UP UNTIL END OF 2006

[Part II] Bear with me it'll be up to date soon.




By the summer of 2006 my health had been deteriorating for some [at the time] unknown reason. My GP referred me to a Rheumatologist to see if we could get to the root of my problems. The blood tests results came back showing indications of joint inflammation, which indicated more the possibility of Rheumatoid Arthritis. The problems with my concentration and other cognitive functions [The dictionary definition of cognitive is 'The mental process of knowing, including aspects such as awareness, perception, reasoning, and judgement.' I just refer to it as 'being flaky' or that the brain has gone on holiday without me, some people say there is little difference. Thanks kids!] came under much discussion with my GP over the next few months, in the end we decided it was caused by the medication and so changed my painkillers to less potent ones. [It was at this stage that I realised I could never be an addict regarding illicit substances, Tobacco and Alcohol however are a different matter ]

Towards the end of 2006 I received a letter stating that my over 50s mammogram [a service instigated by my GP Practice] was due.
As I had never been treated at the hospital regularly prior to this I did not know that I could have ambulance or medicar assistance. [I now know of the pluses and minuses connected with both these methods] Not knowing about the assistance available and having no private transport [too much weight when we moved] I used a Private Hire taxi. So, up to know the only loss of balance had been in the shower whenever I tilted my head to rinse my hair, [ever tried washing your hair without tilting? - not possible - you may think you aren't tilting but you are. Discovered by much trial and error] which was attributed to the known factor of Spondylosis [Arthritis in my neck], walking was a problem but it had been something I had borne for many years and expected not to change for either better or worse. [Was I naive? At the time I thought not but in reality would have received 12 out of 10 in an exam]
What changed? Well on that fateful day at the beast screening Clinic I took my walking stick with me and travelled by taxi. I had been told by the Clinic that there was a ramp at the rear entrance for use of the disabled. [thank you very much but I wasn't disabled enough to use it was I????] The Clinic building was situated beside a cross-roads, a converted Victorian residence, and had a set of wide steps leading to the entrance, wide steps no problem with them is there? [WRONG]

I emerged from the Taxi on the corner to attend my appointment and suddenly there is no floor or there was a hair on the ground or my shoes came to life, whichever. I experienced my first fall - I was walking towards the building when I suddenly collided with the payment. So the picture now changes – I was on my knees on the pavement feeling scared, stupid, dazed and shocked. I had heard my front teeth hit the concrete and felt numbness so I thought I had smashed my front teeth at least. [How can you feel a lack of sensation? If something is numb isn't it without feeling?] In comes 3 or maybe 4 knights in shining armour. It turned out that 3 people carrier ambulances had been at the crossroads and therefore seen me fall. Paramedics [my knights] had immediately leapt to my aid and assured me that my teeth were OK. I had managed to twist and lift my chin as I fell thereby protecting my teeth. Of course me being the obstinate independent person that I am. I said I didn't need to be treated. So my knights helped me inside and I sat in reception trying to compose myself. When I returned home and looked at myself, the outcome was plain to see, 1 lip split open, 2 black eyes, numerous grazes on the chin and nose. [It reminded me of many years ago when my father had fallen off a kerb and broken his nose etc. - I couldn't look at him for weeks or even be in the same room – so was this payback time?]
I immediately made two appointments, 1 the dentist and 1 the doctor, the doctor sent me to have X-rays on my cheekbone and hips. The dentist also did X-rays and found I had just knocked my jaw slightly out line, I had managed to protect the teeth themselves.[To this day my dentist keeps telling me how lucky I am] I had no hip damage apart from muscle strain by the twisting motion I had made to try and protect my face.
After this time falling became just another way of way of life, I can easily recall at least two occasions when I have just crumpled for no obvious reason whilst in the garden. One stick was obviously not giving me enough stability so I compensated by purchasing a Rollator [or my baby walker as I call it] This nifty bit of kit is ideal, 2 handles, 4 wheels and a seat but it all folds up neatly to fit in a taxi boot. So I was no longer restricted to only being able to travel on the tram [Have tram will travel so why did I never venture further than the town centre??!?] Actually I went on holiday 2 or 3 times, mainly to accompany my mother.
So that was how it continued and would so I thought. [Never, NEVER, NEVER presume anything or tempt fate].