Monday 2 February 2009

stressed out



its been a busy few weeks since i last posted.i went and saw the incontinence nurse,(or the wee wee lady as linda my MS nurse calls her,lol) she gave me a lot of information,explained that MS causes the bladder to contract,instead of expand,so you have to "go"more often,and that when its bad to make sure i dont drink fizzy drinks,caffeine,drink more water.and to plan my route.i already do.lol.she did give me information on a new "car loo" it resembles a large film cannister,with a bag folded inside.very useful.my dr. has ordered me one,as they are available on prescription.next was physio.i fogot the first appointment altogether,ive now bought myself a diary,my memory gets worse,but i have now seen her twice.she has given me various exercises designed to help my balance,which is decidedly poor,i use the walking stick regularly,also she told me the stick was too short,so it is now set at the right height,much better.she is a really nice lady,attractive too.lol.never hurts that.she was able to tell me what leg is my weakest,the left,just by gently holding and twisting my legs.i see her again this week,then it will be on a as needed basis,as is the incontinence nurse.so far i dont really need their help full time.let that continue please.


Lastly,i saw my consultant Dr.C at Cromer hospital.first time we have seen each other since last year when he diagnosed me with MS.we had a long talk,he examined me thoroughly,saw my balance is a bit worse when i nearly fell over doing one foot in front of the other,and said he was pleased with the way i am interacting with the various people helping me,that he was being informed by linda about me,and he would continue to see me on a yearly basis.also,that if i felt any worse,or my symptoms got worse he would order another scan,and indeed may still order one.the tablets and physio hopefully will keep it at bay.we will see.


Last week was the dreaded treadmill heart stress test.Pam kindly took me in her car.it was at 3pm and the huge carparks were full,heaving is the word that comes to mind lol.we managed to find a space where we shouldnt,lol.pam displayed her blue badge and i trottted off on my own to the cardiac suite.a really nice technician called me in,had my chest shaved for the electrodes,which he managed to nick,as we found when the electrode was removed and blood was everywhere,stuck them all over me,wired me up,and off we go.the treadmill starts slowly,flat,then it is speeded up,and then an incline is introduced.i was soon panting,my pregabalin for MS causes shallow breathing,a fact the nurse said was not going to please the heart consultant,i managed 6 minutes,quite a fast,very brisk walk up a slight incline,but i had to call it a day after that,the next stage was faster,steeper,and i was in discomfort,pain in my chest and left arm.not very bad but bad enough to be unpleasant.she was quite ok,and said i had done well.the results will go to the consultant,if i don't hear from them i have to go see Dr.M in 2 weeks time.if all seems ok iwill see the heart consutant in june.fingers crossed they don't call me.


so a busy time.how do i feel? well,i dont need the nitro spray very often,the MS has been bad,i am getting a lot of pain from the arthritis,but doing ok.mum has had a lot of pain from her arthritis,the cold weather affects her badly,she continues to forget names of simple every day objects.but she is my mum.and i love her.so i cope.because i have to.


we have had a little snow,compared to much of the UK we have escaped here lightly,and it is now raining,although it should freeze later.lethal road conditions.


well here they are finally,snowdrops.flowering at least 3 weeks later or more than last year.many bulbs are now peeping through but i fear i have lost a lot.crocusses are very sparce this year.a wet summer may have rotted a lot.but that snowdrop means that spring will come soon,this viciously cold weather will ease.and we will feel sun on our skins again.and february means one thing.very soon,any time now,my 2 ducks will return.and i cant wait to see them.take all,keep warm,well,and safe.and thanks for all your kind comments.

finally on yearbook,on owned on there,(those of you who use yearbook will know that owned is a game,also on facebook,where you "own"other players pictures,earn lunch money,make profits) i discovered this "tag" done by the lady herself.dawn.i sent her a message over 3 weeks ago asking if i may use it on the sidebar of my journal.i have had no reply,i am sure she will not mind any of you snagging it and using it on your own journals.it touched me somehow.i know nothing at all of dawn.but she is talented.and someone who knows,perhaps full well,that breast cancer can affect any one.and so i put it here for you all.

21 comments:

Beth said...

Mort, great to hear from you and know you're hanging in there. Sounds like you're surviving despite all the tests they're putting you through! ;)

I'm trying very hard to be patient...I'm SO ready for spring!

Love, Beth

Herrad said...

Hi Mort,

Good post and well done getting through all those appointments and tests must have been quite stressful.

Hope your crocusses and snowdrops bring you and your mum alot of plasure.

Take care and keep waarm and happy.
Love,
Herrad

Jeannette said...

Nice to see a posting from you Mort. Oh I know the feeling of needing the loo often although my trips are caused by diabetes. Glad you got through all the tests and you are all working together to keep you as healthy as possible. I love your snowdrops. Not quite sure what you mean about owning people, will have to see if I can find that and check it out. Hugs xxxxx

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

You have such a great outlook I'm sure that helps too with everything you are going through. The snow drops are a sign of Spring and Hope too. We will all be glad to see this winter a thing of the past. Take care!

Ken Riches said...

Hope the stress test results come back positive.

Yasmin said...

A lot of tests lately Mort but glad nothing untoward , the physio sounds great and if she can help with your balance etc so much the better.

The weather has been terrible and perishing cold of late roll on spring eh.

Regards to Mum

Take care

Yasmin
xxx

Lisa said...

Morton, glad you posted, hope your stress tests come back ok, xx Lisa

Jane Thompson said...

I can sympathise with you Mort - many times Ive had to run to the loo - Im sure Ive broken the 100 metres recond doing so !
Im glad you have all these nurses and doctors looking after you - you really cant have too many. I think you did really well managing 6 mins - Im sure I would have been on my knees much earlier !
Spring is on its way - the world will start to wake up and I cant wait !
Take care and love to Mum
Jane
xxxx

Lucy said...

Sorry Mort, I snagged your flowers. But if I use them I will give you credit. Sounds as if you are hanging in there. A lot of hurdles to overcome, but I know you will give it your all. Alan carried a catheter tube and collapsible container until he had a permanent one put in. You are getting so much more help than he did, and I just wish it could be more. Lucy

Anonymous said...

Mort, I am so glad you found my blog, since I hadn't found yours(again)yet. After I read your comment I thought about how I would have felt if while I was taking care of Dad I also had your medical conditions. I cannot fathom it. You are amazing.
No doubt your positive disposition is getting you through a lot but I wish you had a bit less to put up with. ~Mary

Jean said...

Hi Mort, It's so good to see you back. Hope you get a good report back from your test. Lovely flowers and it want be to long until spring. Take care, jean

jack69 said...

Hey Mort, Bless you heart. You have had a busy time. Glad there was some good come out of it.
Beautiful picture of the flowers. Also really you had time to keep us up to date.
Bless you,
Jack

Anonymous said...

Hi Mort ..Those tests you had for the treadmill I have to have this Thursday, at least you explained to me what happens ...I do hope your results are good ones .
Lovely to see the snow drops, not that you would see them here as every thing is covered in snow !!!
Take care and have a good weeekend ..love Jeanxx

Rose said...

You are doing a great job getting through all those tests.

I always keep you in my prayers.

Hugs, Rose

Jan said...

Hi Mort ,I dont know how I missed this entry so sorry ,and you have such alot going on but still manage to sound positive I do admire you ,hope the tests result in good news ,we still have about three inches of snow ,is it hanging about for more ,I wonder Hmm ,give my love to your Mum ,hang on in there dear boy ...love Jan xx

Funnyface said...

Hello Mort, lets hope thats all the tests out of the way for a while - you did well. Giggled at you comments about the 'wee wee nurse', so glad you can keep your sense of humour :o)
Keep warm, lots ot love, Jaynee X

Merry'sthoughtshopesdreamsandshemes said...

Hey Mort, my friend, sounds like you have been through the medical mill. I don't envy you for tests. I know people who have MS but they have very mild cases, who knows if they were really diagnosed correctly. I worry about your ticker though, but you chest hairs will return. LOL I have an important question for you. How DO you get items in your side bar? I lost all mine when AOL Jland went down. My text transferred but none of my side bar. I asume I have to put new there. Email me if you feel you can aid me in doing this. And take care of yourself! xx Merrry

Pamela said...

Hi Mort. I hadn't been by in awhile and was checking in on you. Great to hear from you. Hope you're having a good week so far.
Miss you,
xoxox

jack69 said...

I read that comment Mort on Lucy!!!! LOL
Hope you are doing well, I am just checking around, lazy day for me.
Take care.
Jack

How I See It said...

Well Mort, it is time to go from Facebook to Blogspot. Here I am! Now you must go to my blogspot and make yourself a Follower. OK?

Ally Lifewithally said...

Mort nice to catch up with you ~ you certainly sound like you have been busy with all those tests ~ and appointments ~
We have some snowdrops out in the garden and I just love them they promise Spring is just around the corner with hopefully some nice warm weather ~ Love to your Mum ~ Ally x