Intra articular steroid injection day 1, 2, 3 and 6weeks til #hipreplacement

As you know from my previous post, I had my steroid injection in my thumb Tuesday, it made me a bit sick and dizzy, so a day of rest was needed.

Day 1 steroid day

Though I noticed my right arm was heavier feeling, more stiff and it felt like a trapped nerve in my neck. So lots of hot water bottles and reading to occupy myself.

I did attempt to make drinks and food, but pain soon shot through and made me retreat. I also had to wear my brace to stop it from micro moving, as it’s very painful to move.

I also noticed the hand in general was more swollen too. So definitely rest more do less.

Comparing last night to today, it’s more swollen, but moving better.Day 2 starts with it being a bit more swollen, but less stiff, and achy.

As it’s starting to feel a bit better,the temptation is there to try and do things. But I’m resisting until 48hours is up. To give it the best chance I can. But I’m very glad it’s no longer aching just even resting. I’m also wearing my brace still at times when I need the hand, to support the thumb.

Day 3 swings round, and it’s my plan to start some gentle physio exercises, so thumb raise up, thumb out to the side.

Then once you feel you can progress from doing these, it’s time to add some resistance. I’m using a simple black bobble for my resistance.

Slowly slowly using the thumb as I normally would in daily living, so picking up cups, kettles, dressing myself etc. Today I’m not wearing the brace, to see how it handles it.

This week saw my old surgery date 29th November come and go, felt a pang. But quickly got over it, as this week my youngest daughter needed to book university interviews. Which are now filling up my weeks, first being 5th December for Chester (had to move occupational therapy to the 13th December) then it’s Birmingham university 12th December, and Manchester university 18th December, so I’m sitting here thanking the stars it was cancelled as now I can accompany her on these exciting days.

And new pre op date came in for 31st December, feels a bit weird doing it on that day. But even if we do go out, at least this shouldn’t take long.

Plus 2 birthdays 9th December and 19th December, it’s fastly becoming fully booked up!!

Steroid injection day

Well the day is finally here, after the disappointing Friday. Where I had an appointment but sadly no ultrasound machine to carry out the said procedure.

So, what am I having done, it’s an intra- articular injection which simply means injection directly into the inflamed joint.

The injection itself is usually quick and easy for them to perform, I say quick but to me it feels ages!! And when guided by an ultrasound machine, they can easily guide the needle directly to the inflamed area.

This time however I had the injection site through the thumb pad, not like the picture above, but like the photo below. Thicker tougher skin, I definitely felt it more this time, and the wiggling needle, seriously ouchie. And let’s not forget the joint feeling like it’s about to burst when the steroid kenalog is filling the joint space.

I came prepared with a mango coke, as last time I felt dizzy, sick and almost fainted. And this time was no different. Instantly sick feeling as needle comes out, woozy and dizzy, the sugary drink helped level me out. You have to sit around afterwards to ensure you don’t have an allergic reaction. But once my head cleared and I felt normal again, we left to go home and rest.

As you have a local anaesthetic as well the area is numbed a bit to help ease the pain of the steroid, but I will admit you still feel it a fair bit. And certainly after it wears off about an hour or two, the area will be achy and sore for a good 24-36 hours afterwards.

So no exercise or strenuous exercise on the joint while it’s sore and stiff. You may even need to brace it, juts to protect the area for a few days. Certainly what I did last time. As it’s my dominant hand, I feel it’s going to be harder to rest.

7 weeks until #hipreplacement

Feels like I’m going back in time!! Well now I have more time to play with, maybe it’s time to sort these hands a bit more long term?

So with that in mind I went to see the GP. As I’m at my wit’s end with pain.

Some days they are like lightening and I struggle to even hold my phone and scroll. Other days it’s like there’s never been an issue.

I have not found a reason of the fluctuations in mobility and pain levels. I eat the same way every week (the success of our weight loss and maintaining weight) and I do the same level of physio exercises. So it can’t be any of those.

Really I’d love a magic wand to take the pain away, but that’s not possible. Though 5% ibuprofen gel takes some of it away, but I can only use it 4 times a day.

No real answers to it all, except I am trying to book in with MiCats for another steroid injection, which admittedly the last one was July and has worked very well. Also seeing OT (occupational therapy) on 5th Dec to see if there is anything they can do to help.

Thankfully I managed to snag a cancellation appointment for Friday 23rd Nov instead of waiting until 31st Dec. But the steroid injection couldn’t be done on the Friday due to no ultrasound machine, so back on Tuesday 27th for a CMC joint kenalog injection.

We had a long chat, she gave me exercises to try, I grossed her out with how much range my thumb has, clearly it’s not a normal range. But we touched on the fact she doesn’t see steroid injections long term. Something I know my hip consultant says too, however rheumatologist and gp say different.

Hip wise, I’m back to doing the post hip replacement exercises, and I’d actually forgotten how hardcore they are, still no improvement on standing freely on one leg, it’s not happening. Or extending leg outstretched forwards, the leg is too heavy and too resistant.

Still shocks me how hard these actually are too do.
I can only hope they aim to improve the tone and muscle and my stamina, all for better smoother healing afterwards. And at least they are keeping me busy in the meantime too. Instead of wallowing in self pity.

I’ve rung to confirm the new official surgery date, so as of today it’s officially 9th Jan 2019 as long as nothing else happens. No date for pre op as of yet though.

The Enigma by Stewart Giles #blogbooktour

Here we are once again, but with a twist, this time instead of just being a DS Jason Smith, or DC Harriet Taylor series. These two powerhouses are combined. What a collab. I was soon eager to get stuck into this. So not only do we have the rugged Whitby coast, we dive into the rural beauty of Cornwall as well. Heavenly!!

The Enigma (DS Jason Smith & DC Harriet Taylor #1)

Available from UK £0.99 US $1.27 AU $1.78 CA $1.70

From #1 best-selling author: Stewart Giles comes a new detective series featuring the detectives from both the series’ we know and love.

In Trotterdown, Cornwall a boat, The Enigma washes in to the harbour. The skipper is dead, and Harriet Taylor is brought in to investigate. But 1 dead body is not the only crime the team have to deal with.

Meanwhile, further up the coast in Whitby a boat washes up on the rocks just outside the harbour. Everyone on board is dead. Whitby Police are out of their depth, so DS Jason Smith is called in to help.

It soon becomes clear the cases are connected and the teams from York and Trotterdown settle down to work with each other.

This is a unique story with twist, turns and shocks all the way through making it an adrenaline pumping read you will not be able to put down.

Stewart Giles – Author Bio

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.

Links

Website: www.stewartgiles.com
Twitter: @stewartgiles
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stewart

My Review

I knew I was in for a treat when I heard the DC Harriet Taylor series and DS Jason Smith series were combining.

What could get better than these two excellent character meeting, cracking impossible clues to find a psychopathic murderer.

If they can learn to trust each other and not be so alpha, and become the best crime fighting duo the country has seen.

Chemistry is a must, to pull these into a cat and mouse chase to find a killer that travels the UK, leaving bodies in his wake.

What a read, a thrilling wild ride!!

PR package #GerardCosmetics

Being a UK based blogger I know there’s many a brand that feels out of reach, as they are based in the USA. And Gerard Cosmetics is one of them, or so I thought. Upon investigation more into the brand I saw they shipped internationally and I could easily order away.

After following them on Twitter and more specifically the owner Jennifer Gerard, the more I saw their luscious lipsticks, I knew I’d have to bite the bullet and try them, along with their legendary setting spray!

Here’s their statement on their website.

Gerard Cosmetics is a LA based cosmetics brand that is always pushing the makeup envelope with innovative formulas and beloved colors that have attracted a cult following. With an emphasis on color ,vibrancy and performance, every product was meticulously crafted to add some serious glam to your makeup routine.

The brand boomed in 2014 with the introduction of our popular gold bullet in the shade 1995. We have made it a priority to give our customers exactly what they want and we look to social media for feedback and inspiration from our customers and content creators. Shop our famous Hydra Matte Liquid lipsticks, Slay All Day Setting Sprays and everything you need to pull your look together.

Our passion and attention to detail is reflected in every product. You will swoon over our sleek gold and black packaging and our commitment to cruelty free formulas. We invite you to join the GC Squad, where makeup unites us all.

Jennifer Gerard started an open campagin on women, and men being micro influencers, focusing on the smaller content creators and not just the same problematic few. With this call out, and for mature ladies and gents who love make up, to apply to have pr packages and become part of this gcsquad. And I got lucky!!

So here’s what I bought with my pr credit,

Obviously I got hydra matte liquid lipstick 1995

Glitter lipstick in Swipe Right

And Lip supreme creme in Wild Berry Tarte.

Rose scented Slay all day setting spray

And mist-ified moisturizer facial mist.

And slay all day handheld mirror, which is a godsend.

Honeymoon starlet palette, perfect bronzer and blusher palette.

I’m loving them all, the formula on the Hydra matte lipstick is non drying and lasted me through eating out. The glitter lipstick was my wild card product, I had thoughts that it would feel sticky or chunky, and neither of them came true. It’s a dream to wear, and sparkles so much, it’s a must for party season. A nice alternative to a liquid lipstick, the wild berry supreme creme felt more gloss style and again a different feel to liquid lipsticks, but smells divine and feels so creamy and buttery while wearing it.

The facial mist is a new product for me, it feels refreshing to spray and go, and you know your skin is hydrated all day.

Setting spray, what can I say accept it’s bloody amazing!! I’m eager to try the cucumber one next, make up did not separate like it usually does, and stayed perfectly all day and night. A huge hit with me!!

https://gerardcosmetics.com/categories.php

*PR box included, and I do have an affiliate code SIRENMOONBEE for 30% off everything!!*

Glossybox UK for November

I love @glossyboxuk this month it’s packed with goodies

#hudabeauty liquid lipstick in girlfriend, the lightest of all my liquid lipsticks and smells delicious too.

#livingproof perfect hair day dry shampoo, packed ready in my hospital bag, this will be a saving grace when I can’t wash my hair.

#stylondonbeauty eaton palette a perfectly travel sized eyeshadow palette, that’s all the colours for autumn.

#context micro derm regenerator, a cleanser that will gently exfoliate and polish skin, a perfect pick me up while recovering surgery.

#palmers cocoa butter in solid butter formula. A little pot of wonder for scars, lips, extra dry areas. What excellent timing.

#chloe nomad perfume, because why not smell absolutely divine. It’s a combo of oak moss and freesia.
#Glossyboxuk #beautybox #subscriptionbox #monthlybox #30plusfirework

Unworthy by Stewart Giles #BlogBookTour

Back at it again, I have another incredible page Turner by my new favourite author #StewartGiles he has entertained me all summer with no duds. Just pure crime, mystery and murder puzzles to solve, my favourite kind of book!!

UNWORTHY (DS Jason Smith #8) by Stewart Giles

Available from AMAZON UK US AU CA

From #1 best-selling author: Stewart Giles comes a new addition to the popular Detective Jason Smith series.

THE UNWORTHY MUST PAY.

DS Jason Smith is dragged away from paternity leave when a woman is killed with her baby in the next room. When more women with children are brutally murdered, Smith discovers that they all have something in common – they all share a secret. When he finds out that the mother of his own child is on this list of ‘Unworthy’ women, he finds himself in a race against time to stop the killer before his whole world comes crashing down around him.

Stewart Giles – Author bio

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

Stewart just does it again and again, while I’ve not been as active as I’ve wanted to be, Stewart Giles books have entertained me.

From daring nail biting action, to mind melding puzzles that all us amateur sleuths try to deduce. The story encompasses it all, along with flawed humans you can easily see traits of in yourself.

The whole character base now feel like family members, you have a warmth for them, you feel their heightened emotions through each chapter.

Pre op day. 2 weeks until total hip replacement #THR well it was…..

This week it’s been full on Christmas preparation for me, as I am attempting to get it all bought for before December even starts.

Why? You ask, well firstly I can’t and don’t get out much, so traffic, crowds, and stress aren’t my thing. And after end of November I could well be on a walker, or crutches so the idea of crowds and slippy floors doesn’t excite me.

So that’s been my Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, along with doing the shoulder exercises each day. Along with core strengthening exercises. I do a simple selection, adapted to my abilities.

• Goblet squat
• Single arm bicep row
• Single weight reverse lunge
• Single arm chest press
• Supine marching
• Single arm tricep overhead

Then comes Wednesday afternoon and I get a call, from McBryde secretary and it’s about my Stem not being correct, and needs re making. So my surgery is cancelled 😥😥😥😥 it’s now 9th Jan 2019!! Gutted.

Now I have to cancel my pre op and hip workshop which are both scheduled for today. What a palaver. Oh well silver lining and all that, least I won’t be on crutches on Christmas day.

My family are all cheering me on, convincing me it’s a good thing, as now I won’t be recovering over my husband’s birthday, and on Christmas day I won’t be stressing over heights of chairs either. So they are correct, and though I was genuinely gutted at first I do see their point.

So countdown is now on again, it’s 7 weeks and 6 days and counting….

#LookFantastic November box

#lookfantasticbeautybox #LookFantastic it’s the Nov box and because I paid 3 monthly it’s my last one (I had previously thought it had stopped) it was a pleasant surprise to see it arrive.
So they are embracing the dark nights, the glitz of bonfires and crisp autumn colours. In this dark wonder edition.

#LauraGeller baked gelato swirl highlighter in gilded honey, I’m not a highlight person, but I bet this will make a gorgeous gold for the eyes.
#Ren ever calm global protection day cream, I’ve tried this today and it’s really nice, soothing and smells spa like.

#BubbleT Dark wonder look fantastic bath bomb, I’m saving this for that 1st bath after surgery, it will be worth the wait!!

#mellow precision pen eyeliner, I love the felt tip style eyeliners makes it easier for me to use, always a good edition to any make up bag.

#Elemis papaya enzyme peel I’m crazy for elemis products, so I’m eager to use this during the winter months when I need that extra pick me up.
#contourcosmetics matte liquid lipstick a totally divine pinky nude, that’s kiss proof and lasts all day. Really pleased it’s my kind of shade.
#beautybox #monthlybox #subscriptionbox #beauty #bath #skincare #makeup

Box I’ve never tried before #Tili from #QVC

Unusual box for me, it’s a @qvcbeauty #Tili box it came with an array of goodies such as a

#Tili leopard print headband, perfect for when you are applying masks,zlich make up or just to have your hair off your face in a cute stylish way.

#winkylux eyeshadow in Ursula and inky plum shadow with prismatic shimmer, so pigmented.

#sandandsky soon purifying pink clay mask, 4 in 1 clay mask takes the stress out if detoxing the skin.

#bod mermaid shimmer sorbet, party season is nearly here and what better way to get party ready than with a sparkle and shimmer, iridescent glow and holographic effects.

#antipodes worship serum, an organic nature conscious brand gives us a serum to fight the oxidative stress and environmental aggressors, it’s water based, to give your skin a new luminous lease of life.

#livingproof dry shampoo, a clean scented dry shampoo travel sized that will draw out oils, sweat and odour, leaving you feeling fresh. (Much needed after surgery, as washing hair will be a struggle)

#korres lavender blossom shower gel, a zen like scented lavender and citrus gel perfect after surgery too. I’ve always loved korres.

#pixi endless silky eye pen in black noir, a gel crayon that gives a jet black colour, that can be smudged or drawn into precision.

#caudalie vinosource moisturising sorbet, had this before and it’s perfect for dry thirsty skin, hydrating just when you need it most.

#shayandblue black tulip edp an absolute gorgeous velvety floral perfume, with notes that are rich and sensual. A perfume like no other!

#ciate liquid velvet lip in delight, a dusky nude. A light weight non drying to lips lipstick, infused with hyaluronic acid to keep lips hydrated and plump all day.

My review

I was seriously impressed with this box it’s a one off payment and it cost £20 and the contents are worth a lot more, they say £52 which I think is about right. Good deluxe or travel size, and I’m looking forward to trying them all out.

Totally bought as a hospital/surgery pick me up, as I spotted the dry shampoo, and shower gel, and perfume, those with the headband turned my head to buy. Everything else a bonus to me x

#tilibox #urbanjungle #beautybox #hospitalpreparation #skincare #makeup #headband #bath #pampersession #pampering #quv #quvbeauty #30plusfirework