After the jab

As I write this, I am back at home, having had the spinal jab (or, to give it it's correct medical name Lumbar Radiculopathy).

Yes, it's as scary as the name, and the worst part (for me anyway) was the fact that it was done under local anesthetic.

It should take about 10 / 15 min for the jab...  Unless you're like me - are petrified of needles, have an awkward back, and an unfortunate tendency to breathe at the wrong time.  

Namely when the surgeon is asking for an X-Ray image to make sure the needle is in the right place. Because every time I decided to take a breath was just when the image was taken -  meaning my breathing blurred the image.  Whoops.

But that wasn't the worst part...  I felt really light headed (like I was going to pass out) and at the same time, managed to feel really queasy...  

Not really the best combination when the surgeon needs to make sure that he has got the needle in the right place for the jab.

The theatre staff were wonderful - they made sure that I didn't pass out, and managed to get me to relax enough to stop the queasy feeling.  And the best bit?  Being able to escape home the same day as the jab.  

I know this isn't a fix for the buggered disc - this jab was to stop the pain in my leg (hopefully stop the feeling of super heated barbed wire).  

Once the pain eases in my leg, I can move onto the physio, and hopefully start swimming again.  I know I will have to rebuild the distance that I swim (no aiming for 3k the first time back in the pool), but if this jab helps me get my life back, I will be more than happy. 

And no disrespect to the surgical & care teams - I really don't want to see them again.  One jab in my spine is more than enough for me.

Time to call this quits - my back is aching and I need to try and get some sleep.

Back when I feel less sleepy / bruised / loser in an ass kicking contest.

Karen

Hold on there's a new way a comin'
Looks like it's arriving tonight
There's no more hiding or running
There's no more walking on ice

Waiting for the jab

Well, I am now sitting in St Cross hospital, in the Day Surgery unit.  The nurses are really sweet - unsung heroes the lot of them.

It's really quiet in my bay - just two patients - me and another lady...  So the other  4 bays are empty.  Which suits me as I can sit reading my kindle.

Day surgery bay

Ah well, back to the kindle.  My book is calling...

Back later.

Karen

It's the time to make your play

Take the rose today

It's the time to have your say

Take the whole bouquet

Have no regrets and don't keep hanging on

Now all your yesterdays are gone

Bloody hell. A date at last...

I'm speechless.  Not something that happens very often, I freely admit.  But I finally have a date to get my back sorted out.

I have to have the covid swab test on the Sunday, then isolate until I have the jab (that's a day patient).

So all I have to do now is get myself mentally ready.  And I don't mind admitting I'm scared.  I hate needles, and will be bereft of my beloved kindle, simply because I don't want to risk losing it.

I also have to sort out time off with the office...  But that shouldn't be too difficult as they knew that I was waiting for the jab when I started my 

 role.  

I freely admit I wasn't expecting this, but it's such a relief knowing that I finally have a date and can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  

I just hope that is doesn't turn out the way the late Sir Terry Prattchet used to say...

He’d been wrong, there was a light at the end of the tunnel, and it was a flamethrower.

Time to call this quits - I'm starting to shake.

Back when I can think /  type straight.

Karen

Hold on there's a new way a comin'

Looks like it's arriving tonight

There's no more hiding or running

There's no more walking on ice

Waiting for the Surgeon’s decision

Well, I’ve had the examination, and it’s been confirmed that there is damage to my back, as well as nerve damage – which explains the feeling of super-heated barbed wire running down the outside of my leg, as well as the lack of feeling in my shin.  This tied in with the scan results, meaning that I now have to await the surgeon’s verdict.  The SWIMS team (South Warwickshire Integrated Muscular Skeletal team) have a good relationship with the surgeon who is based at Walsgrave and will discuss the findings of my examination with him at the next meeting.

OK – so in a way I am a little further forward, but in a way, I am still stuck.  I still can’t drive and am still in pain.  I just wish that someone had thought to look at the referral before now and realise that I was *not* improving from the initial injury / incident and pulled things forward.  But I know the excuse – COVID-19.  Which is a wonderful (if overused) excuse in my eyes.  Yes, I know that this virus has had an impact on the NHS – I am the last person to knock them, but it annoys the hell out of me when I get told that I should have gone straight to A&E when this happened.

Congratulations.  They would have done an x-ray (which wouldn’t have shown anything) and then sent me home with a load of pain killers and instructions to rest.  Disc prolapse does not show on an X-ray, and the symptoms could have been caused by a back strain.

But, done is done, and there’s no point getting depressed about it.  Yes – I am down – because I am in pain, and am seriously frustrated, but at least I know things are moving in the right direction.  Now all I have to do is wait for the surgeon to decide what needs to happen, and take it from there.

Ah well, time to call this quits, my poor little phone is making pathetic beeping noises as the battery is almost flat.  Again.

Back when I get chance.

Karen

When things never happen like you wanted

Dark nights always keep you in the shade

Some words would be better left unspoken

No joke there's a price that must be paid

Waiting for the hospital appointment

As I type this, I am just about 17 hours away from finding out just what I am going to have to do to get my life back.  I still can’t drive (which is *really* pissing me off now) and it looks like I have three options:

1. Physiotherapy
2. Steroid injections in my back
3. Surgery to shave the offending disc

But I will freely admit that I am scared.

Needless to say I don’t like options 2 / 3 – I hate needles and surgery?  Having my knee operated on was one thing – if it went wrong, I limped.  But my back?  That has the potential to do real damage to me.  But, I am not ruling anything out, especially if it means that I get my life back – and I can drive.

 Time to call this quits – my kindle is calling to me, and I want to lose myself in my book.

 Back tomorrow when I know what’s going on (I hope)

Karen

Now I’ll tell you how I feel
I’m lost, feeling second-hand
Do you treasure what you steal?
Can you tell me where you stand?

The verdict is in - my back is screwed

Well, I've had the results of the MRI scan....  And I have really done a number on my back.  

I have a prolapsed disc between the L3 / L4 vertebrae, and now have the scary prospect of going to the hospital for further discussions about my treatment.

At the moment, it looks like I may be referred to the spinal surgeon in Coventry, and this could mean I either have injections to reduce the inflammation, or worse case scenario (in my eyes) I have surgery to shave the offending disc.

To say I am scared / relieved is an understatement.  Scared, because I don't want to have surgery if I can help it, but relieved to know finally, what the hell I have done.  

Ah well, time to call this quits - I need to get away from a screen.

Back when I get chance

Karen

Now I’ll tell you how I feel

I’m lost, feeling second-hand

Do you treasure what you steal?

Can you tell me where you stand?

Glowing in the dark

Well, I’ve had the MRI scan on my back.  Now all I have to do is wait for the results – which should (with a following wind for the carrier pigeon) be with the GP in about 2 weeks or so.

Trying to get booked in was something of a farce.  The letter sent to me from Stratford hospital said that I had to report to Building 2, 20 minutes before the scan.  OK – not an issue.  Well – not until I walked (or in my case hobbled) into the reception.  Which had a sign on it saying that the X-Ray reception had been moved to Building 1.  So I grumbled and hobbled across to the other building.  

Only for the X-Ray reception to be closed.  I wasn’t the only patient who had this same issue – another patient was there, as their scan was at 08:00 (and this was now 08:10).  Luckily for both of us, a very kind member of staff from the X-ray department booked us both in, and told us that we should report to Building 2, as there was someone now manning the reception.

The first patient (who was due to be scanned at 08:00) was booked in, and whisked off to have the scan.  That wasn’t a problem, but I did wish that I had my kindle with me, but luckily for me, I had my phone with me and that has the kindle app on it.  So I was happily buried in my book (poor choice of words I guess as I was reading Wensley Clarkson’s book on Harold Shipman – Evil Beyond Belief) when I was called into discuss the brief form that I had to fill in before the scan.

This had questions about my general health (did I have any metallic implants – yes – in my left knee, but as this was done 25+ years ago, this wasn’t an issue), questions about tattoos (no chance – I’m scared of needles!) and one that wasn’t on the form.  Did I have asthma.  Yes.  Ok – not an issue – was it under control?  Yes.  

I must have looked puzzled by this question, and it turned out that certain types of asthma are aggravated by lying flat.  Mine isn’t so it was then off to the trailer where the scanner was located.  The last time I saw this, it was located at Warwick hospital…

The scan itself wasn’t too bad – I got put into what looked like a plastic tube, on a mechanical sliding bed.  I was given ear plugs (which were not much use at all, as I couldn’t get the damned things to fit) and then had the positioning pads to keep my head in one place.  I was also given what looked like a partially inflated balloon to hold in my right hand.  

This was the so-called “panic button” – the idea being that I could squeeze it and someone would come and pop me out of the scanner.  This is because it is somewhat claustrophobic in the scanner.  Me?  I decided to use my meditation practice, and spent the entire time quietly meditating and ignoring the strange clunking noises that the scanner was making.

Before I knew it, the scan was over and done with, and the radiographer was amazed that I was able to stay so still.  Apparently most patients did wriggle about at bit, so me staying still was something of a surprise.  But I did ask one question about the scanner – the different noises that I heard whilst I was being scanned.  It turned out that this was something to do with the different images that were required.

Once this was done, I was able to head for home, and I will admit that I was looking forward to getting home and sitting in a comfortable chair.  Or in my case, a bean bag.

I ordered one in navy from Amazon, and freely admit it is really comfortable.  OK - getting out of the thing isn't exactly elegant (you sort of roll out onto your knees), but to be honest, I really don't care as it's comfortable.

Ah well, guess I should call this quits - my bean bag is calling, and my poor little phone is making pathetic beeping noises.

Back whenever,

Karen

The Moonking is waiting again

And maybe he'll welcome you in

To ride on a warm solar wind

Back where your dreams can begin

The Moonking is calling again

But never a sound to be heard

So up through a bright silver sky

Waiting but never deterred

 

Diagnosing an injury.... Over the telephone.

I know that things are different in these COVID19 times, but honestly - what idiot tries to diagnose a back injury - over the telephone.

My local hospital trust - that's who.  I had a telephone "consultation" on Tuesday.  Which basically wasted 30 minutes of my time, as the person who called me was following a script, and my answers kept throwing the call.

"So your right shin is numb"

"No - it's the left shin.  The pain is in the right side of my lower back, but my left leg has been affected"

"So your right leg keeps giving way?"

"No.  My LEFT leg keeps trying to give way".

I honestly felt like the person on the end of the phone wasn't listening to me (or more to the point was following a script which I kept messing up.)  The final straw was being asked what I wanted to happen.  

What the hell???  What I want to happen is to get someone to look at my back, say "oh - you've done this / that and this is what you need to get back to a normal life".

Needless to say that was pretty much what I said - I pointed out that I wanted to know what the hell I have done to my back, and what I have to do to get my life back to where it was before this happened.  

I can't drive (which is really pissing me off, and means that I am having to rely on Mum to take me anywhere - a trip to the local supermarket is now a real treat!)  I can't do all the things that I took for granted - like sorting the garden out, and planting the spring bulbs that I still have to go in, not to mention jumping in the car and going off to meet up with my friends / heading into work.

Now comes the insult to injury.  I have a face to face meeting with someone at the hospital...  25th November.  And then I will have to wait and see what they decide to do.  Which, considering I suffered this injury 6th June is diabolical - and my GP referred me to the muscular skeletal department the middle of July.

So, all I can do is keep doing the little bit of physio that I can, and keep taking the pain killers.  

Time to call this quits - my phone is beeping at me - means I need to charge the dratted thing.

Back when I can..

Karen

I gave no thought to wisdom
It all but vanished in the haze
This fragile hand of fortune
Had changed and turned it all to grey

Back to the postings...

I've not updated my blog for a while, as I managed to go down with the dreaded flu. It knocked me for six, and ended up causing me to take a week off work. Not really what I wanted to do, especially as I'd got a hospital appointment to get my shoulder sorted out...

The hospital wasn't a bad visit at all, especially as the registrar was a real gent... He said that there was no need for me to go back as there was nothing more that they could do, aside from sending me back for yet more physio - which I found to be beneficial, but I already know (and do) the exercises!

As I'd expected to get a jab in the shoulder, I'd booked the day off as holiday, so Mum and I headed off to Evesham to do some shopping... I got back, only to discover that I needed a sick note as I'd gone sick the week prior to my holiday. Great. That meant a trip to the doctors and £10 for a private sick note.

But, at least I got my day's holiday back, so that means that I can do somehting that I want to do with my holiday...

Suppose I should think about doing some w*rk, but I'm suffering from TNFI - which is as little worrying, as it's only Monday!

Back when I get the chance.

Karen

I've got nowhere left to hide
It looks like love has finally found me

Another hospital visit and more physio? You bet.

There are times when I wonder why I bother going to see the saw-bones at Warwick hospital.

Why? Because I feel that I’m being fobbed off every damned time I see him. This time, it’s a case of go to the physio, and I’ll see you in three months time for another jab in the shoulder joint.

Thanks a bunch. I still don’t know what the problem with my shoulder is – what I do know is that I’m getting fed up with the lack of progress (not to mention the lack of information.)

Add into this, I will now have to spend even more time at a hospital I don’t feel comfortable going to, and more to the point, I feel like I’m wasting time – both the physio’s time and mine.

Guess I should call this quits – I need to get bits and pieces sorted out…

Back later.

Karen
Learning to fly, but I don’t have wings

Getting ready to escape…

As I type this, I don’t mind admitting that I’m nervous. Why I have no idea, but I guess that it’s just me being slightly apprehensive – simply because I’m heading south to spend a few days with my daft hog riding friend and his family.

Thankfully, he’s been a real darling and sent me directions, so all I have to do is read them and follow them to the point where we’re supposed to meet up...

Aside from that, I gave Mum her birthday present last night, and I half expected her to lynch me as she realised what I’d bought her as soon as she saw the bag it was in (no – I didn’t wrap it up – I just about had time to draw breath on Wednesday, let alone get the peace and quiet to wrap the present up!)

What I’d bought her was a piece of studio glass – from the Okra glass factory. It was a one off piece made for B W Thornton in Stratford, and as soon as I saw it, I fell for it.

Ok – I knew that I would end up going there for Mum’s present, but I had no idea what to get her, and was totally open minded about what I got – the only limit being that I was unwilling to pay more that £200 for whatever I decided to get her.

Admittedly, £200 sounds an awful lot, but given that Dad and I had bought one piece for £350 (which is truly spectacular), I felt that it was a reasonable level to set. In the end, the piece was very reasonable - £60!

Mum was over the moon, and said that it was just the sort of thing that she would have bought, and that she knew as soon as she saw the bag what it was likely to be… I just neglected to tell her that I’d taken yesterday morning off to get it for her!

I also had to go back to Warwick hospital yesterday... I was due to see the sawbones about my shoulder (which is no better - more in a bit) and also got my ribs checked over. The ribs have healed, and I've been given the all clear to start riding again, as long as I wear my body armour!

However, the shoulder is still giving me serious grief, and I don't think I've done myself any favours by refusing the cortisone jab that the sawbones wanted to do yesterday.

The only reason that I refused was because I'm heading south today, and I have no intention of going to see a good friend when I'm in pain with my shoulder and suffering from the after effects of the cortisone jab. So, it's off to the hospital on July 6th to get the jab in the shoulder.

Until then, I'm going to have to grin and bear it, and hope that I'm not too bad tempered after the drive this afternoon...

Guess I should call this entry quits – I’m supposed to be working, not blogging!

Back when I get the chance.

Karen

Learning to fly, but I don't have wings

Worrying about a friend...

Getting a message like this at 07:15 in the morning is not a good sign...

Good morning Kaz, just to say that I am going back to the hospital.
I can't move much this morning, so I'm leaving now and not going in.
Will let you know what's going on later. Take good care..

Poor sod. I will admit to being worried about him until I called him at lunchtime. He'd finally escaped from the hospital, and had been told that he'd either sprained his back or shifted a disc.

The bit that did make me wonder was the mere fact that the hospital told him that he had to go to his GP if he wanted a sick note, as they were unable to sign him off.

That struck me as a little peculiar, but as he lives in a different region to me, it could be that his local NHS trust has a different policy to the one here - the consultant in A & E tried to sign me me off when I went to see him with broken ribs!

Time to call this quits - I want to veg out..

Back tomorrow.

Karen

Learning to fly, but I don't have wings

Mangled by the sawbones, but it's good news.....

Well, the sawbones has spoken - and I'm off to see the physiotherapist again - this time for a three month stint of intensive physio. But, at least he was positive, and said that if I felt that the pain was worsening before I was due to see him again in three months time, then I was welcome to go back and see him.

If this physio doesn't work, then I've got to go for a course of jabs (not my favourite option, thank you very much) but I guess that it's preferable to having an operation on my shoulder! Ok - it would only be a minor operation to see what's going on in the joint, but I still don't like the idea of being operated on.

So, it boiled down to the fact that the shoulder is in the throes of acute tendonitis, and that I should continue to use the wheatie, Ibuleve gel, anti-inflammatory pills and painkillers. I was also told to consider acupuncture, as I'd already said that I wasn't averse to considering alternative therapies.

As well as getting the shoulder seen to, I was also examined by the consultant in A & E who treated my rib injuries on Saturday. He was quite impressed with the bruising, and told me that I wasn't to ride for another 4 weeks, but I was to get the same standard (or better) body armour if I intended to continue riding, and more to the point, intended to survive that sort of impact - as the last time he'd seen this sort of injury, the patient ended up in ITU, then the morgue as they had succumbed to the injuries sustained.

Talk about getting shaken. I swear that I had a guardian angel looking after me on Saturday, and I know one thing - Dad would say that it was money well spent if the armour had saved my life. So, I guess that I shouldn't begrudge having to pay the £50 excess on my horse insurance - especially as I get like for like with the policy!

Guess I should call this quits - I've got work to do, but I've just got no interest at all - guess that I'm just bouncing like a demented tigger because of the news from the hospital...

Back later, if I've stopped bouncing!

Karen

Learning to fly, but I don't have wings

In, but freezing...

The office is freezing cold this morning, and nothing that we do to the thermostat will warm the place up!

Needless to say that I'm not very happy, as I'm cold and still in an awful lot of pain from my ribs. The arnica is helping, and my ribs are starting to show a crazy paving style bruising pattern, and are going quite a delicate shade of black / purple from the impact that I took on Saturday.

So, when I go and see the consultant in A&E tomorrow, I'll have quite a pretty pattern across my ribs, and it will make things interesting when I go and see the sawbones afterwards, as no doubt I'll get asked about the bruising, and then will get a lecture about my horse riding!

Aside from that, things seem to be improving for me on the work front, as I've pointed out that there is only some much that I can do with the data that I am given, and that there need to be a change in the processes that the reports go through.

On a personal note (ok - family note) one of my cousins is getting married in October, so that's another outfit that I've got to buy - and I hate shopping!!!

But, I guess there is light at the end of the tunnel, and in comes in joke form:

Ma was in the kitchen fiddling around when she hollers out.... "Pa, you need to go out and fix the outhouse!"

Pa replies, "There ain't nuthin wrong with the outhouse."

Ma yells back, "Yes there is, now git out there and fix it."

So.......Pa mosies out to the outhouse, looks around and yells back, "Ma, there ain't nuthin wrong with the outhouse!"

Ma replies, "Stick yur head in the hole!"

Pa yells back, "I ain't stickin my head in that hole!"

Ma says, "Ya have to stick yur head in the hole to see what to fix."

So with that, Pa sticks his head in the hole, looks around and yells back, "Ma,there ain't nuthin' wrong with this outhouse!"

Ma hollers back, "Now take your head out of the hole!"

Pa proceeds to pull his head out of the hole then starts yelling "Ma! Help! My beard is stuck in the cracks in the toilet seat!"

To which Ma replies, "Hurt's, don't it?!"

This was the next joke that made me giggle:

In a recent Channel 4 news broadcast, it was announced that Lorena Bobbitt's sister Louella was arrested for an alleged attempt to perform the same act on her husband as her famous sister had done several years ago. Sources reveal the sister was not as accurate as Lorena.

She allegedly missed the target and stabbed her husband in the upper thigh causing severe muscle and tendon damage. The husband is reported to be in serious, but stable condition, and Louella has been charged with:











A Misdewiener!

The other joke that made me grin was this one:

A U.S. Navy Admiral was attending a Naval conference that included admirals from the U.S., English, Canadian, Australian and French Navies.

At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a group of half dozen or so officers that included personnel from most of the countries.

Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French admiral suddenly complained that, whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English. He then asked, "Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?"

Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied: "Maybe it's because the Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German."

Suddenly the group became very quiet.

Guess I should think about doing some w*rk, but I'm suffering from TNFI...


Back later, if I get the chance.

Karen
Learning to fly, but I don't have wings

Sore ribs...

Talk about having a guardian angel looking after me...

I got kicked in the ribs on Saturday - by Flame as I tried to jump clear of her, so that she could deal with a dog that was chasing her. The result? My body armour plates got smashed to pieces at the front, and the back plates also got broken.

So, I spent Saturday morning in the local A& E department, getting examined by a consultant, who couldn't believe that I wasn't more seriously injured after being kicked by a 17.0h horse! I guess that it goes to show that the initial investment in the body armour was well worth it - as my later father bought it for me for my birthday... It wasn't cheap when he bought it for me, but he was of the opinion that you got what you paid for - and I got 1/4 inch thick Kevlar plates...

Ok - I've got badly bruised ribs (and it makes breathing VERY painful), but it could have been a lot worse - I could have still been in hospital with broken ribs, and internal injuries. But, to be on the safe side, I've got to go and see the consultant on Thursday morning - before I go into see the sawbones about my shoulder.

What really irritates me though is the fact that I've had to claim on my horse insurance for a new set of armour. Admittedly, it's better (from my viewpoint) to pay the £50 excess, instead of the full £600, but it still galls me that I've go to go up to Walsall on Sunday to get the new armour fitted. Add into that, I'm banned yet again from horse riding for another 4 weeks, and you get one unhappy little tiger.

But, on the positive side, my friends have been really good about finding ways to take my mind off the pain, and I have to admit, I am eternally grateful for their support.

Guess I should call this quits - it's nearly time for me to take some more pain killers...

Back later, if I get the chance.

Karen


Learning to fly, but I don't have wings

Worrying about rat-bag....

Ok – I know that I’ve not updated my blog for a couple of days, but there’s been so much going on, that I’ve just not had chance to think straight.

I’ve now had the MRI on my shoulder, and I don’t admitting that I’m apprehensive. Ok, it should show what the problem with my shoulder joint is, but at this moment in time, I’ve got more pressing things on my mind.

My god-sprog has been taken back into Birmingham Children’s hospital, as one of the valves in her heart has started to leak, and has been causing real problems.

And the worst part is I feel like I’m going to crack up under strain of seeing her all wired up in the hospital. Ok – I admit my daft hog riding friend has been a god-send (I think I’d have gone even more doo-lally than I am at the moment!) but there’s only so much that he can do for me, as he's so far away....

Julian and Quentin have been angels and have been providing somewhere for us all to chill out, and in mine and Rachel’s case, providing us with somewhere safe to sleep, breakfast the following morning, and a swift kick up the tail to get us out the house to work.

But, thankfully, rat-bag seems to be on the mend, and I’ve got something special to look forward to – I’m seeing my daft friend very soon, and I’ve got to admit, I can’t wait to see him again…

Guess I should call this quits, as Julian wants his computer back - dratted pest! *Grin*

Back when I can get near a computer.

Karen
I walk where others fear to tread

Mangled by the sawbones

Well, I've been to see the sawbones, and it's not good news. I've got a couple of problems with the shoulder, and it means that I've got to go for an MRI scan at some point.

The tendons in the joint are severely inflamed, and just to add insult to injury, there's a bone spur on the shoulder, which looks like it could be assisting with the inflammation.

I will admit, I was more than a little unhappy with the decision of the sawbones to give me two jabs in the joint... I protested, and said that all the jabs had done in the past was cause my arm to swell up, and give me a bit of relief for a few days, and then back to the state it was before - i.e. damned painful!

This time, the jab caused more problems than ever. I went flat on my face, as I reacted to the jab as normal... As soon as the sawbones saw that reaction, he decided against giving me the second jab... Something for which I was tremendously greatful for, especially when I saw how badly I bruised!

So, as I type this, my shoulder is killing me, and I'm beginning to wonder if I've done the right thing, by letting that ham fisted surgeon loose on my shoulder!

Ah well, suppose I'd better log off and bog off - it's my turn to give the moggies their worming pills!

Back later, if I haven't been ripped to small pieces.

Karen.

I walk where others fear to tread

I'm off to see the sawbones....

Scared. I've been to see the doctor again about my shoulder, and have been told that I need to keep resting the arm (boo, hiss) and that a referral to see an orthopaedic surgeon to get the shoulder sorted out.

Ok - I know that it could have been a lot worse - I could have been told that I needed another jab in my shoulder again, as I reacted so badly to the last two jabs!

So, until I get this sorted, I've been told that the only real treatment that I can have is rest and painkillers... Thankfully, I've not been banned from horse riding - but I accidentally on purpose neglected to mention that I was still riding...

Hmmm - suppose I should think about doing some w*rk, but I've got a severe case of TNFI...

Back when I get chance.

Karen.

I walk where others fear to tread

Life never seems to go smoothly...

Well, this week has been somewhat of a roller-coaster for me. And for once, it's not my family that's suffering - it's a long standing friend of mine and Mum's who's suffering.

The lady had a stroke on Sunday, and her family is understandably devastated, especially when they get told that she won't be going home from hospital. I'm of the opinion that the lady is a tough ol' buzzard and that she'll pull though - and have said the same thing to her son, which made him laugh.

We (her son and I) are going to visit his Mum in hospital tomorrow night, and my other half has told me not to worry about going over to his place after I get back from the hospital, if I don't feel like I can face the drive over there, but he'll be on the end of a 'phone if I need to talk to someone.

On a positive note, my friend White Wolf is escaping to Ireland to start his new job with Apple in Cork. He leaves the UK shores tonight, and has said that he'll be out of contact for a while, whilst he gets himself settled in, and sees how the land lies...

So, in honor of his escape, I've been able to find this Irish joke....

Paddy the famous Irishman is driving home after downing a few at the local pub. He turns a corner and much to his horror he sees a tree in the middle of the road.


He swerves to avoid it and almost too late realizes that there is yet another tree directly in his path.

He swerves again and discovers that his drive home has turned into a slalom course, causing him to veer from side to side to avoid all the trees.


Moments later he hears the sound of a police siren and brings his car to a stop. The officer, approaches Paddy's car and asks him what on earth he was doing.


Paddy tells his story of the trees in the road when the officer stops him mid sentence and says,


"Fer Chris sakes, Paddy, that's yer air freshener!"

Suppose I should think about doing some w*rk, but I really have a case of TNFI....

Back when I get chance...

Karen.

I walk where others fear to tread

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Sorry it's taken a while for me get this post on to the blog, but I've been rather pre-occupied with various things - including making sure that my friend is ok...

As I type this, Rachel is still in hospital recovering from the riding accident, and to be honest, I'm wondering if she'll ever want to get back on a horse again.

But, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it - no point on dwelling what may not even happen. If the events of the past year have taught me anything - it's grab every chance with both hands - life's too short for what if....

So, having taken that lesson on board, I did exactly that, and did something that most people would consider crazy. I bought a horse. Not just any horse, but a thoroughbred. As in race horse breed. I've no intention of racing her, as I don't fancy the expense / heartache that comes with race horse ownership.

However, she's a really bright / intelligent horse, and she's called Heart of Flame (more often called Flame for ease!) When I get the scanner sorted out (really must take the computer apart this weekend!) I'll take some photos of her (I don't do self portraits), and post them on my blog.

On a personal note, aside from the purchase of my horse, things have been ticking along quietly, and things are getting..... Interesting. Obviously, I'll refrain from naming people (unless I get their ok), but suffice to say that I'm happier than I've been for quite a while.

Admittedly, I do take some stick at work for it, but it's water off a duck's back as they say, as there is very little that anyone can say / do to dampen my happiness.

Ah well, time to call this entry quits - I've got to get dinner ready for when Mum gets in...

Back tomorrow - possibly.

Karen.

Don't let the b'stards get you down.