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Jun. 1st, 2022 11:53 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
turpsIt's my wedding anniversary today, and to celebrate it I had my last appointment at the hospice. For now, anyway, I'll be back on the 29th of July.
Of course, I got caught in a really heavy shower waiting for transport, so arrived looking like a drowned rat. But, everything went well.
While the bandaging hasn't been painful or anything, it has taken chunks of time out of my day, an hour appointment, half an hour travel each side, plus I had to wash a set of bandages daily so I always had fresh to put on. Though that did change at the end of last week when a new kind was used, those were sticky with extra compression and couldn't be reused. Plus of course the shoes, they did fit by the end but I'm not used to keeping shoes on in the house constantly, so I'd take them off and then go to put something in the outside bin or to shut the greenhouse door and realise it was either put the clown shoes on or leave it.
Plus, no matter how well they were put on the bandages would always slip to some extent, so that was an added frustration. And of course, the no bath situation.
I really liked the lymph nurse, Jeanette was fun and we had a good natter each day. Plus, after we got talking about where we'd met our husbands we realised we used to go to the same dodgy nightclubs and pubs at the same time so we could have passed each other while having gravy and chips at 2 am at the Bakers Oven or peeling our feet off the sticky floor at Bentley's. Plus, she used to drink Pink Kangaroos too, so good memories, good times.
Anyway, end result is a loss of 4 1/2 pints of fluid on the left leg, 2 pints on the right. And my feet shrank by 2cm which was weird as it never looked like there was anything wrong with them.
Now I'm back in my wraps and have been given a leaflet and weblink to learn how to do manual lymph drainage massage which I need to do at least twice a day, more if possible. Then back to see Grahame for a review and maintenance bandaging for a week at a time every three months or so.
So, an excellent result but I still am glad it's all over for now.
My MiL did come and had a good visit. We went to the Food Festival that was on in town and got to watch shows and meet the chef Rosemary Shrager and Laura Adlington from Bake Off. They were both great and were happy to take photos etc, but my MiL fangirled over Rosemary so hard. When we first arrived she saw Rosemary was watching another show and there were chairs next to her, but on the outside part of the open-sided tent. As my MiL was in her wheelchair it made sense to sit there, so we did and when the show was over my MiL asked for an autograph and had a bit of a chat. Then later when Rosemary had her show asked questions which Rosemary answered at length so much so at the end my MiL mentioned she thought Rosemary had felt a connection to her and had kept deliberately looking our way during the demonstration. Whether she did or whether she was just great at drawing everyone in I don't know, but I do know my MiL talked about it and her all weekend and was so happy which was lovely to see.
That was Saturday, Sunday we did our usual grocery shopping and then went to meet Corey in Newcastle to eat. That was good, though I was jealous he was off to see MCR play in Glasgow the next day.
Monday James was at work and my MiL had to stay in the house while I went to my appointment. Not that she cared after being out and about the two previous days. Over the three days, I made multiple meals and cups of coffee and went off for a 'rest' upstairs after my wash. By which I mean, thank you to those who suggested a read on the bed. I love my MiL and she's good company, but I do need some time alone so those little recharges helped a lot.
Not the weekend but I saw the new Top Gun and it was amazing so much love for that film.
Watched the last ever ep of This Is Us and was slightly underwhelmed. But still, I'll miss the show and that family.
James had a letter saying his back surgeon had appointments open at his private clinic and if James wanted one get in touch as they'd go fast. So he was on the phone asap and is on the list, and should get an appointment soon.
So that's May over and done with, a month I wasn't really looking forward to at all. Now bring on June, may it be better with much fewer frustrations.
Of course, I got caught in a really heavy shower waiting for transport, so arrived looking like a drowned rat. But, everything went well.
While the bandaging hasn't been painful or anything, it has taken chunks of time out of my day, an hour appointment, half an hour travel each side, plus I had to wash a set of bandages daily so I always had fresh to put on. Though that did change at the end of last week when a new kind was used, those were sticky with extra compression and couldn't be reused. Plus of course the shoes, they did fit by the end but I'm not used to keeping shoes on in the house constantly, so I'd take them off and then go to put something in the outside bin or to shut the greenhouse door and realise it was either put the clown shoes on or leave it.
Plus, no matter how well they were put on the bandages would always slip to some extent, so that was an added frustration. And of course, the no bath situation.
I really liked the lymph nurse, Jeanette was fun and we had a good natter each day. Plus, after we got talking about where we'd met our husbands we realised we used to go to the same dodgy nightclubs and pubs at the same time so we could have passed each other while having gravy and chips at 2 am at the Bakers Oven or peeling our feet off the sticky floor at Bentley's. Plus, she used to drink Pink Kangaroos too, so good memories, good times.
Anyway, end result is a loss of 4 1/2 pints of fluid on the left leg, 2 pints on the right. And my feet shrank by 2cm which was weird as it never looked like there was anything wrong with them.
Now I'm back in my wraps and have been given a leaflet and weblink to learn how to do manual lymph drainage massage which I need to do at least twice a day, more if possible. Then back to see Grahame for a review and maintenance bandaging for a week at a time every three months or so.
So, an excellent result but I still am glad it's all over for now.
My MiL did come and had a good visit. We went to the Food Festival that was on in town and got to watch shows and meet the chef Rosemary Shrager and Laura Adlington from Bake Off. They were both great and were happy to take photos etc, but my MiL fangirled over Rosemary so hard. When we first arrived she saw Rosemary was watching another show and there were chairs next to her, but on the outside part of the open-sided tent. As my MiL was in her wheelchair it made sense to sit there, so we did and when the show was over my MiL asked for an autograph and had a bit of a chat. Then later when Rosemary had her show asked questions which Rosemary answered at length so much so at the end my MiL mentioned she thought Rosemary had felt a connection to her and had kept deliberately looking our way during the demonstration. Whether she did or whether she was just great at drawing everyone in I don't know, but I do know my MiL talked about it and her all weekend and was so happy which was lovely to see.
That was Saturday, Sunday we did our usual grocery shopping and then went to meet Corey in Newcastle to eat. That was good, though I was jealous he was off to see MCR play in Glasgow the next day.
Monday James was at work and my MiL had to stay in the house while I went to my appointment. Not that she cared after being out and about the two previous days. Over the three days, I made multiple meals and cups of coffee and went off for a 'rest' upstairs after my wash. By which I mean, thank you to those who suggested a read on the bed. I love my MiL and she's good company, but I do need some time alone so those little recharges helped a lot.
Not the weekend but I saw the new Top Gun and it was amazing so much love for that film.
Watched the last ever ep of This Is Us and was slightly underwhelmed. But still, I'll miss the show and that family.
James had a letter saying his back surgeon had appointments open at his private clinic and if James wanted one get in touch as they'd go fast. So he was on the phone asap and is on the list, and should get an appointment soon.
So that's May over and done with, a month I wasn't really looking forward to at all. Now bring on June, may it be better with much fewer frustrations.
no subject
Date: 2022-06-01 12:54 pm (UTC)I'm glad you were able to take some time for yourself while the MIL was visiting.
no subject
Date: 2022-06-01 01:20 pm (UTC)I enjoyed reading my book in bed. It's surprising how long it takes to get dry completely *g*
no subject
Date: 2022-06-01 06:00 pm (UTC)I'm glad you get to take a break from the wraps. I can't believe how much fluid they moved! Such a cool coincidence with the nurse!
What a lovely experience (and memory) for your m-i-l!!
I'm glad our suggestions were helpful. *g*
no subject
Date: 2022-06-02 03:12 pm (UTC)I was surprised at the amount of fluid that was moved, though I suspect they could get triple that amount again before I had actual ankles again.
Your suggestions were very helpful, and my MiL had such a great experience. I'm sure she thought Rosemary was her new BFF by the end *g*
no subject
Date: 2022-06-01 07:48 pm (UTC)It's great that the bandages helped so much - and that you get a break from them. Whew!
And I'm also glad to hear your MiL's visit included both something she really enjoyed and time for you to have to yourself. :)
Here's to a flourishing June!
no subject
Date: 2022-06-02 03:10 pm (UTC)I'm enjoying the break from the bandaging, it's been a long few weeks.
Yeah, the visit worked out nicely. Though I suspect my MiL was more tired than she was letting on by Monday. So, a quiet no going out day was good.
no subject
Date: 2022-06-01 10:43 pm (UTC)Very cool to have excellent results, but I can understand wanting a break for a bit.
Sounds like your MiL had a wonderful time, which is awesome. Sometimes it's tough to get older people interested in much of anything (thinking of Mom her last few years). It's nice you had a bit of time to yourself to read a bit.
A co-worker saw the new Top Gun and said he liked it better than the original.
Yes, I hope you have a lovely June with fewer frustrations! *G*
no subject
Date: 2022-06-02 03:08 pm (UTC)Yeah, the results were good but it was one heck of a commitment for nearly three weeks. I'm just glad that they could provide transport because that would have been a pain otherwise.
Sometimes it's tough to get older people interested in much of anything (thinking of Mom her last few years)
I agree, it is hard sometimes. I was actually surprised my MiL was interested in Rosemary. Guess she's a closet tv cook fan.
A lot of people seem to like this new Top Gun better than the original and I can understand why.
Thank you again!
no subject
Date: 2022-06-02 03:48 am (UTC)I'm glad your MIL's visit went well, and you were able to find some time for yourself
here's hoping June is a good month for you
no subject
Date: 2022-06-02 02:57 pm (UTC)It was a nice visit, it helped that it was much shorter this time. I think we were all a little sick of each other when she was here for nearly a fortnight last time.
Here's hoping June is good.
no subject
Date: 2022-06-04 06:31 pm (UTC)Congratulations to being free of the bandaging for a while! I'm glad to hear it was such a big success and I'll keep my fingers crossed the massage and the maintenance wrapping will be equally successful! (And so nice to hear that you connected so well with the new lymph nurse. I know you were a bit worried.)
Good to hear the MiL visit went so well and that you managed to get a bit of alone-time every day.
Hopefully June will be a fabulous month for all of us!
no subject
Date: 2022-06-07 01:31 pm (UTC)(And so nice to hear that you connected so well with the new lymph nurse. I know you were a bit worried.)
I was worried, especially as you spend such a long time together, so if I didn't click it would have been a lot of silence. The massage is weird, you have to be so gentle with the touch and very slow and controlled. Of course, it didn't help I realised I'd been stroking the wrong way for the last few days, going down instead of up.
I hope June is a good month, I think we could all do with a month of happy things.