency services telephone numbers into my emergency numbers.

I'll discuss it with Richie over the weekend in the meantime I'm going to enjoy looking for some artwork from Roberto Matta after which Richie and I will watch the next episode of Doctor Who on BBC one.

Next week our favourite music program Later with Jools comes back on BBC2 on Tuesday evening as well as Friday.

And even better Richie's sister Aud will arrive on Wednesday and she'll be staying until 6 October which is fantastic, lovely to have her staying with us.

I'm looking forward to next week, good music on television and a visit from Aud,lots to look forward to.

A Busy Day.

 

Roberto Matta.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Matta 

Last night we were both fast asleep when just after 03.00 the phone rang which ripped as both out of our slumbers.

These days it's not possible for me to get my arm out from under the cover and stretched out in order to pick up the call.

The noise of the phone ringing eventually stopped and we both tried to go back to sleep just as we were dozing off the phone rang again.

This time Richie answered and shouted leave us alone and replaced the receiver again, we both tried to carry on sleeping.

Only to be disturbed by a ring at our apartment door, which got the dogs barking, Richie and the dogs rushed to our front door.

When Richie got there he was greeted by two ambulance men, apparently my alarm had gone off.

Something neither of us had noticed because we were asleep, the ambulance crew took some persuading that I was okay.

In fact Richie had to yell at them and then they finally understood that we had not activated the alarm, then they finally left.

It took us both a long time to calm down and relax and even then it was a long time before either of us could sleep again.

We wanted an early night because somebody from RTD was coming around at 10.00 to install the English as well as the German dictionaries on the Seetech computer.

On the phone Rini, the engineer told us he would not be long, he ended up being here from 10.16 to 14.30, in which time he installed everything successfully.

He also downloaded openoffice.org for me which has Word but sadly no e-mail program, it would be great to find a free downloadable e-mail on the Internet.

While he was here he reprogrammed the IPaq gadget because I could not activate the bed so could not adjust my position.

He also edited one of the numbers on the quick dialling page and he removed the control box on my wheelchair for the electric arm, which I returned the.

No sooner had Rini left but my lovely physiotherapist Mathilde arrived for our Thursday appointment.

Not long after she was gone Gareth and Paul came round to visit us one more time before they leave tomorrow afternoon.

It has been quite a day; I've never had so many phone calls as today or so many people coming round.

It would have been much pleasant had we both got a good night's sleep, I phoned Ata the alarm providers, and explained what had happened and how often the alarm goes off on its own.

I now have an appointment for someone to come here next Tuesday to replace not just the battery but also the box.

Once that is done we shouldn't have any more incidents with the alarm going off on its own like it did in the middle of the night.

More Promises Than Action.

Roberto Matta.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Matta 

Well it seems that Seetech is also going to be something that is turning into a never-ending story.

I hope not, but it does seem to be a problem, when Riny, from RTD came here with the Seetech computer on 29 August I thought everything was in order.

On the day transpired that despite promises that the RTD employee Werner made on 15 May they have not been able to provide an English dictionary.

Nor are they managed to buy the correct German dictionary, for which we paid them a couple of months ago.

Riny promised me that he would track down both of these applications and he would call me back last week to make an appointment to this week.

Well he did neither last week, something that did not surprise me and that is the behaviour I'm used to from his company, RTD Het Dorp from Arnhem.

I sent the company an e-mail last Friday asking to be called this Monday, Riny called and left a voice message promising to get back to me on Wednesday.

After waiting all day hearing anything I concluded at 17. 37 that I might as well forget about the phone call.

Right then the phone rang and it was Riny from RTD, however he was not calling to make an appointment, sadly not, instead he had other news.

Which was quite shocking news, he told me that I was the first person to want to use English on the Seetech computer, according to him this was the first time.

The

I was amazed to hear this yesterday, especially as this was never mentioned by other employee at the appointment to discuss Seetech on 15th of May.

Werner, their salesmen, who told both my occupational therapist and myself that it was no problem to install both the English as well as a German dictionary.

Riny told me he would do his best to try and work out how to install and use both dictionaries of the Seetech computer.

Once again I got the promise of a phone call either on Friday or next week, again I am left waiting, a familiar story and one that I've become very used to.

Over the last years of having to deal with suppliers as well as the bureaucrats who act as go-betweens.   

Rising To The Challenge.

The Unthinkable, 1957.

Roberto Matta.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Matta

Isn't communication wonderful, after talking to Richie this afternoon and telling him about my worries over the Seetech computer I feel better.

When I told him that I was worried that I would not be able to install new software because there was no CD or DVD drive, he told me it could be done via an external hard disk drive.

That is brilliant news knowing that Richie can install my Dragon voice recognition software without any problems.

I'm so glad that it will be possible for me to carry on using the voice recognition software as I enjoy using it very much.

Apart from the Dragon voice recognition software I can also download Microsoft Office which has an e-mail program as well as Word.

Or I can download Open Office for free this is another application similar to Microsoft Office.

My other option is that we have got Office 2003 which I could use and apparently it is possible to download Outlook Express free from the Internet.

So one worry solved, my other one was the fact that there was no microphone or web cam, but Richie reckons it will not be a problem to install an external one.

That is a really good idea; in the meantime I've also sent an e-mail to RTD Het Dorp to ask whether it is possible for them to install a microphone and webcam as well as an extra USB port.

Now I'm feeling 100 times better about the whole thing, I feel very positive and am determined to rise to the challenge of learning how to use Seetech.

According to Richie the Seetech computer is a fine piece of equipment, I want to seize the moment and make the best of it so that I can keep communicating.

More Waiting.

Roberto Matta.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Matta

This morning was different it started earlier, Richie woke me up at 08. 00 because I wanted to be ready well before the Seetech appointment at 11.00.

First of all he massaged my shoulders, then my arms before starting doing exercises to relax my tight muscles.

After that I did more arm exercises, as I can't hold on at all with my right hand and now my left hand is also losing its functionality so I use wrist supports.

Peter, who works for the rehabilitation clinic made the supports, they go around my wrist, they held on by Velcro, they have a hook.

This is attached to the handle over my bed and I can do my stretching exercises then Richie places two handles higher and I do more exercises.

While I do those, Richie is doing my leg exercises, lifting, stretching and then massaging both legs.

After brushing my teeth, taking my baclofen tablets Richie got me out of bed and into the shower.

It felt good to be in the shower so early in the morning, I think this will be our new routine, so we can get the most of the day now summer is coming to an end.

Everything went really well and I was back in bed by 10.00 well before the appointment at 11.00.

At 11.22 Rini, the man from RTD Het Dorp finally arrived, he showed us how the Seetech computer worked.

Disappointingly there was no English dictionary installed, and they had got the wrong German application, not a dictionary, there was also no e-mail program and no Word installed.

When I heard this my first reaction was to say please take it back and first install the English, German dictionaries then it will be useful for me.

If possible also install an e-mail program as well as Word, I was told that Word would not be supplied as the health insurance think WordPad is sufficient.

But if I wanted Word I would have to buy myself Windows Office and if I did, it comes with an e-mail program.

However I was eventually persuaded to keep the Seetech computer here so that I could practice every day and would be ready to use it fully once everything is installed.

Rini promised he would return the incorrect German application and ex-change it for a German dictionary, he would also retrieve the English dictionary.

Next week he will let me know when he has got both applications and then he will make an appointment for the week after.

So in two weeks time I should have a Seetech computer setup for me, which it is not at the moment, once again I have to be patient and wait.

Looking forward to tomorrow.

Roberto Matta

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Matta

 

It has been a pleasant day today, funnily enough the sunshine got stronger after 18.00 this evening.

Tomorrow at 11.00 somebody from RTD will be here, bringing the Seetech computer with them.

I am very much looking forward to getting this, as my left index finger is not functioning well and sometimes I have to use either my thumb or knuckle.

Neither of which is very efficient and it takes me ages to click on something which is enormously frustrating.

I'm hoping that from tomorrow I will be able to use the computer without any unnecessary stresses.

My plan is to write my blog, as well as e-mails, letters and Word documents using Dragon voice recognition.

I can do all the corrections and the editing using the Seetech software which can be very handy as I am not going to be able to move the cursor much longer.

The Seetech will be handy for surfing the Internet as well as to help me visit other blogs something I'm looking forward to enormously.

I'm going to keep this short as I want to get it published on my blog and then I can relax and enjoy the sunshine outside.