We didn't do much for Valentines Day this year, with health and bungalow 'stuff' going on and family visitors for two days last week, it sort of slipped under the radar a bit. So, we exchanged cards and I promised to buy Alan an axe when he sees one that he likes, he needs one for all the wood chopping he wants to do now that virtually all of the floors in the bungalow are up and the joists are coming up next.
Once he gets chopping we will have enough kindling for the log burner for the next five years at least!!
He went to Booths to get himself something and was supposed to be buying me a sliced loaf while he was there. Instead he got distracted by a pretty girl giving out samples in store and offering free toilet rolls to anyone who bought a box of the 'Cheeky Panda' tissues.
He said he knew that this would appeal to me, I laughed and agreed and said it could be my Valentines Day gift ... and then asked where my bread was. 😄
Booths - £8.65
We did go to Booths the next day for a coffee and a chat after meeting with our kitchen designer, so I bought some buns instead, along with some eggs and biscuits.
I didn't need anymore shopping as I am still barely eating properly at the moment.
Yesterday, after a very painful visit to go and see my Mum, I was feeling sorry for myself and toying with the idea of not blogging anymore as I am currently finding it so difficult to do so, but after a comment from Sue this morning I had second thoughts. So many of us have been blogging friends for years now that it seems wrong to just vanish. So instead I thought I would share what I am currently going through so you have some understanding.
During lockdown in 2020 I had a lot of back pain and it was discovered a year later, when I managed to get to actually see a doctor face to face and have various tests, that I had undiagnosed osteoporosis in my spine. This had led to a thoracic wedge collapse and three other broken vertebrae, along with two nerve impingements.
After diagnosis and trying lots of pain relief medications, it turned out that most didn't work for me, the ones that might have I was allergic to, and the only pain relief in the short term was Naproxen and in the long term paracetamol. So basically, on doctors orders, I have been on eight paracetamol tablets a day for the last five years. The gastro-enteritis that we both suffered a couple of weeks ago completely knocked this finely balanced pain relief out of sync, including my blood pressure medications and has led to this health crisis. The doctor at the hospital prescribed Naproxen again and said that I should see my own doctor about future pain relief, and maybe a further round of scans for my osteoporosis. It is all this pain that has sent my blood pressure sky high again, so I have had to take readings ... yet again ... for a week before this weeks visit to the doctor.
That's it ... health update and recap for anyone that didn't know about my condition, and I will try not to mention it again. Other peoples health issues ... as far as I am concerned ... can be quite boring at times, so if I start moaning shoot me!! 😉
Sue xx
Thank you for sharing a health update with us Sue-I regard you as a friend and was concerned when you were unwell. I hope you can get your pain medication rebalanced again to improve your quality of life. I did laugh when you said you were buying Alan an axe for Valentines Day and as a longtime IBS sufferer, I never turn down any toilet paper offers. This is the dreariest start to a year I can remember and it’s making many of us feel under par. Take care and hope your pain lessens. Catriona
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so challenging. Sending a hug across the miles x
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
I'm so sorry to learn of your on-going pain. And I love the quote by Fred Rogers. Please keep blogging, if you are able at all. I really enjoy your writings. But I also respect your struggles and limitations due to pain/health issues. Nancy - KY
ReplyDeletePlease don't even think about stopping blogging Sue! And thank you for sharing your health update. I hope that your medications are reviewed and bring relief soon. I love the loo roll - and an axe for Valentine's Day? - good thing we know you! Hoping you feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteIt is so hard at times to deal with an on going medical issue(s)l but we go on each day hoping for the best. I hope you are feeling better very soon! I would miss reading your blog as it something I look forward too. Take care.
ReplyDeleteSo very sorry that you are in pain and have suffered for so long, back pain is debilitating, depressing and knocks your whole psyche off kilter. Please keep blogging when you can and take good care of you, sending a huge hug to you. Jan in Castle Gresley
ReplyDeleteI do hope your pain issues get resolved... once an 'event' knocks a finely balanced system out of kilter then it does seem to take a while to settle back. Unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy your blog. Please keep going, as and when you can... I've got a bit haphazard with posting recently but hey, that's what happens when you cut yourself a bit of slack. Normal service might return in due course..
Oh, good, there you are. I'm glad you decided not to vanish.
ReplyDeleteI did wonder if one health thing was caused by another health thing - Covid caused so many problems in so many different ways.
An axe is a handy present - I have one here I could give you as I can hardly lift the thing. I used to use a much smaller chopper for kindling which still made the children tell me to be careful as I zoomed my way through a nice piece of straight grained wood....Happy memories!
Anyone who has experienced a constant level of pain can understand why you find it difficult to blog day to day during this intense period of illness. It does take over one's mind...not to mention one's body. My thoughts are with you as you fight to come through this period of turmoil. I'm sure the weather is not helping either...physically or mentally. Know that your blog friends are standing by to encourage and support you. Take care, Sue. X
ReplyDeleteFirst time commenting - I am so sorry to hear about your renewed back pain issues, that is quite an ordeal and a strain on your mental and physical health in every way.
ReplyDeleteI got quite a laugh out of your Valentine gift exchange, the promise of an axe and bamboo toilet tissue. Our newest set of sheets is bamboo and we are enjoying them a lot, very comfortable sleeping.
Cheers,
Ceci
I'm way behind with commenting but I'm so pleased you're still blogging, I'd miss you if you stopped.
ReplyDeleteThe back problems and the intense medication sound horrendous, I'm so sorry that you're struggling and hope everything settles down soon.
On a brighter note , buying Alan (or promising to) an axe for Valentine's Day and you getting a free bog roll made me laugh out loud. Love Cheeky Panda wipes, our go-to festival essential! xxxxx
I do hope the Dr's manage to balance out your pain medication. As you say an illness can throw your whole system out. The weather definitely hasn't helped, its grey wet, cold and so depressing. Please take care of yourself (and Alan) and don't stop blogging. Hugs Xx
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you have been suffering for so long without effective relief. Back pain is awful, and so debilitating. Have you asked for a second opinion to see if there are any procedures that could help eg Vertebroplasty or Kyphoplasty?
ReplyDeleteRegards Pauline B