NOVEMBER

Well, it has been a very long time and I am afraid it is going to be even longer.

I am still having health difficulties. About three and a half months ago both my knees swelled up and I was in agony, unable to hardly take a step. The doctor kept coming home and prescribing various things. He did tell me I had fluid on both knees that needed draining and yet he did nothing about it. The medication did little to help.

I had assumed he would refer me to the hospital but nothing happened. I know these things take time so put up with it. Then, a few weekends ago my left leg was so swollen and painful I had to go to the out-surgery at the hospital. I found myself put in the critical care room where I waited until around 4 a.m. to see a doctor. They suspected I might have a DVT. However, no scans can be done over the weekend so instead they gave me a precautionary injection into the abdomen in case it was a DVT. I had to go back the following night for a follow-up injection. On the Monday morning I was back at hospital where had a deep vein scan done. Happy to report that no clot was found. I was sent home. They told me they would write to my surgery reporting their findings, cysts on one knee and fluid on both and that my own surgery would contact the orthopaedic department to make me an appointment to have the fluid drained and to try and find what is causing it.

Weeks went past, I heard nothing. Turns out the hospital did not even contact my doctor until last week. I now have appointment very shortly but whether I shall be able to get there, God alone knows.

You see in the meantime, constantly having to use my arms to haul myself around and already having arthritis in the neck, that started playing up, a nerve is now trapped so apart from painkillers and anti-inflammatories I am now on tablets for vertigo until the swelling in my neck subsides and the nerve frees itself.

I can honestly say this is the worst year I have ever had. I never thought I could think that, say it or write it after 2007 but it is truly the worst year. I cannot get into the bath nor into the shower which is over our bath (we do not have a separate shower cubicle), I cannot wash my hair because of my neck.and I can only move around with a zimmer frame. Even then I yell with the pain in my left leg. I cannot sit for very long because I cannot get up again. So,having to make do with wash downs sitting on a chair and putting dry shampoo on my hair which is horrible.

So now you know why I have not been around. I just do not know what is going to happen. I am hoping to God I can keep that appointment on the 11th November as I need this fluid drained, then I have been told by my doctor that I might need at least one knee replacement, maybe two!!

I spend most of my time lying on the bed because I can do little else. I have shed more tears than I ever have in my life. Tears of pain, of frustration, tears of fear.

I ask all those who believe to pray for me please. At least if I can keep that appointment and get the fluid drained it will be a start. I hardly sleep at night because of the pain in my knees.

So, I probably I will not be back with you until the New Year dependong on whether I can attend that appointment, what they do when I attend and what further treatment is needed and how long it will all take.

So although, we are still in November, I want to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a very Happy New Year I have missed you all so very much. I hope that you are all well and that life is treating you kindly.

There is little else I can say. However, I will leave you with the latest picture of our two Grandsons. It was taken on their return to school after the summer holidays. Their uniform used to be red but the school decided to change its name and also the colour of the uniform which is now blue. How grown up they look.

God bless you all. I truly hope to be back with you all when I can.

Jeannette xxx