tag:elizabeth.blog.co.uk,2009-11-09:/ElizabethMokoFeed2009-11-09T09:19:00+01:00tag:elizabeth.blog.co.uk,2009-08-03:/2009/08/03/i-m-back-6640219/I'm backelizabeth2009-08-03T09:02:41+02:002009-08-03T09:02:41+02:00 <p>Long overdue - I'm back
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<p> <small> <a href="http://elizabeth.blog.co.uk/2009/08/03/i-m-back-6640219/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:elizabeth.blog.co.uk,2008-09-03:/2008/09/03/wednesday-the-3rd-of-september-4675364/Wednesday the 3rd of September 2008elizabeth2008-09-03T10:00:35+02:002008-09-04T08:03:11+02:00 <p class="MsoNormal"><span>There was a lot of discussion as to whether I was going in for my operation yesterday…. At </span><span>8.00 pm</span><span> on Monday evening the hospital phoned to say that I wasn’t allowed to come in because I (still) had MRSA. However, after informing them that already started carrying out my MRSA cleansing ritual (a lovely sticky foam you rub everywhere plus a gel you shove up your nose) they said maybe I could come in. Several phone calls later I was told yes, I could go in.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span>So, 7.00 am on Tuesday morning Neil dropped me off at </span><span>Gatwick</span><span> </span><span>Park</span><span> hospital. There were nine of us booking in as day patients, eight women and one may (poor chap). One by one we were called up to the ward to be settled in. When they got to me I was told that I would be taken to a different area. Because of my MRSA status I had to be isolated so rather than being on the main ward of six, I was put in a newly refurbished private room with en-suite! I can now say there are benefits to having MRSA!! However, the silver lining always has a cloud and mine was that I had been bumped to the bottom of the queue (they do MRSA positive people last so they can scrub the operating theatre afterwards). Anyway, I’d had nothing to eat or drink since </span><span>9.00 pm</span><span> the previous evening so by </span><span>9.00 am</span><span> I was very hungry. By 10.00 I was hungry AND thirsty and by 12.00 my mouth was so dry it was sticking together!! All of this hanging around was interspersed by the arrival of the anaesthetist, nurses and my consultant – all of whom were very nice. 12.30 arrived and they wheeled me over to the operating theatre. They weren’t quite ready for me so I hung about in the anaesthetic room for 15 minutes, then 3..2..1… I was out…..</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span>The next thing I remember was waking up in recovery, having the tube taken out of my throat (nice!) and the lovely nurse chatting away with me. I was back in my room by 2.00 attached to a drip and left to sleep it off. By 4.00 I was ready to go home but there was a bit of confusion at the end because they seemed to think I was someone else (they kept calling me Sarah) because instead of phoning for Neil to collect me they told me they’d phoned my sister who was waiting downstairs – very clever considering one sister lives in Wales and another in Yorkshire!! Anyway, as soon as the cannula had been removed from my hand I crept out, discharged myself and went out into the car park to search for Neil. Luckily he was working nearby so I called him and he arrived five minutes later. The downside of sneaking out of the hospital is that I didn’t wait for them to give me the painkillers but luckily for me I’m not in any pain again so I got away with that one. I think all is well and they didn’t miss me because so far, the hospital hasn’t phoned to tell me off!</span></p>
<span> </span><span>The next operation is pencilled in for the last week of September or the first week of October.</span>
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<p> <small> <a href="http://elizabeth.blog.co.uk/2008/09/03/wednesday-the-3rd-of-september-4675364/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:elizabeth.blog.co.uk,2008-08-03:/2008/08/03/sunday-the-3rd-of-august-4535780/Sunday the 3rd of Augustelizabeth2008-08-03T09:25:03+02:002008-08-03T09:25:03+02:00 <p class="MsoNormal"><span>OK, it’s time to stop complaining about feeling unwell. It’s been four weeks since my operation so now I just have to get on with it. I’m back at work tomorrow so I will spend today enjoying the time left at home!</span></p>
<span> </span><br>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Elizabeth</span><span> x</span></p>
<p> <small> <a href="http://elizabeth.blog.co.uk/2008/08/03/sunday-the-3rd-of-august-4535780/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:elizabeth.blog.co.uk,2008-08-02:/2008/08/02/saturday-the-2nd-of-august-4532047/Saturday the 2nd of Augustelizabeth2008-08-02T07:52:50+02:002008-08-02T07:52:50+02:00 <p class="MsoNormal"><span>I’m bored of being ill. I just want everything to stop hurting, to stop feeling tired and to get back to normal. Hopefully going back to work on Monday will help with that process. Of course, now that I have a date to go back I’m finding things to do around the house. Typical! Let’s see if I can do them all this weekend.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Elizabeth</span><span> x </span></p>
<p> <small> <a href="http://elizabeth.blog.co.uk/2008/08/02/saturday-the-2nd-of-august-4532047/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:elizabeth.blog.co.uk,2008-08-01:/2008/08/01/friday-the-1st-of-august-4530697/Friday the 1st of Augustelizabeth2008-08-01T19:58:02+02:002008-08-01T19:58:02+02:00 <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Feeling good today. Spent the morning sorting out the house as I had friends over to lunch. Had a very enjoyable meal but was so tired afterwards I slept for three hours!! Not sure that bodes well for work on Monday … I wonder if I could find somewhere quiet to have a quick nap…Other than that, life is good and I am happy!</span></p>
<span> </span><br>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Elizabeth</span><span> x</span></p>
<p> <small> <a href="http://elizabeth.blog.co.uk/2008/08/01/friday-the-1st-of-august-4530697/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:elizabeth.blog.co.uk,2008-07-31:/2008/07/31/thursday-the-31st-of-july-4523360/Thursday the 31st of Julyelizabeth2008-07-31T08:41:30+02:002008-07-31T08:41:30+02:00 <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Had an OK night. Feeling better than I did when I woke yesterday. It was cooler last night so perhaps that helped. The sun is shining so hopefully we will have another nice day although I have nothing planned. I need to improve my stamina if I’m returning to work next week so I could take a walk on the common. If the sun IS shining, that would be nice.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Elizabeth</span><span> x </span></p>
<p> <small> <a href="http://elizabeth.blog.co.uk/2008/07/31/thursday-the-31st-of-july-4523360/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:elizabeth.blog.co.uk,2008-07-30:/2008/07/30/wednesdy-the-30th-of-july-4520224/Wednesdy the 30th of Julyelizabeth2008-07-30T13:37:30+02:002008-07-30T13:37:30+02:00 <p class="MsoNormal"><span>I’ve had a very exciting day so far and it’s only getting better. This morning I ventured out into Redhill for the first time. I was only there for about 30 minutes and now I’m shattered. When I got home the workmen had arrived to put a water meter in (“wow” I hear you say). This afternoon I’m dialling into the team meeting. Gosh, with all this excitement I may need a little sleep later!</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Feeling OK today, everything is still pretty sore – even more now that I’ve been out of the house and walking round. More painkillers are in order I think. </span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span>For those of you not in the </span><span>UK</span><span>, the weather is very hot again today (81/27 they said on the news) so I have all the doors and windows open. While too hot for me outside, it’s lovely to look out on a sunny garden.</span></p>
<span> </span><br>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Elizabeth</span><span> x</span></p>
<p> <small> <a href="http://elizabeth.blog.co.uk/2008/07/30/wednesdy-the-30th-of-july-4520224/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:elizabeth.blog.co.uk,2008-07-29:/2008/07/29/tuesday-the-29th-of-july-4514189/Tuesday the 29th of Julyelizabeth2008-07-29T08:05:31+02:002008-07-29T08:05:31+02:00 <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Three weeks post operation and going into my fourth week off work. While some people would love four weeks at home I can honestly say I’m bored. I’ve said before that I can’t do very much. There is a long list of chores I would be doing in normal circumstances – gardening, sorting out the loft, putting up my curtain poles, hanging pictures, cleaning the house (I’m a bit of a Monica) but I’m not allowed to do any of this. In fact physically, I CAN’T do any of this. My right side is pretty bad still (I can lift my arm to about shoulder height – but only if I push it) and in fact I’ve woken up today with a pain in my back where my muscle once was. I think everything is constricting. I remember this happening on the other side but not as badly. Anyway, I suppose I just have to keep going with my exercises and it will eventually loosen off.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Still not sleeping well but last night may have been down to the amazing light and water show we were given. I was watching the rain and within just a few minutes the road outside was transformed into a river. It was so hot and muggy but thankfully today is much cooler and fresher.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Elizabeth</span><span> x </span></p>
<p> <small> <a href="http://elizabeth.blog.co.uk/2008/07/29/tuesday-the-29th-of-july-4514189/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:elizabeth.blog.co.uk,2008-07-28:/2008/07/28/monday-the-28th-of-july-4510488/Monday the 28th of Julyelizabeth2008-07-28T12:12:02+02:002008-07-28T12:12:02+02:00 <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Well the good news is that I’ve just got back from the hospital and the consultant’s given me the results of my pathology –all clear! Hoorah!!</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span>I’m healing well though still a bit sore and tired but should be back at work next week (unless I’m so bored I go back early). I’d like to say I’m enjoying the weather but it’s a bit too hot for me so I’m lounging in my lounge and only venture out when the sun goes down (and before anyone else says it, no, I’m not a vampire!).</span></p>
<span> </span><br>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Elizabeth</span><span> x</span></p>
<p> <small> <a href="http://elizabeth.blog.co.uk/2008/07/28/monday-the-28th-of-july-4510488/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:elizabeth.blog.co.uk,2008-07-27:/2008/07/27/sunday-the-27th-of-july-4504357/Sunday the 27th of Julyelizabeth2008-07-27T06:55:56+02:002008-07-27T06:55:56+02:00 <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Hmm. I seem to be going backwards at the moment. Another bad night and lots of pain. I’d just got back to sleep when at 5.00 this morning I could hear my cat having a scuffle with some other creature outside. At least I think it was him. He sauntered up the path looking like butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth when I went to retrieve him.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Anyway, I think another day of rest is called for. I have my appointment with the consultant tomorrow and he will tell me when I can return to work. More importantly I get the results of the pathology.</span></p>
<span> </span><span>Elizabeth</span><span> x</span>
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<p> <small> <a href="http://elizabeth.blog.co.uk/2008/07/27/sunday-the-27th-of-july-4504357/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:elizabeth.blog.co.uk,2008-07-26:/2008/07/26/saturday-the-26th-of-july-4500220/Saturday the 26th of Julyelizabeth2008-07-26T07:37:02+02:002008-07-26T07:37:02+02:00 <p class="MsoNormal"><span>I’m in a bad mood this morning. Not much sleep again last night, I ache and my back is really sore – no surprise there really since I now have a second 7 inch scar across my back which pulls every time I move. I really don’t remember having this much discomfort last time but maybe it’s like having a baby – you forget the pain almost immediately. Anyway, I think the time has come to take some pain killers and see if I can take my mind off things.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span>There’s still not a lot I can do at the moment so today will be an exciting mix of resting, sleeping, eating and working a bit on the PC – oh joy!</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Elizabeth</span><span> x</span></p>
<p> <small> <a href="http://elizabeth.blog.co.uk/2008/07/26/saturday-the-26th-of-july-4500220/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:elizabeth.blog.co.uk,2008-07-25:/2008/07/25/friday-the-25th-of-july-4496056/Friday the 25th of Julyelizabeth2008-07-25T09:29:58+02:002008-07-25T09:29:58+02:00 <p class="MsoNormal"><span>My first night without my drain was supposed to be a good one. However, that was not to be. Perhaps it was because it was pretty muggy last night or maybe just the fact that something was different. Anyway, I didn’t get much sleep so I may have to do a bit of catching up today. Hopefully the soreness etc will subside today. </span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Elizabeth</span><span> x</span></p>
<p> <small> <a href="http://elizabeth.blog.co.uk/2008/07/25/friday-the-25th-of-july-4496056/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:elizabeth.blog.co.uk,2008-07-24:/2008/07/24/thursday-the-24th-of-july-10-14-am-4491862/Thursday the 24th of July (10.14 am)elizabeth2008-07-24T10:20:16+02:002008-07-24T10:20:16+02:00 <p class="MsoNormal"><span>THE DRAIN HAS LEFT THE BUILDING! Hooray, my drain is finally out and I can start getting back to normal again. I have promised not to cut the grass, paint the garden wall or wash the car now I’m free of my contraption. Bets are on to see how long I can last… Joking aside, it’s a great relief not to look down and see tubes and a bag of your own blood hanging off you. The weather today in </span><span>St John’s</span><span> is warm and sunny so perhaps I will spend the day in the garden! <br></span><span><br>Elizabeth</span><span> x</span></p>
<p> <small> <a href="http://elizabeth.blog.co.uk/2008/07/24/thursday-the-24th-of-july-10-14-am-4491862/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:elizabeth.blog.co.uk,2008-07-24:/2008/07/24/thursday-the-24th-of-july-4490940/Thursday the 24th of Julyelizabeth2008-07-24T04:54:51+02:002008-07-24T04:54:51+02:00 <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Note for today…They put a long plastic tube in you (no, I’m not talking colonic irrigation!) the purpose of which is to drain away excess fluid from the wound. I think in most cases the drain is removed after a couple of days. However, if required the drain may need to stay in for much longer… so here’s the thing. My drain has been in for 16 days now and in the middle of the night I suddenly thought – I wonder if it’s now attached to my insides? If this is the case, the act of removing it will be VERY painful and my even cause some damage. The thought of this kept me awake and since I couldn’t sleep I’m now up at 4.30 writing my blog!</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Lets hope that today is the day my drain is removed but more than that, lets hope it’s not painful (I’m such a baby!).</span></p>
<span> </span><br>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Elizabeth</span><span> x</span></p>
<p> <small> <a href="http://elizabeth.blog.co.uk/2008/07/24/thursday-the-24th-of-july-4490940/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:elizabeth.blog.co.uk,2008-07-23:/2008/07/23/wednesdy-the-23rd-of-july-4488459/Wednesdy the 23rd of Julyelizabeth2008-07-23T14:43:24+02:002008-07-23T14:43:24+02:00 <p><span>Not much change today. My drain remains in situ so I still feel like an invalid. As I mentioned yesterday, my PC is back with me so at least I can play on Facebook and look up my old friends and work colleagues. Hopefully more rest, lots of sleep and good food will sort me out. Elizabeth x</span>
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<p> <small> <a href="http://elizabeth.blog.co.uk/2008/07/23/wednesdy-the-23rd-of-july-4488459/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:elizabeth.blog.co.uk,2008-07-22:/2008/07/22/tuesday-the-22nd-of-july-4483985/Tuesday the 22nd of Julyelizabeth2008-07-22T16:36:17+02:002008-07-22T21:54:30+02:00 <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Two weeks post operation...</p>
<p>I’m back on line and back in the land of the living (well, almost). Feeling much better today. One drain still in so a fair way to go yet but I’m doing really well. I’m hoping for some good weather so I can sit in my garden. I can’t do much else as neither of my arms work particularly well at the moment and doing anything physical tires me out. Day time TV is rubbish, I’ve read all my books, I can’t do any decorating or gardening so I’ve resorted to my writing and researching my ancestry. </p>
<p>I need to improve my stamina so I will be taking little outings round the block from tomorrow which should kill some time. By the way, thank you everyone who sponsored me for the Breast Cancer Care Ribbon walk. I managed to raise over 2k. As a group, we collected about 6k!! Not bad for a mornings work.</span></p>
<p> <small> <a href="http://elizabeth.blog.co.uk/2008/07/22/tuesday-the-22nd-of-july-4483985/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:elizabeth.blog.co.uk,2008-07-15:/2008/07/15/tuesday-the-15th-of-july-4452908/Tuesday the 15th of Julyelizabeth2008-07-15T20:33:37+02:002008-07-15T20:33:37+02:00 <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Feeling pretty rough today. Spent most of the day at hospital since I’m still loosing blood. I’m hoping that I will loose it off my bottom, tummy and thighs so I will look a bit thinner but I don’t thinking it works like that!! I have to wait another few days before they decide what to do about it. Unfortunately it could mean another operation or maybe a further blood transfusion. Until then I have to rest, eat lots of greens and take my iron tablets so my haemoglobin increases. Phew, this surgery lark is a real nuisance!! Facebook is still playing up so I’ve not been able to respond to anyone’s comments – but thanks for everyone’s good wishes. This note comes via my blog. <br></span><span><br>Elizabeth</span><span> xx<span> </span></span></p>
<p> <small> <a href="http://elizabeth.blog.co.uk/2008/07/15/tuesday-the-15th-of-july-4452908/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:elizabeth.blog.co.uk,2008-07-13:/2008/07/13/sunday-the-13th-of-july-4443629/Sunday the 13th of Julyelizabeth2008-07-13T21:07:11+02:002008-07-13T21:07:11+02:00 <p class="MsoNormal"><span>OK, a quick update because I’m a bit weak and feeble after my operation. It seems to have gone OK even though I lost a lot of blood this time (THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO IS A BLOOD DONOR – YOU MAY HAVE SAVED MY LIFE!!). Will probably be off work for about four weeks more and I was hoping to catch up with everyone – however, whenever I go into Facebook or Friends Reunited my browser freezes. If anyone has any ideas why, please let me know!</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span>That’s it for now; hope to chat again in the next couple of days. </span><span>Elizabeth</span><span> x</span></p>
<p> <small> <a href="http://elizabeth.blog.co.uk/2008/07/13/sunday-the-13th-of-july-4443629/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:elizabeth.blog.co.uk,2005-07-15:/2005/07/15/eating_out_in_reigate/The Trials and Tribulations of a girl from St Johnselizabeth2005-07-15T15:33:06+02:002008-07-06T08:15:31+02:00 <p><u>Going back into Hospital</p>
<p></u><strong>Sunday the 6th of July<br>
</strong><br>
After spending Saturday at work (another code installation) I'm having to cram a lot of preparations into this Sunday. Luckily I managed to cut the grass yesterday because it's raining today. My garden is wild and rough. The grass doesn't look like it's been cut but I know it has and that's what counts. My sister is coming to stay with me while I'm being ill and feeble but of course that means I have to clean the house from top to bottom, stock up the fridge and make everything look perfect! Added to that I won't be able to do anything much for about four weeks so anything that needs to be done HAS to be done today. I have a list of chores as long as my arm and after I've finished this post I will get cracking.</p>
<p>Not sure when I will be back on line but hopefully I will! - Elizabeth x<br>
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<p> <small> <a href="http://elizabeth.blog.co.uk/2005/07/15/eating_out_in_reigate/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>