Being Positive

It would be easy right now to disappear into a fit of woe me...however I am grateful for the improvements the last week has given me. I can now cut up my own food, and don't need to use a china cup as I can manage to hold a mug. I do sometimes like to use a china cup, but when it became a need it wasn't such fun.

Yesterday I worked a light shift at the care home...was absolutely knackered by the end of it, but it was good to get out for a bit. Also managed to check in on the Auntie I've been helping on Monday morning. No long hospital shifts yet, but soon hopefully. 

So I've lit the woodturner...I can do that again now, which was a no no a couple of weeks ago. The rash has gone, it's just the joint stiffness that's causing a few issues now. It will pass. Just in its own good time.

Have found a couple of pork chops in the freezer so they will be for our tea, a few roast potatoes and some veg I have in the freezer. A part jar of homemade apple sauce is sitting in the fridge needing to be used, and lashings of gravy on the top should see two satisfied tummies. Sorry hubby, but as yet there will be no afters, even if you do look at me hopefully when you ask the question!

Hoping to Wassail our apple trees later with son in law. Not sure if the little ones will join in. I couldn't have even entertained it on twelfth night so it's rather convenient that there's old twelfth night too!

Currently drinking glassfuls of pineapple juice which I don't normally have. Just read that it's good as an anti-inflammatory so maybe it's a case of the body craving what it needs.

The cats are playing games of please may I...come in...go out...crazy cats!

This time of year I usually make plans...well that hasn't happened at all up to now.

We do have a trip away planned soon, but I'll tell you all about that when it's actually happened.

Have been spending some money from the fireside...darn that internet shopping...some wool underwear...and washing liquid to look after said underwear...My skin has become more sensitive to acrylic fabrics so I'm trying some natural alternatives.

Also have purchased a new hair brush...a wooden one. My plastic ones have developed a horrible tackiness which is truly yuck.

Have even purchased a Fussy deodorant which is more natural and refillable. Really pleased with it so far. May even go as far as trying to convert hubby to one from his spray.

Finally a totally random photo of the crackers I made for Christmas...they were rather large!

Blessings, J. x

Tentatively Getting Back in the Saddle of Life

So this afternoon I sit at our kitchen table...listening to some relaxing Don Williams on Spotify, and a small jigsaw just completed. A leg of lamb is sizzling in the Aga...mint sauce has been prepared. Stuffing and root vegetables are roasting. And what is really amazing about this...I have done the lions share of the preparing. Only a few days ago this would have been unthinkable. Our bodies really are wonderful. I still feel stiff in my joints, and am likely to on and off for the next few weeks, still such an improvement. The only sign of the awful rash is some mottling in certain areas. Hallelujah indeed!

The images are from our visit to RHS Rosemoor's Glow event just after Christmas...it was the best I'd seen it.

And so here's to onwards and upwards.

Blessings, J. x

A Journey Of Sorts

Just a quick pop in...apologies for my absence and lack of response to your comments on my last post. I've been in my pit of sickness well and truly.

New Years Eve we spent the evening with good friends. I noticed my neck itching slightly however was wearing a fluffy jumper. New Years Day scratching continued...was it a flea, or bed bugs...

Tuesday morning I was worse...the rash was in my groin, under chest, arm areas and back of head. As I'd recently taken antibiotics I was encouraged to see a nurse, and then a doctor, who decided I had a drug induced yeast infection. Lots of creams, shampoo, and on Wednesday the first of a weeks worth of tablets. The rash which was very itchy had meanwhile spread and I was beginning to feel pretty awful. Within a couple of hours of having taken the tablet my lower lip had swollen. A bit of reading and we were on our way to A & E. Preventative medication given, and a stay to make sure all would be well. We arrived home in the early hours of Thursday morning. Me feeling by now dreadful. Oh and by now they had decided it was not a yeast infection.

Thursday still feeling awful, my eyes and top lip swelled in a most delightful fashion. Aches and shivers stayed with me all the while. Through Friday, Saturday, and Sunday the rash did it's best to drive me to distraction, fading to purple bruise like formations, then the next wave of angry red would appear.

Nights were fitful to say the least. On Monday youngest came over and it felt heaven like to have my hair brushed and put up out of the way of my itchy neck. I began to feel slightly better. I even sat up. We had decided I must show some pictures of my rash in its various stages to the doctor. They phoned and said not an antibiotic allergy, but a virus gone wild due to a compromised immune system, which could in part have been due to the antibiotics. However I am also pointing a finger at the varnish stripping gel I had used before Christmas. Anyway...spoke to the doctor at lunchtime, and then to aid my itchy skin I had an oatmeal bath which worked wonders, however my joints started to hurt. I couldn't use my fingers, elbows, wrists or shoulders. Since then it has worked through my knees feet, lower back and even jaw.

For want of better words it has been a blooming nightmare.

Slowly but slowly things seem to be improving. Still haven't come to terms the new year has begun, I fear January may well pass me by in less than favourable terms. 

Hope to look in on your blogs soon, but for now I hope you all have had a better start to 2024 than I have!

Blessings, J. x