October - Liverpool Marathon month

w/c 1st

Ed is doing a great varied week at the Cotswold Conference Centre for his work experience week from school, suited and booted and looking forward to working on reception!

Charles is heading back to University.

On Wednesday I go to our younger stroke survivor network meeting in Gloucester, driving on the motorway again, this time it’s darker and later, we had a good meeting with Perry French and Sarah Miller attending to discuss our future, funding, help from Mel and Louise, and lack of funding to maintain Mel’s role and so she will finish 31.10.12 Avery nice surprise for me too,Perry presented me with 3 certificates, as I had been nominated 3 times by 3 different people for the Life After Stroke awards in recognition of my work helping others.

Thursday and I’m back to the JR for a follow up on behaviour testing – not my behaviour!  the behaviour after the research, so I did pegs into holes, beanbag, etc.

On Friday, fed up of waiting for NHS chiropodist I booked to see a private chiropodist in Moreton, it is a corn and quite a deep one behind my nail she scrapes out all the hard skin with a tiny scalpel and oh my God does it hurt, no wonder I have been in pain, she gives me a little protective cushion pad to wear under the toe, to stop it re growing.

In the afternoon I went along to see my befriendee and his partner in Broadwell, they both look well, he is much improving, she has a break booked, they have a referral for OCE and she is keeping her fingers crossed all will be OK.

On Saturday we should have been going on a boat on the Avon from Evesham as a surprise 50^th for Jane (Giz) however because of the heavy downpours, the Avon is well up and the river is rather dangerous plus the place where we need to get on is flooded! So Debbie called me and the party is moving to Rose’s house, the weather is lovely, a bright sunny day, really great to see Jane & Jules and we had some bubbles with them to celebrate.

w/c 8^th

Dad and Jen O are back from Barbados today, lucky devils, and they’ve had a lovely time, and great weather.

Tuesday and I’m over to St Paul’s in Cheltenham to see the NHS chiropodist, who does a little more cleaning up of my corn, and has referred me to North Cotswolds for a follow up appointment. I then went round to see Dan at the gym but he wasn’t there.

Connect meeting at Hesters Way RC on Wednesday, it went well, a lot to discuss/catch up.

On Thursday I met up with Julie at Dormer House School for a cheque presentation from Xav F for £200 for his charities day presentation about Connect and how we have helped his Dad and family as a befriender. I went to my Doc’s for a blood test afterwards.

Sunday 14^th the time has come, after all the weeks and miles of training, Nik has his Liverpool Marathon with Dan’s help and Ed his Wirral10k, we went up on the Saturday and stayed at the Premier Inn, West Derby, not far from where my Dad used to live when he was younger, in fact the site of the hotel he thinks is where my Aunty Marj and Uncle Ken had their wedding reception.

They both did really well, Ed did his 10k in under an hour and Nik did the marathon in 6 hours and 12 mins, I am really very proud of both of them, a great achievement, and I got the chance to meet Richard and the lovely Scarlet.

Nik and Dan after completing the marathon, just in front of the Liver buildings.

Between them both Nik and Ed have raised over £3500 for The Stroke Association.

Whilst the boys went off to start at 9.30 Dad and Jen O picked me up from the hotel we drove into the centre parked up and met up with Ed who had got the train back from Birkenhead, with help from Aunty Bary and Uncle Dave.

Charles didn’t bother to turn up having had a late night in Rochdale, nor did anybody else to support them/us, Cath and Dave were busy as were Elaine and Kev, tried to call Jenny twice and no call back received!

w/c 15^th

I had a really great session with Dan, especially now that my left foot/toe is better and improving, 4 x 5minute bursts on the Wattbike, 10 mins on the Technogym and 10 minutes on the Balance Master.

Wednesday I awoke in the early hours to be quite poorly, first time I’m ‘vommed’ since the stroke so in a way it’s good to know that all things are in good working order!

Friday I went over to see Jannine for a cut n colour, nice to see her for a chat and catch up on things…..! she also did my nails for me and shaped my thumb nail talon!

w/c 22^nd

Ed is on half term this week I have a meeting with Gavin’s old boss Ruth to do some research with her regarding “the experience and expression of social cognition changes for stroke survivors”. We chatted for an hour or so it was very cathartic.

On Tuesday Ed and I went over to Dan, Ed went on the TRX bike and I did 2 x 10 minute bursts on the Wattbike, then hurrah back on onto the alter G treadmill after 2 months of no walking, did 25 minutes, 800m at 2km p hr, very pleased and not too knackered!

Wednesday Andrew was due to come over to make a start on painting & decorating Ed’s bedroom, however he was full of cold and we postponed until Friday…………

Matt, Henry  and Dan are here on Thursday to play FIFA13, my lounge is taken over by hormonal 15 years olds so I work in my office/kitchen!

Friday I am over at the JR to have research follow up MRI scan and some behaviour testing, Nik took me over and we left Andrew and Ed to get on with painting Ed’s bedroom... therein lies a tale, job done sort of, however white paintwork not, so Andrew coming back following Tuesday, paint on carpet, not a good end to the day……

My cousin Elaine who lives on the Wirral, txt me about an article in a free mag they get from the Atogether Now charity and this was it!

I have applied for a part time job at a local company - fingers crossed, and also applied online to my old Christmas temp job at M&S Simply Food, well I can only give it a go can’t I!

An uneventful weekend, we went to ASK for lunch on Sunday, which was nice, weather not good.

w/c 29^th

Monday, a nice early start for me as I’m off down to the office with Nik to discuss reporting on the CRM, it went well, so so nice to be back in an office, this is what I really miss, office banter and daily contact with people.

Andrew came and did the white paintwork. I went over to Dan’s and did 2 x 10 minute bursts on the Wattbike, times/distances/speed improving every time.

On Wednesday I was due to do a chat/presentation about Connect at the Prestbury Centre, however Nik’s turn into A&E for a small problem, so I also missed younger stroke group meeting in Gloucester.

Thursday night we go to Ed’s sixth form open evening at his school, it went very well, we were all pleasantly impressed. Just 2 more to go.

 

August - Olympics and Paralympics

w/c 6th

I was due to visit my befriendee in Cheltenham he cancelled due to an OT visit, I went over to see Dan for an hour, I have a really bad achy left foot so I did some Vibrogym work no treadmill, Dan thought it was my plantar fasciitis. I lifted 4kg weights with my right arm and tried my left arm too except it couldn’t hold 3 or 4 kg weight.

When I came home Charles called to say he maybe down earlier than expected as his Dad had had a heart attack whilst working on way back from London. Nik was driving back from Scotland so diverted back to Charles’s and picked him up and brought him down to ours, as his Dad is in the JR at Oxford, so with Val’s help we went over to see his Dad that evening, what a day!

I got into see my Doc the following day, he checked out my foot and I apparently have gout! Great, taken off one lot of medication and given another, I didn’t go to the Connect meeting as I was taking Charles to visit his Dad, he had 2 stents in and came out on the Friday with his heart not as badly damaged as first thought.

Ed is dog sitting a lovely black Labrador called Molly this week, she is lovely, very well behaved, and in season!

On the Saturday Nik and Ed did their first proper 10k race at Moreton Morrell, and they both did really well, Ed doing just over the hour 1hr 1 min and Nik did 1 hr 20 mins, Andrew came to help me in the wheelchair, and we took Molly. It was a nice day, we were able to sit out in garden and have lunch.

Sunday, we went to Batsford and had a nice lunch and a walk around the garden centre we saw Marianne and Mike with Hector the dog.

w/c 13^th

Catch up with stuff Monday, did some crm, searched jobs website.

Over to Dan with Ed, having worked on my leg/legs for a year we’re going to look at getting the arm working, and also my foot is still aching from whatever is wrong with it, so I did some Vibrogym, and the TRX rip trainer for my arm strength.

Young Stroke network meeting at a new venue, Wootton Hall Social club, good meeting, Ed came with me and I took him to the shopping centre in Gloucester to pre order FIFA13, and I drove on the motorway for the first time, there and back!

Lewis’s 12^th birthday, gave him a call and wished Happy Birthday, Hal has his results and got 3 passes.

Went back to see the Doc about my foot and he reckons it might now be Morton’s neuroma, so he injected some steroid in it between big and second toe. I was interviewed and so was Ed by Radio Gloucs for their Tuesday morning breakfast show, discussing younger stroke survivors and stroke services in Gloucs.

Saturday night Ed working Nik and I decided to go to the cinema to see ’Wedding Video’, however, my left foot was so bad that we ended up going to A&E at Cheltenham, had my foot x-rayed, got some codeine and more gout tablets, and missed the film! Great evening in Cheltenham A&E comparable to the mutants bar in Star Wars, why did the drunk choose to sit next to me and tell me about his pancreatic cancer!

w/c 20^th

An hour with Dan on Tuesday and because of my foot pain had a small go on the I had a go with the Im-AbleX computer game rehab equip for my left arm/hand, because of my aching foot.

 

My car had its first service, I can’t believe I‘ve had it almost a year now, where did that time go?!

On Thursday I went to the OCE to get some more botox, more put into my left hand and arm this time let’s hope we get some more action with it.

w/c 27^th

Bank Holiday, Ed worked lots over the weekend. Nik and I went for a picnic which was nice to do.

On my hour’s session with Dan I did some more Im Able work.

On Wednesday I went to the John Radcliffe (JR) to have my baseline assessment for the electrical stimulation research I am doing with them for 2 weeks in September, all went well, there’s going to be a good lot of work/physio on my left arm/hand, and they tried TMS on my head as pic below shows! We collected Charles from Oxford station, as he’s coming down to the Paralympics with us on Friday.

Back to my own GP again on Thursday to see what could be done about my foot, it does seem like a Morton’s neuroma, I can’t have any more steroid injection for 3 weeks.

Friday – well what can I say, I have so looked forward to this day, after seeing such fantastic sport with the Olympics. We drove down and parked up in blue badge parking in Westfield. First of all we met up with Ellie and Michael and shared a nice bottle of Laurent Perrier rose at the champagne bar, a great day to start our Paralympics day.

 

We had a good walk around the park, along the river, a trip to the megastore where we all bought T shirts, memories of our fab day.

We made our way to the Olympic stadium, the seats I had booked were quite high up and no lifts available so we were able to swap them for better seats quite easily, the whole process was very smooth and well organised, a truly amazing, inspiring and humbling day.

 

To add icing on our cake, on the way out we met Tanni Grey-Thompson and I had a great chat with her, she remembered meeting at the Cotswolds Conference Centre in Broadway 4/5 years ago, told her about my stroke , I asked if she knew if there were any stroke survivors taking part, she didn’t know but did say there were some ‘hemi’s’ taking part – hemiplegics- made my day!

A great end to my August.

 

 

 

September 2012 –Trans cranial electrical stimulation research at the JR

w/c 3^rd

Tuesday over to Dan’s for an hour using the Im-AbleX, good hand/arm activity using computer games to move the hand & arm, it was good my arm did ache a bit the day afterwards but all round good arm activity. I am limited to arm work really because of bad achy foot/toe.

I had a Connect meeting over at Hesters Way Community Centre then drove over to the Prestbury Centre where Julie and I did a presentation about Connect and what we do, what we offer. I saw the Scottish lady I initially shared a ward with at Cheltenham, she unfortunately had had another stroke but was doing OK.

On Friday Nik drove me over to the John Radcliffe, FMRIB dept. to have an MRI scan  before the start of the transcranial research next week, very very noisy and typical ’phantom’ feeling on head with the shuddering of the scanner.

Nik did his first real long distance run with Dan on the Sunday.

w/c 10^th

Not a particularly exciting week this week I had an hour with Dan on Tuesday, on the Im-AbleX, no leg work again.

On Thursday Nik had a call over on Anglesey with Dave B so I went with him which was very nice, we went and said hi to Mum and had a windy walk on the beach.

The Great Western had their beer and cider festival weekend, Ed did lots of shifts earning the monies!

On the Sunday Nik did another long 18 mile run over towards Snowshill, Springhill I was going out to meet him and got a flat tyre, so called RAC they came out to fix it, couldn’t and my car ended up going on a transporter over to Kwik Fit at Stratford for a new tyre!

w/c 17^th

I went to see my Doctor again about my foot, it’s not gout, it’s not a Morton’s neuroma, whilst cutting my toe nails after a bath Nik found hard skin on the top of my third toe of affected left foot, boy did I scream, so we now think that it’s a corn that has been causing me trouble in walking for the past 2 months – thanks Doc for all the unnecessary pain, lack of treadmill exercise, additional drugs & steroid injection!

She agrees and refers me for an NHS chiropodist appointment, which I  then have to chase up, North Cotswolds hospital in Moreton can’t see me until 25^th October, another month of pain and no treadmill, so I opt for an appointment at St Paul’s Cheltenham – of which more later!

Today I start my electrical trans cranial stimulation research at the John Radcliffe Oxford, I have to organise a taxi with Leigh because I have no car due to tyre trouble on Sunday!

The physio on my affected left hand and arm is very intensive lifting a weight on my wrist in front of me and to the side, stretching down to my toes, moving a bean bag to 5 points on the table in front of me, scrunching a towel, trying to pick up a cup, and doing all this with a funny headband on and 2 pads where the current or (not) as there might be a placebo, is being passed through. I was knackered and really glad that I had by necessity booked a taxi, I fell asleep all the way back.

So I did this every day for the next 4 days until Friday and the following week. Ed did his practice D of E silver hike over Long Mynd in Shropshire between Thursday and Saturday and they were luckier with the weather this time.

I had taken part in a Ford Open Doors event competition and got to hear of two prizes I won, one was a private tour around Manchester United on 27^th Sept and the other was a trip to Jackdaws Castle to meet Jonjo O’Neill and other jockeys have breakfast with them and a tour of the stables, again on the 27^th which I couldn’t do because of the research at the JR.

Nik did another 18 mile run on Sunday, and then we went to the Fossebridge Inn to meet up with Kath and Andrew for Nik’s birthday, we had a lovely meal.

w/c 24th

Nik’s birthday today, and Ed goes back to Ashes Hollow for a school Geography trip, and they got pee wet through, so did the camera!

I carry on with the electrical trans cranial stimulation research at the John Radcliffe Oxford Monday to Friday with an follow up MRI scan on the Friday.

I met with Christine Clark the Sister in charge of the ARU at Tewkesbury and she is now the stroke co-ordinator for North Cotswolds.

Charles did the Manchester United tour and Sally O did the Jackdaws Castle tour and they all had a lovely time.

On Friday I met up with Charles at the hospital as his Dad was having 2 more stents fitted, we met at FMRIB after my MRI scan,  he came over later and stayed the night at ours as his Dad had an overnight stay.

Saturday - Nik and I went to see Dan, Nik was on the treadmill and did 12 miles, I went on the Wattbike and really enjoyed it

Sunday - Nik is up bright and early to do a 20 mile run with Dan.

 

July - Barbados

Well we started off July with the Olympic torch coming through Chipping Campden it was fantastic to see, I cried when it came through so fantastic to see, later in the afternoon we went over to Stratford to pick up Charles ready to go on holiday with us on Tuesday.

w/c 2^nd

Poor Ed had to go to school for the day whilst we were at home packing and stuff! We had an early night as we are up early to go down to Gatwick for our flight to Barbados!

We stayed at The Tamarind in Paynes Bay, an absolutely, fantastic hotel, with lovely caring staff, great water sports facilities for us all, we have had lovely food, fresh fish most days, delightful cocktails and rum punch. We hired a car for a couple of days and went round the island, over to the rugged east coast and Bathsheba. Stopped in Bridgetown and had a walk round, the hotel had kindly lent us a wheelchair, we went to the shop where we got my engagement ring and Nik bought some earrings to match it!

We jet-skiied by the beach where Nik proposed to me, Coconut Creek has gone and been replaced by condo’s.

We had an opportunity to go snorkelling over a shipwreck and swim with turtles, which was just incredible, we also went on the water taxi to the Colony Club, which is looking a little dated and need of an update.

w/c 16^th

Back to normality and shite weather, Ed back to school, Nik down to the office for 2 days, and I took Charles to Stratford to get a train back up North, reality hits.

I had an eye consultant check-up to see if all is OK, can’t see trainer Dan Fivey until next week as he’s booked up. I did see Dan from DM to sort out my orthotic glove, and get it shortened as I struggle to put it on. Eating a chocolate biscuit I managed to break my tooth, so into the dentist on Friday to get it repaired, he said he used like a small scaffold to build up new tooth! Serves me right for eating choc biscuits.

w/c 23^rd

Nik had a call in Manchester so I went up with him and called in to see my Dad, which was really nice, we met up with Charles at the Egerton Arms for lunch, went round to see Jenny and Lewis for a cuppa. I did an hour with Dan over at the gym, agility ladder work and some treadmill too. Went to see my befriendee at Broadwell, he’s looking well and his partner wanted a good chat too.

The Olympics started on 27^th, fantastic opening ceremony, and I watched it most days, some fantastic performances by Team GB. I’ve also managed to get tickets for us to go to the Paralympics in August.

I gave Dad a call on his birthday, then the day after we celebrated our 5^th wedding anniversary.

w/c 30^th

31.7. Went over to Cheltenham for a session with Dan I was on the alter G treadmill for 50 mins 1.8 -2.2km p hr I did over a mile. This was followed by our monthly Connect meeting to discuss who we’ve been visiting boy was I tired when I got home.

From Saturday we are dog sitting for a week a lovely 4 yrs old black Labrador called Molly her owner is going to Weymouth to watch the Olympic sailing. We had a drive over to Lower Slaughter and a walk alongside the river, the dog loved going in the river, then Bourton for a Mr Whippy ice cream, my left foot was really aching.

June - is this really summer?

I have decided that I am just going to write ‘stroke/rehab highlights' not my everyday goings on, are you bothered about those, you just want to know how and what I’m doing & trying with my stroke rehab !

Nice long Jubilee weekend ahead. Ed’s school finished early at 1pm because of the Dovers Hill Olimpicks. I went to visit my befriendee in Broadwell he’s doing well since his week in respite care in Gloucester, and his partner looked well too, I was with them chatting for a couple of hours.

Diamond Jubilee weekend and an early start for Nik and I to go over to Dan’s for a session, I went on the treadmill for 45 mins and then some Vibrogym work on my legs. Nik went on the new crossX bike and did all tracks/trails, we weighed ourselves I’ve lost almost another stone and so has Nik. We came home and took Matt and Ed to Scuttlebrook Wake where they both spent the afternoon. Andy and Kath called in to see us on the way back from Cher’s with Ed’s birthday card and present

Sunday was an awful day, it rained most of the day and we stayed inside for most of it watching the Royal Boat pageant on the Thames through London,’veggin out’ and not eating very much.

Monday we went up to the Jubilee celebrations going on near the shop in the village, the weather was a lot better today. The Jubilee concert outside Buckingham Palace was fantastic, there was a picnic/bbq on in the park in Blockley, Ed went over and met his mates, the concert was on, on a big screen and then they had fantastic fireworks which were just over the back of the house so we had a great view. Great day, & a lovely weekend.

Tuesday was the more formal events in London a thanksgiving service, lunch followed by carriage procession, we went to the Great Western for a champagne breakfast which was lovely we didn’t need to eat anything for the rest of the day.

Ed did some revision. I went to younger stroke group meeting in Cheltenham in the evening, it was good Tony did his Jubilant Stories as part of his role as convenor with Barnwood Trust.

Ed and I went over to Dan for a session and re-shoot of the video/ for the alter G with Charlotte, not a proper session however I did 20 minutes on the treadmill then sit to stand and some arm stretches on the elastics, stepping on and off squidgy cushion. Another rainy day, awful ‘summer’ weather.

w/c 11^th

Had my BP checked and all OK. Ed started his Year 10 GCSE’s or mocks we used to call them! Last session of community physio with Sandra looked at arm exercises, she told me about a former patient who had a Thera - trainer she wants to give away to another stroke survivor to use called her said I’ll go look at it.

Nik and I went over to see Dan, who wasn’t there, and was a tad disappointing, it was Dave, so did usual agility ladder work, some Vibro on my foot/leg, Nik did half hour on alter g. Dan from DM Orthotics was there to fit on my lycra arm sleeve, quite tight a bit like an evening glove.

Ed left school on Friday to do his bronze D of E expedition overnight to Symonds Yat, they got soaked and the teachers had to bring them in as the weather was so bad! We called in to see the lady with the Thera trainer and brought it home!

Nik did a 7 mile run training for his marathon, Ed and I cooked for Father’s Day, it was lovely, he did his own Eton Mess. I rang my Dad.

w/c 18^th

This week I am mostly doing Connect volunteer work!

I met my Connect younger stroke survivor in Moreton for a coffee, to see how he’s doing, where he’s up to with things.

I met with a new Connect stroke person today in Cheltenham, he is a fellow scally, quite entertaining as I couldn’t get up his stairs to talk he has a lift and we couldn’t find the remote! So I had to shout upstairs to talk to him. Afterwards I went on to Dan’s for a session, I did 30 minutes on the treadmill, sit to stand and stand to sit, and some Balance Master work.

Connect meeting in Cheltenham, we picked up Mikey in Winchcombe on the way, good meeting with some light hearted banter and discussions, called in at the hospital on the way home to see Julie and Andi but they weren’t there, said bye to some of the girls, as the stroke ward closes on 26^th.

Got my haircut and coloured on Friday, Ed was off school. Later in the day Nik & Ed drove up to Manchester to see Bruuuuuce Springsteen, they got great spots close to the stage and had a great evening after queuing for hours in the rain.

I went to see my Connect chap in Broadwell, he’s doing really, really well with his sit to stand and car transfers, they’d had a good day in the sun on Wednesday and he slept a bit whilst I was there.

Saturday was a bit of a chill day, as the boys didn’t get back ‘til 3am, we nipped to Cheltenham to do some shopping then to the hospital saw Andi who gave me some flowers to say thanks for my help with Connect work, saw Emma & said bye to some of the others.

Sunday and the boys did their marathon training, it rained a lot!

w/c 25^th

A lazy week this week, compared to last, did mostly crm stuff, long day on Wednesday drove to J R at Oxford to see neuro chap from OCE just as a check-up before going on holiday next week, he upped my Gabapentin as he agreed that the botox hadn’t worked too well.

Another visit to my scally chap in Cheltenham, followed by an hour with Dan and I did 40 minutes on the treadmill.

The rest of our week we were pretty much getting all stuff ready for our holiday – 10 days in Barbados with Charles and Ed.

May - Birthdays month Ed 15 and me big 50!

On Tuesday I had a grip rail fitted in our main bathroom, with bath, as I am getting so proficient with my baths, instead of pulling on the sink I can grab the rail to help me get out, rather than the sink off the wall!

Wednesday I went over to Cheltenham hospital as an outcome of my GP visit and discussion around the continuing headaches which seem to be not as bad as they were since I’ve stopped chewing gum, GP thought it might be jaw drop, visit to dentist he told me my jaw was clicking but not enough to have a thing made for my mouth, maybe they are tension headaches after all. However I was getting these funny, bubbles on the left side of my vision, in tarmac, concrete, shale, not in the gym and not at home and no not any illegal drugs so Doc referred me to eye consultant!

Anyway two lots of eye drops one to measure pressure and one to dilate pupils and check both eyes, and guess what I can’t drive for 3/4 hours, so I make my way to the café get a cup of tea and a sandwich, do not fancy sitting in the hospital so go and sit in the car listen to the radio, phoned all and sundry, Kate, Charles, Dad, to while away the 3-4 hours, put my seat back have a snooze.

Thursday I met up with Rachel at Cotswold Conference Centre for lunch and saw John, Rosie, Jane and others, and got a guided tour round the new accommodation.

Friday Nik working from home I did some too, went to visit my chap in Broadwell, they’re both seeming better, Ed worked Friday night.

Saturday Ed working at the pub again Nik and I went to the cinema to see ‘The Lucky One’, it was good.

On Sunday, Andrew and Kath called in to see us, with some great news about Mike and Cher. We had had a late start to the day so went off to get our Sunday roast and later on the 3 of us went for a walk to bluebell wood near Snowshill, I managed to walk right the way through it and back onto the road, a good circuit really chuffed with myself, as the picture shows, pity the day didn't end too well.

w/c 7th

Bank Holiday Monday, pissy awful rainy day, Nik made some ginger biscuits which were very nice.

On Tuesday, I had a press day at the gym for the alter G treadmill, videoed and interviewed by Different Strokes and Richard Henman, brother of Tim, who’s looking after the alter G PR.

The rest of the week was pretty boring really, did some CRM stuff.
Friday Harry’s birthday today, when Ed finished school today he started to do his D of E bronze practice expedition walking from school to Mickleton and camping overnight, getting up at 6am on the Saturday, striking camp and walked back to school for 1pm via Hidcote and Kiftsgate gardens, and managed to lose his mobile phone out of his pocket!

We went out with Martin and Mo on Saturday night to the Wheelbarrow Castle at Flyford Flavell, nice meal, unusual pub, no atmosphere at all, and didn’t feel too well the following morning either, great night……..??

Feeling so lethargic and not too good didn’t do a great deal, we wondered if it had been the food from last night, went out for a drive in the car, I didn’t even feel like walking, and didn’t eat very much. Quite a nice weekend.

w/c 14th

Nik worked from home Monday morning then headed up to Gateshead for 2 days/nights. I had a really bad pain on my left side by my rib so looked forward to my hydro in Cirencester on Monday afternoon, it was a really good session. I called Harry to wish him all the best and make sure he’d received his birthday card & money OK, spoke to Jenny and Lew. Dad called me, and I spoke with Charles too.

Ed did after school French, then he went to the gym to do boxing with Henry & Matt.
Tuesday got physio with Sandra, negative about the new DM Orthotic splint, foot still inverting, she didn’t like the Extensor said it wasn’t good for my fingers, we did some hand/arm work, and then I went to the surgery for a blood test.

Wednesday an hour with Dan, I worked with Margarita and Jabier to start with did some agility ladder work, forwards, sideways, crossways, then Dan arrived and we did some stepping up and down on the Reebok step, sitting and standing, my left butt ached and I slept very well. Nik came back from NE, he worked ‘til late.

Thursday, I did some CRM stuff, took Ed to Shipston High School for a talk by a chap from the National Space Centre, I called round to see Lesley for a natter and a cuppa. Nik was in the office, back late.

Friday – some lovely ironing to do so that Nik doesn’t have too much to do over the weekend. He was in London for a meeting with Stuart! Ed worked at the pub.

Saturday - Ed went to the cinema in Stratford with Matt &Henry to see the new Avengers Assemble film. Nik and also went over to Stratford to get some bits and pieces for birthdays! Dad was in Kenilworth for an RMP reunion.

Sunday, nice lie-in, we skyped Charles and told both him and Edward where we are going on holiday in July, oh we’re going to Barbados’. Nik did the lawns I did tea, another nice weekend.

w/c 21st

I did all my usual Monday morning stuff, Tesco shop, catch up on emails, fbk, etc I thought it was going to be my last hydrotherapy session today, however as it is an odd day next week followed by a Bank Holiday they asked if I’d like to go next week, yes please, it seems to be doing my arm a lot of good, except there is no pool nearby for me to go to. Picked Ed up from cricket after school, they won and are in the County quarter finals.
Tuesday did some crm stuff, did some washing & ironing – exciting or what! lovely hot sunny day about 20c collected Ed from after school chemistry revision.

Wednesday – Ed’s 15th birthday, where did those years go? I am over to Dan for a session, whilst trying to dodge any Olympic torch traffic as its due in Cheltenham today. I went on the alter G for 45 minutes at 1.5km per hr a good session, I was knackered afterwards.

Thursday, didn’t really do a great deal a wee bit of crm stuff, and got things ready for tomorrow and the weekend.


Friday – and it’s my 50th birthday, I had a nice brekkie in bed up and off to Jannine’s to get my hair done for this evening. Nik carried on to Stratford to collect Charles from the station. We went out for lunch at Batsford Arboretum, and then home. Dad and Jen O arrived at about 4pm, they are staying at Arreton B&B for the night, which was really nice to see them both, so we opened our first bottle of fizz, had a good catch up with them, opened cards and pressies, lovely book to keep momentoes in. I phoned everybody, Alice, our Dave and Cath, Jenny called to wish me all the best, Kath and Andrew arrived, we opened some more fizz and the afternoon just flew by I think Charles was getting embarrassed, we sat outside the weather was so good! So into the evening and a great get together of good friends at the Great Western, except they did no food for us.

Saturday Nik and I went off to the Scarlet a hotel at Mawgan Porth in Cornwall for the weekend just the two of us, lovely hotel, just adults and no real mobile signal, except Nik did manage to have access to Facebook, yes sad but true, who really needs social media cyber friends when you are meant to be chillin aaawwwt wit ya womaaaaan! A great weekend away.


w/c 27th

Monday spent the morning catching up on e-mails and Facebook messages, in the afternoon I went to my last hydrotherapy session at Cirencester, I really feel it is doing my arm some good.

Tuesday the monthly Connect meeting in Cheltenham at Hesters Way resource centre, it went well and we met our new lady Julie who has taken over from Laura, afterwards I was off to Cheltenham hospital to do my Connect stroke ward visit, saw Emma and some of the other girls I know including Tash, spoke to 3 new people, the ward is looking very empty and quiet.

Wednesday – I had to postpone my session with Dan as I was feeling tired probably after yesterday, I can’t be superwoman all the time and must ‘manage my fatigue’, so I rested, dozed/slept and pretty much did sweet f a, except catch up on typing this!

Thursday, Nik took me over to OCE for more botox in my calf and bicep, it really seemed to hurt this time, I saw Jo the physio who told me the research results were out I had been most improved on step/stride, Fi who looked after me in the JR when I initially had my stroke, she started physio with me. I called onto the ward just to see how everybody was, and it was nice to see Wendy and some of the nurses.

April - Many showers!

No April Fools today, Sunday saw Nik and I heading off to Stow for a French Fair we got some food and sat in the square and ate it. Ed was working at the pub doing some painting for them. I dropped Nik off for a walk back into the village from near Moreton Cricket Club, as it was such a nice day, cold wind though.

w/c 2^nd

Ed is doing football week at Chipping Campden with Jamie Roberts. I went to see physio at the new hospital in Moreton, it’s very nice, we concentrated on my leg exercises. Spoke to Dad tonight he rang to see how I was doing.

Tuesday I’m over to see Dan and we did more strengthening and balancing 16 reps in total, 4 types and 2 of each, I was knackered especially after yesterday’s session with Sandra. The alter G press ‘day’ is hotting up for 23^rd April. Spoke to Charles today.

Wednesday, asthma check-up in the morning, all OK, and also dentist appointment in the afternoon to check my jaw, there are some slight clicks on both sides of jaw I can get an oral surgeon referral if I wish! Did washing and ironing.

Thursday, bit of a lazy day well rested anyway, Nik in London, Ed on last day of football week, he won Sharp Shooter and came 3^rd in crossbar Challenge.

Good Friday and we had a nice lie-in, I wore my new DM Orthotic sock for 1/4 hour and it was OK. We went over to Stratford and had a chippy tea. Ed was working at the pub, and Nik and I went to the Western for a drink later, met Austen and had a good natter with him, and also saw Caroline after.

Saturday we went over to Cheltenham did some shopping at Sainsbury’s and came home. I wore my new DM Orthotic sock for 1/2 hour so I can get used to it slowly. Austen came round to have a chat and a drink and Ed was working again at the pub.

Easter Sunday we had a nice roast lamb lunch, and even did garlic with it, I wore my new DM Orthotic sock for 1/1/2 hour. Andrew and Kath called in to see us. I text Jenny and Dad.

w/c 9^th

Monday rainy and not too nice, mooched around at home. The three of us went to see Titanic 3D which was good, all in all not too bad a weekend really. Dad called.

Tuesday, Ed came over to Dan’s with me, he did agility ladder work and went on the new bike and I did 40 mins on the treadmill with my new splint on at 1.5km per hr and 800m. Ed went to the barbers whilst we were over at Dan’s when we came back he went to the gym with Matt! So I wore the new DM leg splint all day.

Ed is off to see Marcus today and I did some crm stuff.

We are both over to Stratford to go to Specsavers for Ed and me to return shoes to Clarks, they wouldn’t take them back as they were from a retail outlet! We had a Costa coffee and then Ed had his eye test and sorted out new glasses.

Friday, Andrew is here to help Ed with his photography for his D of E. We went up round Snowshill area and Ed took some good photo’s with Andrew’s guidance and we went for a cuppa and a cake at Broadway Lavender farm. I came back and did all the ironing. Ed worked Friday night at the pub.

Saturday and we went over to Stratford to do some shopping, picked up Ed’s glasses then came back to watch the Grand National, my horse and lady jockey came 3^rd.

Charles’s 20^th birthday today, we rang him to wish him all the best. Ed played rugby over at Leamington, Nik went out on his bike.

w/c 16^th

I picked Charles up from Stratford station came home had lunch, then off we went to Cirencester for my hydrotherapy, a good session doing all my exercises and not as achy this time, I love it.  We went to Broadway and collected Ed’s work experience form. Then we collected Matt and Ed from afterschool French.

Tuesday nothing much today, Charles did some revision I did some crm.

Wednesday over to Jannines’s for a cut and colour, and I got the day wrong should have been Thursday, however, Jannine managed to fit me in she’s a star. Charles revised again it was quite a rainy day today.

Thursday I went over to Cheltenham for a Connect meeting, took Charles with me he revised in the car again, then we went to Starbucks in Sainsbury’s for a coffee and lunch, and got Charles’ birthday pressie. It was lovely to spend time with him. Charles helped me cook tea, chilli and rice, afterwards we took a photo of the four of us, and unfortunately it didn’t go quite as planned……however the pictures turned out ok, I thought.

Friday, I went over to Dan for a session, I did 40 minutes on the alter G treadmill I did over 1000m at 1.5/2km per hour wearing my new DM leg splint and then did some agility ladder work, a good session, we came home for lunch and I took Charles to Stratford station. Ed worked at the pub and Nik and I went for a meal there, it was a nice evening.

Nik is off to the States today on business until Friday, an early start for him, Ed and I had a clear up/out in his bedroom, went shopping. In the evening Ed was babysitting 7 – 11pm up the village.

Sunday, unfortunately at 10.54 I fell again in the kitchen and fell on my left side I think my left foot gave way as I was trying to get strawberries out of the fridge, Ed helped get me up I used the sink as I did previously, I bumped my head on a cupboard again, no dizziness, no broken skin just another egg on head. Ed was revising his Spanish for his oral exam on Monday, Andrew and Kath called to see us and we had a really good natter, Andrew sorted out the bathroom sink and wardrobe for us. Charles headed back to Uni from his Dad’s. A very nice weekend.

w/c 23^rd

Monday I had hydrotherapy at Cirencester, did my usual exercises, I was knackered today and my leg ached after the fall yesterday, it looks like a good bruise is coming on my leg too! Ed went to boxing and he did a really good Spanish talking assessment at school today, teacher graded it an A, one mark off an A*.

Tuesday I went to Cheltenham hospital stroke ward for my Connect visit 2.30-4pm, met some lovely people. Ed went to rugby training in the evening. Nik flew from Virginia to North Carolina. Dad called when I was taking Ed to rugby training so I called him back.

Wednesday, there’s a Gloucs. younger stroke survivor group meeting at the Norwood Arms which I didn’t go to because Ed has after school astronomy, the weather not so good, really bad wind and rain, rained all day.

Friday Nik is back early at 7.30am. Nik and I went to see Dan for a session and I did some agility ladder work I also got onto the Wattbike and managed to do 410m at 11km p hr. my god did my butt ache weighed myself 13.7 stone! Nik went on the new bike.

Ed went off on rugby tour to Hilston Park on the Welsh border for the weekend, he had a really great time, he went canoeing, played archery, great outdoor activities, a fantastic time, they played a game against Crickhowell on the Sunday and won 71-0 with Ed scoring the winning conversion.

Good lie-in for both of us on Saturday, I had a bath, we did some shopping, washing and ironing, usual stuff. Nik and I went to the cinema on Saturday night to see ‘Salmon Fishing in the Yemen’, a good film and evening.

Sunday, I helped Nik finish off the ironing, then we went to ASK for lunch and Simon brought Ed back as we were still eating! Austen called in to see us, and a flood was discovered next door.

w/c 30^th

Bit of a downer today, feeling quite low in fact. So I looked forward to the afternoon as I went to hydrotherapy at Cirencester it was good, enjoyed it, needed it, good floating and exercises. Ed went to boxing class in the evening,  and we tried to get some Olympic football tickets.

March 2012- speech and beach!

1^st – 4^th

So we start with St David’s Day, Ric in Florida’s birthday, and I still have my f’ing headache, got an appointment at 5pm tonight with own GP. Thankfully she is at last referring me for a CT scan, God knows when but hey it’s in the system.

Ed had a Physics exam on Friday. Nipped over to Stratford on Saturday. Last minute invite next door to have a lovely meal with Gavin and Stuart, Mark and Sharon, lobster and prawns to start with followed by sea bass and butterscotch tart – a very nice evening, after a crappy day.

Up early Sunday to get to Ed to rugby for a game at Barker Butts, came back and had a bath, my second in a week and they get better, easier, each time!

w/c 5^th

Jenny’s birthday, Nik in London for two days, I saw Sandra, community physio and we went through my leg exercises and also tried my electrodes on my right leg, there was some good movement from my ligaments/muscles, whatever!  Ed has after school French. Spoke to Jenny, wished her all the best, spoke to Dad and skyped Charles.

Tuesday over to see Dan and I did more strengthen balance work using the agility ladders, side stepping, backwards, forwards, left, right I did 24 reps where I normally do 18, I was knackered. I sat on a chair and did some arm stretching, up, down, side to side. Again I was knackered. Ed went babysitting up the village. Nik came back from London. We got good news about the Gloucs. younger stroke survivor network being one of 30 finalists for the Gloucestershire Echo Wish to get some funding for us.

Wednesday follow up asthma clinic to see if my blow has improved and it has slightly so keep using my becotide! Then running around for Nik, dry cleaners, cash, euros, ready for the rugby weekend away, then on to Fosseway Garden Centre to meet Caroline Seguro for a coffee and lunch with little Phoebe.

Thursday – didn’t do a great deal, well in fact actually I did, washing and ironing so it didn’t need to be done over the weekend, leaving it free.

Friday, over to Broadwell to see my new befriendee, he is doing OK, a little more speech and had a good chat with his partner. Nik went over to Gloucester on a quick call. When we were both home we went for lunch at Batsford, I told Nik about my funny vision and the ‘molehills’ I see, have seen at the doctors and on our car park, so that was it he said right we’re going over to A&E at Cheltenham to get it checked out once and for all, no scan, but I am in the system should know within next 2 weeks I had a complete check over again, and came away with some Co Dydramol to take for my continuing headache, Nik checked with the doctor if he was OK to go away for the weekend.

So off Nik went to Stuart’s for the night and then tomorrow they get Eurotunnel across to Calais and then on to Paris for the rugby England v France. Ed was working at the pub. I went to Sharon and Mark’s, with Gavin and Stuart, for Mark's birthday and their housewarming. It was lovely, I had a really nice evening.

Saturday and Ed and I heading over to Bicester Retail outlet for some retail therapy mostly on his part, spending all his hard earned cash. We had a really lovely day, no hassles, no arguments or shouting,  in fact we had a great laugh, he pushed me round in the wheelchair and stopped off at shops he or I wanted to go in, he paid for lunch and it was all just great, a lovely, lovely day with my young man.

Sunday and we’re both up, dressed and off to the rugby club for 10, picking up Henry on the way, it is achievable. They were playing against Worcester and won 24-0, Ed played for about 15 minutes, it was nice to watch him play, as we’re always too late to watch by the time we get there. Saw my ‘molehills’ getting out of the car at the rugby club. We stayed after the game and had a chat, good natter with Maree, Milly and Jayne. We came home to watch the England game and managed to see Nik and the boys on TV. Ed helped me do the tea, steak, mash and tarte au citron with cream. We skyped Charles, Dad called to see how I was. All in all it was a very nice weekend.

w/c 12^th

Monday and not a great deal on, Nik was travelling back from Paris arriving back home at 9pm, Ed at school and afterschool French.

Tuesday and I’m over to Dan’s for an hour’s session, I did some balance and strengthening over the agility training ladder again, 6 reps of each exercise, and then 10 minutes on the TechnoArmbike.

Wednesday I got a call from Gloucs Echo wanting a picture of the younger stroke group for the Wish launch issue on Monday. Called at doc’s to collect my prescription they asked how I was, told them headache still there and about my ‘molehills’, saw them again on the car park.

Thursday, I was due to go back to the Doctors for yet another headache check-up, but they called me to let me know I have a CT scan appointment tomorrow at 12.00 at Cheltenham. I did some telephone calls and updating on d/b.

Friday, Nik is working from home, off to Cheltenham for my CT scan and it went well need to follow up results with my Doc, did some ironing, and collected Charles from Stratford station as he is coming down for Mother’s Day on Sunday, it was really great to see him, haven’t seen him since Christmas.

Saturday, Nik went out on his bike, Charles helped me on my presentation for Wednesday night. I finished the ironing, we went to Fosseway Garden Centre and I walked the full length of the car park without my stick, approx. 100 metres.

Sunday, breakfast and pressies in bed then nipped over to Stratford for some shopping, Annette was my personal dresser in Next! We then went to Ask in Moreton for my Mother’s Day meal, and it was great, took Charles back to the station so he could head back to Lancaster. A nice weekend.

w/c 19^th

I worked on my speech and Powerpoint presentation for the gala dinner on Wednesday night and got it sorted and finished.

Tuesday a follow up appointment at the Doctor’s after my scan, it showed nothing untoward, Doc gave me complete checkover, jaw joint, eyes, temperal artery, thinks possibly jaw drop, told him about my ‘molehills’, so he’s referred me to see an eye specialist, he suggested I see my dentist about my jaw, blood test on Thursday. From there a whizz over to Cheltenham to meet Dan from D M Orthotics and try on my new lycra leg orthosis, , demo’d the lycra leg to Dan S doing some of my ladder work. So no real session as such with Dan Fivey. 

Ed had rugby training

I went over to Jannine’s to get my hair done nicely for tonight, it’s the gala dinner at the ‘Striving for Stroke’ event at the Bristol Marriott for the Avon. Gloucs, Somerset and Wilts Stroke network, and I talked about my stroke story:

http://www.youtube.com/user/SueStroke2010

Thursday night was Ed’s Parents Evening and it went well, if he cuts out the chat and general tomfoolery he is quite capable of getting A, and A*. On the plus side his English is much improved and his coursework has been good too.

Friday Nik had a call out to a customer on Anglesey with a complaint, so I decided to go with him, we went to Cable Bay and said hi to Mum, a bit of fun getting off the beach!

Saturday, was a strip the beds, do the washing and ironing day, lovely weather for it too, 22c, which was fun, not, but just doing ordinary everyday stuff.

Sunday, Ed has an away game at Towcester, I dropped him down to the club for 9am, and he came back at 1.30pm they won 44-5. Nik caught up on the gardens and he mowed front and back. Spoke to Andrew Keeling, Helen’s brother,  he’s had a brain haemorrhage and 3 strokes. Myra’s birthday today.

w/c 26th

oooo very excited I went off to Cirencester this afternoon to try hydrotherapy, and it was far more successful this time, I enjoyed it, I ached however it did me good, I was knackered and my gluts ached. Spoke to Dad. Did some CRM stuff.

Anne-Marie’s birthday today, sent her good wishes. I should have seen Dan this morning, however, he hadn’t written me down so thankfully after yesterday’s session at the pool we postponed until next Tuesday. I did go to Cheltenham to the hospital stroke ward to do my Connect work, met 3 lovely people, 2 men and a lady. I did some CRM stuff.

A bit of a lazy day caught up on some t.v., did some washing, hung it out, then went and picked up younger Connect chap and we both went over to the younger stroke network meeting in Cheltenham at the Norwood Arms. Louise had asked me to do my speech from last week! We had a good meeting lots going on at the moment.

Thursday, Nik in the office, Andrew and Kath came up to take me out for lunch and we went to Batsford arboretum, it was lovely we sat in the sun on the verandah and got a bit of a tan.

Friday and Nik was working from home, I should have seen my chap in Broadwell however it got postponed due to illness. So I did some CRM stuff. Ed worked at the pub, Nik and I nipped up to Tesco and the garden centre to get a few bits and pieces.

Ed’s rugby team played at the VP’s day against a touring Welsh side from Narberth it was a good well matched game, Ed got some good tackles in.

Today is a year on from me leaving the Oxford Centre for Enbablement, and hey look at me now!