Month: Jan 2016

Woke up early this morning and deb brought me in a cup of tea before she went to work. When my alarm did go off at 7:30am the song playing on the radio was Survivor-Eye of the Tiger. Awesome song to start the day with. Feeling good! Well that feeling left very fast after trying to make a doctors appointment. The jumped up little cow of a receptionist try to palm me off with planning an appointment and not going today. When I said I wanted to see a doctor today she huffed down the phone and then in a grumpy voice said OK fine and then booked me in. Who is she to decide if I need to see a doctor?……….. Is she medically qualified? Grrrrrr!!!

That put me in a bad mood for most of the morning. I text Debs dad David to see if he would be able to take me to the docs and he was so I booked him. David is like my personal mobility service. I wouldn’t have been able to get to even a third of my appointment without him.

So once I got down to the doctors and try to let them know I was there, it turns out that the dozy cow this morning didn’t even put my name in she put someone else’s. Blood starting to boil again but the receptionist that was on was really helpful and sorted it out. She also told the other one that she made a mistake….I sat there and had a little chuckle. Saw the doctor who was amazing and sorted everything for me, so I felt good when I came out. Although I noticed how I was starting to stutter a lot. This is a big side effect of tiredness and mental strain I sometime get. But no rest for the wicked as I have Sarah & Annette from Headway coming over.

Sarah & Annette came round to set up a programme for me to use to help with my cognitive repair. It’s called CogMed and its to help with memory skills. It’s brilliant and I can’t wait to do this for the next 8 weeks and I can monitor my progress. This is what I mean the help the Headway give is outstanding.

Deb came home from work early today to deal with an insurance company as I can’t retain the information (hence the CogMed). 

Afterwards Deb thought that Asbo was in need of being serenaded. What do you think??…….

We started watching Daredevil on NetFlix……..hmmmmm it’s ok………..will give verdict at end of season 1.

Laters 💋

It’s been a hard start to the today for me as it is two years since Nanny Radlett passed away and I miss her so much. I’m sure she is having a G&T out there somewhere for sure xxxx

So I wasn’t really in the mood for upper limb group today. So I called up and cancelled, but also asked Marion the Physio to call me and plan some sessions. I had a missed call about an hour later, so I returned the call but no answer. I miss my physio sessions. My last session was 22nd Dec, then it was Xmas and then Marion was on hol. Hope I get some soon. 

Although I didn’t go to upper limb group I did set myself up at the table……..

  
I had my wooden blocks to practice picking up with my finger and thumb, Two glasses to practice holding and moving, A spiked ball to squeeze in my hand to get sensation back and a bag of tricks to try recognise by touch (and the cats laser pen). I thought I would concentrate on my arm as I am having pain in my back today. So I thought I will give it a bit of a rest. It wasn’t too bad. I worked in it all afternoon, giving out a little “whoop whoop” each time it clicked together. 

Deb got home from work, we had dinner and she sat down and watched Neighbours. So do not disturb. After neighbours we put the Wii on and played Wii Sports. Deb changed all the controls over for me so I could play left handed. Well that was hard. I’m a bit heavy handed on my left, but I had a go and it was ok. Deb got the gloves on and did a bit of boxing and then……….

  
DjGranny in the house (look at the concentration on her face). So I sat in the chair bopping while she tore up the dance floor. She is really good at it. I love the song mixes, wish there was a soundtrack you could buy.

Time for sleep.

Laters 💋

It was a quiet weekend and it was very unproductive on my part. I had come up with a reason why I believe I have these days were I’m unproductive, unmotivated and “down”. I think it is because my brain is calling a time out so that it can concentrate on just repairing it’s self. Its like it turns round to me and says “no,no,no!! I’ve been working on connecting the nerves in you arm and leg, but now I’m need to focus on me. As I’ve got some nerves up here that are ready to connect together, so you my friend are doing nothing! I don’t need any distraction. Got it? Be grumpy if you must no distraction!!”

It’s back!! HaBiT is back!! I’ve missed it. Had a memory challenge with Sarah, myself and Geoff kicked butt!! Ha ha!! Today we talked about emotions and motivation. That’s were I explained my theory of my sometimes things don’t want to connect. The group is great as its helps to put things into perspective and get a better understanding of what I am dealing with, especially when it comes to the emotional side. We also looked at our goals that we set and put them in order of difficulty. I’m looking forward to achieving them. Margaret filled in my appeal form for the PiP………watch this space. I had forgotten how mentally exhausting it is. All that information. I felt good when I got home. Headway are an amazing charity. Sarah dropped me off at home.

Got home and Deb had set up the Wii so was a sports star. Polishing her skills in tennis, table tennis and frisbee throwing before turning her attention to being a rock star. Aerosmith had nothing on Deb!! The fans were going wild and demanding encores!! 

Deb mum and dad came round for dinner. Deb cooked roast chicken and it was lush. It’s was lovely to have a catch up with them. 

Now tired and all snuggled in bed.

Laters 💋

Today was another disfunctional day. I’m in a bit of a slump as the moment. 

It the evening we went round to Michelle & Lees. Deb took her JustDance 2016 game to play with the girls Bayliegh & Frankie. It was such a lovely, funny night. Everyone had a go and joined in. The girls were really skilled in the game and gave Deb a real run for her money. It was funny to just watch them and not have to pluck up the courage to play. Deb has some scores to try and beat before challenging the girls again. One day I will be able to try and beat the scores too. 

It was such a fun night. A really good end to grumpy day.

Laters 💋

Not much to say today. In fact today can **** off!!! 

I hate everything! I want to be better now! Having a low day. 

Deb did make me laugh when she got home from work. She changed into my polar bear onesie and chased Asbo round the kitchen island. She is a crazy lady. She always has such positive vibes…….and then jumps around and covers anyone around her in vibe dust 😘

Laters 💋

Woke at 8:30am and carried on getting up to date with my blog. By 10am I had posted another to days so rewarded myself by going back to sleep. I’m still so tired. 

It was lunchtime before I was awake again. So after Asbo had walked all over me I decided I need to get back into my exercises. Worked on my legs today, my glutes, hamstrings, pelvis, hip flexers and abdominals, while trying to keeping my arms stretched out to stretch my deltoids. I put my Sumo on too to help keep my foot in position. My arm didn’t want to play ball today. After a couple of attempts do hold it in the air, I couldn’t and had to catch with my left arm so I could lower it gently. 

I got up, threw on some joggers and made a cuppa. 

Deb got home from work and started on dinner as Kerry is coming round tonight. It should of been Kerry and Alex, but Alex had band practice. They have a band, Radio Video you should look them up on Facebook. Alex plays base and Kerry is lead singer and there are brilliant. I’m not saying that because I am bias. Me and Kerry have known each other 18months since we worked in The Rye House pub. It’s feel like we have known each other for longer though. Kerry came up Addenbrookes with Deb the day after my 1st operation, and came to Danesbury every Monday while I was there. We sat round the island talking while Deb finished making lasagne and salad. It was absolutely divine! It was so yummy! Deb is a brilliant cook. It was the kind of meal where you sat there after and savoured the taste. Kerry then gave me a hair cut as it was well overdue. The last time she cut it was just before I left Danesbury. Kerry left around 10pm as she had to pick up Alex front band practice. 

Time for bed. Deb suggested that I try a camomile tea and perhaps that would help me sleep. So let’s see.

Laters 💋

Shattered still. I had Sarah from Headway coming round this morning so I set my alarm for 7am. This would give me plenty of time to get myself sorted before she arrived. I finally forced myself out of bed at 8:30am!! Came into the kitchen and had some cereal and a drink and then turned my attention to trying to look human.  Note how I say trying…….with the lack of sleep I’ve had. 

I sat there and battled with my foot and the Sumo boot. After 20mins it felt in the right place so I fastened the velcro. Just as I done that Sarah buzzed so I let her in the building. A little while later the was a knock so I said I open as I was putting my socks on…..and in walked a slightly tired Sarah. 

Rather that use the lift Sarah decided to take the stairs as she lives in a bungalow, so a bit of exercise. Yeah I can see that but with the big bag she carries (honestly Mary Poppins ain’t got nothing on Sarah. I feel a slap coming when I see her next), is wasn’t just a bit of exercise…..oh no no no I would a bloody workout. Once Sarah had recovered, hot drinks were made and we caught up on life, the paperwork began. Sarah as appalled but the PiP bit so we set about finding the appeal paperwork and printing that off. They certainly don’t make it easy for you. Why would they they don’t want to give it to you. Then we started the ESA form. Another 50page document. In the end Sarah rang them up and got there help to make sure we were filling the correct bits and to understand their arse about face way of questioning. Finally bless her for not loosing the will to live we got the forms sorted. We have the first HaBiT meeting of 2016 next week and we will finish the forms off there as Margaret will be available. I look forward to HaBiT it really help me understand what is going on in my brain and to be around others who are in similar circumstances.

12:30pm and Deb was waiting in the car park to take me to Danesbury for a new group I am starting called Upper Limb Group. It is run by Jeanette and Marion. I guy that was there the same time as me called Jim is at the group too which is nice to see how far along he had come. It’s gives me a great feeling inside. We do activities, stretching exercises and even get homework!! I haven’t had homework in over 10yrs!! Jim left his homework but we were meeting downstairs for a coffee so I took it to him……..he was so chuffed…….not!! After Jim had gone I caught up with some of the staff as was waiting there until Deb could come and pick me up. Caught up with Tracy the ward clark, Adrian, Gary, and crazy Abi. I like going back and seeing them all.

Deb picked me up and I went back to work with her so she could finish off her work. There is good banter where she works the all have a laugh. Deb had stuffed her face with food at work dinner was sorted tonight. As I sat there she made me a cup of tea and said she was going to get me a slab of quiche. No word of a lie that is exactly what it was. Bloody huge slab of quiche. Was nice though. Tried to rob her of biscuits……..fail……..she had none, but she did find a suspect bag with something disgusting in it. After a little dance of horror round the office she threw it in the bin. 

We got home and I watched Elementary as Deb carried on with some work.

Deb has crashed on the sofa and I have made it to bed. It’s midnight and I will try and sleep.

Laters 💋

I have nothing to write about today.

Nothing eventual.

Except that I have ruined myself and maybe even pushed myself back a few days, after such a BIG weekend.

So l have slept all day. Got up at 5pm to have dinner. It’s now 1am and I’m still looking at the ceiling trying to sleep.

Laters! 💋

Well got some sleep dad brought me a cup of tea up and Deb started drinking it and moved out of my reach on the bedside table. So once I had battled with Deb to get my cup of tea back……basically I just threatened to scream and tell my mummy (proper child’s play) I then battled with my limbs to get dressed.

Decided that sliding my walking stick down the stairs was the best idea as I couldn’t carry in and walk down the stairs. As the stairs are at my parents are steep the walking stick kept getting stuck, so a slightly harder than needed shove and the stick got the bottom, with my dad appearing from the dining room shortly after looking shocked but relived that it wasn’t me in a crumbled heap on the floor.

Mum got back from helping Emma collect everything from the hall after last night and we had bacon and egg sarnies. Yummy yummy yummy!! Deb sat and done some work to make sure everything was OK. We sat and had a catch up before getting all of stuff together and leaving. Popped in and had a cuppa with Emma, Andrew, Nathan and Maddie before we left and gave them their Christmas presents. They got us JustDance so Deb will be in her element and Cards Against Humanity which is fantastic. I first played it when we visited Dan & Yvette after I came out of hospital. It’s a brilliant game. I should be able to understand it better now.

That’s it by 1pm we were in the car and heading back to Hoddesdon. It’s was such a quick visit. We will plan it better next time. 

I tried to sleep in the car again as I was so tired but to no avail again. 

Stopped in at Deb sister Sarah’s on the way home to have a cuppa and drop off a card and present for her nephew Nigel’s as it was his birthday weds. John was having a pedicure by Becs as she is doing a college course in nails. Once she was done with John she then sorted out Deb nails to strengthen them and help then grow as it’s much nail. Once she had done Deb then Becs sorted my nails out. When she started on my right hand all the buffing and filing of the nails was playing with the nerves in my hand. It was tickling so much and I was pulling some weird faces. I think I will get her to do my nails once a week or fortnight as I think it help the nerves in my hand.

We finally got home and I got straight into bed. Hoping that my body would relax and maybe I would get some sleep. The short answer………..NO………no such luck. It was 2am before I was asleep. 💋

Ever have the feeling you are being watched……..

This is what greeted me as I woke up this morning!! Bloody furball once I was awake he jumped down and had a fuss. Once he had had enough the buggered off down the end of the bed and went back to sleep!! It’s true cats are not are pets we are theirs!!
I hurt today, I’m so tired I think I might of overdone it. Tried to run before I can walk. I do have to try these things but maybe in smaller doses.
While trying to get brain and body to try and muster up some kind of connection Ana called me. From up in the cold isles of Shetland. I call her little Shetland pony! We video called and I got to meet her new fella called Tony. He seems like a lovely guy. Ana was grinning from ear to ear ahhhhhhhhh 😍 Its great catching up with her as she has been quite pivotal in my recovery, and has become a great friend.
My day wasn’t very productive at all. Tried to focus on some arm exercises but my concentration wasn’t great.
It was my bro-in-laws 40th BiRtHdAy party back in Suffolk. So once Deb was home from work and we were sorted we headed up there.
It was 9pm before we were there so another long day. I did try to have a nap early evening before Deb came on from work and in the car on the journey up but to no avail.
It was a lovely night catching up with faces that I hadn’t seen in a long time. Also it was lovely to catch up with some very close dear school friends of mine. We had a good chat and made plans to meet up more this year. When something like this happens to you, you realise how important friends and family are.
Once I was finally in bed I struggled to get to sleep. My brain has been overloaded with information and new surrounding’s over the past two days it’s struggling to rest. 💋