Wednesday 1 January 2014

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.

Tuesday 24 December 2013

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.







Wednesday 16 October 2013

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 !!!

Saturday 1 June 2013

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 !!!!!

Sunday 19 May 2013

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 !!!!

Monday 22 April 2013

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!!!!!

Sunday 14 April 2013

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.....?