The Secret Is Out!!!!

JamesFoote
JamesFoote Member Posts: 86
edited 29. Sep 2014, 08:36 in Say Hello Archive
I am ******!!!!
That is it really, quite simple isn't it, well thats the sort answer the long one is much longer as it is with us all.

So to the longer answer or is it a question, my head hurts.

Who am I, my name is James i am a 48 year, just, and my story really starts back on the 22nd Mach 2006. Before this date i was very happy in a loving home with the most amazing wife, my company, that i always thought would fail, was growing and growing to the point i was going to semi retire at the old age of 39. I owned a double glazing company and I worked hard to make shaw every single one of my customers was more than happy. This made life so easy as recommendation after recommendation came though my door.
My wife had been diagnosed with an AVM on the front of her brain but it was being treated and even though we spend 7 months in the Rackhead centre in Burnley teaching her how to walk again, after they messed up and operation, we go there, so easy does it on the future operations but we were going to make it. On the 22nd March 2006 we went to see the doctor for some tests to see if Chrisella was ok to book a holiday, She was given the all clear at 1.30 and by mid afternoon she was dead. My life just fell apart. I can tell you that even though my live had moved on and I fight every single day to keep it so, i have remarried, moved house, retired fully, that day and the events that followed destroyed me and every thing i was.
So to the future, Live on paper looks good, Diane is a wonderful person who understood what i was going though and help me so much. My new mother-in-law lives with us and i even love her to bits too and we are one big happy family.
In 2010 I had some pain in my gut, well to be fair this was the most painful thing i have ever felt in my life. Had i had a gun i would not be wiring this now, I dont say this for impact i say it because it is the truth i got to the point were i said no more and it is scary stuff. The hospital was good but very slow the cameras at both ends were not pleasant but OK but the waiting is not not right. Well it was colitis, wow this was not good, i mean having the runs was a joke i did not have the time to run it really was a hell of a 6 months until they gave me Asacol OMG i could go out side. All in I am on 26 pills of one thing or another but i could fight back and boy did i fight, some times i lose but most of the time i am NORMAL. What followed was a marriage and some amazing holidays, Egypt, Bangkok, Vietnam, China you name it and we were on our way. One of the plans we put off was to walk the great north walk, I a fat ***** but very active so the kit was bought and the walks started, just amazing fun to say the least.
Then 20th April 2013 i was detailing my car, a hobby that i have loved for many years, and kneeled down and pop, my knee, that hurt, then it swelled so of to my chiropractor for a bit of pulling and tugging but this time no he sent me to my GP and then for an MIR scan. "you need a new knee" not we can mess about with it a bit to help it along, but a new knee, i was told so when do you do that then i asked when your 57ish. holy **** what.
So I do as i am told the knee got better not great but i was mobile with the help of a cain.
Then a bad day came and wow was this a bad day, April, I was out carp fishing a new and amazing past time that i find relaxing. Camping and hunting (and letting go) why i had not done this years ago i dont know. Any way i have always had a bad neck but this time my neck and back felt like they were going to leave my body and i wish they had because it is very painful and my whole body started to lock up i just could not move.
Back to the GP and another MIR scan. spodylosed of the neck and spine with two slipped discs in the neck compressing the nerve root and two in the back doing the same. Numb hands and feet with my right hand trembling and no feeling in my right leg, i could not wash my hair or even clean my teeth. As for the colitis, well please dont try to imagine. I was sent to the Physio and to tell you the truth she was terrible and is the only time i have felt like complaint about a member of the NHS, there are things that they could of helped me with, her young assistant was willing but no the boss wanted me to got to pain management and this is what i am waiting for. I asked the Pysio anywhere but Burnly hospital please. Guess what happened an appointment at Burnley, I could do this i am a grown man so the mooring arrives, i Imagine a lot of you struggle in the morning and so do i, i get up at 5.30 to 6 have my pills and then rest back in bed till they start to work so a morning appointment is not always good for me but off i went. Stuck in traffic, i had given my self 2 hours to travel 45 mins away just incase i had some problems, with 35 mins to go and still on the motorway i rang the hospital to inform them of my situation. "ow your appointment has been cancelled, have you not had the phone call" A 9.30AM appointment and i got the phone call telling me it had been cancelled, any one want to guess 10.20.
I mean come on, the saying a brewery and getting drunk spring to mind
So I rang my GP to inform them of the mess up and asked if they could get me in anywhere else. This was five weeks ago and i rang today and they had messed up so i will get a call from my GP tomorrow and we can arrange again. To be fair my GP is fantastic and every one in the practice

6 Gabapentin 300mg
2 Nortripyline 10mg
as well as 6 Difydrocodeine and up to 6 Ipuprfen

So a minimum of 34 pills a day. ow yes i said 34. put some mash potato with them and you have yourself a happy meal but to be fair i am mobile, it hurst but then life hurt so stuff it.

Tomorrow 23.9.14 i am going fishing for 4 days and 3 nights, now some say that is silly you need to relax not barrow lots of carp gear about I say this.
"it is my life and if i have to go down then i will go down fighting and the day I lose will be the biggest fight of them all"


James

[Mod B Edit :D ]

Comments

  • JamesFoote
    JamesFoote Member Posts: 86
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    It looks like I have been cursing lol
    But I have not.

    Not a problem though honest

    James
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    That was a long post but I think I've the gist of it. You have some form of arthritis, colitis and waiting for a new knee? You also sound as though this is not going to defeat you and that is a good attitude to have but don't push yourself too hard. Any form of arthritis is progressive and degenerative. I need two knees and have been waiting for three years now, they don't hand these things out like sweeties and if you are as active as you claim then your new knee won't last as long as it could; that too will be a consideration for the NHS. My late uncle beats you on the pill count but your does seem to be an excessive number - can you reduce any of them? Enjoy the fishing! DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • JamesFoote
    JamesFoote Member Posts: 86
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Sorry for the long introduction but I thought may as well say it as it is and then is is out there.

    As for the pills no I have my reviews and the specialist does not want to reduce any. I did try as most of us do and things went worst so the pill could stays. Good job I have no problem in taking them.

    When we went to Zurich airport securaty was asking about my brace and why I had not had a new knee, but my brother is only 39 and he has had it done.. Took a bit of explaining

    We did look at going to Bupa, they would do it for 12k but they explained it could limit my movment and if I can deal with it then best to do so. Honest I thought.

    Thank you for the advice, I have been forced to slow down a lot and I mean a lot, so the fishing is a much slow pace apart from lugging the stuff to the bank.

    Thanks for the reply
    James
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello James and welcome from me too. It seems as though you have (to misquote Dickens) known the best of times and the worst of times. I'm so sorry you lost your first wife in such tragic circumstances.

    You have come to the right place. We all understand about arthritis and pain and we're a very supportive bunch. I've had RA for over 50 years and OA for a bit less but I've had a good life nonetheless.

    I agree with DD – that's a shedload of pain relief. I tend to find that the more I take the more I need just to get the same relief so nowadays, on the whole, I prefer the pain. It's more honest :lol:

    I hope you enjoy your fishing trip :D
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • JamesFoote
    JamesFoote Member Posts: 86
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Yes I understand about the pain meds

    I am hookng th pain Managment clinic sorts it

    James
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,280
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello James its good to hear all about your life , but so sorry to hear about everything you have gone through..but I must say it seems to have made you a stronger person..
    I do hope you can get the help you need, and stay with us has its good to support one another, and talking really does help..hope you enjoy the fishing and sorry this is late..
    Love
    Barbara