Registered Charity No. 1171957
The Bamboo Challenge
Halting the Bamboo Invasion
Ten years ago this was my vegetable patch. It has been untouched since I was diagnosed. The little clump of bamboo we temporarily moved from the front garden took advantage! We cant let it spread any further.
Before amyloidosis I would have cleared this myself with no problem. Now I struggle to walk up to it! I hate spending money and find it really difficult to pay someone to do something that I like doing - even though I know I cant. Some people think me a bit contrary. Any way I have two large sons who enjoy a bit of a challenge.
They are really good at the big stuff.but the small, fiddly stuff is of less interest. My smaller son, Stephen, 6'4" had a go. Stephen is not one for power tools and the bill hook he was using was not right for the job. And he lives in Edinburgh. He retreated having made minor inroads.
Heather, a good friend had a brilliant idea...
She offered to lend us her husband John. He came well equipped
John made further inroads but bamboo is tough stuff and brush cutter did not have the right blade. The lure of Kathy’s wholemeal scones and cream proved too great and progress was terminated.
Two years passed and the bamboo was threatening the neighbours. I discussed it with my friends
Graham, a helpful soul with what he thinks is a sense of humour suggested one of these. I don't admit it to everyone but he can be very funny.
But we had just gone into lockdown and I didn’t think Edinburgh Zoo would let me borrow theirs during the pandemic.
So I fell back on the old mantra - if a jobs worth doing…..
My main physical issues are reduced lung function leading to breathlessness with minimum exertion, muscle weakness and bending. I can walk a short distance as long as I know I have somewhere to rest for a few minutes - and I can only do this a couple of times a day before I am exhausted. So could I come up with a solution that minimises physical effort.
My previous ideas used pre-amyloid thinking - do it quickly with fit young people and the right equipment. That used to be me. Now however free fit young people are in short supply and the right equipment would be heavy and pricy.
Post amyloid thinking
I have unlimited time
I have to do something physical to keep my muscles working
As long as I can sit down and don’t have to bend too much I may be able to do it
The equipment must be light.
And I still don't like spending money.
Simples.....
A physical old crock with attitude and a pair of very sharp long handled loppers.
All I needed now was a warm sunny day (since my stem cell transplant I really feel the cold) and someone to put a chair in the right place - and day 1 arrived
This is two days progress. I cant manage more than about 20 cuts before exhaustion sets in. Then it takes me a day or two to recover. This could take a long time.
Worse was to happen. I have had dodgy back for some time. I fractured a vertebra a few years ago and I have osteoporosis. Every now and then, for no apparent reason, I tweak my back and normally takes a few days to recover. It was at this point with the bamboo I had a tweak getting dressed one morning. I missed the perfect weather for most of the May sunshine because I could stand up straight let alone think about snipping. I managed to get a couple of sessions in before the weather broke
Let's hope the sunshine returns soon - I am fit enough for another session at the moment.
Progress in June has been slow. The weather and my back haven't been great. On the odd days when both have been ok my breathing has been erratic. Some friends have suggested the spirit of the bamboo working against me others intimate I am being lazy. I put it down to the unpredictable nature of the amyloidosis. However I had a short session on July 1 and must aim to get it finished during the summer.