On The Mend

My last blog entry saw me back in my little home snug in my king-sized-memory-foam sanctuary all packed and settled back in following our vacation to North Wales. It was a vacation in the very sense of the word as, if you remember, we had to 'vacate' the caravan site for four weeks under the terms of the park licence. Anyway I'm not going to recap in the way they do on television programmes where ten minutes or so is spent telling you what happened 'previously'- most annoying. More annoying, on certain channels, the recap on what happened before the advert breaks after each advert break and what is coming up on the next part before the advert break!

Anyway, I have been away again to Mudeford on a girlie midweek break with Mum and big Sis. We arrived in a blizzard which thankfully turned to a fine sunny but cold few days. This break was booked about the time I became ill after my cortisone injection. I thought I would be well by the time we went and indeed I was much improved. Most of those awful symptoms have now gone apart from an overriding feeling of complete and utter exhaustion. Mum (SuperMum) did all the driving and often quips that we will do it for her one day – Here's hoping.....

I managed to get out and about but kept to my own pace and spent some of the time reading my newspaper in the car while Mum and Sis trekked a bit further. 

Managed a smile!

We ventured over to the Isle Of Wight from Lymington to Yarmouth and took the bus to Totland Bay and enjoyed a rather cosy meal overlooking the sea.

Bleak on Hengistbury Head

A bit chilly on Mudeford Quay!

It was all-in-all quite a pleasant trip but I was glad to get back to the back-bedroom at Mum's where I spent another week waiting for my Endocrinologist appointment, the upshot of which is no more enlightening. I don't have Addisons (Adrenal insufficiency) or Cushing's disease.....

Interesting reading in terms of the stress hormone cortisol.

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Cushings-syndrome/Pages/Introduction.aspx

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Addisons-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx

....I never thought I had - my late husband had Cushingoid syndrome from steroids for his brain tumour so I knew the look of this. However, she did hint that one's adrenal function can be suppressed by synthetic steroids but this is usually with long-term steroid use and not just 'shots.' She doesn't hold with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, ME or Adrenal Fatigue as these cannot be proved. She sees these are money-making conditions and she is in the business of treating only those that are 'provable'. I don't disagree or agree and it doesn't really matter what she thinks as by now I am pretty much resigned to the fact that I will never prove that the steroid injections have somehow contributed to my symptoms. So, I resolved to putting it all behind me with the aim to focus on:

• Losing weight
• Reducing medication
• Exercise
• Eating healthily
• Stress reduction
• Writing

Since this resolve I have had the results of more blood tests which indicate low Testosterone (yes women have it too) and low Vitamin D. I am indeed 'going through the menopause,' but the debilitating symptoms of the last few months I know are not menopausal per se and the fact they have now gone is suggestive of this. If they were menopausal symptoms I would still have them. I have Clinical Depression but would not say that any health problems I have are only as a result of my Depression, so although I am Menopausal this is not necessarily the only reason for my recent health problems. So, it's a bit more complicated than 'it's yer 'ormones dear!'- even though it seems it is my hormones. The bottom line is, I don't trust doctors!! - and have good reason. My late husband's brain tumour was tragically misdiagnosed. My late Dad's Mysathenia Gravis ( most probably as a result of long term anti psychotic use) also. But then the Mental Health system failed Dad for fifty years. He used to say he would cure himself – I now know how you felt, Dad!

So here I am on a nippy Good Friday, back in my place of sanctuary in my little home in the woods, watching 'The Robe' with Richard Burton catching up with my blog. My light pod shines on my face (it's too bloody cold to go out folks!) and Alfie sleeps content at the bottom of the bed. Hubby has the chicken in the rotisserie which I will partake of with salad – no potatoes or bread. Breakfast now is porridge with milled linseeds (good for one's bowel movement – no more Movicol!) and a handful of nuts and Manuka honey. Oh and plenty of zero-point fruit and just two-point chocolate treats to keep me well and truly satisfied. A crème egg would be nice but I have resisted and tomorrow I have decided to make a Simnel cake for hubby and yes I will weigh and track my slice on my WeightWatcher's app like a good girl.....

I end my entry here as I am practising the skill of précis – keeping it short!

J x

Hubby's Simnel cake