🦞🦂 *What are we up to?*🦂🦞

I ended up in hospital, the pain being beyond paracetamol and then codeine to cope with.

I have a personal medical alarm, so I wimped out and pushed the button.
In less than 10 minuts the paramedics were here, did a full assessment of my situation and needs, and took me to Waitakere Hospital.
There, another assessement went on, this one using my medical history which the paramedics did not have.
The upshot of all this was that I was given 'controlled drugs' - those which are much stronger than usual.

So now I have to rest, take the drugs and keep going.

The diagnosis was fracture lower vertebrae (in several places) and damaged neurons (?) both causing intense neurological and physical pain.

So I'm on the hard stuff now and will be seeing my doctor for some idea of program for the future.

Speaking of which, I was told that each tablet I take is worth at least $50 on the street, so maybe my future lies in selling them, not taking them !!

Oh Kaimoana I’m sorry you’re in such pain but glad you’ve been assessed properly. With fractures in the spine it’s no wonder you’re in such pain. DH had neurological pain and was on controlled drugs too. I hope they will help you. I know you don’t like taking prescribed meds but sometimes we need them.
Sending you gentle hugs and my prayers for healing. Lots of love 💕

Poor you Kaimoana. What a state! I do hope your "super drugs" are helping
🙏
Pain is truly debilitating - it was a good decision to push thd button and summon help.
I'm pleased you were seen promptly as well... Waiting and waiting is horrible

We have been supporting my mother-in-law quite a bit since her "stranded on the stairlift" escapade and today today she somehow fell over turning round in the doorway to the toilet downstairs. This was about 11.30am and she apparently went down with a whack onto the hard floor.

She lay there from 11.30am (when 999 was called and they said they'd be an hour) to nearly 3.30pm when they finally arrived. We were afraid to lift her because she had done something to her leg and had bashed her head... and then, when the paramedics checked her over and got her sitting in a chair they said they had to take her in to A & E for a CT scan but also partly for kidney function tests "because she had been lying on the floor for more than 60 minutes"! Who knew that? I didn't.

So off we we went and they did a CT scan after more hours waiting and then x-rays after they had looked at the CT scan (and waited nearly 90 minutes for a porter) and then blood tests etc... The tests/scans took maybe 25 minutes in total but at 11.50pm we finally left.

She had abandoned hope of getting home by then and it was decided that it was best to stay in overnight. She clearly wouldn't have the energy to get in and out of our car even with lots of help this evening

The doctor said the ambulances were too busy to take her home tonight so it would have to have been us.

Tomorrow she is supposed to be having physio followed by a visit from her nieces from Sussex for tea and cakes... I have cancelled the physio but hope she is up to 🫖☕️ and 🍰🧁🍥🥮 .

Sorry, no more news tonight - not even of the stairlift stranding!
😂
Too too tired
...but full of gratitude that the end of the most recent saga is near - and so is my lovely bed!

🛌 🌙 💤

Goodnight

Oh goodness! Kaimoana I too am glad you pressed that button and are receiving pain relief. Don't sell them. They are worth more than money to you. 😉
I can't imagine how excruciating it must be to live and function with a broken back! You must be made of stern stuff.

Your DMiL too NotSpag is so determined. I hope she can enjoy the family visit even if it's in hospital.

I had my winter double vaccinations yesterday which means I am sleepy today but since my friend is bringing my car back specially, or driving me there, I had better go to yoga.

And ceilidh dancing tonight. I think a long nap this afternoon is in order.

I had long phone chats with my DSs numbers 1 and 2 yesterday. They are both so proud of their own DC. It's uplifting.

Doodle I hope you had an OK day yesterday.

Heck, Kaimoana, that's sounds horrific, you must have been/ are in agony 😥. I'm sending lots and lots of love and I hope the medication you've been prescribed eases your pain and makes you much more comfortable 💐 ❤️ Xxx

Notspaghetti oh your poor MiL.. she’s not the only person I’ve heard of being left in the floor for hours. Glad she’s been checked over and tested. Probably a good idea for her to stay in tonight. Poor you, you sound exhausted. Hope she makes her tea with friend tomorrow
grammaretto thank you I was ok yesterday. I spent the afternoon at the hospice on my own spending some quiet time outside by the lake. It was freezing but peaceful there. Had a few tears but in the whole ok. Today I’ve been to the church bereavement group, lovely service with music and candles.
Hope you have no ill effects from your double injection. I didn’t. Hope you enjoy the dance tonight. Lovely to have a comforting chat with children isn’t it.
Kaimoana i Hope those painkillers are doing their job and things are a bit more comfortable for you now.
Cherry and Ixion sorry too cold for cheerleading even in my thermals. The team will have to make do with me sitting indoors and shaking my maracas 🪇

For you dearest Doodle 🌹 x

And for you NotSpaghetti 💐 x

Lots of 🦞busy-ness to catch up with.
My heart went out to you, NN🌺 Estrangement is so hard, especially in your case when it's a question of so near and yet so far. To have that possibility of catching a fleeting glimpse of someone you love and yet be so out of reach must be unbearable. I wept with you.

Kaimoana, thank goodness you raised your alarm. You certainly seemed to have a far faster response than NS to help. Keep taking the tablets and make sure word doesn't get out on the street. What's your next step? Hoping you see Gubbins and Pa soon, and that DS' job hunting is going apace.

I hope your arms are OK after your double jabs, Grammaretto and that you are fit to dance and call tonight. And, of course, that your roads are safe for travelling.
Have you received any feedback from the exhibition of Music Man's plans?

Is your DMIL home now, NS? I hope her confidence hasn't been too badly dented by her fall - she is such a determined lady!

Pleased your quiet time went well yesterday, Doodle. I don't remember, is DH's special tree in the Hospice grounds or close to your home?
What plans do you have for Christmas?

What do you think, Cherry, about our cheerleading pal sitting out our next match? I think we will be alright in our winter strip. As long as you bring your trusty hip flask

Ixion DHs real life tree is on an island near where I live. There is a bridge which I can walk across to visit.
In the hospice there is a memorial tree made from metal with leaves on it. Each leaf has the name of someone who’s died at the hospice. That is a beautiful tree too.

Naughtyneine, sorry, I missed your harrowing post 😥. Your estrangement must be so hard for you. Not the same but I'm estranged from sisters. Cwtch up by me with 🫖 ☕️ 🍰 and I'll be here to listen, if you like. Big hugs 🌻 x

Sorry you're going to sit out this part of the season Doodle but I don't blame you it's bloody cold out there. I do have a spare pair of longjohns and a spare long sleeved thermal vest so if you change your mind .... 😂

Hipflask at the ready this weekend ixion 🫡

I hope the snow isn't bad where you are Grammaretto 🤞, we've got our first yellow warning of the season here but it's more likely we'll have sleet and hail as we're so near the coast. Further up the Gower I know my neice has had some. Take care out there if you've had some overnight.

Sending gentle cwtches Kaimoana X

Thank you all, Cherry, Ixion, Doodle and all for kind words re my mother-in-law. I felt very mean leaving her in overnight to be honest as she has managed to go out twice in the small car (a Jazz) and she wanted me to go home to get it - but to be truthful I wasn't confident that she would get out, upstairs and into her bed safely.

She had "practice physio" getting in and out of the car a few weeks ago and got stuck as she stood awkwardly near it getting out. There were two physios and I honestly thought they may drop her.
I didn't want a repeat of that at (what would be) 12.30 am!

I hope you had a good meet up, Grammaretto, and that folk managed to travel in without mishap.
Good news that milder weather is on its way, even if it's rain. The last of my bulbs have arrived, pot-sized narcissi and iris, to go in pdq (prices fell to 40% of the original price if one held one's nerve).

Mixed bag here today. The routine two-yearly eye check confirmed my belief that I have been struggling the whole time with an ill-advised and unsuitable prescription. The fact that I have to take them off to stand up safely was a significant cause for concern and that I had to push them to the end of my nose to see the tv another.
I hope for great things in a few days time.

A request to call the Dentist cancelling my appointment tomorrow again.
Not, this time, from the horrid one 🐄, but from a lovely youngster who, having told me he had 'been in A and E' , went into further detail of his food poisoning episode.
Worryingly, she said it had a medical term she couldn't remember.

I just hope it wasn't norovirus. He is back in next week ...

Oh my goodness, so many posts brought tears to my eyes today.
Your poor, poor MiL NotS doesn't deserve all that, bless her.

My issues are negligible by comparison

The drugs I'm taking specifically for the nerves in my back and legs are working well. I still need the walker though. Possibly because a side effect is dizziness.

Or I just might be Dizzy Daisy anyway

The Oxicodone for pain is doing its job too but I'm helping it by not sitting for long, which puts pressure on my spine.
Tomorrow I'll experiment by not taking it. If the pain level is manageable, I'll stop completely.

I'll be thinking of the brave Mother in Law and the others here who are strugling - hoping these problems go away soon. Be brave my dears.

I wonder how many elderly people treated so badly by the health system are pushed nearer the end by the trauma and neglect, which surely makes them feel as if they don't matter?

Naughtyneine - what a painful situation you are in, in every way. I hope there is some light somewhere.. I know Naughtytaid is there for you. What a blessing he is.

I'm glad the pain is manageable but it's certainly not negligible, Kaimoana. Don't give up too soon on the hard drugs.

Although they do come with side effects.

I have had a fairly lazy day after a hectic start. We set up our Christmas makers market pottery stall, indoor. It stays up for 4 weeks and there is a rota to mind it and to encourage buyers.
Yesterday's trip to Glasgow was long but fun. Only a handful of grans select few came in the end and I made a dramatic entrance somehow feet first and landed on my bottom.
One gran suggested it might have been a sudden drop in blood pressure. I hadn't even had a glass of wine, then.

I heard that Jacinda Ardern was also in Glasgow. She was attending the premiere of a film about her.

When I came home last night I noticed the greenhouse door had been left open. by me
So I closed it in the dark and this morning noticed a poor pussy cat was inside. I took her photo, incase someone was missing her and then she fled.

Notspaghetti. Im sure it was a much better idea for your MiL to stay overnight in hospital. How are things today?
Cherry I’m sorry you’re estranged from your sisters too. That must be hard for you .
Sorry extra thermals won’t cut it with regards cheerleading. I, staying in with a warming glass of something. Keep you and Wp safe. Hope you don’t get snowed in.
ixion your glasses sound quite unsuitable. Will you be getting a new pair soon.
Kaimoana i know you’re someone who doesn’t like taking prescribed drugs and you prefer more natural remedies but please think carefully before cutting down in the pain killers. It is important that you are able to move as much as possible and if taking the painkillers helps you then it’s better than being in pain and not being able to sit or move comfortably
Grammaretto i was hoping you were going to the Glasgow meet up. What an entrance you made i Hope you didn’t hurt yourself. Whatever did Jeeves put in you hot chocolate last night! I’m sure the poor cat made its way home quickly.
I went to a garden centre for lunch today. Nice lunch and good shopping but my goodness it was cold. I got quite chilled and was happy to get home.
Church tomorrow then I’m going to visit our granddaughters.
.

I too shall endorse the Gang's warning's about giving up on the tablets too quickly, Kaimoana. I am pleased that you are getting relief from your dreadful pain.

Your feline stowaway doesn't look too distressed by its night away, Grammaretto. I hope that this fellow is recognised by one of your community.

You were missed, Doodle, in our Half Time cheerleading routine but we coped, despite the rowdy chant from the terraces shouting
Where's yer mate?.

A more sedate outing tonight to the Village Christmas Lights turn on and assorted jollities. Carols on the stage by the local primary school looking frozen but singing determinedly, our local celeb (?) singer rallying the troops and -most importantly, lots of stalls with delicious cakes and sweeties.

I promise you all that I will take the drugs as prescribed and for as long as advised.
In fact it's Gabapentin, and I may need to take it for life.
As there are currently no adverse side effects, I'm content to do so. I only shy away from meds which make me worse.
This drug, though not instantas it has to build up in the body, is doing its job.

Cherry when my sister was little (she's 7 years younger) she used to look at my plate every meals and tell Mum, resenfully, 'She has more than me'.

If I went anywhere, she had a tantrum if she couldn't go too. And so it went on, resentfulness, envy and eventually a loud dislike of me whenever I 'made good' in some area.

I have several times tried to make peace, to no avail.
She's never married as her violent temper makes her lash out, often with an implement, at any slight she thinks she sees. Sad, very sad.
I recently learned she was in a resthome.
Sister eh? And yet, when she was born and until she was about 10 years old, she was the sweetest little thing and we were very close.

In my lateer years, I began to observe that hormonal changes can make formerly peaceful, happy children into difficult adolescents and adults. Another sad statte of affairs.

Hello Lobstars,
I hope your days went well, or night in your case Kaimoana

It rained all day here so apart from helping at the Christmas Market for a while, and making a Christmas cake, I got on with my knitting.

This evening the cinema was busy. We all had free tickets as it is 20yrs since the community cinema was born! One of the organisers was celebrating his 80th birthday and had made his own cake. It was delicious.

I didn't think the film very good. It was Robert Redford's last performance when he was 80 and he died this year. I preferred him as the Sundance kid.😂😅

Good night. I've run out of chocolate so will need to have sleepytime tea.

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Lost a long message TWICE.
Will try to do it tomorrow
🤬

Here are the images though...

Ooh I wonder what goes with those Michelin Man pics NotSpaghetti🤔

Yup.
I always eat too much at Christmas.
A salutary warning.

Ha ha. That was ME on Saturday!
I went to a football match with one of my grandsons early Saturday morning... I thought the rain was easing off as I collected him but no, it was SO windy and cold (and still raining).

I dropped him at the pitch and went to park...

I put on my thick wooly coat and hat and gloves when I got out of the car was hit with horizontal driving wind and rain and was just SO cold.

After a few minutes I went back to the car where, joy of joys, I found an old XL gore-tex walking coat - maybe 30 years old - in the boot and also a bag I'd brought back from my daughter's with a huge thick wool shawl in it.

I just put everything on over my coat and waddled my huge mass the 300 yards along the footpath to the pitch. I was just like the Michelin man and the poppers pulling on the coat made fabulous hoopy bulges round my ample middle.

I did feel toasty warm then but somewhat movement restricted and definitely looked more like the scary 1800s version of the Michelin man than the contemporary one!

I did console myself with the fact that no sensible, "normal" person would see me - and hopefully nobody would recognise me if they did!

Have a good week dear friends and thank you for the good wishes re my mother-in-law. She is doing OK but the fall did rather knock the stuffing out of her and she's more wheezy breathing after exercise. She was better this morning than yesterday though so fingers crossed 🤞

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I loved that film Grammaretto!