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Post by EspadaIII on Mar 15, 2020 8:51:49 GMT
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Post by Alanović on Mar 16, 2020 8:21:47 GMT
I tried to learn Arabic after I'd learnt French, German, Russian and Serbo-Croat. It just wouldn't stick. It made Russian look like a friendly, easy language. My daughter is taking mandarin classes at school, but it's only for one year and she'll switch back to French next year. I wonder if any Mandarin will stick long term? Easier for children, languages.
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Rob
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Post by Rob on Mar 21, 2020 2:02:00 GMT
How's your father doing?
I wonder if Alanvic will use this new picture for his work picture? Some are worse IMO.... and cat pictures on internal social media is a no and I love cats.
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Post by EspadaIII on Mar 21, 2020 4:35:49 GMT
Thanks for asking.
He has been recovering from the operation well and hopefully his stitches will come out later this week.
It has taken a week since he came home from hospital, but finally we have a prescription for insulin (which he had in hospital instead of tablets) and tomorrow we visit the diabetic clinic to be taught how to inject. He felt very well on insulin and had a good appetite. He needs to gain weight to cope with future treatments.
On Monday we have an appointment with the out-patients doctor of oncology to review chemotherapy options.
Parallel to that I have been applying for the right to employ a live-in carer and also trying to find one.
Each day has its little set backs but larger successes and yesterday morning I had no idea where and how I was going to find a carer. By 11am I had spoken to three women, two from the Philippines and one Indian who (lockdown restrictions permitting) I will try to meet tomorrow afternoon.
My wife had the idea of overnight leaving WhatsApp video call on permanently. We can potter around the room the phone is in, and talk to each other until we fall asleep. I think we are both very comforted by this as we have been like a pair of lovestruck but separated teenagers, crying each time we try to catch a few minutes during the day. I have never really experienced homesickness and now I know I can sympathise.
I have no idea when I will try to return home. Obviously I need a good carer in place and to experience one round of chemo with Dad. Fortunately his lady friend (aged 86 but as fit and active as Dad was until a few weeks ago) will be around in a weeks time. She arrived here and had to go into 14 days quarantine. She is willing to accept some monitoring responsibilities if I return home and I have a cousin in Tel Aviv who works in pharmaceutical research who has been incredibly helpful and supportive.
Last night I posed the question about whether it was safer from the virus perspective to remain here or return home. Consensus seemed to be it was better to remain.... This morning the first Israeli death was announced from the virus, a man aged 88 with many underlying complaints.
The future will be interesting...
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Post by dixinormus on Mar 21, 2020 19:56:56 GMT
Not to be alarmist, but I rather doubt that you will be able to return to the UK soon, for a few months at least? Airlines grounding their fleets left right & centre now.
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Post by EspadaIII on Mar 21, 2020 21:39:41 GMT
Last time I checked, El Al were doing one flight a day to Heathrow (I think they did at least two, plus one a day to Luton and one a week to Manchester) and I suspect but not checked that BA are also flying. Virgin and Easyjet have stopped. I just hope I can get everything sorted before the last flight leaves. Dad is aware of the situation and knows I need to leave; it's not just the family but I cannot rely upon others to manage my business for several months without me being present.
I also emailed my MP (who lives 15 doors away from me). I appraised him of the situation and asked him to tell someone in authority in the FCO of my situation and that I was not here on a whim; i.e. don't abandon me if there is a repatriation flight. He has acknowledged my request and apparently told the Foreign Secretary - presumably a minion has received a brief note...
Otherwise I am stuck here. It is very much like a gilded cage. My costs are minimal; I am meeting three possible carers tomorrow afternoon and I have remote access to my business. There are people in a worse situation than me but that's never a comfort in your own distress...
Talking about repatriation flights, El Al sent two jumbos to India tonight to collect a load of Israelis...
In good news, son #2 has a new job. 10pm - 7am, stacking shelves as ASDA. £11 per hour for at least a week. A good way for a student to earn about £500. That takes some pressure off the finances for a few weeks for him.
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Rob
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Post by Rob on Mar 21, 2020 22:10:15 GMT
Jet2 were flying a lot of their planes to the canaries today presumably bringing all that want to return.
I have a feeling most flights anywhere international will end tomorrow with a very minimal service. I hope you sort out the carer ASAP and can return home.
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WDB
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Posts: 7,356
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Post by WDB on Mar 21, 2020 23:40:21 GMT
Can you still register with a British consulate in Israel, Esp? It certainly used to be a thing one did to be sure of not being forgotten abroad in times of trouble. That way you’re on someone’s list locally whose job it is to know who’s there who might need help — probably a better place to have your name than a post-it note in Whitehall.
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Post by EspadaIII on Mar 22, 2020 3:00:11 GMT
I asked my friend who works at the UK embassy and he said that I would be diverted to an office in Malaga! I might do it though.
I'm awake at 0445 Israel time and currently there are seven passenger flights to/from Tel Aviv in the air. Four to/from USA, one to Toronto, one to Moscow and from San Paulo. So it may be that if there are no flights to the UK I'm stuck unless I fly via Moscow if the British authorities don't close the border. I'll check again later.
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Post by dixinormus on Mar 22, 2020 5:14:14 GMT
In the midst of the chaos Esp, do remember to appreciate the time with your father. My own father died quite suddenly 6 years ago and I will always regret not being on a plane sooner to go see him.
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Post by dixinormus on Mar 22, 2020 5:17:13 GMT
Just thinking how social media can be a force for the good in the times ahead. None of us know each other really, but it’s becoming a good place to download thoughts, ask for advice, brainstorm etc.
Humanity can come through this is a lot better shape.
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Post by EspadaIII on Mar 22, 2020 11:55:51 GMT
Dixi
Thanks for that. This has been a challenging two weeks and I know now that I have survived an emotionally draining week with Dad at his home. I am sure I can continue and I will be with him for a few more weeks. But your comment is very valid.
The question is of course how long I can remain here without damaging my relationship with wife, children, colleagues and the damage to my business. My father has to have my immediate priority but once stable I think it would be appropriate to come home. We have no prognosis as yet but unless the doctors tell it's less than six months I think coming home is reasonable.
We have a good relationship and whilst obviously I would be distraught if I was not with him at a critical point, we have said over the last few years since Mum died pretty much everything we need to say to each other. I know he appreciates my efforts just like I appreciate the upbringing he gave me.
The real downer would be the kids not having an opportunity to say goodbye properly. This of course surmises he might die in the next year. I suspect he will fight on for longer as long as he feels the fight is worth it.
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Post by EspadaIII on Mar 23, 2020 11:12:29 GMT
So, the appointment with the oncologist was 'interesting'....
There is no cure; only treatment to prolong life at the likely expense of quality of life. There are two types of chemotherapy, one which is both aggressive and in terms of accessing it, complicated, requiring visits to the hospital and a local clinic. The second is more frequent but easier to deal with, although possibly less effective.
There is also the palliative option, including medicinal cannabis. This of course had no side effects and currently he has little pain or discomfort.
Finally there is an expensive test to determine if immunology might work although less 10% of people tested are eligible and the treatment may not work anyway...
Oh bugger....
Also today I tried to ring the UK embassy in Tel Aviv to contact the consular section. Closed. The best I could do was send message to say I'm here, and let me know if/when things change, don't forget about me ..
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Post by tyrednexited on Mar 23, 2020 14:45:09 GMT
...not much I can say to that, Esp, except that I'm sure all on here are thinking of you, and wishing you the best.
Keep posting as and when you need to "let it out", and I hope you find the right path through this.
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Post by Humph on Mar 23, 2020 14:47:29 GMT
Absolutely
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