A TRIP TO HOSPITAL

The long awaited appointment at our local orthopaedic hospital to be assessed for knee replacement surgery took place this afternoon. As we drove through the small villages on the way I realised that this was the first time I had left the village since my arrival in August, I sat back and enjoyed the scenery.

The clinic was running very late and by the time my examinations were over I was very tired and very sore, but it was worth the trouble The report was favourable and with luck the operation should take place sometime in the next three months. It was dark and it was raining as I left but again I was in luck as the driver who had brought me to hospital had waited for me so I did not have to wait for transport to get home again.

Back in the summer I was just a few days away from undergoing surgery when it was decided that my poor health would make the operation too risky and so it was cancelled. This time I intend to make certain that nothing goes wrong, and my new G.P. is doing all he can to help.

I need to get back in to the garden, I want to walk in the hills and if possible I should love to dance again. I know that this is a tall order yet even now I am making progress, but there is a dark cloud on the horizon,one which could jeopardise everything.

I have for some time had a lack of sensation in my feet and my toes. At first diabetes was suspected but this was soon ruled out.

So far little has been done other than blood tests but now more extensive tests will have to be done.

Other symptoms are also present and these,combined, point to a number of conditions all of which are serious enough to cause problems.

I suspect that it may be Lupus as I appear to have most of the symptoms but time will tell.

In the mean time I am relieved to have today over and done with and now I intend to settle down with my family and enjoy this first Christmas in our new home, nothing is going to be allowed to spoil this lovely time of year. I have Pa's birthday dinner and his special birthday cake to make, and Christmas cookies to bake as gifts for friends and neighbours.

There is to be carol singing and a number of village events all of which I mean to attend.

This year has been a hard one for me as I have felt so unwell, every day has been a battle and one which ,more often than not I lost. Now, living once more in the countryside I love I feel that anything is possible, so the clouds can be as dark as they like and tomorrow can take care of itself.

We are going to party.