pain
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.
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.
I hate depression ….
I can honestly say I hate deppression with a vengeance. After all the years I’ve suffered with it the battle doesn’t get any easier.
There are times of respite with the feeling that life is getting better then a trigger brings it all back. Usually it’s something small, other times I don’t know what has happened. This has happened recently and for the first time in a long time I’m finding it hard to pull myself out of it.
My physical health probably doesn’t help as it’s getting worse to the point that I’m in constant pain. The worst is in my lower back, hips and between my left hip down to my left knee. For the past 3 years I haven’t bothered with seeing a doctor after a telephone appointment. I explained it was pointless having a telephone appointment as the doctor wouldn’t be able to see where the pain was but I was told it was that or nothing.
As expected the doctor just said there was nothing that could be done for the pain and I would have to live with it. A few months later I was in hospital for five days as it was my gall bladder that was causing the extra pain.
We had been out to do shopping and on the way back I decided I would go into our (new due to moving) doctor’s surgery, I’ve got an appointment for the 15th July but I’m prepared for the wait as at least they will have it on record what problems I’m having.
It’s got that bad I am in constant pain sitting, walking and sleeping. Not sleeping too well is making me more depressed, not being able to walk far and struggling to open packaging due to swollen, painful fingers adds to it.
Struggling and trying to be positive
My mood has been all over the place sonce Christmas. My first positive was going back to the hospital for a blood test and got the result back before leaving which was it was normal.
The main thing for dragging my mood down has been because of our roof and was reported in October as we had a leak. We live in a bungalow and water was dripping into our lounge but after a few weeks, we had had a holiday, we had two leaks and we believe that water has been dripping into the bedroom.
When Rick rang up again we were told that we had an appointment for the 30th December and we should have been told when it was made. Of course neither of us were happy as it was winter and the weather wasn’t great and the bungalow is damp which is bad for our health. So another appointment was made for a roofer to come round. He replaced 5 tiles but told the roof on the front of the bungalow needed repaing and scaffolding would be put up first.
Scaffolding was more recently put up then we found out the roof wouldn’t be done till May so both of us were at exploding point.
Last week an electrician came round to do a safety check and we were woken up early by him so requested he came back another day. When Rick rang up to sort out a date for the safety check he was given a date which was before the roof would be done. He ended having an argument saying that it was stupid to have the safety check before the roof was done due to the damp. We felt that we were being blackmailed as we were told that if the safety test wasn’t done the roof wouldn’t get done. It seemed ridiculous as the ceiling could have come down and would be unlivable here. The attitude was if that happened the Housing Association would send a claim form. I was shocked as it comes under health and safety plus we have health issues.
We evntually won the battle and the roof has been done now and an electician is coming next week. It’s frustrating as we both suffer with depression on top of (body) health issues and our moods have suffered.
My joints are getting worse which means I don’t sleep as well which makes my mood worse. I have got to the stage that I’m hesitant to ring up for GP’s appointment as the last time I got a telephone appointment. At that point part of the pain was because of my gallbladder which was missed because I couldn’t show her where that pain was.
Battling illness
For such a long time I have been depressed, continually tired and achy, new aches and pains haven’t bothered me. That was until we went away to visit family. I was fine until the Friday (early morning) and woke up with acid reflux which I don’t suffer with very often. After a short time it turned into a sharp pain round my right ribs and a dull ache in my stomach on the right side.
During the day I felt dizzy and vomitted a few times so stopped eating and drinking. We had a chat with a pharmacist who suggested we rang 111. Rick tried on and off for several hours and eventually we ended up at Basildon Hospital at 1am Saturday. After 5 hours, blood taken and still not knowing what was wrong I gave in to Rick about leaving.
Over the weekend the pain didn’t get any better and we decided to come home after lunch round at my sister and brother in law’s. On Monday we finally got through to 111 as we picked up Bandit from the kennels. I was told an ambulance would be sent out so Rick suggested taking me to Darlington Memorial Hospital as we were out.
To be continued ….