June.

June 1st

Well you know I said in last months Blog-- that hopefully this month would be better well No it isn't.
I had a fall on the common while walking Summer around 10-15am.

Let me explain. A lady, and a small child stood back with their dog on its lead, quite a big dog, Doberman size. We went past and they went on their way. I unclipped Summer's lead and carried on  walking. After a while the big dog went flying past me and straight for Summer.
She got chased once before by a chocolate Labrador which caused her to run her towards the park and road, which she crossed  when she was only just a little pup in 2011. The road is a main one and very busy. She ran home last time and avoided getting hit by cars. I was so scared as it was foggy and I and a friend could not find her.

Back to today--I shouted her but she was scared and just ran. I tried to run but slipped falling badly on my right side, yes the RSD side. In tears of fright for Summer's safety, I got to my feet. Pain sheared through my knee and foot. I hobbled as fast as I could shouting Summer no, more screaming her name. The big dog came past me going back to its owner, and I could hear Summer's high pitched bark. Not knowing if she was hurt or just scared I hobbled on in great pain. Then I saw her, she was fine, scared, but not hurt. I don't think the other dog wanted to attack her, more to say hello but when you get a big dog after you, most would run.

I clipped her lead on and we headed for home. My foot was swelling up over the top of my shoe. I was so pleased I had shoes on sometimes I wear sandles. The shoe helped to support the foot. The short distance home was so painful, every step, sharp pain was shooting from my foot up my leg around the knee.

Once home I took off my shoes to a very swollen foot and knee. I sat down  and put my foot up. This will help I said to Summer. She was fine just the same Summer as usual, better it be me hurt than her. Took two IBRUES and  two DIHYDRO CODEINE. Lindsay phoned and I told her what had happened. She said, maybe you should go to the hospital. I said I will see how it goes over the next few hours.

My foot was getting bigger, and bruising up, also around the knee. When Paul came home from volunteering at the hospital he headed back there with me of course, to get my leg checked out. We arrived at the A and E department at two thirty it was very busy but I was soon seen. The Doctor though there might be a break I was not too sure. As the pain gets covered up by all the strong stuff I take. I can never be sure what actual pain I am in. Any way the X-rays (6) showed no breaks in my foot or knee she was actually surprised there was nothing broken,  just sprained and bruising she said. Told to rest it and elevate my leg and ice it. I said ice is a big NO NO and I explained. OK she said keep off it and keep it up as much as you can and rest. We headed for home just two hours and ten minutes after we got there. I thought that was pretty good. Home with foot up, this is not going to be a good weekend for me. No walking, sitting still, the RSD is not going to be pleased, not much I can do at all really. I did not realize till later I had hurt my shoulder too, just a red mark but a bit sore. Some people would be pleased with a weekends rest not me.  This is not a good start to June.

2nd

Foot and knee very painful. Slipper socks for a while I think. Resting it but if I sit too long with it up I get bad spasms in my legs.
Obviously not at Age UK today. Taking quite a lot of extra tablets today. These are helping quite a bit. Some pictures of the damage cause.

 
 

3rd

Wayne's here today and stopping over night so it will be good to see him again. He is about better now after his scare earlier in the year when he was in Hospital. Wayne arrived just in time for dinner.
Nice afternoon just catching up.

Later we were shocked to hear about the London Bridge attacks. We watched it late into the night.
After the Ariana Grande concert bombing it was quite almost like this, can not be true, but it was and we learnt later about the deaths and injuries.

4th

A quiet day just resting and trying to take it easy. Paul did dinner for us all, chicken with the trimmings. Very good too. Wayne's only here one night so soon it was time for him to go home. Paul took him to Newark station.

Later I watched the Ariana Grande concert in honour of the people who died and the ones that got hurt.
Very good but at times hard to watch thinking about why this is happening.

5th

I have to go out today for breast screening at the Hospital. Paul is taking me as my foot is still very swollen and painful. I got my shoe on after taking the insole out, this still hurt a lot but I was able to take it off while sat. We managed to get a wheelchair so I did not have to walk. Everything went well and we were only out for less than a hour. So back home with foot up again. This by now was hurting a lot and had swelled up more. I took some more tablets and the pain eased off. Also started taking BACLOFEN muscle relaxants 10mg two a day. Hopefully these will help, as time goes on and as the pain lessens I will go down to one a day then stop again.

 6th

Summer had a hair cut today and as usual she just about fell asleep. When she does this her back legs slip over the side of the table. So far she has managed to stay on it. Maxine who cuts her, is very good and makes sure she has hold of her. As soon as she arrives Summer knows its for her and sits by the table ready to be picked up. Over an hour grooming so quite a long time. A shorter cut this time as Summer is on its way or in theory anyway, its cold and raining at the moment.

 So cute.
 
 Showing off her bikini line.

7th

Foot and knee are improving but very slowly, I am not a sit down person, also not able to take Summer out either is the worst. Paul is taking her this will do him good though.

I phoned up Age UK as I will not be going in this week again hopefully things will improve and I can go back next week. My job there involves standing all the time so not good at the moment with a swollen foot and knee. I know a lot of people are also not going to be there this week either for one reason or another. Joy said it was not very busy last week.

Joy called in to see me she is doing well and not as much pain in her knee and shoulder. She has started taking some new tablets and put COPPER INSOLES in her shoes, she said this has helped her pain a lot.
No sooner had she gone Angela called in to see me, she is also well and just got a new car, very nice too, a white one she is very pleased with it. Her other one was written off when she had her accident on the 18th May. A lot of pain in my foot late evening and early morning before I went to bed.


8th

Wayne got Summer a new brush today, I used it on her and she likes it. Her last one the pins have bent and is now sharp on her skin. This was recommend by Maxine the groomer.

The brush is a Lawrence Tender Care Slicker Brush Medium. From Amazon.


OK bean a week now since I fell, so here are some of today's pictures of my leg and foot.




Uninjured left  foot.
Inside of right foot.
 

As you can see a lot of the bruising has gone, but still very swollen around the foot and ankle, the knee is still swollen but not as much now. A lot more pain than I would have hoped for a week later, how much of this is the RSD playing up.

9th

Went round to see a neighbour Ness from two doors away. I am so fed up of not going out. Had a good chat and felt better for it.
Lindsay came round later with Jamie-Lee we had chips from the chippie for dinner. Very tasty.
Showers and sunshine today.

11th

Changing the bedding today as very windy so it should dry well. Quite sunny but also showers as well. I need to try to use my foot and walk a bit more. Already the RSD is hitting it hard and a lot of pain and burning like only RSD can.

Washing all dried and ironed. I sit on the table to iron so that's not a problem.

Jay-jay came round later he had bean swimming in a lake close by so decided to surprise us with a visit. He and Tommy-Lee are going to Spain with their Dad on Wednesday. Hope you all have a good time.

Not as many tablets today so the foot must be improving a bit.

12th

B12 injection this morning, Paul is taking me in the car as it's too far at the moment to walk. This time it did not hurt as much. I am back later to see my own Doctor at last. The appointment is at night so really for people who work during the day, so I felt a bit guilty but not for long. I can never get to see him. He only works two days a week so that makes it worse.

He was quite pleased with me, he looked at my foot and I showed him the pictures when it first happen. A sprain usually takes on average takes four to six weeks to get better. Yours with every thing else going on will take at least eight weeks, may be more. Also I have to be very careful as the ankle is very fragile, when I start walking more.

I asked him how he was doing he said he was very happy doing two days a week. I said you are the only one as everyone else is not happy. He laughed I mentioned about how long it is to get an appointment for Nurses and Doctors. He said yes he knows but there is not a lot he can do. One nurse has left, some are on holiday, also with taking on extra patients from another practice does not help. I was told by the nurse this morning to book my B12 appointment next week so I get it on time, over six weeks ahead. As the one I just had was two weeks late. Partly my fault as I put the reminder in June part of the diary instead of Mays. Even so two weeks is too long to wait for a B12. Usually when I ring up its two or three days at the most to get an appointment.

13th

At last the swelling is going down on my foot, I am able to wear my canvas shoes for the first time since I fell have bean wearing slipper socks. Even now the right shoe is not fastened. I am only putting them on while I am out in the garden, so that's not all the time. Anyway it does the feet good to go without shoes. Better if there is not a sprained foot though.

I managed to plant the tomatoes and cucumber plants in the green house. I know its late but not bean able to do them. Even then I had to do a bit, sit a bit, till it was all finished. I was very pleased I managed it. Hopefully the plants will catch up. I have put slug pellets down, as last time the snails got them both cucumbers, and I had to seed more. So snails leave them alone, or no cumbers this year as if these go it will be too late to seed more. So slime off snails please.

I have reduced the BACLOFEN to one a day now. Two made me very tired but not able to sleep any more. They did good though.

14th

Trying to do a bit of gardening as its gone wild with all the rain showers and sun. Managed to get quite a lot done and it does look better. I set my bench up for doing the hanging baskets and tubs where the bedding plants are going. This will make it easier as I can mostly sit down. That's tomorrow though as my foot is very painful now and has swelled up a lot. Time to put it up and rest it again.

Tragic fire in London Grenfell Tower high rise block. A lot of people were trapped, more than likely not going to get out alive. A man on the news said it was his neighbors fridge/freezer that blew up then set alight to the out side of the building. No one had a chance after a few minutes as it went up like a piece of dry paper. This soon spread and trapped the poor people in side. The news showed them at the windows waving and pleading for help. Later reports said it was the cladding that was not up to standard fire regulations. This was only put in May last year.  Very very sad. So much sadness has happened this year.


15th

My foot is definitely improving, but not fast enough for me. At the moment its very sensitive and burning. I hope I can soon take Summer for her walk. Paul said there were Travellers on the Fair Ground Common.


Angela called round later and bought me, well Paul and I, a fridge magnet and next years calendar post card. Very nice thank you Angela, she has just bean on a London trip and really enjoyed herself. At one time I was to go with her but changed my mind as a bit short of money at the moment and we are on holiday in September to Ireland. Good job really I did not book things as I would not bean able to cope and would have had to cancel with no refund. At least Angela had a good time she went to a show called Half a Sixpence. Very good she said, we found a video of some bits on line and we watched it, in deed it looked a good show.

Angela is getting used to her new car and likes it a lot. We both traveled to see a friend, Comfortable car for me as well, bit low getting in and out though.

16th

I tried on my Active Ankle I used while running, I think this will help support it when its completely healed and keep it safe until the muscles get stronger. Not going to wear it yet as its a bit tight with the all the swelling.

Swelling has gone down a lot.


Back in the garden today doing the baskets and bedding plants. Quite warm too. Summer's with me as well, not helping much though, chasing the cats away. The plants are a bit tall but hopefully will pick up. As I said before, I've not bean able to do much that requires standing up for. Well they are in now so its up to them to go as my Nursery boss used to say they have got two chances live or die.

A lot of pain and burning early morning took IBRUES , BACLOFEN and GABAPENTIN. Helped quite a bit but very late night for me. The birds were well awake and it was light, around five am or after when I went to bed.

Lindsay got this for Summer as she eats her food very fast and then has a lot of wind.

 A strange looking thing when I first saw it I though this will not work but I was very wrong. Usual time for her to eat her tea minute and half, with her food on this five to six minutes and she must have actually tasted the food and wagged her tail when I asked if it was good. A big success I think.


Summer having her tea.
17th

A warm, no hot day for us. Lindsay is here with Jamie-Lee, the boys are on holiday still.
 Jamie-Lee bought me some flowers. Thank you Jamie they are very nice.


 
 


We filled up the paddling pool and Jamie-Lee spent a lot of the day in there. Summer was in too at one time. Even though she loves water she is not keen on the pool.


Very hot as the day went on, we sat out most of the day. Ben, Lindsay's boyfriend came later with his three young uns. The three girls all played together in the pool and using the water to wash the trucks and each other. His lad was a bit board as Tommy-Lee was not here and he ended up playing Mousetrap.
A good day and I managed to get a bit sun burnt, usually this turns brown over the next few days. Lindsay looks like she has had a Spain or hot place holiday as she is so brown. We used to have competitions to see who was the brownest a few years ago. She is a mid brown and I am more dark brown. I have not sat in the sun much this year well there has not bean a lot till now any way. Hopefully its here to stay.

My foot is very sore today and shooting pain when I walk. This is I think from being on it too much.

19th

At last going on the common with Paul and Summer to see how my foot will behave. Nearly three weeks since I fell and I am fed up of being like this. Bad enough be with the RSD but this as well is not good.

The walk went quite well my foot hurt, but I knew it would. Since I fell my foot had lost more movement.

20th

A lot cooler here today. Joy came for a visit, that was nice. She is still in pain as well. So together we were a right pair.
Another friend called Lynne came round later to see Paul and brought strawberry tarts, these were very good.

21st

Happy Birthday Andrew.

Cleaning upstairs today. Foot still hurts a lot but I think its getting stronger day by day. I am not taking as many extra pain killers as I did. I hope more feeling comes back to my foot and its not permanent.

23rd

Rain over night and a lot cooler. I took Summer on my own today what a nice feeling.
Thank you to Paul for taking her the last few weeks. Walk was OK, no hills yet and my foot did not complain too much. Hopefully it will be me taking her for walks now.

Bad head and RSD pain, bean a bad few day with family problems. They all seem to come at once.
Later late night early morning I had a bad nose bleed. I had to stand over the toilet and let it drip. Long blood clots were hanging down and it was not nice. Eventually it stopped and I was able to go to bed. I felt like I had swallowed a lot of blood as well, I could feel it in my throat.


24th
                   Foot now- still a bit more swollen then usually is but recovering..
 
Got Tommy-Lee and Jamie-lee for tea and over night. They both ate a good tea, Tommy-Lee eats loads and never seems full for long.

Bed time for Jamie-Lee and she did not settle well, coming down which is unusual for her. She did finally got to sleep then Tommy-Lee and I watched an episode of Doll House. He likes this a lot it was on TV a few years ago. Tommy went to bed soon after so did Paul. I had my bath and watched a bit of TV myself.

25th

Put the tent up in the garden, Jamie and I played with the cooking set and Summer joined in too.
We had sleeping bags as well so it was very cosy for the three of us. Summer likes it when the children are here, it means she gets a lot of attention. She kept running fast in and out and around the tent, and making us laugh.

 Jamie-Lee and Summer.
  
 I am camping.
  
 Posing.
 
  Jamie-Lee took this one in the door of the tent.

Tommy-Lee went to the park with Ben from two doors away. They had a good time as well. Lindsay turned up stopped a while then took them home. A good day but I am in pain and tired, going to watch Glastonbury on TV tonight. Lindsay popped back in with a towel for Paul he was well pleased.

 
 Paul with his towel.


Got Jay-Jay here for a few day now so I think that will be good for both of us. He is thirteen and a typical teenager.

27th

In town today first time since 25th of May. I did alright as well not too much swelling on foot. Got all I wanted too which is always good. Paul and I went in the car so less walking for me and him too.

In the afternoon my friend John came round we had called at Morrison's on the way back and got a fresh fruit tart it was very nice and John enjoyed his slice.

Jay-jay came home from school, he is doing exams for the next two weeks.

27th

Tracy phoned up for Lindsay and asked if I would have Jamie-Lee for the day as she is having bad head pain again. Tracy is off work as well as she has a bad back. We picked Jamie-Lee up in the car. When we got home I took Summer for her walk and Paul looked after Jamie-Lee. A wet walk and quite a chilly one I threw summer her ball which she loves to play with.

I was given a small tent a bit back, so I put it up in the dinning room. we played in that today. Summer as well of course. Not too good a day to be outside rain.. Jamie was being very good today I was pleased about that as I don't feel too good today. Very dizzy at times a lot of nerve pain and Paul said I was slurring my words. Only had extra GABAPENTINE that's all and then within my limit of six a day. I took five in all. I could have done without Jamie-Lee but Lindsay needs my help.

Jay-Jay came home from School and said I did not look well. He played with Jamie-Lee for a while.

After tea Paul took Jamie home. Rest time for me but as RSD people know, that's not easy.

29th

I think I am having a better day than yesterday. I feel better than I did, less dizzy but still a weird head, less pain as well. On my own today with Summer of course. Rain again so no sun like there was last week. Was it only four days ago when we were in the tent in the garden? yes it was. Britain the land of changeable weather.


30th

Up earlier than usual before eight (usually up between eight and nine). Coming down the stairs my nose started to bleed not as bad as the other night but still dripping all the same. I had to cup my hands to catch the blood so it did not spill on the carpet. Just about did it but some went on the tiled kitchen floor. What a start to the day, hope things don't get worse as at Age UK later.

Age UK, I went today and it was the first time since May 19th. A few things have changed, not as busy as some Fridays. Even so it was steady, working with Ian today. I have worked with him before and not got on too good. He had to rush for his bus as he did not realise the time. So I did not get chance to say how I enjoyed working with him this time. Sam said I had bean missed so did Kristy and Polly plus a few of the regulars. Nice to be missed. My foot did hurt at times but on the whole did very well. A bit of shopping then home.

My son Andrew is coming back to the UK for a while very soon, He is staying here, till he sorts out where he is going to live next, so that will be a change for both of us.

My foot is a bit swollen but not too bad I think I am on the up now. Lets hope next month goes better. Hang on, did I not say the same end of last Month???

Well what a month, things can only get better, or I do hope so. Hope things are good for you all and having some good times. All the best love Gill.




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