Thursday already

I fear I have been neglecting my little blog this week, but no wonder, with the appointments I've had.  I have to look at my diary to check what I've been doing but here goes: 

On Monday I went up to London with Claire to see my rheumatologist at Guy's Hospital. It was the first time I had used public transport since the SAH, and we planned it with military precision. I knew that if I got a cab to the tube station, then I could sit on the train until Finchley Road, where the changeover to the Jubilee Line is on the same platform. Arriving at London Bridge we popped over the road (literally) to see my ex colleagues. It was so weird going back to the office I last saw in August... but everyone welcomed me with open arms. Only "the girls" (i.e. the other secretaries) knew what had  happened to me so there was a lot of explaining and showing off the fast-fading scar. The best part of the visit was a trip to the kitchens to see my lovely, bonkers friend M and to get one of the chef's delicious home-made brownies. Shame she was on holiday though :(    All too soon it was time to go over to the hospital, which is just the other side of London Bridge Station, so not far to go at all. I didn't have long to wait, either, as the clinic was running more or less to time. The consultant is a lovely guy, and, long story short, he has decided to put me back on my meds that had been stopped when I was in hospital. Hopefully this will help with the joint pain/stiffness.  I thought I'd sleep well that night because it was a long day, but unfortunately I reverted to the restless sleep with dizziness of the early days. 

On Tuesday I had yet another busy day. First I popped over to our local hospital to see the Dermatologist, who gave me a long list of ointments to put on my skin - most of them old-fashioned coal-tar-based ones. Yummy - not!  Then I had a quick lunch before being picked up by NHS transport to go to the neuro-rehab place. I had my first meeting with the neuropsychologist, who was at pains to point out that people who see psychologists aren't bonkers. Hmm, some may beg to differ in my case! She did an initial assessment, told me it was "early days yet", and said I'd have 6 to 8 sessions to work on my little cognitive issues (concentration, memory etc). She has also signed me up for some physio so that I can be shown how to build up my exercise/stamina slowly. Oh, and she said that the better one looks from the outside, the harder it can be to come to terms with the limitations that result from the SAH, and I can certainly see what she is saying. I'm sure people think "oh she's back to normal now", when it certainly doesn't feel that way inside. 

A case in point: yesterday I had to go back to bed after breakfast because my brain was literally buzzing and I was desperate for more sleep and PEACE and QUIET.  I slept in till I got a phone call at 11.30, and after that I took it gently.

So that brings me to today :)   I really must go and write out a timetable for my weeks so that I can spread out my exercise and don't over-exert myself.  Byeeee!

Comments

[Maria]

Gosh, you have been a busy bee.

I could do with some help with cognitive issues and I have no excuse.

You really are doing fabulously well but don't go overdoing it Missy.

Happy Thursday xxx

[Boo]

Echo what Maria says, Jen. You've got a lot going on and you are dealing with it marvellously but it takes it out of you. For each busy day you have, give yourself at least five days where you rest. xxx