Sorry for not coming in, back in May to do this post but I have been a little lazy writing and real life sometimes just gets in the way of the cyberworld.
Well, I have finally started feeling a little better this month. Still in pain and exhausted all the time, but slowly improving. My bloods came back and I found out I was on the wrong dose of medicine and the high dose iron treatment on top of this, was further reducing the effect of the medicine. Doctor had failed to mention the two lot’s of tablets should not be taken together. So one medicine increased and tablets separated…how f’in simple was that…shame I got to the bottom of seperating the tablets problem via my trusted friend google…instead of having a competent doctor. Nightmare now is, I have to remember to take tablets twice a day!
Gordon Brown’s office did not get back to me…surprise surprise…however I was sympathetic enough to realise, a response would be highly unlikely at a time like this. I believe keeping oneself out of The Priory is hard work and time consuming!
Alan Johnson’s office actually had the courtesy to reply, even if it was bog standard spiel. The sort of spiel their loyal sheeple would accept. However I am not a loyal sheep (other than to friends and family) I am an extremely pissed off woman.

They were kind enough to offer their condolences on the death of my mother and apologies for my lack of care with the wish of better health for me. Then had the audacity to tell me how effective the complaints procedure will now be, as it was overhauled in April 2009. Does rolling on the floor with laughter count as a comittable offence because I’ve been doing it a lot lately?! The best bit was the signature…signed by…”I’m a jobsworth in customer services who does not give a rats arse”. Shame on you Alan Johnson for not responding personally…your voodoo doll is getting another pin shoved in it Sir! You have now earned the title “leperous rock of camel snot” in our household. Andy Burnham be warned, your doll arrives shortly.
How could I write a post without mentioning my ever faithful dog. I kid you not, not one of the stories you read about him are not real events. He is an absolute terror. Loved but wild as hell. Should of called him Lucifer!
I was sitting on the computer one night last week when all of a sudden everything went off. I thought it strange as the lamps had switched off too but not the main lights. So not a power cut like I first thought. Went downstairs to check the fuse box and on passing the kitchen noticed my dog was laying on the floor whimpering a little. REASON…a piece of his bone and toys had gone behind the fridge/freezer. He’d been pawing behind it to get the bone or toys, found the electrical wire, munched through it and electrocuted himself. His second electrocution from the same source…and with a muzzle on. Fridge flex is now 18inches long instead of 4ft!
For those of you who are squeamish do not read this bit. My dog is an eater who eats absolutely anything and everything, a common trait unfortunately, in American Bulldogs. For those of you who are not familiar with this breed, think back to the film Homewood Bound. Big bundle of slobbering love! Not happy with just electrocuting himself he decided to treat himself to extra munchies this week. He has eaten 15 thyroid tablets, packet and all, and been charging round like a nutter ever since. And the best bit…the case of the missing tea towel is now solved. I always know when he’s eaten something, it’s the same routine every time now. Good munch and then me chasing him round with a bucket, every time he’s sick. However, this time I found myself at 6am in the morning, leaping out of bed (not easy for me takes me a minute to get my bearings but no time for this) in hot pant pyjamas (not expecting mad dash outside) to a two foot tea towel swinging like mad, hanging from his butt. He was charging round in fright and pain and I had a mad rush to get him to the garden. Yep you’ve guessed it pouring with rain! We are then both covered in mud, soaking wet and it took 15 minutes to cut and retrieve most of the tea towel which was still attached inside so had to be done really carefully. Not a glamorous job and who needs a flipping alarm clock!

Did I mention the 8 beds he has eaten? Or the fire door that is no more, due to right bottom corner demolished? Or the 2ft peice of rubber vet found twisted round his gut? Oh and he loves thongs and bra’s (clean I might add) just like any guy!
I have had the biggest nightmare with travel arrangements ever this month. My daughters circumstances have some what changed, and Spain has had to be put on hold for now. She also does not want me going for any more private scans at my cost, insisting I demand a new care team within the NHS like I am entitled to. So as not to lose out on the holiday away (so much has changed in my life the one thing I refuse to give up is an annual holiday) or any money I transferred the flights to Turkey to do plan B. My friend could then not come away with me due to the recession so different accommodation was needed. I needed a hotel instead of the studio apartment. Finding one in the same location was impossible and because of booking on the net we lost a couple of places, due to time on email turnarounds. We couldn’t just book it as we saw it because previous accommodation was already paid for and being transferred, not a fresh booking. Eventually after much distress, worry and fraught times with the company, who in the end after learning of my health problems were very good, suitable accommodation was found but in a different location. Still with a bargain price tag (£411)…and good use for the money I put by for my brain scan. A couple of people have asked me how I get such cheap deals, so I will post a little blog about it shortly.
Today, it just got better…I received an email from the company saying my name has gone into the draw to receive my holiday for free! Well, the cost of my hotel as I booked all parts of the holiday with seperate companies. That was my good karma being returned for offering to cover all of the accommodation cost if it meant she could come. I hope luck shines on her and she can come. She thinks I am brave doing it alone as I will struggle with things immensely. Struggle with roads in the UK imagine the chaos in Turkey. My daughter is petrified of me going off alone and it’s not often I admit my weaknesses or fears, but so I am. She is worried I will end up dead, undiscovered in some hotel room being fed off by cockroaches and flies! I have not travelled anywhere of distance on my own since being ill…so this could be a really silly idea, BUT I no longer live in a world of what ifs. Those who know me well, know I have a list of “things I want to do before I die” and seeing the ruins of Ephesus and the house of The Virgin Mary is on there, along with Pammukale and others, so I have to go. Some may find it morbid to have a list like this, but I reckon everyone should have one.
I have always sworn blind I would move abroad before I collect my wooden overcoat, so this will be my big test to see if I could cope alone, abroad, post SAH. Time will tell, the worst that can happen is it all go wrong. Or my daughters thoughts come true…God forbid!
May 24th was my three year survival anniversay. I won’t say I’m fighting fit but will say “sucking air” is great. Life’s not perfect but could be a lot worse. This day is also the birthday of my beautiful Aunty who died from non hogkins lymphoma. Another wonderful person gone too soon. She recieved her diagnosis too late and by the time diagnosis took place, she was in stage 4 and passed away after 18mths of gruelling treatment. She is so sadly missed by our whole family and will never be forgotten. I spoke to my uncle on this day to let him know I was thinking of him and to hear a man so sad and broken cuts like a knife.
I had taken up trying to learn Spanish AGAIN! This is my 3/4 attempt and even with help, I just cannot get it. I don’t care what anyone says, it is a bloody hard language to learn and I really cannot do it. I was willing to try (that’s what counts in my eyes)and I accept defeat and know when I am beaten.
I’ve found out a couple of people have been following my blogs without me even knowing it. It just shows, you never know who could be reading. Welcome aboard to you! One guy got so attached to my blogs, he has been caught taking them and printing my work on his site. Why someone would want my blogs on their site is beyond me. I would of just sent it to him if he had asked…no big deal. On closer inspection it was found all the stuff on his site is stolen from myself and other bloggers, much of it copyrighted and forgot to remove our names. And was blogging under the name of someone else. Cheeky beggar! Having said that everything he has taken, he has tried to rewrite. Not having a good level of English some of it makes for hysterical reading. The site has now been removed.