Dorcas Iris-TWR one week on. I'M back!

speedalong

Hi Iris, hope Wally is responding to the reduced demands of his new schedule. Hopefully the theraputty exercises will help with the tricky tilt movement. Just had a go at it myself - it is a very subtle action - just in the wrist isn't it - I know with the sliding my leg out to the side exercise - which I just couldn't do at all unassisted - it suddenly came. The hard bit was starting the movement off. If the physio started the movement manually I could carry it on a fraction. I wonder if you rested Wally's wrist on a cushion or bolser, so his hand was unsupported and then placed the other hand/wrist under Wally's hand and moved it down the tiniest fraction - whether Wally will be able to follow (ie still resting on the fused hand/wrist. If he mastered that, then you could touch the back of Wally's hand (no weight at all) with the fused one and see if he can follow it up a tiny fraction ... I know what I mean, but not easy to explain - but might make it clearer to Wally what he has to do. Maybe worth a try.

the edema glove is easier to take off than put on and uncomfortable but I am getting used to it..swelling still the same though I do feel more 'connected' to wally (if that makes sense)

If it is anything like the suits, gloves etc the children wear - I think it is amazing you can put it on and off yourself - they are a nightmare - but do work though.

I'm wriggling more at night now, so not so stiff then, but when I first set out on walk I feel stiff and it gradually lessens.

I can't believe you are 5 weeks post op already ... wow.

Rainy, cloudy and cool here too,

Speedy

frogmorton

My Goodness Iris!!!

five WEEKS alreday?!

Hasn't time flown.

Bet it's dragged for you - it's harder work when you are doing it isn't it?

Keep up the good work

Love

Toni xx

dorcas

Morning peeps,

Hi rita,

so glad you are able to sleep a bit better...the body needs sleep to heal and cope with arther doesn't it? is rheummy going to start you on any other meds?are you back at work after your hols? how's the job?

Had another 'blip' with wally yesterday as the wound started to bleed again....same place...and not because it had been 'stretched' at the time...so haven't a clue why at 5wks that should happen?. Just holds me back from my hope to get started infliximab asap..selah! 'marathon not a sprint'.....must remember that xx

I am starting the wrist exercise a little later and only after I've loosened up that hand by putting in warm water. I am not so sure now that I'm going to reach the 20-30% tilt target for my next ortho appt on the 27th.

Hi marion... 'sausage' fingers and 'claw like hands' sounds so familiar...PA? is it. glad the wax therapy working for you..it is blissful isn't it ....and even though the effect doesn't last it is so worth doing for the immediate relief! I can't use mine for wally just cause you can't use wax on open wounds.

Hi Ironic...hope you are ok?
my daughters' going/ away on holiday.. but am lucky as two sons are home just now.. so help is at hand when I need it.
the two 'loons' are being careful around me most of the time but threaten to knock me down the outside stairs with their excited 'welcomes' when I venture out! have worked out that I need to hold on to the hand rail and not leave enough of a gap for them to squeeze past and sweep me away... :roll:

Hi speedy...your suggestion about the tilting with a 'bolster' under wally is a good one and similar to the exercise I have to do with the 'theraputty' called 'wrist extension exercise' . I have to put the wally arm on the table so the wrist is supported but let 'the hand hang over the edge (well it doesn't 'hang at the moment) and then grip the putty (held below with the fused hand) and pull up as much as I can..which isn't much yet! I'm trusting, as you say, that one day it will suddenly improve..x

it's great to hear you are 'wriggling more' at night and not so stiff... you and marion's progress 'reports' are very interesting and am sure help lots of others peeps to 'see' what THR recovery and progress is like. It has helped me too!!

Hi cris ...I know you're not doing so well just now and yet you still fly up and down with greens, carrots and pasties :roll:

you take care of those sore hands and back lovely...and try to rest up a little (I fear you just can't with all your gals and horse 'babies' to look after) do you have sales again this weekend? wish we could help out with that!!!

Hi Toni .. hope that bursa is calming down a bit? did you manage to see the doc and get a referral to physio? or ask about acupuncture?

I am remaining positive and hoping that the therapist on Thursday will have a bit more info from the Western hosp physio about what is expected of me on the palm up/ down exercise and whether I can start removing the orthotic splint more often just to let wally breathe! it's definitely less painful now and am looking forward to having a 'free wally' ha ha!

love n (((hugs)))

Iris x

ritwren

Free Wally, now they could make a film about that. Seriously 'tho I'm disappointed for you having another bleed from the wound site. No redness or inflammation there Iris is there? Don't you be worrying too much about targets, you can only do your best and that's exactly what you've been doing. Fingers crossed that wound heals properly soon and you can move on with your meds.
I'm off work for 2 weeks with a sick line at the moment, this is the 2nd week. Just could'nt manage to work while increasing the amytriptyline and my back is so sore. I have another appointement to see the Consultant in August. I don't know what he will suggest but I hope he does'nt take me off the methotrexate. I do feel it's helped but perhaps not as much now as it did earlier.
Sorry to rabbit on, take good care, big hugs always rita

marion1952

Hi Iris

Strange that the wound bled again yesterday.. Hope it's ok.. looking forward to your next update ..

Marion
(my hands are RA)

ironic

Hi Iris,
So glad your sons are around for you. Love the way you have worked round the loon situation. Needs must and all that but they are such a comfort at times.
So sorry about the bleed, it will be so frustrating for you.



Think you overdue for these.

Lv, Ix

skezier

Hi All,

Could you leave Iris a big hug please? She has had to get seen again and bless her she is sounding a bit down. She has had to see the ortho (he was gorgeous by the way) been with her but please could you all leave her some hugs and hope?

Infection in her wound but they say not in Wally. They have xrayed and taken bloods and filled her up with antibiotics and please could you all and healing thoughts?

Hope your all ok and sending my ((( )))'s to you all Cris xx

Hi Iris,

Leaving you a ((((( ))))) and a pasty as supper after the tea we had Glad I was able to survive the train trip as well

You REST!!!! You must.

Will flap u later and ring the bell quietly.

Love and ((( )))'s and it will be ok you will see. The knackered broken down pigeon xxxx

marion1952

Hello Iris

That's such bad luck to get a wound infection. Thank goodness you have a good Ortho Surgeon.

I'm thinking about you and wishing you all the best.

Marion x

ritwren

Oh dear Iris, I was afraid it might be an infection and that's why I was asking so many questions. Hopefully the antibiotics will kick in quickly and you'll soon be on top of it. Hang in there and try to rest even more while the tablets do their work. I'll check in again tomorrow all being well. Big hugs, rita

ironic

Oh Iris, I am so so sorry this has happened to you. Such a rotten knock back.

No wonder you are feeling down at present, but you will get there in the end I have no doubt about that.
Please rest and be extra kind to yourself.

With lv, Ix

chris7

Iris

You were doing so well there love.
Sorry to see this sending hugs and get better soon wishes.




love
Chris xx

dorcas

thank you Cris, Chris, Rita. Marion and Irionic for your kind wishes ....xxxxx...loved the flowers and the teddy hugs too!

...well.. my 'blip' with the wound turned into a 'bleep' yesterday morning :roll: the wound opened (same place) and some nasty looking puss came out of it. :shock: got a bit of a fright and phoned the local surgery and was seen straight away. (bless Cris..she went with me in my pocket x)

nurse took swab, cleaned wound and put inodine dressing and sterile dressing on top. she spoke to a doc who prescribed anti bi and also told me to phone ortho...which I did as soon as I got home.

was told by ortho nurse to come in in afternoon. (cris by now suffocating in my pocket but still with me even though she doesn't like trains or subways :roll: ) was taken straight away on arrival, wound and wally examined, poked and prodded, bloods done, x rays and lots of questions to answer.

Ortho consultant (not my own, who's on holiday, but just lovely to me) said he hopes infection localised or early stage wally so that it's been caught ...... interestingly he asked if I had noticed any other changes to wally and when I told him about 'losing' the 10% 'tilt' movement measured last week at hand therapy he said that could well have been the infection causing it as that's one of the signs of joint infection...loss of movement.

I was given more anti bi, wound scrubbed (I am totally exaggerating here for effect ) and more inodine, dressing, and told not to exercise wally and not to attend hand therapy today. :roll: :? which he said he knows runs against all the usual advice but that I must rest wally completely.
I have to go back to see him on Tuesday morn...if bloods or x rays show anything worrying he will phone me and bring me in before then....or if I get more symptoms (swelling, reddening, more pain or 'leakage', feel ill or temp) then I've to phone straight away.

(I completely forgot to tell him I'm on Mtx and about the IM steroid last week. oops!)

....so, peeps, a bit of a low blow for me as it sets me back with the wally exercising which I know is so important in influencing outcome....but I am very glad to have had such quick treatment..

Cris...you are a star...but you do know that already. :!: thanks for your company and sorry for sitting on you by accident on the train.

love to all,

Iris x

skezier

Hi Iris,

I so hope when the dressing is changed it looked a bit better? The important thing to do is REST it! I'm sorry I keep saying it :roll:

I honestly don't think it will stop wally from working properly, it might put him back a little bit but it shouldn't stop him flower so try not to let that get to you for now. The antibiotics will get hold of it with luck very soon now.

Will check up on you later and I was lucky.... it rained (((( )))), greens and chew sticks Cris xx

speedalong

Oh Iris,

I've just caught up with the turn of events. What a blow. Damn and blast. How frustrating.

Great though that everyone jumped to it and got you seen and started treatment asap. I hope that the infection responds quickly to the antibiotics and the resting. Resting is very necessary, but monotonous after awhile. Have they given any indication of how long it will take for the infection to clear up?

Oh. I am so sorry. I remember when I thought I was getting an infection in my scar (turned out I'd just massaged it too enthusiastically) - but that was bad enough.

Keep us posted when you can.

Speedy
xxx

marion1952

Hi Iris

I think, with your strength of character, Wally will be up to speed with his movements in 6 months time.. just take it very easy for the time being....

I just wonder if you should give the methotrexate a miss for a week or so, Iris? I've never had any kind of infection (fortunately) whilst on methotrex, but I know other people have, and have been advised to stop it until the infection clears up....

Anyway, so glad to hear that you are in such good care with the GP and stand-in Ortho ... that's a great relief...

Thinking about you and hoping that the next few days brings an improvement..

love from Marion x

ritwren

Morning Iris, just popped on to see how you are. Sounds like you've gotten good prompt treatment so that's very positive. Just concentrate on getting as much rest as you can while your body mends. As Marion says, it might be advisable not to have your Methotrexate this week. I was told not to take mine when I was on antibiotics for a chest infection Will you see a district nurse or someone to check your wound between now and tuesday?:)
sending big gentle hugs, rita

skezier

Hi All,

Just heard from Iris...... Bless her she has to go back in this morning and be seen again. Marion she said to thank you as she took your advice and rang about the mtx and the im steroid and they asked about the wound. Its a circle now so she has to go back in and be seen..... Without you suggesting it she wouldn't have rung them and if it is breaking down at least they are on it fast now.

I know she is worrying and will be in her pocket and think a lot of us will be this time.

She doesn't think they will let her out till this afternoon and as soon as I hear will pop in and let you all know.

Please keep your fingers crossed. Cris xx

speedalong

Thank you Cris for letting us know. Pass on my love and good wishes. Hope it looks worse than it is.

Speedy

PS hope you are doing ok too.

skezier

Hi Speedy,

Just told her your in the pocket as well... we got a sheep in it as well so its as well they are big pockets She is on her way in and I so hope they let her back out.......

I not so good again.... I tell you every day i think will the mtx work today Its working against me just now

Hope S is ok? and you of course? xx

marion1952

Thanks Cris.. thank goodness she is in good hands at the hospital.. very sorry to read that you are still struggling..

Marion x

carola

Ocht, I could just screeeeeeam when I hear of you suffering a set back, Iris.

I am so sorry.

Sending a warehouseful of positive thoughts and healing smiles.

Much positivity
Carol x

minky67

Hi, Ive only just caught up with this thread :oops: Sorry.

Iris, i hope the infection clears up soon hun & there not keeping you in.
We have a rescue party waiting to break Annie out so were ready to get you out too.

Cris, your doing a wonderful job In Iris's pocket. Dont get too squashed will you

Sending luv n hugs(((()))) to you. debs

woodbon

Hello,
Nice to see you back!!! Sounds like a horror story, having your fingers moving on their own, still, you could have got away with a few rude signs if you wanted too!!! :oops:

Sounds great having a nerve block for the after pain of the op. Thats one of the worst things, I've found in the past. Also having a GA as well, so you don't know anything thats going on.

Its really nice to have you back.

Love Sue

skezier

Hi All,

Just heard she is on her way home again. Off the mtx and has had it looked at, cleaned and redressed as well as more bloods taken. Its good they have been so thorougher but I so wish it would just heal p for her now!

She got the good looking one again..... Small compensation eh?

She is shattered and obviously has been so worried again and has promised to rest when she gets back in.

Will check up o her later and am so glad she was let back out.

Hope your all ok? xx

Hi Marion, Speedy and debs,

I shall be ok once I get this cold to shift out! ((( ))) and hopes your all doing ok there? xx

frogmorton

Hi cris

Thanks for the update - have a slight problem - I fell out of Iris' pocket and am on the floor near the sharps bin.....

can you come and get me or senr one of the girls back for me??

Oh thanks - she's here that was quick.

Now Iris if you see this - I hope that all will be well now and this time you will heal up beautifully

All my love

Toni xx