Anniversary

It was a year ago today, as Denise has just pointed out, that I nearly topped myself on my motorbike. I hadn't noticed the date. D was a bit stressed out but I thought it was to do with the re-organisation that has been going on at her work, which has raised the emotional level of the place anyway - but it was the anniversary that was getting to her - as well as all the work stuff. But I'm still here, so we're going to celebrate with a nice takeaway and a bottle of champagne.

I went to see the physiotherapist today, and she seems to have got to the bottom (ho-ho) of my hip pain. I've got several well established knots in my muscles that she's going to work on over the next few weeks; and she's confirmed that there's no damage to my pelvis or the hip joint, which is good news. So, it is something that can be fixed with just some specialised excercises and some manipulation. Phew!

These knots were probably established when I started learning to walk again - despite the physios in the hospital doing their best to make sure we didn't limp or leg-drag (no mummy's curse auditions allowed) - and I've no doubt been favouring that leg ever since, expecially when tired.

I've tried my hardest to walk naturally with the false leg, and I thought I'd been doing OK. In fact, the physio told me today that, when she was watcing me walking, she had to remind herself which was the false leg; so I can't have been doing too badly.

Anyhoo, once all these knots got established, it's been a vicious circle. Once I've been walking for about 10 -15 minutes, I obviously start getting tired, which causes me to alter my gait, which puts more pressure through these muscles, which, because they're knotted, creates pain, which causes them to knot up more, which causes me to alter my gait more, etc., etc. and so on until I can barely stand up .

The MAIN thing is, that it's something that's simple to fix, and once I've got rid of the knots, there are excercises I can do to keep them away, and, all being well, whah-lah (voila), I'm back to normal. Well, as normal as I'll ever be. But that's another story. Another long ... long story...

Got to get better for when we go to China, AND I've been contacted about a job. It's in Glasgow, if it comes, off - a pain really, all the way over there ... BUT, it's a job, so there we are. After 12 months. I've watched all my DVDs (at least twice), played all my computer games to DEATH, read all my books, AND all of the Internet (although I did miss the bit where they're saying that they want Bruce Willis to play Murray Walker in a film about Michael Schumacher ... they've got to be joking. Haven't they? Really ... ? Dear godalmighty, whatever next), erm, so, anyway, the point being, I'm a bit bored now, so ... job maybe. Soon. Well; I am a bit scared, but generally: great!! Maybe I'll get out of this house and be able to post a photo of something that's not ... of this ... house.

I'll be OK as long as I've got my Denise. She remains my rock.

April 22nd - upsides and downsides

The downsides of having bought the Mazda 6 are starting to kick in - I got the tax disc renewal through this week. Over £200!! Not particularly good on the emissions front then. I'm getting about 32 miles per gallon out of it, even thrashing it down to the borders - as long as I've got the calculation right. The trip computer says it's doing 14.5 litres per 100 miles ... or something. Well, it's a hoot to drive, so I think it's worth every penny.

I went to fill up with petrol today, but the news about the shutdown at the Grangemouth refinery has got through to the Chicken Littles, and there was a huge queue at the pumps. It took ages to get my turn, but at least the tank's now full: another slight down-side - the tank's huge. I know I don't have to fill it, but carting around a tank full of fuel is something I've always done. I'm one of those that starts looking for a petrol station as soon as the gauge gets down to one quarter left.

I managed to get my leg on with a thick sock today, which is much more comfortable, proving that the swelling is going down, and that I'm getting back to normal. This is progress, believe me. After getting petrol and going shopping, I decided to go for a walk. I managed to get round my old one mile route: result! My hip was very achey, but I managed to get a referral letter for physiotherapy out of the guys at Astley Ainslie at the last clinic, to attempt to address this, so it's looking hopeful. If they can work out what's causing the pain and do something to address it, I can start extending my walking range, which is my long-term goal. I could do with getting some improvement before we go to China, since I think there will be a certain amount of walking required, particularly when we get to the Great Wall. I'll be throwing myself into any exercises they give me, if it's going to help me to walk properly.

Ho hum ... again

After a little while with the new adjustments on my prosthetic, things are starting to settle down. It's very tight just now, so I can only wear a single thin sock, which makes it feel a little rough. I expect it's going to take a little while to get back to where I was before the infection. I've put looking for work off for a month or so. Just as well, as there doesn't appear to be anything going just now. I think I've had enough of rest and recouperation, though ...

Clinic day today

The clinic meeting went well today. They altered my prosthetic to address the fitment problems I'd been having. Really, I should have gone straight back to them and said that it wasn't working, but, hey ho, we live and learn. I'm going to try dropping the paracetamol and diclofenac tablets that I'm taking for the pain, and just take them as and when needed. I will still take the Gabapentin, for the phantom pains. Had the prosthetic on for about four hours yesterday, and a couple of hours so far today. I'll probably put it on again later for a bit, just for washing up etc.

Denise has been having to do everything lately - all the cooking and the clearing up and so on, and I've only been able to do a few bits and pieces, which has made me feel really guilty. She's so busy with work that all she really wants to do when she gets home is relax; but when I'm back on two feet again, I hope I can have a meal ready for her when she gets in, and things like that. She is so good to me, and I really appreciate all she does.

Yesterday was the first time I'd been able to get into the car for a drive for a couple of weeks. The weather hadn't been up to much for some time beforehand and didn't encourage me to go for a drive, and I'd really been getting wound up being stuck in the house. I really enjoyed my drive out. The act of driving, and the scenery (snow topped hills at the moment) really helps me unwind, and the cup of coffee and sausage sandwich at the half way / turn-around point tastes all the better.

So. I've got to start again, building up my stump's tolerance for wearing the prosthetic. I'll need to take it easy, as it is still rather tender. But! Things are looking up again!

Hmm ... better day today

So far, things are going OK re the infection on my leg. The angry redness and the swelling has started to go down - phew! Still a little lumpy, and a bruise is coming through; and I still can't get my leg on yet. All this being stuck in the wheelchair and having to use the crutches to get up and down stairs makes me appreciate how far I've come, eh? Whoo! Ain't going back to that, thank goodness, all being well.


Adding to my much better mood today, the new Nazareth album that I've been waiting for came out today, and was duly delivered by my best friend the postie ...

along with a couple of items from their back catlogue I'd ordered (Cinema, and Expect No Mercy)

.. erm, plus Thin Lizzy's Live And Dangerous (both the CD and DVD versions), which was by far my favourite live rock album. Now I already have this on vinyl, and I could have converted it, but it was really cheap and I was ordering the other stuff anyway, and ... well, retail therapy, ok? And what's wrong with that?!