Tooth Fairy My Backside!

I broke my two bottom front teeth last night!

They split and crumbled along the back, and left a couple of lovely sharp bit's to catch my tongue on and annoy me!

After a call to my dentist, that is based over in Falmouth, first thing this morning, I had a 2.30pm appointment to get them seen to.

I arrived on time, was called straight up, and was repaired and done within 20 minutes!

What service. Don't you just love the NHS? I do!

Daddy Bear....

Today is not a day I can forget easily.

10 years ago, at 10.30am, I received a telephone call telling me that you had been taken from me.

How could the universe be so cruel as to take my best friend and my Dad all in one go!

It was so fast and unexpected, and I know that this is exactly as you would have wanted it.

I miss you so much, and love you always.

We shall be out today celebrating Paul's birthday, so I know that you will be there with us, raising that little crystal glass of yours in a toast to him.

Love you loads Daddy Bear xxx

Sooooo Tired

It has been a very big day for me today.

After 5 weeks of sick leave and recuperation following the dreaded double operation, I went back to work today.

To say that I was anxious about returning was an understatement. It has been such a long haul to get well enough to be able to drive and return, that I was not sure what to expect when I finally stepped foot back into my office again.

I need not have worried. As I pulled the car past the security gates, and began to drive around the building to find a parking spot, I was accosted by one of the men - he stood right in the path of the car and then came on around to the window for a chat and to see for himself that I was OK. He is such a lovely man, and had been sending his regards with each visitor. A good start to what I was expecting to be a terrible day.

I was not able to get a space too close to the works entrance, but I took a very slow walk up to the doors and again was stopped and welcomed back, even before I could clock in!

I got hugs from my personnel manager and office manager, and as a constant steam of people made their way in to the office for various reasons, on seeing me back in my seat, they welcomed me back and said how nice it was to see me.

Yes, of course I clock watched, and yes I was tired and, not particularly comfortable, but, I worked my shift, and was pleased to be back with my friends again.

1 down and 4 to go LOL!

I'm Such A Drama Queen!

Since posting my official new post on this new web address, I have had another trip to the hospital and an over night stay!

Needless to say, my GP was sufficiently worried about my continued stomach pain and had me re-admitted to the surgical receiving unit on Monday evening!

After a night of no sleep at all due to the noise and pain, and the fact that I was taken for an X-ray and scan at 11.30 at night, I was finally given a stack load of tablets, put on nil mouth and told that I should expect another operation in the morning!

On the AM rounds I told them in no uncertain terms that I absolutely did not want another operation and could they try and find another solution if at all possible.

After various drugs, and being told OK, I can go back on food and water, I decided that my body had had enough and promptly threw up everywhere - very embarrassing, and not nice for the people on the ward as I did not have time to do a dash to the loo, because my drip stand would not pass between the end of my bed and the conveniently placed bin!

Anyway - it turns out that there is yet another drug to add the the list that I can no longer take!

They did actually sort out a regime that started to work, and so I was allowed to go home that evening - I was more than relieved as they had just announced another visitor lock down due to the NORO virus again!

I did actually sleep that night, but then you always do in your own bed don't you!

Looks like another week off work though, which isn't so good - I have to say the girls are fab though and are ringing me each day with the latest gossip, so that I don't feel so cut off from it all.

Roll on being able to drive and work again

New Year New Address

So as you area all now are, I have amended my blog address.

After sufficient problems, I finally decided to do something about it, and as such Surf Chick 100 was born - well in web address name only!

I hope that you will all continue to follow my antics, and I am sure that once I am fully recovered there will be plenty on here to keep to amused, not least to say, the first trip with our touring caravan..... Perhaps I should ask you all for suggested names for her, as at the moment she is just known as caravan, and that really is not good enough if we are to be spending our holiday time with her. I imagine it will be April-ish before we try her out for the first time, we need a little Spring weather to lift our spirits when we are using her.

News So Far:

It is now 3 weeks since I had my operation, and although I am pretty much pain free from my appendix removal, and could easily have been back at work last week, I am still in a lot of pain from the endometriosis adhesions that were removed.

The doctor has decided that I am to be off work for at least another week, meaning I don't go back until 8th Feb! It's driving me mad..... I popped out to The Range on Saturday with Paul. This was my first attempt at leaving the house since my op, and although it felt lovely to be out and looking at card stock and decoupage papers for my next lot of greetings cards, it completely wore me out..... it was then that I realised that perhaps the doctor does know best LOL.

Fred, has come out in sympathy and had a nasty ear infection which has needed drops, and also his usual westie skin complaint has reared its ugly head, which means weekly baths - bless him, he doesn't know where to hide to get away from us at the moment!

All of my friends have been wonderful and continue to support me, and despite the fact I feel like quite a fraud being off work for so long, having seen me, they all agree it is a necessary evil.

Meanwhile - I am taking the opportunity to make a few cards and build up my stock to sell. I shall blog them as I make them on my other blog www.card-craftbyjo.blogspot.com.

In the meantime take care everyone

On The Up

Tuesday did not quite go as planned.

I ended up on the phone to the Doctor at 08.20, and after various discussions it was decided that she would get someone out to check up on me.

The Doc turned up at 12.30 and after a good old poke and prod of the belly and back, confirmed that I have a bladder and kidney infection and needed more antibiotics. What I was told though, was that I had done entirely the right thing over the weekend, as if I had not done the cystitis remedies my kidneys would be protesting in pain far more than they were a the moment. Unfortunately, the kidney pain in my back, falls right behind where the appendix was in the front, and I had no idea if I had new pain or old, I just knew something was not at all right.

Mel popped around see me later in the afternoon, and filled me with gossip of the Pilate's classes I had been missing out on since just before Christmas, and how quiet it was without me - MOI! Little old me! Anyone would think I was loud, giggly and chatty LOL!

Mel, also bought me the biggest bunch of grapes she could find along with the entire dutch crop of Tulips. I have to say the Tulips are glorious and the grapes so sweet and moreish - good choice Mel.

It was so lovely to see her, and catch up.

Not long after Mel left me, Sharon and Chris arrived, and once again filled me in on the gossip from work. It seems there are some changes taking place, and I really can't wait to get back so I can get my teeth into the new workload that will be generated from the changes. Is that sad? I don't think so, I really miss my friends in the office, who have been such a huge support to me in the last 10 days or so since this began.

Anyway, yesterday, Wednesday, I decided that I would attempt some light sweeping in the living room. Fred is a loving dog, but OMG so mucky. He will go outside, and kick the mud with his back paws like any terrier, then run inside, all excited and fling great clods of earth everywhere. Needless to say I could look at it from my chair no longer, and had a go at cleaning it up. BAD IDEA! I ended up sat down again a few moments later, able to feel every internal stitch and lazered area in my belly.

So, consequently, today, Thursday, although I feel a lot better in myself, and the lessening pains in my belly allow me to sit for a longer period of time (albeit in a recliner chair) than I have up until now, I have decided to finally start listening to everyone and take it easy for another week or so.... after all it's been about 10 days since my op and they said 3-4 weeks recovery time, even pushing it to 6 weeks for certain things like exercise.

I am supposed to be in Birmingham this weekend, becoming Godmother to little Dylan. I finally had to concede that this was not going to happen as sitting upright in a car for 5 hours plus on the journey would just about finish me off. Kelly has managed to arrange for me to be Godmother by proxy and her mom has spoken to the Priest and organised it all - I am so relieved, but more gutted than you would think possible, to be missing out on such a special day.

We shall be getting together with Kel, Paul and Dylan once I am well for a nice celebratory meal, and although it's not the same it will be lovely to see them and spend time with them again.

It is Kels' birthday today, and I made her card, along with Dylan's Godchild card and Paul posted them up to Brum along with some gifts, and once I know she has received and opened them, I shall post pictures of the cards and how I made them.

I know that things are getting better now, and am feeling far more positive than I have until now, primarily because I seemed to get one thing after another on top of the double op. As the additional infections and problems are bought under control I am feeling far more cheery, and can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Onwards and Upwards...

Until the next time my dear friends

Progress So Far

I have had so very many well wishes sent to me from my friends and bloggers.

Although sitting at home means you have no real news to tell, I thought I would at least let you all know how I am doing health wise.

Friday, was well, Black to say the least. Poor Lorna did a great job of consoling my wilting spirits, as you will already have read in my previous post. To say that things could not possibly get any worse would have been an understatement!

Unfortunately on Saturday and Sunday, this is exactly what did happen. For any of you ladies out there who have been on huge doses of antibiotics you will know that there are a couple of problems that you can acquire as an after effect of how they take their toll on your body.

Being polite, if that is possible, I shall just say two words. Nether Regions! With any luck you will know what I mean and I won't get my blog shut down for indecency, LOL!

Anyway, to begin with I thought I was just imagining it, as I was still very conscious of not being able to sit, bend, lift (even a kettle) and many other normal, take it for granted movements, because of the belly pain I had, caused by my surgeries.

As I was 'imagining' it, I asked a poor unsuspecting Paul to go out to buy my best bud a birthday present. This is the birthday present I had planned to buy the previous weekend, until I got rushed into hospital.

Paul looked at me as if I was a martian talking a strange language - what do I get he said.... I had that part sorted! I went online and printed off pictures of what I wanted, and where to go to get them. Once he was there, he just texted pictures for me to approve or disapprove. OK, not an ideal situation, and Paul was using a few choice words, but because of who it was for, he was happy to do it, bless him.

When he returned home he had even bought me a little PJ set with matching slippers so that I had enough sets to change each day into a fresh set without worrying - Bless!

All this time, please don't forget, he came off nights the previous day and was absolutely k'naggered (translation - very tired LOL).

By late afternoon, I sent poor Paul off again, this time to Tesco to buy me the first of my required remedies for the old water works. Off he trotted, no problem. He called me from Tesco to see if I would like the cranberry or lemon flavoured treatment - lemon of course - I hate cranberry, and then came back with said medication.

Sunday morning came round and I soon decided that I needed the next of the medication of the other rather delicate problem. Again he went off, without batting an eyelid, and returned a short while later, with exactly what I needed.

All this while I was unsure if I could use part of the 2nd box of tricks due to the surgeries, so eventually, after much persuasion from many friends, I called NHS Direct and spoke to a really nice male nurse.

Apart from being very thorough about my medical history, he also gave me some sound advise, but pretty much confirmed that everything Paul had bought me was the right way to go, and it was all OK to use together, including the bit I was the most unsure of.

And so that's it - my weekend in a nutshell. I attempted to do a bit of walking round on Saturday and that put me back to bed for the day Sunday.

The upside to all of this? I've lost 5lb. Woo Hoo! OK not a way you want to lose weight, but there has to be a bright side to any situation, don't you think?

So today is Monday, and although I have been dressed today, and sat under a duvet in the lounge, I can only get into joggers and look a right sight because of the swollen belly. I have a few visitors 'booked' in for tomorrow and am hoping that things are on the up.

Until next time dear friends

xx

999, Doctor, Doctor, ER - HELP!

To all of my loyal readers I apologise for my absence. And to everyone who has sent me well wishes, cards and gifts I thank you with all my heart.

Despite pain and being drugged to the eyeballs, a blogger is always a blogger, so I managed to get some pictures. I even thought of the consequences of showing peoples faces etc, so what you will see is, well, me! Looking quite frankly crap!

So this is what happened.

The snow outside had continued to fall for a couple of days and hence I could no longer use my beloved MX-5 Betty Blue to get to work. It was now down to shank's pony (that's by foot to anyone who needs it translated LOL).

Friday the 8th came around and I trudged into work, arriving on time and did my full shift. However, after I had returned to lunch I was suddenly doubled over with pain, and laughed it off with the girls as women's stuff - as you do!

An hour later Paul collected me for the end of my shift, so that I didn't have to walk home again - thank god for Paul! As soon as I got home I doubled up again and went to bed with a hot water bottle.

I got home at about 2.15pm, but by 19.30 I was crying in pain and begging Paul to take me to the local medical drop in centre that was open until 8pm.

I threw on a pair of joggers and a jog top, pulled my water bottle to my belly and got in the car. It's OK I thought - coupla tablets and I'll be right as reign.

Having fallen through the doors of the drop in centre and burst into tears on the receptionist, I was being seen by the on call doctor that was there.

Needless to say, I had no handbag, no money, no keys, nothing, nada, zip with me. Despite this I was booked a bed in hospital and sent directly there, no stopping, no messing!

This was not going according to plan - I was only supposed to be out 5 minutes - not 5 days!

By this time it was 20.30 and I was on a ward and in my bed. The consultant and his #1 sidekick came to see me, and were very concerned, considering my history that I may have a burst ovary, if not it was my appendix. I needed a scan. You shall have one first thing tomorrow he said meanwhile we will give you any drug you desire.... well no actually he didn't say that, but I was very happy with the huge bolus of morphine that I received directly into my arm - after that everything was lovely Ha Ha!

They kept me drugged on oromorph all night to help the pain, and I took the opportunity whilst I could to get a glimpse of the snow outside the window. A few minutes later they came to take me for my ultra sound scan.

Chappy decided that my ovaries we OK - relief! But could also find no problem with my appendix - it could be low lying and out of view he said - typical nothing normal for me eh!

Anyway - here I am looking thoroughly miserable , and more to the point morphed up, as I await for the consultant to make a decision from the ultra sound slides he was to receive.

I did not sleep at all well on the Saturday night - probably too many drugs, or not enough, but I wanted to hear the end of the nurses conversation about ghosts and missed is as someone pulled their call button!

My IV became my point of interest at this point LOL.

I was taken to surgery at 11.30am on Sunday morning, and did not return to the ward until just gone 15.30pm. It was a long surgery.

It seems that along with my appendix going bad, (which they removed for me), I also had about a hundred adhesion's (endometriosos) that needed lazering and cauterising. This came as a huge shock to me, as I had only had surgery in April 2007 to remove a dozen or so and thought that was all over.

The long and short of it is that it was a triple whammy! URTI (urinary tract infection that I knew nothing about), appendix bursting and endometriosis adhesion's.

All I can say is that I am so glad my appendix burst as the adhesion's would have taken a long long time to diagnose and have done, just like they did last time.

The doctors were fantastic - I did actually keep telling them this however, and I was actually scoring them out of 1o - to their faces - I even married one off and told him he was so handsome in normal clothes and it was a damn shame he was single. OUTRAGEOUS I KNOW! but how many times do I have to tell you I WAS MORPHED UP!!!

Anyway, they released me on Tuesday afternoon, and Paul's Dad picked me up, as he happened to be in the same block for a appointment himself. I was never so glad to see anyone in my life and gave him such a big hug.

The whole while I had been inside we were on lock down to the Noro Virus outbreak the week before, so only patients were allowed inside the hospital. My friends were wonderful and kept me going with phone calls and texts though.

Wednesday evening Sharon and Chris arrived to see me - and I have to apologise for the state of how I looked, PJ's, unwashed hair, duvet pillows and generally not a welcoming sight for them, but they bought me two bunches of gorgeous roses in pinks and yellows, and Chris had me laughing albeit is very painfully, for the short while they visited me.

Sally-Ann and Mike also visited that day, and I have since received these lovely orchids from them, along with my favourite coffee cake, which will come out once I have an appetite again.

Thursday and Friday have been black!

I spent all day Friday crying, and after a visit from my friend Lorna, who happens to be a nurse, she made me feel better, and confirmed it was normal as I had had quite a traumatic few days, been drugged out of my eyeballs, had general anaesthetic, and been through effectively 2 very painful procedures all at once.

I feel awful but I asked some friends that wanted to visit on Friday and over the weekend that I was not up to it - I'm really sorry guys, but honestly you would not have wanted to see me!

Meanwhile.....

All this time.... Poor Paul had been on nights and was trying to hold it all together - one thing is for sure though, Fred loves his Daddy even more now and won't leave his side - after all Mommy left him for the best part of a week!

Christmas Eve...

It started out as quite a strange Christmas Eve.

I got into work for 7am, an hour earlier than normal, so that I could help Alison to clear the wages admin, and ensure that payroll went through on time. As it turns out, there was no need as she had arrived about 15 minutes before me, and was well into clearing it all.

It was then a really bitty morning, with typing up various reports and getting as many cups of tea down us as possible!

I arrived home only about 5 minutes before Paul, who suggested we pop over to the Hospital to visit his Dad, who we had heard had been taken in the previous evening.

We had an hour over there with him, and met up with Dee and Jannah just as we left, who promised to let us know what was going on, as he may have to stay in until Boxing Day.

Then it was off home to cook dinner, as we had Sally-Ann, Mike and Hamish coming over.

The dogs were angels, despite my Fred wanting to go out every 5 minutes!

Hamish enjoyed some love off of him Mom, whilst poor Mike looked on, in the dim and little light that he could cope with behind his shades.

We had a lovely evening, and enjoyed some big laughs watching Victoria Wood's Christmas Show, and revelling in the iconic song that we all remembered from her 90's show.

Then it was time for Paul to drive them back home, and as he picked his phone up, he noticed a text from Jannah..... Their Dad was home, as the doctors had managed to get all the introvenus antibiotics in that they wanted to.

At least he could enjoy his Christmas Day in his own home.

Paul's Pain

Paul was still in immense pain this morning when we awoke, so I told him that I would be calling Nigel to book him in for some realignment.

Nigel is the Osteopath that comes to our work to ensure that people are kept fit and not having to take un-necessary time off with pain that could be prevented if treated immediately.

He has been qualified for 30 years and really knows his stuff. I know, as he has treated my back on a number of occasions, and always reduces the pain to zero in one visit, despite it being a chronic problem that I have had for a number of years.

We drove down to St Ives for a 6.30 appointment, and Nigel welcomed us with open arms.

He took some medical histories from Paul who explained that this was an injury that had happened about 6 years ago, but had reared it's head after doing some heavy lifting at work recently.

He then did some basic tests - reflex, cardiac, blood pressure (which was a little high), and a few other things to give him an idea if everything was as it should be.

Then the hard work began. Nigel began to manipulate, pull and push various part of Paul's back, arms, legs and buttocks, with a few ow's coming from Paul's mouth and a few 'Was that you? LOL' comments from Nigel.

Finally, he pronounces that the results were the best they could be for the severity of his injury, but that he will be sore tomorrow.

We booked him in for next Monday for, hopefully, a final realignment, and paid Nigel the reduced price that he had given us as a friends and family discount.

Paul was amazed, as he already felt loads better.

Of course, all I could say was - "I told you so"

Nigel has wonderful hands!

That Pesky Psoas....

Since I started going to Pilate's back at the end of April, my awful back pain has subsided and I no longer have to see a chiropractor/osteopath every 4 weeks or so.

In fact since April, I have only had to visit him twice, this is most definitely a great testament to the wonders of Pilate's, and the very knowledgeable Mel, who teaches us.

Anyway, to get to my story.... as you are all aware (from my profile info) I am the proud owner of a flashy crystal blue sports car called Betty Blue.... she is beautiful and spends most of her life with her lid down so that my unruly locks can feel the wind, and become even more tangled than they normally are!

In an effort to ensure that she stays beautiful, Betty gets garaged at the end of each and every outing. Unfortunately, because of all of the accumulated possibly useful in the future' stuff' we have acquired over the past 2 and 1/2 years, it has become increasingly difficult to open Betty's door, once in the garage, to exit her lovely sleek little profile.

After one such outing, I parked a little nearer to the wall and 'stuff' than normal and only lefty about a 2 inch gap to climb out of her, and PING! upon twisting my leg into the available gap my Hip Flexor (Psoas Muscle) popped and then...... PAIN!

and O M G what PAIN! - this was back in July.

Mel got our her anatomy charts and showed me what the muscle was and how it could affect my movement, and suggested some lovely stretching moves that would help with the release of the muscle and aid it's repair.

God Bless Mel!

Anyway, to cut a long story short, the pain is still there, and since our initial decision of the cause, we have decided that due to the length of time it is taking to heal, and the areas of movement that have been affected, that some of the 'attached bits' (no that's not the technical term) got torn - this means a long drawn out process of healing.

Meanwhile, Mel, being the complete anatomical genius that she is, has given me yet more moves to help release this pesky Psoas Muscle, some of which are the Cat Stretch, Shoulder Bridge, Leg Slide, Side Stretch, Clam, and of course the 'doorbell, letterbox, catflap combo'. There is also this rather awkward looking thing I do lying across a hard foam roller with my legs stretched out - it pulls the Psoas out long and feels fantastic!

One of the bits of information about the Psoas Muscle that Mel found out, is that is affects your mood, and depending on it's state, that's how you are, if it is relaxed and happy so are you - yeah right! - Well you know what? I reckon, having laughed about this, it must actually be true, for the last couple of weeks I have felt totally miserable, and this can only be down to my Psoas feeling miserable too - No Kidding!

I know that it will be a long haul, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel and with any luck, my sleepless painful nights will soon be over!

Thanks Mel - without you and Pilates I would have gone do lally tap! Roll on Monday nights class!

My Poor Wounded Soldier!

On this evenings bedtime walk, Fred decided to get up close and personal with the neighbours Ginger Tabby Cat - Now this cat is a great big bruiser of a thing, but that did not stop Fred - Cats are fair game in his book!

and so, as Paul pulled back on Fred's lead to stop him, the cat was obviously quicker - and with a snarl and a swipe Fred was sent home with his tail between his legs.

Upon returning from every walk, Fred always comes over to me, and if I'm seated, launches himself bodily onto my chest to tell me about his fun time out with Daddy.

It was at this point I queried where all of the blood was coming from - and I mean Loads of blood.

It seems Ginger Tom did actually make contact with Fred's ear before sending him on his way, and so the next half hour was made up of Paul holding Fred and whispering to him whilst I dabbed warm water with TCP liquid all over his ear to try and stem the bleeding.

Of course, Fred was oblivious to why he was getting all the fuss, and just curled up on his big pillow and enjoyed the attention, while I was worrying about infections etc.

Anyway, morning came around and he wolfed down an entire tin of food - so no long term effects were felt by him, just Mummy worrying about nothing as usual!

I'm sure it won't stop him from trying to get close for another chat with Ginger Tom, but then that's dogs for you!

Ouch...

Having had permanent pain in my hands for the last 6 or 7 weeks I finally went to see the GP.

Paul had said don't bother - it's my age - cheeky bleeder!

Anyhoo - seems he's right! I've got reactive arthritis brought on by that lousy cold I had just before my holidays in June.

I need to have some blood tests on Tuesday to confirm some stuff but I've been told it will eventually clear up - Please note the word EVENTUALLY!

HO HUM!

I feel old!

I Need You Nigel. NOW!

Right, for those of you who don't know, I damaged my back a few years ago, Sacra Illiak Muscle (Not sure that's how you spell it though) and after many many months of pain it finally healed up. Well stopped hurting so much anyway.

Since then I have always been a bit cautious with certain things, just in case, so to speak, however sometimes I manage to set the pain off again.

Not long after I started my job, just such an occurrence happened. As we had just employed a chiropractor to assist staff with just such an occasion, I tested him out so to speak.

What can I say, Nigel has magic hands!

He says that I have some pretty serious damage happening down there and it's quite long standing, however he can stave off the effects with the occasional visit to him.

After the first 3 trips I told him I was cured. He said not likely, and that he would keep my notes with him just in case! There's confidence!

We actually all that time ago, it seems he was right. 6 weeks ago I got out of the '5' and the pain hit. It then took 3 weeks to get an appointment with Nigel, as he is now very busy with a number of the other 750 people at work.

He did his magic and for a day I felt great. It then started to go down hill again.

Let me just say that today I feel C**P. I've now used half a tube of Deep Heat cream since Friday night, and I NEED YOU NIGEL.

Am booked in for his next visit so will keep you posted on the agony that is back pain.

Battered and Bruised

I'm feeling really crappy now - and the bruising and swelling is finally starting to disappear - this had better be worth it.
Not a flattering picture I know but I had to show you how painful things are today...