Quiet day.

Before I forget, we reduced the Fentanyl patches by another 25 on Sunday 1st March, so well done kp.

After a poor sleep, we had a lie-in. And then headed to the beach where the plan was for kp to go snorkelling with me.

Unfortunately, it was completely overcast and felt cool (22′C) so once she had felt the water it wasn’t as inviting as it would be if u wanted a cool swim after a hot sunbathe. The water temperature is 24′C.

So we headed back to the hotel picking up supplies (milk, water) en route.

Karen’s mood was on the wane. “Slippery slope” she called it.

I think she needs a more-actioned packed holiday. So we made a note to pick up an excursion leaflet so she had something to aim for.

Lazy day after that. I have changed one of my 2 remaining days into a digital photography course so was reading the training material for that.

By the nighttime Karens mood improved a little when we discussed how we could engineer some snorkelling for her off the boat. She was only going to do 1 more boat day, but now she is coming on both the remaining diving days. We are going to try to get her a dedicated snorkelling instructor, and arrange it so that when everyone else is in the water and the boat is quiet, she then goes in. Fingers crossed we can pull of off.

Last night, Karen expressed a wish to go to the casino so off we went after a lovely drink at the hotel’s rooftop bar. She likes the slots and was very soon about $5 up. I was keen for her to quit at that point but she’d only been doing it 5 mins. So, a bit of an atmosphere developed (my fault). She made the (very valid) point that I had had my fun diving and she wanted to have some fun on the slots. My huff continued.

About 10 mins later, we left a $1 up and with me with $10 worth of guilt. Anyhoo, she accepted my apologies and that I would be less anal if we returned.

A lovely meal after the casino and Karen’s first full meal of the holiday.

So today (day 7), we are planning to try the beach snorkel again, having ruled out all the excursions.

Not the best day today!

It started with Karen waking up and being virtually unable to walk because of pain in her left buttock and groin.

She took some morphine (10mg) and 2 codeine. Her walking was very laboured and quite saddening to watch.

We went for some breakfast but things didn’t improve. Karen was very keen for it not to spoil the day. She was keen to use the day practising her snorkelling. Before the accident, Karen was very comfortable in the water but now she is completely the opposite.

So, taking advantage of the glorious weather, we oiled up and headed to the beach. I went in first and without a wet suit it felt cool at first and I instantly thought kp wouldn’t even make it upto her knees. I had a refreshing snorkel and saw some cornetfish and some parrotfish and thought she’d love it.

So, I went back to pick the limping Karen up and led her to the beach. It all started great and she made it upto chest height in the water-all was good.

So we kitted her up with the snorkel and mask, took a photo and it was time to get her prone. Now, the Red Sea is very salty and when prone face down with a snorkel, you remain totally on the surface, totally buoyant.

And we got her prone no problem and she stayed there for about 10 seconds, but then she vice-gripped my arm, a sure sign she wanted to get upright, which I helped her achieve.

She was very unnerved that she couldn’t right herself but wanted to continue. So she got prone again and I led her by swimming and pulling her to where the cornetfush were hanging out.

But after about 20 seconds, she panicked again but this time we were too deep for me to stand up. So, I had to pull her onto her back and drag her back by pulling her head and swimming at the same time until I could stand up.

Once we were both able to stand up, Karen felt calm again, but didn’t want to try again understandably. We think her new pain made things worse and her inability to get from prone to vertical herself made her very nervous/anxious.

So, no tears yet. We had a bit more time on the beach before heading back for a cup of tea. Once back, the tears started…… She was very disillusioned with how the attempt went, thinking that if she can’t do it from the beach, what chance does she have off a boat. I tried to explain that it would be very different with a lifejacket on and with fins. So , we’re going to leave it for day or so and reassess how her pain is and how she feels about it.

We spent most of the afternoon enjoying the sun by the pool. Karen’s pain is still there, so we’re going to get a KFC in the room in the hope that resting will improve her body.

Upto now she has taken 4x codeine and 5x10mg morphine and the pain is still there. Fingers crossed she’s feeling better tomorrow.

KFC time …..