Home Visit

This morning I had a visit from Liz (a neuromuscular nurse from Colman Hospital who is my key-worker) and Joni my physio. The aim was to review my treatment/support so far and look at any other issues.

We talked through lots of things and I now have a few new things to try and Liz is looking into some other aids that may help me. One of their suggestions was that 'Pilates' would be beneficial for me so I am now looking into local classes.

I should be seeing Angela, my OT, soon with the bath aid she has got for me - am looking forward to a more comfy bathing experience!!

I do feel that I am being very well supported by a great team of people and I can call on them at any time if I need help. I will have another review with them in 3 months time.

New bike!

I am very excited to finally have a new bike!

It is a folding bike (as modelled and recommended by my good friend Jenny!), so we can take it places for me to ride instead of walk, and I can get on and off it without balancing precariously while trying to lift my leg over the cross bar!!  Have had a trial run to town and school and all good so far (as long as I don't over load the panniers!)

My physio came to visit me at school last week.  She brought a stool on wheels for me to try out and also chatted through other things/strategies that might make my life easier and help me conserve energy. So far I haven't been great at putting them into practice but aim to try!

Thank you for all your messages and prayers. I am very pleased to say that I have had no pain in my hip for the last couple of weeks which has been great and I've been good remembering to use my stick. I used it at school for the first time in Outdoor Learning and one of the children asked "Why have you got a stick? You're not old!" which kind of made my day!

Walking Stick & Swimming

By the end of the week before last, I was in a lot of pain with every step, not just after walking anywhere, but by the end of each afternoon in Nursery too. So I rang my physiotherapist and was able to see her last Monday.

She thinks my pain is caused by 'Greater trochanteric pain syndrome' or 'trochanteric bursitis'. The cause is usually due to inflammation or injury to some of the tissues that lie over the bony prominence (the greater trochanter) at the top of the thigh bone (femur). The main symptom is pain over the outside of the upper thigh. It's usually common in slightly older ladies but the state of my muscles and the resulting way I walk now has probably contributed.

One of the treatments is to take anti-inflammatory tablets which I have been doing and also rest (which I have tried to do)! My physio also suggested that a walking stick would help take the weight off that leg when walking so I now have a walking stick (a black one!) which I have been using.  The pain is now much less than it was which is a relief.

One of my friends, who teaches swimming, very kindly had a look at my swimming this week. This was really helpful as I am still trying to swim like I always have, but my body just can't do that anymore so she was able to give me lots of tips to help me.

I have to say that the speed of response from my DLA application was very impressive and they have awarded me lower level mobility and care allowance which I feel is a fair representation of how I am at the moment. Apparently I can still walk too far and too fast to get a blue badge though!