From the Hard Shores of the Red Sea

It has been taking its time, that is the progress in healing of the human structure. Getting "old", although not "old old", does have its limitations.
But progress is happening, despite the impatience of this "old" skipper.
Walking on the level is now comfortable, stairs a different matter. An education in patience and on being a patient myself - not something I'm used to being. And of course time for further reflection on that sand dial of life itself.
Although not permitted yet to walk on a sandy beach, or to go swimming, heaven forbid with fins, it is necessary to take on the salty air from the solid shores of the Red Sea. Although life does throw us these "curve balls" from time to time, it can be viewed as an opportunity to do, and look at things, in different although meaningful ways.
A trip to the Jeddah Aquarium was planned to see the sea from the view of most land based people.

But first the essential early morning coffee on our balcony before the heat of the day arrives - small pleasures being savored.

The aquarium is located in a part of the Corniche that continues to be "renovated", but does allow easy strolling by the sea. Fortunately only a ten minute drive from our apartment courtesy of the hospital transport cars available for our use.

Inside they have done a fairly good job capturing the denizems of the deep. We skipped the Dolphin pool & show having swam and had physical contact with dolphins myself before.

Interesting - more sharks here than what one actually sees while finning the depths - public perceptions continue to be biased. In all my dive trips on the Arabian side of the Red Sea I have never seen a shark, although they do exist, others having had more luck while diving. However on the shores of the Red Sea on the side of Egypt, I have been fortunate to have dived in the company of several sharks (reef, nurse, hammerhead). The marine park system on that side (eg. Sharm) does not allow for fishing, allowing more large marine life to flourish. However the aquarium does allow images of life that is more commonly seen but viewed at a more leisurely pace.

As the aquarium is on the shore, views from its outer structure are worthwhile, being able to see the horizon as well as land based denizens.

A walk along the shore from here illustrates some of the recreational value of this area to the locals - not just sand dunes, but nearly always sunshine.

Yes a weekend outing is good, walking a simple pleasure, an appreciaation of what is taken for granted. Also the simple, but important act of dinner with friends after a "long day" (for my knee anyway). The choice a Lebanese restaurant a five minute walk from our apartment - and of course the many courses ordered by one of our Lebanese Canadian (from Montreal) friends.

Maybe philosophic, but the importance of simple pleasures.
A reminder in some ways of a quote from Epicurus: "Not what we have, but what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance".
Also not a bad climate to enjoy winter when ambulatory stability is taken into account - no ice to navigate!

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Mishap and Reflection

"Why are you still skiing at your age?"
That was the question I was faced with by several individuals.
"At my age?!!" Should that be taken seriously?
Yes being 65 in some minds is a time to "go to pasture", a time when our previous generation thought of retirement. A time to be part of the "Timy" group and do mall walks instead of strapping on a pair of skiis? The "baby boom" generation, which I am part of, seems to have a different view of life.
As the last Blog reported I went on a trip to Aspen with my son Mike to do some skiing over the holidays. I guess my "old knees" did not like the frequent turns required to manage speed on the steep inclines on long runs.
With the sudden pain in my left knee I let myself fall realizing at that juncture that I had difficulty getting up. It was then time for the Gondola trip to the bottom instead of trying to ski out. Yes walking on the level (with normal boots) was possible although not always comfortable. On returning to Jeddah I managed to get a quick appointment for an MRI of my left knee which unfortunately revealed a ruptured medial meniscus, a small tear in my MCL and some damage noted in my ACL. Fortunately I managed to get a quick appointment with an Orthopod who specialized in knees. A very personable & professional individual who spent a number of years training in Montreal & Vancouver. Within a week of returning to Jeddah I underwent arthroscopic surgery watching on video as my frayed meniscus was being shaved away. Fortunately professional courtesy did exist in my "home hospital" thus allowing things to be expedited in short order. After a short hospital stay I was sent home for two weeks and the rehab process started. Now back at work although graduating to one crutch, next week hoping to walk slowly at work mostly on my own. Its been an "education" not only from a physical and patient point of view but also from a psychologic viewpoint.

The "aftermath" where I had to be "patient" being a patient. Unfortunately within hours of returning to my room the physio people arrived to start my "rehab". My space with analgesics and coffee was to be disturbed!

The level wasn't too bad, but then they had to show me how to navigate stairs. The "icing" that followed was good.

After being discharged home I managed to "navigate" with a wheelchair, my crutches, and the help kindly given by the Admiral. Yes the Admiral (Joy) deserves a huge amount of credit for her loving care.

Physiotherapy was started fairly soon, within days of the surgery - how things have changed from not that many years ago. At this point they are still my "Godzilla" sessions although necessary - a different kind of "personal trainer".

After two weeks at home "cabin fever" set in - it was welcomed to go back to work even if for shorter days the first week back. My only real outings during those two weeks at home amounted to my three times a week physio sessions - they will continue for some time.

Yes I will have to accept, and be "patient", that the recovery will take some time. I have been told that I cannot walk on sand at the beach for at least three months, longer to use fins for snorkelling, never mind SCUBA with the added weight! These limitations, along with my "age" have led to a lot of reflection.

The "baby boom" generation is supposed to be different from that of our fore fathers. So we are led to believe when one listens to the media.
Do we have to seriously accept that we are "getting old", although not "old old"? We think we are younger than we really are. Our minds think we are still capable of what we could do a decade or two ago. Do we need to rethink some of this?
Yes "working out", controlling weight, etc may allow us to be active for longer than generations of the past but what are the limits?
Many points to ponder for our lives going forward.
But another reason to realize the importance of doing what we can, pursuing our wishes and interests, living life as we go and not waiting. Then to be able to look back and be thankful of what we have been able to accomplish. A reminder that "tomorrow is promised to no one". Yes to live life as it evolves but also to come to terms that next year, or the year after, we may not be able to do what we can today. Our minds may have difficulties accepting this, as mine is, but essential to grapple these concepts. Depressing or time to accept the next "phase" and "replan" what we can accomplish with new goals and aspirations?
Life in its fullness is precious, although "fullness" may have to be redefined as time goes by.

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