An amazing week!

Well, all kinds of stuff has happened this week, and in no particular order here it is:

• I found a pair of posh straight leg slacks that actually fit.
• Same trousers are actually long enough 
• I found a pair of shoes - yes SHOES to wear with posh trousers
• Grumpy Trousers has agreed to us having a holiday
• As a result of him agreeing to holiday I am booking Fuertaventura in the Canary Islands
• Now having a crisis about whether hotel v. apartment or self catering v. bed and breakfast
• Actually I don't care, just having a holiday will be good.
• I've set a budget for the holiday and will TRY and stick to it

It's my beautiful younger daughter's 35th birthday today.  I got her tickets to see Jools Holland so she took Grumpy Trousers with her, who was very chuffed about that.  Jools was actually appearing in here in Chesterfield at a local venue but it was standing only, so I opted out.  There's no way I can stand for hours on end.  They thoroughly enjoyed it and were full of it when I picked them up.  Much as I like Jools Holland, I like his sidekick Ruby Turner better.  She's the Momma of Blues and Soul and puts everything into her performances.  I was gutted not to see her, but if they come back I'll make sure I'm OK to go.

Another big thing this week has been younger daughter and me doing a fundraiser for Macmillan Cancer Support.  On TV there are adverts for The World's Biggest Coffee Morning.  Well, we turned ours into a Coffee Evening at our local village pub.  She and I baked cakes for several weeks in advance, froze them and iced them on the day.  We touted local businesses for vouchers and prizes for the raffle, put together sweepstakes for guessing how many beans in a jar, and also had a book sale.  We had a brilliant night with friends from far and wide together with local villagers.  Everyone waded in and helped, resulting in a great total of £363!  My village should be proud of itself for its kindness and generosity.

Here's a picture of the showstopper cake that my daughter made.  It was definitely chocolate overload, but then, its Cadbury's so there's nothing wrong with that, is there?

I have to confess I am completely wiped out with tiredness now after such a big event, and thankfully have nothing on my calendar this week.

Do stop by and say hello.  I feel I've been talking to myself again for a while.

xxxxxx

A new pic of me

Actually it's not me......but it could be.  The coincidental features in no particular order are as follows:

• Sleeping
• Mouth wide open
• Book
• Fat knees

In fact only the hair colour is wrong.  Blimey, I'm fatter than I think!

I love this pic so much that I'm going to order a copy to hang in my hallway.  It just makes me want to laugh at myself.

The guy who did the print is from Chesterfield and his name is Andy Tudor.  Here's a link to his website  http://andytudorprint.bigcartel.com/products.  His work contains a lot of images of Chesterfield, but he also does other stuff like the divine lady above (a bit of Beryl Cook influence going on there), and also some children's books.

He's well worth a peek.

I have a date for my foot operation!

13th  November is the big day.  Good job I'm not superstitious.  I saw the consultant yesterday and he was very optimistic regarding the success.  

In one way I'll be glad to get it over and done with, but I'm looking at a recovery time of more than a year.  I'll be in a plaster cast for about 6 weeks, then will have to wear a spongy boot thing.  All that time I'll be on crutches.  I'm quite looking forward to that bit - I can see me causing mischief and mayhem with them.  The rest of it I'm NOT looking forward to.  Get a load of this ......

NAVICULOCUNIEFORM JOINT FUSION

The operation can be performed comfortably under a Local Anaesthetic block, which is achieved by either a series of injections around the Ankle, or an injection behind your Knee. You will be fully awake during the operation and will be able to feel touch, pressure and vibration, but you will not feel any pain. If you do not wish to consider having the operation performed whilst still awake, or your Consultant does not feel this is the best option for you, you will be offered Local Anaesthetic with sedation or General Anaesthesia. If this is the case then you may need to be referred to a different surgical team to facilitate this and your consultant will be happy to discuss with you further.

The operation usually takes 60-90 minutes, although you will be in the Day Surgery unit longer.  You must have a competent adult at home for the first day and night after surgery.  Your operated leg may be non weight-bearing in a cast for approximately 6-8 weeks. It is therefore very important that you have people to look after you and any dependants such as children, elderly or disabled relatives you have during this time.

First 2-4 days

·         This is the time you are likely to have most pain but you will be given painkillers to help.  You must rest completely for 2-4 days.

·         You foot will be in a cast.

·         You will be able to stand and take weight on your non-operated foot) after the operation, but you must rest, with your feet up, as much as possible. 

·         You should restrict your mobility / to going to the bathroom and when getting about use your crutches in the way you have been shown. 

·         You can get about a little more after 3 days.

One week after surgery

·         You may need to attend for your foot to be checked and, if necessary, redressed/recasted

Two weeks after surgery

·         You must attend again. Sutures will be removed and a fresh cast applied.

Between 6-8 weeks after surgery

·         The cast will be removed, if all is proceeding well and you may be fitted with a removable boot that will allow you to start walking.

·         Your foot will be x-rayed to check how healing is progressing

Between 8-10 weeks after surgery

·         You should be able to start wearing a good lace-up shoe/trainer.

·         The foot will still be swollen and twinges of discomfort are not uncommon at this time due to you increasing activity. Your leg will feel naturally weak to start with as it has been in a cast.

·         You will be instructed regarding rehabilitation exercise or you may be referred to a physiotherapist.

·         You may return to work but may need longer if you have an active job

·         You may return to driving if you can perform an emergency stop. You must check with your insurance company before driving again.

Between 12-16 weeks after surgery

·         The foot should continue to improve and begin to feel normal again.

·         There will be less swelling.

·         Sport can be considered depending on your recovery.

Six months after surgery

·         You will have a final review between 3- 6 months following surgery.

·         The swelling should now be slight and you should be getting the full benefit of surgery.

Twelve months after surgery

·         The foot has stopped improving with all healing complete.

Please note, if a complication arises, recovery may be delayed. If you develop a complication please contact the unit.

So there we are - that's my recovery programme.  Grumpy Trousers will have to come with me to the Pre-Assessment to see the consultant so he can be informed how it will affect him, just so he knows that I'm not pulling a fast one on him.  From then on I'll be queening it like Lady Muck!

I now feel in really urgent need to start my Christmas shopping, take a little holiday, spring clean the house and Lord knows what else before I'm incapacitated.  AND I have a room to decorate.  Better get started then!