Living My Best Life in Cyprus and Managing My Constant Companion, Dystonia.

Entry 1: Yes, I did it!! Screw you, Dystonia!

YAY!!! I finally made it here and F you Dystonia and the NZ health system. This has been such an unimaginable journey to get here but, man, can I say it was so worth it. Saying that, I would not wish the torrential track I trudged through to get here, on my own worst enemy. 

However, new journey now and new life! If you want to learn more about my previous journey, please feel free to read my other blog, Living with Dystonia and trying to plan a future.

Anyone, wanting to change their life with a chronic condition, or any other life changing moment or condition, please do not let it swallow you up and consume your identity. Fear is a huge factor when it comes to change because consistency and regular habits are comforting and safe. I get that. Until I met Martin, I was completely regimented in my approach to and outlook on life and had been so brain washed about NZ and what an awesome country it is. And, it is in many ways. I am not dissing NZ but I am saying, there is a whole way of life out there in the big wide world so different to NZ.

NZ is a beautiful country, family and friends are so important too. However, if you can be selfish at a point in your life when you need to be or deserve to be, it is an eye opening experience to live in another culture and be around other people who have chosen a similar route. I have to say, Cyprus is one of the best places in the world to live that different life experience. 

I have been in Cyprus now for one week. And I have absolutely no regrets. Within that week I have been gob smacked by the prices. I can buy a really drinkable bottle of Cypriot sparkling wine for just over three and a half euros! That means I can but about 6 bottles of wine for what I would have spent in NZ for one bottle of wine. Yes, I love my wine and I am NOT going to apologize for that 😋

Additionally, Martin and I went bed shopping as the bed in our new house was sh*te. We went to a local furniture shop, bought a bed and some other pieces, and all of the items were delivered the next morning. They moved our crappy bed into another room for us and then put together the new bed for us. However, when Martin and I saw the finished product we were surprised just how small the King size bed was. Apparently, in Cyprus a King is the equivalent to a Queen size in NZ. After a night of kicking each other in the guts, ribs and other places, I decided to try my luck and ask if the company could change our order. They allowed us to come into their store and choose a completely different bed/mattress. And, on top of all of that, they came the same day, took away the bed we didn't want and redelivered/assembled our new bed. No delivery charge and still gave us a discount! Gob smacked by how friendly and accommodating they were.

Also, within the one week I have been here, all of the neighbours have come over and introduced themselves to us with invites for drinks. Have to say, love this country! 😁

In regards to my constant companion, Dystonia. When I first arrived, I was really struggling with my walking since my DBS surgery two months ago. I was completely fixated on trying to get my walking perfect with my settings and decided to change them after a couple of days of my arrival in Cyprus. As it turned out, this was not a good idea, my walking deteriorated and it was quite disillusioning. Hence, I decided to put my settings back down and to just focus on finally being with Martin and Bowie in Cyprus, Since then, my walking is a little easier. So, I will put off changing my settings now for a while so I can finally try to relax and absorb my new surroundings.

Entry 2: Result!

I have been googling and it looks like there is a hospital with a neurological surgical department in Paphos that deals with DBS surgeries:

I will follow this up when our medical insurance is due for renewal. I am feeling a lot less anxious knowing this surgery is done in Paphos, so it should mean that there will be no issue when I have to get my battery replaced. Hopefully.

Entry 3: Totally Unrelated to this Blog but 'related!' 😁

Found an old picture of me, my brother and sister when we were kids. And, the last time all three of us were photographed together was just after my latest DBS surgery. Funny, we are sitting in the same order as when we were children. Had to share this:

We have each been through so much in the time that has elapsed between the two photos. If we only knew what lay ahead for us all and the challenges we were going to face.

Entry 4: Cyprus Temperatures Today!

Gotta love the weather here. Every day is just sun and blue skies. It is amazing. To think when we first visited Cyprus, one real estate agent tried to convince us that we didn't need a pool. What a lot of bollocks! You would melt without one. We are in and out of our pool at least twice a day.

Entry 5 : Learning to chill

I am loving our new life in Cyprus. The weather is hot as hell but it is bearable due to the lower humidity here than back in NZ. Last night was the first night we needed to keep the aircon on all night, 28 degrees all night! Temperatures during day around 35 degrees but real feel 38. 

Had a sneaky skinny dip last night to cool down before bed. It was lovely. I love being in the water as my mobility is not affected by my constant companion, Dystonia. 

Speaking of 'her/ him/them', things have been a little difficult on that front. I think my problem regarding my Dystonia, is that I am comparing my results from my recent DBS surgery to my previous one in 2019. In 2019, I pretty much had a 100% result. This time I would say that my improvement around 60 - 65 %.

I have driven myself crazy adjusting my settings all over the place. I keep saying that I am going to try and settle on a setting and leave it alone. This time,  I am promising to listen to myself and start trying to focus on my amazing new surroundings and life. So, my 'friend' Dystonia, you can take a back seat and stop monopolizing all my attention!

Cheers to Cyprus and new experiences! 

Entry 6: Feeling a little despondent

Yesterday I had to admit defeat. I bought a walking stick. Sick of trying to deny that my walking is not up to scratch and I just want to be able to get around a little easier. Saying that, there is still a bit of hope in the recesses of my mind, waiting for my settings to kick in and enable optimal walking for me. Hey, who knows. 

I acknowledge the fact that I repeatedly keep trying to positive self talk, so I do not get too down. However, I can't help but hold onto the fact that I am so much more mobile than I was before my DBS surgery. Days before surgery I could not even stand straight without shaking and losing my balance, let alone walk across the room. So, I need to stop feeling sorry for myself. 

However, tonight I did let it get to me and for the first time in a long time, I thought, why me. Dystonia has not affected anyone else in my family so why the f*ck me?! It is such a cruel condition. I love being active and it has robbed me of this ability. 

I don't break down often and it is in times like this that I am so grateful to my lovely friend Kelsey, who has consistently been so supportive through out my hardships. 

Kelsey, you are an absolute angel, and I am so blessed to have you as a friend. 

And, Martin. You are my strength. You always seem to know how to react and respond when I do occasionally lose myself. You bring me back and make me feel new again. I love you so much.

Entry 7: I have made "Living My Best Life in Cyprus and Managing  My Constant Companion, Dystonia" a new separate blog now under the same title. This is the link:

https://genxwomanmoment.blogspot.com/2025/08/living-my-best-life-in-cyprus-and.html