Panto Day!

Today I went to see my wonderful friend Nick in a pantomime in Hertford.  He's playing Widow Twanky in Aladdin at the Hertford Theatre.

There was 9 of us all together, Helene, her son David, her Mum and Dad, My friend Katherine, her husband Simon, their kids Oscar and Tilly, and then just me.  My friend Helene hired a mini bus for all of us so we had a proper road trip.

Nick was just wonderful and so very funny.  All the kids loved him and he stole the show, although I don't think the kids realised that it was Nick!  I'm not just saying that because he's my mate, but he is good.  I can see him on children's tv because kids really love him and he does make them laugh a lot.  I don't know who had more fun, us or the kids.

Well done Nick and the rest of the cast for such a lovely day.

One week to go....

Well it's one week until my operation and I'm on countdown.   I've been on a countdown since I got my date two weeks ago but with Christmas and New Year in between it's felt like a long way off.

I've got quite a lot to look forward to in the next week so this week will roll round quickly.  All will be revealed over the next week.

I've been thinking about what I can do and if I need anything to take into hospital with me.  I've been advised to get some big pyjama tops which is easy enough if you're a size 10 but if your a little bigger it's not that easy.  However, my mum found a couple of big nighties in The Co-op department store in Stafford.  I don't know what they look like or of they're any good but we can try.

I'm not sure if there's that much I can take in with me as I won't be there long and it's not like lower limb surgery where you need your whole life with you, well at least I do!

Christmas Singing

I realised I have never done a post on my singing and how much I do this time of year.

As some of you will know I have sang in choirs since I was about seven years old so singing at Christmas has always been a part of my life.

My Christmas schedule is getting quieter as each year rolls round.  When I was at university it was crazy this time of year.  One year I did fourteen concerts and gigs in fourteen days, I had two and even three gigs on one day.  It was all good fun but as my health was deteriorating I knew I couldn't continue doing that many gigs for much longer.

Now I sing with a local choir called Cantemus and have done for around ten years.  I am one of the youngest members and very much enjoy my time with them.  The whole choir have welcomed me and have been very understanding about my needs.  I usually sit at rehearsals and in concerts and I also use music stand when performing due to the heavy books.  Since I started using a music stand I have enjoyed singing far more than ever before as the pressure has been taken off me.

This years Christmas calendar started with a weekend of singing.  We had our Christmas concert at Trinity Church in Stafford.  I had a small solo which was lovely as I haven't done one for a while.  The concert went well and the church was quite full so we were very pleased.

The next day we sang at the Light up a Life service at Katherine House Hospice in Stafford.  Every year lights are illuminated to remember family and friends who have been looked after in the hospice.  It's a beautiful service but it's always cold as it is held outside on the car park.  There were well over a thousand lights on the tree this year and thousands of pounds were raised for the hospice.

The choir also sang at Foxwalls Care Home in Stafford.  We sang for half an hour and the people who live there seem to really enjoy it as they joined in with us.

On Christmas Eve we sing in Stafford for an hour and raise money for Katherine House.  I've been doing this for about ten years and we always get a good response for the public.  By the time we finished singing at midday on Christmas Eve, my carol book is, once again, closed until the next year.

A UFO's Update

I thought I'd update my UFO list as I haven't done it for ages.   The usual suspects are there but some new ones are joining them.

1. Rowan cardigan.

2. Sirdar 'Big Softie' scarf.

3. Sew buttons onto baby surprise jacket. 

4. Granny square blanket.

5. More socks for me.

6. Sock yarn blanket.

7. Little sisters dress.

8. Blue and white West Brom gloves for my Dad.

9. Lace shawl started at the lace class.

10. Mum's Noro scarf.

11. Mum's crochet scarf.

12. Katherine's Wedding Knit.

13. Secret Santa.

14. Sock Yarn Blanket.

ARRGGGHHH..I need to stop casting stuff on!

Is it too early to be thinking about Christmas 2012?

I've been thinking (as probably all knitters do) of all the Christmas presents I would have liked to have knitted for everyone.  So, I know it's early but I'm already planning!

As I live with my Mum and Dad I can't knit presents at home so I thought if I spent all my knitting days out doing presents then I might have done what I wanted to do for Christmas.  I thought I might do them a pair of socks each.  I also have my Mum's Noro scarf to finish so I could give that for her birthday or save it for next Christmas.

I'd like to do a pattern that was in Simply Knitting back in November.  It's for knitted advent lights that comes complete with a knitted plug!  As I won't be using it as an advent calender I could do a shorter version and stuff the lights.  I also have a Christmas Card pattern from Simply Knitting which would also be good for next year.  I might do about 4 cards.  These are made out of left over DK so they will be a cheap option.

I would also like to knit my Niece something, weather that will be a hat or a toy or something I'm not too sure.

So here is my list for Christmas 2012.  I've got 370 days to knit.  Wish me luck and I'll keep you posted!

Working hard for Christmas

Just thought I'd update on my progress with the Christmas present I'm making for my Mum.

I'm doing a crochet granny square scarf.  The pattern was in a magazine a few months ago and I like it so much, that I might do one for myself.

It doesn't say how many squares you need to make the scarf but I'm thinking I'll probably do about 18.  I think I've got about 15 already.

I'm crocheting the squares together with black yarn to make the scarf.

Dieting

I don't like to say that I'm on a diet, but I'm...erm... watching what I eat and exercising more so, therefore, I'm on a diet.

I don't really know where it all started but I had a go on the Wii Fit and now I can't stop playing on it.
I've been using the Wii Fit for almost 2 weeks now.  I like the balance games which are very low impact in my joints and I love the tennis on the Wii Sports.  I have to play with my left hand because of my shoulder but I'm doing ok and burning a lot of calories doing it.

I've also been using an app called My Fitness Pal where you can log the foods you eat and how much exercise you do.  There is also www.myfitnesspal.com which syncs in with the phone app so you can use both.  The app has a barcode scanner so you can tell how many calories are in something straight away.  The only criticisms I have is that people can put in what they think the values are so therefore I think some of the values might be a little far fetched.  Also, people don't cook anymore so trying to find the value of a parsnip was a little tricky.  My Mum is a proper cook so working out what's she's made can be a pain.  I have to add everything together and divide by how many portions she makes.

My Mum and Dad are really helping me, my Dad bought me some scales to weigh my food which was lovely of him.

After first week I lost 6lbs but then then the next day the Wii said I'd put 4lb back on so I don't know what happened there.

I didn't have a good weekend with food as I went to see my friend from university.  She's using the same website as I am and she's lost 2 and a half stone.  We were a little naughty this weekend but according to the scales I haven't put any weight on so that's good.

I'm weighing myself every Thursday morning to take an average over the week.

So from here on, I'm trying to lose weight and now I've written it on here I've got to do it!

Shoulder News

So after all my waiting I finally have an appointment for my surgery.  I will be having the operation in the 4th January, 11 months after my initial appointment.

I'm so pleased. I think the rheumatology dept had a lot to do with bringing it forward.

So I have 3 weeks to get organised. Oh dear!

Knitting with Noro

Noro yarn is nightmare.

I'm knitting a scarf for my Mum but I think I've spent more time undoing knots than I have knitting.  I'm using Noro Sekku which is lace wight and a pattern I got free with the yarn when I bought it.

It looks nice but I'm not sure if I want to knit with it Noro again.  It all twists round itself and you keep having to untwist it.  I love the colours though.
 

The colours are so beautiful.

But here lie more knots.

Physio Appointments and shoulder replacements

On Monday I had a physio appointment.  This was the first one I'd had in ages.  I was so pleased to be back in the proper physio department at the hospital.

A few years ago, those in charge decided that it would be a good idea to close the bottom of Cannock Chase Hospital and either sell it off or lease it out.  Of course patient groups we dead against it and decided to join forces and fight against the decision.  The groups (which included Cannock Branch of Arthritis Care) managed to keep the hydro pool open.  The physio department wasn't fully reopened when I went down into the gym after having my hip replaced it was in a sorry state.  I'm please to say that my appointment on Monday was in the physio department and it look someway to being back and up and running again. 

Anyway, back to the physio.  I've had a popping heel for the last few months and I was told that it's a little bit of tendinitis.  I have been doing a few exercises over the last few weeks and it appears to be much better but I had some physio just to make sure.  I was given a few more exercises and she said that she would refer me to a podiatrist just to have a look.  I'm just praying for no more surgery, I can't take anymore. 

Speaking of surgery I had a little blip this week.  I'm so frustrated that I haven't gone in to have my shoulder done yet and that I’m going through another Christmas with not only this pain, but not being able to move my arm.

Here's what’s happened so far:

You may remember back in February I was told I needed surgery to resurface my shoulder.  My Mum and Dad paid for me to have my first consultation with the surgeon and 2 x-rays as I was in so much pain I needed something doing as quickly as possible.  As I was already on the waiting list to have my hip replaced the surgeon said that I should have that done first and that he would do the shoulder surgery as soon as I was off my crutches.  I had my hip replaced on 5th April.  When I had heard nothing by about July, I telephoned the secretary to see what was happening and she said I wasn't even down as one of his patients.  An appointment was then made to see the surgeon again on the NHS in September, when I got there they hadn’t got my notes from the private hospital and nothing more was decided other than I needed the operation, which we already knew.  The problem is that the 18 week deadline now starts from the 2nd September and not from the original date of the 3rd February.  

I feel so let down by the surgeon when all other departments that I've had dealings with have been nothing short of amazing.  I’m not sure the surgeon realises how hard the last year has been for all of us.  I can’t eat, drink, wash, dress, go to the loo etc on my own, anything to do with that arm is useless as I can’t move my shoulder and they pain is excruciating.

Three weeks ago my rheumatologist did a nerve block to help me control the pain and it worked so he did it again yesterday after I phoned them in tears.  I just can’t believe they’ve just left a young woman to suffer like this for a year, my whole life feels like it's on hold.

Still Awake!

I met up with a few of my friends tonight and had a fab time.  I'm so tired and sore now that sometimes I don't think the pain and fatigue is worth the hassle of going out, but then I see my pals and realise that yes it is.

It's fair to say that my family are number one and without them I would be a lost soul.  My friends also mean a lot to me, they're the ones I can talk to when I feel I don't want to burden my family.

Tonight my good friend Helene told me that she thought I looked better and that 6 weeks ago she was really worried about me and apparently spoke to some of our other friends too.

I love Helene, she knows me so well.  She knew when I was down and I didn't even have to tell her.

The truth is that I have been struggling of late and I wasn't sure what the problem was but now I think I know.

Just over a fortnight ago I went to have my Tocolizumab infusion and also wanted to speak with my rheumatologist while I was there.  On my way to the hospital I though about the conversation over and over again.  I wanted to talk to him about my shoulder and just how debilitating it really is.

In the next week or so it will be a year since I lost movement in my shoulder and therefore a year since I washed my own hair etc etc...It is so debilitating and also very frustrating.

Yarn of Ale Christmas doo

Last night was my knitting group Christmas meal.  We went for a meal at Granvilles in Stone and it was lovely.  I ate so much more than usual which was good.  Lots of people with RA struggle with eating.  My weight is no indication of how much I actually eat, although last night, I went all out.

I also went all out on my outfit. I was wearing my new spotty tunic, leggings, red wedges, fake eyelashes and bright red lippy to match my red shoes. I did feel pretty good I have to say although I'm paying for the half inch heel today!

We had a secret Santa where we had to knit something out of 100% wool which could be either a scarf, hat or gloves.  I've spent the last 2 weeks knitting a beautiful scarf, or what I considered beautiful, but when I came to wash and block it yesterday morning, disaster!

It looked awful and I mean it looked bloody awful.  I couldn't possibly give it to anyone as a gift, I didn't take a secret Santa.

Well, when I saw everyone's creations I'm so glad I didn't take one, everyone else's were so beautiful and they'd put so much effort into them.   I would have been embarrassed to take my little gift along.

Now, I do consider myself to be a reasonably good knitter, I'm not amazing but I'm alright.  I'm told by several different people that my tension is good so all my stitches are even, and I choose nice yarns in my price range, I don't skimp too much unless its something I know will get chucked around.

Therefore, I think the reason why my knitting looks different to everyone else's is the way it's finished off, I'm just not very arty!  People tell me I'm arty all the time because I can knit but I'm not.  I can follow a pattern but I can't go that extra mile to make things look that little bit sparkly. I'm not that clever.

I was disappointed though. Looking at the knitting again this morning, it doesn't look that bad. Oh well, I suppose I can save it for next year!

Children in Need 2011

I wanted to share with you the achievements of my knitting group, Yarn of Ale.

On the evening of the 19th November my friends picked up their pins and knitted, none stop for 12 hours. They were not only being sponsored for Children in Need but they were knitting for Operation Christmas Child boxes.

A few of us went along to support them throughout the evening which was only able to go ahead with the support Laura and the rest of the staff at The Royal Exchange in Stone.  The locals were so generous and almost £300 was raised on the night, one local business man even bought us Pie and Chips at 1am.

A massive thank you must go to The Royal Exchange for letting us loose in the pub overnight.  Also thank you to George and everyone at The Blue Rooms for the beautiful pie and chips. And thank you to everyone who donated and made the night a success.

To Claire, Jo, Jeanette, Alison, Janine, Sheila and Rachael, well done, I am so very proud of you.

My final word go to Cheryl, the landlady of The Royal Exchange.  Cheryl was so 'up for it' when we told her our silly idea back in June, but sadly, due to ill health wasn’t able to enjoy the evening with us.  Thank you so much for your support over the years, we know you were there with us somewhere.

Turning 30 and all that goes with it.

Last Saturday I turned 30.  It was a rather emotional build up but actually the day itself passed by without too much trouble.

My birthday weekend started with a lovely curry with my knitting girls. They bought me some beautiful gifts which were most unexpected. It was such a lovely evening.

Saturday, which was actually my birthday, was quite a quiet day.  My knee was so painful and stiff all day, typical!  I went to get my hair done in the afternoon, they're so ace at Franceso's, they always look after me.

My Mum made me a cake and my Dad iced it.  It was his first attempt at icing a cake and I think he did a fine job.

The cake my Mum and Dad made for me.

In the evening we went to Granvilles in Stone.  What a laugh ! My mates were on form and great fun. Granvilles always have a live band on so most of my pals were throwing some shapes and taking it in turns to come and sit with me.  My friends try and include me all the time which is great but I want them to have a good time and not worry about me all the time.  Dancing is the one thing I think I miss the most.  Being a musician I love live music.  When a band are playing stuff like Stevie Wonder I find it really shitty that I can't have a dance with my pals, although I have for very good at wheelchair dancing at gigs etc.

My biggest concern with turning 30 is that I don't feel my life has moved on since I was 20.  I'm still living at home, I have no family or career.  I know things have changed since I was 20 but it just doesn't feel like it.  I went and got myself a masters degree.  I worked so hard to get some kind of career but life didn't take me down that path.  I've traveled, all be it mostly with my Mum and Dad but hey I've seen some amazing places so every cloud and all that!

Another little bitesize cake my friend bought for me.

Picture Knitting

Over the last month or so I've had go at picture knitting or intarsia.  It basically means knitting with lots of colours to create a picture.

The picture I wanted to do was only 3 colours, but with all the colours weaving in and out I ended up with with 15 balls of wool on the go at once!

WHAT A PAIN....but its worth it as the finished item looks amazing.

I'm knitting for my friend who is due to get married soon. She has a camper van and instead of gifts she would like little donations to put towards doing the camper up.

Therefore, she is getting knitting. I can't tell you what it is but I hope she likes it.

More to come soon....

Home of Metal

For those of you who don't know, the West Midlands is the Home of Metal. Black Sabboth, Led Zeppelin, Napalm Death and Judas Priest, amongst others, paved the way for rock music as we know and love it today.

Local musicians were celebrated in an exhibition in Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in September. My friend Emma and I went along to have a look.

It was great to see how much the Midlands has shaped music and how the bands influenced the next generation of music lovers. Most of these men came from nothing, but went on to become some of the most famous people in the world, although often not for the right reasons (see Ozzy and something to do with a bat or a chicken, or something!)

No other genre has had the influence on fans and their imaginations as the metal genre has. Fashion and attitudes are all influenced buy metal, to the point that you know someone rocks before you've even spoken to them. Having said that, we don't all have the band shirts and patches on our jackets, some of the most straight looking people I've ever met love to rock out.

It's a genre with great depth and is often misunderstood, but I don't think it will ever die out. It's way too much fun and is forever capturing peoples imaginations.

www.homeofmetal.com

Home of Rock family tree.

Birmingham ArtsFest

Last weekend saw another successful weekend of arts in Birmingham. Every year the city boasts ArtsFest, the countries largest free arts festival.

My friend Nicola and I go every year and this year was no exception.  We saw some interesting stuff but the highlights have to be the CBSO (along with fireworks that are synchronized with the music) and a band called Casino. The Guillemots headlined but Casino were far better. Check them out; one of the guys is from the Stereophonics...I know that isn't much to go on as I'm not a Stereophonics fan but there we go.

Why does a day out ALWAYS make me ill?

I don't understand.  I went out for the day yesterday.  I didn't get up any earlier and I didn't go to bed any later, but I'm shattered. I used my scooter all day but my knee still hurts like mad.  We went to Blackpool to see the lights. I love Blackpool, people slag it off but I think there's a charm to it. 

I was amazed to see the lovely new accessible promenade that they've been working on for the last couple of years. It's still not quite finished but it looks great already.  The tram stops are being raised to tram level to make it accessible. Again, they are not quite finished but it will be great when they are done.  We spent a lot of the day in Cleavleys which is just north of Blackpool.  It's rather lovely.  A mixture of Blackpool tat but with cleaner streets. Although Blackpool looks a lot better than it did, even a year ago. 

The lights were rather dissopointing. Not so many years ago the road was full of illuminations on either side, this year a lot we're missing. Some of the lights that were there had bulbs out, in some cases a whole row was out. You wouldn't have seen this a few years ago. Workmen would go up and down the promenade fixing the lights throughout the evening. 

All in all though I had a fab day but I do wish some of the dropped kerbs were a little more dropped!

FibreFest 2011

My friend and I went to FibreFest which was at Bicton College in Devon last week.  I was pretty disappointed as to start with as the access for disabled people was terrible.  It was set out across two marquees which would have been fine if it was a flat surface to start with, but it was awful.  The lumps and bumps were terrible and I wouldn’t have been surprised if anyone had fallen over and hurt themselves.  My scooter was have so much trouble getting across the fields that after about an hour it packed up and that was it, dead for the rest of the day.  I happen to talk to another girl who was also in a scooter and it cut out as well so I think it must have been something to do with the terrain.

The organisation was absolutely awful and so bad that we didn’t even pay to get in, no one asked us for any money and to be honest if I had have paid, I’d have been asking for my money back due to the access.  I think there were some very disappointed people leaving and I don’t think they will be going back again.

Hip replacements, helpful hints and tips.

My Mother suggested that it would be a good idea to write down some helpful hints and tips and what to do after of going through a hip replacement. So here goes...

Things you will need to have or do post op.

Half Step.

1. Plastic bag for the car.  You put it on the car seat, sit on it and twist your legs round to get in and out.
2. Lots of grabbers as you won't be able to bend or twist to reach anything.
3. Have everything to hand so you don't have to keep getting up and down.
4. Think about where your bedside table is! I had to put another table in front of my bedside table so I didn’t twist my body round to get my drink, remote etc.
5. Long handled sponge.  You can buy them from the disabled shops but they are cheaper from Poundland/Poundworld, whatever it's called.

Grabbers are very useful!!

6. One of those trays with the polystyrene balls in it, again you can buy them from the disabled shops but they are cheaper from other places.
7. Some straws so you don't have to sit up if you have a drink in bed.
8. Raised toilet seats which should be provided by the hospital.
9. Lots of cushions as it isn't easy to sleep once you get home.
10. The hospital will get you to measure your chair.  It's been the fashion recently to have low furniture I've had to have a rise and recline chair to help me get up.
11. You will also be asked to measure your front door step. I was given a Derby half step by social services as mine is too high.

Lace Class @ Yarn Gathering

One very rainy Sunday in July I trekked off to Yarn Gathering in Stone for a class on lace knitting. 

I tackled lace knitting once before and started off really well, but then made a huge mistake and couldn't find it.  I had had to undo it and I never had the courage to picked it back up again.  To be honest, I love the way lace knitting looks and obviously the skill, time and effort that goes into it is just amaing, but I really LOVE plain knitting, the simplicity and rustic look to it (and the fact I can do it while watching Corrie!!).  Sometimes I wonder along with many other things (make up, jewellery, a hairdoo) in knitting, less is more....

Anyway...We were given a pattern called The Ulladulla Easy Lace Scarf which you can find on www.ravelry.com .  I chose some Knit Picks lace weight yarn that I had given to me in Monday knit groups secret Santa last Christmas.  It's a lovely green colour which is great for me as I ALWAYS choose purples so it's nice to have a different colour for a change.

I forgotten that I'd taken a pic of it when I received it at Christmas so here it is....

Yum!

You can't really see how beautiful it is in the photo, you'll just have to take my work for it.

So I cast on...
all 41 stitches and it appeared to all be going ok...
then I had to knit a few rows....
still no problem....
then I started the pattern and amazingly I didn't seem to do anything wrong. 

I don't really know how it happened but it did and it actually looks like a lovely piece of knitting.  I can't photo it yet as it's no where near finished and you can't show the pattern off.  I tried taking a photo of it and it just looks like a big block of green.

So all in all I really enjoyed the lace class and would recommend any of you to go on the next one.  I think it gave me the confidence to try more lace knits and I will be finishing off this scarf and maybe do another one at some point. 

A massive thank you to Denise and Jeanette for giving me the confidence to go to the class and to start lace knitting.

Oh no...not more knits on the go!

Well, I've started a new list of UFO's after racing down my last one.  There are still some old favourites hanging around but they will get done...one day!

1. Rowan cardigan.

2. Sirdar 'Big Softie' scarf.

3. Sew buttons onto baby surprise jacket.

4. Granny square blanket.

5. More socks for me.

6. Sock yarn blanket.

7. Little sisters dress.

8. Blue and white West Brom gloves for my Dad.

9. Lace shawl started at the lace class.

Blogging problems.

So the reason I have not been posting as much is really due to my mobile phone.  Why?  Well let me tell you...
Last August I renewed my contract with Orange.  I have been with them for several years and never had a problem.  They've actually been very good to me over the years and I would have recommended them to anyone.  So I ordered my new smart phone and it was delivered a few days later.  I had a shiny new Samsung Android phone, hence the being able to update my blog with texts and pictures from anywhere at any time.  I was ready to rock...

Then the problems started…

Texts were going to the wrong people and the handset was freezing when receiving incoming calls.  None of the texts were bad I’m not really into doing that, but one text which was important was sent to my brother but he didn’t receive it and we don’t know where that one went.

Five handsets later, I am now on a different model. It’s still a Samsung but I refused to have the same model.  I was told by the representative at Orange that the handset used the Android operating system and I would be able to use it in the same way as my old phone but I can’t.  I keep telling myself that at least when it rings, I can answer it!

Too much knitting and not enough blogging!

I'm not sorry to say that I have been doing way too much knitting instead of blogging.  Here is an updated UFO list.

1. Noro Legwarmers.

2. Rowan Cardigan.  (Still haven’t picked it back up!)

3. Sirdar Extra Chunky Tank Top. (It is to be frogged and will be knitted into a cardigan.)

4. Sirdar Big Softie Scarf.

6. Sew buttons onto baby surprise jacket.  (It’s pink so it will be donated to our pink baby.)

7. Waterfall cardigan for me. (Frogged and now my mother is knitting the yarn into a shawl for me.)

9. Granny Square blanket. (Still in the process.)

10. Fingerless gloves.

12. Another Sirdar baby cardigan.

13. Socks for my Dad.

14. Mug Hug for my Dad.

15. More socks for me.

16. Socks for my friend.

17. Sock Yarn blanket.

18. Festival Hat from Lets Knit. (Finished but then frogged as I didn’t like it.)

19. Flowers for shop.

So as you can see I have been rather busy.  For Father’s Day my Dad received a wonderful mug hug in our team’s colours, blue and white, and then a lovely pair of socks knitted in Katia.  The Katia is so beautiful to knit with and I will defiantly be using it again.  I hadn't actually finished knitting the socks so I wrapped one sock up, along with the other sock with the needles still in it!  He didn't mind as it was a step up from the year I gave him a ball of wool for Christmas and an I.O.U!

Well done Stoke for getting to the final.

My mate is a Stoke City fan and after last weeks massive win over Bolton in the semi-final, Stoke find themselves in the FA Cup Final.

I listened to the match on the radio as the kind people at the bbc and itv decided that they didn't want to show it. They of course were happy to show the Manchester derby that played out the day before but unless your team fits in to one of two categories,

a: A London club or
b: Manchester United

ordinary television channels don't like to show any matches that involve any other team.

I'm not going to carry on because then you get into the age old argument that premiership football is shown in several countries around the world for free, but it's not free here.

Anyway, lets get back to the job in hand. One of my friends loves Stoke and as they have never been in the cup final before and may never get there again! I decided to knit some flags. I did 7 little flags which are hanging from an i-chord.

I was allowed to hang the flags in the house for the purpose of this photo and they were taken straight down after. My Mum said that I might be swayed to the dark side if we don't take them down quickly, I don't know what she's on about, it's not like I'm knitting in black and gold (WHICH WOULD NEVER HAPPEN).

My Dad has expressed that he would like me to do a blue and white version. So come on Albion get to Wembley again next year and I will get my needles out, DEAL!

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The Mittens are Finished.

I have finished the mittens I was doing for my friend for her birthday. I finished them last week and even though I did them in plenty of time to post them, they will still be late! Oh well.

I did them in a bright blue from my stash because that's what my friend wanted. She has everything blue, even a blue stripe in her hair. We think she looks like a smurf on acid!

The pattern is from the quick and easy knit section of Simply Knitting and they were very quick and easy (once someone showed me where I should be putting my yarn for the slip st).

They will be sent off when I get to the post office or when my Mum can go for me and I hope my friend likes them.

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A New Hip and Accident and Emergency

I got the nasty pain I was telling you about back last night and it was really horrible.  I think it could be a nerve or something as it is a pinching pain when I lift my leg to walk.  I phoned the ward at Cannock Hospital where I had the operation and they told me to double my dose of Oramorph and get to A&E to have it checked out.

We arrived at Stafford Hospital at around 9pm and I was straight into triage to be assessed.  They were surprised when I said I'd had my hip replaced to say the least, but they didn't treat it lightly!  We waited about an hour and I was called in.  The was brilliant, very kind and very thorough.  He checked for infection in the wound, asked me loads of questions presumably to do with thrombosis, took some blood and ordered an xray of my hip.  I had to wait a little while for the blood to come back but we were offered a cup of tea while we wait.

The main concern was that I may have dislocated or loosened the joint.  I couldn't see how I had as I have done everything that I was told and have also been waited on hand and foot.  Some people go home to fend for themselves and I really don't know how they do it because it's bloody hard.  I have dropped my crutches about a hundred times and a grabber will not pick those bad boys up... You get quite good at doing stuff though.  I just unhooked my emergency alarm that goes round my neck off my headboard, I was very impressed with myself.

Now, there have been lots of media attention surrounding Stafford Hospital over the last few years and I too have had some bad experiences there, one particular experience in A&E that I would not wish to repeat.  Last night was the second time in the last year I have had to go to A&E and the staff were brilliant.  I was poorly, and they looked after me, it's a simple as that.

When I had my abscess last year and I was rushed into have surgery, some people, who should have known better said things like, 'you were brave going to Stafford'.

When I told people I was having my hip done, (and when I had my knee replaced for that matter) some people said things like 'you're not having it done at Stafford are you?'  I didn't have either operation at Stafford by the way, all my replacements have been at Cannock.

It really annoys me.  I live in Stafford and I have to use the hospital, so do all my family.  If you have to go to A&E generally you are not well enough to drive halfway round the midlands to find a hospital that they approve of so therefore I have no choice but to go there.

What I have been working on.

I am doing a crochet granny square blanket.  I have been using up all my double knit yarn (and some that others have given me...) and I will stop when I have used it all.

I have also been doing a little cardigan for the lady who does my nails.  She had a little boy at the beginning of March.   It is the same cardigsn thst I have knitted for my Niece with the dummy buttons, only this time I am knitting the front and the back altogether.

1 week after a total hip replacement

So I am already one week and one day on from the operation.  It’s gone pretty quickly, although this week is dragging.

The pain is better, the swelling is still there and the itching is driving me crazy but onwards an upwards.

I only have 19 more injections to do, 31 days until I can drive again, but a whole 83 days until I can even start to think about bending and twisting AND lying on my side again when I sleep, I know it’s going to kill me.  I am propping myself up with pillows and then getting my Mum and Dad to change them round through the night, it’s killing them too, let alone me.

Had a crap day yesterday, the pain from the physio on Monday was really bad and I felt knocked down by it but I had quite a few visitors so that was really nice. 

I also discovered the programme Bondi Vet, nowhere near as good Bondi Rescue but it was ok.  Did I mention that a Bondi lifeguard tweeted me!!!!  It was the day my Niece was born so I don’t know what I was more excited about...the tweet, or the Niece!

Physio

Monday was my first physio session. The physio came to the house and assessed me for all sorts of things such as walking, going up and downstairs, getting on and off the bed and he also checked the wound and checked my legs for thrombosis.

Thrombosis is a serious problem for people who have had lower limb surgery.   There are several things you need to do after surgery,

1.       You have to wear some very long sexy stockings to wear for 28 days. I'm assuming they compress the legs and help keep the blood flowing.  They are a nightmare to get on, it’s a good job I’ve got someone to help me as I couldn’t so them myself.

2.       I also have to inject a drug called Clexane everyday for 28 days.

3.       I have been told to get up and move around every 40 minutes.

4.       I also have to pump my ankles up and down.

Following all these things and I should be ok.

There are also several precautions I have to follow to keep the hip in place and stop it from dislocating.

1.       No bending further than 90 degrees, so the angle between your torso and thigh should be no less than 90 degrees.

2.       No twisting.

3.       No crossing legs, including crossing your ankles.

4.       No lying on side in bed.

The hardest one is lying on my back in bed as it bloody hurts.  I think I may have had a little bit of sciatica before the op and this is only aggravating it.

The physio gave me 4 exercises to do 3-4 times a day.  They are all bed exercises.  I was given some standing exercises at the hospital and I had been doing them but the physio who came on Monday said I should do a week of bed exercises.  I wish they'd sing from the same hymn sheet. I was also told I could lie on my operated side in bed once the wound had stopped hurting, only then to be told I have to lie on my back for 3 months.

After the physio left I went upstairs to have my rest but as I was walking I got an intense pain in my hip.  I think it was a nerve pain.  I thought I had dislocated my hip but my Mum said that if I had I wouldn’t be walking on it, which was a very good point I’m glad she made!  The physio who came scared me to be honest, by telling me I should be doing the exercising I had been doing etc etc, so for the rest of the day I was panicking that it was going to come out.

I also had a referral to an occupational therapist, who came to see me the very next morning.   She bought me another raised toilet seat.  Now, as we don’t have a downstairs toilet I was asked if I wanted a commode.  I said no as my Mum and Dad have a camping toilet which I thought would be better and a little cleaner.  It’s been a bit of a godsend, particularly when the pain has been bad.  She also bought a second pair of crutches.  I always have to have someone to carry my crutches upstairs which could be a pain so I keep one pair upstairs and one pair downstairs.

I haven’t knitted much or read much, and today is the first day I’ve been on my laptop.  I just haven’t got the motivation.

Day 4 - Home

So I haven't posted as I'm now home be it's all be a bit hectic.

I came out on Saturday evening. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to come out as no one had really said anything but I made it my mission for the afternoon to find out, and here I am!

An occupational therapist came to see me on Saturday morning to ask me how I get on washing and dressing. I find it very difficult to shower and dress particularly since my shoulder has been bad. I had carers a couple of weeks ago to try out 2 days of care, an hour a day. I have been assessed to have care everyday at home so this assessment was just reinforcing the fact I need it.

The OT felt happy with me and discharged me and a couple of hours later I asked the nurse if I was able to go home, she said I was although they wanted to watch me do know injection one more time because apparently I wasn't doing it quite right. I have been injecting into my tummy since I was about 14 and for some reason I was doing it wrong. The nurse who watched me on Saturday said I was fine and discharged me.

The first place we went was too the Mcdonalds drive through. One of the ladies on the ward got her daughter to bring one in for her the night before, so my Mum thought I might need a cheese burger to make me feel better. It kind of did!

The pain has been pretty well controlled apart from at night time. I had a little bit of sciatica before the operation, or so we thought and it's really kicked off since. I have to lay on my back for 3 months and it's killing me. The pain in my back isn't nice.

The first morning I was home I woke up at 5am and I had to get up, unfortunately my Mum and Dad were also up with me. We were all tired all day and I'm really feeling for my Mum and Dad at the moment, they look shattered.

I can't do anything, no twisting, bending etc... Anything I drop I can't pick up, anything that it beside me I can't twist to get it. BUT, I can do stairs, and I can do stairs really well!

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Day 2 and 3 post op

All my good intentions of writing a few words every day has gone to pot already!

Day 2.

Thursday was a good day. I had a lovely wash with help and then got dressed for the first time. Believe me putting your pants on is rather good after being knickerless for a couple of days!

I started walking of crutches straight from what they call a gutter frame which is a frame you lean on rather than hold. I was in a lot of pain though, most of it was coming from the un operated hip and knee.

Day 3.

Lots of things happened on day 3.

The pain had eased and I only took about 3 lots of morphine where as I was pretty much taking it every two hours at first.

The physios taught me how to do the stairs and have given me a few basic exercises. I have learned how to get in and out of bed and have been given a rail for the side of my bed to help me. The occupational therapist told my Mum and Dad it would be delivered later that afternoon and it was at my house about an hour later. The occupational therapist also taught my Mum and Dad how to lift my legs into bed safely so as not to pop my hip out of place.

The pain is still there and it's sore but you start to live with it. I've been taking a lot of morphine.

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Day 1 post op

Woke up in the Post Anesthetic Care Unit this morning. Well I say woke up, I didn't really sleep well.

I had a comfortable night with lots of pain relief which left me really settled. The nursing staff were amazing and I can't thank them enough.

I've been up walking with the physios today. I went to the loo twice, I'm so hardcore!

I've been doing lots of physio in my bed and trying to keep on top of the pain. At one point this afternoon the pain got too much but I'm having lots of morphine to keep it at bay.

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Operation Day

I am now with new hip and all is going well.

I went to theatre at about 10:30 this morning and had a spinal injection, where they numb you from the waist down. Then the anesthetic was put in and I drifted off to sleep.

I woke up and my whole body was itching but at least I was in no pain.

I came round at about midday and have been in the post anesthetic care unit ever since. I have some pain but nothing too bad and so far I've only had 10ml of morphine and just my regular pain killers. This is no where near as bad as when I had my knee done, but maybe that was just a one off.

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To marmite or not to marmite!

Ok, I can eat until 3, do I get up in an hour and have some marmite on toast or not? That is the question.

Starting to get really worried now.

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Pre Hip Replacement

So I wanted to write a really good blog post this evening but my internet is down so I've got to do it on my phone.

Well, it's the night before the operation and I'm pretty much packed and ready to go, there are things that I need in the morning so as with any sort of packing you have to leave yourself a list of last minute items that you can only put in when you are about to wall through the door!

I'm not feeling too worried. I cried so much before I had my knee done, but this time I don't feel too bad. I just hope it doesn't all come out tomorrow when they are just about to put the needles in my back, you have several minutes while they do that and before they put you to sleep so I have several minutes to stress out before they put the stuff in and then I won't care what's going on as I'm about to have a bit of a kip.

My friend Claire told me, that someone had told her that you wake up thinking of the same thing you went to sleep thinking of. She told me this and then said 'what if you go to sleep thinking of sex? Imagine what you might say as you're coming round!'

I'm really trying to forget about that comment but thanks for all your help mate!

So all in all I don't feel too bad. The only thing I'm worried about is talking about intercourse at an inappropriate moment!

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UFO's

1. Noro Legwarmers.

2. Rowan Cardigan.  I might be able to face it after I’ve had my operation and I need something to do.

3. Sirdar Extra Chunky Tank Top. I hate...hate....hate it....

4. Sirdar Big Softie Scarf.

5. Surprise Knitted Blanket.

6. Sew buttons onto baby surprise jacket.  It’s pink so it will be donated to our pink baby.

7. Waterfall cardigan for me.

8. Surprise Dummy Button Cardigan.

9. Granny Square blanket.

10. Fingerless gloves.

11. Little flags for the shop window.

12. Another Sirdar baby cardigan.

Secret Knitting

So...it’s time to unveil my secret knitting.

My brother and his wife have been expecting a baby and I’m very pleased to say she arrived on Saturday.  Mummy, Baby, Daddy and Dog are very well and at home.

Anyway...this is what I’ve been up too all these months.   I looked and looked for something suitable for a boy or a girl and also something that was traditional and that she/he would be able to keep.  I looked through many modern patterns but they just weren’t as nice.  I settled on a Sirdar blanket from a book of old Sirdar baby patterns.  It is knitted in Sirdar Snuggly.

I started knitting at the end of October and worked out that I needed to do 10 rows per day to be finished in time, allowing for days when I wasn’t well.  It was a good job I allowed for those days as not long after I started I ended up poorly with a tummy bug which I think I got from the hospital and it knocked my off my feet for about 2 weeks.  So I was already 140 rows behind before I’d even started!!

It’s not a difficult pattern but you need to concentrate, each square with a petal is done individually and worked diagonally so at most you only have 35 stitches, so the 10 row thing isn’t too bad.  Each petal is raised and stand out.  Don’t ask me how because I have no idea but it just does, it's probably something to do with the decreasing.  I ended up working two or three petals at a time and then taking the stocking stitch part to my knitting group so I wouldn’t make a mistake.



So this is 4 worked squares sewn together.

I also got a brilliant tip from our resident knitting expert at Knit Chic's.  Sew up as you go...and I did.  The thought of sewing up 24 squares didn’t fill me with much confidence.  So I sewed two together, then another two together, then the first two to the second two and so on, and so on.  The biggest challenge was sewing the middle of the work but I did it in stages.  I also had to do two rows of double crochet around the edge which again was a bit of a challenge but I did it with a little help from my knitting friends.

The crotchet boarder was a bit of a challenge.

I wanted to do something else so I decided on a Sirdar Snuggly cardigan which came free with a copy of Simply Knitting.  http://simplyknitting.themakingspot.com/

I’ve done it in yellow (which I think they call duckling) and put on some dummy buttons which I think these are the best bit of the whole cardigan.  After doing the blanket this has flown up really quickly and I’m really pleased with it.  The arms are really long but there's nothing I can do about that now.  I’m doing another one at the moment in a pale green for another lady who has just had a little boy.  A lady from knitting has shown me how to knit the back and front together so I don’t have to sew up the sides.

The best part is the dummy buttons.

Being a Volunteer can be good!

I’ve been a little busy over the last few weeks.  I’ve been doing some extra work for Arthritis Care.  I am involved with a local branch.  My friend Seona and I have been writing a newsletter for all our members.

It all started about 18 months ago when our hydrotherapy pool at our local hospital was closed.  We had, at the time got 2 groups using the pool, one that ran weekly and one fortnightly.  It wasn’t just Arthritis Care that was affected but it was other self help groups including The National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society www.nass.co.uk and of course in patients at the hospital. 

So we (I say ‘we’ loosely as I didn't really have much to do with it!) along with NASS and others set about at saving the pool for those people who use it.  There was a lot of letter writing, photos in local papers etc and eventually just before last Christmas the pool was re opened, much to our amazement.  It was decided that all members of our branch needed to know what we get up too and where their donations go.  We have over 100 members, most of whom don’t attend the our monthly meetings and perhaps think that Arthritis Care is just a bunch of old ladies sitting round moaning, and although we do have a moan Arthritis Care is far from that.  We wanted to reach out to those people who either can't or don't want to attend the meetings and the only way to do that is by a funky newsletter.

So Seona and I set to work and over the last few weeks we've drank copious amounts of coffee and had a lot of laughs.  We've spent quite a while doing it because as you can imagine we cannot sit for hours and hours over a computer.  On the days I could not manage to lift my arms up and type, Seona did it all and vice versa.  We are meeting tomorrow to sort the last few bits, stamps; envelopes etc and then it can be posted.

I’ve enjoyed doing it, but mainly because I’ve been working with Seona.  It’s like anyone you work with, it’s a lot easier.  With voluntary work though, you can always walk away and I think it takes quite a strong person to stay and stick it out, even when you really don’t like what you’re doing.  I do find it hard sometimes.  By nature of the condition, most people I work with are a lot older than me and I can find that hard, particularly at meetings and they just can’t understand a young perspective.  That’s why it’s so refreshing to work with Seona and I feel like we’ve really achieved something.

Bondi

Just had to tell you how much I love Bondi Rescue.

My shoulder is really sore again and I'm not having the best nights sleep, so watching Bondi on good old youtube is keeping me going.

Check it out, it's the best tv programme I've seen in a long time.

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Eastenders

Just when I was starting to give up on Eastenders because I was getting board, the writers have given me some amazing lines which really made me giggle. I wanted to share them with you.

My fella has been servicing your mum!

Well well well, look what the cat threw up!

You may change your knickers more then the rest of us but... your not really classy are you!

And my personal favourite.

You've just found out that your fella has been weeding some other woman's garden!

And that was all in one episode.

I can wait to add these gems to my list of one liners!

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A UFO Update

1. Noro Legwarmers. (Almost done but went and left a needle at my friends house!)

2. Rowan Cardigan.  I can't face it...I really can't, I've had to unpick it twice.

3. Sirdar Extra Chunky Tank Top.  I don't like it anymore, I think it will be frogged.

4. The baby thing I will probably undo and then knit a hoodie if we have a pink baby in the family.  I have made the decision to undo this rubbish.  It looks good but I can't be bothered.

5. Sirdar Big Softie Scarf.

6. Surprise Knitting.  It's almost time to reveal what I've been working on all these months.

7. Blue Baby Hoodie.

8. Sew buttons onto baby surprise jacket.

9. Waterfall cardigan from Let's knit.  I got the yarn yesterday and cast on last night.  It's a really simple pattern for when I have my operation and I don't have to concentrate.

10. More surprise knitting. ARRRGGGGGHHHHHHHH

 

11. I've started having a go at granny squares.  After doing the shawls I know I can do it.  I am going to slowly do myself a blanket.  Photo's to come.

 

And technically these are not in my UFO's because I haven't cast them on but I know I need to do them.

 

12. Fingerless gloves. A birthday present for my friend.  I haven't started them yet so they don't quite count but I know I need to do them. 

 

13. Bunting for the Yarn Shop window in Stone.  We're all doing a few flags.

Secret Knitting!

I have just finished my secret knitting.

Nearly 5 months, 1512 rows, many many stitches and a bit of crochet later, it is all done.

I'm pleased it's all done and I have enjoyed doing it, but I'm not sure I'll do it again any time too soon.

I still can't tell you what it is, but all will be revealed.

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More Knitting to Undo

Had to undo 10cm of knitting last night because I read the pattern wrong. Good job it was only 33 st wide so not too much knitting involved. It's still annoying though.

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