It has been a challenge over the last 2 weeks..( hence no postings on this blog! ).we are all being challenged this year!! But I have developed a painful problem. The side effect of lockdown and shielding at home as meant I have gone from zip zapping in to London for meetings..and travel to local towns and going to Belgium ...to being at home in my small studio bungalow.. Sitting for zooming, knitting, reading as meant pressure on my butt....lol..So I have compression on the right branch of the sciatic nerve. The pain off the scale... radiating round into the thigh...aggravating my arthritic knee..but a mild numbness in the lower leg.... so watch out zoomers....vary positions ....mind you I had ..but still got a problem......Scary as older I do not want to lose my independence through mobility issues. The pain in the night so bad had to contact our NHS 111...though fearing to go in hospital, as many are in this pandemic year. All praise for the on call doctor ...was helped a lot and listened too... he respected me as Marjorie but also as retired nurse midwife... so i was able to give professional information on my leg....which thankfully was not showing signs of circulatory problem. So between me, him and my GP we have the diagnosis and treatment plan ..the plan analgesics and as nerve problem I suggested pregabalin which my GP agreed with plus codyramol for breakthrough pain. Plus physio referral. So all clicked in place GP Pharmacists Physio community care..no need to go to the overloaded local hospital.The darn leg gave way after a shower no warning and I had a fall thank God no head injury or # neck of femur....but now showing my condition a fall risk! ..I managed to crawl to my tablet to message my daughters.... So now I move to another phase of my life ...which hope improves not worsen.... but have pressure relieving cushion and walking stick.....the stick give confidence support and balance.... I am from the Hippie Flower power days ..so well pleased with the floral quite sophisticated pattern on. The family clicking in to action...shopping cupboards full food...My lovely Leen from my Family Link Up project calls me every day to check on me, play and learn together. Bless her uses her umbrella as walking stick to be with me..we worked a dance out too with walking stick...to have a laugh...! That helps me cope.
I was able to have Christmas dinner with my daughter & grandchildren in the permitted bubble..I was given so many beautiful presents..and the dinner so good my plate empty every portion ate & enjoyed. I love the arabic perfume in the presents from my granddaughter.
Operation nights sleep!