General
Exhausting week
We went away last Sunday (20th September) for a break and to see family which we have been looking to. Bandit was dropped off at the kennels at 10 am and was quite happy to be left as he knows he has play dates most of the day. He is also very spoiled. When Rick got back we left straight away as it was a long journey and we didn’t know how my back would cope with being in the car for so long. As it turned out we had our usual two stops, one for a toilet break and a meal, the second just for a toilet break.
The first night was spent at a Premier Inn as we thought the extra night would be helpful for having extra rest. It was a lovely room but the double bed was too high for me to get on so Rick went down and asked if we could make up the single bed . The staff agreed to that and came up to make it as we would have been charged otherwise which was very kind of them.
The following day we took the short journey to the Haven site where the ‘fun’ started. When I made (online) I added that we are disabled which I thought was self-explanatory that we would need a disabled friendly van. Earlier this year we were given one. Unfortunately when we got to the caravan it had steps with the first being quite high and short plus I knew I would have problems getting up them.
Rick went to reception to see if we could have a different caravan or a ramp to make it easier for me to get into it. The person who he spoke to admitted that I had put down we are disabled but he couldn’t move us to a disabled friendly caravan and they don’t have temporary ramps on the grounds of health and safety. Whilst I understand the health and safety rules it doesn’t take into the health and safety of the customer so it was a case of put up or go home. I didn’t want to stay but knew it wouldn’t be helpful for when I complained in writing.
It made me very miserable having to go up and down the steps which was difficult and painful. Then the second problem came up which was the double bed. It was difficult getting down the side of it due to lack of space and in the other bedroom it was difficult to get down the middle for the same reason. I spent the next three nights lying across the bottom of the bed which was lumpy..
It was good though to catch up with Rick’s eldest sister, my sister, brother in law, youngest niece and three youngest children. Her youngest is 4 and has been diagnosed as non-verbal autism – he is adorable. We also met up with the youngest niece on Rick’s side and her 4 month old baby. He is a happy baby and enjoyed all the attention.
By Thursday we had had enough of the discomfort in the caravan so left. It was a relief to get home and be back in our own beds which is sad considering I have a hospitable bed. By Saturday morning I had sent an email of complaint to Haven and they have 21 days to reply.
Better days
Finally I feel like I’m getting a bit of normality into my life as I’m getting a bit better for putting tops on even though my shoulders are painful when doing so. It shouldn’t be a big deal but after months of not being able to get even baggy tops on it is a big deal to me. getting in and out of the car car is gradually getting easier although my hips and the top of my legs aren’t so good if I’ve been in the car for too long.
I’m hoping when we we visit family I can cope with the traveling. We need a break and Bandit likes his time in kennels as he has play dates virtually all day which wears him out. It’s not that we don’t want to take him but he gets bored on long journeys and we are a bit restricted on what we can do when he’s with us.
Difficult Few Months
The past six months have been stressful for a few months to say the least.
On the 6th May we had a minor accident at a roundabout and we were stationary waiting to be able to get on it. The driver behind us wasn’t concentrating so pulled forward resulting in his car hitting the right side of our bumper including breaking the cover of the lights. Fortunately he was honest, we swapped details then went on to walk Bandit. Getting the insurance companies to do their bit was straight forward so getting the car repaired was done quickly.
At the time I went into shock but not how I expected as I went very quiet. A few days later I started feeling pain in my right shoulder – Bandit had gone into the right hand side of me when the accident happened. The pain went across to my left shoulder and down both arms which was annoying. I had seen the physiotherapist at our surgery but the exercises she sent me hadn’t helped. Another visit to the physiotherapist was arranged and I was asked what I wanted her to do. Before I could say anything suggested seeing a specialist.
A few days later I saw a doctor at a different medical centre of the medical group we are patients of. The doctor was helpful and had a sense of humour. At one point he asked me to stand and try an exercise asking me if I would hit him trying to do it. I looked him straight in the eyes and said, “No but I might just punch him” meaning Rick.
At least it was taken the right and the doctor laughed. He thought the problem was either rotator cuff injury or a frozen shoulder and said he would be ordering a scan. Needless to say I’m still waiting.
From that life went rapidly downhill. I got to the stage I couldn’t get out of bed without help or get dressed or undressed without help. So the care team worked quickly for me which included getting an electric bed to help me, a commode, a raised toilet seat for me to make it easier for me to use it and a shower seat. We already had shower grab handles and a slope up to our front door.
Up until recently I had two carers coming in – one in the morning and the other in the evening.. I still need some help getting dressed which depends on what I want to wear and sometimes getting up but compared to the worst time it’s much easier to get on with what I like. The only thing I hate is getting in and out of the car.
Stress and lowering mood
Getting appointments has been stressful. I went to my hospital appointment on the 10th February which turned out to be a pre-assessment one and should have gone back for the procedures on the 13th. However I hadn’t been told to stop the iron tablets seven days before the procedures and not take two others the day before. It was re-arranged for the 25th February.
The worst part of the lead up to the procedures was having to just drink fluids the day before and drink two litres of water with a solution in it in the evening. Fortunately I was the first one on the list so no having to hang around. Due to having an endoscopy before I was relieved to have a local anaesthetic this time round. It was a fairly quick session this time round even with polyps being removed and some biopsies done. I have inflamation in my oesophagus and stomach again which doesn’t surprise me as I have had some discomfort lately when eating.
Having a colonoscopy this time round was far more uncomfortable and invasive. I was asked a couple of times if I wanted it stopped due to pain but I wanted it completed. Biopsies were taken and a polyp removed as well.
It was a relieve to know that nothing serious was found and I will find out the results in six weeks time. I still don’t know why I’m anaemic but hopefully I will do.
Health woes
Before Christmas I had my annual diabetes check up and didn’t think any more off it until an appointment was made with one of the doctors. With one thing and another I didn’t get the appointment until the new year and got the “great” news that I’m anaemic just to cheer me up.
I’ve had blood taken again, returned the pre-bowel cancer screening test back and been back to see the doctor again who has since prescribed iron tablets, Today I received a phone call to give me an appointment at hospital on the 10th February to get checked out with a camera. Although I’m glad it’s not a long wait it doesn’t fill me with joy.
Being in a “higher” risk group for getting cancer isn’t on my mind all of the time whenever I have to go in for tests does worry me a bit, My dad was a 17 year cancer survivor (stomach) and a cousin had breast cancer although, sadly, she passed on. On top of that whilst stomach ulcers are not directly inherited, but a genetic predisposition to them can be inherited I have come under that umbrella. My grandmother had one but nobody knew until she fell down stairs at the care home she lived in and died. My dad had one as well and eventually had an operation to remove it.
About ten years ago I had an endoscopy done as I was experiencing pain when eating to find out I had erosion of my oesophagus and two small areas in my stomach. I was taking Naproxen and that was the cause of it so I haven’t taken it so now I suffer with swollen fingers.health,
Busy times
The past few months have been busy generally. It has included a short break down south to see family which I enjoyed as it’s lovely seeing the great nieces and nephews.
Since getting back church activities have been slowly started back up again although these stopped due to C0VID-19 which is also before we started going there. Since we’ve been going there the whole church building has had a great deal of work down on it.
The once a week cafe on Thursdays started up first and is going well, the mother and toddler group started on Monday morming and the ‘leisure’ morning started on Tuesday. Three of us went in to do a bit of re-arranging in the kitchen rather than play games.
Messy Church will officially start in October once a month but on Sunday afternoon we went to the village green to set up activities, had goody bags with leaflets and gave out hot dogs. It went well and the children enjoyed themselves.
We are going to have a break next week and have a few days away. I am really looking forward to that as I’m so tired although the two of us having colds hasn’t helped. We still have a MacMillan coffee morning to get through yet which is on tomorrow.
My mood hasn’t been great recently either as there doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day. Hopefully the few days of enforced will help with that.
Tiredness sucks
The past week has been bad for severe depression made worse due to not sleeping well and not having any anti depressants. I don’t know whether it’s the fault of our new GP surgery or the chemist we have started using. As it is I’m having to wait until tomorrow to get my repeat prescription as it wasn’t ready yesterday.
Recently I got over a chest infection but the cough has come back with a vengeance which isn’t helping for getting a good night’s sleep.
Life’s irritations
Over the past few weeks we have had the stress of going from E.S.A. which is being phased out onto universal credit. That has meant getting a different payment date and would have to survive three weeks on the money we had.
Rick hasn’t had any issues and he doesn’t need to ‘hand in’ sick notes but I was given an appointment at the Job Centre and had to get a sick note. Part of the problem is whilst I do receive P.I.P. departments don’t ‘communicate’ with each other.
Another issue is that we have to check our online journals regularly which I’m having to deal with both accounts. Anyway I did what was needed for the sick note online then had the appointment the following day. When I was there I told the person what disabilities / health issues I have and she couldn’t understand why I’m expected to look for work. She’s put a suspension on me looking for work although my sick note covers me for three months. I’m also waiting for a health assessment booklet to come out for me which needs to be completed and sent back. Hopefully that will help as it will be difficult for me to get work at my age and that’s without what’s wrong with me.
So much has happened over the past few months including moving.
It’s such a relieve to get away from our neighbour from hell and having an extra bedroom has certainly helped. Now we are in a small village and have a lovely view of the countryside and stables across the road. The cats have settled in very well and like the peace.
We have managed to get down south a couple of times so I’m glad we’ve still managed to see family. Rick’s eldest brother recently had open heart surgery which was one of the reasons for travelling. He hasn’t changed over the years except for cutting down on his drinking and has stopped smoking.
Rick’s sister is suffering with her health as well and has had a pacemaker fitted. She’s the ‘fit one’ so it surprsied us but seems to be getting now. It’s almost shocking that three out five siblings have a heart condition now.
My brother-in-law is also going through it with health conditions with the latest being cancer. Last year he had his ureter and one kidney removed and has coped quite well with his recovery on the whole.
I have had cataracts removed from both eyes and it’s great to see so well again. If this had been forty years ago there is no way I would have had it done but surgery has moved on quite a bit. Rick has also had his left eye done and will get his right eye done soon as well.
Life in generally is slowly getting better again.
At my lowest ….
