For a few years I have used Facebook to keep in touch with friends. In that time the Fb format has kept changing and no help has been there to show how to do things a new way. Recently I discovered that if I do not set up my own time line it will be imposed in some fashion or other. This is not that friendly. On top of that I now discover that, because I have an account, details of my likes, dislikes and choices are made available for all and sundry to use in whatever way they like. I have therefore taken the decision to quit and set up this blog to let my friends know what is happening with Pauline and I. All my friends are valued so they are getting an email with the link to this blog.
In any case, I think a new start is called for with the changes that have taken place recently.
In December 2011 Pauline had an operation called a laminectomy to relieve a progressive condition called lumbar spinal stenosis. At the base of her spine there were spurs of bone growing and touching the nerves. This eventually caused Pauline the most excruciating pain. Earlier on we had gone to an osteopath for treatment of a trapped sciatic nerve. Some relief was gained but eventually the correct diagnosis was made and we awaited the operation. This took place on Friday, 2nd December at The Walton Centre, Liverpool which is the only centre specialising in neurological medicine in the country. A week or so later we were making plans for her return home when the operation incision wound was found to be infected. A day or so later it was also found that cerebrospinal fluid was leaking too. This meant a second operation to fit a drain. Eventually the drain was removed and soon afterwards I brought Pauline home.
What was expected to be just a few days ended up as three weeks in hospital 100 miles from home. After the first week I reduced the journey by staying with family who really helped me. Now I had only 50 miles to drive each day and the stress was a little less. Looking back on the three weeks I realise that it took a lot out of me, let alone the effect on Pauline. Once home Pauline had help from the local Social Services department of Anglesey Council with the loan of a device to help her get out of bed, a means of raising her chair so she could stand independently and a device to raise the loo seat. Just before the New Year I took her back to The Walton Centre to have the stitches removed. They left the final three as there was a slight seepage of fluid. These were removed later at our local health centre.
On 2nd January I managed to get a throat infection that hit me hard and it was difficult to carry on as Pauline's carer. However, we got through it like we always do. Since then Pauline has made an excellent recovery. She is out of pain from the spine but has severe arthritic pain in her right arm. However, there is a side effect from the operation which is still to be put right. She has had a little temporary brain damage which causes aphasia. Aphasia is a speech disorder, often happening in stroke cases, where the speech is affected. The good news is that this is a temporary matter and in the next year or so it will clear up.
The effect of the hospital stay has meant that we were unable to celebrate Christmas as we wished. We had no tree or decorations and it was simply luck that I managed to do the Christmas cards and post them. New Year was disrupted by my throat infection and I was unable to read one of the lessons at the funeral service for an old friend who had requested this just before she died. I found it very distressing at the time.
But since that period we have experienced good progress on Pauline's part and that is worth a great deal to us. She has found it difficult to be with large numbers of people and so we have been careful where we have gone. The other day we had lunch at a favourite pub and she coped quite well. This is another step towards full recovery. Throughout all this I have had to concentrate on being with her as often as possible and so other duties have been on the back burner. But this is slowly returning to normal. It has all meant that we have grown very much closer since the beginning of December and life feels very much warmer for both of us.
We have booked our holiday in September, and we are off to Spain again. Once more we are taking the car by way of a 24 hour cruise from Portsmouth to Santander. We are booked in at the same hotels and have organised two separate visits to Toledo where, last year, Pauline struggled to walk to the cathedral. Toledo is an amazing place, steeped in history and full of very old buildings such as churches, synagogues and mosques. We are looking forward to visiting on our way to and from Andalucia.
Our headquarters whilst there is an old farmhouse with a pool and hot tub! It has all round views that are amazing. This time we hope to visit Jerez and Sanlucar de Barameda where sherry is produced. Another visit will to be Cordoba where there is a cathedral constructed in the middle of a huge mosque. Now that must be worth a visit!
Keep checking this blog to see what we are up to. Also, do not forget to keep emailing us so we know what's happening with you and yours.
The effect of the hospital stay has meant that we were unable to celebrate Christmas as we wished. We had no tree or decorations and it was simply luck that I managed to do the Christmas cards and post them. New Year was disrupted by my throat infection and I was unable to read one of the lessons at the funeral service for an old friend who had requested this just before she died. I found it very distressing at the time.
But since that period we have experienced good progress on Pauline's part and that is worth a great deal to us. She has found it difficult to be with large numbers of people and so we have been careful where we have gone. The other day we had lunch at a favourite pub and she coped quite well. This is another step towards full recovery. Throughout all this I have had to concentrate on being with her as often as possible and so other duties have been on the back burner. But this is slowly returning to normal. It has all meant that we have grown very much closer since the beginning of December and life feels very much warmer for both of us.
We have booked our holiday in September, and we are off to Spain again. Once more we are taking the car by way of a 24 hour cruise from Portsmouth to Santander. We are booked in at the same hotels and have organised two separate visits to Toledo where, last year, Pauline struggled to walk to the cathedral. Toledo is an amazing place, steeped in history and full of very old buildings such as churches, synagogues and mosques. We are looking forward to visiting on our way to and from Andalucia.
Our headquarters whilst there is an old farmhouse with a pool and hot tub! It has all round views that are amazing. This time we hope to visit Jerez and Sanlucar de Barameda where sherry is produced. Another visit will to be Cordoba where there is a cathedral constructed in the middle of a huge mosque. Now that must be worth a visit!
Keep checking this blog to see what we are up to. Also, do not forget to keep emailing us so we know what's happening with you and yours.
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