Health

In August I'll have my 66th birthday and become entitled to retirement pension. This is the economic catalyst that allows me the freedom to set out. But at my age I need to also pay attention to some fairly serious health matters.

In December 2021 I was hospitalised with Covid 19 and Bacterial pnuemonia. It came on really fast with some nausea and vomitting to boot. I am so incredibly grateful to all the NHS staff who took care of me and basically saved my life. I spent 10 days in Kennet Ward at the Royal Berks Hospital in Reading, and it was a bit like going to heaven, having everything done for me and being snatched from the jaws of death!
Huge thanks also to Lara Herbolzheimer who has guided me through the process of recovery using her amazing skills in Kinesiology. I balked a little at paying for private healthcare, but it has been worth every penny and in reality cost no more than  a meal out once or twice a week. If you're living in S Oxon/West Berks area and are interested to know more Lara can be contacted through: https://formulahealth.co.uk/tx-kinesiology/ 

I've also been diagnosed (about 6 years ago) with "Arthritic changes" in my neck and left shoulder. Luckily they don't cause me much pain but riding the bike tends to make me more aware of them, particularly when I have to look over my left shoulder, and they are increasingly restricting my movement. Lara's kinesiology is helping me to relax and sustain lifestyle improvements that are really helping, so I'm planning to keep up my therapeutic relationship on a regular 3-4 weekly basis until I leave in September.

Another health issue that has crept up on me is a vitamin B12 deficiency which came to light during 2021. Being a vegetarian I'm more susceptable to this, but apparently it's very common for older people to have difficulty absorbing B12. A nutritionist advised me that to absorb B12 efficiently we need to have something called "intrinsic facor" in the digestive juices, and this is associated with a carnivorous diet. I had a course of injections and after the pnuemonia I started eating meat and fish. I want to avoid having to have the injections while I'm away, so I've decided to take oral B vitamin supplements instead and get my B12 levels tested again in about 3 months, that way if they are not working I will have time to top up my levels again before departure. If I'm lucky I'll be able to survive on eating meat and taking the supplements. Watch this space.

Location: Aldermaston, Reading RG7, UK

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