A strapping we will go

Saturday 24th September 2011

Today was my first full day of wearing my wrist strapping.

For a start I can't walk wearing it so it's going to make answering the door even more slower as I'll have to rip it off before I can move.

As I'm left handed I tried eating using a knife and fork but as I hold them in the opposite way to right handed people, I gave up as it was too restricting.

Hand sewing is ok with the strapping on, though using the sewing machine is a little awkward.

Typing too is a little awkward. It's like having a claw as a hand....

The strapping wasn't too uncomfortable when I wore it in bed. However whenever I needed to get up during the night to go to the loo, as I can't walk using it, I have to take it off. The sound of ripping Velcro isn't quiet at the best of times – try pulling it apart when you want to be quiet !!!!

As it's supposed to help my wrist I'll continue using it. However I'll try and see if I can buy a couple more strappings as having one isn't very practical.

Doorstep delivery

Friday 23rd September 2011

At 9am I was sitting waiting for the hand physio to arrive.

At 9.30am I was sitting waiting for the hand physio to arrive.

At 9.45am I was sitting waiting for the hand physio to arrive.

At 10am I was sitting waiting for the hand physio to arrive when a car pulled up outside our house. Could this be her?

The door bell rang so it must be.

“Sorry I'm late Mrs Harper”, she said, as I opened the door, “here, have a packet of cereal.....”

Kellogg’s were doing a doorstep promotion for multi-grain clusters. All you had to do was put out the carrier bag which had been delivered a couple of days ago and you’ll receive a free packet of cereal. I'd wanted to try this new cereal so thought I had nothing to lose.

Normally when patients are issued with splints for carpal tunnel syndrome they have to wear them all the time. As I can't walk with stickies wearing the splint, I've to wear it whenever I go to bed and whenever I'm not walking.

It's going to be a bit of a pain keep taking it off and on whenever I come to move. However I'll give it a go.

Knock on wood

Thursday 22nd September 2011

I had a phone call from the 'Hand' physio. Could she come tomorrow at 9am to fit the wrist strapping to my hand. Happy with that.

Had a visit from two physios from the neuro-physio department.

Boy, it was like pulling teeth explaining to them what my problem was. It took 45 minutes for the penny to drop – no hip and back pain means can't move around very much, which means not burning calories, which means putting on weight.

Once it had finally sunk in as to what the problem was they were great. They showed me some more exercise I could do with my weights and gym ball.

They're going to arrange for me to attend the neuro-gym for some intensive physio.  I'll have to suffer the indignity of going thereby ambulance (or patient transfer service as it's called now).

Oh I can't wait !!!

Can't shake that low feeling

Sunday 18th September 2011

Ever since my birthday I've been feeling really low, and what's annoying, is I can't shake it. 

I've been trying to do things that give me pleasure – knitting, reading, sewing – and nothing is working. I'm conscious that my low mood is affecting John. 

I'm trying to be bright and cheerful but all I seem to do is snap at him. I feel really bad about it. 

John goes back to work tomorrow so I'll be back on my own again, staring at the same four walls.... I don't know who's the most depressed – John or me !!!!!

What a wonderful day

Wednesday 7th September 2011

Today was been one of the best day's I've had since having my hip out.

We had a long lie in which pleased John. Sleep and I aren't speaking so it made no difference what time we got up....

After a leisurely breakfast we headed north to Alnwick to visit Barter Books, one of the largest second-hand bookshops in the UK.

It was a place that both John and myself had wanted to visit, but just never seemed to get round to it. My treasured 1902 edition of 'Mrs Beaton's book of household management' which John bought me a couple of years ago, came from there.

The building is rather usual. It's in part of an old Victorian Railway Station. Given its age, it wasn't really Wizzy friendly. However I was prepared to overlook it as it was a fabulous building.

Two hours, several books and a good credit card workout later we headed South, but just to as far as the Metro Centre where the credit card got yet another workout.

We got back home about 8pm, then after changing into my jim-jams, settled down to a bottle of wine (a special holiday treat as I'm not allowed much alcohol due to my tablets) and spent the rest of the evening browsing through the books I bought at Barters.

Bliss !!!!

Why did this not surprise me?

Thursday 8th September 2011

3.30pm and no Paul from Lloyd's with my prescription. Why did this not surprise me!!!

4.pm came and no Paul.

4.30pm came and guess what, no Paul.

As David Banner used to say in the Incredible Hulk, “don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry”, the Customer from Hell appeared!!!!

I rang Lloyd’s and demanded to speak to the manager. No offence to the other members of staff but they are not paid enough to be shouted at.

I told the manager exactly what had happened and that I was not happy. After putting me on hold she came back a few seconds later.

“I'm really sorry Mrs Harper”, she said, “I can't apologise enough about what has happened. I'll get Paul to deliver them in the morning.
“That's no good”, I replied, “I'm going to be out tomorrow so can't guarantee that I'll be in when Paul comes. Can my husband come and collect it now”.
“Of course”, she said.

Half an hour later John was back from Lloyd's.

“You're not going to believe this”, he said.
John explained that he told the assistant at Lloyds who he was and that he was there to pick up a prescription for me. The assistant had a good look around but couldn't find it.
“We mustn't have it”, she told John.
“That's impossible”, he replied, “my wife has just spoken to your manager and she said they were here to collect”.
“I'll have another look but can't see where they can be as I've checked the usual places”.
She came back to the counter and again said they were not there.
“This is ridiculous”, shouted John.

From the back of the pharmacy a woman dashed out and greeted John.
“MISTER Harper”, she said, “I'm the lady who spoke to your wife. I have her prescription ready for you to sign for”.

Unbelievable!!!!!

The Hand (Wo)Man again

*Apologies for there being no ‘Joint Journal’s for several weeks. A couple of days after I published the last entry my mam was diagnosed with terminal cancer and sadly died on March 7th.*


Tuesday 6th September 2011

Had another appointment to see the Hand (Wo)Man this morning.

“I'm afraid you will have to have surgery after all”, she announced, “because if you don't then you will lose muscle use in your thumb”.

“How bad will that be”, I asked.

“Bad”, she answered.

It never rains but it pours!!!

When we arrived home after being out for most of the day there was a message left on our answer machine. It was from Lloyd’s the chemist. They had lost the prescription script that had been sent over on Friday from my GP’s surgery. Why does that not surprise me?

I rang them back and they explained that not only had they lost my script but they couldn't find any of my details on their computer.

“You must have something”, I exclaimed, “as Paul automatically delivers my items every month”.
“All we can do is arrange another script from your GP”, said the little woman, “however that can't be done until tomorrow as it’s 4.45pm and the prescription line closed at 4”.

I let out a big sigh.

“It'll be ready on Thursday”, she said.
“Thursday”, I cried.
“It takes two days for your GP to arrange a script”, she replied.

As the Customer from Hell I know when to argue and when to simply let it go. The latter was appropriate for today.

“Can Paul deliver my items as normal”, I asked.
“Of course”, she said.

Why do I think I haven't heard the last of this.....?

Personal trainer

Friday 2nd September 2011

Scott who is to become my personal trainer at the Aquatics Centre rang this morning to introduce himself. He was a very cheery and loud person. Full of fun, which is what you need in a personal trainer. I would image there's nothing worse than a boring trainer – where's the motivation....

He explained that as he hadn’t received any paperwork from the neuro-physico department (one of the physico's is supposed to be coming to see me, whenever....) he felt it best to postpone my induction appointment scheduled for next Tuesday.

He wants to read my referral notes thoroughly before starting me on the training programme in case he does more harm than good.

I can see his point. 

A trip to the Eye Infirmary

Thursday 1st September 2011

All day my right eye had been itchy which is a sure sign that I'm getting a cold sore on it. However whenever I'd looked in the mirror I couldn't see any blisters.

While I was waiting for John to come out of the bathroom so we could do our weekly shopping at Morrisons, I had another quick look in the mirror to see if I could find any little tell-tale cold sore blisters.

They were hard to find as they were on the white of my eye, however they were there.....

“Huston. We have a problem”, I said to John when he came out of the bathroom, “I've got a cold sore in my eye”.

“Right”, said John slowly, as he always does when he's thinking.

We both had a think of what best to do in getting me to the eye infirmary.

“We have three options”, I said, “one, we go now and leave the shopping until tomorrow; two, we go shopping, drop off the stuff back here then go; and three we go to the hospital in the morning”.

“OK”, replied John, “so what do you want to do”.

“I'd rather not have option three given that the blisters are actually in the eye”, I explained, “how do you feel about going shopping tomorrow”.

“I don't....”, John replied, “so that leaves just option two. Happy with that”.

We pulled into the Eye Infirmary's car park at 8.50pm. A porter opened the side door for us.

“You may have a long wait”, he said, “as it's rather busy tonight”.

As the receptionist only works office hours, to get any attention you have to knock on the triage door.

A nurse popped her head out of the door, wrote my name down on a bit of paper, then disappeared back into the room.

A couple of minutes later I was called into the triage room. After taking some details I was back into the waiting area. There must have been a dozen people before me. Spending the evening in their A&E wasn't something I had planned to do tonight !!!!

The door into the doctors consultants room opened. “Marie Harper”, called out the doctor. I had only just sat down......

“So what can I do for you”, asked the young lady doctor.

“I've got some cold sores in my eye”, I replied, “I get them quite a bit”.

“Any other medical problems”, she asked.

I looked at John who had come into the consultants room with me and we both laughed.

“Where do I start”, I replied, and gave her a very brief history.

“Poor you!”, she said, after I had finished, “you have been in the wars”.

I was given the usual eye ointment and we were back home at 9.20pm.

The night was still ours....

The return of the back man

Wednesday 31st August 2011

Yet another visit to Sunderland Royal Hospital.

This time it was to see the Back Man. I am to tell him what I already told him back in June about having an operation on my back. The answer is no....

One of the nurses called out my name so I slowly made my way to the nurses station.

“Take this slip down to x-ray”, she said, handing me a white form.

“Why”, I enquired, “I wasn't told the last time I was having any x-rays today”.

She had a look through my notes, “it's for your right hip and right knee”.

“I'm here for my back, not my knee”, I replied.

“Kermit has asked that an x-ray of your right hip and right knee be taken on arrival at your next appointment”, she snapped..

“I'm here to see the Back Man, not Kermit”, I said.

She looked at my notes again, “waiting area two”, she barked.

About twenty minutes later we (my Mam have come with me again as John couldn’t get time off work) were called into the consulting room.

“Good afternoon”, smiled the Back Man as he sat on the consulting room bed, “I've had another look at your MRI scan and I'm afraid there isn't anything I can do for you”.

“But I thought you said you could operate”, replied my Mam.

“I thought that too”, he answered, “but having looked at the MRI scan again there isn't anywhere for the metal rods to be attached to”.

He brought up my MRS scan on the computer, “the rods would go there”, he said, pointing to the discs, “and they would be held into place by putting screws into the hip joint and pelvis. Unfortunately as you don't have a hip joint on your left side, there is nowhere for the screws to attach to”.

I’m just glad I had initially decided against having the operation as it would have been yet another blow if I’d built up my hopes only for them to be dashed again.

Lioness to the rescue

Friday 26th August 2011

Although my Mam can appear to have no tact or compassion, she will fight my corner.

She explained today that she'd put someone in their place over a comment they had made about me.

Mam had met this person, we'll call X, in town and they went for a coffee together. X knew about my hip problem and so asked how I was getting on.

Mam explained that things weren't too good for me but I was getting there.

“So she should”, replied X, “what's the big deal about having no hip”.

That was the wrong thing to say..... My Mam suddenly became a lioness and I was one of her cubs. She really did lay into her !!!!

I know where I get my fighting spirit from.

Lloyd’s part two

Tuesday 23rd August 2011

After being told by Lloyd's that my prescription would be here today I was getting a little worried as it had gone 4.45pm and there was still no sign of them. 

I rang them.

“It's on the van”, the little woman snapped, after I inquired after it, “Paul's off so we're doing the best we can. It's not only you who is expecting prescription. We've been inundated with calls from delivery customers asking where items are”.

Pardon me for asking !!!! 

Had she told me they were still to be delivered I could have asked John to pick them up when he finishes work. However all I know it's on the van and as the van drivers usual finish just after 4pm, the chances of me getting my prescription today is looking very slim.

5.30pm: no van

5.45pm: no van

6.10: Hooray. He's finally arrived !!!!!

Lloyd’s part one....

Monday 22nd August 2011

Last Monday I rang the prescription hotline at my GP's to order some more oxy-norm and oxy-contin and was told it would be ready on Wednesday.

As my prescriptions are picked up, dispensed and delivered by Lloyd’s Pharmacy, I normally can expect to receive them when I was told my script would be ready.

Paul, Lloyd’s delivery driver, lives in the same street as us so normally delivers any prescriptions on his way home or back to work following his lunch and when he's finished work for the day.

No prescriptions arrived yesterday which occasionally happens if they've had to order them in, especially seeing as they're both controlled drugs.

However when Paul didn't arrive at any of his usual times, and I know he finishes work just after 4pm, I rang Lloyd’s

“I'm really sorry Mrs Harper but we're having huge problems with our prescription delivery service. Paul's on two weeks leave and we are having problems getting a replacement driver. I'll go and check to see when it's going to be delivered”.

“Mrs Harper”, she said after I had been on hold for several minutes, “can I ring you back as we can't find your script”.

15 minutes later she rang back.

“Mrs Harper”, she said a little tentatively, “there seems to have been a slight problem. The girl who you spoke at the doctors when you ordered your prescription had to go home as she wasn't very well. It would seem that your prescription has been misplaced”.

“Misplaced”, I repeated, “from where. The doctors or Lloyd’s”.

“The doctors”, she replied, “the girls there have checked everywhere for your prescription, but it's disappeared. They're going to arrange another one and it'll be ready tomorrow”.

“When will I get my prescription”, I asked, “as I've only got enough oxi-norm to last me until tomorrow night”.

“Tomorrow afternoon”, she confirmed.

To be continued.....

It's official

Monday 18th August 2011 

In the post that morning I received the exercise programme referral which Dr Blake said she would do.

On the form it asks for medical conditions and on it she's ticked 'back problems' and 'depression'.

So it's official, I am depressed.

That's depressing !!!!!!

A long chat

Wednesday 3rd August 2011

Had an appointment to see Dr Blake that evening. Normally when you see a GP you’re allowed seven, maybe eight minutes consultation time. I was in there for half an hour….

“How’re doing”, asked Dr Blake.

“Not good”, I sighed.

We started first on my painkillers and their side effects.

“Try reducing the Gabapenin to 500mg”, she suggested, “if that’s still no good, go to 400mg but no lower than that”.

We then moved onto me feeling low.

“Have you thought about counselling”, she asked.

“I doubt that will make any difference”, I replied, “I already know what’s causing me to feel low and talking about it won’t help”.

“It’s sad about what happened to your hip”, she said, “I’ve known you for a long time and you’ve never let anything get in your way. You had such determination”.

I nodded and sighed, “that’s why I’m finding things hard now”.

I then explained about my struggle to keep my weight down.

“Could it be possible for me to see a dietition”, I asked, “because I’m not moving around I’m not burning off the calories. I’d like to see how I can go about reducing my calorie intake”.

Dr Blake shook her head, “you seem to be regulating your diet ok so a dietion isn’t going to help. What would you say to me referring you to see a neuro physio. They will be able to advise what exercise would be best for you to do”.

I was still doing the exercises that Caren from Silver Cloud had given me so a couple more wouldn’t hurt.

“I’ll also refer you onto the exercise programme”, she continued, “a personal trainer from one of the local gyms will put together a training programme for you. It could be in the gym, in the pool. How does that sound?”.

“Sounds good”, I replied.

“Come back and see me in two months”, said Dr Blake, when we had finished our long chat, “hopefully the paperwork for the physio and the exercise programme will have gone through by then and that the reduction of the Gabapentin will be doing some good”.

I hope so…..

Today was not a good day

Monday 1st August 2011

I had no sleep that night. I tried listening to an audio book on my MP3 player but I got bored with that. I tried reading my Kindle but got bored with that. I even tried watching ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ on my MP4 player. That didn’t work either….

I was so low that I spent the day crying. It was ridiculous. After a crying session I’d calm myself down, then something trivial would trigger the tears and off I went.

One occasion was reading something on the internet. It was a little quiz to see if you were suffering from depression. The answer came back to say ‘you are suffering from depression – see your GP for treatment’. I burst into tears !!!!

Later that evening after we had finished our dinner, John suggested I had a little nap on the sofa for half an hour. He got me my blanket and ‘Bengy and Albert’, my Westie cushion and tucked me in.

“I’ve put QVC’ on for you, he said, switching on the satellite box.

When I’m tried but can’t sleep I put QVC on, and it sends me straight to ‘the Land of Nodd’.

John woke me two hours later…..

Typical Mam

Friday 29th July 2011

My low moods were still getting me down, however I was trying my best not to burst into tears.

My Mam asked me when I was next at the doctors.

“I go on Wednesday”, I replied.

“Is she going to change your tablets”, she asked.

“I’m not sure”, I said, my voice changing pitch as I was trying to stop myself from crying.

“What’s the matter”, she enquired.

“It’s my moods”, I said, tears now streaming down my cheeks, “I’m feeling so low at the moment”.

My Mam looked at me then snapped, “cheer up, will you !!”.

Thanks Mam….

Later that afternoon when we were chatting away about something my Mam said, “I don't know how to say this as you'll just start crying again...”

Great one for compassion is my Mam. I never did get to know what it was that would have made me cry again......

Sleepy head

OK so Spring turned into Autumn.... Here's the next installment of the Joint Journals.

Tuesday 26^th July 2011

Oh, to have a good nights sleep !!!!!!!

First, it was my right knee giving me painful sleepless nights then it was my ‘pressure sore’. Now it’s my hip (or rather lack of it) and my back.

Whenever I need to turn over in bed I have to actually wake up as my leg is so floppy without a hip it can’t move on it’s own. Sometimes it’s hanging out of the bed, others times it’s in weird and wonderful position either in the bed or on my body….

Lying in bed sometimes brings the worst out of my pains so the slightest movement sets it off.

Now there’s a new ‘kid on the block’ to keep me awake , my wrist, as one of the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is severe pins and needles. If that wasn’t enough depression can cause sleepless nights.  

To try to help me get off to sleep – or rather to relieve the boredom – I listen to audio books on my MP3 player. So far I’ve ‘read’:

• Great Expectations
• The Secret Garden
• The ‘What Katie Did’ series
• The ‘Anne of Green Gables’ series
• Sense and Sensibility (twice)
• Pride and Prejudice (twice)
• The Railway Children
• The Secret Garden
• Little Women

I’m also putting my Kindle to good use. As I don’t want to disturb John by putting on the bedside light to read, I bought myself a headlight so I feel like a child secretly reading under the bed covers.

Amazon offer free download books for the Kindle so I’ve been building up my Kindle library. Most of the books aren’t really my type but I’m not after a good read. I’m after something that sends me to sleep.

Tonight was a bad night for getting no sleep. I tried my audio books and my Kindle but it wasn’t until 5am that I finally got off to sleep.

When John’s alarm went off at 7.30am I could have cried. After we have breakfast and John has gone upstairs to get ready for work, I would normally read the newspaper until he’s ready to leave for work. This morning I pushed the newspaper to one side of the sofa and laid my head on the arm of the sofa.

The next thing I knew John was wakening me to say he was off to work. I had no recollection of going to sleep.

After kissing John off to work I crawled back into bed and didn’t wake up about 11.30am. Again, I had no recollection of nodding.

That night, like many nights, come 9.30pm/10pm I was fighting to keep my eyes open. Thankfully John understands and doesn’t mind me falling asleep when we’re watching TV or a DVD.

It now happens so often that John asks if I’d like my blanket and cushion when we settle down for the evening…..

Taking a break

The Joint Journal is taking a break. However it'll be back in the Spring.

Dr Chapman again

Tuesday 19^th July 2011

Once again Dr Chapman rang back about my painkillers. I told her that my ankles were still badly swollen, I still wasn’t sleeping and that I was still pretty low.

“Ok. Lets reduce them down to one a night for a week then stop altogether. I think we need to get you into the surgery”, she said.

I could hear her tapping away on her computer.

“I’m afraid that I’m not available during the times you came come to the surgery”, she said, “however Dr Blake is. How does 6.30pm on Wednesday 3^rd August sound”.

“That’s fine with me”, I replied.

“Good”, she said, typing away, “your appointment is made. I’ll fill Dr Blake in with everything that’s happened. Hopefully once your body is clear of the Nortripaline, you should be feeling a little better”.

“I hope so”, I replied….