How are we all doing ?

Thanks for the hug H,much appreciated.It’s hard to keep going.I’m used to having mum’s encouragement but John is always supportive.Can’t do anymore physically for today now as my back is too painful.Think I may have to ask the gp for some type of painkiller.Mum had the same condition and was on morphine patches.Not that I want to be taking anything that strong but paracetamol is not really helping much.

At least the morphine patches are topical and less going through the rest of your system. Have you tried anything else lower-key eg over-the counter heat patches? Just wondering. 

Denby

Hi Denby,No not yet.It’s not usually this bad but I have been doing a lot lately and it’s been worse since I fell.I shall get some more anti inflammatory cream as I do find that helpful and so did mum.

Yes, I do too, though I was pretty miffed to have an NHS MSK professional recommend Voltarol cream for my [shot] knees then have GP say it was too expensive, have Ibuleve or buy your own. Will the GP look after Mr D., and our grandson, while his Mummy is treating NHS dental patients, if I stop caring because of my knees??? Grr.

I had the same problem with the dr’s refusing to prescribe it for mum.They did end up prescribing tiny tubes but I ended up having to buy it for her as it really did help.There is no consistency at our health centre.John’s Mum was refused regular paracetamol and told to buy her own yet Mum and John both had it on prescription.I do sympathise it’s incredibly hard to care for others when in pain or ill.

You deserve a rest Jane! invest a bit more time each day in sitting down, cup of tea, slice of cake.xx  I picked all my gooseberry crop, yesterday. Then today I top and tailed it all, washed/dried and put into 6 bags in the freezer. Took about 4 hours to harvest 3kg phew! But I know I'll be glad when I can dish up a home grown crumble for my daughter and granddaughter. 

I'm coming round! Also if you like oily fish, have you ever tried gooseberry sauce [gooseberries, water, cornflour] on grilled mackerel?

Hi H,That’s a good harvest.I do love crumble.I haven’t made one since mum died but I used to use the fruit from the garden.I only have apples and pears now as the plum trees got diseased and so did the gooseberries.I think they were very old though.Need some cake to recover from the shock of the gas bill.My aunt gifted me some money but that went on the tv licence.Love Jane x

You'd be welcome Denby xx Gooseberry sauce on mackerel sounds absolutely delicious. Today I froze 1 kg of mixed loganberries and tayberries, 1 kg blackcurrants and 3 kg of redcurrants. Luckily my gardener did the picking today which took her 4 hours, so I've only had to strip off stems, wash and dry before freezing which is still on-going. There are more black and redcurrants nearly ready, plus a second flush of rhubarb. Also bush raspberries yet to ripen, but there is an on-going battle with my goats over these. They pass the bushes twice a day to and from their field, and despite the 6 foot square trellis I've put up, there is much grabbing of mouthfuls, trying to reach their necks round the trellis. Roses seem to be similarly delicious. I try to be philosophical about it. x

Gardening and decorating today but have stopped for a cup of tea.Thought this little robin from 2017 might lend some cheer to anyone needing it.Love Jane x