Scar massage and management.... wish it was more like a spa treatment!

Wish it was more like a spa treatment? Well some treatments aren't the most comfortable but most are very relaxing.

Been to occupational therapy at the Heath hospital in Cardiff for scar therapy and management about my arm and other scars. I've now got to do scar massage 2-3 times a day first with lots of moisturising lotion then some silicone Scar-gel. I've been measured up for a compression bandage/glove from biceps to knuckles  to wear 23 hours a day. Gotta have 3.  I'm going have a skin colour, blue (denim) and black. Wat u think? New ones every three months. I've got to massage E45 in all scars throughly especially the in hard lumps. I've got a silicone gel dressing for the scars on my tummy and leg. It will take about 12-18mths. Then will look at laser therapy to clear the gravel tattooing I have on my arm(black patches).

I will take a before and after picture and post them on here. Fingers crossed we see a good improvement. Heard it works well the more you stick to it. I hope I get used to the feeling of the massage process. Not the nicest feeling.

No pain, No gain!

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2nd Session at the gym yesterday. Had a go on the bike and did lots of core work. Jumped in a colder than usual pool but did have it to myself! Not bad I thought. As i relaxing and positioned the jets of the jacuzzi on my back and joints, again alone, I thought "Ahhh this is the life!"  I really cant stress the fabulous effect of the steam room and sauna on my joints though! The jacuzzi is lush! Wish I had my own!

On a mission now I'm more mobile to shift the 2 1/2 stone I've put on. I'll try not to let this blog turn into a Bridget Jones style diet. Least I'm not a smoker and not single but have a great boyfriend! Who's asked for a few ideas for my birthday present hehehe

Fantastic News!!!

Yesterday I  had fantastic news from my orthopedic consultant! I don't have to use my crutches now, can start to drive again, it has healed a lot more quickly & better than expected and can go back to work in 4-6 weeks!!

This proves that if your determined enough you can do anything. I've reduced my steroids down to 10mg a day, the lowest I've been on in 2 years, to help my bone heal quickly and well. But I think this has caused the flare up I've had for the last 4 weeks. But then again it could be caused by the stress and worry of it all or to be plain and simple, Lupus and Fibromyalgia just flare up cause they want to sometimes. That means you can never win. But Id rather deal with those symptoms and know that my leg is healing better than have to be off work for longer. I have sent my boss my head teacher an email to help her complete the forms that occupational health need to allow me to go back to work. But we have had a chat and it will be on a phased return but I was going to suggest that anyway. Build up my strength and stamina rather than be chucked in head first at the deep end of the teacher swimming pool that can often be more like an ocean. Even if you 100% well and fit you can struggle to stay afloat. It is worrying how much Teachers are spending doing paperwork which tires them out which then impacts their actual teaching. It may be interesting to do a poll on how many times teachers are off ill, or struggle on in work drugged up on antibiotics or fighting off viral infections. Forget the teachers for a minute, if the children's lessons are affected then it has a knock on effect for their future learning and experiences. 

Right time to get off my teaching rant! I am very  much looking forward to driving again so that I have my Independence back. I am looking forward to a meal out at Harvesters tomorrow with Amy, Corinne and Karen. Amy is one of my best friends. She has been so supportive of me through everything and much before what happened this summer. She may be super super busy but she always takes the time to send a little text message to check up on me just to let me know shes been thinking of me. If it wasn't for Amy helping me especially when I was i hospital when she'd stay late and get me ready for bed, I don't know where I'd be. Corinne is Amy's Auntie, her step mums sister. I met her at Amy's Step Mums birthday party two years ago. She is a fab lady full of words of wisdom and again always there when you need a talk. I met Karen through Corinne as she was in the middle of being diagnosed with Lupus like me. I've been lucky enough to have been through all of that and have shared my experiences with her, helping her understand symptoms and tablets and so pleased that she is getting the help from the same rheumatologist and specialist nurse that I have, finally! These three special ladies are so important to me and I hope that the day that they need me, I will be able to help them out.

As Amy says..... Positive Thinking is all you need. You'll get there!!!

October is Lupus Awareness Month

But you don’t look sick? - That’s the first thing that people usually say to me when they find out I’ve got Lupus.   

But what is it?

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect virtually any system in the body. Think of it as a 'self-allergy' where the body attacks its own cells and tissues, causing joint pain and inflammation, blood problems and organ damage. 9/10 sufferers are women and there are over 50,000 sufferers in the UK but still many have never heard of it. Lupus often comes with friends too. When I say friends, I mean other related illnesses that like to come to the party such as Fibromyalgia, Reynaud’s and Antiphosphydlipid syndrome – did I mention you needed a medical degree to just get your head around this disease as a sufferer?

October is Lupus Awareness month. If more people were aware of this life changing disease, understanding would improve and those with lupus would feel more supported and normal, reminded that it’s not their fault either. 

How are you feeling?  

When someone asks me this I do question myself shall I tell the truth? Most of you wouldn’t even think twice about whether to be honest or not. But with someone who has Lupus, if you don’t understand what it is like to have the illness, they can be exhausted by the time they really explain how they feel. My fine is different to your fine. Imagine a time when you’ve had the flu, aching all over, not able to get out of bed and all you wanted to do was to hide under the covers.  Your worst day is my best.

Nobody said when I was diagnosed after a year and half of not knowing when I was so ill all the time that it would be so intense. 

You have to think way way ahead of yourself and plan your day, can you be superwoman and get everything done? Often that’s a no. Just getting out of bed and ready for work, eating breakfast I can’t face nor that I have time for, just so I can take the 21 tablets I take just in the morning, really takes it out of me. That’s all before I’ve walked into a class to teach of I’m sure adorable children.

Because you don’t look ill, you have to be honest with friends, family and colleagues. 

And that’s the hardest to be honest to them when all you want to be is normal for the day. I hope with the help of funds to increase awareness and fund research to find a cure will give sufferers like me a chance to be normal for more days than not. I hope that even if they could find medication to treat lupus not just suppress the symptoms and give you a ton of side effects and the need for regular blood tests, visits to doctors. Did I mention that I’ve already got a busy life being a 24 year old teacher, dancer and young farmer? Having Lupus is like having a second full time job.

Everyone in our lives can help and be strong. Together we can help make a difference. If you would like to help us find a cure, make a donation via Lupus UK

First Day On My Own!

Woop! my mum has gone back to work today.  She is going baqck 3 days a week alternating each week between having the monday and tuesday off or the thursday and friday.

I had my carer come in this moring to help me shower and get dressed. The ladies that come in are really lovely. But the most exciting thing was my boyfriend, Will came up to see me for a few hours. He was also injured in the accident so is off work too. But fortunately a little more mobile than me so its nice that he likes to help me out too.
It was lovely just to chill out together, have a chat, laugh and watch a bit of TV after he did the manly thing of retuning my freeview box so I can get all the channels. He is very useful for such things especailly with IT! Having some time together by ourselves was lovely. No rush or time constraints. A hug from him makes everything better.

Last night I had a big sort out of all my lotions and potions! had more than Boots :) This was so moving my bits and bobs around in my crowded bedroom would be made easier when my new cupboard (larder unit) came, which was another exciting point of today, its arrived! I will finally be able to find things now!!

Think I'm going to have a sleep now. Oh the joys of Lupus and Fibromyalgia.... they soon catch up on you even after doing the slightest exhaustion of energy.

I've got a confession to make!

After a few weeks in hospital and realising that I needed to find a few things to keep my occupied, one of the fabulous nurses gave me the idea of starting a blog. Being a bit of a dizzy chick, I didnt know how to do this nor whether I could. But hey! here I am so please bear with me!