In the midst of on-going thunderstorms, health management continues to be our focus and we are still in the same spot on the Gold Coast.
After a series of tests and doctors’ appointments, Chris has been prescribed a mix of meds, heat pads and exercises to reduce pain and inflammation in her spine. There are improvements! We have another checkup next week, and hope to then be given the green light to escape south to Tasmania for a few months. This episode has reinforced in our mind the importance of doing daily exercises without fail, something that had fallen by the wayside until recently. Exercising on board has always been intermittent, with motivation and self-discipline often lacking. However the best way to decrease your pain when you are hurting is to move! Sticking to a fitness routine helps you physically and mentally. So every day, while Wade goes for an early morning surf, Chris does an hour of Yoga and Pilates and we fit in a walk in the afternoon.
It has been a frustrating time, but we are getting through the rough patch. After seven and a half years afloat, including both of us going through cancer treatment while living on Anui, we do know changes are afoot. We will see how things develop, roll with the punches and do what we need to.
Interestingly as we have been going through this health challenge, we found out about another long-time sailing couple currently experiencing similar struggles which have upset their cruising plans, so we are not alone. And worse, we heard that a fit and adventurous cruising acquaintance we had caught up with just a few weeks ago suddenly passed away from a medical episode. He had not returned to his boat from a dinghy trip ashore and was found by his wife dead on a beach. It is a sobering reminder that our bodies are fragile, and nothing is forever. So folks, take care of your health and attend to problems as they present themselves. Don’t defer, don’t ignore, don’t wait. And secondly, life is short and unpredictable. Do what you want to do now, because there is no assurance you will be able to in the future.
We’ll see what next week brings… and whether the weather plays nice. We are praying for northerlies to be able to escape! Right now the forecast is for southerlies and more daily thunderstorms. Although the worst of them are staying a few kilometers from us, the thunder and lightning shows are frighteningly violent and loud, shaking the whole boat. It is another reason we are eager to leave South East Queensland, a region lashed by severe storms at this time of year.
Sv-Anui 
Wow, that storm looks very dangerous, guys, it has that eerie green glow which means hail and tornadoes here. I am glad that Chris can find some help and relief from the pain. I have three herniated lumbar that can flare up at any time, terribly painful. I hope that you guys can get underway very soon for Tasmania! 🙏🏻😎❤️
Hi John, worn disks are no fun and you would be in a lot of pain when they flare up! Don’t you love aging?! The storms have been violent and you feel a bit vulnerable’ but hopefully we can leave soon.
I recall feeling fearful of some storms in Michigan, that eerie green sky and the huge hailstones pounding everything. Scary! Aging is frankly painful, it sucks! I want my 22 year old body back!
We totally agree. Join the club 😹 I’d even take a 40 YO body!
I agree! That’s 23 years ago… Time, please stand still!
Love your work keep well.
Greg & Vicki
SV Aqualibrium
Hi Guys, hope you are having fun on your new cat!
Some very wise words there, to do it while you can.
Hope the escape path opens up soon.
We are getting closer to the starting blocks, Graham!
Spot on with your advice, Chris! Glad that you are starting to make some headway. The storms seem to have come early this year and it seems that the GC has experienced more than here on the SC. We will head down to Victoria for Summer again too. Hopefully the winds will change direction soon so you can head off.
Hi Jan,
Yes the storms are bad every year here. Can’t wait to get away. We have ended up stuck on the Gold Coast in summer for the past 3 years so it will be nice to break the spell!
Great to hear you’re finding some solutions for your back, Chris. ‘Move it or lose it’ is doubly important on the boat and yet it’s not always easy to do…
My physio signed me up to an exercise app – I can set multiple reminders to keep annoying me through the day until I’ve completed all the sequences. Crazy that an app can keep me motivated, but it’s working so far.
You may yet over take us heading south as we’re doing battle with our generator and waiting on spare parts. At least the storms down here are relatively benign compared with those SE Qld monsters. Glad they’ve skirted around you and hopefully you’ll be south bound soon!!
Hi Helene, the app is really helpful. I use Asana Rebel for Yoga, meditation and even dietary help, and the physio App for specific exercises. Finding also if I do the routine first thing before breakfast I don’t make excuses later!
No good about your generator… rather important for your set up! We’ll keep an eye on where you are. Intending to stop for a few days at Yamba and Port Macquarie first and day hop the rest.
Sorry to hear about your chronic pain Chris. That’s a bummer, best wishes in managing that.
At least the Gold Coast is not a bad place to work-out/ monitor health issues. We had a flat there for a year or so on Paradise Island (misnomer), and for someone who hates urban environments, having the surf right there, it wasn’t too bad.
Here’s hoping for fair northerlies for you!
Hi Guys, yes the GC is excellent for medical facilities which is why we concentrate all our health follow ups here. And with the ocean on one side and the rainforest up the hill it is quite handy but it’s not where we would choose to live. Too busy and too many high rises!
We are watching the weather and will be out of here ASAP.
I forgot to mention the beauty of the hinterland. Pity north coast NSW doesn’t have the rural lake systems of sthn Vic. to park a yacht comfortably. Hard finding a good long term land base with the nice climate. Yamba’s nice ….
It’s really difficult to get a berth in a marina so Coffs and the Northern Rivers region are not workable for us. However Yamba is very nice. A canal/river frontage property with a pontoon in front to park Anui would be fantastic and doable. We’ll see how things develop!
I hope your back pain improves! I had a little knee incident last week when I twisted my upper body but didn’t move my feet with it. Yikes. My knee made a funny sound and it’s been sore. Once my doctor told me that “motion is lotion” for the muscles. But the last thing I want to do when I hurt is to move.
Thanks Esther for following our ups and downs. Yes sometimes it is hard to know the right thing to do and it is tough to push through the pain to get the improvements.
You’re welcome! I like how how in the blogging sphere we read about people’s experiences and can commiserate and encourage each other.
I understand what you mean about how tough it is to push through the pain before you see improvements. It is painful indeed but it’s the hope of relief that keeps the person going.
Totally agree.
Keep moving and get well friends
Hoping to soon!
Maybe Anui could end up back where she started on the Clarence. Hope you guys get going soon. Yes we have to enjoy what we have left. We are in Singapore about to board a cruise 🚢 back to Brisbane.
Cheers Mick & Lyn
Exactly! Yamba is a nice spot. We even saw Medina when we drove there… looking nice with the sign writing!
Have had continuous email problems with a borrowed laptop on wi-fi and new name! This is just a try!!!
Ok – got it! Excited to get this even if it’s just a test! Hugs 🤗
With a very red face – please, please, please blame WordPress and cancel all bar one!!!!! Shall be back the moment you publish!
Done! WordPress has been very painful to a few of our followers of late! Not sure what’s going on!