Pain thresholds

A bright sunny day outside, whilst inside it is dark and gloomy. I always measure my pain levels on a scale of 1(low)to10 (high). Since getting out of bed it has been a constant 7 despite an army of painkillers. Having a shower is a major pain-creating excercise, as is sliding up and down stairs. No fun. I have often admired the courage of people who jump off bridges or multi-storey car parks but now realise this out-of- character courage is simply created by a set of circumstances over which you have no control. Similarly defending your family unarmed against a pride of lions. The circumstance I need to know about is my likely quality of life after radiotherapy, thus I have booked a chat with my Macmillan nurse ASAP.

Stress

Stress is a major health issue these days but there seems to be no way of measuring it. Another Dragon's Den sure-fire winner? We have had more than our fair share over the past year or so. My tumour, and subsequent woes.Lynne having to undertake all the driving duties when she hates driving and previously did very little. Her nervousness spilling over to me .my mobility and driving going from extensive to nil. And so on. The intention of buying the boat was to relieve stress for our retirement, but having the bloody thing built proved unnessessarily stressful and now Lynne is lumbered with the full range of boating duties,pending a remarkable leg recovery for me. The hospital have arranged a leg scan for me....... But why only now for chrissakes? On a brighter note, Arsenal still top the Premier league and I am no longer ducking snowballs or jumping icebergs at home so stress levels there are reducing.

A pain in the........

Making my way downstairs for tea I was suddenly overcome with an excruciating pain from my dodgy leg. The reason remains a mystery although it should be noted morphene takes you way out of your body and into another universe, so anything could have happened. A slip?a knock? As a result getting to the loo at night is a painfull exercise, as is getting up and down stairs. I guess ballet dancing falls into the same category.life can get pretty frustrating at times but the alternative is equally as uncertain.

One (or two plus points) is/are my athletes feet are improving. When are the next Olympics?

Square one?

I walked back from the village yesterday without problem, although the usual leg ache returned with a vengeance once I sat down,requiring a shot of morephene for relief, which  sort of nullifies the reason for my extended hospital stay. I appear to be no further forward, which is disappointing to say the least. With the continued frosty atmosphere at home I'm beginning to think I may have been better to stay in hospital, although an eventual boxed exit would have been the likely outcome.

The sound of silence

A late wake-up after an extremely peacefull night. No pain so assume morphine patch doing it's job. It also makes me sleepy apparently. I can imagine getting arrested for attempting to sell part of my "drugs haul" whilst asleep. Psst,want to buy half a morphine patch, cheap? Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Out again

A painless and relatively noiseless night resulted in me being released for a second time. Completion of my release letter and drugs haul coincided with arrival of Sunday lunch and, sadly, the passing of a nice guy in the opposite bed with pneumonia.(we noticed at least an hour before the nursing staff) So, by early afternoon I was away into warm sunshine, although the atmosphere in the car and house remained frosty. At this point I would normally say it is great to be home, so there we are, I've said it.

Nottingham hospitals have better food  and nursing care but overall Leicester wins-out, with the exception of spotting dead patients.

Hope you wore your poppy with pride and managed to reflect over the lives given to preserve your freedom.

In out, in out

Another very noisy night, more like Waterloo station rush hour than a hospital ward,caused by a group of  patients simultaneously kicking off, getting a few security guards involved. It was past midnight when some form of normality was attained and thereafter I slept till 0800. I suspect this new pain patch is not working as well as the previous one, removed yesterday for my scan. The weekend duty surgeons subsequently authorised my release and a check on my new pain patch, although Lynne is doubtfull  I am fit enough for the "real world". Hopefully she will eventually be convinced sufficiently to give me a lift home, otherwise I'll resort to a taxi.   Until then the atmosphere remains "frosty".

Wear your poppy with pride