Going on alone

[Loopiloo]

Dear Sue, I have been thinking about you often and meant to write before now but' life' gets in the way at times.

How are you now? Are the drains now out and if so have you managed to drive?

That is a long return drive for you, do take care about not over tiring yourself.

Love
Loo xx

 

[sunray]

Loo, all drains out, community nurse visits reduced to twice a week, just one spot to heal. I have my son from Broken Hill here for a week with granddaughter Alice so much activity. I am feeling tired but it is a good tired. Went to the beach on Saturday and just sat and watched them both enjoy the water but it was a joy to be out enjoying the sun. Yesterday was local Show day so spent an exhausting day there.

I am feeling a lot better, almost pain free now. I have been driving locally for two weeks. Finished my Home Care package on Friday so it is up to me now to build up my energy and cope with housework etc as much as I can. T!here are of course a lot of ongoing scans and appointments but that is as expected. At least a few weeks before that begins again.

 

[Grannie G]

Good news from you Sue.

 

[Izzy]

Great news Sue! Take it easy now!

 

[grouse]

Good news Sue, I hope your improvement is continuing.

 

[Loopiloo]

Excellent news Sue! Thanks for the update! Lovely to have your family with you, even although tiring, and to enjoy the sunshine.

Take it easy, it will take time to build up our strength again so a wee bit at a time concerning housework! Enjoy what warm sunny weather you get before your winter. The housework can wait!

Great to be driving again too, I loved driving and miss it terribly.

All the very best of good wishes
Love
Loo xxx

 

[Canadian Joanne]

@sunray I've just caught up with your thread. I was fairly sporadic in my TP visits after Mum died but in the last while have started catching up.

I'm sorry to hear you have been having such health troubles and hope that everything has healed up properly and you are feeling much better.

 

[sunray]

Three months now since the operation, I still have some pain at night when I roll over awkwardly and some problems with stairs due to the muscle behind the left knee being cut into. I look into the mirror and know I have aged due to the pain I had from the original operation but I know those who truly love me will go on doing so. I have just been to my daughter's for the weekend, celebrating Mother's Day one week late and found doing a lot of walking on grass tiring (we went to a local market on Saturday morning) but put on a brave face and tried not to show it. It was great fun just being with them, especially my two grandchildren. I am keeping busy with gardening etc so life has a better balance now. So will just keep smiling and see what happens when the tests start again.

 

[Izzy]

Nice to hear from you @sunray and thanks for the update. Wishing you continued recovery.

 

[Saffie]

Good to know that you are able to garden and visit your family Sue, despite the ongoing pain which I hope will gradually disappear. Wishing you continued improvement in everything. x

 

[sunray]

I have just been to Broken Hill to visit my son and grandaughter for a week. It was my birthday on June 4th and Alice's on the 6th, she was six. It was cold at night in BH but the days were clear and it was warm enough to sit out in the sun most afternoons. We did some touristy things as well as events like the Family Picnic at her school and the dinner out for my birthday and the lavish afternoon tea for hers. It was good to spend time with them. I had been told the flying could be detrimental to the Lymphoedema but with the pressure stocking and a stiffened wrap around my thigh to keep the stocking in place all was well. The most trying parts were the walking through Sydney airport which I found tiring, so I hope by the next trip my stamina has improved.

 

[Izzy]

That sounds really lovely @sunray. I'm glad it went so well. Here's to the next time!

 

[Spamar]

Sunray, next time you fly, ask for help, like a wheelchair, at the airport when you book. I couldn’t have managed without one! It’s free, btw.

 

[Loopiloo]

Dear Sue, always good to hear from you and thanks for your update. It did sound a lovely time with your family and would give you such a lift.

I hope the pain is lessening? It will take time for your strength and stamina to improve - and as Spamar said wheelchairs are available free at airports.

Two weeks after his stroke when I brought Henry home from France via arranged ambulance-taxis and medical drivers we had three flights from Limoges to Charles de Gaulle airport and there was the same help waiting at each plus wheelchair. Also from England (Midlands) to Glasgow.

As you know I have cancer related severe leg lymphoedema so I can relate to that. I will PM you when I get a chance - a lot of family this week including granddaughter, 3 year old and the baby from Melbourne.

I hope your winter does not hit too hard this year as it did 3 years ago. Also that it is not too long until you have another family get together.

Thoughts and love
Loo xxx

 

[sunray]

Just taking life a day at a time. It was a cold day today and now a cold night. I am feeling the usual isolation winter brings but trying to go out every day to avoid cabin fever. Dreaming of the long warm days of summer. My leg does worry me a bit, the muscles react to the cold. One of the receptionists I deal with told me " keep warm and happy " and that is what I am endeavouring to do. I postponed my specialist's appointment as my daughter's had a bad chest infection and wants to be present. Good news or bad it can wait. Hopefully will see her and her family as soon as she is over the infection as it has been a couple of months since I have seen them.

 

[Grannie G]

The most trying parts were the walking through Sydney airport which I found tiring,

You can get assistance at airports Sue @sunray.

I went on holiday recently with a friend who finds walking difficult. She was delighted with the assistance provided, including a lift to take her onto the plane. She was so worried about climbing the steps and even more worried about coming down them and all her worries were resolved,

 

[Izzy]

Oh yes. Do get assistance when you use airports Sue. I got assistance for Bill for the 5 or so holidays we took abroad and what a difference it made. For the last 2 he couldn't walk up the steps to the plane so we went on the lift thing that takes you right up parallel to the cabin. He loved it.

Today, in Edinburgh airport, there were 4 people getting assistance for our flight. Each at a different level of mobility difficulties. The service they got seemed very efficient.

 

[sunray]

Had an interview with my specialist last week and my PET scan showed no signs of melanoma. There were however other medical problems which will be listed as priorities. I am to see a neurosurgeon in the near future. I was just excited to have a clear PET scan. As for the rest it is as usual one step at a time. I also saw the Lymphoedema nurses the next day and they have a new pressure garment ordered now. I find it better not to think about how I will cope with it until it happens.

 

[sunray]

I am allowed to fly now as long as I fly business class as I have to have my lymphodemic leg up for most of the journey. So I can get to England next year. Yahoo!!!! A lot more expensive of course but at least I will get to see my cousins one more time. Some things are are worth paying for.

 

[Grannie G]

You`re being thankful for small mercies Sue.