Where was I?
Oh yes!
I was at my Neurosurgeon appointment for the numerous scans and tests results.
The brain and neck scans were no problem unless you were claustrophobic, each needing the to be placed differently – the brain scan needed the head to be kept still and so I was wearing a helmet like American footballers wear for protection. I actually found it very comfortable just lying still for 20 minutes, in fact, I was just about dozing when suddenly it was over.
X-Rays we all know very well from personal experience or security systems. [Unfortunately I hadn't any fish-bones or coins to display on mine]
The nerve conduction tests seemed more intimidating but were, at worst, momentarily uncomfortable. Electrodes were placed at intervals on my arm and the nerves stimulated by very mild electric shocks similar to the sensation felt when you knock your elbow. [Funny Bone Funny Bone? Who thought up that? Or is it some form of sarcastic wit?]
The Neurosurgeon looked at all the information and performed numerous tests of his own, pointing out to me the various points of interest [a tour inside my own head [useful], but this tour didn't include local landmarks and a tour guide holding up a rolled-up umbrella, This was an educational trip, I was being taught the basic of how the brain worked]
After many more tests such as on reflexes, and if I could feel the pins he sharper in any specific areas [is he an acupuncturist in his spare time?] accompanied with lots of Mmms and Ahas he took me back to his office and made his proclamation – he thought the results indicated MS but it would need a consultation with the Neurologist, my case would be classed as urgent and he would expect me to be seen within a month,
So I left his office with more of an answer than previously, but a 3 week wait seemed an eternity to me. but patience is a virtue they say. Patient patients is that not what the NHS is built upon?
In the meantime I was attending the Uroloogy Clinic where discussions where under-way regarding my bladder problems when possibility of MS was mentioned the Urologist wasn't surprised and I was put forward to have an in-dwelling catheter fitted, possibility before 2010. Because of my lack of dexterity and other problems along with the new diagnosis of MS I would have to be in hospital for approximately 3 days and be fitted with Supra Pubic type catheter. A what? The dictionary says a suprapubic cystostomy is a surgically-created connection between the urinary bladder and the skin which is used to drain urine from the bladder in individuals with obstruction of normal urinary flow. In other words I will have to wear a bag and valve system, Which doesn't sound too enthralling but will greatly enhance my life, not being affected by gravity and no leakage. Not only that but I will be able write the snow as good as any man!
I was surprised at the time scale because I naively had though it would be carried out in at Day Surgery. Stoopid, I hadn't been allowed to drive for 6 weeks whent I had my appendix out so why had I thought this would be any different? As I said previously my life without challenge wouldn't be my life.
Saturday, 14 November 2009
Friday, 13 November 2009
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.
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.
THE BEGINNING AND BACKGROUND TO WHERE I AM NOW
Part I
Before I start telling the story I ought to point out that I am naturally a 'glass half full' type and, I hope it does show, I can usually find a joke in even the most dire situations. So I apologise in advance for anything I may say that gives the impression of moaning.
I was diagnosed with Fibromyalogia and Spondylosis 12 years ago, I felt that diagnosis was a life-changing event but little did I know the drama that would follow now, in 2009.
In 1997 I lived in an area where the GPs were very overworked and the Senior Partners very comfortable in their rut. I'm not in any way blaming them, at the time I had an answer to my back problems, even been told that to continue working would lead to a wheelchair situation [I had a very physical job - standing for 8 hours at a time and carrying big stock boxes] The only problem was the house that I lived in at the time, it was 3 storeys high and on the side of a steep hill, a car was essential but I couldn't afford one with no job. I loved the people around me and would miss them but I felt I had no choice but to move.
So began the registration process with the housing department to allow me to move and driving around looking for empty properties. My daughter had already left home and who knows where my son was going to end up as he was attending University at the time so I had the advantage of asking for a downsize to a two bedroomed property from the present three bedrooms. There were other issues to consider, perhaps it would be advantageous to move back to the area where I had lived previously, we knew the area and it was near to my mother who couldn't get to the house on the hill, it being two steep a walk from the bus stop.
So, I ended up doing an 'injured' animal routine and going back to where I felt safe to lick my wounds. It was pointed out to me that there would come a day when I wouldn't have a car [not realising the car would disappear within a couple of months - the exhaust fell off and others factors meant it wamted too much work] and so this residence turned out to be ideal, within walking distance of Mom and the small shops and a short bus ride from a major shopping Mall.
Over the past 11 years however, the drawbacks of the house have become very evident, there is no community spirit because the people I knew previously have either moved on and/or forgotten me, I am surrounded by either elderly residents living in their own little world of habit, [and have a completely irrational hatred of me because I am not like them] or young couples at work all day. But the good points were that my mother came and helped me as much as possible when her angina wasn't affected by the weather and as the house had been totally neglected for about 40 years I had plenty to keep me busy doing as much DIY as I was capable of and became very creative,[mainly due to being poor] but a plus point was I had returned to GPs I had known for years and were friends who I could talk to.
So over the next few years things continued apace and I didn't seem to be getting any worse once I had learned what to avoid. Then my mother had her first stroke albeit a minor one and I developed walking difficulties so I bought a small mobility scooter to help me get to her house, I needed quick access to her, but I didn't realise that the scooter I had bought wouldn't cope very well with the hills here so although I was more comfortable I was actually slower than walking! A few weeks later she had a stronger stroke that temporally took her speech and her writing ability so she was in need of even more care. I invested in a bigger scooter that didn't mind the hills and was quicker and safer! [I've only tipped this one over one time compared to three on the small one due to the lack of dropped kerbs] My mother managed to have another stroke a few weeks later - 3 strokes within 5 weeks was being a bit greedy I thought but Hey! Ho! that's life [well mine anyway]
And that was life until half-way through 2006, to find out the happenings after then until the present day you will have to read my next posting which will hopefully be tomorrow
Before I start telling the story I ought to point out that I am naturally a 'glass half full' type and, I hope it does show, I can usually find a joke in even the most dire situations. So I apologise in advance for anything I may say that gives the impression of moaning.
I was diagnosed with Fibromyalogia and Spondylosis 12 years ago, I felt that diagnosis was a life-changing event but little did I know the drama that would follow now, in 2009.
In 1997 I lived in an area where the GPs were very overworked and the Senior Partners very comfortable in their rut. I'm not in any way blaming them, at the time I had an answer to my back problems, even been told that to continue working would lead to a wheelchair situation [I had a very physical job - standing for 8 hours at a time and carrying big stock boxes] The only problem was the house that I lived in at the time, it was 3 storeys high and on the side of a steep hill, a car was essential but I couldn't afford one with no job. I loved the people around me and would miss them but I felt I had no choice but to move.
So began the registration process with the housing department to allow me to move and driving around looking for empty properties. My daughter had already left home and who knows where my son was going to end up as he was attending University at the time so I had the advantage of asking for a downsize to a two bedroomed property from the present three bedrooms. There were other issues to consider, perhaps it would be advantageous to move back to the area where I had lived previously, we knew the area and it was near to my mother who couldn't get to the house on the hill, it being two steep a walk from the bus stop.
So, I ended up doing an 'injured' animal routine and going back to where I felt safe to lick my wounds. It was pointed out to me that there would come a day when I wouldn't have a car [not realising the car would disappear within a couple of months - the exhaust fell off and others factors meant it wamted too much work] and so this residence turned out to be ideal, within walking distance of Mom and the small shops and a short bus ride from a major shopping Mall.
Over the past 11 years however, the drawbacks of the house have become very evident, there is no community spirit because the people I knew previously have either moved on and/or forgotten me, I am surrounded by either elderly residents living in their own little world of habit, [and have a completely irrational hatred of me because I am not like them] or young couples at work all day. But the good points were that my mother came and helped me as much as possible when her angina wasn't affected by the weather and as the house had been totally neglected for about 40 years I had plenty to keep me busy doing as much DIY as I was capable of and became very creative,[mainly due to being poor] but a plus point was I had returned to GPs I had known for years and were friends who I could talk to.
So over the next few years things continued apace and I didn't seem to be getting any worse once I had learned what to avoid. Then my mother had her first stroke albeit a minor one and I developed walking difficulties so I bought a small mobility scooter to help me get to her house, I needed quick access to her, but I didn't realise that the scooter I had bought wouldn't cope very well with the hills here so although I was more comfortable I was actually slower than walking! A few weeks later she had a stronger stroke that temporally took her speech and her writing ability so she was in need of even more care. I invested in a bigger scooter that didn't mind the hills and was quicker and safer! [I've only tipped this one over one time compared to three on the small one due to the lack of dropped kerbs] My mother managed to have another stroke a few weeks later - 3 strokes within 5 weeks was being a bit greedy I thought but Hey! Ho! that's life [well mine anyway]
And that was life until half-way through 2006, to find out the happenings after then until the present day you will have to read my next posting which will hopefully be tomorrow
Thursday, 12 November 2009
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].
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].
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)