Last Tuesday I was merrily doing some dishes and listening to music when the hot water ran cold. When I looked at the boiler, the readout was blinking, and all it needed was a simple reset. I feel I should mention at this point that our boiler is high on the wall above the kitchen … Continue reading The Zebra in the Room – Storytime
After the last post, I was somewhat mentally exhausted - so sorry that this wasn't up yesterday as planned. But, here it is. The next little instalment of the saga of my spinal fusion. We left off when I was taken back to the ward after recovery. It was around eight o'clock in the evening so … Continue reading MY EXPERIENCE OF NHS POSTERIOR LUMBAR DECOMPRESSION AND INTERBODY FUSION – POST OP DAY 1
For the non-cyborgs, I had posterior lumbar decompression and interbody fusion (PLIF for short). There is an animation of the procedure here. February 13th 2018 - Day of Surgery We arrived at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (AKA the Southern General) bright and early. We went to the admissions area and got "checked in" and … Continue reading My Experience of NHS Posterior Lumbar Decompression and Interbody Fusion
My blog has always been an open and honest safe space, where you can unpack mental baggage without judgment. Something I haven't talked about on here before is my medication. I have been taking medication for generalised anxiety disorder with depressive and obsessive episodes for around five years. In that time I have switched medication … Continue reading Mental Health: Switching Meds – My Experience
As someone who has seen my fair share of health professionals over my lifetime, I have certain things I do to maximise the value and benefit of medical appointments. Especially when brain fog is a real hindrance to cognition sometimes, preparation prior, proactivity during and reflection after is vital. Here is my guide to how I get … Continue reading How To Maximise Your Medical Appointments
Yesterday I had my pre-op assessment for spinal decompression and stabilisation surgery. I kept a little diary of the whole experience as I thought it might prove useful to someone else about to embark on the same journey. 6:15 AM - I'm awake! I'm not half asleep perched on the side of a bathtub, evaluating the … Continue reading NHS Surgery Pre-Op Assessment – My Experience
Can you believe it is 6 months since I had my TMJ surgery? I certainly can't - it has simply zoomed past me. Time for a quick update! Pain wise - it's great! Before surgery, holding a conversation was impossible, eating was a challenge, to say the least, and I was in constant pain. Now, … Continue reading TMJ Athroplasty – 6 Months Update
Today I am a little more put together in the brain department - still contending with post-op fog though. Where did I leave you? Ah yes - trying to sleep. That didn't happen. I couldn't rest at all as I had hourly observations as my blood pressure was very low and they wanted to check … Continue reading TMJD Surgery – Day 2
DON'T GIVE UP GLUTEN YET! Logically, when you think your body reacts badly to something it should be cut out of your diet - right? Wrong. I made this mistake. Let me explain. Back in 2014, I was suffering from awful stomach issues, a number of people said "Have you tried giving up gluten? Your issues … Continue reading Do You Think You Have Coeliac Disease?
Excuse the very obvious pun, but I thought the title was apt. Especially on this topic. WARNING: Bodily functions discussed in a bit more detail than is discussed over a family dinner. Since my appendectomy in 2013, I have had gastrointestinal issues - the worst one being constipation. Yes. That is where this post is … Continue reading Transit Study – The In’s and Out’s
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