Cherry takes the reins

Cherryfudge

It's not a hijack @badmemory, you're letting go of some of the pressure which is very sensible and means you have less to heal from.

The NHS site is nice and level-headed and you can be sure they don't let stuff get on there unless they're very sure of it. Of course, don't go letting it worry you as even the best resources can do - a doctor would weed out the obviously-nots in a way a website can't, so you have to be kind to yourself when reading these things.

And I have to agree with you about doing exercises - my physio was wonderful (arm injury with leg complications). My FiL used to call them 'physical terrorists', mind you - I suspect some people come out with a range of movement they've not had since they were about 12. You will able to run after the so-called friend waving a frying pan or instrument of choice and yelling 'keep out of my house with your doom-mongering!' within days.  

badmemory

Cherryfudge said:

You will able to run after the so-called friend waving a frying pan or instrument of choice and yelling 'keep out of my house with your doom-mongering!' within days.  

You have no idea how much I aam looking forward to this.  Having thought about this I wonder how much of it is caused by him worrying about going in for his own op 3 weeks after me, but not for his hip.  They have told him he has those 4 weeks to lose a stone

Cherryfudge

Today... it rained! DH did some more metal detectoring then went for a walk in the morning before it set in. I had a quiet morning but unfortunately a bit of an anxiety attack as well, which was going on in the background for a few hours then just cleared up, exactly like a thunderstorm. I think it's because next week's meetings are getting closer. One thing that's really getting to me is that a manager I don't know is going to be present and I dread having to explain what happened to me. Odd, as that was something I managed very well till I had the interview. I've decided I need to explain this in advance and either get some reassurance that she will already be in the picture, or have someone else in. I think the idea is to have someone knowledgeable to take minutes and ensure fair play.

We were booked for DH to drive a classic car this afternoon, which didn't work out as planned. The car was a beauty, and so were some others we could see around the place, and the person from the business offered to guide us out as access was complicated and we couldn't get a signal to use the sat nav. We drove very cautiously for a few hundred yards as DH was getting used to the controls (I'd forgotten how much these things changed). It was pouring so we put the windscreen wipers on, then one stopped working so we pulled to the side of the road and the chap came over to see what was wrong. As soon as DH pointed out the wiper wasn't working, he said 'It's fallen off!' The car was no longer road-worthy so we headed back, and as we did so the engine noise changed to some sort of horrendous screech!

We were offered our money back and went for a coffee instead.  

The refund hasn't appeared in our account yet but I suppose I ought to allow a day or so. At least DH did actually get to drive the car (which is older than he is!).

It continued to be torrential most of the rest of the day so we went back to the Air BnB and had fish and chips for dinner, then watched the final of the Sewing Bee. I've also picked up the crochet I started on the journey down and I don't think I'd gone wrong after all, so progress is being made. Oh, and I have a sore throat/swollen glands so perhaps that's behind the wobbles.

Expenditure:
Fish and chips, coffee, tea and cake. Don't know how much as DH paid.

Cherryfudge

badmemory said:

Cherryfudge said:

You will able to run after the so-called friend waving a frying pan or instrument of choice and yelling 'keep out of my house with your doom-mongering!' within days.  

You have no idea how much I aam looking forward to this.  Having thought about this I wonder how much of it is caused by him worrying about going in for his own op 3 weeks after me, but not for his hip.  They have told him he has those 4 weeks to lose a stone

I want to see a photo of the event!  

You could be onto something about his worries. That's quite a serious 'ask', isn't it?

badmemory

It is a lot but it doesn't seem so much when you consider it is probably less than 5% of his weight.  He lost a lot more than that a couple of years ago but one member of his family told him to stop losing weight because it was making his face look older.  He had avoided blood pressure medicine until he put the weight back on.  Some people should turn their brains on before they speak.

Floss

badmemory said:

It is a lot but it doesn't seem so much when you consider it is probably less than 5% of his weight.  He lost a lot more than that a couple of years ago but one member of his family told him to stop losing weight because it was making his face look older.  

That's awful, to stop a health benefitting action for vanity!

Cherryfudge

Spent much of today in the car, wending our way up Wales and eventually arriving in Shrewsbury, which turns out (never having been here before) to have an impressive collection of half timbered buildings and nearly as many charity shops.

I bought jeggings (£2) and DH bought a book (also £2), and we went to a pizza place for tea.

We arrived at our overnight place early in the evening, and it's very sweet: a sort of studio 'apartment' at the end of an old cottage. We've had a walk and watched TV. I just need to rest but I'll do better for being out and about first. I've also made progress on my crochet and so far the yarn is lasting nicely.

The downside was a bit of an anxiety attack around lunchtime, but less than yesterday's. I'm wondering if the need for counselling would go, or at least decrease, if I just had another job. I'm not about to give up my place in the queue but I know this is happening because I've got meetings this coming week. Blooming work, the rest of life is good.

Floss

I completely understand that things won't improve until after the meeting, but perhaps some relaxation techniques would reduce the impact of your anxiety attacks? I know from recent experience that my anxiety lessens if I consciously try to focus on my breathing. 

CRANKY40

On the subject of operations - I had my knee replacement done on the 22nd of June. My sister told me to buy a gel ice pack that also has a replacement pack so that you can have one on the op site and one in the freezer. She was right, it felt lovely. The hospital will release you with enough medication to keep you mobile without too much trauma. I also had a visit from an occupational therapist who brought with her a frame to put around the toilet (I didn't need it as ours is next to a window sill and I pulled myself up using that) which proves that they have thought these things through. The physiotherapist that I had to see before I was allowed to move came with walking sticks so all the things needed to get me mobile were thoughtfully provided. I was told to go up and down stairs the same way as I had been - exactly the same as you said. My best friend was "Ooh what if you can't get up the stairs" but I told him they wouldn't let me out if it wasn't possible. It absolutely was ok. 

One last thing - expect to be tired. Doing the physio was OK but I've not been up to doing as much as usual even though I'm mobile. 

Cherryfudge

Thanks @Floss, it's helpful to be reminded of that. I think one of the contributing factors is being away from home where I have things set up to distract me, but I can breathe anywhere, can't I?

@CRANKY40, I'd forgotten that aspect! When I came home from my operation, I discovered it's harder to get out of bed one-armed, so they got me a grab rail that tucked under the mattress. That was hugely helpful, and when I'd finished with it I rang them up to say so and they got me to leave it outside the house, where their collection people picked it up without me even having to arrange a time.

We are home again - must have put in a few hundred miles over the last few days. After taking an hour to cover 9 miles this morning (the satnav didn't acknowledge a closed road but after we'd driven for ages trying to find a way round, we went back and the closure was over and done with so we went straight through), we spent the day in Shrewsbury, looking at the museum, Abbey and, of course, eateries. We went back to the lunchtime one (am I allowed to advertise? It has the word 'ginger' in the name) for a late-afternoon snack because lunch was so good.

I've bought some coral-coloured yarn from a charity shop (£1), and spent £4.20 on a service station coffee on the way home (and I thought highway robbery was illegal). I'm not sure what DH spent for lunch and snack - maybe about £35? It will show up on the bank statement, which reminds me I need to look at finances tomorrow. He also put a donation in at the Abbey. I'm a bit of a Cadfael fan so actually going where the stories are set was special, but also weird. Normally, if I go somewhere associated with someone famous, I think of them being there, but it doesn't feel quite right with a fictitious character. I'd not known, however, that the poet Wilfred Owen is also buried there and mentioned on the War Memorial, so I paid homage at his memorial, built like a bridge as he was in the Royal Engineers.

No unpleasant anxiety today, though I woke up a few times overnight. Pesky work. In the morning I remembered someone else was due to have an attendance meeting today so I texted her to wish her well, but it turns out hers has been delayed as one of the managers is away. That means mine might be, too.

One other thing: I'd put the last of the milk in an insulated travel cup but when I opened it this evening, although it still smelled sweet, it looked like yogurt! I haven't dared taste it: it's in the fridge. Maybe it's cheese?  

We didn't have any downpours today, but it's obviously rained a lot here. I wonder if there will be a car boot sale tomorrow, and if I'll be able to get the laundry on the line? We've seen some lovely places but it's good to be home.