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....