Flaming June - or not!

Wednesday 1^st   Nik home early so we went for a walk round Lower Slaughter. Good weather.

2^nd Community physio with Sandra cancelled again cos of her back.

3^rd Nik had the day off and we went down to Clevedon, via Bristol picked up Andrew and went past Grandma’s house in Portishead. Kate Allatt’s birthday today she is a crazy Gemini like me!

A really good hour’s session with Dan, Dan training man, 30 minutes on treadmill at 3.3km and incline of 8, 8 minutes on Balance Master, then to get my pecs loosened I went on the Technogym arm bike for 5 minutes. Boy did my arms ache!

Didn’t want pub meal or chippies on way home, went for healthy salad from Waitrose!

4^th  We went to Big One Motability Car Day at Stoneleigh to try the cars I quite fancy, just getting in and out of them to see which has the best access and draw up a shortlist – Ford C Max and Focus, Mini.

Ed went with his mates to Scuttlebrook Wake/games.

Birmingham Sunday Mail/Mercury article appears and it’s very good, with a tad of journalistic license! http://www.sundaymercury.net/lifestyle-news/health-news/2011/06/09/real-life-at-48-the-doctors-said-i-d-never-walk-again-i-m-proving-them-wrong-66331-28817390/

5^th  Went out for a lovely belated birthday lunch with the girls from Educare at the Teddington Hands on the way to Tewkesbury fantastic food,  great time!. Nik went out on his bike 56.24 for his usual circuit.

6^th Should have had hydrotherapy today at Cirencester again, thankfully I hadn’t arranged transport as they cancelled it this morning! Ed has Maths tests today and tomorrow.
 

7^th Painter came to do the hall ceiling and I managed to walk from kitchen to Nik’s office carrying a cup of coffee for him and no spillage – another tick!

 Nothing very exciting really this week. There was a Gloucs Younger People Stroke Network meeting on Friday at Cheltenham but I was unable to make it cos' of a lift, really need to get a car sorted - maybe tomorrow! 

11^th – Car hunting, had a test drive of Mini in Stratford and went to look at A class Mercedes. We had a good look round the shops at Maybird and we picked up Nik’s bike. The Rugby Club had clean- up day but we didn’t make it- sorry Lesley at least the kids will have more sweets!

 

12^th – A visit to my favourite pain chamber with Dan,  30 mins on the treadmill at 2.4 -3km and at an incline of 10 (a bit like Blockley). 9 minutes of squats on the Vibrogym http://www.vgymuk.com/  Today Nik had a go on the treadmill for 12mins at 12 km, also spinning bike and Technogym arm bike, the boy done well!

 

13^th – First thing a physio appt with Sandra, we looked at arm and hand work with some exercises to do at home. Went to see Giles about dry/hoarse throat he upped the Omeprazole.

 

14^th/15^th  With the help of a lift from Karen B I was able to attend a Befriending training course run by Teresa C http://www.ukconnect.org/  in Cheltenham, met fellow stroke survivors who want to help other survivors.

 

16^th/17^th – INR Blood test by District Nurse and then some exercise, a walk round Blockley well not all of it but a circuit from house, past shop, round park and back home with a lovely lady called Jane B, who Tim had put me in touch with, she had her stroke 11 years ago. I had a good time and really nice to meet and talk with Jane and her experiences, she had been to Rivermead at Oxford, which merged with OCE.

18^th/19^th – Yet more car hunting on Saturday,  looked at Kia Venga and relooked at Ford’s again, and gas man to look over boiler, Charles has his last exam today. Sunday is Father’s Day, rang Dad wished him all the best.  Best news of the day I was able to get into my lovely Per Una jeans again - combination of diet and keeping fit who knows I was well pleased! Andrew and Kath came up and we went for a nice bit of lunch at the Snowshill.

A session with my pain trainer sorry personal trainer - Dan on Sunday afternoon and I did 25 mins on treadmill at 3.4km, 9 mins of squats and some good free walking without stick up and down gym.

20^th /21^st Nik starts his role as Sales Director, and another little milestone for us as he’s staying down overnight at Alison and Andy’s, his first overnight stay since I’ve been home!

He did have some bad news though as Clarence Clemons from Bruce’s band died over the weekend following complications after a stroke. Some of us are lucky and some are not, just like the turn of the dice so ‘carpe diem’.

Debbie took me to Moreton hosp, not in Landie this time I had an hour's physio with Sandra today and we did standing/weight bearing on my left leg and then lift right leg. New orthotic fitted today, it is a Sporlastic Neurodyn-Spastic, basically a neoprene sock with straps to help correct my drop foot, lighter than the plastic one and easier to fit into shoes. Aches like hell I guess ‘til I get used to it, just like learning to walk all over again.

22nd/23rd Should have seen Teresa but she cancelled due to illness so nothing very exciting these 2 days to report!

 

24th Should have seen Dan today but he was doing 20 miles of a 100 mile charity walk with a blind man, so we postponed ‘til Saturday. We were going to Cheltenham anyway to look at more cars and guess what I ordered one – hurrah wheels and freedom here I come!  

 

25th Bit of a downer and weepy today. Training session with Dan today explained probs with splint which is what has pissed me off & made me down I was hoping the new splint would be better than it’s been, easier than solid plastic one, so we put that aside we had a good session, 9 minutes on Vibrogym doing squats, some lovely barefoot side stepping with stiff thick elastic band round ankles to get the glutes going boy did it ache, and then on/off a squidgy textured cushion barefoot. 25 minutes on the treadmill at 3.6km Nik went on treadmill for 15 mins at and then on Vibro to warm down, walked stickless up the studio, as you can see below - nice pose!  Nice salad from Waitrose and home to watch Glasto on TV.

26th – Off down to Bristol Foodie Festival, met up with Andy, Kath, Cher and Mike, fabulous weather down by Bristol Harbourside, trying all sorts of food and drinks, gin and tonic, brandy on ice, wine, cheeses, sausages and then back to theirs for a fab BBQ. A great family day was had by all.

27th  Early start for me today as I was being picked up at 8am by Caroline Seguro our TSA Peer Co ordinator for Gloucs and then meeting up with Caroline M and Jenny and we’re off to the first ever Stroke Assembly at the Hilton Metropole at Birmingham NEC,  Followed by press release to Cotswold Journal.

http://www.cotswoldjournal.co.uk/news/local/chippingnorton/9127637.Blockley_woman_determined_to_help_stroke_survivors/

And Nik got to have a great day too he went out fishing in Bob’s boat they caught, mackerel, dogfish, black bream and smoothound shark. Charles at Uni all week to enjoy the end of year parties!   

 

28th New boiler day today I’m surrounded by dust sheets and chaos, hosepipes draining radiators, banging and drilling through and on walls, a nice thin layer of dust everywhere - and they didn't bother to clear up all the crockery taken out of the cupboard, great I really wished I was out all day and it had been done yesterday but hey c’est la vie!

29^th  New arm splint today, had the old smelly one rearranged into a grip style with more upright wrist, Bev took me and then I had an hour’s physio with Sandra, told her about the new leg/foot splint and it is causing me to invert my foot, so only wear in short spells. A week to go to our hollys – hurrah!

30^th Schools on strike today so Ed at home then Henry and him went into Campden. I had another good walk around the circuit with Jane B, she said I was walking a lot quicker, ‘got round like a ‘whippet’, all thanks to Dan’s work with the treadmill, we had a cuppa and cake back at ours. 6 days to jolly's!

 

May - Birthday month and a bath!

1st May and more socialising

A joint 40th /21st for Steve and 21st for Becky his daughter  – had my first bath since the stroke – dirty cow! Ed stayed at Henry’s overnight. Fab weather this weekend.

The Party was at Slug and Lettuce, I danced to Ce Lo Green – ‘crip or spacker’ dancing I call it cos I can! Met lots of Nik’s old Durable colleagues.

2nd to 8th May

Charles goes back to Uni on 3rd, blood test for me to measure INR. Visits from gas man, carpet man – how I live the high life! 

On 4th May I have a trial session with Tim Spittle - personal trainer at Rapid FX a gym in the next village, Draycott, slightly nearer than Cheltenham but hey give it a go.

7th May  – good session with Dan, 20 mins on treadmill, 5 mins of squats on Vibrogym and 10m ‘free’ walking i.e. without stick! http://www.vgymuk.com/  Dan has lent us the Vibro sphere so I can do some hand and foot massage each day to improve circulation and warm up both before going for a session with him.

8th – Nik out on bike ride – 51 mins. for usual circuit.

9th to 15th May

9th and 11th – Community Physio sessions with Sandra at home.

10th – driving assessment at RDAC centre, Eynsham, great to be behind a wheel again, nervous at first but all went well and I passed – hurrah! I now know what adaptions I will need on my Ferrari, but Motability don’t do those!

11th – I manage to peg out a whole line of washing, menial to many but an achievement for me, who would ever of thought I would be chuffed about this! Another tick for me.

12th – Claire K came to visit for a natter/gossip, catch up on ‘that place’!

13th – Nik has good news on the work front,  promoted to Sales Director, and very well deserved too, so off we go to the Western to celebrate that and my driving! Had some pink fizz from Gavin and Stuart and a good natter with them.

14th – Haircut with Jannine and then off to Matt Keyte for a trial massage.

15th – session with Dan 25 minutes on treadmill, squats but took it easy due to sore butt last week !

16th to 22nd May

16th Skyped Dad and Charles.  Nik at NEC for IFSEC exhibition most of the week.

Tuesday 17th   I had an orthotics appt at Moreton on to be measured up for a new splint of some description, Debbie R took me in her Landie – which was fun getting into! Nik and Ed off to dentist, and both had nothing done.

Wednesday 18th – Had another trial session with Tim S. It went well. We had the pleasure of Mr P here overnight. We went for a lovely meal at The Horse and Groom, then the boys went for a ‘lasy’ at the Western.

Thursday 19^th Back to OCE for some more botox to help keep the spasticity in my arm reduced. Nice to see everybody and they all thought I looked very well, showed the treadmill training pictures.

Friday 20^th Pam S came to see me for a cuppa and a natter and brought some lovely flowers and a birthday card, nice to catch up with her. We collected Charles from Stratford, he came for birthday weekend.

Saturday 21^st – yet more partying and dancing again! Maxine and Mark’s 100^th Birthday party they were/are both 50 so they had a ‘do’ at the Rugby Club with a band, pig roast and disco – great evening!

Sunday 22^nd  - Thankfully after last night an afternoon session with Dan, dropped Charles at station to get train back to Lancaster. 20 minutes on the treadmill at 3.6k and incline 9, and 7 minutes of squats!

23^rd to 29^th May

Monday 23^rd Ed’s Birthday 14 yrs going on 42! Major teenager attitude.  Something I had looked forward to hydrotherapy at a pool in a school at Cirencester, organised by community physio, got a lift there via North Cots Voluntary care, as this doesn’t count as NHS community transport it cost me £32 and I was in the water for 10 minutes, so I was well pissed off! 

We’d had a suspect leak from the wet room onto the hall ceiling, Mears plumber came out previously said it was something it wasn’t, so architect and manager came out to check it, ceiling to be opened up and check for leak, crap day all in all. But we did go to the Great Western for a meal for Ed’s birthday.

 

24^th Blood test for INR and telephone interview with Birmingham Sunday Mercury with regards to my stroke recovery, meeting Kate, discuss her book and how she has inspired me. Carpets cleaned.

25^th – My Birthday, lots of nice cards and pressies. Went out for a meal to one of our fave places, ASK in Moreton. 

26^th – Cancelled hour of community physio with Sandra – she’s hurt her back.

 

27^th - Photographer came from Sunday Mercury to take pic to go with younger strokearticle.

 

28^th/29^th – Andy and Kath came had indoor BBQ cos’ weather was crap. Ed went shopping with the boys in Stratford, and went to cinema to see Hangover 2.

 

Sunday afternoon an hour’s session with Dan, stretching me further 18 minutes on treadmill on different speeds 2.4 up to 4.0km and 8 minutes of squats on Vibrogym OMG! Sunday night hot date off to cinema to see Hangover 2, hilarious and some hair raising moments thinking of Ed and mates watching it!  Weight – 89.4kg.

 

30^th May – 5^th June

30th Half term week and Charles end of 1^st year at Uni exams start.  

31^st  Back to Oxford JR to get the heart monitor fitted again as they cocked up on downloading last time richard heads!

End of March into April - Normal life resumes.......!

Well nearly normal, some would say my life has never been normal!

Saturday 26th Mar - see Back for Good post

To celebrate my full time return home, Leslie, John, Maxine and Mark, and Val came round for drinks and nibbles.

Our friends and neighbours have been so helpful to us, asking us for Sunday dinners, helping us at Christmas, helping with ironing, looking after Ed if Nik has been away or working late, and we are so very grateful to them all.

27^th March Nik out on bike ride

30^th March Work starts on my wetroom, we are changing our en-suite to a wetroom for me!

29th & 31^st March Ed has footy games after school – normal life!

Fri 1^st April

Charles arrives at Stratford to stay for 4/5 days

Sat 2nd April

We all went to Kathy’s for Nik to fit the window film

Sun 3rd April

Charles here for Mother’s Day, nice cards and pressies from my boys, went to ASK .

Mon 4th April

First session with community Physio Sandra L.  I walked the length of the gym, 10m, unaided in 27 seconds.  Came back home walked up to shop and had a coffee with Charles.

Tues 5th April

I had my first session with Cheltenham-based personal trainer, Dan Fivey.  It was good he has this great alter G treadmill and Vibrogym. http://www.danfiveypersonaltraining.co.uk/

From there we went on to Oxford  called in at the OCE to see my old friends and then to the  JR to have  my heart monitor fitted and wear for 5 days, called into the stroke ward saw Martin W and Ruth. Then dropped Charles at Oxford station to catch train home.

My Peugeot was collected to go for it’s MOT and then to be sold – aaaah, can’t drive it as it’s manual!

Wed 6th Apr

Sat in garden sunny day, hoovered and cleared airer – normality!

Thurs 7th April

Trip to NAIDEX, tried a Bioness on my left leg highly sensitive, called into work on way back, dropped off doc permission letter,  and also appeared in Cotswold Journal  regarding ‘Fighting Strokes’.

Fri 8^th April

Caroline Seguro has formed a younger people’s network of stroke survivors and this was our first meeting at Waitrose Café in Cheltenham. It was good, met Julie R, stroke nurse co ord from Cheltenham hosp. Ed broke up for Easter hols.

Saturday 9^th April   Another session with Dan in Cheltenham – Vibrogym and treadmill.

Sunday 10^th April   Out of the blue Steve and Jackie W called us, they’re staying nearby at Walton Hall for the weekend,  Steve’s 40^th birthday surprise from their girls, invited them over for a drink and had a lovely Sunday lunch at the Great Western – where Ed is now working as a kitchen help. Great sunny day, sat in the garden after lunch.  Nice to see some Northerners!

11^th – Physio with Sandra

15^th April Nik had the day off, another session with Dan, did 9 minutes on treadmill.

And it’s Charles’ 19^th birthday.

16^th April

See Great Weekend post with pics. At long last Charles gets to do his Aston Martin Driving Experience at the airfield nr Pershore, then comes back to stay for the week with us – fab. And Nik sets up a surprise passenger trip for me in an Audi RS8! Scary and very fast!

18^th and 20^th – Physio with Sandra.  Charles went back home Thursday 21^st.

22^nd Good Friday  – another good session with Dan – 10 minutes at 2km on treadmill, 3 minutes of squats. Ed worked at pub Fri night.

23^rd April Easter weekend

Meet up with Kath and Andy and Cher at the Swan in Broadway.  Ed works at pub, Pub quiz on Sunday night, our team name is Stroke of Genius I thought of it and we came 4^th having in the past been 2^nd twice and winning once. Ed works Monday lunch. Nik and I go for a picnic and walk at Stanton.

26^th Meeting at JCP, Cheltenham, Ed back to school for 3 days.   

27^th  An hour’s physio with Sandra.

29^th April  Royal Wedding day,  another long weekend,  Wills and Kate, I started crying at 8.30am  1 hr session with Dan, 15 mins on treadmill at 2.8km, 3 minutes of squats, boy will my ass ache!

Saturday 30th Lovely, lovely dinner cooked by and with Gavin and Stuart, Caroline and Austen, pea and mint soup – home made, pork casserole and 2 lovely desserts with excellent pastry! A great evening.

Kate's book 'Running Free' is published and available

18th May - Kate Allatt has written a great book about her whole experience with Locked - in Syndrome, it's available in all good book stores, WH Smiths, Waterstones and on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_11?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=kate+allatt&sprefix=kate+allatt

As a stroke survivor there are a lot of things you can relate to in her book. It's a must read!

26th March - Back for Good!

In the words of Take That - sorry Gary - I am back home for good, no more hospitals apart from check-ups, follow up app'ts.

So to celebrate my full time return home, we were going to have a girly night in, but we let the men and kids join in! Friends who have been so supportive and helpful since I had my stroke last July, Leslie, John, Maxine and Mark, and Val came round for drinks and nibbles. In line with DHS of course I abstained - not! We all had a great afternoon.

As I had had to have my wedding and engagement rings removed because of my chubby sausage like fingers, we needed to get them rejoined and found a lovely lady called Caroline Richardson in Chipping Campden who did that, we collected them today and Nik replaced them on my finger saying we should really get them blessed and perhaps renew our vows.I said we'd have to go to Antigua to do it!

19th - 25th March - last week at OCE

Mon 21^st Mar
   

Brought cakes in for staff and a tin of cakes for the physio’s which Ed had made. In physio, Jen went through the RASP assessment, this was to see how my touch and sensory stuff may have improved. In OT leisure I did another watercolour, great sky. In physio later on, Jen and I walked up and down the ward using the rollator.

Tues 22^nd Mar

 

Group gym physio, did the Saebo glide work on my arm. Saw Dr HS and checked all is OK for discharge on Friday. I asked to see my MRI and CT scans and Alice G said OK, see me at lunchtime. In OT with Will hot and cold water on left leg/foot and also did cold water on arm to check all was still the same. I then tried putting my AFO on by myself and managed to do it. Will gave me a shoe horn/grabber to help me get my trainer on.

   

After lunch, I did a joint OT/physio sessions with Jen and Corinna, tried kneeling from the plinths onto a mat which was slightly better than last time, and this is to enable me to use a bath. It didn’t go too well, because it was hard to feel my left leg there! And I didn’t feel comfortable doing it either, so we stopped.

And if I want to have a bath, the best option would be to use a bath lift or a hoist (Or get a disabled room at Premier Inn with a low bath – more later see May posts). So I tried putting my AFO on again and managed to do it 3 or 4 times,likely I won’t be needing any community care on my return home - hurrah! My appointment with the community physio as an outpatient will come through on my return home.

Walked up and down the ward using the rollator. Alice talked me through my CT and MRI scans of my brain and the stroke, it was incredible, absolutely amazing, and I asked for prints of them, which she duly gave me. Jean and I had jam and scones for supper tonight!

 

Wed 23^rd Mar

Unable unfortunately to do group physio and physio sessions this morning because of a tunnel vision eye test at the JR Oxford Eye Hospital.

It was a lovely sunny day today. Gerald and I sat outside in the sun after lunch with a cuppa. At physio later on with Jen, I did rollator walking outside up and down slopes for outdoor walking practise. I used the pc in the day room to catch up on some emails.

Said goodbye to Ronnie as she is on holiday from tomorrow, had a few tears. In the evening, Jean and I both fell asleep on our beds at about 7pm and we didn’t wake up until 8:30pm when Jean’s phone went off! Ginger nuts and tea for supper.

Thurs 24^th Mar

In group physio I did all my Saebo glide exercises and walked up to the gym using the rollator by myself. Anne Marie and Phil came in for lunch at the NOC, and it is Anne Marie’s birthday today she is 36!

Another lovely warm day again.

   

I said my goodbyes to Ali as she is on holiday on Friday more tears. In OT/Physio after lunch with Jen and Corinna, they measured my fingers, to see if there was any difference from 3 weeks ago and with wearing my arm splint during the day to see if its helped or not.

 

I went through my ideas for my home programme i.e. what I plan to do during the day at home. I did some more rollator walking, blood test today 2.4 INR, 8mg warfarin. Jean had sausage roll in bed for supper.

Fri 25^th Mar

Last day

A lovely sunny day for my last day at OCE, a certain amount of trepidation, glad to be going home and discover what's next in this journey of mine back to normality and independence. (Let's face it everybody's doing journeys so why shouldn't I!?

Sat outside at lunch again with Gerald having a cuppa. Said my very tearful goodbyes to everybody and Julie P said I was a special lady - which made me cry more. I know I will miss them all I've made some good friends here, and will keep in contact.

7th - 11th March - new AFO spotted- not UFO!

Mon 7^th Mar

In for 10:30 today, did physio with 40 balls/2 baskets with Tom using Saeboflex. In physio later on with Jen, walked upstairs using my stick, then did 2 lots of 4 minutes on the treadmill, which was fun, good work. In OT leisure with Val, she went through the basics of doing watercololurs. I weighed 90.6 kgs today.

Tues 8^th Mar

In group physio, I did the hip lifting exercises. In OT social group, we did a picture quiz and our team came second. After that I did physio, and was working on the treadmill again. I did 4 mins at 1.5km/h, then 4 mins at 1.8km/h, it was great again. Ed came to see Audrey, the child psychologist - nice to see Nik and him.

Wed 9^th Mar

I had my new black AFO (A Foot Orthosis) fitted today, and it feels fine, but offers a different way of walking.

In physio, Jen was training so I did Saeboflex with Tom and did 70 balls.

OT with Becky,as Corinna still on hols, we went to Waitrose so I could walk around on my own, do some shopping, and then call Becky when I’d finshed. However, these things don’t always go smoothly, having bought a sausage roll for Jean, cranberry juice and a loaf for Annette and scones for myself, I didn’t have enough money to pay for them. Tried to ring Becky from the checkout but my phone had no signal - never a dull moment. So instead of doing 15 mins shopping, I ended up doing 30 mins. but i achieved a goal!

And even more fun, when we got back all the staff were all outside because the fire alarm had gone off. It turned out to be false alarm, so we were able to go back inside and have some lunch. No physio ‘til 3pm, where I did some arm work, a range of active and passive movement. Also did some stair work using my stick. Then back in the gym, I stood against the wall, weight bearing on my left leg with my right foot on a ball or in the air. Very tiring, left leg aching with new AFO.

Thur 10^th Mar

I walked 800m up to Headington centre with Becky and Will.  Afterwards had double Saebo group, which wasn’t too successful, as my left hand wasn’t gripping too well, after the walk. So I did some functional tasks instead, lifting plastic cup to mouth, cleaning table with cloth and lifted one of the foam balls with my own hand, rather than using the Saeboflex.

Anne-Marie and Sue came in to do Saebo, having both being discharged the previous week. No lunch for me at NOC today, I was too knackered after walk then Saebo. In physio after lunch, I stood against the wall and did more weight bearing on my left leg, stepping up and down the wooden step, strengthening my left leg. No sessions all afternoon, thank god, I can rest. Temperature ok-35, BP- 113/57.

 

Fri 11^th Mar

De-sensitizing with Will using hot and cold water in the shower. I had Nik’s lycra shorts on, went well apart from screaming went he first used the cold water, and getting my knickers wet, God knows what Nicky next door thought when she heard me screaming.

Went to hydrotherapy, Jen and I, Jean and Ali, Sue and Natalie. Weight bearing on left leg, raised right leg and right arm up in the air. Did front crawl legs, kicking left and right ankles. Floating on my front whilst wearing neck float and woggles underneath (what a dork, if only Danes swimming club could see me now). Walked out of pool up the stairs normally, no problem. No sessions this afternoon, so home early, hurrah!

12th - 18th March - weekend away!

Sat 12^th Mar

weekend posting

Went down to Alison’s for Karl’s birthday meal. Nice food, good company, great evening. Nice to know I am able to cope away from home. Ed on sleepover at Henry’s.

Alison and Andy said anytime we want a weekend down there, we are welcome -  good friends offering help and support!

Sun 13^th Mar

Fab breakfast at Andy and Alison's returned home, well stuffed!

Mon 14^th Mar

In physio, working on arm stretches lying on front on the bed. Moving my left arm backwards/forwards touching the underneath of the bed. In OT, looked at things I need to achieve in the next two week and going through 5 things I have achieved, mobility, swimming, leisure/recreation. In physio, went through my arm range of movements (ARM). In OT leisure, I finished my first watercolour which turned out well, will do another next week. No blood test today, due tomorrow.

Tue 15^th Mar

Group physio first thing, did gym programme exercises. In physio, tried to do Saeboflex, but my hand wasn’t playing. Ali joined in and we discussed Saebo- I wouldn’t be eligible as an in-patient to continue. OT with Will, we did hot/cold water de-sensitizing on my arm again.

At OT social group we debated “Should we have a royal family”- yes, but not the hangers on like Prince Andrew and his daughters. We also debated the HS2 rail link-too expensive,spend money on updating current rail services. Then the rest of the afternoon was free, weighed 90.6 kgs today.

Phil B went home today, (so only me last of the crazy gang/naughty table remains). So a bit of a tearful and emotional day today, thankfully Nik called in on his way home from Milton Keynes. Jenny called me and Cath Evans text me to see how I was doing. Still no blood test.

Wed 16^th Mar

In OT, walked half way Headington with Corinna and put my resting splint on to see how my hand would be. It was ok, my fingers didn’t curl up. Physio had to be cancelled, because Jen had injured her ankle whilst playing netball last night, so I did some of my gym programme stretches.

I chatted with Dawn the psychologist, discussed my return home, sharing of jobs in the house, not overhelping me, trying to get my independence and my role in the house back as much as possible. She discussed a possible dual visit with Nik, they are available to talk to when I leave, and are also willing to talk with my employer, Educare, if required. I had a blood test today I and R 2.4, 8mg Warfarin.

Thur 17^th Mar

St Patricks Day 

At group physio, I concentrated on the Saebo glide pole. Followed by Saebo group double session, which went well with help from Jane and good picking up of foam balls and functional use of arm.

Went for lunch at NOC with Nik, discharge meeting went well, discussed medication - when will it be reduced, will GP be advised of return home, and botox appt on 19^th May. ICT only currently need help with new AFO, being referred to community physio with Sandra L. Heart monitor to be fitted 5/4/11. With regards to Saeboflex, I would need additional funding as out patient as I am ineligible not living in Oxfordshire - NHS postcode lottery!

Fri 18^th Mar

OT with Will, hot and cold water de-sensitizing left leg in shower again. Hydrotherapy with Jen was cancelled because Sue B was ill – blast and damn ! So did two sessions in the gym, walked with rollator, did circuit upstairs, and walked back to room with it, it went well. To try it over the weekend, I brought it home. Early finish.

28th Feb - 5th March - Mutiny in the Dining room!

Mon 28^th Feb

The Stroke Assoc’s Joe Korner, Director of Comms. was on BBC Breakfast News discussing raising awareness of younger strokes, so at long last my emails have worked! Back in for 10.30, Straight into OT with Will more de-sensitizing using hot and cold water on the left arm.

In Physio I did some movement work on my left leg and weight bearing on it, standing on it and trying bend knee, I also did some stair work. Afternoon physio went well doing more Saebo but with larger balls and rings did quite well but knackered after so I slept and the nurse had to wake me up for tea!

Tues 1^st Mar

Saw Dr HS whilst in group gym physio, all ok, and told him about cardiac monitor appointment. In OT Will started to do de-sensitizing on my left leg using hot and cold water again. Cold was a 10 and was unbearable to start; the hot was a lot better. Cold went to being bearable.

In OT Social Group, we all went over to NOC (Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre) and had a Costa coffee. Then in OT leisure I discussed options of what I could do with Val and opted for watercolours and silk screen painting if there was time. In the last session of physio today, Jen and Ronnie helped me onto the upright exercise bike, which was great and I really enjoyed it. I did some further work with them up and down the stairs and walking.

Wed 2^nd Mar

In physio, I worked with the Saebo pole with my left arm and attaching the hand strap to be able to move the arm up and down and left to right on the pole. Didn’t go to psycho group. OT with Becky, I went through things I need to do this week as Corinna is on a skiing holiday in Austria for 2 weeks.

We will walk to Headington with Becky and Will to support me as I walk, checking my hips and pushing the wheelchair. Also discussed being able to put my bra on myself, getting in and out of the bath and Wi-Fi on the ward. In physio this afternoon I worked on more leg exercises for my gym programme-knackered.

Nik called in from his way back from Cambs/Beds with sweety supplies and brought my laptop in.

Supper was shit, they ran out of all sorts, not the staff's fault at all  (I think after everybody had watched the previous nights programme on Channel 4, Dispatches, about the food provided via G4S and Aramark, we were all incensed by it). The contract manager did come and see Annette there and then, and the following day, the catering manager came to discuss menus with Wendy. Patient Power!

Thur 3^rd Mar

Group physio gym programme first thing doing the Saebo pole exercises. Saebo group double session, I managed to pick up 40 of the large balls and then did functional arm movements, lifting up plastic cups to mouth, and lifting plastic jugs to pour into cups. After Saebo went over the road to NOC to have lunch with Anne-Marie and Phil, Sue B had optician appointment so couldn’t come. No sessions in the afternoon.

Catering manager came to see Wendy about the food, supper was slightly better, nice chips and extra sausages. Typed up blog on MS Word.

Fri 4^th Mar

Splinting first thing, looking at my arm/hand splint with Becky and Jane and deciding it is adequate for my needs at present. In physio, did work on bed lifting and raising my left leg. Physio in the afternoon, stairs practise with and without stick. Early finish, home for the weekend!

Sat 5^th Mar

Went to Lower Slaughter, had a good practise walk of about a mile along the river. Went to Budgens to do some shopping and pushed the trolley around on my own, met Jane Slatter whilst we were there.

22nd - 27th Feb - normal clothes!

 

Tue 22^nd Feb

Showered and managed to get my robe on then managed to walk out of bathroom to bedroom and no slips. In group physio this morning I did new leg exercises. In Social group we did a Pop quiz Ian and I were a team but I managed to get a higher score to win. In Physio with Ronnie and Jenny I did going up and down stairs using a stick without using a rail it was hard but good easier going up than down. In OT with Corinna we went to Waitrose again I pushed a trolley on my own while Corinna stayed a distance away I bought some hot cross buns for Anne Marie, Phil and I. Weighed myself tonight  90.8 kg.

Wed 23^rd Feb

Orthotics at 9.45 Drew took a plaster cast and I chose to have a Black AFO. I then had 2 physio sessions together to sort out my SaeboFlex, practiced lifting my arm and squeezing fingers whilst lifting foam balls into a basket and, it went really well I was pretty tired afterwards. I slept after lunch today because I was knackered form Saebo updated my blog from the PC in the day room. Nik called in on his way home from work. As it's half term Ed was on a sleepover at Henry's?

Thurs 24^th Feb

Did revised physio exercises. Nik visited Dawn the Psychologist.  In OT Corinna had a look at my left hand and went through each finger getting it warmed up and suggested I do this before Saebo group. In Physio I did more stair work using my stick up and down stairs, not using the rails and moving normally, then finished for the day.

Fri 25^th Feb

I managed to put on both DVT stockings and my AFO, whilst waiting 40 mins for a nurse to come and help me. OT was cancelled as Will was off ill.  ln Physio I did SaeboFlex did lifting/dropping small foams balls into basket. Finished early today Nik and Ed picked me up at 12 we had lunch at NOC and then drove to Cheltenham to watch the King’s Speech, fab film – lovely afternoon.

Sat 26^th Feb

weekend posting

I wore ‘normal’ clothes HURRAH!! Jeans and nice top, NOT Leggings or Joggers! Browsed around Shops at the Maybird centre in Stratford on Avon.

Sat 27^th Feb

 

Had nice meal at ASK, came home and watched Due Date, Very Funny! great weekend! Is normality creeping back slowly........?