Week 1 #SteroidInjection

Day 5

I did my first use of the walking stick and walk around some shops, but it didn’t last long as the hand ached, and I was extremely tired too. But I did manage to use a knife this time, so it’s improving, but feels like before I had the injection.

I think my tiredness is from the injection, as I do remember this from hip ones too. But I managed a day without crying at least!!

Day 6

I’m attempting to wash up, but it still gets that electric shock pain when you try and hold cups or plates to put them on the drainer. But pain has eased in resting phase so that is a bonus.

Woke up with a twitching eye though, done it for hours and hours. Side effect?

Managed to wash my hair, but the back of the hand was throbbing a lot with the movement.

Week One
It’s been a whole week, and although it’s obviously improved from the actual injection pain. It’s not improved from the burning bone on bone pain, so I’m wondering if it’s even worked?? I guess I can’t tell them until it’s been 6 weeks, as that is what they said.

The MCP joints of the first two fingers are still swelling and sore as well.

So I’m left to debating the future of what to do next.

I will keep making notes so I can at least tell them how I am feeling, and if any side effects?

At least I’ve managed to get out of the house twice since the injection, and I’ve used my walking stick reasonably ok, though splint very very much needed. And thank goodness for hot water bottles, and ibuprofen gel to also help get me through the week, with occasional Tramadol or Cocodamol when it’s been particularly bad.

37 weeks post #HipReplacement + Day 1- 5 of steroid injection

Apologies it’s a large post

I’m 37 weeks post #hipreplacement and yes I still use my walking stick, though not while hand is heavily splinted and sore from injection. yes I’m still on painkillers, but not for this hip, it really is a lot better. An odd twinge here and there, and occasionally groin pain as discussed previously. But overall I’m really happy. Anyone else still get these twinges this far post op?

post credit

Left hip well that’s a whole other story lately, at times it feels unstable, and like it’s pushing out the front?? God knows why, this is meant to be my good hip!! That’s a depressing realisation. Hoping it’s from holiday and me wearing it out. It’s either a flexor issue or dreaded bursitis.

Knees should I mention them? They often feel twisted and want to give way. But it’s not a full year yet, so it could be residual from surgery, like previous times.

What I do need to do is get back into a physio routine, and work on my weight loss again. It’s been put by the sideline while family duties are more important.

Steroid injection in CMC joint.

See original post of the Day I had it done here

On the Day, Day One
On the day it was STIFF I couldn’t move it much at all, and it nagged a dull ache all day. Had to take ibuprofen and cocodamol tablets to help ease it. Could not function normally at all, husband had to do everything for me, even dress. It’s so sensitive and achy, I don’t remember it ever being this bad before.

Wearing my splint to help protect from use and from knocking it accidentally. It’s very very painful still.

And come the night time, I sobbed because I caught the thumb on my trousers!! What ridiculous pain, hope it settles down.

Day Two

Sleep was hard, fear of knocking it while I relaxed was very very real, and in the end I fashioned a way of having it away from me, but sleep quality wasn’t great. I was soon up with pain awakening me at 6am.

So I got up to remove splint to give it a rest, and put on ibuprofen gel, and take cocodamol. Slight movement in thumb, but still painful and extremely stiff. So another rest day for it.

Though physio is later on today, hoping to splint it and keep it out of the way as much as possible.

Survived the physio, but hand aching as I left (though I never used it)

Come tea time I started to get facial flushing on the one cheek. Expected this side effect as I’ve had it before.

Day Three

Starting to be able to move the thumb at long last. Don’t ever remember the other ones taking this long. It’s not full function, but any movement is better than none.

Can comfortably pinch movement to middle finger, I can do third finger but that makes it sore. So best not too push it too much. No strength in the pinch action though, so can’t pick things up, or do a tap etc. Now typically other thumb is painful from doing all the work of both hands.

Ended up crying once again, obviously overdid it in usage and paid the price. Also think the steroid makes me more emotional too? Sharp pains at the back of the hand. Will it settle down? I knew it would ache more, but this a very different experience to the 2 times before.

Day Four

I tried yesterday without a splint much, but it hurt more than I thought was worth it, so ended up splinting it again. Having to gel both thumbs now, as they are both stiff and painful, though now right thumb is that white hot pain from arthritis. And left is the stiffness pain from injection.

Let’s see if I can make it without crying? Why did I do this again? Oh yeah because it was so painful, so I swapped one pain for another? But I can finally reach the pinkie, stiff and sore but it reaches. Shoelaces are so hard to do still, but it’s improving.

Day Five

Feeling a lot more like myself, now I’m seeing a light on the horizon. Sleeping better, though still a little extra emotional.

Only taking ibuprofen tablets and gel now as well, so huge improvement on that. Using splint a bit less now so that’s good. Having a day out using my walking stick, so using the splint for that.

Physio appointment day

Well this is going to be fun, not done any physio for weeks. And now my hand (left) is absolutely useless, as it’s so painful from the steroid injection.

Hoping I can nurse the hand while working out the hips. I will wear the splint to protect it as well.

Sidenote, tiny bat was in the corridor, he made my day.

Thankfully none of the exercises I did needed my hand.

Stationary bike level 2 x 5mins

Side Leg Raise (ankle weighted) x 15reps

Supine Hip Abduction (ankle weighted) x 15reps

Supine Hip Abduction (Resistance Band) x 15reps

Prone Knee Raise (ankle weighted) x 15reps

We tried 2 new exercises to me, to test out the hips (both sides)

Sumo squat, (pivot on foot, to face opposite way) x 8reps each side

Knees hurt doing that one.

Bosu Ball Side Lunges x 5reps each side

Had parallel bars to stabilise myself, right knee hated this exercise the most.

Game of Crones by Jay Raven #BlogBookTour

It’s been a while since I last did one, life and family have been super busy so I simply had no opportunity to join in.

However I recently went on holiday, which meant I had a perfect time to read and collect myself. This time I stepped out of my comfort zone, and opted for a genre I don’t traditionally read at all.

So I chose this as the title shouted out at me, and seeing as it’s the witches Manon Sabbat as I write this, it’s perfect that it’s about Witches, and Wild women.

Forget Happily Ever After – the most delicious fairy tales end in darkness and despair!

Welcome to a world of cruelty, hexes and treachery, where malicious magic rules and you are but a single necromancer’s spell away from eternal terror.

From malevolent medieval magicians to Wild West witches, this spellbinding volume by a master of the macabre is packed with frightening fables guaranteed to send a supernatural chill down your spine.

Amongst the haunting historical horror stories, you’ll meet:

• A half-crazed girl locked up in a high security mental hospital by those accusing her of causing a devastating earthquake.

• An impoverished French noblewoman who’ll stop at nothing to marry her daughter to a wealthy prince – even if it means dabbling with a dangerous love potion.

• The hated public executioner Pandora whose fabled box has already killed 55 men – without leaving a trace of violence on their bodies.

• Wily witch Merta who uses all her wits and trickery to turn the tables on the corrupt Mayor who wants her burnt alive at the stake.

• A faery mage without conscience or pity with the perfect plan to make Mankind turn on itself – and all it takes is one innocent baby.

• A drought-stricken frontier town that seeks magical help from the local Indian tribe to make it rain, but learns it comes at a terrible cost.

• The doubt-ridden King, plagued by nightmares of his death, who consults an enchantress to learn the most of hidden of secrets: just when the Grim Reaper will claim him.

• A Mid Western widow who is convinced her homesteading husband is still alive, held hostage by a sorceress.

If you’re thrilled by exciting dark fantasy tales, with cunning twists, edge-of -the seat tension and unexpected shivers, you’ll love Game of Crones. Pick it up today. If you dare…

Jay Raven Author Bio

Dark fantasy author Jay Raven blames a misspent childhood watching Hammer Horror films for his lifelong obsession with history, woodland, horse-drawn carriages and visiting castles – preferably during the hours of daylight! All of which might explain why he now lives in a creepy old house perched atop a steep hill on the edge of a 500 acre forest teeming with bats.

A writer for 23 years, Birmingham-based Jay was a journalist before leaving behind the clamour of headlines and deadlines to chase his dream of capturing monsters and releasing them into the world of fiction. During that time his work has been widely published in horror and fantasy anthologies on both sides of the Atlantic.

As well as reinventing traditional Gothic horror for a modern audience, he writes alterative history urban fantasies – usually with supernatural themes. He loves to cross genres and bring unexpected elements – if not elementals – to the party.

He has two regrets in life – that he hasn’t had a chance to visit Transylvania yet, and that his house isn’t haunted. But long suffering wife Liz has threatened to do something about the latter…

My Review

I was tad confused at first as I hadn’t realised it was a collection of short stories, so it led to some frustration as some stories were ended of cliff hangers and I yearned for more, to discover what happened next.

But after that initial disappointment I soon got over it, as each one was a perfect length for the beachy visits we did, nothing was too complex so that it fried your brain while you’re meant to be relaxing, I found them easier to read on holiday than a classic novel.

A new author to me and I found the style easy to digest and understand, I would be hunting out this author for more gothic tales and bumps in the night.

Some of the characters had me howling with their cunning Wiley ways, I wish I knew some of them!! Crones are the wise ones, it pays to listen carefully to them.

CMC joint steroid injection

So today is the day, I get my steroid injection in my left (worse hand) with a view to getting the right hand done within 3 months. Opted for this instead of both together, as right hand is slightly better, so I’m waiting for it to get worse.

So what are steroid injections and where do you get them?

Steroid injections can be used to treat some problems in the arm and hand. These can include trigger fingers, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, tennis elbow and rotator cuff tendonitis. These injections usually contain cortisone and a numbing medicine.

Mine is the CMC joint as seen below.

Cortisone is the steroid normally produced by your body, and it is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Corticosteroids tend to shrink, thin and slow things down. These steroids are different from anabolic steroids, which have been abused by athletes to build muscle and enhance performance.

I get mine in my CMC joint, which is the base of the thumb. And usually done under ultrasound for precision at MiCats. However some GP surgeries also carry them out without the ultrasound.

What happens afterwards?

The injection should take effect within a few days, and the benefits can last for many weeks or months; however, results are not the same for everyone or every problem. For some conditions, one injection solves the problem. For others, several injections may be required. There is no set rule as to how many injections a person can get. Your doctor might limit the number of injections because repeated cortisone can damage tendons and/or cartilage.

Side effects?

The most common side effect of steroid injections is known as a “flare.” This pain is felt for one or two days after the injection. It can be treated with ice and by resting the area injected.

Other side effects might include:

• A rise in blood sugar level for diabetic patients for about five days
• Thinning of the skin
• “Lightening” of the skin at injection site (more common in patients with dark skin)
• Weakening of tendons, making them more likely to rupture
• Allergic reactions (rare)

One of the rare but more serious problems is an infection, especially if the injection was given into a joint. If you notice redness, extreme pain or heat at the injection site, or if you have a fever greater than 101° after an injection, you should call your doctor.

Hoping to get similar results as last year, I know it will increase pain for up to a week, so I’m well prepared. So fingers crossed it all goes well.

OMG that was actually horrendous, way way way more painful to previous ones, the sharpness of the needle I expected. But the joint space was really tight, and small. Having the steroid (kenalog) put in, I went hot, faint and sick all at once. I even nearly cried. So unlike me.

And the pressure was worse than just the crushing. It felt like it was going to explode!! Wow that was awful. I had to lie down for a minute or two. Thankfully it passes pretty quickly though.

Home resting with splint on, and little pillow to help rest it.

On Holiday with a #HipReplacement 36 weeks post op

It was lovely to get away on holiday finally and soak up some sunshine, and warmth into my bones. This is the first time aboard with my new implant.

And it was quite different to other holidays that have been marred completely with pain and immobility. But it also wasn’t the completely ‘normie’ holiday I was expecting either.

Rather it was something in between. A limbo of sorts. Pain in the hip has definitely decreased and that is wonderful, but the knees and back take the hips old role. So the walking stick still ever present to keep me stable. Thankfully I took this and my splint for me hand, both in constant use.

My hands pain did improve while away, though of course using the walking stick does hurt the hand greatly. Using the splint at night helped, as well as my ibuprofen gel. Well worth taking with me. It was even heavenly on my aching swollen feet and ankles.

As I said in a previous post, I had a slight accident on the flight over to Rhodes, where my leg was trapped from people rushing to get passed me, so the ‘good’ leg looked unsightly all week.

This is how it looked on the first morning on holiday.

But it got a lot worse over time. And the leg seemed to collect bruises all over it, I counted 20 at one point.

Last day the bruise finally looked like it was going. The knee gave me some issues especially day 5 onwards, super squeaky if pressed and sharp pains on heel strike while walking.

I’ve noticed I can barely swim now, the tiredness and ache the leg experiences is something I’ve not had before. I’m usually a very very strong swimmer, but now not at all. I will work on this though. Wonder if other hippies have experienced this?

Overall though what a brilliant time away, and the sunflower lanyard certainly worked and helped on the way home, twice I didn’t have to queue as long as everyone else, and honestly it was much needed and appreciated help!! Thank you airport staff. Pride had stopped me so many times, and even taking photos I would push the stick away. Hiding the real truth. But here it is and me, as it’s as part of me as anything else! Here’s to admitting you can’t do everything. And some help can really change your outlook on some experiences.

Look Fantastic Birthday Box

September is look fantastic birthday, so this box is celebrating that.

In it this month we have a beautiful #BubbleT bath bomb with sprinkles on it, so it looks like a birthday cake. Rrp £4.99 and you can buy here

#Oskia cleansing gel is next and it’s rrp is £14 you can buy here

Absolutely divine #MoltonBrown orange and bergamot body wash rrp £10 and you can buy here

#Pixi liplift max in honey sheen rrp £12 absolutely stunning and I am definitely taking this on my holiday. You can buy here

#Caudalie eye cream rrp £16.35 a pick me up for the eyes, you can buy here

And finally for holiday I’m taking this #Sleek brow stylist as it’s a pencil and brush, exactly what I need to feel groomed on holiday. £6.49 and you can buy here

Week 35 post #hipreplacement

A quick relaxing break away before it’s all change and our youngest daughter paves her own path in life, when she starts university once we are home. So this week away is our last family holiday. So clinging onto the last second while we can.

So first aboard holiday with my hip replacement, I can honestly say I had envisioned that I would be skipping off into the sunset. And reality is, I’m still taking my walking stick, taking tramadol and ibuprofen, my splints and compression gloves. So there’s no rest or break away from health issues sadly.

I am armed with my sunflower lanyard for hidden disabilities, my first time ever using one for the airport.

Though with a splint on my hand and walking stick, I’m not sure it’s hidden!!

It helped with the security queue, though not mentioned I was ushered into a faster line, very professional. Once there though I was put into the x-ray machine is it? Then patted down, then with the wand all over, yes hip did bleep. I wore leggings so it would be easier to see that it’s my hip. They removed my hand splint, and put that through the machine, as well as my walking stick. Extremely thorough!!

Flight went ok, nothing to report, except I knew it would ache and it did, so plenty of fluids to help combat that, and moving the leg to prevent stiffness.

I will say I’m extremely disappointed that so many people will push in, shove and rush past me to get ahead. I was squeezed into a chair arm rest and this was the result.

The rush to get a seat on the bus was hilarious, and so obviously I’m slower,so I had to stand, complete with full death grip on pole and walking stick!!

But finally we arrived, middle of the night so it was a quick brew and water to drink then bed. Shattered.

But I’m determined to enjoy myself and kickback and forget my worries, if only for a week.

Catch you laters my lovelies.

Latest in Beauty Grazia Glow Edit

I just had to buy this, as I was determined to try the #JamesRead tanning drops as I love the idea of them. You add them to your usual body moisturizer which gives you a golden glow. The rrp is £40 and you can buy here

Then we have 15ml travel size of #KateSomerville exfolikate, for smoother brighter skin in just 2 minutes. The rrp is £21 and you can buy here

I have a dry mask, yep that’s right it’s DRY!! which is meant to give you more hydrated and glowly skin. It’s by #MissDeGaspexBeautycon I can’t find any info on it for the rrp or where to buy it either.

Next up is the glamorous #Glamglow Thirstymud in 15g and the rrp is £16 you can buy here this is to revive and nourish skin, using once a week to keep your glow going.

What I bought this box for along with the tanning drops, was the #Dermalogica prisma protect spf30 just what I need for my holidays. It’s a 12ml travel size one, rrp is £17.50 and you can buy here

#Foreo night cleanser is next, is so spa like and feels like luxury on your face, the perfect way to start the evening. I couldn’t find the exact one, but this one is rrp £8.99 and you can buy here

To go with the #JamesRead tanning drops this box comes with #Neutrogena hydro body balm 200ml as well, it feels so beautiful on the skin. Rrp is £4.99 and you can buy here

Firm faves of mine that, that I’ve repurchased many times already. #Nip+Fab glycolic fix night pads extreme, you get 60 pads rrp £9.97 you can buy here

And finally we have #Lumene Nordic C Glow Peeling Mask only travel size 15ml and RRP for 75ml is £16.90 and you can buy here

Date Night #Cabaret

Bill Kenwright presents the multi award-winning production of Kander and Ebb’s landmark musical, CABARET. Directed by National Theatre Director Rufus Norris, the production has enjoyed two smash hit West End runs at The Lyric and The Savoy theatres.

CABARET features show-stopping choreography, dazzling costumes and iconic songs Money Makes the World Go Round, Maybe This Time, Cabaret and more.

It’s 1931, Berlin is a haven of divine decadence and the legendary Sally Bowles is about to take the stage at the infamous Kit Kat Klub…

Starring as Emcee is John Partridge, winner of Celebrity MasterChef 2018, well known to TV audiences as EastEnders’ charismatic Christian Clarke and one of West End theatre’s most prolific leading men (A Chorus Line, Chicago, and La Cage Aux Folles). Kara Lily Hayworth stars as the iconic Sally Bowles following her spectacular performance in the title role of Cilla The Musical which was revered by both critics and audiences alike. They are joined by Anita Harris, who first rose to fame as a singer in the 1960s and has appeared both on screen (Follow That Camel and Carry on Doctor) and on stage, most notably as Grizabella in the West End’s Cats.

Not sure what to expect as we are theatre newbies, we’ve watched Oz and Lion King but nothing like this.

First off we headed to the Bohemian in Wolves for a cheeky cocktail.

Then off we went armed with intrepidation and excitement. And OMG it was a tad fleshier than I knew it would be. But the darkness and foreboding of the story, left us with so many questions, thoughts and all the way home we discussed it. This touched me in so many ways, it was camp, funny,over the top, yet emotive, dark, depressing and so upsetting all rolled into one.

The cast were sublime, and absolutely wonderful. They all had a part to play that weaved the most interesting story I’ve ever witnessed.

John Partridge was my favourite Emcee after watching the film and other versions once we got home, I felt that John played crazed and depressed and disturbed so well.

The entire cast I felt were my favourite after seeing other versions online, is it because I saw them live? I can’t say really. But each character was superbly cast, and held the audience in every scene, there was no dead time, or boring scenes.

I’m a theatre convert that’s for sure, especially with singing and dancing!!