How are we all doing ?

Hi Liz,I hope you haven’t got a hernia.Sorry to hear you haven’t been able to see your dad.I haven’t seen John since March,we have both found it hard as we used to see each other every week before the virus.The longest we had gone without seeing each other before the pandemic was a month when John was ill with ulcerative colitis.He has been a good support with texts and phone calls but we both need a hug.Everything seems to be so complicated during the pandemic.I spent most of yesterday on the phone,mainly on hold.I’ve decided I will write to the dwp as I hate the website and it’s virtually impossible to get anywhere on the phone.I do wish communication was better,phoning the hospital was a nightmare too.Luckily I have a list of direct phone numbers to the various wards mum has been on but I needed to find out where she had been sent from a & e and they were engaged and no one was on the switchboard.I’ll stop ranting here.love Jane xx

Ah jane it must be so hard for you jane trying to sort everything out on your own .I am so lucky to have my hubby to help me you take care love liz xx

Hi Liz,I’m gradually getting things sorted.Good luck with your scan.love Jane xx

Thank you jane I will let you know how it goes live liz xx

Hi,I went to hospital yesterday for the first time since lockdown.It was a surreal experience.I saw the breast surgeon and then went for a mammogram followed by an ultrasound.There were two areas that needed investigation but they don’t think either is a cause for concern.Afterwards I went to Tesco’s with my sister.Apart from our local co op I have not set foot in a supermarket since March.I never thought I would miss food shopping but I have.Mum is still in hospital.She sounded very confused on the phone last night.They have moved her to another ward but she kept talking as though she was still in the care home.I really hope they can send her to the rehab centre as I am in so much pain with my back/hip.Perhaps I can persuade someone at the health centre to send me for an x ray ( there go a squadron of flying pigs).Love to you all Jane xx

Long shot and dependent on whether you can afford it. But worth seeing if there is a private chiropractor or physio in travelling distance wiling to give hands-on treatment. In the past I have got my sciatica  cured this way, NHS physio last time did not do much, no hands on manipulation at all. Fortunately it went after a while with regular swimming. Our local Chiro is seeing us again, PPE and other due precautions but well worth it. Good luck with getting an X-ray. That was my GPs second reaction to the inflamed ankle and foot that has had me on crutches for 2 months now. I could have told them I hadn't broken or cracked any bones but didn't like to be seen as arguing. Next is Naproxen/Omeprazole, now awaiting a phone physio appt and an ultrasound...

Denby

Hi Denby,Sorry to hear that you are still having problems with your foot.There is a chiropractor just down the road and I went there when I damaged my shoulder & wrist falling down the stairs.Several years ago I went when my hips were out of alignment.It did help but the treatment was a bit brutal,I prefer osteopathy.I was only wondering about an x ray to check that it is arthritis causing the current pain.I haven’t had pain going down my leg today but my back is painful.I’m short of money at the moment but I may have to see someone if this continues.Mum had a spontaneous fracture in her spine caused by weak bones and has daily calcium pills.Thanks for the advice.Love Jane xx

Sorry to hear both of you (Jane and Denby) are hobbling about. Restricted mobility is very depressing. I would second Denby's suggestion that seeing an osteopath might really help with sciatica. Also endorse swimming but is this allowed at the moment? (not sure I'd fancy it if it is... ref virus) I also found NHS physio of little help with either my broken arm or my spinal problem except for the referral to the amazing hydrotherapy pool at my hospital where the physios were amazing. I think the NHS physio service varies dramatically in different areas. Jane there are no easy answers ref your mum. Look after yourself when you are deciding what to do next for her. Remember you had major surgery less than a year ago. xxx

I sent a reply this morning Jane but it didn't send for some reason. Did you try lying on a cushion or slightly deflated ball in the small of your back? It works really well for pushing everything back in place. You have to completely let go so the weight of your body pushes against the cushion/ball. It defo turned around my disc problem.

I’m going to try it later as I fell asleep yesterday after coming back from hospital.How are you today ? I’ll let you know how I get on.Love Jane xx