Friday 25 December 2015

Merry Christmas!

 
Unfortunately, I have not been well enough to do much this Christmas.  This photo was taken at Sundown (without me) but I think it is lovely.   Wishing everyone a fantastic Christmas!

Wednesday 23 December 2015

Operation (No. 1)

Went for my MRI on Monday 23rd November (it was a mobile scanner so head first!).  Rather anxious (to say the least) but I managed to get through by taking loads of tablets (painkillers and diazepam), deep breathing and towards the end some singing - Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

After it had finished (approx. 10mins) they asked me to stay where I was for a while as they were showing the Consultant.  He then asked to see me.  He asked me how my waterworks were and then proceeded to stick an unwound paperclip in my buttocks.  Could I feel that? How about now? And now?  Apparently my scan was quite serious and indicated I should be incontinent.  He told me he would be referring me Urgently.  This was the first time anyone had mentioned I might need an operation.....

I was seen at the Sheffield Claremont Hospital on the 30th November.  The MRI scan showed 'a large L4/5 disc prolapse with impending cauda equine.'  Mr Zaki (Consultant  Neurosurgeon) agreed it was Urgent that I should have an operation to alleviate the pain. 

After visiting Sheffield for my Pre-op on the 4th December, my operation took place on the 11th December....

After an overnight stay in Sheffield, once we had seen Mr Zaki and the physiotherapists, and got letters for my GP, and nurse, and a 6 week sick note, driving home wasn't too bad.  We were advised to stop every now and again to help the circulation in my legs (having to wear surgical stockings for a few weeks!).  I don't think I felt too bad as, after a sleep, I desperately wanted to see my son, but I stayed in bed for a few days.  My leg felt better almost straight away.  It was just the 12 stitches (staples) that I had in my back!

Had my stitches taken out on the 22nd December 2015.

Wednesday 16 December 2015

A Meditation On Murder : Robert Thorogood

At least having to rest means I have been able to get some reading done!



The Blurb: This story opens on one of the most unspoilt Islands of the Caribbean, Saint-Marie where we meet Aslan Kennedy who is a yoga instructor and self styled Spiritual Guru and owns his own hotel "The Retreat" along with his wife Rianka. One particular morning, he gets up and goes down to make green tea to bring to the Meditation Space, which he does as normal on a daily basis. He sees the five guests that are staying in the hotel on the beach and calls out to them to get their attention. It was an hour and a half later that the screaming started and he's been murdered.

We are then introduced to the detectives that are assigned on the case, Detective Inspector Richard Poole and Detective Sergeant Camille Bordey. It seems to be an open and shut case as there were five other people who were inside a locked room where Aslan was killed and one of them has already confessed to the murder but are they the murderer? DI Poole is even convinced that the person whom has confessed to the murder is the one person who couldn't have done it. Are they covering for someone else? Is there more to this murder than meets the eye? As the Detectives delve deeper into the victim and all the suspects pasts and history the truth starts to emerge and a web of lies seem to be untangled. DI Poole is adamant that no stone will be left unturned to track down the real killer.

As a fan of the TV show I was looking forward to reading it (I bought it to take on holiday in July, but then never had the time!) and it helped with my pain management.  The only criticisms I have is that in some places you could also tell the writer usually wrote a script for TV as opposed to a novel.....and I am not sure I was convinced by the solution.....