John's Blog

 Today is an important day on two parts. Firstly it marks the "Gotcha day" - the day the dog we rescued from Cyprus arrived in our home in the UK and met us for the first time 7 years ago. She is still going strong and running and playing like she was back then and very much loved by us all. Secondly, it is the day before the day I am going home for a Christmas break from hospital. Now this is a temporary trip and I will be returning to hospital in a few days, but it is a trial of how I will survive at home, and feedback important information to help plan any future needs for when I go home permantly. Importantly, I will get to see my family, friends,and my dog at home for the first time in 9 months. I will cherish it. Happy Christmas everyone. #happyholidays  #happychristmas  #happyfriday  #content  

What do all these phrases have in common? ✅ The best weeks start on Monday. ✅ Use it and improve it. ✅ The difference between try and triumph is a little umph! ✅ If it doesnt challenge you it doesnt change you. ✅ Exercise is medicine. ✅ Hustle for the muscle. ✅ Motion is lotion. ✅ Life has its ups and downs.  - we call them squats. Answer They are all phrases my Physiotherapists have said to me when times have been tough during my Rehabilitation. I am going to pin this list on my desktop and glance at it during the challenging times ahead.  I am sure their meaning will motivate me, maybe it could for you too? #motivation #mondaymotivation #challenges #timesaretough #coaching #helpandsupport

✅ What went well.... Well.... I have my health, my family and some redecorated rooms in our home that I am yet to see in person! I made some new connections on LinkedIn, some of which write excellent articles on here that I am trying to emulate - Steve Mazey and Dr Jacqui Rigby spring to mind as two. And I do reccomend the latter's Curious Friday articles... ❎ What didn't go so well.. Here is the big one, the vast majority of 2023 have been taken up with me being in hospital. Currently I am learning to walk again, and talk again following a major operation and accident. During this time I have : - Suffered a heart attack - Been on Dialysis  - Suffered from multiple blood clots - Nearly died twice.  - Lost the use of and regaining back the use of one arm and leg  ❤‍🩹What can be improved.... 2023 has been one big challenge for me and my family.. We have grown stronger together and my lifestyle has and will improve as I strive to be healthier for my own good.  At some point In 20

As I travel along the path of healing after a hospital operation, the importance of family cannot be overstated. The support and care provided by my family is right up there with the support the NHS have provided on my path to recovery. Having family around during the recovery process has given me the emotional and mental support and encouragement to never give up. Hospital stays can be isolating and has been emotionally challenging,  having my wife and family visit, bring gifts, news, stories has helped me stay connected to the outside world, it also helps your family remain connected to me and my progress along the road to recovery. My wife in particular has been by my side all through this, the bad and the good, beside my bed, she has documented my road to recovery in a personal journal with pictures, part of me wants to read it for final closure, part of me is scared to and part of me thinks it would make a very good book! I cannot express in words how much I am so happy I have a s

As we enter December 2023 it is a poignant time in my recovery, firstly it is nearly 9 months I've spent in hospital being cared for by the amazing #NHS Here at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford UK and now the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre NHS Trust again here in Oxford UK. Both trailblazing and excellent institutions. Christmas this year is a particularly emotional time because for the first time in 9 months I will be well enough to have a "day release" or specifically spend some time at home with my family over the Christmas period, at home. I am looking forward to this time with all my heart and soul and once again I would like to thank the amazing NHS for the care they have given me this year. The staff in particular  #Nurses, #careassistant, #physiotherapist, #occupationaltherapist, #speechtherapist, #doctors and #psychotherapist  This year, Chris Rea's song "Driving home for Christmas" has a particular meaning and parts of it being tears of happiness a

Firstly this article is an experiment in a new tool I have found for content creation management so this is a TEST!! While I iron out any issues. Secondly I will go over the tools and where I found them. Thirdly this is an honest article and I am not employed or being rewarded by either of the companies mentioned. I found these tools on Product Hunt, this is a website and app that is a collection and promotion tool for new products that have just been released. It's been around for a while and you may recognise some of the big name products on there (Atom Editor, Electron, Sublime Text etc).  It was on here that I came across the tool I am evaluating now. Buffer (https://www.buffer.com) Buffer is a social media tool that enables you to - Create ideas and draft content  - Create and track posts from drafts  - Build up a queue of content to publish  - Schedule your posts to be posted on future dates and times - Collaborate with colleagues on on posts  Now the best feature I like is t