August update.

Our patient has improved over the past few months. The crisis phase is over and we're into a recovery phase of unknown duration. Weekly medical consultations and daily medications have restored equilibrium, effectively flattening the highs and lows, but more time and effort is needed to regain full health and independence. Ben has spent much of the past few months in our kitchen and occupied himself with yoga, breathing exercises, dance practice, eating well, tidying and cleaning. We visit the shops every few days; to buy groceries and eat in the food courts. He doesn't like to read and watching videos makes his neck uncomfortable. He does like to draw occasionally. Decisions, even basic ones like what to wear, are difficult to make. Social visits and outings with friends are rare. The most recent invitation was rescinded at the last minute leaving him all dressed up with nowhere to go. The substitute was evening yoga practice in the kitchen with dad. To break the routine, the two of us are heading to Trinity Beach in Queensland for a week.  Ben's looking forward to warm weather, swimming and maybe some fishing.

Exercises.

Yoga, stretching and breathing exercises take place at various times during the day, either before meals or no sooner than two hours after. The breathing exercises* require simple devices and hence are solitary activities. Participants are most welcome for yoga and stretching. Usually there's one extra participant but we've had up to three, which is probably the limit for our kitchen. The parquetry floor is ideal for exercise and a couple of camping mats are useful for floor work.

* The breathing exercises were to aid recovery from a chest operation nearly two years ago. The devices remained unused for a year and a half but, since May, have been unpacked and used every day.