Lets bring everyone up to speed. It's July 2008, and approaching the one year anniversary of the stroke that started all this. As you may already know, in October 2007 I returned to the UK with mother (who also had a broken ankle) for convalescence and to recuperate – recovery takes time, and while I was conservatively hoping one year would be a good target, it rapidly began to look more like two. Things came to a grinding halt for a while – for two months I relaxed and basically did nothing, this resulted in deterioration of left-side muscle tissue and enhanced weakness. When we eventually did get going again, it was journeying to Cannock Hospital twice a week – a one hour journey each way with the old man. There I relaxed in the company of others, however conversation was not actively encouraged, and there were few staff to cope with the number of visitors, resulting in boredom and annoyance. We had physiotherapists, who were able but encouraged slow progression and improvement of muscles, which didn't work that well.

21st February 2008, and everything changed when, during a chess match with one of the staff, a seizure hit. When I came to I was on my back receiving oxygen, and later learned that while this was technically a grand mal major event, it was not directly witnessed. The seizure set me back by several weeks, causing both physical and mental difficulties. In addition, an EEG at Stafford Hospital revealed significant changes, leading them to begin a prescription of Lamotrigine the same day! Over the next few weeks the dosage was gradually increased, but did not prevent further seizures on April 23rd, June 5th and July 4th. Each one had differing results – the April one seemed to 'reboot' me, I was much more alert and able, pushing the boundaries and getting stronger. The June seizure was another setback, perhaps not as far but still noticeable. This latest one could be classed as another reboot event, hopefully the last.

Wine and roses? I wish. The dosage has only recently stabilized at 200mg, split into 100mg twice a day. I feel... unsteady. From not long after surfacing until my head hits the pillow, I feel a sensation telling me to relax, to take it easy, preferably by lying down on the sofa. The back of my head itches. When I hit the bathroom, at the moment of stream release I feel another sensation, one could almost call it your brain thinking 'that may not be the best thing to do'. You can try to ignore it, but eventually (an hour or two) the need increases, until there is no other option. I hope and pray that, as occurred when the dosage rose to 100mg/day (headaches on/off that dissipated after few weeks), this problem will go away and I can go back to recovery full-time.

Meanwhile, since early April we have been fortunate enough to gain the services of a new home physiotherapist, who charges a decent price but provides significant results – as a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy she understands exactly what needs work to allow more a natural movement – apart from breaks to allow recovery from seizure, I'm showing remarkable progress, with daily exercises to perform that increase control and ability with each passing day. I dont know how far this can go or where it will end – it is doubtful I'll get 100% activity back – but I'm game to see how far I can get. :)

As one year approaches – here's to continued recovery, and hopefully a return to work before long. I don't know what the future holds, there are many points to consider, including calls to a certain embassy to discover if I can stay here longer, or if a holiday is required to continue permanent residence.

Hasta la vista, baby.