Catching Up.

Lovely flowers were received yesterday from my husband for Valentine's Day.

Cards were exchanged.

I spotted this Chaffinch in the garden today...I think there were several as I could hear them singing away.

The sun was shining which was nice as we have had such changeable weather lately.

Over the last ten days since I last posted:

Bread has been made

Delicious with my home made plum jam.

Lemon cake has been made and eaten.

Last Friday I had a Ketamine Infusion.  I didn't have such a bad reaction as last time which was good. Heart rate and blood pressure remained stable.  I managed to read through most of it before I got a bit 'fuzzy' and couldn't concentrate.  This was just after they put the drip in.  The nurse had a bit of a problem and I ended up with a brushed arm AND hand...but it is fine now, it didn't especially hurt which was something!  Unfortunately it had no effect and the pain is much as it ever was.  I asked about the Lidocaine patches, but the pain clinic won't prescribe those (read - financial reasons!)  Go figure, fancy prescribing something that might actually help a bit.  

In the garden there has been some signs of spring.

At my son's house there were some lovely snowdrops.  None of mine have come up this year.

Also some beautiful crocus.

We've had a couple of lovely meals out with our beautiful daughter in law and also visited another couple of times which has been nice.  

Currently in the oven.... a fruit cake.

The Advantages of Blogging Health Issues.

I discovered today that it is actually very useful recording various 'health' issues on my blog - it may not be interesting to any of my followers/readers, but for remembering how I reacted to something, well it is great, much easier than having to flick back through paper diaries...IF I can remember where they all are!  For example today it was suggested I have another Ketamine infusion when I had my long awaited appointment at the Pain Clinic as I reacted 'favourably' to it last time.  I told the Dr that this wasn't my recollection.  Anyway when I got home I looked it up... and this is what I wrote after having it:  

8th December 2012:  Yesterday I had to go into the National Neurology Hospital for a Ketamine Infusion to see if it will help reduce the pain. I had a few problems while there.  My heart rate dropped to 40 and my blood pressure went very low.  Then I had some 'strange side effects' from the infusion and they had to stop it for a while.  My younger son reckons I was stoned!  Well if that is what it feels like you can keep it!  Fortunately they were able to finish the infusion, but as such I was in London for a lot longer than we anticipated.  Still I am hoping that it may perhaps have worked.  We will see when I get on with my chores around the house this morning!  

16th December 2012:  My week has actually passed in a blur of tiredness, headaches and pain some of which has probably been the side effect of the Ketamine Infusion I had on 7th December.

When the Doctor phoned me this afternoon I was able to relay this information to him...he still wants to try it though, and I have been booked in for end of October to have it done.  More waiting...sigh... 

Some days I can hardly walk because of the pain in my left hamstring/buttock/lower back.  

I really wanted my elbows scanned - I haven't even had an ultrasound of them.  I can hardly bend them at times and the pain is getting worse.Why is it so difficult to actually get some tests done to try and discover the CAUSE?!  

He mentioned during the appointment possibly being referred to a rheumatologist, but I am not sure this is going to happen before I have the infusion and I forgot to remind him when I spoke to him on the phone this afternoon.  

Just so this is a completely boring post, the other week when we were visiting friends of ours I took these two photos through their patio window.

A young Goldfinch

An adult.