Challenges

We all face challenges in our lives, some are major and affect us drastically, whilst others are minor everyday matters to be dealt with.

I already spoke to you about the challenge of making our staycation enjoyable, which we did. July was particularly hot this year and we made use of the pool on many occasions, sometimes three times a day. It was particularly pleasing to jump, oh okay painfully and slowly descend the ladder in my case, into the pool for ten minutes just before bed. It was beautifully refreshing to just dry off and get straight into bed.

So, those of you, my dear readers, who have been following my blogs will know that I am suffering with arthritis and osteoarthritis and am currently waiting for hip replacement surgery. Firstly, I must say that I have always had nothing but admiration for the Spanish Health Service, especially in comparison to the now ailing NHS in the UK.

However, my patience has been sorely tried recently. In April I was scheduled for the surgery and was told that it probably would not be until October, this was what caused us to cancel our summer holiday. In September we went to the hospital to see if they had the list of October surgeries available. I was extremely unhappy when I was told that October was out of the question, and the surgery was more likely to be at the end of December or January. Pointing out the fact that on my paperwork authorising surgery I had a guarantee for it to be completed within 120 days, which had already passed, merely caused the receptionist to shrug her shoulders and say there were many others waiting in front of me.

Although I have total sympathy for anyone suffering as I do, I have to admit I entered selfish mode. John and I researched our options and so far have completed complaint forms delivered to the hospital and on receiving no response have now complained to the Junta de Andalucía requesting immediate response to our first complaints. I have also completed a form requesting that I be sent to a private hospital at their expense, which by law I have the right to do. This is proving to be a real challenge!

Writing this blog on my tablet is about the most I can do, so book 3 is still on hold. However, I am able to read. On the app Goodreads I set myself a challenge in 2021 to read 12 books, I failed miserably only getting through 3. I seemed to miss the challenge last year but, this year I have read 17 books, two more than the challenge of 15 I had set myself.

I am currently re-reading War and Peace by Tolstoy and thoroughly enjoying it, and I already know what is next on the list, Don Quixote by Cervantes which will get me ready for the holiday next year in Castilla La Mancha.

So, don’t shy away from challenges but make the most of them, rise to them, embrace them and you will find it can strengthen your character, and you will feel better about yourself, knowing you have done all that you can.