Better and Better

At the beginning of the year I reported that there were now signs of healing with Pauline's femur.   However, things started to go downhill until Mr Mel Jones said it looked like a bone graft would be necessary.   However, he decided to discuss this with a colleague who suggested it might be worth removing the screw just above her knee and shunting the nail upwards.   She had this done as day surgery on 15th July.

When we went to see Mr Jones at Ysbyty Gwynedd in August he pointed out the x-ray signs of healing beginning to work.   We went on holiday for three weeks in September in Spain and the many swimming sessions in the pool seemed to remove the pain.   Since coming home the leg has improved greatly.   It is only when we know we shall be needing to walk longer distances that we put the wheelchair in the car.

Last weekend saw a visit from our oldest friends, Alan and Ann Eastwood.   It was amazing to see Pauline walking across the car park to the Black Lion where we had an evening meal together.   Pauline appears to be healing properly at last!

This weekend sees a visit from our son, David, and his family followed by a short stay for Emelia, his middle daughter.   We take her back to Rochdale on Wednesday.   It's all action, I can tell you!   After more than a year of pain and suffering we are on the up and up.   We have booked our 2014 holiday already!   This time we are travelling to France and Aquitaine.   The crossing by Brittany Ferries will be 12 hours instead of 24 hours and the travelling to our destination will be one day instead of two days.   We love the treatment we get on Brittany Ferries (except when we are caught up in strike action on the part of the crew).   The ferry between Dover and Calais may be a short sail but it's not up to the standard we see with BF.

So, we are looking forward with great optimism to 2014!!!!!

From Bad to Worse

Unfortunately, since coming home from holiday at the end of September, the healing of Pauline's broken femur has been very slow and has disappointed her surgeon.   But, after a visit to see his registrar, the bone is now healing at a faster rate.   Apparently, because she has osteoporosis, Pauline's balance is worse and this contributed to her fall.   She was booked in to have a bone density scan last spring but was unable to have as she would not have been able to get onto the scanner.   A short time back we went to have the scan and the result was that her density now is a minus quantity.   We think it was minus 1.6 or thereabouts.   We hope that her limp might become reduced once she has an appointment with the orthotics specialist and they devise a heel support to equal out her effective leg length.   This might just help the level of walking pain to go down.

 

During 2012 Pauline also experienced an increasing pain in her right hand which is arthritis - not helped with osteoporosis.   Then her left hand flared up and has become worse than her right hand.   Now she cannot shower, wash and dry her hair, use door handles, lift full drinking beakers or the kettle.   It had even become impossible to cut her food up.   At present, driving is not possible either.   This means that she is increasingly reliant on me for help.   For me this is no problem at all but it means she is losing a large measure of independence which all of us value highly.

 

Because of this last year's experience she has now applied for the care element of Disability Living Allowance, and, if successful, I shall make a claim for Carers Allowance.   I would rather not have the allowances and Pauline be free of pain and have full mobility, but this is not how things are developing.  

 

In September we are travelling to Andalucia again to the property we rent for two weeks.   It is all on one level, just like at home, and I can help Pauline into the swimming pool whenever she wants.   How difficult swimming will be has yet to be seen.   But we have decided that I shall be travelling to the Eroski hypermarket near Velez-Malaga to do the shopping.   The place is too large to get round for Pauline.   We travel through Spain via Santander and Toledo to get there and we know the hotels so well that we are assured of it all being viable.   The hotel in Santander has offered to set up a special device to help Pauline in and out of the over bath shower.   We always get a great welcome at the two hotels we use.   We would have liked to try other places but have decided to stay with what we know for now so Pauline gets value from the holiday.

 

Whilst 2012 was a traumatic year we are still hopeful of better times ahead.   If we get the allowances we shall be more likely to achieve different aims for Pauline, and that is very important.   At present she is unable to continue with her landscape painting.   Having said that, she was able to complete one a few weeks ago and it is now hanging on the lounge wall.   Sometimes she gets a little less pain and is able to do a little.   So the plan now is continue that way.   She really has a talent for landscapes and seascapes.   Her depiction of water, snow, and mountains is very good.

So, that is the story so far.   Watch this space!