The long dark tea-time of the soul day 50.

Saturday.

First day of my physio exercises. I have to do them three times a day. I've stood to move to the commode and back, so I feel a little more confident. 

My new stamps and stencils came ( Dyan's new release) so I was able to play with them as I prep May's dyalog. This marks the two years that I've been doing one. Which means I have 24 books once May is done, that also means I will have filled six covers... 

While Kev went to the precinct to go to Heron I watched a documentary on the real Amityville haunting, which was fascinating, so when Kev got back we watched the original movie ( I hadn't seen it for years) I know they did a remake, but I very rarely like remakes, I might watch it sometime, but I always prefer to watch the original movies. 

We took my boot off today so I could put some moisturiser on my leg, it was itching like crazy and you could see why... Talk about scales! Kev put loads of Aveeno on my leg and feet ( avoiding the scar and graft area) then the stocking tube then put the boot back on. It certainly felt better... I'll do it again after my shower tomorrow. At least the colour has come back go my leg and my feet are still ticklish, which proves I still have feeling in my feet and legs. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 49.

Friday. 

Up at 7 am to get ready and into the wheelchair.

Got the bus ok it was Steve so, it was easier as he is really helpful, some of the drivers won't even lower the ramp for you.

We got the tram ok and were at the treatment centre in plenty of time for my appointment at 10 am. Quick to take me through to remove my cast  ( they tied it back on with bandage so that it remained over the wounds to protect it. Then I went to x-ray. They removed the plaster and took the images they needed then tied the plaster back on. We were up at the consultants waiting area for 10.15 am. And we waited, and waited. Loads of people who went up after us were seen and eventually they called me at 1pm. I'm sure the earlier you get there your file goes to the bottom of the pile, so they work their way down that way. 

Saw a bloke this time, again very nice and very understanding of my situation. He said it was healing well, but because they did two operations it will need extra time to get fully right. I could have a boot fitted, but only a limited amount of weight could be put on the right leg, so basically do a little movement each day but not put too much pressure on it. 

So I had the boot fitted, the stitches look pretty neat, even on the skin grafted area where the bone came through. Then we went to physio.  Lovely young lady, who tried me with a frame, I got to the middle of the corridor but she wasn't happy at my stability on it. She gave me some exercises to do every day ( 3 times a day) to get some movement back into it and said I could stand to transfer to the commode and take a few steps, but not to do too much. She is going to send a team member out to assess me but then will see me again in four weeks when I can put full weight on the right leg. Totally different from the previous physio at Durham. 

Mind you I think the diagnosis has

made a huge difference as I no longer have to "explain" my inability to use my left side. So it's basically as we were but with a boot rather than a cast. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 48.

Thursday. 

We had a bit of a lie in this morning because we know Friday will be an early start. Did all the usual stuff then settled down to do some art and prep my new dyalog pages in next month's book... 

I had stamps come that I ordered last month in the Amazon sale. Some I've been after a while... So I set too and tried them out then coloured them. 

I finished watching class from last night and as soon as I able to get back in my craft area I'll be trying out what I've learned.

Hospital tomorrow, so we will see what transpires then. I'm hoping for the cast to come off, but that will be down to what the consultant thinks.

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 47

Wednesday.

Wash day so I set the alarm for Kev, so he could go over and put his stuff in before anyone else took his slot. As we know from last week someone is always ready to jump in. He had barely got ours done before someone else was ready to put theirs in. Rude. It's a good job I don't go over, as there'd be some choice words used. It was one of the main reasons I stopped going, because my temper would get the better of me. Kev has a lot more tolerant manner, but even he comes back cross. 

We watched the final episodes of The Rising ( we watched them two at a time) so now I know who did it. It was very clever, and I had no clue it was who it was... Brilliant plot twists throughout the series. 

The last couple of days I've started to get little shooting pains down the nerves in my right leg. I'm taking this as a good sign of it waking up, it's felt pretty dead since the second op, and you have to remember that they pain blocked that leg from the thigh down, perhaps it's finally "coming to" I shall mention it on Friday. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 46.

Tuesday. 

Neither of us had a good night both of us were awake around 5ish, so Kev got up and I sat and read. We then tried again and slept a bit more. 

Occupational Health rang just to see how things were going. I must admit they have been rather good. A hell of a lot better than the OH in Durham. 

Then Sue rang to see if we were ok and where we were, I'd got things wrapped round my arse as usual and thought we were meeting next week! Bloody idiot I can be sometimes... Perhaps they put plates in my head as well as my ankle?  

I felt awful about it, but I had totally got the wrong end of the stick. 

Watched a bit more of The Rising, it's doing my head in trying to work out who is guilty, which shows exactly how good it is. 

In the evening both of us had a bit of a dodgy tum, got to be something we both eat, so we skipped tea and hopefully it'll sort itself out by morning. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 45.

Monday. 

So another ho-hum day here in Cotgrave. I did my pages and more to my altered book. Watched a couple more episodes of The Rising... I really want to know now who was responsible for Neve's murder... I refuse to binge-watch though... That awful time we had to binge-watch while we lived at someone else's put me off doing that. 

So I'll watch it a couple at a time. There is only 8, so by Wednesday, I'll know. 

Read a bit more of Woodsmoke and Sage, loving all the details that she covers, I'm still on the sight section and that covers a lot of the paintings of the period, including my favourite Holbein portraits, the Ambassadors the one with the hidden memento mori skull. I've seen that up close and in the right spot for it to be revealed. 

A lot of the Elizabeth I portraits using the youth mask, painters of the day were told that they could never paint her without her mask or wigs on, so even when she was bald and toothless and wrinkled she was forever seen as young and strong. Propaganda in art... But that's why I find it so fascinating... The photo below is of a modern day mock up of the mask image that painters used as a basis for the Queens portraits...

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 44.

Sunday.

Up and showered. Kev has it down to a fine art, and I'm getting more accomplished at scooting along on my bum much like I did when I was a kid. I couldn't walk then but I could go like the clappers shuffling along on my bottom. I wore out the backside of my jeans so much my Mum put leather patches on them. 

Watched another episode of The Rising, it certainly makes you think, what if death is like that, you are still there but not in a corporal way... Or if that only applies if you've been murdered? So many things we don't know... I've always believed that there's nothing, you go to nothing, dust to dust but you just snuff out like a candle... 

People say about ghosts, but I believe in the stone tape theory, walls absorb emotions and "record" powerful images, shades of trauma or significant occurrences, and therefore you see shades of the past, a record of a time a place or happening, like a split in time. 

Interesting series, it certainly provokes thought... 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 43.

Saturday.

So Kev took my new sick note into work and did some shopping I sat watching paranormal stuff on Discovery plus and stamping and colouring sunflowers for my stash of die cuts. I'm trying to be productive while I'm still limited movement-wise. If I build up images done and ready to go I'll have plenty for journal pages, dyalog pages and classes when I perhaps won't have as much time on my hands in the future. Trouble is, as soon as I do some I get an idea for a page and boom! They're used up... Lol. 

Anyway, Kev was gone a good while as there was a bus missing ( getting quite often on the Cotgrave again apparently) might mean an earlier start on Friday to make sure we get to the hospital on time. 

I managed ok, I got used to not needing the loo too often in hospital, but I was glad when he got home. Hopefully I'll be able to go myself once I can start to move around more. I hate having to ask can I use the loo... 

We watched a couple of good things on tv one being The Rising, which reminded me of the Lovely Bones, similar storyline, and a behind the scenes programme on Hampton Court Palace. As we went there last year with Sue and Pete it was interesting to see the rooms you don't get chance to, as well as the ones you did. I'd go back there too as there was loads more to see as it is huge, and I find Tudor History fascinating. In fact I've just started reading a book called Woodsmoke and Sage, which is a journey through that period based on the five senses. It's by a historian who believes we should view a time period based on the little things, via the senses rather than just the major happenings of the time. It's very interesting and I actually want to know what every day people did daily. It makes it more relatable. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 42.

Friday.

So the Dr rang quite early and signed me off for another four weeks for now until we see what they say at the hospital. He also gave me some Omeprazole for the acid reflux because I need to keep taking the ibuprofen to take the swelling down in the ankle. 

So, later on Kev went down and fetched the prescription and sick note. 

Just as he had gone there was a knock at the door, it was Ian with our shopping he had done. He left it on the doorstep for Kev to bring in when he got back. 

Under House Arrest day 41.

Thursday.

Sue nipped over and bought me some indigestion medicine to tide me over until the Dr gives me some which was very kind of her.

I finished "Amongst our Weapons" last night. Very good book. I might re-read the earlier ones. I used to be the same with Phil Rickman's Merrily Watkins series, but eventually the series started to get a bit ho-hum. I just hope this series doesn't.

Today I was thinking that I haven't been thankful lately for what I have, so here goes...

I am thankful for

Kev, he is a hard working carer who keeps his sense of humour and temper a good portion of the time, no matter how much I put on him.

Willow, she is beautiful loving and well behaved little cat. She comes and comforts me when I'm in pain, keeps me company and makes me laugh when she decides to have one of her playful stints. Sue and Pete, Charlotte Ian and Lauren for coming to see me especially when most other people have "forgotten" me. Doing stuff for us both, like shopping and bringing things we need, keeping me company, cutting my hair, meeting us in town for lunch when I can go out.

The Dandelion club members and friends I made through that and Dyan's classes. The projects, dyalogs and art works that keep me busy and stop me just rotting watching daytime tv.

I have much to be thankful for ( we all do) and I should recognise it more often.

So a big Thank you to those I've mentioned above and also to those who have sent cards and messages wishing me well... 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 40.

Wednesday.

I had set my alarm as I needed to ring the doctor. If you aren't on the phone straight away you won't get a phone appointment. So that done Kev went over to take what washing we needed doing. Obviously there isn't much as neither of us are using uniform, but even then someone was taking his washing out of the washer and putting theirs in as soon as it had stopped. So bloody impatient. If we have any to do when it's not our day we wait until late afternoon. 

I had a bit of a dead leg last night and struggled to get comfy, I had knocked off the ibuprofen yesterday and the indgestion wasn't as bad, but I know I'm supposed to take it to help the swelling so if I knock it on the head until night-time until I next speak to the doctor on Friday, ( yes, it takes two days to get a phone call back) 

The long dark tea-time of the soul days 38/39

Monday. 

It was a quiet bank holiday for us. I had a shower, and we had more of the lamb joint, so a second Sunday lunch. They'll even be enough for a curry. 

We spent the day watching stuff we had recorded over the weekend in including "The thief his wife and the canoe" I couldn't believe how stupid the pair of them was, he obviously lived in a fantasy world, and was quite frankly a twat. His wife, although the portrayal of her was that she was quite bullied and downtrodden was anything but in my opinion. She was as greedy as he was, and stupid for putting up with him in the first place. I would have turned him in the first instance. He got them into all the debt and I would have dropped him in it with no hesitation. She lied to everyone and deserved every minute she spent behind bars, so did he by the way, but I thought the sentences were very light 6 years 3 months and six years 6 months. I thought that at least 15 to 20 would have been better terms. I hope her sons never speak to their parents again... It was those two I felt sorry for the most. 

Tuesday.

We went out to meet Sue and Pete for lunch and do a little shopping. We met them in The Roebuck as it has decent access for wheelchairs and if you go in the first room from the ramp plenty of space for me to park up at a table. 

It was lovely to eat out properly, although I'm not eating much because I'm not moving much still and smaller amounts of food. But, I enjoyed what I had. 

Sue had got a nasty rash on her arms and chest which the day before she thought was measles, it turned out to be an allergic reaction to something. As she had been on walks and in the garden it could be something that bit her. 

While we were there we saw Diane Osbourne, who used to work with me on a Sunday. She now lives in Norfolk, and works in Sheringham. She was up here for the Forest match the night before. Obviously staying over and heading back today. It was lovely to see her. I hope next time we run into her I'm not in a wheelchair and can give her a hug properly.

Sue and Pete walked with us back to the bus stop, where we saw Sheryl Sinfield, and we had a catch up with her too. She kindly put the ramp down on the bus on the way home helping Kev get me off the bus. So it was a proper catch up day. I love our Tuesday catch ups with Sue and Pete and I love being able to still do that even though I'm unable to move much. 

It's a lot of work to take me out, but Kev has it pretty much sussed and we both enjoy getting out of the house just for a little while. 

We got back to find Willow had made herself a nest out of the bed throw, bless her. She is such a little love. Once I was back in bed she wasted no time in settling down on my legs. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 37.

Easter Sunday.

We would have been off today even if we were at work.

Kev did a full lamb roast lunch and then air fried nectarines and ice cream for dessert. 

I didn't have a shower today. I'll have one tomorrow instead with going out on Tuesday. 

Just a quiet day watching Egyptian documentaries on Discovery plus and reading. Obviously I did my dyalog pages and some more in my altered book. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 36.

Saturday.

 Big Match day so Kev got everything from the shops, and Ian got us what we couldn't from Aldi, so that he could settle down in the living room to watch it in peace. 

Charlotte came round to avoid it too, Ian's a Man City fan, and obviously Kev is a Liverpool fan. So, one of them was going to be disappointed... 

We watched Disney plus, Encanto ( I often watch movies more than once) and Christopher Robin which I hadn't seen before. I dislike the Paddington movies, preferring the cartoon series on Tv from year's ago, and I thought I wouldn't like this version of Pooh and company. But, I loved it... I've always had a soft spot for Eeyore, and I love that even though he is always depressed, his friends don't expect him to change or put on an act, just join in as he is, and they always include him. 

In this, his best line was when they were in a suitcase, "It's dark and gloomy in here, you should leave me in it" bless... 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 35.

Good Friday.

Or as we call it "Peter, Peter save me an egg, I'll be back on Sunday" 

Kev went and fetched my injections from Morrisons pharmacy in Gamston, luckily they had the full amount so he hasn't got to go back, which is a bonus. 

I'm fed up with indigestion, caused by the pain medication, it one of the reasons I only ever take meds when I really need to. 

It's the codeine and ibuprofen that does it, as I shouldn't take NSAIDs but, needs must I suppose. I'll just keep gaviscon by my bedside for now.

For saying it was bank holiday there wasn't a lot on tv, so I concentrated on my projects and read a bit more of "Amongst our Weapons" I'm trying not to read it too quick, as I tend to plow straight through his books and then want more, thank God he is a prolific writer! I might even be tempted to re-read the whole series from the beginning. Re-reading old books is a bit like seeing old friends,  you pick up just where you left off.

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 34.

Thursday.

Doctor Lewis rang at 10 am to sort out my prescription for more injections. 

She was lovely, very understanding and wanted all the details. 

Only thing is I had to ring round to find a pharmacy that stocks that exact one. Eventually Morrisons at Gamston had them ( not all of them, but they can give me some to be going on with) and can then order more. So Kev went down after 4pm to pick the prescription from the doctors, and will go to Morrisons in the morning to pick what he can then. 

I spent the day doing my altered book and dyalog. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 33.

Wednesday.

Despite the rain we went into town. My first outing in my wheelchair without going to the hospital. Kev put a plastic bag over my cast and I wore my elastic waisted trousers and t-shirt, with my pvc jacket. Good job as it threw it down.

It was lovely to get some fresh air and see some daylight. We did have to wait for the next bus, because there was already someone in a wheelchair waiting at the stop and they only let one on per bus. But it soon turned up. I got some more nightshirts from Primani and then we went to Wilkos to get a few bits including a new bath sheet. Somehow we had got bleach on the one we had. Possibly from the commode as Kev keeps it bleached obviously. 

Still amazed at how many people cut across you as if you don't exist, we were waiting for the lift in Primark and two young girls went to get on, I told them to wait until we'd got on, and got a filthy look for my trouble. Rude. Kev is now getting to point that if someone steps in front he clips their ankles instead of trying to manoeuvre round them, they soon move then. 

As it was raining we stopped for lunch at Slim Chickens, as we know that it's easy enough to get in and out in there. You certainly realise that a lot of places don't have access... 

But that aside I enjoyed our trip out and I was grateful to Kev for taking me out, as I know it isn't easy for him... 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 32.

Tuesday.

We were going to venture into town today but, we had company, so we will go tomorrow all being well. Kev managed to get what washing there was done late afternoon. 

Lauren decided to have a crafty day with me so, we sat doing our respective projects and watching Dyan"s day by day videos. 

It was nice for Kev as it gave him some much needed time out from keeping me company all day. Yes he was on hand for me if I needed the loo or drinks etc, but it meant he could have some time to play on his Xbox. 

It was nice for me too, to have someone who has a passion for crafting to understand what I'm babbling on about, instead of looking blank when I mention an artist or product. Also nice to have someone willing to learn something without thinking they know everything. It's a crafting downfall that we get a bit blinkered and think the products we use or the projects we do are the only ones out there. We all find what's right for us, don't get me wrong, but I like it when someone new to crafting is a bit more open about what they use  is willing to try different stuff. I know what works for me but I will still try new ideas and products, so long as I get the desired effect. Im in the lucky position that I craft for me when I want to, I make cards only for Charlotte other than myself and I'm not tied down to creating for others in a commercial sense. I'm just grateful for my Dyalogs and journals etc as they are just for me. If no one else gets it, that's ok. I get it and that's all that matters. 

The long dark tea-time of the Soul day 31.

Monday.

My parcel came from Art from the Heart with my dandelion club bundles in. I got a great haul that tops up my stash nicely and as I'm using more because of my altered book, much needed. 

I spent most of the day doing my dyalog, stencilling and doodling. 

I did try to get onto the knee scooter so I could possibly try and move from the bedroom into the lounge and maybe the loo. But, unfortunately I hadn't the upper body strength to pull me onto it so for now I can't do it. I'll wait until my cast is off and then try when I'll feel a bit more confident. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 30.

Sunday. 

Yesterday, Saturday was exactly a month to the date when I fell. Today marks exactly a month since I had my first operation. I had no idea that four days later I would have to go through all that again. And that the second time it would be worse. Thank God you don't know what's coming really. 

This accident has in many ways impacted my life for both good and bad.

They always say that bad times reveal good people and while I know that from the pub going under, and our struggles afterwards, it's always an eye-opener as to who is there for you when the chips are down.

The good outweighs the bad though, and one of the best things to come out of it has been my diagnosis of mild CP. It has enabled me to research the condition for me to help myself going forward, and it has helped to put a few things into perspective. I'm amazed at how I coped, and how hard I've worked over the years. How much crap I put up with and still do when people just think I'm lazy or not trying when the reverse is true. I probably overachieved which then made people think I was in a better place physically than I was. In future those people can do one quite frankly, and although I will always do my best I don't need their approval or disapproval, because I am stronger spirited than them ten times over. 

Day wise I had a shower, Kev has got it down to a fine art getting me in and out of the bathroom and shower cubicle. It's amazing how good a shower makes me feel. An essential luxury in my book.

Kev watched the football in the afternoon while I watched a couple more of the videos to the altered book class. I'm enjoying this class and I like how it's an ongoing project that I can go back to whenever I want. Instead of a page to be finished asap, it can be developed over time and not just dylusions stuff added to it, so I get chance to use stuff I haven't for ages. Thank God I found her style of art to get me through these last couple of years, with what has been happening in the world and my little world it's kept me sane. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 29.

Saturday. 

The red cross bought my bed bar and fitted it so I can sit up/ move up the bed without help. It also ensures I don't fall out of bed. Very quick really, you've got to hand it to the occupational health mob they don't hang about. 

I spent most of the day doodling in my black dyalog or putting pages together in my altered book. 

Charlotte nipped round to see us in the evening for a chat and a coffee. She bought us some bunny crumpets! Apparently, they were the last ones on the shelf in Morrisons! I can just imagine Ian grabbing them off the shelf shouting "mine mine, mine" like the seagulls in "Finding Nemo" lol... Very nice they are too!

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 28.

Friday.

Kev had to take his doctor's note to work. I was going to go with him but I decided he could get there and back easier without me, so I stayed here. I had my call button on hand if I needed any help in an emergency, but it wasn't needed. 

I put a class on and watched that rather than tv and got a couple of pages finished. 

I'm enjoying my new Rivers of London book on my kindle, Aaronovitch has many imitators out there, but you can't beat his subtle humour or his attention to detail. 

I was watching a programme about how girls feel pressured to use filters on the photos from an early age. You do see it an awful lot, even on my friends list there are a few who obviously alter photos. I did try it too, but I think it's too obvious and why bother? If people don't like me because of the way I look, they are the shallow ones not me. I'm 58 years old for Gods sake, I look ok for my age without filters and basically I couldn't give a fetid dingoes kidney what anyone else is doing. Maybe girls these days need to look deeper and stop altering their photos because eventually they'll get seen in real life and you can't polish a turd to put it bluntly. Most look better in real life in any case. They probably have no more pressure than we did growing up, but this generation are obsessed with having "problems" we didn't analyse it so much perhaps. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 27.

Thursday.

So the doctor rang Kev and he explained the situation. She was more than willing to help us. I knew if it came down to them providing a district nurse or allowing Kev to be my carer for the duration, which would be the most desirable from their point of view. 

I started reading the new Rivers of London book and I am already on Chapter 3. It's started as good as all the others, with a few new characters thrown in for good measure. 

Keeping myself busy and trying to find ways to make the days different, it's too much work for Kev to take me out, so for now I'll stay in... 

Long dark tea -time of the soul day 26.

Wednesday. Up early so Kev could claim the washing machine before anyone else jumped in front, it is our day on the rota, but they don't care here. You snooze you lose... 

He did have two bags this time as Willow's blankie needed washing.

Those Skinny Bakery items came and I must say they are very nice. The cakes themselves aren't very big, but they don't need to be. They give a treat without being heavy or too sweet. 

The other item that came was my fresh wipes. For the days in between showers and they smell like grapefruit... They are large one wipe does your whole body and make you smell and feel nice. I wish I'd had them in hospital. In fact they'll be a staple in my travel bag. "Just in case" 

Also yesterday I found a site online called the "Mad Scrapper" they do discount ( as in end of line) paper pads, and other craft items. I found some papers for Halloween that weren't "kiddie" designs, and Christmas ones called "Memories of a Snowy Day" and " Snow in the City" are both lovely only trouble is they are double-sided so it's which side do I sacrifice? 

The new Rivers of London book has been whisper synched to my Kindle so tomorrow I will mostly be reading... Plenty to keep me busy. Including my altered book and dyalog... 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 25.

Tuesday. 

It took Kev 20 minutes to get through to the Doctors, for them to say that the Dr will ring him back Thursday.

Had a lovely visit from Sue and Pete today. It was lovely to see them both. Nice to have a catch up. 

I've ordered some skinny bakery goodies that are low in sugar and carbs, as I need a bit of a treat and to be fair I think I deserve one... They should come tomorrow, I'll let you know what we think. 

OH rang to see if we got the bed bar and cushion. I told her yes to the cushion, and no to the bar. She said she will order another one that doesn't need to be fixed to the bed, so we will see. I might be up and moving again before we get it. 

My new Tim Holtz dies came ( really quick) I was going to cut them but my ankle started to hurt so I will have a go tomorrow instead. 

In the evening Kev watched the football in the living room, while Willow and I snuggled up in bed and watched bake off ( charity one) and The Simpler Life. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 24

Monday. 

The guy came from the red cross to bring my pressure relief pad and bar for the bed. However, the bed bar can't be fitted so that was a no go. The pad however is lovely and I can feel a big difference. 

I did some pages in my altered book to keep me busy and sat up in the chair until gone four... Which when you get up at 8 am is a good part of the day. If I didn't have this pad I'd have to give in early as my bum would go numb way before that.

Apart from that a quiet day. But then they will be. Not for Kev bless him, he doesn't stop. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 23

Sunday.

Started the day with a long shower. Again it takes a lot of hard work for Kev, but I'm grateful for it. 

After Nessa told me Mr Neil had a similar op ( plates and rods) in his ankle and that he took glucosamine and calcium supplement to help his joints and cartlidge left in his ankle and it helped it heal quicker, I've bought some and am giving it a go, they came via the smiley box peeps. I don't know of it will work for me but right now I'm up for trying anything that makes my bones, joints etc stronger. It's certainly not going to hurt. 

I started to watch the next set of classes in the altered book set by Dyan and as well as my dyalog I'm going to get stuck into that while I am still on limited movement 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 22.

Saturday. 

After all that excitement yesterday, back to a quiet day at home and I couldn't be happier. 

Kev's boss rang, putting mild pressure on him to return to work. He isn't being paid for being off, just taking unpaid leave. He explained that at the moment I need help, and we haven't got anyone to sit with me while he goes to work. I really wonder sometimes what they expect? Oh well. 

I spent most of the morning colouring in stamped images and starting April's pages. 

Later on in the afternoon after the football ( Kev went in living room) we transferred me to the bed and we watched some things on catch up. 

Charlotte nipped round later on and we had a natter. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul day 21.

Friday. 

Up at 6.15 am in order for me to get ready,  everything takes so much longer to do now, and then I have transverse to the other side of the bed as that's the only place the wheelchair will fit. But we did it and wrapped up like nanook of the north we headed for the bus. 

I've noticed since being back in a wheelchair how very rude people are, they jump on the bus before you, without a thought, and most of the bus drivers don't want to put the ramp down to help. Kev has started to do it himself so they

 have to raise the bus platform. 

It was definitely a case of hurry up and wait at the hospital. My appointment was for 9.45am I finally was seen at  11.45am. I had X-rays to kick off with. So much nicer than Durham. Nurse pushed me into the room and wheeled me to the bed. I thought here we go, but the radiographer said no, push her over here as it says on the paperwork "CP, has difficulty moving". So he pressed a button and the equipment came to life in a robotic ballet and rearranged itself so I could lift my cast on leg to it and they could take the necessary there. I said how clever and he said that all X-ray equipment can do it, but not all radiographers are willing to move it as they like their set ups! Just goes to show... 

Then I went back to the waiting room and was then taken to the plaster room. Again, asked if I could move to the bed I pointed to the note at the top of the page. The nurse got a dremel type tool and set too remove the cast. 

She checked the wound site and then proceeded to take out the stitches ( ouch) I wasn't going to look but I did, and it looks very neat. Two rows of 14 stitches on the right-hand side and where the bone went through quilt type stitches on the left. The guy doing the plastering was just barking at me to get on the bed as He wasn't plastering on his knees just because I was willing to move, when the lovely consultant from last week walked in. 

She looked at the wound sites, and then to the guy,  and said, " Michelle needs to stay in her chair, I clearly wrote on her notes here on the top that she had Cerebal Palsey as a child and struggles to move with her left-hand side. So you can plaster her on your knees, and if you struggle to get back up, it might make you realise how it feels to struggle to move. She had enough ignorance at Durham, and we deliver better here at Nottingham" Nice timing lovey... 

So he plastered me where I sat and was a bit nicer with it. 

Once that was done, we could go. No more appointments for a month now. Then the work starts. We couldn't get the first tram back as it was heaving, but we got the next one, luckily they are only ten minutes apart. 

We got back home, I was knackered, and in a modicom of pain, so I got into bed and rested. The photo is a picture of my Emma Bridgewater Dandelion mug that I bought to mark being a Dyan Dandelion member. Beautiful mugs...