My Time in Hospital (Day 2)

Continuing on from my last blog post takes us to Saturday 8th July. I weirdly woke up at like 5.30am and was content with that (that's how you know things aren't right, I'd normally be sleeping until the afternoon!) I didn't feel too in pain (thanks to all the meds) but I felt really sick, but I wasn't sick - which was actually super annoying because I'd rather just BE sick than feel it all day. So I spent the day clutching a sick bowl, just for in case.

I had breakfast, and then one of the ward staff came to help me have a wash, and I finally changed into my own nightie rather than the hospital gown. I got visited by physio, and they took me to have a go at walking on my crutches, and to have a go going up/down stairs as I'd told them I would have to when I got home. It all went well, but got cut short a little bit by me feeling quite unwell, so I went back to bed as my head went all fuzzy. But they gave me a zimmer frame with elbow rests to use, as it was similar to my crutches and would make life a bit easier. They also got me a proper leg rest, as my foot had been resting quite low down since the surgery.

Then I got a visit from Occupational Therapy (my OT had e-mailed ahead about me, to make sure I got good care, bless her!) just to check I had everything I needed to have some life when I returned home, and everything was fine there too, as my OT had been super prepared in getting me all the bits I need. 

Asides from that, and spending the day feeling sick, the only other eventful thing that happened was when it came to dinner time, and I'd accidentally ordered a bizarre dinner, as I didn't know how the menus worked!! There was like, a list split up with bold lines, and I thought I had to tick one per section... So I was set to be having like 3 different meal choices in one... But thankfully the lady bringing the food round let me know that it seemed a bit odd, and she let me re-adjust my menu when she'd let me know how it works... Silly me! Guess that's what happens when you give someone whose had anaesthetic a task to do! 

Simon visited me, and we played games and chilled out for a bit. But in the evening I started to get a weird pain in my heel, that wouldn't go even if I took pain relief. No one seemed to know what it was, and one of the ward staff got a doctor to come and see me to see if he could help and he said they would see how it was in the morning to see what they would do with it.... It was pretty agonising by this point, but I tried to just grin an bare it and get some sleep. 

And that was my Saturday, I was just grateful to not be sick (despite hating the fact that I felt sick) and felt pretty good everything else wise for the day. I ate all my meals (they were yummy!) But unfortunately ended the day on a bit of a downer. 

Tune in next time to hear about Sunday! 
TTFN, ta ta for now!

I'm Having a Good Day...

Hey there! I hope you're well! Like I said in the title, I'm writing this because I'm having a good day. (Well, as good as a day with a blood test in it can be!)

I've been meaning to post a blog update for a little while because everything's been happening lately! But the side effects of all my medication have been a little poo, and I didn't want to write a moody blog, so I thought I'd wait! But it's finally time, and I'm going to format it like I did last time I think, because it made it a bit easier to read (in my opinion - but let me know if you disagree!)

Image from www.arthritisresearchuk.org

So, firstly... I've finally seen an Orthapedic about my silly immovable ankle and he's going to refer me to someone in Grantham hospital about doing an ankle athrodesis (a.k.a. ankle fusion) on me. Here's a picture of what an ankle fusion looks like... Basically they clean up the inside of your ankle joint and use screws to put it in a good position, that should no longer cause any pain... But you sacrifice most of your ankle joint movement... I don't have much of that anyway so that's all good with me. My ankle has actually already fused itself essentially - but because it's done it in a way that was "comfortable" for me it's not at a very good angle and makes it difficult for me to walk. Basically it'd be good because it'd hopefully get me walking without aid again (and my gosh, I would love that!) Walking with crutches is so darn tiring!

And on that note, I started Physio last week for my ankle and knee! I got set some exercises to strengthen my knees/hips so they're a bit more ready for if I have the surgery. I also got a pair of gutter crutches to test out as I was struggling with normal crutches due to my left elbow not straightening. They basically give you a bit to rest your whole forearm on, and straps it down with a handle at the end, so the pressure is more on your upper arms/shoulders instead of your elbows. So far they've been great! I can walk a lot further with them without having to stop for breaks as they're causing less pain, so it's less exhausting. They are a bit heavier than normal crutches though, and I can feel it in my upper arm muscles today! With a bit more practice I should be fine though!

I started back on Methotrexate a few weeks ago, so now I'm on.... Humira, Methotrexate, Prednisolone (steroids) and Folic Acid for the Arthritis, and the pill (because you have to be on some sort of contraceptive while on Methotrexate) and Cetirizine because I appear to be allergic to the red ink in my tattoo...All the pills! (It could be worse) But I'm getting plenty of horrible side effects - I've started making a list in my diary ready for when I see my nurse next. I had my first Migraine.... OUCH! I apologise if I've ever called your migraine a headache.... They're so painful! I've had headaches too, swollen/heavy eye lids, heartburn, and a whole lot of nausea. Booooooooo!! But I'm getting on with it like a good girl so I don't get told off by any rheumatolagists! 

Just so you all know, I've recently started blogging for Arthur's Place - a magazine and social network for young people with Arthritis. You can find my blog at: http://arthursplace.co.uk/the-life-of-a-spoonie/ but I would definitely suggest you give the other blogs a read too! And if you suffer with arthritis yourself join the group on Facebook - Arthur's Place Social, it's honestly been so useful to me and to many others to have someone to talk to whose in the same boat.


And that's all from me this blog I suppose... Oh yeah! Except news for anyone who doesn't already know - Simon and I got engaged! Which is all exciting and awesome! So my new aim is to get myself walking unaided ready for me to walk down the aisle! So it's all happy days for me! I'll be back again soon, but in the meantime, don't forget to check out my blog on Arthur's Place! (I manage to blog a little more often there as someone prods me to get it done! Haha!) But maybe that'll spread and I'll manage to blog here more often, who knows? 

Right, TTFN, Ta ta for now! :)