I have a date…

Well kind of, it’s a pre op date, and hip workshop date and they are far sooner than I ever imagined. It’s for the 15th November this year!!

I believe before this though, I need the 3d CT scan and that sending off to Switzerland to be made from a 3d printed model. So it’s all go go go.

Weirdly I assumed I’d have at least 5mths to 1yr for this process, so maybe that registrar really meant 4mths for the whole process?

I got this date 4 days after my appointment at the ROH which blew me away. Usually I don’t hear from them for 3mths before any dates.

So it’s pre op, so ECG and height and weight checks, probably bloods too. Hoping by then I can confirm I have RA or tell them it’s just OA (RA rheumatoid arthritis, OA osteoarthritis) as this will affect medication allowed and treatment plans.

The hip workshop I’m not entirely convinced I need, this isn’t my first hip rodeo. My couch allows a seat at 90degrees (why we bought it) my bed is high too. I already have perches, bath boards, crutches and grabber. But I will go as required and see what they say.

I’m 49 weeks post hip arthroscopy and embarking on a new journey. It’s been 9 and 8 weeks since steroid injections in hip and CMC joint. And since then I’ve fallen over onto my outstretched hand (left one) I use with a walking stick. This seriously hurts, landed heavily on my left knee, which hurt more at the time, but now it’s 3 days old it’s only tender to touch. Unlike wrist, which feels worse now.

So I’m feeling a tad stupid for falling and hurting myself, I can only hope I fix soon and can use my walking stick on Friday for Blackpool’s big switch on!!

And so it begins…..

Here I am yesterday, at the hospital awaiting to find out my destiny. Nervous, sick with anxiety, yet excited!?! It all starts with this appointment.

Weird and eerily quiet, so unlike ROH we are seen quite quickly for there, about 40mins after my actual appointment time. Sadly no specific surgeon but a pleasant registrar no less.

Not familiar with symbios he gains an audience with another consultant that works more directly with my Surgeon to help explain the process. But he’s doesn’t do it well, he ignored my husband, who let’s face it needs the information more, as he’s living through it. And answered more like a politician than surgeon.

But not matter, we walk away being added to the waiting list and being referred for the 3D CT scan. How long this time frame is, anyone’s guess. Seen as he didn’t really answer. We got 4mths out of him, but 4 months to completion or 4mths to scan is unsure??

So moving forwards from that, it’s time to reflect on what’s ahead, read more, research more. Thankfully on Facebook there are countless supportive friends going through or been through the same process to help guide me.

Today was physio and I honestly walked in thinking we would revise the program in preparation for surgery, but instead she’s too happy with my progress and strength that as long as I do it at home, I’m fit enough already and muscles are strong enough to keep implant stable. So we’ve left it as an open appointment, to come back as soon as I can after surgery.

Bit disappointed in that I’ve left again, but I understand why. I do always do my at home physio and workouts, I am religious in doing it, so there isn’t a need to go in and show her each week.

Overall this year I’ve started to be unaided though it’s incredibly painful at times and not for long. It’s still a win.

I’ve also lost 12lbs since Jan. We are eating better, making better choices overall. And making so much more of an effort with physio, exercise and weights in general. So my physio is right, I’m in a much fitter stronger place than I was facing my Arthroscopy surgery back last Sept.

And if you facing helping me with buying a tragically hip tee, you can find the link here

And similar if you are a fellow zebra with ehlers danlos syndrome like me and my daughter, she designed a tee here she needs to sell 4 to start the campagin off.

*Disclaimer* we get a small commission from every one sold *

Ninja Warrior, Weekends, And New Thoughts….

The weekend passed in a haze of recovering from Friday, we were in the audience for #NinjaWarriorUk it was filmed in Manchester Central.

I got tickets for us to watch our favourite show, a bit like a birthday treat for our youngest daughter, to see it live. Never expected it to be as tiring as it was, but though we were knackered it was a lot of fun and an experience.

We definitely shouted ‘Beat the Wall’ a lot!!

Spotted some bees but not too many as we struggled with time sadly, and it was freezing cold this day!!

Hands swelled up and were extremely painful all weekend. This convinces me its more likely to be rheumatoid arthritis.

Hip didn’t behave either and was extremely painful, so it’s definitely time to ask to see if I can start the process of replacement. I’m over trying to wait it out, waiting for life to start, it needs to end or at least give it my all. So roll on next appointment which is Tuesday!! Woohoo. Wish me luck.

Week 7 hip steroid week 6 CMC steroid

As you probably know from previous posts here, they’ve worn off, well in a way they have. Hip definitely has, completely and utterly. So there’s no relief at any point, no matter what I do.

Where as the CMC joint is on and off, some days the pain is vile and high, but then the next day it’s fine. So its not consistent, and not as bad as before the steroid either, so I’d say it’s partially worn off. While that’s been creeping up in pain, so has the opposites CMC joint.

I’d like to know what is actually flaring up the hands, and elbows. I’ve changed my diet, using as minimal milk as possible, I’ve removed bread, and we are eating as clean as possible. I’ve definitely noticed less flare ups, and I generally feel better in myself, if only I could shift this hip pain.

As for my #couch25k #couchto5k week 5 run 2 is now at run 8mins walk 5mins and run 8mins, this even at my adapted rate was way too much, so for me it’s 5mins, walked aided 8mins try again for 3mins, walk aided 1min again for 1min, walk aided 2 mins, last try at 1min. Not my best, but #piriformis and hip pain really have me stopping in my tracks, I also rolled my ankle as that feels unstable too. But silver lining my heart rate is improving, and my lungs are too. It’s just good to get some fresh air and see the deer near the house.

Physio I am managing this ok at home, usual post hip replacement movements, getting stronger but gait still off, shows me that muscle weakness isn’t the problem anymore, it’s bone! This is confirmed also by the steroid injection.

I’m enjoying the

• Goblet Squat (not a squat more of a going to sit down, then back up)
• One leg reverse lunge (can’t actually lunge at all, so it’s a step back, making me stand on one leg for a brief moment)
• Bicep row
• Chest press
• Supine marching ( lying down, this is really hard on my hips, but I’ve felt stronger since starting them)
• Tricep overhead

This have helped me work the entire body, making me feel stronger, fitter but sadly oh so sadly not ever helped reduce pain, or increase my stamina walking unaided. Exercise though good for me overall is not fixing my hip.

#LookFantastic Box August

With no holidays booked or camping getaways as of yet, as this summer has been hellishly busy with other people timetables, it’s nice to get a touch of pampering in, so although it’s cloudy and rainy, you can feel bright and fresh.

And of course my favourite part is trying out new brands and products in handy sizes before you ever decide to buy the larger ones.

So this month has some unusual goodies for me, for starters

#Mio Boob Tube, a multi action bust firmer, never bought or tried one, but I can now.

#NailsInc glazin over lipgloss which is a lovely shade (I think it’s called plans today)

#ErnoLaszlo Hydraphel skin supplement feels like water, runny but really nice on the skin.

#BlinkBrowBar Mini Brow build, in Indian Chocolate I like this, not as much as my @wunder2cosmetics but it’s a great spare to have in your handbag, or take on holiday.

#MoltonBrown Pink pepperpod shower gel, as ever totally divine, absolutely love it, and will be saving for a pamper night.

#BalanceMe Pure skin face wash always nice to try out new cleansers and I never get bored of skincare, so this box is a win from me so far.

Blog book tour #TheBackpacker by Stewart Giles

The Backpacker (DC Harriet Taylor #3) by Stewart Giles

Available from AMAZON

From #1 best-selling author: Stewart Giles comes a new detective story set on the Cornish coast. Where the pretty villages and towns hold some very dark secrets.

WHAT IS THE SECRET AT LANDELL’S FARM?

A girl’s body is found hidden in a remote spot of a Cornish Farm. The same farm that a young girl ran towards, to escape her pursuer, many years before. Detective Harriet Taylor has to abandon her day out to investigate.
As Littlemore and the forensics team get to work they uncover another mystery hidden among the rocks.
Who would kill a young backpacker who hurt nobody? Is there a link between this and a mystery from many years ago?
As Harriet and the team get to work they find more questions than answers. What secrets is the sleepy Cornish village hiding?

 

About the Author

After reading English at 3 Universities and graduating from none of them, I set off travelling around the world with my wife, Ann, finally settling in South Africa, where we still live. After Ann dropped a rather large speaker on my head I came up with the idea for a detective series. DS Jason Smith was born. Smith, the first in the series was finished a few months later. 3 years and 8 DS Smith books later, Joffe Books wondered if I would be interested in working with them. As a self-published author, I agreed. However, we decided on a new series – the DC Harriet Taylor Cornwall series. The Beekeeper hit the shelves and hit the number one spot in Australia. The second in the series, The Perfect Murder did just as well. The third in the series, The Backpacker I have self-published and is now available.

My Review

At first I was worried as I haven’t read any of Detective Harriet books before, and this was book 3 of Detective Harriet Series. But it was an easy stand alone book, though now I would like to go to the beginning and learn more about the main character. I like the style of Stewart Giles’s writing and I’m keen to read more books and series that he has written.

What a book, and strong female lead. I was hooked from the first chapter. Set in rural Cornwall, a place I can easily identify with, and see while I read. Switching from the past and present had me guessing how the stories linked and intertwined with one another. The characters were every one you know and can relate too, we’ve all met these people in our lives, which helps connect the reader to the story, and you forget it’s fiction.

Moral dilemmas and twists and turns, you are transported into the situations and question your true self, how would you of acted? Would you behave differently given the circumstances?

As I said I was hooked, and quickly found I just couldn’t put it down, a perfect way to spend the weekend, curled up reading a good book.

 

 

 

 

47 weeks post #HipArthroscopy

What’s been going on since we last spoke? Well I’ve been wrestling my own demons trying to make a decision, and honestly I’m no closer. I speak to fellow hippies, family and physiotherapist, and ultimately they all say it’s up to me, but I’m confused and overwhelmed.

But warm weather has returned and sadly pain hasn’t gone with the wet weather, so I know for sure now that the steroid injection has worn off, I had a glorious month, I’m just sad it wasn’t longer.

Not only has my hip steroid worn off but so too has my thumb one too, so I’m feeling like most joints and bones ache beyond belief. And the opposite thumb is flaring up too. Thank goodness for splints. Sadly for this I don’t see a rheumatologist until 9th October, so heck of a wait. Least hip is in 2 weeks time.

Because it’s all kicked off again, my physio appointment was gentle this time, lower reps, some exercises removed too, as she could see the pain some brought on. I fear I’m coming to the end of any possible improvement physio wise, as muscles are strong now, stronger than they’ve ever been. I see them again after seeing the Surgeon.

Pleased to say I’ve completed week 4 of #couch25k #couchto5k yes it totally took 3 weeks to do the three runs, but life, flare ups and events filled my time in between. But I’m over the moon we are still on this improvement train, ankles and knees are benefiting from it. Now up to 3mins brisk walking, slight bounce to step unaided. After 3 mins it’s either breathing or piriform is that kicks in, so it’s not fully sustainable, but it’s improving. Only bad thing is, I constantly feel like my hip joint is a sword, each step is a stab!!

Latest in beauty #FabulousBeautyAwards Box

Oh my days, what a BOX!! I totally spoilt myself sorry hubby! I bought this in July for birthday month treats. I could not resist.

Look at it… How many items?! 13 products!! And a #BeautyPie 24hr pass. (This i don’t think I’ll use, but you never know?)

#Hask Conditioning Masks in Monoi Coconut Oil and Charcoal with Citrus Oil I can’t wait to try these out, and though a sachet it’s a large sized pair.

#JimmyChoo The Original Perfume and it’s tiny as sample perfumes are!! Wish they did do slightly bigger ones, but it is beautiful and perfect for a night out.

#Batiste who doesn’t love this rescuing dry shampoo? I often buy cheaper versions, so it’s nice to have the dear one in a box, always comes in handy!

#Starskin 7 second morning mask, 7 in 1 miracle skin mask pads, who doesn’t want a miracle in the morning? One stop massage, exfoliator, toner, serum, moisturizer, mask and make up primer.

#SanctuarySpa purifying charcoal bubble sheet masks, detoxifying and purifying masks, heavenly!!

#MatteMeMetallic lip cream giving it a foil like finish, I got a beautiful deep burgundy red.

#SoapAndGlory Righteous Butter Mini a perfect staple body cream to seriously buff up those pins this summer!

#PercyAndReed Perfectly perfecting wonder overnight recovery, I definitely need this, pop it on and sleep while it does all the hardwork with my lacklustre hair, yes please.

#Carmex I confess I’ve never tried this before, and wow that wasn’t what I expected?! Smell definitely Herby, strange taste, but weirdly addictive.

#Missguided Babe Power perfume again teeny tiny sample size, but it’s enough for a day and it smells summery and light. #Wilkinson Quattro sensitive razors, always needed and used, always enjoyed as the legs feel smoother and softer using these ones.

#Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water I use these when I’m out of cleansing balms (my new faves) and I do love how quick they get the make up off, even my waterproof #fairydrops mascara.

Last but NOT least #Wunderz Wunderbrow Holey moley I’m so so grateful for this product. I have seriously thin and gappy eyebrows, mainly from steroids I’ve lost hair, and constantly have to fill them in, or look a haggered mess on no make up days, and I hate photos with out my brows filled in, well this has answered all my prayers. You pop it on, let it dry and you have eyebrows for a few days!! Even when I cleanse my face for 2 nights they don’t budge!! I can not and will not ever live without this brand and product ever again. Total convert, Goodbye powders and pencils, this is the bees knees and worth my WHOLE box for how it makes me feel on no make up days.