Saturday 16 January 2021

2021 Week 2 -Time for surgery

I cancelled surgery before the new year as Peter wasn't able to get back to Dubai from Saudi, we managed a whole week together then disaster hit last week with me spending 3 days in hospital with a slipped disc.

This week was the surgery went ahead, all good, hopefully getting on top of my iron deficiency anaemia through this route. Just the high white blood cell count, that's crept up again to deal with and I should be good to go for the next 50 years. I had a sore throat after being intubated during an hours surgery, how people who have been ventilated for days/weeks/months are coping I do not know, their recovery from covid must be horrendous.

I'm getting fed up with people commentating about the virus in Dubai, it's not Dubai I'm worried about catching it in. I was planning to isolate on my return to the UK anyway and have a food order delivery arranged for the day after I get back. Plus I'm required to take a PCR test before I can fly anyway.

Most people visiting Dubai are staying with family and friends or are being sponsored for long stays with work, regardless of whether people consider Influencing an actual job. Whilst their posting picture of their *hashtag Insta, glam, style etc I'm posting pictures of the ironing I've done that day.

Due to strict restrictions and the rules being enforced by law here in the UAE, that apart from wearing a mask other than when you've seated at a table, everything is pretty much back to normal. I've been in hospital, had surgery, been to a major sporting event (another is booked next week) been out for dinner, done the weekly food shop, the nail bar, hair cut, stayed in hotels, been on the beach, used public transport, got my covid vaccine and 2nd jab due next week and had 3 negative PCR tests. 

9 Saturday Still on bed rest for my back, where I spent the morning, then off to the hospital for surgery a couple of biopsies in an attempt to get to the bottom of my iron levels. Went well and home by 8pm, couldn't sleep and throat was as sore as anything after being intubated for an hour. Can't begin to imagine what it is like for people who have been ventilated for days, weeks and months with covid.

View from my hospital window


10 Sunday Up and about today and went out with Peter for a coffee. Feel incredibly nauseous and light headed though so back on the bed for the rest of the day, propped up on pillows sorting out banking and other issues.

View from my bedroom balcony at home


11 Monday Over did it today with 2 loads of washing and a short walk to the local shops for milk, so back in bed for the rest of the day.

Daytime view


12 Tuesday Peter dropped me at Mall of the Emirates so I could do some shopping. I managed a coffee then came home on the new metro route which opened last week. I'm alright walking and standing up, it's sitting down I struggle with. Home and into bed for the rest of the day.

New entrance at Mall fo the Emirates


13 Wednesday It took me all day to do the ironing, the first chore I've attempted since I hurt my back 10 days ago. We went out for dinner at the Polo Club and won the pub quiz.


14 Thursday I had an invite to meet a small group of women at Dubai Marina for coffee, had a lovely time and it had me reflecting on the fact it's been 10 years now since we started our expat journey. The rest of the day was spent in bed and the evening on the sofa.

Struggling to find Gluten Free products in the supermarket


15 Friday We went out for Brunch, slightly different as we're not allowed to select our own buffet food, it's now on a menu, so restricted options but still just as lovely. It saved me getting up and down and hurting my back. I finished the medication 2 days ago so a few drinks were in order and home to sleep the after effects off.


On the blog this week:

My Sunday Photo - The New Metro Line opens

Post Comment Love - A weekly linky I co-host

Reflections on 10 years an expat



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20 comments:

  1. I am glad the surgery went well.
    It sounds like Dubai have done things right when it comes to the virus. It is great that things are just about back to normal.
    I love all of your views especially the one you had while you were having brunch! Wow! x

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    1. Thank you Kim, it certainly is different with the virus here in Dubai to the UK, will be strange to return

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  2. What an amazing restaurant view. Glad the op went ok, and hopefully your recovery will continue to be positive.

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  3. Glad the op went well, let's hope that your iron issues can finally be brought under control. I think your people tolerance levels are going to be sorely tested when you get back here #365

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    1. oh i know my patience will be tested to the limits as from next week

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  4. So glad your surgery went well. Good luck dealing with the covidiots in the UK! Life seems so normal and relaxed in Dubai compared to here. #project365

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  5. Glad that the surgery went well and is hopefully helping get on top of your iron-deficiency anaemia and hope that you are now fully recovered and your back is much better too. It sounds like Dubai is doing a better job of managing Covid than we are over here! Lovely to meet up with some other women for coffee and go out for brunch. I miss being able to do things like that! #project365

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    1. it is lovely to be able to go out with a bit more freedom, but still have to socially distance etc. My back is fully recovered now

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  6. So glad your surgery went well. I hope you are feeling better now. It sounds like Covid is under control there. It feels like we are at the start of our journey again here. It might get some taking used to when you are back in the UK #365

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    1. I think it'll be a big shock when i get back to the uk

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  7. Glad to hear the surgery went well, I hope they get to the bottom of your iron levels. I cannot wait to things to get back to normal here

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  8. Glad the surgery went well, sorry about the throat. Hope your back is feeling better? Sounds like Dubai has done the right thing with the virus with things almost back to normal. Wish we could say the same here! I always fancied going from brunch when we visited will have to try if we visit again.

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    1. Brunch is very different these days, with a menu rather than selecting your own food

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  9. Good news about your surgery! Hope you're feeling better now. It sounds like Dubai did the right measures, if things are almost back to normal. Lovely to go out and meet with friends, and have lunch with Peter. The view from the restaurant is pretty amazing, though it would give me a vertigo, as I'm not good with heights.

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    1. I'm not good with heights either but can cope with enclosed spaces that don't move

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  10. I am glad your starting to feel better after your surgery. Love the picture of the blue sky! So bitterly cold here, lap up the sunshine. Sounds like you have much more freedom in Dubai, I keep hoping things will change here. Although its probably doing my bank account more good with everything closed.

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    1. My bank account is benefitting also with restricted travel. It has been nice to be back in Dubai, but cold now I'm back here in the UK

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