Thursday 12 October 2017

Lost my independence.

I don't think I realised until I had my Driving Licence suspended just what independence driving gave me and what a difference it makes.   Today I have struggled with teetering on the edge of a depression.

A simple day like an E C G at the doctor's surgery and then an hour later my hair appointment, became a bit of a mammoth arrangement.

A taxi collected me at half past nine for the Medical Centre.   I only had to wait a couple of minutes before I was called in.  (it always intrigues me that whenever I go the car park is crammed with vehicles and yet there is hardly anyone in the waiting room) and the E C G took no time at all.

I then had to get to the Hairdresser - maybe about half a mile and almost all uphill.  I walked - slowly - and really enjoyed it.   It was a pleasant morning.   I posted a couple of letters and had time to collect my winter coat from the dry cleaners.  I must have looked pretty exhausted from my walk because he made me sit on a chair while he got my coat and then insisted on carrying it round to the Hairdressers for me.   What a nice man.   

I was half an hour early so I sat and read The Times and then, dead on time, the taxi drew up outside to bring me home.

I cooked a fish pie with broccoli and carrots for my lunch, with strawberries to follow, sat in the chair and slept all afternoon! 

28 comments:

Rachel Phillips said...

Things will get better soon Weave. Worry not. xx

angryparsnip said...

When you move into town things will be easier, I hope. Plus you can use the bus.
I think you are doing really well.
Even with my walker I find it very hard to even walk from the car to where I am going.
I try to go out once a week but even that gets to be hard.

cheers, parsnip

Jules said...

Things will seem better tomorrow. Don't underestimate the busy and stressful day you've had. These things take it out of you.
What a lovely chap your dry cleaner sounds. X

Sue in Suffolk said...

Actually sounds as if things went according to plan and soon you will be in your bungalow and settling in for Christmas.
Sending a HUG from Suffolk

Sue said...

It must be very hard not being able to drive but in all other respects Pat I think you are a very independent and resourceful lady.

Unknown said...

We have occasionally been without the use of our vehicle for a period of time - repairs, etc. - and getting to and from town becomes something to be well-planned. (We live 20 miles from town.) But with thinking it through ahead of time, looking at the options (a limited bus service for us), and leaving plenty of time for unexpected delays, these things can be done. Don't let it throw you; these adjustments are usually not welcome but can be dealt with. Please keep up your good spirits.

Joanne Noragon said...

Yes, Rachel is right. Soon all will be right. Or Rachel, as the case may be.

John Going Gently said...

The car park is full of staff cars weave

lynda said...

Wish I was near you! I'd be happy to help you out with transport! Love your posts...take care. Hope the move goes through soon so you can get settled.

Tom Stephenson said...

Do you have to take some sort of test to get your licence back, Weave?

justjill said...

You have not said why your licence was revoked. Some time ago I had my licence revoked. The DVLA had received an anonymous tip off that I was driving while blind. I was waiting for a cataract operation. Which I blogged about! I could see and the optician had cleared me for driving. I appealed. After some time of toing and froing I got my licence back. I well appreciate what this means to your independence. Hope its not long before all is sorted.x

donna baker said...

I understand why they don't want you to drive, but it is very hard on senior citizens to lose their licenses. I hope they will reinstate it soon. You'll probably have to nip at their heels and keep calling.

DUTA said...

@justjill,
I think she has mentioned in a previous post having had several TIA episodes (a warning for a future mini stroke).

Lucy Corrander Now in Halifax! said...

It's hard. Yet your description is warm. I hope your sleep was deep and refreshing and that by tomorrow your enthusiasm will have returned.

Anonymous said...

Driving has become a bit of an essential thing these days to get about. My mum ended up being very restricted as she was not on a bus route and no shops nearby the closest being up a very steep hill. So she kept driving as long as she could just to get herself to the shops and the hairdresser. Since moving she lives on a bus route near Yarm with a hairdresser across the road and a nice little deli where she has a coffee every day and the girls there stop and have a chat with her. I am sure everything will work out for you one way or another just take it a day at a time - when you have need of help I'm sure someone will miraculously appear. Take care.

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

It won’t be long now till you move, meanwhile, you are arranging things very well.

Pondside said...

So much change, so much adapting to a new normal. You are doing so much better than anyone I know who has gone through as much. It will get easier when you move - hang in there!

Rozzie said...

I really feel for you, Weave. It says a lot for you as a person that you have so many friends who are so willing to drive you places (for lunch etc).

But I do understand how you feel. It is coming up to 7 years now since I lost the ability to drive and I do miss it sorely. If anything happened to my beloved Mark, I'd be up the proverbial creek...

Cro Magnon said...

Is this why you're known locally as 'Fangio'?

Librarian said...

It sounds like everything went really well, with all your appointments on time and the taxi as well. And once you're in Leyburn, things will be much closer to get to, I imagine.
As I have never had a car (or a driving license), I am so used to depending on public transport or my own two feet. My shopping is always only as much as I can carry on foot, and when I pack for a trip it is always in a way that I can handle my entire luggage on my own. Also, I have always lived close enough to the train station and shops so that I could walk - living in the country would be nicer under many aspects, but totally impractical without a car.
So I guess, for you not being able to drive would be the same as for me not being able to walk, severely limiting my radius of activity.

Alphie Soup said...

Not being able to drive certainly makes a difference to your day.

Alphie

Virginia said...

I'm sorry it 'took it out of you Weaver', but probably the slow walk was good for you. And, what a nice man, and he will be feeling happy because he managed a Good Deed For The Day. That always makes me feel at least as good as the recipient! Thank goodness it was a fine day - and you didn't need to rush. You've made me feel guilty - which I should. My lung specialist has said I should walk every day, and it's been such a cold spring I just haven't been doing nearly enough. I'll pull my socks up and do one tomorrow - it's wet and cold and 6.30pm here now so I"m not really procrastinating!! Really!!

Hope tomorrow sees you feeling energised.

Anonymous said...

Too much has happened to you this year! I'm not surprised that you are feeling a sense of frustration
and lack of freedom.
When you have moved you will be able to make some choices of your own and assert your own identity.
Though everything that you've faced this year you've shown enormous courage.
We have just had to make an extremely difficult decision which will curtail our independence so although
I can't imagine how you feel and wouldn't assume to do so, I sympathise.
Hopefully you have some good friends that you can let of steam with sometimes.
I'm sure that you are not a "moaner" so they will not mind and I suspect that you help plenty of people so that they will be delighted to be able to help you for a while.
As another poster said it does one good to be able to help and to feel the satisfaction of easing someone's day. Sue

The Weaver of Grass said...

No test Tom - just a period without a TIA (I am on blood-thinning medication) and the say so of the specialist.

thelma said...

Think I can only echo what Rachel said, things will get better. I had to inject for a long time with blood-thinners (it damn well hurt ;) but remembered my son did it several times every day. Losing one's independence must be a real downer but hopefully once moved they will allow you to drive again. Fingers crossed. X

Heather said...

It must be so frustrating not to be able to use your car - hopefully the specialist will reverse his decision before long, and I am sure your lovely friends are only too happy to find ways of helping you out.

Linda Metcalf said...

I don't think I could function if I didn't have my license. It would take a lot of planning!

Bea said...

To be without your own transport in an area where you rely on it is very frustrating. In the end, you accomplished what you needed to, and that's a good thing.