Thursday 17 June 2021

Fox News

No, not the US TV station I won't recommend you watch, but news about the fox mentioned and shown in my previous post.

The letter my sister wrote to our local newspaper was printed unabridged, word for word, next to another reader's letter about the same topic. On social media, all hell broke lose, and even PETA (an animal protection organisation) spoke up for "our" fox. The next day, another article in the paper followed. Now all of a sudden everyone agrees that the fox is not dangerous, and even if the palace grounds manager still sticks to his opinion that the park is not the right place for this kind of wildlife, there is no talk of having the fox shot anymore. Instead, they will try to catch it and move it elsewhere. Also, just in passing, the article mentions that shooting foxes is not allowed between April and August anyway. Duh!

So, yes, Hooray!!! Our fox seems to be safe for the moment. Hopefully, nobody will put poisoned food out to make it look like the fox just "disappeared".

 

In other news, I have had my eye surgery (left eye) on Tuesday morning. All went well. I am fine, still with a bit of discomfort (as was to be expected) but not in too much pain. The check-up on Wednesday morning showed nothing unusual, but it could be that things turn out even better than what the operation aimed for: From -14, my eyesight has been tested at -1,75 yesterday morning, with the original aim at -2,5!

It is VERY difficult and exhausting to have one eye still at -9 and the other freshly operated and at -1,75. I am allowed to read, watch TV and use the computer as long as I feel fine with it, but of course I can do only so much and only for a short time. I am also allowed to walk (I had to, in order to get to my check-up appointment and back), but nothing strenuous, and I have to be very careful with too much light.

Before: Monday evening, last meal before the operation.

After: Tuesday around 11:30, back home after the operation.

After: Wednesday after check-up.

Summer flowers in my mini garden.

Flowers delivered from Mum & Dad.

So I am spending my time like a vampire in a darkened flat, moving around a bit but resting a lot, which is the best I can do now that we have temperatures around 30 Celsius anyway.

My Mum came visiting yesterday, followed an hour or so later by my sister. Flowers were delivered from my Mum and Dad, and my sister took the faded spring flowers out of the mini-garden she gave me for my birthday in March and planted summer flowers for me.

Everybody is looking out for me, and I feel very well cared for.

Don't be fooled by my "complete" look - it will take weeks before I will be able to do more than half an hour or so at the computer, and I am determined not to let work get in the way of my full recovery. My eyes are too important to risk any negative long-term effects, if I can help it!

Next Monday, I will see my usual doctor (the first check-up was at the hospital where I was operated). And now, it is time for breakfast!

32 comments:

  1. I am very pleased that your eye operation went so well. It was kind of your parents to give you those flowers but what vampires really need is blood! I am also pleased to hear that the local paper printed your sister's fox letter and that it has helped to stir up some active fox support. I am currently drinking tea from a mug which has two words on it "FOR" and "SAKE". In between them there is a cartoon image of a fox's head. Do you get it?

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    1. Yes, I get it, Neil :-D
      Blood? Well, in that case, let me pretend to be a vegetarian Vampire!

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    2. We prefered champagne, instead of blood.....

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    3. I'd love to have a mug like that, Neil! I'd take it work with me and sip tea from it. ;)

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  2. Aaarrrh! Jim Lad. (hope you get the reference).

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  3. Glad the fox got a reprieve. Do be careful with your eyes and do as the doctor says.

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    1. Me too, Thelma!
      I am very good at following instructions to the dot, and I fared well with that in 2018 after my retina operation.

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  4. So very glad the operation went well. Can just imagine how difficult it is to read/see with such a wide variance in vision between your eyes. Very fatiguing, I would guess. My eyes have different measures for both distance and reading, but not as significant as what you are facing at the moment. Do pamper yourself and take all the time and measures necessary to allow your eye to properly heal. Kudos to the family for taking care of you.

    Good news on The Palace Fox! Hope they find a nice new home for Prince/Princess Fox--perhaps in a remote castle ruin in the Black Forest. :)

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    1. It is difficult, but I can handle things here at home well because I know everything and where everything is. Cutting a slice of bread or similar is tricky, and I need to concentrate really hard on that, but practise makes it easier, and I guess over the next two weeks, I will steadily improve.

      Prince or Princess Fox - I like that! :-)

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  5. Glad your surgery went well. You are doing a good job of following the doctor's orders which is so important. Rest, relax and recover smoothly!

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    1. Resting, relaxing and recovering - there is not much more I can do right now, and it is even easier because it is so hot outside that I really do not feel like going for a walk anyway. (And that's coming from me...!)

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  6. Well done for the fox! And I'm glad your surgery was successful. I hope you heal quickly and well!

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    1. Thank you, Jeanie. All is looking good at the moment.

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  7. First and foremost dear Meike, thankful knowing your surgery has been done, went well with what sounds like great success, and that you will have better vision once completely healed. Do take care during the healing process.
    Your flower gifts are lovely - and your family so sweet and thoughtful.
    Regarding the palace fox, certainly shouldn't be a problem if people leave him/her alone. We've had many foxes here in our small garden over the years, several had litters of kits - up to 5 at a time - under the potting shed and gazebo. They eventually moved on but we still see one occasionally in the area. Do you have rabies in Germany? It is a problem here so we do need to be watchful with wild animals - and people have been bitten by foxes in our area which is not good!

    Take care, rest a lot, and be well again soon.
    Hugs - Mary & Bob

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    1. My family and friends are the best one can wish for, dear Mary and Bob! And when I say friends, I also mean my friends in the blogosphere, of course.

      Yes, we have rabies in Germany. I am not sure how much of a problem it currently is, but I would not want to risk finding out for myself!

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  8. Meike, I am so very happy and relieved to hear that your eye surgery was successful! Please take very good care of yourself while things heal. It's so good to hear how everyone is looking out for you, and the flowers your parents sent are so beautiful!

    Wonderful news about the fox! Thank you for the update.

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    1. Thank you, my friend!

      I did not doubt the positive outcome of my surgery but of course there is always a risk we need to face with health matters, and I am very glad that so far, everything is going as well as can be expected.

      We are happy about the fox being spared! It deserves our respect, not our bullets.

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  9. I was thinking it was about the time for your first eye surgery. I'm so glad and thankful that it has been successfully completed! It is wonderful that you have your family there to help you and give you that all important family love. The flowers from your parents are beautiful and cheerful! It is also so sweet that your sister planted summer flowers in your garden. You are very wise to not to let work get in the way of your healing from the surgery. Your eyesight is important!

    I am so happy to hear about the fox. Congratulations to you, your sister and everyone else for the letters and support for that fox. You have saved his life!

    Rest and take care of yourself!

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    1. Thank you, Bonnie, so are we!

      It is at times like that when I appreciate even more how close I live to my parents and my sister. My mini garden is coming along nicely, and I have been moving the flowers from my parents around with me so that I can always look at them whether I am in the kitchen or elsewhere.

      My sister's letter was written minutes after she saw the article in the paper, and hers was just the start of a flood of reactions. Good to know the park manager saw sense eventually!

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  10. Like your other friends and readers, I am sorry you have some pain, and glad to hear that you can read and walk. No wonder you are exhausted.
    Any operation is daunting as my mother used to say, and she had six children.

    You looked a wee bit delicate on Tuesday, but so much better on Wednesday, a great photo.
    So pleased to hear that work will not get in the way of recovery.
    And the visit from your mother and father was the best tonic of all, along with the flowers.

    Eyesight is a gift from the universe whether or not the universe is aware of us.
    When I am out walking I suddenly wake up to the miracle of that gift, which may be why we dream in such vivid images.
    Keep on getting well !
    Jack Haggerty

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    1. I was in some pain only on Tuesday afternoon, but had a good and pain-free night after that. As you say, it was obvious on Wednesday that I was feeling much better.
      Now I need patience and have to be careful not to overdo things, as is my habit when I feel good.

      My father can not make it over to my place anymore without someone taking him by car or a taxi. But my Mum says he was in a very good and cheerful mood all day when he heard of how well my operation went. I will try and walk over to their house before the week is over, but it has to be a little less hot for that. At the moment, I need to be careful with heat and sunlight.

      Thank you, Jack. I am determined to get well, with my eyesight being better than it was ever since I was a little girl of seven and got my first pair of specs.

      Eyesight is indeed a gift, too precious to risk for something like work.

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  11. It all sounds good so far - long may it continue.

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    1. I'm a little less optimistic today but that's mainly because I have not slept well; it's been 34C during the day and never went below 21 over night.

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  12. All the very best. I'm sure you will listen to all the advice. It's good to have family and friends around at times like this.

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    1. Thank you, Dave. Yes, it makes a big difference to have them nearby.

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  13. Glad to hear the eye op went well! I'm just curious about the Wednesday photo with your glasses back on - have you already had a new glass fitted for the operated eye, or how on earth do you manage? (as I'm thinking the old glass must be totally wrong now?)

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    1. The old glass is indeed totally wrong now, but it is too early yet to fit a new, proper glass for the operated eye; it is still healing and changing.
      My optician fitted me a provisorial one to make things easier in the meantime, but I must say I (literally!) can't get my head round it - I actually find it easier to wear my computer specs at the moment, wrong glass and all, or no specs at all.

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  14. So glad that everything went well and that the family are looking after you so magnificently. Eyesight is very precious so it is good that you are proceeding with care.
    Aah, you know what I think about foxes! A young fox, so pretty, a mature fox - watch out ducks!

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    1. I am now a bit less optimistic than I was on Wednesday, but we shall see what my own doctor says today.
      Anyway, after we have had plenty of rain and the night as cooled off nicely, much better sleep was possible and I feel accordingly.

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  15. Hooray for both your eye and the lucky fox!

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