Continuing my journey

To extend the wrist

To extend the wrist

Reach out & hold

I do not now have regular appointments with my Physio, but occasional contact is kept by e-mail. I recently received a message that stated she "was pleased that my hand is continuing its journey". This is something that I had never considered - the fact that all my recovery has been and still is a continuing journey. I strive to maintain progress with daily exercises and am always trying to re-invent them to adapt them to my current needs.

I am now trying to extend and strengthen my wrist. This I do by holding a salt seller horizontally in my right hand (I should hold the wrist down with my left hand) and then pull up the wrist and hold in this position for up to 10 seconds.

Holding objects is something that I have been doing for a while, I have a variety of objects that are different shapes and medium. However, it has been a challenge to be able to reach out and take hold of an object. At first, I could only get hold of things the reverse way round: as I am predominantly right handed I would have to grab hold and cuff objects in the opposite way that is shown in the picture above. It was as though everything seemed to be working back to front.


To strenghten the triceps in my right arm I put my arm behind me, keeping the elbow straight and then hold up to the count of 10.  This I can do whilst holding the salt seller. My aim is to bring the arm forwards.

Shut The Box

1st throw of dice

Begin the game

2nd throw of dice

3rd throw of dice

Shut the Box is an easy to learn game that can be played by any number of players. It occured to me recently that this would make an ideal game to play for those of us who are recovering from a stroke. It is a useful aid for the mind as you have to work out simple maths. The game can be played at any time and I quite often challenge myself.
The game consists of nine tiles that are numbered from one upwards. The player throws the two dice into the tray and then uses the combined total to "shut" any number of tiles to the exact same value. The same player continues until such time as there are no tiles remaining in the up position that match the value of the dice thrown. That player's turn then ends. A note of the total value of the remaining tiles not shut is taken, and play passes to another who will attempt to improve on the previous player's score.
In the early days this could prove to be a valuable game to test the mind. Even now I will challenge friends!

Glitches & Hitches

The headaches, more a feeling of getting off a fairground ride, have sporadically interfered with my well being.
I first began to notice these episodes a few weeks ago and put them down to: being overtired, not taking my blood pressure tablet on time, something to do with the trapped nerve in my neck, trying to assist with Christmas preparations or doing too much and then having to rest.

The last one was a couple of days ago whilst we were returning back home from visiting relatives, a journey of around an hour and a quarter. I suddenly felt "hot and bothered" and on a night of driving rain had to open the car window. It is a most peculiar feeling, like getting off a roundabout, and although the room or wherever I am does not appear to move around me, my head needs to stop travelling.

All of this has quite un-settled me, and with my condition being neurological, has made me feel quite vulnerable. I have had a thorough check up with my G.P. who did some simple tests: closing my eyes and holding my arm out, tilting my head back for a while and then holding it steady and whilst looking straight ahead following her moving finger. My blood pressure showed a slight increase from a few weeks ago and I am awaiting results of a blood test. These tests, along with others, have indicated Vertigo and I have now been prescribed tablets to help with the feeling of dizziness and sickness.

Anything like this, particularly when I feel any type of problem that concerns my head causes anxiety, but I have the re-assurance from my G.P. that I can go back at any time and discuss these issues.  However, I have to try and accept that this is what the problem is and not get stressed or this will compound the problems.

Shake, rattle and roll

The "bad ankle" finally resolved itself after a four day enforced rest. As frustrating as I find this, I have learned that when these things happen my body is telling me something.
I continued to rest during the day as I had booked to go to a Christmas party on Thursday night, and the next two nights to theatre productions. Friends collected me and took me to these events which were very diverse and equally as pleasing and good fun.

On the Thursday I made an effort to get dressed up, even buying a new top. Horror of horrors! On my way home I realised that I would not be able to undo the zip at the back of my shiny new purchase and as my husband was out my friend had to do unzip me out! 
Lesson learnt - chose your clothes wisely.  

On Friday I attended the hospital's Neurological Rehab Unit to be measured and fitted for a new resting splint.
My hand has now opened and after a long time the swelling on my hand has gone, I know have knuckles and my fingers are back to their original size. The moulding and fitting by occupational therapists takes around 45 minutes. This is the first time that it has been updated and has been made to further stretch out my wrist and fingers. I still wear this overnight and at times during the day when I am not undertaking exercise with the use of my dynamic splint.

Apart from my 3 consecutive nights out, this week-end was the Christmas markets in the town where I live. I caught the bus to town on Saturday to have a look around, but my visit was cut very short. I visited 2 shops and tried to look at the market stalls but began to feel rather unwell. I dropped my stick in the shops and couldn't put purchases in my bag and felt very light headed. On my return home I just rested quietly.
My husband, who was officiating at this event, took time out to escort me around the following day.

I guess that I will not know what caused this to happen, but it does make me feel quite vulnerable.
Even after two and a half years I know that there is a long road ahead to recovery and sometimes wish that I could get up one morning and just give a big shake to get my bones and everything back in alignment.

Capabilities

Following on from the last entry: 
Whilst we were in the award winning food store, Lewis & Cooper, I decided to try and walk down the flight of stairs. This I managed fairly easily as the steps are quite shallow, but I would never attempt to do this kind of thing unless I had someone with me. It does give a sense of "normality" but there is still a long way to go and I accept this.

The following day I decided to have a bath, this is something which I do not do very often, preferring a shower instead. I still require help to sit down and stand up once in the bath, and my husband is on hand to assist, if necessary, to get me in and out. That same afternoon we walked down by the river where we live - a glorious day.

Feeling buoyant by all of this, on the day afterwards I caught a bus into town and walked it back home, around a distance of 1 mile. Then on the same afternoon, my husband took me to a supermarket and left me to push the trolley around and decide on our shopping requirements. He did however meet me at the checkout to pack and pay for the goods.

All of this and combined with a trip to the local market, a garden centre with a friend for lunch and a trip home to see our family meant that last week seemed to have some semblance of normality.

However, I am not now sure whether all of this may have come at a price. For the last couple of days I have had a very sore and slightly swollen achilles tendon, on my bad leg, which means that I am finding it very difficult to walk. I first noticed it when I got out of bed one morning and had to stop myself from falling to the floor.

I have to just get on with things and not concern myself about this latest "blip". As much as I would like my abilities to be more than they are, I understand what I am capable of and my body is giving me a chance to recover. We had the ethos at work that: "You can't control the uncontrollables" and this is a prime example.

As we are only a few weeks away from Christmas and the enforced resting will mean that I can help in the ways I can: writing cards and producing and printing address labels, but even this is not totally straightforward as I have to still use my left hand which even after two and a half years does not come naturally.
I still remain upbeat and still vow not to be beaten!

Check out the award winning gourmet store:
.http://www.lewisandcooper.co.uk/store/home.asp

That was the week that was

As I have previously stated I do not go back and read the Blog entries, I write as I feel at any one particular time.

However, the day after I posted the last entry: "Push push, push" I realised that it was somewhat of a contradiction to "Ups and Downs". On one hand I was advocating recovery is a marathon and not a sprint and on the other it was a case of pushing and challenging. Both of these ethoses are relevant and on the particular days that I wrote the entries it is how I felt. Now I am finding that I cannot fully explain exactly what I mean with regard to this and these skills are slow to return.

During the course of last week I knocked a full bottle of milk over a kitchen work top, broke the washing line and accidentally knocked the shower cubicle door of its bottom runner. None of these events stressed me and generally I take all of this kind of thing in my stride. I just got on with cleaning up the mess that I had created, and took the washing off the line and took it in the house.

Putting clothes on a washing line with the use of only one hand and arm is quite a challenge in itself and requires patience, but I have perfected the technique with spring pegs and teeth, enough said! I recently attempted to fold a king sized duvet cover on the kitchen worktop and again found spring cloths pegs to be effective. Find two corners and peg them together, then keep pulling the two edges together and keep on securing like this until the other two corners are reached. That was one of the harder things to master and quite time consuming.

Yesterday my husband and I went to do a little bit of Christmas shopping, the weather was really good and there was a street market in the town where we went. I could not resist buying the wallet/purse for myself from the Department Store. I am sure that this will be more practical and beneficial than the purse that I currently have.
The day was a complete change for the pair of us, one that we both really enjoyed after a sometimes fraught week.

Wallet purse with wrist strap.

A coin purse, card and note holder

Push, Push, Push

I have never been one to give up even with all that I sometimes have to contend with, and although my neck continues to give me a few problems, I strive to push on and set myself challenges.

At the week-end I managed quite a walk by the river where I live: Saturday was such a glorious day and it felt so good to get out and breathe in fresh air in all the wonderful sunshine. That evening we visited a restaurant on the outskirts of Leeds, "The Mansion" is a listed classical building situated north of the city, which commands superb views over the 700 landscaped acres of parkland, lakes and woodland that comprise Roundhay Park. This had been a Christmas present for us and at last I am feeling more comfortable about my situation and am now more likely to enjoy the prospect of dining out.

We started the week by visiting a nearby market town and made purchases in three shops before shopping at a supermarket. I coped with all of this very well and pushed the trolley around the supermarket, it does feel good to be able to "check out the shelves" and see what is on offer, especially as Christmas is only a matter of weeks away. After lunch at home we set out again this time to a DIY Superstore, this I had to concede was a step too far and I found walking around quite difficult. I had got in and out of the car several times and walked around shops and a supermarket. So on my return home I had a long soak in the bath and got into my night clothes.

The following day refreshed after a good rest and sleep I took advantage of the pleasant weather and set myself the challenge of walking to town and back, some two miles in total. This I did on my own and I felt a greater sense of self-sufficiency and independence. I need to know my limitations and must challenge myself. After three or four hectic days followed by a day of rest I will be able to test myself once more.

I can sometimes be possibly perceived as abrupt or ungrateful, but my friends now know to step one pace back. I would rather let them see me having a go at something and not managing than letting them do things for me. I have just managed to learn how to fasten a zip recently, trivial? Not at all, I can now wear the coat I want to!

The next challenge that I have set myself is ironing, this I will have to do with my left hand, so to me this whole experience will be a definite challenge.

Ups and Downs

Since writing the previous entry I have had somewhat of a rollercoaster time, due mainly to a trapped nerve in my neck. I do not know how this occurred but it has had a "knock on" effect with aspects of my recovery.

I had put up with pain for a few days before a nursing friend of mine insisted that I should have it checked out. Initially I went to a Pharmacist in a large supermarket on a Friday evening in extreme pain. After a discussion about my medication she dispensed gel and strong pain-killers which can only be used for three days, this was sufficient to get me through the week-end before going to my G.P.
The Doctor that I saw recommended neck exercises - something that my Physio has always told me to be careful with as you can overstretch nerves. The pain, although did not increase, was really acute and even though I have a high pain threshold found it difficult to cope with. I contacted my Physio who agreed an appointment and gave me "manual" traction. The following day I felt somewhat bruised but I now have movement back in my neck without too much discomfort.

Contending with this additional problem over the last three or four weeks has meant that although I continued to wear my splints I wasn't able to do daily exercises with my arm which has been disappointing, but I remind myself that this is a temporary hitch, although it has been sometimes difficult to keep focussed about this. Now I have re-started, my right arm, the affected arm, has become somewhat painful until it gets used to the daily routine. I feel that there is a very fine balance in getting everything "back on track" but I remain committed and have the unwavering support of my husband.

November is the month of family birthdays and last week-end we had a gathering of twelve people at my house. I managed to assist with the shopping for this get together and that really made me tired. A friend did additional shopping for one hot dish that she also made for us. I did not feel totally well on the day and it took its toll for a couple of days afterwards.

I am currently taking things one day at a time, my mind is willing to go forward but my body needs to go at its own pace. I have learnt the hard way that what I can achieve on one day may not be sustainable, the trick is not to get wound up or angry about it. Remain focussed and a slow steady improvement is fine - this is a marathon not a sprint!

I now know and appreciate the true value of friendship and value true friends. 

Gadgets

Kitchen Play Station!

This is my multifunctional Kitchen "Play Station". I purchased this so I could feel of more value and be of some use in the kitchen.
Items such as these can be purchased from any reputable supplier of goods for the disabled.
After two years I still have not got a functioning right hand, so this gives me some kind of independence.


This multi-functional aid is ideal to provide assistance with everyday tasks.
The vice-like contraption that sits in the middle of the board opens up to hold any object in place: bowl, tin, vegetables or bread.

The removable slicer and grater unit has a protective cover when it is not in use. I find the slicer particularly good to peel potatoes. At the right hand side of the board are removable spikes, (they are inverted when not in use), and these can be used to secure fruit or vegetables for peeling, slicing or chopping. The L-shaped corner is very useful to keep bread or toast in place when it needs buttering!

The black coloured piece of equipment is a left handed tin opener. Yes, there is something to aid every function and to make one feel some sense of purpose.

Shopping Bag

Before my hand was more able to do things, however small, I used to get really frustrated at being able to go shopping and then not to be able to carry purchases home. Initially, I would purchase a newspaper and one or two items and then would find that I could not juggle carrier bags, a walking stick and have my bus fare ready. One of my son's bought the shoulder bag, as pictured, which immediately gave me greater flexibility with purchases, but I now have to be mindful of how much I buy due to the problem of carrying too much weight which can unbalance me.

Botox Injections - 22nd September 2011

I have always worked as hard as I possibly can to aid my recovery, sometimes exercising when I know that I am not really "on top form".
I have come a long way on my journey but could not have achieved this without my husband, family and friends but most of all through the investment and time which the hospital has afforded me.

I have seen a Consultant twice to discuss and be reviewed for Botox injections, something that up until September 22nd did not seem to be appropriate. However, having now come to a slight impasse, it was agreed that two injections into my lower arm at this time could now be beneficial.

I was advised that a low dosage would be given initially and not to be disheartened if no real change was observed. The optimum time to begin any exercises with the Dynamic splint would be around a week to ten days, when the fingers should be in a relaxed state. The injections give a window of opportunity to work on straightening the fingers and so reduce the "clawing".

Around five days after the injections my arm did begin to feel relaxed and my fingers also seemed to loosen up, so feeling more comfortable. I collected the splint from hospital and began the work - bending my fingers and letting them pull back and relax. After another week I returned to see my Physio who could check any progress and give further instruction on any other ways of exercising with the splint. She seemed pleased at the initial progress and I cannot thank her enough for guiding me through my recovery to date.

I return to the Botox clinic in December, but up until then I will strive to achieve this next part of my recovery.

The Dynamic splint at first was difficult to put on, my hand definitely did not like the idea and offered as much resistance as it could. I found that the only way to succeed was to do finger and arm exercises before to stop everything tensing up, now thankfully it has become more used to it and now this is no longer necessary.
Once I have got the thumb into position I put on the leather cuffs at the top digit of the fingers and then fasten the three straps around my arm and hand. It does not take long for the fingers to stretch out and relax and then I can begin exercising.

As you can see from the photographs on the previous entry the splint is spring loaded and so you have to work hard at the resistance that this creates. One exercise is to bend the fingers over and then pull them back until they are straightened out and the other is to try and separate the fingers out whilst maintaining them in a horizontal position - this I find quite difficult. I wear this splint to "work out" 45minutes twice a day.

I have also come to realise that when putting on my Resting splint at night time my hand no longer tenses or the fingers claw, it is much easier to fit - another definite advantage.

Taking everything into consideration at this particular moment in time, I am optimistic about these latest developments and also of the merits of Botox.

Splints

Dynamic Splint

Used in conjunction with Botox injections, this splint is helping to straighten my fingers through exercise.

Resting Splint

I have been wearing the above splint for two years - I wear it overnight and when I am travelling as an aid to relax my hand and fingers.

   

        

Turkey Highlights

Start Apartments

Dining alfresco

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Favourite pastime - in the shade

Outside the apartment

Eating Turkish style

     

Afternoon cakes

Oludeniz

     

3rd Wedding & Turkey . . . August/September 2011

August Bank holiday week-end saw the wedding of our youngest son and five days later our holiday to Turkey.

Dancing to Black Eyed Peas "I Gotta Feeling" (again)

The wedding was an informal and friendly affair and went without a hitch. I had my customary dance to The Black Eyed Peas - as I have done at the previous weddings.
 The weather played its part and gave us a sunny and warm week-end.

My friend came to do my make up and help me to dress and generally assist before we set off. Two more friends had done all the shopping and assembled a buffet lunch to be ready for our return the following day.



We had hardly drawn breath before we were off to Turkey, this year for two weeks, something which we have not done for many years. I had several new experiences during these weeks and this year did not suffer any illness or was particularly bothered by the high temperatures, although I acknowledge that sometimes it could be debilitating. I settled into a routine on the days which we did not go out.  This year we went with a group of friends, which for me felt better knowing that I had a "safety net". They were all willing to asist us where necessary and were keen to help me to get into the pool, this I had not done for around 3 years.

Get ready . .

Feeling good

My husband had to help me to sit on the pool side and then lift me in. It felt good to experience the water again although it did take some time before I re-gained any kind of confidence. Friends helped me to get out of the pool and I came to enjoy these little sessions.

Our return flight was at 11.30p.m.local time and so we could take our time to pack up, have a last swim and have meals before the journey. Once at the airport I began to feel very light-headed and was overcome with anxiety - the place seemed so big and was extremely busy - and again I found that Icould not cope with this type of situation. Thankfully these occurences are getting less frequent.

Newspaper article: How Botox can help Stroke victims

How Botox can help stroke victims  by PAT HAGAN, Daily Mail

One of the most deadly poisons known to man has been turned into a radical new treatment that could benefit thousands of stroke victims. Botulinum toxin, or Botox, is so dangerous in high doses that it can kill by paralysing the body's muscles.

But scientists have now discovered that injecting minute quantities of the poison can help stroke victims regain movement and control in their arms and hands.

Doctors estimate the breakthrough could help at least 5,000 stroke sufferers a year who are left with a condition called limb spasticity - when muscles in the arms and legs become overactive, often going into spasm and causing pain and deformity.

A licence for doctors to use the toxin is expected to be granted in the UK within the next few months. Strokes, which are caused by a blood clot in the brain, are the third biggest killer in the UK, trailing behind only cancer and heart disease.

Every day in the UK, nearly 200 people die from a stroke and thousands more are left disabled. The number of new cases each year stands at around 100,000; it costs the NHS £2.3 billion a year to treat and look after stroke victims.

Limb spasticity is one of the most common side-effects of damage to the brain and spinal cord. In the legs, it can affect the patient's movement and walking ability, while in the arms and hands it can affect grip and make it difficult to bend the elbow.

The over-activity in the muscles makes them contract and stay that way for prolonged periods of time. Eventually, this leads to shortening in the soft tissue around the muscle and means the affected arm or leg can become permanently deformed.

Although drugs can treat the disorder, most have unpleasant sideeffects. Doctors estimate that around 40 per cent of patients treated are unable to tolerate the drugs used, and while surgery is an option for some people, the results have been inconsistent.

Now it's hoped that by injecting botulinum toxin directly into the affected muscles, doctors may be able to help many more patients. The poison blocks the release of acetylcouplecholine - a chemical that transmits the signal telling muscles to contract.

It has already gained a reputation as an unlikely remedy for a range of health conditions - from back pain and Parkinson's disease to excessive sweating and crow's feet.

But the latest breakthrough could open up the toxin's benefits to a much bigger group of patients.

Doctors from the UK, Germany and the Republic of Ireland looked at the effects of Botox on a group of stroke victims as part of an international trial.

Half the patients were given a Botox jab and the other half a dummy injection. The change in their wrist and finger movements was then measured.

The results, published in the European Journal Of Neurology, showed a marked improvement in the botulinum group which lasted at least four months after the injection.

Loralei Hurd, an 18-year-old student from Hemswell Cliff, near Lincoln, was one of the first patients in the UK to benefit from the controversial treatment.

At the age of eight, she fell off a tricycle at school in California and hit her head. Eight hours later she collapsed with a blinding headache and was unable to talk, walk or use her right arm or leg.

A brain scan showed she had suffered a stroke - probably as a result of the accident - and although Loralei was able to walk again within a week, her speech was slurred and her face drooped. Her right arm was almost useless.

'About a month after the stroke, I went back to school and that was the worst day of my life. I suddenly found that from being top of my class in every subject, I was unable to write a simple sentence or add two and two. The doctors hadn't prepared me for this and I was devastated.'

A year later, Loralei moved to England - where her father is from - but had to struggle through school to achieve five GCSEs.

'My right arm was still pretty much useless, my hand tended to grab hold of things and not be able to let go. This could be embarrassing when shaking hands with people, and dangerous if I took hold of an escalator rail.

'Once, on the school bus, I missed my stop because my hand would not release from the rail coming down the stairs.'

Then Loralei's GP referred her to the local stroke rehabilitation clinic, where doctors suggested injecting botulinum toxin.

Within two days of having a of jabs, she started to see the benefits. 'My hand started to relax and with physio, I was soon able to move,' said Loralei.

'I was working as an assistant in a clothing store to earn money to pay for college and the difference it made was incredible. Several times I cried with happiness.'

Stroke expert Dr Anthony Ward, from the North Staffordshire Rehabilitation Clinic in Stoke-on-Trent, said there are huge advantages to using Botox.

People who have strokes often have high blood pressure or diabetes,' he said. 'But botulinum toxin is one of the few treatments that has little or no interaction with other drugs.

'Many of the drugs we use for spasticity in strokes often have a quite marked effect on the liver and kidneys, but this is really very safe.

'It takes about one week to work and the effects last for around three months.' Dr Ward stressed the toxin must be used in conjunction with other treatments - such as rehabilitation therapy - and warned doctors they must stick to guidelines drawn up last year by a panel of experts.

Although the treatment is expensive, doctors predict there could be massive savings in reducing spending on follow-up care for stroke victims.

And as far as Loralei is concerned, it's worth every penny. 'Last time I also had an injection in my right leg and that helped, too - my toes don't cramp up in my shoes.

'Try walking around with your toes scrunched up in your shoes for a while and you'll understand how good it feels when that doesn't happen.'

 

Explore more:

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-104806/How-Botox-help-stroke-victims.html#ixzz1YsKFM8gR

Resting . .

Last week was a very busy week as we geared up for our third family wedding in ten months - this time that of our youngest son.

This week is one of rest and also to get ready for our imminent holiday.

I will catch up with you all on my return.

Thinking Skills & Memory

One thing that I never do is read previous posts before writing a new one. I make no apologies if entries seem to be repeated, but I write as I feel on any particular day or as issues come to mind.

To have a stroke is one thing, but to face all the challenges that come with recovery can be daunting and almost like turning the clock back to childhood. Learning to walk, being able to use a different hand, getting dressed with one hand, tying a bow, learning to write with a different hand are just some of the daily tests. So it is almost as though we face a "double challenge" as we have to entirely re-think our daily life.

Some solutions are quite simple: re-positioning the kettle or ensuring that the vacuum cleaner is stored the correct way round for example, but I have found that it is better to think problems out to find the solution that will be the most economical on the physical state. So, I now have to exercise my thinking skills to really find alternate methods to what I once used to take for granted. I have recently learnt to tie a bow, but I have to concentrate really hard to achieve this, and so have to block out all that is going on around me.

I still even now, forget things that I have been told or can get facts incorrect, and therefore am not the best carrier of messages. I find this deeply frustrating but I have learnt the art of word association which can help - but not always.

Although modern day living entails the use of computers, as did my job, I have to admit that I am not the most skilled at using them. What previously, had been simple routine use of them, occasionally now seems complicated and this in turn leaves me with a feeling of confusion or helplessness. I have been known to e-mail friends for instructions when I need assistance.

Yesterday, my husband realised that we had lost a set of important keys and we spent all day, on and off, searching for them. I tried to help him by suggesting that he should re-trace his steps and we hunted from the loft to garage by way of the greenhouse - all to no avail. We did manage "to keep calm and carry on", but it was very unsatisfactory.   This morning I put on my dressing gown and voila there they were in one of the pockets!  Fortunately, we saw the funny side of things, but I still cannot remember handling the keys and have had to put behind me the upheaval that had been caused.

I soon learnt that you cannot control the uncontrollables and that whatever happens on any one day "just does" and start each day afresh.

Festival of Entertainment & Visual Arts - FEVA

FEVA is our local annual festival of entertainment and visual arts. Every summer, for ten days a year, the town stages a wonderful array of shows and events.  
There is something going on in every corner of the town: art exhibitions, theatre, live music, spoken word and restaurants & pubs take part with special evenings - Flavours of FEVA.
The town comes alive with many visitors and I know of one young lady, who comes especially from Ireland, to stay with her grandparents for its duration.

I look forward to this as it gives me the chance to meet old acquaintances and perhaps make new friends. I have been extremely fortunate this year as friends have rallied to offer lifts to venues and I have managed to go to one event each day, except the last one. This gives me a sense of being part of the community again and some normality.

Last year, I had to leave a concert early as I could not bear the loud noise and I am glad to say that this has not been the case this year, I take this as a positive sign of further improvement. However, I still have a way to go as even now when I have done too much I get a peculiar feeling in my head. Taking heed of this I opted to rest last night and today rather than take part in my final choices.

This year I take away the memories of going to two very diverse concerts, a jazz supper club with tapas, watched a play in a pub, listened to the Guardian's Northern Editor talking of the myths & reality of the North, visited an art exhibition in the Boathouse and listened to an outdoor concert of popular music with eight part harmonies.
Needless to say I look forward to next year's FEVA and hopefully being able to do more.

All in all a very satisfactory ten days - - and now it is only one week before our youngest son gets married.












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Positives from Negatives

You all know by know that I remain focused on my recovery and however small the improvements are - well they are improvements.

I cannot always see these as I am too close, however, people who do not see me for long periods are now commenting on my much improved state. I continue to do exercises and try to do different things that I have not been able to for over two years. Recently, I found that I can now walk down a few steps one foot in front of the other. Another triumph, I cannot pretend that it is easy, but after the first few painful efforts it is beginning to get easier.

My hairdresser is now noticing the difference as I can now sit with my head backwards over the washbasin instead of having to stand. This is something that we all take for granted and a matter of routine, to me this is another example of my recovery.

I can now raise my arm from my side to my mouth, I am sure that my technique is not correct, but again another improvement. I am certain that my Physio will probably show me the technically correct way when I next see her.
As I strive to return to normality I do have severe pain on some days, and in particular the neck area, but to me this is little price to pay.

My walking continues to get better and the stamina levels are still not consistent, I have learnt a severe lesson and now rest when necessary instead of "carrying on to beat it". I was in bed last night at 5.30pm to rest, settled to sleep at 9.30 and slept through until 8am.

I am getting more confident about manner of affairs, but importantly still know my limitations  At this moment in time I do not know how much of a recovery I will make, but I know that I will continue to give it my best shot to regain some purposeful use to my hand and arm.


It is of no purpose to say "before this I could do that" I am just thankful be able to do more things and turn a negative experience into a positive one.

Next Events

The main focus currently is that of our youngest son's wedding in two weeks time and five days later we are going on holiday.

I have several appointments booked - some medical and some "fun" ones in the run up to the wedding and also the town where I live will be host to the annual FEVA Festival: Festival of Entertainment and Visual Arts,
http://www.feva.info/ . I have tickets for many FEVA events but know that I must be very sensible and "pace" myself so I can enjoy this latest family celebration.

I have been very tired recently and have been going to bed to rest at about 8.30, I seem to fall asleep around 10.00pm and wake up around 9 - 10 hours later! We travelled back over The Pennines last Sunday to have a family get together for my Father-in-Law's 94th birthday, I found the travelling extremely tiring and the following day had to be a very quiet time for me. I have even been resting in the afternoons.

I continue to do my exercises with the help of my husband, but the damp and wet British summer weather does not help my situation. My fingers have recently started to curl under again and after all the hours of hard work that I have put in getting them straightened out this is of some concern. I try to tell myself that there will be a simple explanation to this and not to give it too much attention, but this is the one area of my recovery that I have been focusing on for some time.

I ask myself what am I not doing or have I overdone things and sometimes get a little despondent which is not usually like me. Some days I can be like a coiled spring and cannot put my mind to anything.

Hopefully, this will pass and I will be back on track once more endeavouring to regain some useful purpose to my hand and fingers.

Keep Calm & Carry On

Recently, whilst on a visit to my husband's parents I was lucky enough, by chance, to meet the people who now live in the house where I was brought up until the age of 9. (See photograph)
Can you imagine after all the intervening years to be allowed into my first home and wander around it? I was like the "kid who got the cream".

Sitting on the wall outside No.12

It felt very homely and I guess that my adrenaline and emotions were  running high. I spent quite some time talking to the current owners, who in turn were very interested in the social history of it all. I think that it must have taken more out of me than I had realised at the time.
The following day I went out to lunch with a friend and on the Saturday I had volunteered to help with the street collection in aid of the RNLI. The day after we met up with our youngest son and his prospective in-laws.
Once the visits and euphoria from Thursday had gone - there I was again - "pole-axed". My right foot was swollen as was my left ankle: I was in bed early for the next few evenings to rest before going to sleep for around ten hours! Once up for the day, I still felt tired and literally have not been able to do anything, which really frustrates me and sadly, once again I have been insufferable at times.
All the extra hours in bed and resting has made my right leg weak: on one occasion I have fallen in the middle of the night, as I got out of bed, unable to stop myself. The other downside, at times such as these, is that I cannot do any arm or finger exercises as they too do not conform in times of tiredness. It is rather a vicious circle. I know it is only temporary, but it is so frustrating.
After constantly working so very hard, it can be as though I have to start again or kick-start where I had left off and work that much harder to catch up. I used to be more perturbed about this type of situation in previous times. Getting wound up, annoyed or agitated about it I have learnt in a very hard way does not solve anything.                                                                               

Pictures of where I lived: 1956 and side by side in 2011.

I am writing another blog about where I grew up. Please contact me if you would like to read it.

Daily Exercises

W/C	Sun	Mon	Tues	Weds	Thurs	Fri	Sat
Fingers
Arm
Fingers
Fingers
Hands Behind
Perching Stool
Fingers
Pilates
Fingers
Arm
Wrist over Tray
Stick to Stretch
Duster on Table

A sheet which is full of ticks is a very satisfying sight!

The table is a constant reminder that I must keep up with my daily exercises.

Exercises can be tailor made according to levels of recovery.