Medical Records

So let's get to the nitty-gritty now of the original purpose of my blog - Writing my book. As I explained previously this has been put somewhat on the back-burner, but writing the blog has given me a bit of writing practise. Apologies for any grammatical errors over the last few months as I didn't want to spend too much time editing.

As I have been unwell for a while I decided to concentrate on regurgitating Dad's medical notes to get a sense of the chronology of events and recalling memories of those times. This has indeed proved to be a good move, as it has jogged my memory and perspective. I have been to 1959 and gleaned some information which previously had been anecdotal from various family members. Mostly Mum. The written notes confirm rather than enlighten me on certain facts and events. However there have been one or two nuggets which provide pieces of a puzzle and fit together nicely. The chronological nature of the notes also gives me an historical perspective, particularly in relation to attitudes to mental health then compared to now.

I am now in 1991 which sees Dad in a period of remission. The years since 1959 have seen a predictable pattern of remission and relapse of the symptoms of Schizophrenia – psychosis and paranoia. Some of this I remember vividly, some I was too young or away at college. Of course I cannot imagine some of the terrible thoughts Dad experienced, as much was kept from us during our childhood, but as I grew into my teenage years I seemed to just know about Dad and the family's mental health problems, so it seeped in somehow. As a Mother I was more concerned with keeping Dad medicated and preventing relapse so he could continue to see his grandchildren without worry. He was a fantastic Granddad and it gave him such pleasure. I miss him.

I, myself am still going through the process of diagnosis and it's looking like chronic fatigue. At least I have it in writing now that I had an unusual reaction to the Depo-Medrol (steroid). So not going there again. I have an MRI scan to look forward to on Sunday to see if there is any reason for my hands to play dead and burn like f***!

Otherwise I will plod on with the medical notes and see how I get on.

P.S Thinking the Tramadol may have stolen my humour – I will try to find it.......

Summertime

Alfie and his bone

Jen x