CONTINUING MY BACKROUND STORY

Part III - I am getting up to date - Honest - Slow but Sure

I ended that last post with life as it was at the end of 2006, and so my world continued for a while.

2008 was the year when things I started to get answers, [Started I said]


In early 2008 my Mother had a continuous pain in her back and further examinations showed it to be osteoporosis, and, as she had 10 concrete steps up to her door level, and another 3 to the door, the GP recommended that she move to a level access property. Was that fun! She needed to be in the same area because she didn't want change GP surgeries, and it had to be accessible for me on my mobility scooter.

Oh what fun and games began then! I was travelling to the local housing department about 3 times a day and in-between trying to help my mother do the preparations for moving. I was putting myself under an enormous amount of stress I know but what alternative was there? After two weeks of this strain I lost the use 0f my right hand.

I am right handed so couldn't write, use a keyboard 'blind' as I had been taught or even hold anything securely, my hobbies have always involved writing and dexterity so being unable to use my right hand depressed me.

I remember saying at the time I thought it was stress related and being told not to be silly but my instincts were to be proved right – note to self, ALWAYS, but ALWAYS listen to your body.

I continued with an annoying hand hoping the use would return at some point. But, as fate dictated, the hand did not improve, and I was now getting pains in my neck. Time for another GP appointment methinks. I was referred to a Neurosurgeon and X-rays. The X-rays showed that the Spondylosis had progressed downward and was now affecting 3 neck discs whereas it had been 2 before. My GP suggested that there may be an operation that could release a possible trapped nerve. I hoped and hoped that it could be done and then I could return back to some sort of normality in my life. I had forgotten that 'normality' was something that my life seems to avoid like the plague.

I now had to wait for the Neurosurgical appointment – a letter to attend for a MRI scan for my neck arrived in December 2008. The only problem was it was at a different hospital [although still local], and using a portable unit, which was just like a very large removal van and in a crowded car park. The technician told me the results would take about 7 weeks as they had to go halfway around the world first.

Back to the neurosurgeon for the result, he wanted another MRI and brain scan. The shock was that they had actually found a brain the first time. I hadn't believed there was one there. Maybe it was having a rest? No. it was busy plotting and planning how best to mess up my life.

Now it was early summer 2009 and I was back with the Neurosurgeon after having had in total 2 brain scans. 1 neck scan, 2 X-rays and 1 Nerve Conduction Test. Surely this amount of technology wouldn't be wasted. I believe that any problem can be solved/answered by technology if used correctly.