October 2

15th October

Usual sort of day knee hurting tired from lack of sleep. Cold as well. Knee later played up a lot, the sort of pain that does not go despite what you take or do. The position that's best for the knee is not the best for my hips so one has to suffer. Finding it quite hard at the moment.

17th

On the common and met Cilia's son (Ben's son in law from next door) We talked a bit and he threw the ball for Summer which she enjoyed a lot. Puffed out when we got back.. that saved me quite a bit of pain- thank you Wayne.

18th

Day out at Joys today so that will be good. We only sit and chat but its different surroundings. She has a lot of very old things. Like me she loves brass and old past things.

Tracy came round with Jamie-Lee later and they picked up Lindsay. Nice to see them, Jamie-Lee was telling me all about School and that Tommy-Lee her brother had bean a bad boy. Tea late today too.

19th

Age UK not busy to start with but that was good as short staffed again. Jenny remarked we are not busy are we-- Shh I said, and sure enough we got manic. All the tables were full and people waiting. I could have done without it being busytoday as not the best.

The office had a big meeting and took all the glasses and most of the cups they said they needed them--what about the paying customers what do they use. As it was all the glasses had gone, then the meeting ended and the clean ones were brought back just in the nick of time.
Did not leave till gone 3pm Jenny at the same time.

Looked around town for present ideas then home.

John bought round a pair of trousers to alter by next week had a look. Think I can do them.

20th

Took Summer for her walk and met young Ben on the cobbles so he came too. He threw the ball for Summer so another good day for me. He was telling me all about his School, the last year as a Junior.

Started doing John's trousers got them tacked up and ready for the machine this went fairly well. Since my right foot has not got a lot of feeling (where RSD first started) I have to use the left foot. At first this was hard as the right foot is the dominant one, but in time I got used to it. The trouser's look good and I think John will be pleased and a bar of chocolate for me. Yum Yum.

21st

Knee pain CHRONIC today this is messing up the RSD big time. Started Paul's trouser they need a lot more some cutting off and a new hem making.

I watched a documentary about RSD on TV all about a lady burning from the inside. This happened to me but not on a big scale like hers. Worth watching It was called--- Body Bizarre on TLC 20th October.

22nd

Cold start but sunny, nice on the common. Watered the green house just about all the tomatoes have gone but still plenty of cucumbers left. No frost as yet, so they will keep coming.

Still knee hurt not bean as bad as this for a while. Would not be as bad but like I said it sends pain thought out my body nothing escapes today. Taken a lot of extra tablets with little affect. RSD if it chooses can and will make your life HELL.

23rd

In town today, pain bad but trying to ignore it. Therapy shopping, did quite good too, got quite a few presents for Christmas and the birthdays coming up. Quite warm too.

Later I had my bath around 11.30pm really looking forward to this Epsom salts and Badedas. I got in and my knee pain shot up and took over my whole body. I think my knee went underneath me but not sure. The next thing I remember is splashing about and bubbles in my mouth. I had had a seizure probably more than one. Paul came in and found me semi conscious and water all over the floor. He got me on the chair with the help of Hannah. I came too quite well, and thought that was it. NO IT WAS NOT. Paul said 24 OR MORE SEIZURES FOLLOWED EACH ONE WITH FULL BODY SPASMS. This went on till around 5am. I landed in hospital but only for a little while till I stabilised. Sore shoulder where I think I hit the bath sore face too and right arm. Home around 6am feeling sore and battered, tight muscle's and exhausted.


PAUL's BIT...
God you all don't know how I hate doing and seeing Paul's bit as it's always bad news, pain and damages to Gill.
Around 11-30pm to 11-45pm  I don't know why but I went into the kitchen. I heard splashing about coming from the bathroom, I shouted Gill are you alright, no reply. I went into the bathroom and Gill was having seizures in the bath, the first time in about 18 months. I managed to keep her head above the water level, as she usually has it quite full, at the same time as trying to pull the plug out. She stopped a seizure then shortly went into another, I was concentrating on her not injuring herself too much in the bath as our bath is a steel one. But she had already got red marks around one eye and a shoulder, The bath was empty and Gill's seizure had stopped. I tried to get her out the bath but I was in way too much pain myself trying to lift her as I'm having disc and sciatic nerve problems. Gill slowly realised what was happening and I asked her if it was okay for me to shout Hannah, our son Andrews girlfriend. I covered Gill up as best as I can before Hannah came downstairs. We managed to get Gill out the bath and onto the bathmat. I think she had another seizure. After a few minutes I made Gill decent, putting on her pyjamas and then we supported Gill walking to the dining room and onto her electric reclining chair. I adjusted it to try and make it safer for her. By this time Andrew had come downstairs. Her seizures then continued, one after another after another. I gave her 10mg of Oramorph, then an hour later another 10ml Oramorph then a short time later I gave her 300mg of quinine which Gill suggested. With the seizures continuing Gill's pain scales had hit 9 to 10 as she was also having full body spasms. Imagine cramp in your calf but affecting the whole of the body. I said to Andrew and Hannah I think its about time to call for an ambulance. After a few minutes Gill agreed to this. I dialled 999 and within 10 minutes a paramedic was at the door. I explained what had happened. He spoke with Gill and took her temperature, blood pressure and oxygen sat's. These were all fairly good. He then fitted a cannula. I think he gave Gill Oramorph and Diazepam through the cannula. Gill started to settle down and the Paramedic said I'll give her another 5 minutes then I'll be happy to leave her here. He just finished the sentence and she had another seizure, he then called for an ambulance to take her to A and E. The ambulance arrived and shortly after they put her in the ambulance. It was around 15 minutes before it set off as she had more seizures. The ambulance left about 4-00am. I arrived at the Hospital about 4-10am to 4-15am and Gill was in a bay and had been attended by a couple of nurses, she then had more seizures and the nurses were quickly to her. The lady Doctor came to see Gill and said that she had looked at Gill's notes and she said she knew what RSD was. That's about a first. Anyway the doctor was really nice and understanding. I think they then gave Gill some more pain medication. The seizures had stopped and around 6-00am we were told by the doctor that the best place for Gill was in her own bed and that she had to take things easy for about a week. We arrived home about 15 minutes later to be greeted by a tail wagging Summer dog. We settled down a bit and had a brew. We went up to bed about 7-00am. Thankfully up to now she hasn't had any more seizures. She had at least 24 seizures and they aren't little shaky one they are arms and legs flying all over the place, but weren't the worst she has had in the past. We are sure that the really bad pain from her knee started the seizures. It seem that when Gill has seizures she is always in a tremendous amount of pain. I love you Gill....

25th

Woke to a body racked with pain, stomach very pain full, headache. The seizures could start again so resting and just moving around. slowly.

I sent Wayne (our eldest son) my blog pictures of bruises and he said it looked like I had bean beaten up. I said it felt like it too.
Had a bath but with Paul in the bathroom this time. I felt like a child again.

26th

Feeling a bit more with it but pain everywhere. Went with Andrew to take Summer on the common. I felt more exhausted when I got back. Even though these seizures are not epilepsy they are much the same just from a different source. Nervous system and not the brain like epilepsy. I think sometimes they aren't taken that seriously by some medical staff. This time I got good treatment at the hospital or as much as I can remember. as I was out of it a lot.

27th

Big bruise on shoulder and swollen wrist and black eyes, left one the worst. Feeling more me and as time passes getting more in the way of thinking that the seizures have passed.
             

  

29th

First frost of the winter cold and white all over. We are just in winter too as the clocks went back Saturday night. Nice walk with Summer still hurt quite a lot but improving more everyday.

30th

 

  More bruising but the swelling has gone down a bit and is less painful now.

31st

Well last day of the month a sunny but chilly one. Andrew came on the common with me and Pup today. That was nice of him, he does enjoy a walk with Summer the same as I do.

Joy came round and we had a good chat she is doing well apart from her normal aches and pains. 

She was surprised how much I had hurt myself during the SEIZURES. My face is just about clear from bruising now, but my arm is still black, I ache a lot around my ribs and back but that also is getting better. .  

Well not a good end to the month. I thought these SEIZURES had gone but no they are still hanging around just waiting for an opportunity to strike. To cause more pain and discomfort to the already over loaded body. I have had probably around 30 plus of these dam things, don't you think that the RSD could see that and my body is wreaked enough without anymore. No it does not care one bit it seems the more the better for it. RSD has wreaked my life big time. All the things I took for granted, every day things like, having a part time job, walking, sleeping, relaxing, cooking unaided in the kitchen, going to see a film, knitting, sewing and crafting. Having a nice bath, going on a bus, car journeys, nights out, noise, vibrations, party's. Staying in bed when in PAIN. Not off the scale things are they? Most of these are hard for me or impossible at times.  Running was my release, but how can I run ???? as hardly able to walk most days-- well that's not really true, Yes I can walk but not without pain. Another thing, people see you out and think she's alright. People think you are being antisocial when you don't go round or want to do things. I would love to do the every day things but I just can't anymore. Some/most days this gets to me, I am not a TV person or staying in one. I am an active person. Walking running were my joys but not no more. People say to me at least you are not in a wheelchair all the time. NO I NOT-- due to the hard work of me fighting through the pain. BUT there comes a time when there is not a lot of fight left.Wheelchair scares the shit out of me.

I have an ongoing fight with PIPs at the moment. They do not know about RSD so I took them an easy to understand print off from a RSD site high lighting the bit, USE IT OR LOOSE IT when being assessed. She hardly looked at it scoring me 0 for everything. (meaning no payment-- I used to get a little bit of money with DLA). I told her I can still do things because of my frame of mind to want to keep going. I got a mobility scooter, started Pilate's, got an electric bike so I could be near normal. Now I am being penalised for it. If I had not done theses thing I would be in a wheelchair now probably permanently.

No I was not kept in Hospital this time, which is good, but most of the time they don't know what to do anyway, a few do but not many. Weeks of being kept in a hospital bed does not help but how can the Doctors let you get up when having repeated SEIZURES all the time. I was not safe and when up, sustained injury's all the time. A no win situation. RSD is little understood so most people do not try and think you are being awkward with them.

Writing this my fingers miss the keys and I spell things wrong. My finger, neck and shoulders hurt so it takes longer. As long as I am able I will continue with this blog. So please keep reading it and try to understand how an RSD person feels. Hopefully they have gone now, that is the SEIZURES-- so I can get back to my life.

At least I have you Pup.

All the best to you all. Love Gill.

October (1)

October 1st

What a lovely day suns out, cold wind but that hopefully will help my headache. I got up a bit later, 10-00am today as bed late last night, well early morning to be right around 6-00am.
Good walk with Pup, the wind seems to make her like a young Pup again. She is 8 now after her Birthday in August. Washing nearly blowing off the line as the wind so strong.

Knee (the one I hit on the cupboard door) is not good today, it's very painful and giving way at times, bruising has all come out now I think, but still quite swollen. The original knee pain is very bad today and causing me a lot of extra pain. Extra tablets and BIOFREEZE plus TIGER BALM to help, it does a bit but not for long once the numbing affect has gone off..

2nd

I'm at the Doctors today, a few problems for her to sort out. My nose has bean bleeding a lot and is very swollen inside. This is an ongoing problem from a few years back when my nose was cautorised after massive nose bleeds. My nose now is very fragile and will bleed at the slightest sore or cold. I asked her about my scan I had on my knee on the 30th August. She looked but they're not back yet. She will chase them up, I will ring after the weekend. I have ECZEMA on both hands so cream for that, BETNOVATE, plus more cream for my nose NASEPTIN. The Doctor has put CARBAMAZEPINE on repeat prescription. This tablet one a day, has helped my neck and head pain a lot. I still have shooting pain and soft tender spots, but nowhere near as much. At least that's one thing that has helped.
She looked at my knee as bruising has gone all the way down my leg and I only hit my knee. She said this was fine as its called tracking, but to come back if it gets more swollen or very hot. I said it was hot a few days ago but cooler now. I think she was happy with it anyway.

3rd

A dull cold start to the day. I was going to Pilates but I don't think my knee could take it so stayed at home. Neck and head pain not good today may be I should not have said how good it was yesterday
A lot of ironing to do today so a good CD or two on to move to. Chose Ozzy and Pink.

4th

On the common today, after Summer had bean playing with her ball she sat down and I did too. My shoulders and legs really hurt. One of my friends saw me and was quite concerned and thought I was not well. She said one minute I was walking along and the next on the floor. Nice to have people looking after me. Summer tired now and will have a asleep for a while.

5th

Age UK The cooks last day so a sad one for us all. Chris is very funny and makes us all laugh and cheers us up with a cuddle when down or just not feeling to good. We will all miss him.

One of the waitresses, Gwen, dropped a dinner plate on her foot so she had to go to A and E. Her foot could be broken or just badly bruised as very swollen and miss shaped. All the best Gwen.

A very stressful day all round as short staffed. Polly the cooks day off too. Gwen at A and E so a waitress down as well. Many more days like this and it will be too much for me as at times I found the noise too much to cope with and just the overall things that needed doing is too much too. Jenny found it quite hard as well. Most people seemed to be annoyed today for some reason. Next week Chris is not here so only three in the kitchen as no one to replace him as yet. The Capochino machine was not switched on either as no one to work it. A very tiring day with not much sleep this week, so that did not help things either.

Bit of shopping then home to rest a bit with Pup she was very pleased to see me.

Playing Scrabble later with Andrew and Hannah. I actually won a game, I'm usually not very good as my spelling is bad.

6th

Lindsay here with Jamie-Lee and Suey, Summer has not seen her since her holiday there when we went to the Lakes. They were both running around like mad dogs. Tommy-Lee and Jay-Jay were out with friends.

Left hip painful, feels like bone on bone this happens from time to time. Took extra pain tablets and rubbed on Tiger Balm. Is this FIBO, RSD or WHAT?

Finished off baby Annabelles pink set and also the pram set, quite pleased with them both the patterns I have used are a very good fit for the doll.

 

7th

A cold start to the day but dry. There is a bike race on the common so a lot more people are there.  They go fast on their bikes. All ages racing from very young around six or seven + to elderly. Stood watching for a bit. Reminded me of my racing days and running and I felt very sad.

New Doctor Who-- the thirteenth Doctor a LADY this time. I watched it with Andrew and Hannah. Not too sure what to think yet, need a few more episodes to settle in I think.

8th

Hip very sore today especially when I lift my leg. Winter is coming so it will not be good for me I don't think. I will survive, as the song goes.

Phoned up the Doctors to see if scan results have turned up yet. Spoke to my friend there and she said results were back in. Probably bean there the whole time but not in the right place. She made me a phone  appointment for tomorrow.
Later in the day I got a phone call saying I need to make an appointment to see a Doctor. I said already done- don't people speak or look at screens there to see whats going on? Anyway its sorted.
I have a call late tomorrow morning or early afternoon.

9th

Doctor Patterson called me just before 9-00am. !!!. I was asking about scan- she said nothing on my file. She will look in to it. I thought it was all sorted I said. She will ring me later. What a mess around, when I first had the scan, they said a week its bean over five now nearly six (Thursday).
The results are there my receptionist friend has seen them.

The leaves are coming off the trees and a carpet is forming along the paths. I like Autumn, but soon the trees will be bare.
Summer had a good time playing with her ball again on the common and was tired when she came back.


10th

Was not to sure if I was going to Pilate's but in the end I decided to go. The session was hard but I mostly enjoyed it. A lot of spasms in my right foot, I think this was after biking there. Not bean on my bike for a while. The last time was 12th September so legs and feet are bond to feel it.

Later on I had my hair cut by Angela's Hairdresser, Debbie, now shoulder length and layered. This will go curlier as the days go by.
 

 

Not half down my back like it was. Feels better but weird- as used to tieing it back. I know its easier to brush now so does not make my arm and shoulder hurt as much. Thank you Angela for introducing and recommending her to me. Bean a long time since my last cut  March 2015 by Helen before she moved to Derby.

11th

Got a phone call from my Doctor about knee. There is a significant tear under the knee cap. I have bean referred on. So hopefully something will be sorted soon.


12th

Age UK. Gwen who dropped a plate on her foot had not broken it, she said it had bean very painful for the last week. Poor Gwen at least she can now walk on it. Found out later in the day she is coming back as cook to replace Chris, I am so pleased about this. She is a very good friend and has her crazy moments and she is a good cook. A lot of the customers have missed her so will get a shock next week when they see her. I think most will be pleased. As they say you can not please everyone.  Please yourself first.

A busy day but easier than last week. My knee hurts a lot so extra tablets and rub.
A bit of shopping then home. Very mild the last few days but oh so windy.

Angela was here when I got back and brought us a bottle of Buck Fizz. That was nice of her.

13th

Decided to bath Summer today as her fur is very mucky and not soft. She quite likes a bath/shower.
After she looked so white and oh so soft. Let her dry natural today as it was so warm.
 

 

 My little Pup.

She is so hard to get a picture of because she locks at you all photogenic then at the moment of clicking she moves her head or just walks away.


Later I did some of the garden, the herb bit. Summer was sat outside getting dried. My knee hurt so only managed a bit but pleased with what I got done. There is always another day. At least I got started.

14th

Rain. I think it looks like an all dayer. I would have liked to do more in the garden but never mind.

Summer wanted to go down Sincil Bank today. She sometimes likes to have a change. What I saw down there was lots of water, leaves and mud from the side bank along the road .I think the common would have bean very muddy and sticky today, Summer made the right choice..

Not too much going on this month pleased about scan results. Hope things are the best they can be and you are all well. All the best Love Gill.