1 Week Post Steroid injection in Lt, Rt Thumbs

Crikey how fast has this week flown, shows you it’s not been all that bad, which is nice to write.

Day 3 Friday

Woke up feeling pretty good, almost normal in fact, the only reminder is when I go to grab something, I’ll get a sting, or it’s tender to touch.

But overall pain has gone. Trying to just have paracetamol today, and have some time without splints.

Tried to do some food prep, but it smarted and stung a bit, so I retreated and put compression gloves on to settle them down.

Day 4 Saturday

Had a few side effects such as cold sweats, and sleep disruption, weird moods. But I’m only taking paracetamol at the moment for the hands. With gel though too.

Accidently knocked the end of my thumb, which jarred the left (my worse thumb) so that has flared up pain a lot. Resting and splinting to help with pain.

Bonus though today a friend sent me these to stop velcro sticking to my jumper sleeves, hair, and literally everything else. Fabulous covers to stop braces and splints getting filthy too. Highly recommend, light weight and when worn with jumpers it hides the brace.

Funky Covers Uk

Day 5 Sunday

Had all weekend in the Sturdier splints, as they allow the wrist more movement. I had wanted to start some hand physio, but seeing how easy it is to undo it, I think I will wait a bit longer.

Though I did straighten my hair, which was hugely difficult but I managed it. After that I thought it wise to rest them.

I’ll be honest it’s like this today, elbows and ankles have decided it’s their turn to be awful. So I’m covered in freeze gel, and compression sleeves.

Day 6 Monday

Yeah managed a good night’s sleep and with naked hands too. Wrapped a few presents and wrote in cards, I could actually hold a pen with no pain.

When they get tired it starts to ache, but it’s a dull ache. Compared to blinding pain I’m happy with that.

Day 7 Tuesday

Omg it’s so nice to be able to brush my teeth without that pain, how cool is that.

Splint wearing is not as needed, and it’s just dull aches when I’ve over used them. Really impressed at the moment. Hope it lasts for a long time.

Luds Church Adventure

Now and again you stumble across a walk, or place that just feels super magickal, and part of the faery realm.

Luds Church is such a place, along with Danesbridge. You have woodland, streams, fields and hills, and dramatic rocks too. A little of everything.

We went last year too you can read it here

Barely a soul in sight, we had the run of the place, to really soak in the energies.

And take cheesy photos of ourselves.

We had all seasons nearly, super windy and tiny specks of rain, to warmth and sheltered in the rocks.

Patchwork of colours is a feast for the eyes, and we didn’t want it to end.

Can’t hold a pole for a while due to my hands, so it’s nice to look back at this walk before the steroid injections in the hands.

First Carpometacarpal Joint, or CMC Joint.

ANATOMY

The movements of the thumb in this area are dictated by the saddle-shaped articular surface of the base of the first metacarpal, which articulates with the trapezium. It glides multiple ways, perhaps this is why it’s often the first point of arthritis.

I found it started when I was plugging in my phone charger, or casually doing up a zip. Others it’s turning a key or grabbing a cup.

INDICATIONS AND DIAGNOSIS

Pain and weakness that are associated with arthritis or overuse of the joint, is the most common indication for injection here. Diagnosis is determined by limitation of motion and palpation of crepitus and tenderness over the joint. Diagnosis may also be confirmed by xrays, or symptom checklist.

Usually first point of call a GP will listen to symptoms and say it’s arthritis,then send you off for xrays to confirm.

TIMING AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Injection is usually performed after other more conservative therapies, including use of NSAIDs, wheat bags, or icing, compression gloves and a brief period of immobilization, have been tried. As with any arthritic joint, relief after injection may only be temporary, and surgical intervention may need to be considered.

I’m still on the injections stage, and using splints almost daily. As I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome the success rate of surgery is lower,at least while my joints are so loose.

TECHNIQUE

Palpate the joint space between the trapezium and the first metacarpal. Using ultrasound for a guided approach. It’s crazy to see the needle enter and how tiny the joint space now is.

PERSONAL

Well for me it was injection day on the 24th March.

For my left hand it’s my 3rd injection, however the last one did not work well, and I was in a flare for months. But it’s a different product so I’m hoping it will work. It’s Depomedrone this time instead of Kenalog.

For my right hand it’s the 4th one, which thankfully has always responded well, the difference between these hands is my right is intermittently sore and weak, whereas the left is ALWAYS painful and nearly always splinted and gloved.

It’s been 2 days now, and this is how I am

Day 1 of injection (wednesday)

Had the lesser evil thumb (right one) done first, bit sharp but it quickly passes and is finished. Injection done through the thumb pad.

Left hand is done from back of hand position, space narrower so I feel it a lot more, but less volume of liquid with Depomedrone, compared to Kenalog so no exploding thumb feeling at least.

Super stiff a few hours later, so icing them and wearing splints and compression gloves. Pain mainly in the left thumb, dull nagging pressure feeling, like it’s being squeezed in a vice. Glad right thumb is feeling a bit nicer so I can type and use hand in most things, while being careful of course.

Having easy to eat food tonight so I don’t need to use my hands too much.

Slept ok ish, they woke me up twice for paracetamol, and to try and not knock in my sleep. Wore the splints off the Occupational therapist,as they use the wrist for support too.

Day 2 thursday

Not too bad today, eased off that vice squeeze pressure at least. Now they are just stiffer and achy overall.

Still wearing splints for support and strength. And taking pain relief. Some swelling but ice and ibuprofen gel is planned all day.

Evening they started to nag a bit more, still having help with cutting up some foods. Holding cups is a 2 handed job.

Skin tender and puffy, so splints for all night too. MCP joints hurt on the thumbs too, hopefully I will sleep better tonight. Had to have tramadol and paracetamol, and etoricoxib throughout the day.

It’s been 1 year since Lockdown started.

And what a year it’s been… Mentally it’s took it’s toll being away from my children, and grandchildren and of course parents.

Delayed treatments haven’t helped as it’s caused high anxiety and tremendous stress all round.

But what I can take from this past year, is walking, as much as I can, when I can, whether it’s a snail’s pace (and it really is) aided by sticks, and copious amounts of freeze gel and pain medications, it’s been worth all the pain.

Let’s hope this year of waiting, I will be able to keep going for as long as the hip is holding out.

Search for Her by Rick Mofina #BlogBookTour

#ADGIFTED All opinions and thoughts are my own, I do choose a genre of books that I enjoy to read, as I couldn’t and wouldn’t enjoy romance, or girlie ones.

Looking for a thriller that you can’t put down? Then try this book that everyone’s talking about.

One of the tensest, most gripping thrillers you’ll ever read. From USA Today best-sellingauthor Rick Mofina.

A FAMILY DRIVING ACROSS AMERICA TO BEGIN A NEW LIFE TAKE A BREAK AT A BUSY TRUCK STOP. AND THEN
IN ONE MOMENT, EVERYTHING CHANGES. THEIR TEENAGE DAUGHTER DISAPPEARS.

Fourteen-year-old Riley Jarrett vanishes from her family’s motorhome, turning their cross-country dream of starting over into a nightmare.

The massive, bustling truck plaza in the Nevada desert is the perfect place for someone to disappear — or be taken. Detectives pursue every lead as all eyes fall to the
newly blended family with a tragic past.

Time is running outto find Riley alive.to find Riley alive.

They’re not the perfect family. Everyone — from Riley’s mom to her stepdad to her stepbrotherand her ex-boyfriend — is hiding something. And their secrets could prove deadly.

and her ex-boyfriend — is hiding something. And their secrets could prove deadly.

Where’s Riley?Who’s taken her? The search is on.

Who’s taken her? The search is on.

Full of shocking twists and turns, this beautifully written novel will have you on the edge of your seat.

Perfect for fans ofLinwood Barclay, Taylor Adams, Lisa Regan, Melinda Leigh, Gregg Olsen, Kendra
Elliott and Harlan Coben.

Linwood Barclay, Taylor Adams, Lisa Regan, Melinda Leigh, Gregg Olsen, Kendra
Elliott and Harlan Coben.

PRAISE FOR RICK MOFINA’S BOOKS

“Everything we need
from a great thriller.” Lee Child on Six Seconds

“Six Seconds should be Rick Mofina’s breakout thriller. It moves like a tornado.” James Patterson

“Rick Mofina’s books are edge-of-your seat thrilling. Page turners that don’t let up.” Louise Penny

“Rick Mofina at his edge-of-your-seat, can’t-stop-turning-the-pages best as he dives deep into questions of truth, justice, and ultimately redemption. A riveting, movingread.” Lisa Unger, on Their Last Secret

read.” Lisa Unger, on Their Last Secret

“Echoing Ludlum andForsythe, author Mofina has penned a big, solid international thriller that grabs your gut-and your heart-in the opening scenes and never lets go.” Jeffery Deaver on Six Seconds

Forsythe, author Mofina has penned a big, solid international thriller that grabs your gut-and your heart-in the opening scenes and never lets go.” Jeffery Deaver on Six Seconds

“Rick Mofina’stense, taut writing makes every thriller he writes an adrenaline-packed ride.” Tess Gerritsen

tense, taut writing makes every thriller he writes an adrenaline-packed ride.” Tess Gerritsen

“Mofina is one ofthe best thriller writers in the business.” Library Journal (starred review) on They Disappeared

the best thriller writers in the business.” Library Journal (starred review) on They Disappeared

“A blisteringly paced story that cuts to the bone. It left me ripping through pages deep into the night.” James Rollins on In Desperation

“No Way Back is my kind of novel — a tough, taut thriller.” Michael Connelly

“At full throttle from the first page.” Linwood Barclay international bestselling author on Every Fear

RICK MOFINA AUTHOR BIO

Rick Mofina is a former journalist who has interviewed murderers on death row, flown overLos Angeles with the LAPD and patrolled with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police near the Arctic. He’s also reported from Algeria, Morocco, Nigeria, Ethiopia,
South Africa, Senegal, Egypt, the Caribbean, and Kuwait’s border with Iraq. His true-crime freelance work has appeared in The New York Times, The Telegraph (London, U.K.), Reader’s Digest, Penthouse, Marie Claire, The Moscow Times and The South China Morning Post, (Hong Kong). He has written more than 20 crime fiction thrillers that have been published in nearly 30 countries, including an illegal translation produced in Iran.

Los Angeles with the LAPD and patrolled with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police near the Arctic. He’s also reported from Algeria, Morocco, Nigeria, Ethiopia,
South Africa, Senegal, Egypt, the Caribbean, and Kuwait’s border with Iraq. His true-crime freelance work has appeared in The New York Times, The Telegraph (London, U.K.), Reader’s Digest, Penthouse, Marie Claire, The Moscow Times and The South China Morning Post, (Hong Kong). He has written more than 20 crime fiction thrillers that have been published in nearly 30 countries, including an illegal translation produced in Iran.

His work has been praised by James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly, Lee Child,Louise Penny, Tess Gerritsen, Jeffery Deaver, Sandra Brown, James Rollins, Brad Thor, Nick Stone, David Morrell, Allison Brennan, Heather Graham, Linwood Barclay, Peter Robinson, Håkan Nesser and Kay Hooper.

Louise Penny, Tess Gerritsen, Jeffery Deaver, Sandra Brown, James Rollins, Brad Thor, Nick Stone, David Morrell, Allison Brennan, Heather Graham, Linwood Barclay, Peter Robinson, Håkan Nesser and Kay Hooper.

As a two-time winner of Canada’s Arthur Ellis Award, a four-time Thriller Award finalist and a two-time Shamus Award finalist, the Library Journal calls him, “One of the best thriller writers in the business.” Rick Mofinalives in Ottawa, Canada.

MY REVIEW
Its not actually often I read a book that strikes the fear of god in me, but a missing child, any parent fears this. It’s a gut wrenching fear.

It’s full on action from the absolute start, it’s intense and fast paced and a multitude of blindalleys to stir you down.

Usually I’ve been having a slower more Agatha Christie style, so to have something a bit gritty, and darker was a pleasant change of pace for me.

I can easily see people taking this away on holiday with them, as a lounge around the pool read. Or for me curled on the sofa with a pillow fort and hot chocolate.

Thors Cave

Off on more rambling adventures, we’ve decided to try and do it once a week, that way I have a couple of days to plan ahead, ie route, food, clothes prep, the walk day itself which is a whole day out, then a few days of complete rest afterwards.

This time we faced my nemesis walk, the first and only time we’d done it I felt like I was dying!!

Here I am at Freyas cave first, I’m not attempting to climb in, as I need to preserve energy.

Met a bullish sheep, he really intimidated me. I ran off ( well waddled as fast as I could)

Lovely weather though, some moody skies but overall cool enough to not over heat. Only got cold when we sat for food.

more friendly faces, we even saw a few walkers, lots of smiles and chats.

Some things are clearly off limits to me, and rightly so too. But to see others out and about enjoying the countryside was lovely.

Some bonkers folk on the top, I’m glad I’m safe and sound down here.

Me taking photos of the stream, I do love a babbling brook to cleanse my soul. Too cold to dip toes in though.

Glad I did it, but boy it wasn’t easy, loads of mud and so tiring. But it’s no longer my nemesis and I can tick it off my list.

Replaced hip had a golf ball sensation after this, but thankfully eases off with complete rest and hot water bottles. The other hip is just so grinding and white hot pain, it’s hating me and life right now.

Arthritis in Hands

As I’ve posted many times on my hands, we are finally getting some progress as it’s x-ray day.

Once xrays are done that means I can have the steroid injections, which I’m honestly needing. It’s hurting to type and hold my phone at times, and wearing gloves and splints at night are a common theme.

The Day before x-ray appointment had to have the most stupid accident, I walked through a doorway, and somehow the top of my thumb got caught and I left it behind as I walked, it really bent backwards, and considering I have #EhlersDanlosSyndrome and I can bend it fully back, that’s saying something.

Prime example above of how far my thumb goes.

Hospital was super quick, managed to get 2 xrays for each hand. Now it’s got to be sent over to Micats and see what she thinks of it all. And whether it’s getting worse.

Still icing the thumb as it’s throbbing even being still, so clearly the accident has set me back a bit in terms of ligaments or tendons.

A few days later Micats have booked me in for steroid injections in the hands on the 24th March. Scared, Nervous but pleased as well, as I have to keep trying to improve the pain.

Rambling minds and rambling

I’m grateful I can get out and about, to focus on each step which indirectly clears the mind of all other worries I’m so focused on where to put my foot next, and to stand straight, that other worries get no look in.

Blue skies, but chilly air welcomes us, the rocks standing proudly ahead. It’s the perfect antidote. So Ramshaw Rocks and The Roaches it is.

Sarnies and Scotch egg treats in a field just is a pleasure that can’t be beaten. The farms around are glorious to watch, and listening out for bird calls.

Stunning views for miles around, no people really, just open space and fresh air. And some friendly farm animals.

To think it’s getting harder and harder to bend, and stand after sitting, I’m forever mindful it’s getting worse, I’m getting slower, and I’m taking more and more pain relief to purely exist each day. Days like this are hugely important, even if they do cost me many many days of recovery.

This llama legit terrified me, never walked away so fast!! Thought he might spit on me.

Physio, Physio, Physio

It’s dull, I dread it, and I do miss my physiotherapist so so much. To be able to ask, adjust and have support is so incredibly valuable.

Alas it’s not to be. Well not yet, so we must continue alone.

I’ve noticed I’m extremely stiff, getting stiffer all the time. Simple exercises just don’t feel as simple anymore, and getting in and out of positions are getting longer and longer in time.

But I’m ever hopeful that this will pay off eventually.

Number 4s seem to be the best stretch for me, as I suffer a lot from piriformis.

Hamstrings are so tight and I’ve tried doing lying down, but standing up gives me a better result.

This one I can barely do, my flexibility has gone, which feels weird as I’m Hypermobile type of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. So I twist as I can, and hold.

Physio will feature heavily now this year to help me feel productive, and proactive now I know I have a long wait for surgery.

Phone Consultation Hip News

I’ve managed to finally get a phone consultation with my surgeon to see what the results are of the MRI on the left hip, and hoping to get a ball park time frame of surgery date.

Could be asking far too much though, as I know they are swamped from a huge back log of those cancelled and not just those desperate for now. It will be a huge undertaking to get this back to how it was pre covid.

First I had to write down my questions, so I know exactly what to tell him or ask him while I can.

First off epic wait for the call….

Nearly 4 hours later than planned. I get the call. And it’s NOT good news. It’s grade 4 osteoarthritis no cartilage left, but the real kicker is probably 1 year wait!!

Silver lining my steroid injections in the hands can freely go ahead, and I can hope to ease them up, and I can’t possibly do anymore damage to hip, as it’s trashed.

And though I’m custom hip and they usually have to do them quick in case anatomy changes, mine is overall static so only have to redo 3d CT scan in Dec 2021.

So all I have now is to try and live with it, accept it hurts and do what I can when I can.