A corner has been turned at last, and sleep is getting better. Which means I can now turn onto the opposite side and sleep, and I can do a few hours on my front too. Huge improvement.

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Forever asking the same questions.

Been adding some stretches to help the hip flexors as they are my weakest point.

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I love this one, the support of the chair makes all the difference.

Holding onto a chair and standing on my areobic step, I’m getting better at single leg squats. But I have to hold on for dear life!!

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I’m starting at 5 reps X 3 very alternate day. As they are hard work.

Having days off when I feel achy and sore is paying off, as I find I can do better quality ones in better form, when they’ve rested properly, and I’m starting from a un-swollen place. It’s the mind that plays tricks always telling you you’re not doing enough, but I trust that I am, and that rest is important too.

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Now that the restrictions that I never had, is over. The physiotherapist has also added the knee to chest stretch, and I love this one too. To just breathe into it, feel everything relax is perfect.

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Just bring it as close as you can to the chest, don’t force it. Relax and breathe.

Now for a workout over the weekend with a difference, let’s see if I can hike a bit. Fingers crossed, sticks and crutches at the ready.

Let me tell you the ache when I got home and the numbing stuff had worn off, was awful. I ended up taking 3 tramadol and 6 paracetamol that day on top of 1 etoricoxib too.

Splints helped massively, but the hands felt swollen, so didn’t fit that well. So I opted for compression gloves to help squeeze the swelling down and then splints to help hold thumb in place. I wore them overnight. Spent most of the night out of my duvet due to night sweats that the injection gives me.

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What side effects do you get? I usually get increased pain, sweats and missing periods.

Woke up feeling fine though, bit if a restless night with bring too hot then too cold. Occasionally I caught my thumb wrong but nothing too bad. So took gloves and splints off for a breather. Holding cups and scrolling on phone is hard with thumbs, but I’m getting there. The dull awful ache has gone, now it’s much duller and seems to be activity that activates it rather than me doing nothing.

I have noticed that it’s flared up some extra lower back pain and my operated hip is a bit angry too. So it’s all rest rest rest, and pain killers.

For the last 2 months I’ve been counting down the days for this, and it’s finally here. Even though I want it, I still get terrified of them,Steroid injections in both hands, hurt like hell, but hopefully worth it. Got about 4-5 months out of the last injection.

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I have the injections for the painful CMC joint, but in truth the MP joint is also affected with pain too.

Often have awful and I mean awful side effects, but I take these over the pain and limited movements I’ve got. Holding cups and pens and doing zips up are so so painful.

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Been practicing my hand physio exercises as best as I can too.

So nerves kicking in, sweaty palms the lot, but I’ve braved it. It’s injection 4 for left hand (smallest joint space, most painful hand) goes first. The pace of the depo-medrone is slower in this hand to help me adjust to the pain.

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Left hand done through back of hand almost.

Next up its right hand, it’s the 5th injection in this one, and though more arthritic and bone clangy, it’s an easier less painful injection once in. But does hurt more going on through thumb pad.

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Thumb pad stings more going in, as thicker skin.

Home now to rest them, wearing splints to protect them too. Now to find ice or hot water bottles to help relieve the aching pains. Because my god they truly ache and are full feeling, super tender.

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Splints on, aching already.

On the run up to Samhain or more commonly called Halloween, it’s time to bust out all the spooky spoopy films.

Disney + is excellent for my daft feel good films, firm favourite is Zombies 1 and 2,and Girl verses Monster. They just cheer me up no end.

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Singing and dancing and schooling us all on differences and how we can just stop the divide and love each other.

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Monsters and a family with secrets, I’m sold. Excellent afternoon movie.

For animation this year I’ve watched the Addams family films both 1 and 2, I really loved them, and I didn’t think I would. Loved little extra details like the nooses as Wednesdays plaits.

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I know it’s aimed for children, what can I say I’m childish.

To be more adult we watched The night house, a twist in this tale that 8 never saw coming, so different to the usual horror plot. Highly recommended.

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Slow burn, but definitely creepy horror.

Then for something completely daft but thoroughly enjoyed. Werewolves within. So bonkers, ace humour and gore. Glad I found it.

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Totally found this by accident, so glad I did.

Loving the selection of films available, and eager to find more. And of course some series with a spooky vibe too. Do you have any favourites?? Obviously Hocus Pocus will be watched nearer to the actual day.

After 5 weeks away and solely been doing it alone at home, it’s time to find out if it’s helped, and what to do next. As well as updating the therapist with what the surgeon has said.

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The plan is leg day everyday for a year.

We start with the showing of progress so far, the Squat to Sit, Step ups, and Clams. Clams are my worse so they are here too stay. 1 crutch advised to stay to stop the waddling as best as we can.

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Change on step up, side step and lower leg but not touch floor, ie it’s like a single leg squat. 5 reps every alternate day.

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Nice deep stretch as flexors are weak, and need help. Area swells and gets painful quickly 5 reps x 20 second hold X 3 a day

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Another good stretch to try out, lying on the bed is best. 5 reps a day X 3

Another good exercise to try is the marching while sitting down, so lifting the knee up, using those flexors (aka my nemesis) you can add your opposite hand to hold knee and push down, for a controlled weighted resistance.

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Doing these 10 reps X 3 every alternate day.

This is the first time a therapist has specifically asked me to work out alternative days, as most say daily but they know you won’t. I am, but I do get swellings and white hot thigh pain, so to combat that, do exercise alternate days and use ice more.

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Felt like poop coming out, so weak and Bambi legged. I can see these are way more targeted and exhausting.