Journal

In my last entry I promised to revisit the topic of my increased energy levels after my holiday.

The obvious reason is going on holiday. Being away from home is good for me. It makes me realize how much time I spend at home and how important it is to get out of the house regularly. At the moment that's easy, I'm out at the play ground almost everyday with my son or we go into town to have an ice cream and watch the world go by. Summer is definitely my favorite time of the year.

This trip to SA made realize how Dutch and European I am and how proud I am of that fact. Up to now I felt 'mainly' Dutch (with a dash of South African ;-). I have a big family over there and lots of homes, but the country itself is not home. Holland is. Reaching this realization has given me peace of mind, it's something I do not have to ponder anymore.

But I think the biggest contributor to my energy boost is feeling wanted by others besides my wife and son. Uncles, aunts and cousins were very happy to see ME and I was glad to see them. And there were a few I spent more time with and was able to support in their troubles. I had not felt so useful in a while. Since I'm back I have been able to do a lot of DIY jobs around the house and it that is satisfying. But I get more energy being around people whose company I enjoy.

I want to end this journal entry with a quote I found during my holiday. It is a quote from the greatest South African, Nelson Mandela. When I read it, I knew I had to share it with my friends on DS, who heroically live with the beast called RA:

"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." 

I'm back! And a lot has happened, so let me get started.

South Africa was great, we had a great time, it was good to see the family and even though it's fall down there, the weather was good. I saw (almost) all my family and it was great to catch up. Just to be clear, it is quite a feat to see my whole family in 2 weeks, by last count I have 160 uncles, aunts, cousins (including spouses and kids). I spent more time with some than others, but I enjoyed every minute. My son did not know what hit him, suddenly he met all these unknown uncles and aunts, but very quickly discovered the upside: Lots and lots of attention! He had a ball, but had a bit of a tough week after we came back, when his parents had to clamp down and get him back into his routine. He's fine now and enjoying the warmer weather as much as I am.

On the down side, my wife was ill almost the entire trip. It started with a back problem and soon included abdmonial pain. Her treatment over there consistent of a trip to the emergency room and back massages from a blind Chinese gentleman. After we got back we eventually (after several trips to the GP, ER and many bloodtests and echos) found out it's her galbladder. It does not look like there are stones, but they can't rule it out completely either. She has an appointment with the gastro specialist on Wednesday, so fingers crossed they'll find out what's causing this. In the meantime she has to take it easy, not an easy thing to do if you have your own business.

RA wise, I am doing very well. I have to do more than usual since my better half is not well, and I have been able to repond without a major flare. I had less pain and felt great in SA, a contintal climate does wonders for my RA and the altitude was a positive influence as well. Johannesburg stands at 1700 meters (sorry, metric ;-) and I noticed the effect of this when I went to the gym. They had the same Technogym equipment I use at my gym at home, but it felt heavier! So back in NL, when I went back to the gym, I was flying! The exercises were easier, lighter. Apparently my red bloodcel count went up being at a high altitude and made me feel like Superman! (ok, Superman with RA, but still...). This effect lasts for two weeks and I felt it waver last week, but I still feel great. I feel like I have lots of energy. The reason I have not been on DS since I'm back, is because I am doing more stuff. I am writing a lot more, I have doing some DIY around the house and garden. We bought a painting in SA from an artist named Kaan Kostepen, I've uploaded a picture. Anyway, we bought a table to match the frame, new lights, the list goes on...

I'm not sure where this burst of energy exactly came from, but I'll save my theories on that for my next journl entry (how's that for a cliff hanger?)

I'm happy to be back and able to share with my friends on DS, I missed you all.

Ferhaan

 It's been quite a week here in our group. Some dolt named herworstnightmare was the cause of it, with a poorly worded post (enough has been said about that). The positive outcome of this post is that it brought us closer together. It was heartwarming to see how everybody rallied around to protect the integrity of our group.

My wife was surprised at the amount of people who reacted to it and that got me thinking. It's clear the post upset a number of people, including me, and they responded in the way DS intended us to respond; by replying to the post. I think it was great that everyone who wanted to or felt they had to, felt this platform gave them the freedom to do so.

I feel very proud and happy to be part of this group, it is my virtual home. And it is the people in the group who make it a home.

It has been a great week in the non-virtual world. The weather has been great the past week, warm and sunny. I felt good, had more energy and was able to do more. I was doing a spot of gardening when my son surprised his parents as he sometimes does. He had not shown that much interest in his bike (with training wheels) untill last week. But Saturday, he got on and just rode away! I was stunned! Then I got my wits about me and ran after him, before hewent around the corner. Since then, all he wants to do is ride his bike. His horizon is expanding and it's awesome to see him discover the world.

My 'torture session' with my physical therapist went well, my shoulder feels a lot better. I'll get another treatment next week on the day we leave for sunny South Africa for a 2 week holiday. I can hardly wait, I haven't seen most of that family in 7 years. Even though they are more excited to see the little one than my wife and I, it's going to be a lot of fun ;-)