Diary

Update 28.01.07

Well here I am again and it's the second post in January (just) so you could say I'm sort of sticking to my New Year's resolution (ha!ha!).

It is Sunday afternoon (oops just saw the time and realised it's tablet time, hang on a mo!!!) Right I'm back, now where was I? Oh yeah, it's Sunday afternoon and I'm sitting here in my PJs (I don't get dressed on days I'm not going out - ha!ha!) and I've got Mannequin (yes that naf 80s movie) on the TV and I'm catching up on all the things that I need to do on here (like updating this site and my myspace page and writing emails etc etc)

Now you might be wondering what I am doing here when I should be in Birmingham!! Well poor Kieran has got a really bad cold (bordering on flu I think!!!) so we didn't go. I'm glad we didn't as he has got progressively worse over the weekend and it would have been no fun stuck in a hotel when he feels so rough. He is actually in bed at the moment as he got hardly any sleep last night and spent most of the night on here or watching crap TV. It's typical really as he has been managing to fight off colds and coughs and we went up to work on 19th January to say Bon Voyage to one of the girls who is escaping (only just really as she is just moving to a different site) and he comes back from there with this cold (he said it's all the blasted germs flying around the place!!!!) So another good reason that we are not working there anymore with all those infected persons walking around (ha!ha! only kidding!!!).

It was great seeing everyone in work although it didn't make me miss the place at all, and to be perfectly honest just being there for an afternoon knocked all the energy out of me for a couple of days!!!! We had more or less decided that there was no point having a leaving drink now as we've been gone from work a year but so many people were asking when we were going to have ours that we have decided that we will try and get up there in the next few weeks just to have an official goodbye lunchtime drink!!! We actually provisionally arranged a couple of meals/meet ups with some people so we will have to make sure they go ahead!!!

So we haven't been up to much really (well what's new eh??) I had my hair cut last week, at long last, so it's nice and short again which is how I like it now (much easier to manage). We have done alright in the sales and we have probably managed to get about £1500 worth of stuff for about £400 which is not bad (in fact it's bloody good!!!!). We haven't seen my mum and dad for a couple of weeks (in fact thinking about it I don't think we've seen them this year yet!!) due to one thing or another. They were coming over yesterday but we put them off due to Kieran not being well. Hopefully once he is feeling a little better we can arrange with them to pop over!!!

So thats another instalment in the exciting life of Divvy - ha!ha! Hope you are all managing to keep warm in this cold weather (we actually have had our heating on a couple of times in the last week or so!!). The snow lasted a long time didn't it - NOT - one day of snow what's that all about. When I was a kid we used to have days and days of lovely thick crispy snow!!! Notice now I don't have to go out in it if it snows I welcome it with open arms - ha!ha!

I'll finish off by saying I hope all those that went to Brum had a fantastic time and didn't terrorise the hotel staff too much and I really hope there isn't any hangovers this morning (although I am sure there are probably a few!!!!) I hope it was a success as I know Julie said if it is she will arrange another one for later on this year and we will hopefully be able to get to that one!!!

Ciao for now!!!

Update 02.01.07

Hi here I am again!!! First of all I would like to wish everyone a very happy and healthy new year. It was very strange typing 07 in the date above but isn't it always at the beginning of a new year. So what are my New Years resolutions - well I don't normally make them as they always get broken and usually quite quickly - ha!ha! But this year I have made 2 - one is to loose weight which I really do have to try and stick too as even my neurologist said that I have got bigger and I must loose weight as it would make everything so much easier (easy for him to say he's not stuck in a wheelchair 24/7!!) And my second one which will probably be broken sooner is to try and keep this site and my myspace page up to date (I will try I promise!!! Notice I only promised I'd try and not that I'd do it!!!

So Christmas is over for another year. Boo!!!!!!! I love Christmas and this year is the first year in 3 that both Kieran and I have been well. Last year we were both unwell although Kieran was worse then me as he had an awful flu and the year before that we were both having relapses (me with my MS and Kieran with his ME). I suppose this year because we didn't have the stresses and strains of work we were able to take our time and not much rushing around so we were able to keep our stress levels down and hence not making ourselves ill!!!

We had a lovely day Christmas day at Kieran's mum and dad's and then my lot decended on us on Boxing day which was great!! I can't believe that we only see my sister once a year at Christmas now but her life is so busy now, I really don't think she knows her arse from her elbow most days!! She did say she would try and see us more this year and we did say we would meet up and do something for her birthday (which is February) so we will definately have to try and stick to that.

New Year's Eve we just had a quiet one indoors, like we always do now, but it was nice and we stayed up way past our bedtime (think we went to bed about 2.15am!!!). Yesterday was spent with Kieran's mum and dad as it was Kieran's birthday, so we had a nice relaxing day down there. My mum and dad were supposed to be coming over Saturday for a couple of hours, but my mum isn't very well at the moment (Get well soon mum!!).

We are going to Birmingham at the end of January for another little meet up. Julie (not the Julie but Dropdead J) has organised a little meet for a bunch of us nutters from the chatroom!! It was just an evening event but sounds as if most of us are getting there on the Friday so we will be there for 2 nights (oh my does that hotel know what it has let itself in for!!!). Hopefully on the Friday evening I will also be meeting up with my cousin as he lives up that way and we haven't seen each other for years, so that will be good. We are also taking our time driving back and have got to book a Travelodge for the Sunday night. Now you may be thinking, are they mad using Travelodge again after our last experience, but the reason we are is because we have a voucher for one night's free stay (after my complaining about our treatment last time, we received a full refund for our 2 night's stay and also a voucher for another night's stay at any time at any travelodge this year - sometimes moaning does get you somewhere!!!).

Can't think of much else we've been up to. I had my neurologist's appointment at the beginning of December and apart from saying I really should try and loose some weight (he was very nice about it, very blunt but nice which I like as at least he is honest). He said as I don't seem to have got any worse (which I don't think I have - a few small things I've lost that I could do a year ago, like get my legs into bed myself etc) but I'm still able to transfer (OK with a little help sometimes) and I can still get out and drive the car (not every day but a few times a week!!) so he said I am winning at the moment which was nice to hear. I also had my follow up appointment from my op, and was told that nothing was found and that it was just a non malignant cyst, which I already knew anyway. She asked if I was ok and I said apart from a minor problem with one of my scars (which I went to the nurse at my doctor's surgery about) that I was doing fine. So I was in there for under 5 minutes and it was a complete waste of time and money if you ask me. Kier's mum said yesterday that some hospitals are thinking of scrapping the post op follow up appointments and I said it is a good idea as it would save them so much money and if people are having problems after an op there is no reason why their GP can't deal with it or send them back to the consultant, just my opinion on my experience!!

Anyway think that it enough rambling and I must go and get ready as we are going sale shopping today (yes we are still spending money but being careful about it ha!ha!). So once again Happy New Year!!!!!!

Update 05.11.06

First of all I'd like to apologize to anyone who has been visiting my site and kept finding the 'Under Construction' sign up again. I was finding that I wasn't taking enough interest in my site and was not updating it regularly enough, so decided to give it a break, but I'm back!!!!!!! Still rambling a load of old rubbish but hey, that's me!!!

As you can see I've changed the look of the site. If anyone has any problems reading the site with the colours I have used, please let me know as I don't mind changing again, and I'd rather the site be accessible to all then it looking pretty!!!

So where do I start. Well we've had our holiday. We had a fantastic time, and I managed the drive with not too much trouble. Splitting it over 3 days was a good idea of Kiers. We had a bit of trouble with the first room we had booked at Warminster, and ended up having to travel another 45 minutes to the travelodge in Chippenham (can you believe that the disabled room at Warminster was out of action due to works being done, and they didn't inform us until the night before we were due there, bearing in mind that we booked it back in July so we knew where we were staying!!!!!) As it turned out Chippenham didn't turn out too bad for us as it was on top of the motorway and we realised that I was better doing motorway driving!!!

Cornwall was fantastic, as always, and we had a beautiful cottage that had been adapted superbly. We will definately be going back there, and I think Kier's mum is coming with us next time. We managed to get out everyday which surprised me and Kieran as we thought I would need to rest a couple of days of the week, but when on holiday I felt quite good, suppose fresh air and the excitement of being there probably helped. I managed nearly 1000 miles of driving in 10 days when I'm only doing about 500 a month now, so it shows I was feeling ok.

My legs were a bit poorly the week after we got back, but only for a few days and we still managed a couple of spending sprees - ha!ha! Kieran has now received his compensation payment so we were able to pay off the last of what we owe and we are now completely debt free, for the first time in God knows how long!!! We know we now have to watch ourselves as we only have my pension plus benefits coming in, but its a pretty decent pension and should be enough for us to live quite comfortably - just no more big spending sprees!!!!

Tuesday just gone (yes Halloween) I had to go into hospital for an operation. They found a cyst on my ovary earlier in the year (can't remember if I posted about it and I can't be bothered to go look (yes I know I am a lazy cow!!!), so I have been waiting to go in. I wasn't worried about the op itself which was a bit strange as I've never been put out before, but I was more worried about the stay in hospital (strange I know but being in the wheelchair I was worried about how I would cope). The surgeon told me that he would try to do keyhole surgery first, and I was keeping my fingers crossed that it would work, as it only meant one night in hospital. And guess what, he managed to do it that way so I was home on Wednesday. I was sooooo glad!!! I had no adverse affects from the anasthaetic and it's had no effects on my MS, so far. I'm a little sore but nothing unbearable although I think I've over done it a bit as I felt so good, so I have to try and rest properly to allow myself time to heal properly, inside and out. I probably should be staying in bed, but that is easier said then done, as I get very uncomfortable if I try to stay in bed. Kieran is being very good though and is doing everything (he has to do most stuff anyway but now he is doing everything!!!). He did a roast dinner today and it was bloody handsome, yum yum!!! And he washed up afterwards, I am so happy he is here with me!!!

So we have had to delay our farewell drink with people from work again!!!! I wouldn't mind but we haven't been there properly since October 2005 (we did one and a bit days earlier this year when we tried to get back to work but thats all!!!).We really do want to go up and say our proper goodbyes but obviously that won't be for a few weeks now. It will probably be Christmas by the time we manage to do anything - ha!ha! So if anyone in work still reads these mad remblings I promise we will be up to see you one of these days!!!

So thats my news for now, just got to get this site back uploaded on to the web!!!

Update 23.08.06

Here I am again - weeks have gone by with no word from me (unlike me to be quiet - ha!ha!). I haven't in real life and Kier will vouch for that!!!!

I've still been spendng far too much time on myspace.com and got myself a few friends on there, and even found someone who I know. Janet from school is on there, hooray!!!! It's nice to see someone I know rather then having all strangers asking to be my friend. Don't get me wrong, it's nice to meet new people, but some of the requests have been from, how should I put this, mmmmmmmmm, weirdos that's all I can say, as you can guess I've denied them!!!!

The burning pain in my feet has improved a little (well I can keep shoes on for longer then a couple of hours now!!). Not sure if it's the meds or the flaxseed oil that is helping but I'm not giving either of them up. The weather is a lot cooler as well so that could be a reason why aswell!!

Talking weather, thank goodness all that horrible hot weather has gone. I am sure people are moaning that it is colder now, but it is so much more bearable!!! It almost seems as if the seasons are starting earlier as the summer seemed to start in May and now Autumn seems to have started in August. All very strange!!

2 good things happened this month. Firstly we have finally booked a holiday, the first one in over 2 years - yay!!! Yes, we are off to Cornwall again - do we really go anywhere else!!! We are going in October as we like going out of season, and we are doing the sensible thing and taking 3 days to get down there, staying in Warminster and Exeter en route and then the same on the way back, so it makes the holiday longer and more exciting!!! Can you tell I'm excited - ha!ha!

The second good thing that happened was, I met up with a school friend who I haven't seen in over 20 years!!! Hi Maria if you ever read this!!! We had a fantastic afternoon. We met at our local shopping centre as it was easier access and toilet wise for me. We met for coffee and Kiers went off to do his own thing. Then she pushed me around the shops and we had a good girly chat whilst checking all the goodies out in the shops. Then we rang Kier and we all went for something to eat. It was such a good afternoon and we got on so well, considering we were only 18 last time we probably saw each other. We are going to try and meet up again in September when her kiddies are all at school. This time she is going to come over to us!!!!

I've finally got back to physio in the last couple of weeks. Last week was a bit of a disaster as I hadn't been for so long, and I had a full bladder that I couldn't empty so as soon as she started to pull me around I was getting pains and spasms in my stomach. We tried a walk with the parallel bars but my legs were having none of it so I had 10 minutes on the bike, which is nice as it does some of the work for you but you are still exercising your muscles. This week was a little better. I had John this week, and wasn't sure how it would go as I've never had him doing the stretches etc before but he got a lot more movement out of my legs and he was pleased at how flexible my legs were, and that the muscles seemed to be working ok. The walking with the parallel bars was still a no no as my knees were locking too much but I did a little longer on the bike. Shame I've got wait 2 weeks now for my next appointment as my allotted time is on a Monday and it's bank holiday next week. I will just to get my ass in gear and start doing some stuff indoors.

So that's my exciting few weeks!!

Update 06.08.06

My, my has it been nearly a month since I updated my site. I am a naughty girl!!! I keep finding other stuff on this internet that keeps me away from things I should be doing, like emailing friends and updating this site (to anyone who is waiting to hear from me I will write one day, I promise!!!!)

So, what has been happening in my life in the last month? Well first of all not a lot as the weather has just got ridiculously hot and humid, too hot for us to even think about hitting the coast!!! Luckily it has cooled down the last few days and we've even had some rain, which was a godsend, but it is set to last, and they say it's going to get hotter again - boo!!!!!!!! In fact it feels hot and sticky today, but not as bad as it was!!

One of the women we worked with was retiring, so we went in to see her the other Thursday. We met her in the pub at lunch time and it was great to see everyone from work (Hi to you all!!). We decided to pop back into work to see any others that were lurking around and we ended up staying there until nearly 5pm. Big mistake!! I was so hot and knackered that we had to stop at Kier's mum and dads on the way home (as they aren't far from where we worked), and I rested and cooled down there for a couple of hours before continuing on our journey home. It made me realise that giving up work at this time in my life was absolutely the right decision!!!

It was my mum and dad's 40th wedding anniversary a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately we didn't get to spend the day with them as it was one of the really hot weekends and there was no way we could have them and my sister over here, as the flat would have got unbearably hot with 5 people in here. They spent the day at my sister's place instead and had a great day, so sorry we didn't get to celebrate it with you both but glad you had a nice day!!! We are going to have them all over once the weather cools down, which will be nice as we don't get to see enough of my sister as she lives up in London and is a busy little bee!!!!

Has anyone had to deal with the tax office?? Don't get me wrong, everyone I have spoken to has been really nice, but I am trying to sort out the tax code for my pension payments as I am being taxed at too high a code at the moment and it feels like I'm a dog chasing his own tail. Spoke to someone this week who seems to have done what needs to be done so we will wait and see what happens. It won't be done in time for this month's payment so that means I am still paying way too much tax!!! Oh well at least I should get it back at the end of the tax year. Kieran has received his notification of what his compensation is going to be, and I must say it is rather handsome so we are pleased with that, and his pension is frozen until he reaches retirement age, which we were surprised at as we didn't think he would get a pension as he was technically sacked, but they have frozen that, so that is good news.

I've been having a lot of trouble with pains in the bottoms of my feet, so I've had to up one of my meds to see if that helps. If it doesn't I may have to go on yet another medication. I've also started taking flaxseed oil capsules as I have been reliably informed by JJ's own vitamin queen (thanx Julia) that they will be beneficial to me.

So what have I been doing on here that has kept me away from updating this site. Well I have still been creating stuff in my paint shop pro programme, will be updating my PSP Page soon. I have also got myself a Myspace page. Now I know it is mainly full of teenagers and young adults, but I've never grown up now, have I?? It seems like fun, I am slowly collecting friends. If anyone reading this has a Myspace page and want to add me as their friend go here and add me as a friend. And we've been spending far too much time on ebay - oops!!!!!

So that's about it for now.

Update 11.07.06

Hi, thought it was about time I paid some attention to this website, starting with my diary, I don't want you all to think I've dropped off the face of the earth!! (Although I am sure there are some people out there who wishes I would - ha!ha!)

Had a bit of a busy week the week I last updated this site. Nothing too exciting but just seemed to be a busy one which wiped us both out for a little while (made us realise that trying to work a full week would definately be a no no now!!!). My wheelchair turned out to be ok, in fact it's exactly the same make as my old one but just a bit more modern and a bit wider (for my ever expanding backside!!!), but that has made it much more comfortable for sitting in (and as I am in it all the time comfort is of the upmost importance). We are thinking of getting rid of our sofa, and getting 2 bucket armchairs as that will be so much better, room wise. I am hoping if they are high enough I will be able to spend sometime sitting in one of those rather then sitting in the wheelchair all the time and then I can have my feet up, as the doctor said I need to start sitting with my feet raised to help with the fluid retention and puffiness that I suffer from now, and which causes great problems and discomfort when I have to put shoes on (or should I say trainers as that is all I seem to be able to get on my feet these days!!!!)

On the Friday of that week we went to Hastings (as it was still hot then, glad it is starting to cool down now although the humidity at the moment is doing neither of us any good!!!). Hastings was lovely. We used to go there all the time years ago but hadn't been for ages and we couldn't believe the improvement down there. We knew they had been doing it up, but wow it looks like a different place, and there is a lovely shopping centre now (and you know we like a nice shopping centre - ha!ha!)

Then we had my mum and dad over on the Sunday, which was lovely. Kieran and my dad were going to do the car again but it was too hot and sunny, so the car is still dirty at the moment!!!! No point washing it this week as it keeps raining.

That left us so knackered we didn't do a lot last week. I had my haircut on Tuesday so it's nice and short again and more manageable, thank God!! I had my routine appointment with Kitty (my MS nurse) on Wednesday and that was about it for the week.

I finally got my lump sum from my pension so we were able to sort out some things with that and I have now been told when my regular pay day will be (ha!ha!) so that is a lot easier knowing that regular money is now coming in each month. Actually that reminds me I must ring the benefits people as they said I must inform them when my pension was going to start - I'll do that today if it doesn't slip my mind again - ooops!!!!!!

Oh I just remembered, Happy Belated birthday for the 28th June to Niki. I did try to ring you at work but was informed you were in France. Another holiday???? What are you like girly!!!

That is about it really. Got a guy coming from the council this afternoon about our application for housing and council tax benefit - probably just wants to be nosey and see what belongings we've got - he better not say about selling some of our stuff or I think he might end up with a punch in the gob or at least a mouthful of abuse - hee!hee! Saying that I better go and give Kier a shout as we need to do some tidying up before he comes (yes the same as usual, we live in complete chaos until someone is coming around - ha!ha!).

I will be back later to do some more updating on the site as I am well aware the joke page is well overdue an update!!!

Until next time - bye bye!!

Update 26.06.06

Hi here I am again with another load of boring drivel - ha!ha! I'm not even sure if anyone bothers to read these entries anymore but I do them anyway as I like to read back and see what I have (or haven't) done - the memory isn't what it used to be - ha!ha!

Hope all are well. We are doing ok, although my legs have decided to play up the last few days, although, touch wood, they didn't seem as bad yesterday and so far today (but I've only been up an hour or so!!). Kieran has seemed to get his hayfever under some control, which is a blessing. The weather has cooled a little so that is helpful, but he has also found that benadryl and the beconase spray seem to work for him. He always used to use homeopathic stuff, which worked really well for him and even eliminated his hayfever for a couple of years, but for some reason it didn't seem to work this year!!! We have some local honey as well, as our nurse at the doctor's surgery told us that if you get local honey into your system it seems to stop the hayfever, as the local honey is made from the local flowers which are causing the hayfever. Unfortunately you have tp have it in your system before hayfever season, and yes you guessed it, we had it there but he didn't start taking it in time, yes we are crap at remembering things - ha!ha!

Well looks as if my pension is sorted out, hurrah!! Not that I've seen any money yet. I am going to ring them today to find out when I should expect to start receiving my money!! Kieran has finally received his back pay of benefits that he was entitled to. He is just waiting to hear when his pay will start before he informs them to stop paying him. It's all so frustrating, as after the 12 weeks he will have to start the whole process all over again. I said to actually make an appointment to see someone at the jobcentre this time, rather then do the application over the phone, and hopefully that way it will be a lot easier!!!

My, my, England are still in the World Cup!!! Don't get me wrong, I really want them to do well, but if they want to get any further they better start playing some better football. Although Portugal having 2 players suspended from the next match is of benefit to them, oh well we will see how they do next weekend!!! Come on you boys, you can do it!!!!!!!!!

So what have we been up to - oh hang a mo - I just had to go and scare off a starling from our bird feeder. Don't get me wrong I don't discriminate against any bird (ha!ha!) but once the starlings discover that we have a fat cake out there, they come along and eat it all as they are greedy buggers - so I let them take so much and then shoo them away so the tits can get their share. Now where was I, oh yeah what have we been up to. Not a lot really. Took the car in, they couldn't find anything wrong with the alarm but they have ordered some components for it as replacing them may help the problem, so we are just waiting for them to come in.

Went to Walmer and Deal a couple of weeks ago, which is good as that drive is just a little further on then what I had been doing. I got on ok, and we had a lovely day down there as we love it down there. Nothing to do really only walk along the sea front, and see the castles but its a nice relaxing place. Not been anywhere since as the weather has changed a little. What little colour I had managed to get is slowly disappearing, so more sun and trips to the coast required. I only want the sun if we go down the coast as it is too hot otherwise!!! ha!ha!

Just heard that one of my MS email friends has had his baby (well his wife has of course!!). Congratulations to Alden and Lara and welcome to little Finn in to this big old world. I am sure your brothers, Liam and Connor, will take good care of you.

I am picking up my new wheelchair today, which is about time. I've only been waiting for it since January!! That has been a tale and a half, which I won't bore you with, but at least it is sorted now, just hoping the wheelchair is suitable and not some big old heavy jelopy (or however you spell that word!!!!)

That's about all my news - see I told you as boring as ever - ha!ha!

Until next time - adios!!!!

Update 10.06.06

Hello - yes your eyes are not deceiving you, I am actually here whilst the England game is on the TV!!!! I have been watching it but decided to jump on here and get on with updating this diary as it's well overdue!! England are one up at the moment which is good but a bit scarey, they need another goal to make it more comfortable, another reason I'm not watching as it's too scarey - ha!ha!

So the good weather is back with a vengeance!! It's good that we have got rid of all the rain but it could be a bit cooler (I am never satisfied am I??). Poor old Kier's is suffering big time with his hayfever as the pollen is flying around all over the place. The only drawback of having all those trees behind us!!! We have had a couple of trips down the coast in the last couple of weeks as 1. it is cooler down there 2. Kieran's hayfever disappears at the coast and 3. I am slowly building up the distance I can drive. This is because we are hoping to be off to Cornwall later in the year and we want to be sure that I can do the drive (Kier doesn't drive!!!). Motorway driving is the hardest with hand controls as you have to try and keep the wheel steady with one hand at high speeds, but I am managing about an hour of motorway driving before I need a stop, so that isn't too bad and we have decided that we will take things easy getting down to Cornwall and do it over 2 days. We are hoping to go for 2 weeks this year, but we can't book anything until we know when my surgery is going to be.

The car is still running smoothly although it badly needs another wash. My dad is going to come over soon and give Kier a hand. The alarm still hasn't been sorted as I have had to rebook the garage a couple of times as other things have kept cropping up that are too important to change. It is going in next week now although we don't have problems with the alarm anywhere but parked at home and during the night. We have no idea what is causing it but we can't keep disturbing the neighbours so we need it adjusted again.

I'm still not getting my pension which is a bit of a bummer but I have been in contact with the girl who is dealing with it and hopefully it shouldn't be too much longer. At least my benefits have been sorted and I'm getting some money, more then I can say for Kieran's. He is still chasing around after his and his application went in ages before mine!!!

He had his meeting on Thursday at work and he has been dismissed with a compromise agreement which means he should get an offer of compensation (this is basically to stop him taking them to a tribunal). He has also been given 12 weeks notice with pay, which we were surprised about. He is just waiting for the letter to tell him how much compensation they are going to offer. He has 10 days to appeal this decision so hopefully the letter will be here Monday. It will also be handy as he has a meeting at the jobcentre on Tuesday about his benefits (although he isn't getting them yet!!!) and he will have to let them know that he is getting paid for 12 weeks. The interview is to discuss how they can get him back to work but he will have to tell them that 1. he isn't fit to work yet and 2. he won't be returning to work anyway as he is my full time carer. Hopefully the person at the jobcentre will get things sorted out for him as it is starting to get beyond a joke. What they think we are living on, God only knows. Air and plastic is what we are living on - ha!ha!

Anyway that is about it for now. If anyone in work is reading this we are going to have a leaving do of some sorts but not sure when. We're trying to think of somewhere near to work that is accessible and has facilities for me so if anyone has any ideas please contact us - ha!ha!

Update 22.05.06

Hiya here I am again. What happened to all the nice weather we were having? It hasn't stopped pissing down with rain for the last week!!!! Mind you at least the threat of a drought may be sorted if we get enough rain. As you can gather I haven't been out all weekend as it really rained!!!

So what have I been up to? Well I had physio again this week and I did really well. I managed to walk the parallel bars a few times which was good. I even managed it once before she gave my muscles a stretch, as she had to be careful pulling my legs about because of my shin. Poor Kay (the physio), she had to avoid my left foot due to my sore toe (which is still sore from the fall I had last August!!) and my right shin due to the sunburn, she must have wished I hadn't bothered going - ha!ha! She said they are changing the way they do things there due to the great influx they have had of new patients, she thinks I will benefit from a 6 week intense course of physio followed by a 6 week gap with me doing exercises at home, and then back to them to see how I'm doing. I've just got to get myself motivated to do the exercises indoors!!!!

As for my shin it is 100% better then it was last time I wrote. I was lucky that I didn't have to go to A&E, as Kieran's mum said I probably had 2nd or 3rd degree burns on there and was lucky the skin hadn't peeled away completely. I just have a few scaley bits left and a nice new pink patch of skin which I am looking after as it is obviously very new skin!!! I won't be exposing my shins to the sun in a hurry, I can assure you (that's if that wasn't our summer come and gone - ha!ha!)

We had the alarm sorted on the car and guess what, it's still playing up!!! We thought it was sorted as it hadn't gone off for the last few days but a neighbour knocked on the door at 1am this morning to tell us it was going off again every half hour or so. Kieran went out to turn the motion sensor off and the bloody thing wouldn't turn off so once again he had to sit in the car for an hour or so. He then decided to come in and check on me as I sometimes get up around 2am, and it worked for him that time. It was lucky as I was trying to work out how I was going to get out of bed when I heard his key in the door. We sat up a little while to make sure it didn't go off again and then went back to bed. So I feel a bit washed out this morning!!!! The car is booked in to go back but not until 1st June (and I will probably have to rebook it as something else has come up for that date!!!!) It isn't too much of a problem as long as we can turn off the motion sensor when we park at home!! Don't want to upset the neighbours!!!!!!

I'm now officially a pensioner!!!! My ill health retirement was agreed and I have no longer been employed since 9th May 2006, exactly a month before I would have been there 20 years!!!! Longer there then at school - ha!ha! I am yet to hear when I can expect to start getting some money as they said it will take 5-6 weeks for the paperwork to be sorted. No news for Kieran, but he has just received notification of his next meeting, which is 1st June, so we will know more then hopefully.

Had a trip to Ikea last Friday. We had been promising Kieran's mum that we would take her for ages, so we went over with his mum and dad. We bought a few little bits (well you have to don't you - ha!ha!). Had a very tiring, but very enjoyable day. Only thing planned for this week is a haircut tomorrow and then nothing else, unless something crops up. So we can have a nice relaxing week, this week. Hope you are all well.

Update 08.05.06

Well, here I am again and not such a long wait this time. Hope everyone is ok and enjoying the nice weather. I feel so much better when it starts to warm up although don't like it too hot, so how it is at the moment is perfect. I don't think Kier would agree with me as he is already starting to suffer from headaches due to the heat, poor sod, he is dreading the summer, although I've heard it is not going to be as hot as it has been the last couple of years. We'll see as they also said it was going to be one of the harshest winters on record, and I don't think it was.

So what have we been up to. Well we went to Ramsgate again this week. Actually planned it this time so we took stuff with us (like a change of shoes for me as my feet start to hurt if I have the same shoes on for too long!!). We knew it was going to be sunny so we said we would get sun tan lotion down there. When we got there it didn't feel so hot, in fact after a couple of hours I put a light jacket on as the sea breeze was a bit chilly. So we didn't bother with lotion and yes, you've guessed it, I got burnt!!!!!!! I should know better really as I have done it so many times in the past. I came home looking like a lobster (with panda eyes as I hadn't taken my sun glasses off!!!). I woke up the next morning with some blisters on my forehead but they had popped during the night so I cleaned them up and they are ok.

Unfortunately I had cropped trousers on so my shins got burnt and yesterday I noticed that one of them had small blisters on it. My mum and dad came over yesterday so they had a look and said just to keep an eye on them. Well after they left my right shin started to pinch a little and when we checked it the small blisters had turned into one large blister and was weaping all over the place, YUCK I hear you shout. Well it wouldn't stop so last night I had to try and sleep propped up so I could keep that leg out of the covers, as I didn't fancy waking up and finding the covers stuck to it. As you can imagine, I wasn't very comfortable so I was back up at 2am and got into my wheelchair and fell asleep again for another 4 hours. Now I have a seriously bad neckache and headache, and generally feel like shit!!!! At least my leg doesn't look too bad this morning and hopefully it will dry up today, if not I'll have to go the chemist and get a surgical pad so at least I can sleep tonight!!!

I know my own stupid fault, as I know I have fair skin and should be more careful and everyone knows that at the coast, even if there is a cool sea breeze the sun is still hot enough to burn you!!!

Oh I've just noticed it's pissing down with rain outside and my dad and Kieran washed the car yesterday and it was looking all nice and shiney. It will be covered in dust again now :-( Actually we have to take the car back to the garage tomorrow as we had some problems with the alarm going off during the night, so we need it adjusted as it is obviously too sensitive!!!! Other then that, it is still a dream to drive and I am loving it. I am so much more comfortable in it and my legs are not so stiff when I get out as I am not so low down which makes it easier to stand up when getting out!!!

I had a hospital appointment during the week. Not to do with MS this time. What happened is, I had an ultrasound on my bladder a few weeks ago (that was MS related) and on examination she found a mass on my right ovary so she reported on it to my nuerologist who referred me to a gynaecologist. Well he told me that the mass is over 7cm long, which is a big mass!!! He said he is pretty sure it isn't anything serious (although he sent me for blood tests just to make sure it isn't cancer or anything!!!). But the scarey thing is he said it will have to come out as it shouldn't be there. So I am now on his waiting list for surgery!!! It is about a 6 month waiting list which doesn't bother me. I am not scared of the surgery itself especially as he specialises in key hole surgery and is gonna try and do it that way if he can. What I am scared about is staying in hospital. Now how silly is that!!!!! I've never had to stay in hospital before (well for one night when I had my lumber puncture but I was mobile then). I am worried about other people having to help me get into bed, go to the loo, get washed etc I know I am being silly as the nurses know what they are doing and have dealt with people like me before (and people that are a lot worse off then me) but I still don't like the idea!!!! Oh well I'll have to get used to it as it's gonna happen. I won't dwell on it anyway as I'll only get stressed about it and I am doing well at avoiding stress at the moment (probably something to do with the fact that I'm not at work!!!

Talking work - still no news on that front which is now getting a bit ridiculous. I am going to try and find out more today if I can as I need to know what is happening and what money we have got coming in!!!! I don't want those credit cards going up needlessly as we will have to pay them back!!!!!!

I have seriously got back into my psping (paint shop pro that is) and I have been creating some stuff using one artists graphics at the moment as I love his stuff. I think I may set up a page so that you can see what I have been doing,if you are interested that is!!!!

Not a lot else to say really so until next time tada!!

Update 29.04.06

What am I like? Nearly a whole month without an update. Sorry about that but I am sure your lifes haven't been ruined by not knowing the next "exciting" saga in the life of Divvy C - ha!ha!

So what have I been up to that has kept me so busy. Well the first main thing is that we finally got the new car. Oh it is a dream. It is everything I expected and more!!!! As you can imagine, and as the weather has been nicer, we've tried to go out in it as much as possible for me to get used to the size of it as it is a tad bigger then the old one :o) We even managed a trip to the seaside earlier this week. It was completely unplanned, we had to go and pick a prescription up and Kier said lets go for a drive as it was nice and sunny. I thought it was a good chance to see how far I could manage to drive as we are planning to get back down to Cornwall one of these days for a much needed holiday!!! I kept driving until we decided to stop at Ramsgate which is about an hours drive from home.

It was lovely down there. Nice and sunny but not too hot. We had a nice stroll/roll along the seafront and then stopped for some chips (well you can't go to the seaside and not have fish and chips now can you?!?!) We stayed down there a couple of hours and then I decided we better start back home before I got too tired. The journey home was harder as my arms and neck started acheing (which happens with the hand controls), and I have to admit to being completely knackered when we finally got home, but a half hour indoors and I started to feel ok again. I know now that if we go to Cornwall I will have to do it in stages which we had said anyway!!

Another plus is we got rid of the other car without much problems. The guy who sold us the new car told us his brother deals in second hand cars so we went to see him and he said he would take if off our hands and he offered us slightly more then we were expecting to get, so that was good and took a lot of worry away as I really thought we were going to be stuck with it for ages and have to scrap it in the end!!

We are still waiting for work to sort out what is happening with us as we are still off long term sick. I would have thought my pension would have been agreed and sorted by now but no such luck!!! Kieran is waiting for a date for his next meeting where he will move onto the next step which is one step nearer to knowing what is finally going to happen to him, i.e. be pensioned off/dismissed/or hand notice in!!! What we are going to live on next month is anyone's guess, but we will manage, don't we always!!!!!!

Our benefits claims are going through and a woman spoke to Kieran yesterday and said she could see no problem with us both getting the incapacity benefit and then she would take it from there on what else (if anything) we are entitled too. Kieran has applied for Carer's Allowance as well but get this. He was told by the people that if he gets Incapacity Benefit he won't get the Carer's Allowance as IB is more (how stupid is that, I think he should be entitled to both as he is off long term sick but is also my carer!!).

I'm sure there is more to tell you but I can't really remember anything else. Oh, I've had all my hair chopped off again, how exciting is that - ha!ha!

So I'll say Au Revoir for now and see you, hopefully sooner then a month's time. Have a great holiday Jennifer and Tim (they are off to Cornwall on Sunday) and safe journey, don't forget to ring us when you get down there!!!

Update 22.04.06

Sorry I've fallen behind with updating the website and my diary entries. I will try and catch up with things in the next few days - sorry to anyone who keeps checking on the site and finding it the same old same old!!!!

Update 01.04.06

So it's April Fool's Day eh?? Well I promise there will no april fool's gags here today (and its gone midday and isn't it unlucky to do anything after 12, so you are all safe!!!

Not a lot to report this week as I haven't been out of the house since last Sunday!!! We went to Kieran's mum and dads for Mother's Day (happy belated mother's day to all you mums out there). My mum was going over my sisters so we went to Kieran's mum for the afternoon. She had to cook us dinner which is not good as we were supposed to be pampering her, but she did like her pressies so think we are in her good books (Hi Jennifer if you are reading this!!!).

The reason I haven't been out for the rest of the week is, I haven't been too good. Not my usual problems either. This time I was having serious problems with my bowel and bladder. I won't go into details as I'm sure you don't want to be reading all about it, but needless to say my washing machine has had a lot of work this week. I pity anyone who has these problems all the time as by Thursday I was ready to slit my wrists!!!! Luckily all seemed to start quietening down yesterday and today I am nearly back to normal. I plan to go out tomorrow just to get out in the fresh air as I think I am rotting sitting in these 4 walls!!!!!!!!!

So nothing really to say (unusual for me I know!!). The car is still on schedule for the 20th so not long at all now - can't wait!!!!!!

Be prepared for a change of look to the page again as I've discovered yet another artist, whose work I love, so will be playing around again!!

Catch you all next week and hopefully I'll have more to write.

Update 25.03.06

Hi all, thought it was about time I updated my site, as judging by the hits I'm getting I've acquired a few new readers!!! (a big hello to all at work who have decided to read this drivel, hi littlehippo and others that have joined in from the digi room, ricci I hope you've managed to get back and have a little snoop around).

So what have we been up to since I last wrote. Let me think......

Well I managed physio last week. I was disappointed as I didn't do aswell as the other week. I had been suffering a lot of stiffness in my right leg which had made the exercises indoors especially difficult, so the PT did a lot of work on my legs whilst I lay on the bed. At one point she had my leg on her shoulder right up in the air, I told her I hadn't seen my foot up there in a long time ;o) When it came to trying the walking, it was a no go, she had worked on my legs so much they were completely numb!!!!!!!!!! I asked about borrowing a zimmer frame, so they went and got one and told me to have a go. I had to walk a certain length with it to see if I could use it. She was reluctant to let me take it at first, but she agreed as long as I don't do any walking with it and just use it to stand up and walk on the spot. I am not due back there now until 6th April, so will see how I get on then.

We've had sort of a busy week this week which has knackered us both out. Monday we had a couple of workmen coming to do a couple of jobs. The hand rail in the bathroom had come out of the wall so that needed replacing and reinforceing, and they were also coming to see about our parking post which had so kindly been smashed to smithereens by one of their other work vans last week, who were working in one of the other flats!!!! There was nothing they could do about it as they thought it was just a repair but it actually needs replacing, so yet another long wait while the council decide if they are going to pay for it to be done or not!!!!!!

Tuesday we had our union rep and good friend Steve coming over to talk to Kieran about his sick review meeting the next day. That in itself is not too bad but it meant another morning of having to get up, washed and dressed early!! And then Wednesday we went into work for Kieran's meeting. Of course I wasn't in the meeting but thought it a good opportunity to collect my personal stuff from work and to catch up with everyone that we hadn't seen for months. It was a good day and it was lovely to see everyone. We ended up staying there until 3.30pm, so as you can imagine we were completely knackered by the time we got home.

Kieran's meeting went ok. He is now on a written warning for his sick and has to return for another meeting in 6 weeks time. I asked if there was any news about my application and was told that my consultant had been written to on 14th March, and that if I wanted, to give him a ring just to jolly him up. I said I'd do it the next day but there was no need as he rang me that evening to let me know he'd received the letter and he was about to do the report (coincidence eh??).

I rang about my new wheelchair as I hadn't heard anything. And the women told me I'm not getting a new chair as the assessment was only for a new cushion, which I'd been given. I was gobsmacked as I just couldn't believe it. I just sort of said ok and put the phone down, but I am going to ring again on Monday and ask to speak to the guy who did the assessment as he definately said he was ordering a new wheelchair. He measured me and weighed me, and we even had to ring him when we got home to let him know the width of all our doors indoors. So I don't know what has happened there!!!!!!!

The car is still on target for 20th April. Getting excited now as time gets nearer and nearer. We've got to go and see the guy at the garage on Monday to get the form that I need to take to the DHSS offices to sort out the payment from the DLA.>

Had some good news about my sisters knitting designs this week as well. She has got a few boutiques interested in stocking the clothes and accessories and she's also got herself set up a website. Its in it's infancy but is looking good so pop over and have a look, if you get the chance here.

And thats about it I think. Look forward to seeing everyone in work again in a few weeks time, and hopefully will catch up with the people we missed.

Til next time, bye bye.

Update 13.03.06

Well I woke this morning to glorious sunshine!! Oh I know it is probably still cold outside, but having sunshine streaming through your windows makes you feel so much better in yourself. The fact that there is more daylight now, and it's not getting dark so early makes me feel 100% better. I love springtime and early summer, just can't stand it when it is too hot to go out in but I have changed from a winter worshipper to a summer worshipper which will surprise a lot of people.

I am getting very used to this being at home lark, together with Kieran. Well we have both been off now for 6 months, and we haven't killed each other yet. Actually we get on quiet well and don't seem to get on each others nerves when with each other 24 hours a day, not like some other couples I know. (Well I probably get on his nerves but he's good at hiding it!!!). Don't get me wrong, we are not the perfect couple from heaven, we do have disagreements but they very rarely turn into rows and they are forgetten in no time. We are obviously soul mates. (Now I've gone all sick and gushy!!!!)

I didn't make physio last week as legs were playing up again, but I have to say (and I don't want to tempt fate) but they have been behaving themselves the last few days. I have noticed that they seemed to have improved since I've been on the amantadine (a drug for fatigue for anyone who doesn't know!!). I don't know if this is a coincidence or whether its just that the fatigue played a big part in making it hard for me to lift my legs!!! We have also been good and been doing my exercises (although must admit haven't done them the last 2 days), so that is probably helping too!!! I am next at physio tomorrow so will see how well I do there this week.

Not long till we get the new car and I can't wait. Just got to work out what to do with the old one now as we can't have 2 cars parked here, as there is limited spaces as there is. Anyone know of anyone who would like a second hand fiat brava (P reg) in good working order, already equipped with hand controls, with few things need doing to it, email me here, and I can let you have more details (cheeky of me I know but I've got to try everything!!!!)

Kieran started his swimming last week and found it very beneficial. I wish I could go with him, but I refuse to be hoisted into the pool looking like a beached whale!! Maybe one day when I've lost some of this blubber (yes I know swimming would help), I may consider joining him. For now I'm quite content to sit and read a book while waiting for him, or if he gets the bus down then I am happy being indoors on my own for a couple of hours (he warns me not to do anything too strenuous, as he doesn't want to come home and find me on the floor!!!!)

Still no news on the ill health retirement situation!! It is all going through, which is good, but obviously these things take time. I haven't even heard from the medical advisor to let me know if they are going to want to see me or if they are going to go with the reports from my GP/neurologist. Kieran's seems to moving along faster as he is being dealt with under a different policy (don't ask!!), he has seen the doctor, and he is going to have a meeting with work, to be arranged in the next couple of weeks. He still doesn't think he will even be considered for medical retirement, but obviously he will have to leave work some how as he needs to be home with me (as my carer), so he is waiting to see what options they offer him.

Anyway that is about all my news for now!!

Update 01.03.06

Here I am again!!! God isn't it cold!! We had a few alright days but now the cold is really setting in. At least this time they did warn us. We haven't got any snow yet, although it tried to snow yesterday. I don't mind if it snows now as I don't have to go out in it, I can just sit and look at the pretty white fields outside my window!! OK that's enough rubbing it in, otherwise I'll have no readers left.

Still waiting to hear what is happening with retirement etc. At least Kieran has received his SSP1 form so we are just waiting for mine, and it looks as if he will get some sick pay next pay day and then it will be claiming benefits time. Hopefully I will receive some too, and we've also been told some of our back pay is being paid, so we've got that coming as well, so that will be ok for another month at least!! The doctor has signed us off for a long period this time. He had signed me off for 3 months and Kieran for 2. I think he's being a bit optimistic if he thinks my retirement will be sorted in that time but you never know!! He signed Kieran off for shorter as he had an appointment with a BMI doctor (to do with work) and she is trying to get him to see a specialist, so hopefully that won't take too long!!

I had my ultrasound on my bladder and unfortunately I am retaining quite a bit of fluid. It didn't help that I was absolutely busting to go and in the end couldn't hold on. And you know what it's like when you've been holding yourself for ages and ages, when you get to go you only do a trickle, so I don't think it was a completely true reading but we will wait and see what happens next. It looks like it may be the catheterisation route, which I wasn't looking forward too, but everyone ensures me that it is easy, so I won't worry about that until the time comes!!!

We finally got our arses in gear and went to see about getting a motability car. We tried the renault scenic and as we thought it was too high for me to get into. I tried 3 times, even tried with the banana board, but it was no go. Kieran said he was glad actually as looking at the scenic it would have been too wide for our parking space. The people who park either side of me are good enough to leave enough room for me to get in and out of the car, but I think they would have been a bit pissed off if I turned up with a great big wide car. Anyway we decided to have a look at the meganes and the salesman said to look at the megane sport tourer. Well we fell in love with it. It is basically the megane estate but boy what boot it has. We will have no problems getting my wheelchair plus other luggage if need be in there. In fact I reckon you could put a mattress in there and I could live in there :o) We are getting it in flame red and we paid a little extra to have a panaramic sun roof and un updated stereo in there. We went for the top one so it comes with everything else as standard, i.e. climate control, electric windows, electric mirrors, automatically wipers and the list goes on. We chose flame red as it was a nice colour, not really a bright pillar box red but more like burnt red. Actually I'll put a pic of it here so you can all admire it for yourselves. It should be ready around the 20th April so not long to wait!!! Yippee!!!!!!

Physio went well yesterday. When she first started working on my legs they wouldn't do what they were told and I felt a bit disheartened, but then she said lets have a look at your walking at the parallel bars and I walked so well. I couldn't believe it!!! I nearly managed the whole length in one go and then had to walk backwards to my wheelchair as it wouldn't fit down between the bars this time for some reasons. And then I did it again!!!! I felt as if I could do it a third time but didn't want to push it. And then I did 5 minutes on the exercise bike. I am going to ask her if I can borrow a zimmer frame when I go next week as I really want to practice my walking at home and I don't think the 4 wheeled walker is sturdy enough for me to use. So fingers crossed she will let me borrow one of their frames. I must be good now this week, and do my exercises, especially my stretching ones!!!!!!

That's about it for now. All I can say is roll on spring and warmer days!!

Adios!!!

Update 18.02.06

Well I'm still around so you can guess we didn't win the lottery!!!!! I told Kiers if he ever dreams of numbers again to keep them to himself - ha!ha!

So the update on the work front is, we have decided that it is just an impossibility to get into work, even on a part time basis. We are both going to go for medical retirement, it's just a matter of waiting now. We only managed to get into work actually 3 times in the last 4 weeks, so I think that is a good indicator that we just can't do it anymore. We have been able to use our leave up until now, which is good as we can then be paid, but from next week we are back on sick, so we will have to get some advice on what we can claim etc. Once again we are chasing work for our SSP1 forms, apparently there is some confusion over who supplies them, and one person is telling us one thing and another person something else, so I am going to have to do some more chasing around next week :o(

MS wise I am not too bad. I think with being able to take my time in the mornings and get washed/dressed at my own pace has helped an awful lot in me feeling better. We plan ahead now if we are going out so that I know when I get up that I will need to get ready for the outside world!!!! Otherwise I can just hang around indoors in my casual gear. I also went back to physio this week and I was pleasantly surprised that I could do more then I thought!!! I have a new PT as my other one is on maternity leave, so she had to familiarise herself with my problems and what areas she needs to work on. We still managed to get a little done and I am back there Tuesday morning, so hopefully will get more done then. The new PT is really nice and I am sure we are going to get along just fine.

Kier is up and down from day to day but he is generally still quite poorly with the M.E. To add insult to injury, the doctor thinks he has got acid reflux as well, as he suffers quite a lot after eating certain foods. He has started taking medication and it seems to be working, so fingers crossed it is sorted. I have started my amantadine today, to see if I can manage a little more oomph in the afternoons. So far I feel ok, no nasty side effects, but then again it is only my first day :o) Our house is becoming more like a pharmacy every day, I'm sure our GP thinks we are hypochondriacs!!!!!!

I've got my bladder ultrasound on Monday, so fingers crossed that will be all ok. I really feel that the reason I don't go to the toilet alot is because I don't drink enough!!!!! I have always been like that and everyone tells me off but I never think of just going and getting a drink unless I feel thirsty, and I don't feel thirsty that much!!

Nothing much else been happening in our lives, we are going to try to get out and look at cars in the next couple of weeks as we must start sorting out getting a motability car, especially as I don't think my car has got a lot of life left in it, and we don't want to be spending out on it when we are getting rid of it. We have got our hearts set on the Renault scenic, the only concern we have is the height of the front seat and if I'll be able to get onto it being such a short arse, but we will have a look at the Renaults first.

So that is about it for now. Nothing interesting I know, but at least I can let you know how we are getting on and fingers crossed, with warmer weather we may be able to get out and about a little more.

Update 27.01.06

Well finally I am able to update my site. Where have I been? You ask. Well nowhere but I think our computer decided to take a little trip into cyberspace. Well not exactly, our main hard drive sort of took a turn for the worse and was doing very weird and wonderful things. We managed to save all the stuff we needed and then reloaded windows on again. Everything was going well until it started to do the same things all over again, this is when our PC expert friend told us it sounded like a hard drive problem, so we ordered a new one. In the meantime we managed to load windows back on and just enough stuff to be able to access the internet (we can't live without our internet you know!!) and that lasted us a couple of days, then we just had to wait for the new hardrive to be installed and load everything back on!!!

As you can see we are back up and running but we are slowly reloading stuff on to this hardrive, hence why I haven't been able to update my site until now as I had no ftp client until this morning. It turns out that the original hard drive should be ok to use for a back up/storage drive, so we are thinking about having a 3rd drive put in the pc (that gives us 440gb of memory which I am informed is a lot of space (I can't quite get to grips with this mb/gb stuff!!!)

So we are having fun at the moment as it is like having a whole new pc - only thing is it is so long since we've set certain things up that we can't remember how to do it - the memory ain't what it used to be - ha!ha!

So what have I been up to - well I returned to work this week, sort of. It has been agreed that we can use our leave to do shorter weeks for the time being and they are also reintroducing us into the workplace by giving us shorter days (with no loss of earnings which is good!!). So we went back Monday but had to leave at 10am as I had a wheelchair assessment (more about that later) and then we were back in Tuesday until 1pm. We were off Wednesday as I had an appointment with my neurologist (more about that later too) and then we were supposed to be in Thursday and off Friday, but we found we were so tired on Thursday that we rang for another day's leave. So in total we did about 8 hours work this week and that was enough for us. We start again next week working Monday, Wednesday, Friday to see if that works better for us with a day off in between but if we can't get back into the swing of things and it is making us ill again we are going to seriously look down the route of medical retirement. I have to discuss this with our union rep who has already obtained all the figures of what we would be entitled to, so I suppose that will be a deciding factor too as we need to know we've got enough money to survive. Obviously if I retire it means both of us giving up work as Kier is my main carer and I couldn't be left indoors on my own everyday. He could try for medical retirement as well but not sure if they will entertain the idea as his illness is not necessarily a lifetime one but it is making him unable to work at this moment in time!!!

My wheelchair assessment went well. I had only been referred to sort out a suitable cushion for me as I am in the wheelchair all the time now, but he did a complete assessment. We decided that I needed a slightly bigger wheelchair to accommodate all these extra pounds I am carrying (yes I am going to try and loose them as I know it will be beneficial to me, MS wise and general health wise). They are ordering a new chair but in the meantime I am having some repairs done on this chair (which was today) and they have given me a new cushion to try to see how I get on with it and if I don't find it suitable they will supply me with a different kind when I go back for my new wheelchair. He also told me that if I find self propelling is getting harder, to contact them immediately as they will order an electric chair to be used indoors which was good to hear.

My appointment with the neurologist went fine. He agrees that I made a good choice coming off the rebif which was good as I wasn't sure if he was going to give me a lecture or not. He said that if I wanted something for the fatigue he was writing to my doctor to let him know what he could prescribe and I just have to contact him for a script. I am avoiding it at the moment as most days I find I am ok, but if I decide to stay on at work part time I may have to consider taking something then to get me through the days and not leave me knackered on my days off so I can enjoy doing other stuff. He said he will back me 100% if I decide to go down the medical retirement route which was nice to know. He also suggested me seeing a friend of his who works at a hospital nearer to where we are now living, but I would still be able to see him if I wanted to. I see the MS nurse in July so I've got until then to think about it but he said if I decide that is what I want to do before July all I have to do is give him a ring and he'll do a referral letter.

He also wants me to have an ultrasound of my bladder as I am having some urgency/retention problems, so I am waiting for that appointment to come through. I really hope I am not retaining too much fluid as I really don't want to go down the catheter road but we will have to wait and see.

Well Kiers has just bought his first lottery ticket ever (he doesn't agree with the lottery on a normal basis) but he dreamt 6 numbers the other night and remembered them as clear as day when he woke up and he wrote them down, so I said he has to buy a lottery ticket for this week, so keep your fingers crossed for us!!!!!!!

Update 02.01.06

Why is it that when I am off sick and have plenty of time to update my site, this is the last thing I want to do and the whole sorry mess gets forgotten?? But I'm here now to bore you rigid again - ha!ha!

So it's 2006, can you believe it? Time goes faster and faster as you get older, when you were young the christmas holidays seemed to go on forever and ever.

Well I suppose at least I've got more to put on here then 'we are still sick' (although by the way we both are!! We seemed to be doing alright and was all set for our return to work tomorrow and now we've both come down with a fluey type cold, so unless that clears up overnight I doubt very much if we will be returning!!!)

We had a great christmas. It was hard trying to work out what to do this year as it was my mum and dads turn to have us for christmas day but their house is completely inaccessible for me now I'm in the chair all the time. My mum suggested everyone coming to us but I said it would just be too much for us even though she was offering to do the dinner and everything, 7 people (and I mean noisy people) in this small flat would have given both of us a nervous breakdown and there would be no escape as it would be our house - ha!ha!

Luckily my mum came up with the suggestion that we do the same as last year and spend christmas day with Kier's mum and dad and then they would come to us on boxing day with my sister, which was great that she suggested it as I didn't want to hurt their feelings by not spending christmas day with them, especially as it might be their last over here as they may be back in Ireland by next christmas (we'll see!!!!!!!)

So that decided the next problem was getting everyones presents as we had done absolutely nothing and there was no way we could face those shops. Thank God for the internet. We only had to go to the shopping centre one day just before christmas to get a few last minute bits and pieces and they were surprisingly quiet, it must be true that the internet has taken away sales from the high street stores!!!!!

Oh yeah in the meantime, I forgot to mention, the council decided that they were finally going to come and sort out our bathroom (probably something to do with the fact that the toilet that was there was practically hanging off the wall!!) the week before christmas!! So, we packed Kracka off to Kier's mum and dads and my mum came over to let the workmen in and off we went to do our last minute bits and pieces. Well I couldn't be in the house without a workable toilet, and I know I wouldn't have used the commode if the workmen were there!!! We spent one day at the shopping centre, then the next day we spent at Kier's mum and dads as I was having my haircut there, then the 3rd day we stayed here as my mum had her own last minute bits and pieces to do. As it turned out they had to come back on the Thursday but only for a few hours and then it was all done!!!!!!!

So, what needed doing in the bathroom? Well the toilet had to be removed (there was one of those huge closomat toilets there that was too high for me hence why it was coming out of the wall as my weight went down on the front of it several times a day), and the plinth and bump in the floor (don't ask why we had a mountain in our bathroom - poor man's attempt at a wetroom me thinks). Then they had to retile where the shower seat had previously come out of the wall (my fat arse again and the fact that the person who lived there before me must have been quite a bit taller then me, which isn't hard). And then new flooring relayed which was nice as we had a horrible orangey black colour floor there and now its white with bluey silver flecks in it and with the smaller toilet and new tiles (he replaced a lot more then he needed too) our bathroom looks wonderful, well at least respectable for when people come around. Only problem is now the devon rail and grab bar are too high for me as the toilet is lower so I am having to get used to that!! (God is this girl ever satisfied!!)

Anyway back to christmas. We had a lovely day over at Kier's mum and dads and a gorgeous scrumptious dinner. Even his mum enjoyed the dinner and normally she doesn't once she has cooked it. We were spoilt rotten as per usual (on top of all the goodies that we managed to get each other even though we had said we wouldn't buy too much as we hadn't had time to do anything!!) We didn't stay too late so that I wasn't too knackered driving home. Then boxing day was nice especially as we haven't seen my sister since last christmas. She leads such a busy schedule that she doesn't get much time to come over this way (she lives near Kings Cross now.) My mum was a little delicate but all self inflicted and I think she learnt her lesson as she stayed off the booze new year's eve. As for us on new year's eve we did manage to stay up until midnight to see the new year in which surprised us both especially as Kier's flu was in full flow. We popped over to his mum and dad's quickly yesterday just to say happy new year and for them to celebrate some of Kier's birthday with him (secretly I think he just wanted his presents - hee!hee! only kidding!!)

So now we are both back home with streaming eyes and noses, Kiers is much worse then me but I think having this overactive immune system is beneficial sometimes as my colds don't seem to get too bad or hang around too long (famous last words there)

So I would just like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy and healthy(ish) 2006!!!!!!! Thats if anyone comes here anymore!!!!!!!

Update 25.11.05

Well can you believe we are still off sick. Just can't seem to get our oomph back if we had any to begin with!!!!

I've started physio which is going ok. Ellie (the physio) actually had me walking this week. OK using the parallel bars and only about 15 feet but considering I haven't walked since about April I think that is pretty damn good and I was very proud of myself. I also cycled 1.5km in 5 minutes. The bike thing they've got is great as you remain in your wheelchair and have your feet strapped to the pedals. The bike does some of the work for you but you still have to work at it and Kieran was laughing at me as I put my all into it. I can tell you I was absolutely knackered afterwards and fell asleep for about an hour when we got home when I was supposed to be watching something on TV (can't even remember what it was supposed to be.

A funny thing happened at physio. As we were going in the girl leaving said that Ellie was a bully (only kidding of course). When I said to Ellie that I was glad I wasn't the only one who found her a bully she asked who else had said that and I said the girl in with her before me, she said who Denise? Well I started writing to a Denise a few weeks ago who had placed an ad on the JJ webpal site. And yes you've guessed it, it's the same Denise. We are both due back there again around the same time next Tuesday so hopefully get to see each other and have a little chat.

I've turned into an avid twitcher. Since Kieran's dad put up our bird feeders I have been obsessed with watching the birds and identifying them in our multitude of bird books that we've acquired!! They are great fun to watch, only problem is the squirrels won't stick to eating their own food, and want the bird food too and they have now damaged our feeders. We have ordered a new one which is supposed to be squirrel proof!!!!!! We'll see!!!!!! So I am now officially a sad person - ha!ha!

So once again, apart from visits to the doctors and physio and food shopping we haven't been anywhere else. At this rate no one will be getting anything for Christmas as we still haven't bought anything for pressies. We've got our cards but still haven't written them out, you'd think with all this time on our hands we would have written them out but neither of us have got the desire to do them (we are soooo lazy!!!!)

Update 12.11.05

Well, what can I say? I can't believe that it has been nearly a month since I've even thought about updating my diary or any part of the site!!! Wish I could say it was because I'd been on a month's holiday but no such luck. Well I have been off sick from work if I can use that as an excuse but then again that has given me more time to get on with it so I'll just have to put my hands up and say I have just been damn lazy!!!

Me and Kieran have been off work sick 5 weeks now. I just can't seem to get my sleep pattern sorted out. First of all it was the pain in my lower back and hips waking me up but now I just can't lay for more then 4-5 hours without needing to get up because my legs are completely dead. As you can imagine this is leaving me completely knackered by the time 2pm comes around. I won't give in and start napping in the afternoons as I don't want my body to get used to that routine as I really do want (and need) to get back to work. Kieran's M.E. is playing up again (having to help get my fat arse off the floor probably had something to do with that!!!) The doctor has started him on new meds which knocked him out for a week or so, but he seems to be perking up a little now. Saying that, we both feel like crap today and got headaches that we can't shake.

To top it all off, remember that fall I had back in August when I took the skin off the top of my toes. Well one toe is still very sore so I got the doctor to check it. He said if it is broken there isn't a lot they can do but there is definately an infection where the cut is (yes it still hasn't healed), so I am now also on antibiotics which are upsetting my tummy a little, but the toe does seem to be clearing up!!

So once again not been up to much. I have been looking at this site and thinking it's about time I gave it a complete overhaul as the front page is out of date and I think it's time for a colour change, some autumnal colours I think :o)

One good bit of news, the flat is finally sold - hooray!!!!!!! And we got Sky installed. Kieran said he would wait until the sale of the flat so that we didn't have the extra stuff for that to pay out but then it kept taking longer and longer, so I said just go ahead and get it we'll work out how to pay for it all, but then he got it in his head that if he ordered the Sky something would go wrong with the sale of the house so he wouldn't order it until it was sold. As you can imagine we have been watching lots of TV now as we have the complete package (more films to watch but unfortunately more football too - ha!ha!)

The parents also came over last week and put our shed up for us, I know you are asking, do we do anything for ourselves? :o) Now all we've got to do is sort out the stuff we want to put in there but that will have to wait until we both have a bit more energy.

Hopefully we'll be able to go back to work on Monday (depending how we are tomorrow). I'm sure the doctor is getting sick of the sight of us!!! Especially as he was subjected to my manky toe last time he saw us :o)

I'll try not to leave it too long next time and hopefully I'll have something interesting to write (don't hold your breath). Can't believe Christmas is neary upon us and we have done absolutely nothing - help!!!!!!!!!!

Update 14.10.05

Not very well this week :o( Had a fall last Tuesday and apart from a cut foot there didn't seem to be many more injuries. Went back to work Wednesday, and felt ok but then Friday morning found I didn't have the strength to get out of bed and my lower back was killing me. Since then my legs have been kind of weakish although they aren't as bad as they have been in the past. It's just a general feeling of 'yuck'!!! And guess what Kier has got the 'yuck' as well. I don't think my sleeping pattern is helping (2-3 hours then have to sit up as back is hurting and then lay down for another hour or so and then have to get up!!!!!!!!). I also don't think this is helping Kieran very much as I'm obvioiusly disturbing him all through the night. To top it all off I am having problems with my toilet habits, but I am sure you don't want to hear about them!!!!

Had my appointment with Kitty, my MS nurse, last Monday (3rd) and I can now announce it to the world. I've stopped the rebif injections!!!!! I stopped a few weeks ago but didn't want to say anything on here until I had let them know, you never know who might be reading (ha!ha!). Why? I hear you ask. Well when I saw my neurologist in July he said that I was now secondary progressive MS, and in his opinion the rebif was not doing what its supposed to be doing anymore. He is keen for me to start on mitoxantrone but I'm not keen, so he left me on the rebif. My thinking was, what is the point of injecting myself with something 3 times a week if it isn't doing anything for me, so I stopped them. Must admit I feel fine and my legs aren't as stiff as they were the day after my injection (i.e. every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday). I suppose only time will tell if I've made the right decision or not. As I said in my last entry, yes I did get a telling off for not contacting the physio. I know I need to do this as I need to get some strength back while I can. I did ring them last week and am waiting for them to ring me back with an appointment. In fact think I will chase that up today. I'm also making a concious effort to get my diet back on track as I feel as if I have put on loads of weight and that certainly isn't helping, especially when Kier has to help get me off the floor when I fall!!!!! (Follow up as I started this diary the other day - I now have my first physio appointment for Thursday so will keep you posted.)

Can you believe the other flat's sale still hasn't been finalised. It seems to be taking forever, and whats worse is we have had to start paying mortgage and council tax on it again. We had a 6 month holiday on the mortgage and it was exempt from council tax for 6 months due to being an empty property. It took a couple of months to do up and then a week to find a buyer and its been dragging on ever since. We found we had to pay another fee yesterday for some more information they need to obtain (take my advice never buy a leasehold property!!!) We are keeping our fingers crossed this is the last query the buyer's solicitor will ask and then it can all be done and dusted.

So not been up to anything this week as haven't been out of the house since Saturday. I am hoping the car will start once I come to driving it again (it doesn't like sitting idle for more then a couple of days or so). We've been able to catch up with some film watching which is a good thing as we've got lots to watch.

Update 30.09.05

Well nearly October - can you believe it!!! All I keep hearing is Christmas this and Christmas that - its driving me mad. Don't get me wrong I love Christmas, but when stuff starts appearing in the shops in September then things are getting out of hand. We'll be putting up our decorations in March next year at this rate. Even our local Asda's was playing Christmas music last week - now have you ever heard anything so ridiculous?

Kieran hasn't been well again since my last entry :o( but luckily was only off work for 3 days so it was only a little glitch. We have actually managed a 5 day week in work this week which is a bit of a miracle!!! From Monday he should (and I say should as it should have started this Monday) be in a much quieter office which will be a lot better and will enable him to leave on time, so he shouldn't be wearing himself out running around in work as much as he does now.

Healthwise I've not been too bad. I'm still finding that I can't stay in bed for more then 4-5 hours as my back and hips start really hurting. I am sure this is due to the fact that I can't move around a lot in bed due to heavy legs so tend to stay in one position. I know that the main thing that is going to help with this will be physio and I know I am going to get a good telling off from my MS nurse as I promised her last time I saw her (6 months ago) that I'd get myself booked in for some, have I? Have I heck!!! Oops!!!!!

The garden is coming along lovely and we came home to lots of new plants and some new hanging baskets yesterday. No pics as yet but will post one when we have (and when I find out how to get some more storage space for my website as I reached my maximum and not sure how to go about getting more space - anyone know give me a shout!!). We took delivery of a new shed last weekend so that will be built soon I should think and then we can get rid of some of our crap from indoors!!

Not been up to anything exciting (I must have the most boring diary on the web - ha!ha!). So I'll love you and leave you - take care all.

Update 12.09.05

Well, I am just about recovered from last weekend. I can’t believe that a weekend away takes so long to get over and I had 2 days off work last week as well to have a rest. It was all worth it though.

As you can see the photos are rolling in and keeping me nice and busy and out of mischief :o) I am really enjoying seeing them all and love being able to put them up on the net for all to see, so remember anyone with any photos that they want put up send them on.

Visited our local national trust house on Wednesday. Well it had to be done really as it's right on our doorstep (and the land behind our flat, with the cows, belongs to it - that's how near it is). It's called St John's Jerusalem. It's a house with a chapel but only the chapel is open to the public. Unfortunately it's not accessible for wheelchairs but there are lovely gardens which are not too bad to get around (if you've got a strong companion to push you around that is!!!). It's a shame as there is a moat all the way around the gardens but due to the hot weather it was bone dry. Apparently the water comes from the fishing lakes and they have to damn it to make sure that the lakes don't run dry. I can imagine it looks really pretty when the moat is full.

Work is going ok. Our flexible working hours (flexi time to you and me) is working out well although I've had to ask for a little change to be made to our core hours. Hopefully this won't be a problem. Haven't had any attitude problems like before but then again we are back in our normal office and we are more or less left to take care of ourselves without interference and sly comments!!!!!!

MS wise I've been a bit up and down this week. Had a few days where legs are stiffer then normal and spasms have been quite bad but it seems to have evened out now and maybe it was to do with the weekend and being tireder then normal (if that is possible!!!)

Update 07.09.05

Oh what a night we had on the 3rd. I can't quite believe it's come and gone after all those months of waiting and everyone getting more and more excited!!!

The day couldn't have gone any smoother. We set off on time, the weather stayed coolish so I was able to do the complete drive to Birmingham without my mum having to take over. We stopped for breakfast about half way there and arrived at the hotel about 11.45am. Luckily we were able to check in and go to our rooms straight away. I gave Julie a ring to let her know we had arrived (she was off in Birmingham having her hair done), and then we had a little walk around the lakes at the hotel. So we were all nice and relaxed.

About 3ish Kate 'egg' and Rob arrived. We went down to meet them in the lobby. After all these years I was getting to meet one of my bestest friends. We got on like a house on fire, which we knew we would as we've chatted on the phone many times. She is lovely and every thing I expected and more. I could have hugged her to death. Rob is great too and we all went for a drink and a chat. In fact chatting so much that we then had to rush off to our rooms to get ready!! Whilst in the lobby Josie came over and introduced herself which was lovely so hi Josie.

So the night begins. We were greeted with a drink reception and given name tags to wear so that everyone knew who you were. We were then let into the main room where we bagged a table near the front. People soon joined our table and this is where I made my first mistake. I didn't introduce myself to anyone and realised afterwards that I had no idea who we had been sharing the table with. I've found out since that it was Caroline and Rosalyn with their partners. So a big hello to you both and sorry we didn't chat on the night.

I did get to meet Brian 'Jayde' and Mel and Ronnie earlier in the lobby and I could see they were sitting over the other side of the room, so I made a mental note to go over there later in the evening. And Julie took me over to meet Sandie 'Ginge' so a big kiss to you girlie. Once Julie did her speech and gave me a special thank you (which I really don't think I deserve as she does all the hard work), lots of people then knew where I was and came over to say hi. So a big hello and hugs to Lolli, Lorri, Julie 'the other one', Dom and Judge. Also hello to all the people that said hello to me during the night, I remember Gayle and Ruth saying hi, sorry if I've forgotten anyone else.

I am a bit gutted as there were so many other people that I wanted to get to meet. But we were all so busy having fun, strutting our funky stuff on the dancefloor (I never thought I'd be seen on a dancefloor again especially in the chair!!!) And just basically having a great time, that the evening flew by and I didn't do half the stuff I wanted to. Iain Lee was the compere and he made the evening even more special. He is a superstar and he made Kieran's mum's night as she loves listening to him on the radio and she got to speak to him and have her photo taken.

Talking photos - we took a few but not many but you can find them here. I've also got a few photos taken by others and if anyone has got pictures they want put up please forward them on to me.

So a great time was had by all and it went too fast. It could have done with being a few days longer - ha!ha!

I just want to say a really big thank you to Chris Bray of the MS Society who helped make this all happen and of course a huge thank you and hug to Julie who is one amazing person.

The journey home wasn't as easy as it decided to get really hot but mum took over half way and we were home in plenty of time to get our stuff ready for work and have a rest. We are now having a couple of days off as we are still knackered.

In an earlier post I said about Tim doing our garden. Well it is looking absolutely fantastic now with all the flowers/plants he has added. While we were away the weekend he put up some bird feeders. I can't wait for the birds to find them as it will be fantastic to sit in the kitchen and watch them.

So a massive hug and thank you to Tim.

Update 31.08.05

Well what another glorious bank holiday it was. Not too hot and nice and sunny. Wish I could say the same for now. It was hot yesterday and they say it is going to be even hotter today - ouch!!!! You all know how I hate the hot weather!!!

We had a wonderful day on Sunday. We invited both sets of mums and dads over and had a lovely buffet type lunch. It was lovely to see my mum and dad as I haven't seen them since they came back off holiday and Kieran's mum hasn't been over the flat for a while. It was great that we could all sit out in our little garden and enjoy the wonderful surroundings. Cows included!!

We visited the pictures again on Friday and saw a great movie called Crash. We had complimentary tickets to use for the Gallery at Bluewater due to the disastrous time we had there last time. Well I'm glad to say this time was a lot better, made all the more enjoyable by the fact that it didn't cost us a penny ;o)

I had a nasty fall at the weekend in the bathroom. I slipped off the toilet (the toilet is too high for me and is due to be replaced - whole bathroom needs sorting by council - but that is a long and boring story!!). I ended up on the floor with my legs bent completely underneath me and was convinced that at any moment one or both of my ankles were about to explode (I am a heavy weight to have bent on my legs). The only choice Kieran had was to drag my feet from underneath me but due to the floor being rough (it is an anti slip floor - how ironic is that!!!!) I ended up with all the skin being ripped from the top of my toes - ouch!!!! Luckily they aren't too sore and as it's hot weather wearing sandals is not a problem at the moment but now I don't know what I am going to wear on my feet for the party on Saturday :o(

And talking party - I can't believe it is only 3 days away. I really can't wait, how exciting is it going to be. I can't wait to meet everyone and have a good old chinwag (and God knows I am good at that!!!) Sandie I really hope you make it after your nasty fall (but remember you must make sure you are 100% before you come). To all those travelling from abroad I hope you all had/have safe journeys and enjoy your time in this lovely country.

Right that's it. Next entry will probably be full of details of the party - hope I don't bore the pants off you (mind you I've probably done a good job at that already!!!)

Update 21.08.05

I can't believe I haven't updated for 2 weeks!! Only excuse I've got really is that I have been really busy in work and not had the energy to do much in the evenings.

The lift was broken at work so we were moved to our satellite court. Access there is easy, wish I could say the same about the work. Well actually the work I was sent there to do was ok and I really enjoyed doing it. It was the extra work that was being sent down that was stressing me out. I was trying to explain why it couldn't be sent but my pleas seemed to be falling on deaf ears. Ever get that feeling you are talking in Japanese and the other person doesn't understand what you are saying!!! It made me feel as if I was being awkward just for the sake of it and that I just wanted an easy time whilst there, which was not the case. Anyway had a quiet word with my union rep who got it sorted and life down there settled. So much that I wouldn't mind being down there all the time. I say that now but a few weeks down the line I might feel differently. Well I won't get a chance to find out as the lift is now fixed and we are back to 'normality' as of Tuesday. Should have been Monday but I was asked to stay down there an extra day. I said this would be ok as long as Kieran could stay down there too. I felt as if I was asking for their life savings or something. I don't think people realise how much Kieran is my carer and I need him close by, not sure I want someone else helping me out of the car or helping me pull up my trousers in the toilet etc etc I don't think they'd be keen either!!!!!!

As for the MS - I had a few really bad days leg wise (which coincided with starting over at the satellite court - mmmmmmmmmmm wonder why??) My legs seem to be loosening up again now and I am nearly able to get myself in and out of the car without help again (apart from the help of holding onto the door, wheel, whatever is handy!!)

Kieran's dad made a start on our back garden and it is looking lovely. He painted all the fences black and moved some paving slabs so we can have a bigger plant area. He also got all the roots and crap out of the earth so it's ready for some plants to be planted.

Cheers Tim!!!!!!!!!!!

We haven't got rid of the other flat yet. It's all going through smoothly and fingers crossed will only be a few more weeks!!

Not long till the Brum party - hope you are all getting your gladrags sorted out!!!

Update 07.08.05

Started to catch up with some of my reading so not been on the computer as much. I decided that I would start the Harry Potter books from scratch so Kieran had to hunt through all the boxes until they were found!!! I've finished the first one but yet to start the second one as the computer has regained my attention - ha!ha! I find these days that I can only read a few pages at a time otherwise I start to fall asleep. Many a time I've been found with a book in front of me but my eyes are shut!!!

Had to spend most of yesterday and this morning sorting out a little problem on here. It seems we picked up a piece of malware - from where I have absolutely no idea. It was laying dormant but could have been activated at any time and the little bugger wouldn't let us just delete him. I found a good site with instructions on how to get rid of it and hey it worked. I am just hoping that nothing got sent on to anyone else but as I said I am pretty sure it was laying dormant still.

Glad to report that the clonazepam is working. I've been having some lovely night's sleep and I don't feel so tired during the next day although that could be due to the weather being a lot cooler - hooray!!!!!! I am sure the cool spell won't last for long and we'll be back in a tropical heatwave :o(

My mum and dad are back from their month's holiday in Ireland. They bought a cottage over there a few years ago and have been doing it up slowly. They actually managed to spend some time in the cottage this time as it is completely habitable now. They said it was lovely, eerily quiet but lovely. I am yet to see them since they've been back as it's hard when we are at work all week. Weekends are for recharging our batteries and trying to get this place in some semblance of a home ;o)

Things in work are about the same. It still seems we work on 'our own little Island' as quoted by one of the staff. I think they feel this Island is exempt from the same rules as them. Oh well, not to worry for a while as we have had to be moved to our satellite court for the foreseeable future. The lift at our main site is completely knackered which means neither of us can get in the building. The satellite court has access at the front of the building and a disabled toilet on the ground floor. I think things will be ok over there although I am doing a slightly different job which I don't mind doing as long as things don't get stressful - don't think they will. Kieran is also over there for this week as obviously he travels to work with me and helps me to get to and from the car but not sure how long they will keep him there. He is there for this week at least.

I have started selling the muppet badges for the MS Society again this year. They are so cute. They are slightly different to last years so people are buying them again. Between us and Kieran's mum we raised £154 last year - don't think it will be as good this year as there doesn't seem to be as much interest.

For those of you from Jooley's Joint you will know Sandie of infamous diary fame. I had a lovely long chat with her yesterday. It was great as we haven't chatted before only online so it was lovely to finally hear her voice. And boy did we chat. If it wasn't for the fact that CSI was coming on the TV I reckon we would still be chatting now - ha!ha! I can't wait to meet her at the Birmingham do next month or everyone else for that matter. It's not long now!!!

Update 22.07.05

So more incidences in London this week. What is going on?? Thankfully this time no one was hurt but the poor people that were there must have been so terrified. I hope you noticed my little memorial tribute I've placed on the home page. I know it isn't a lot but I wanted to show my respect and that my thoughts and prayers were with those that suffered in the bombings 2 weeks ago!! I also think the authorities have done and are doing a fantastic job and hate it when I hear people slating them, they are only human!!!

A quiet week again but Kier isn't well again. Started with a bad migraine again which went to his stomach and has left him completely knackered!!!!!! Luckily I have been quite well this week although decided to book today off to have a long weekend. No plans to do anything, just to have a nice relaxing few days and get stuff sorted indoors, all the boring jobs like washing etc.

I saw my neurologist on Wednesday. He is so nice and I really enjoy seeing him. He has told me that I am now secondary progressive and that in his opinion the rebif is probably not doing me much good now. I am going to remain on it though as I am not keen on the alternative that he wants me to try, mitoxantrone, and I don't think he wants me to be on nothing. He also gave me an EDSS rating of 7.0. He has given me a prescription of clonazepam to help with the nighttime spasms that I am suffering. Hopefully this will help me get a better nights sleep which will help the fatigue that I am starting to feel (although think the hot weather has something to do with that too.)

I bought the new Harry Potter book last Saturday. Don't worry I wasn't one of the people queueing up at midnight!! I am yet to read it as I need to read the last couple before this one. With the move and everything I am behind with my reading. Now all I am to do is dig them out from god knows where!!!!!!!!

Update 10.07.05

Well what can I say about the atrocities that happened in London this week?? I cannot believe it!!!!! I don't think I can print what I would like to call the people who did it so I won't!!!!! My sister works in London and after a small minor panic on my part, we were relieved to find out that she was fine and had got into work ok. I then sat back and thought about all those poor people that had lost their lives and the loved ones they had left behind. My heart goes out to them all.

Kieran and I returned to work this week. We only worked 3 days as we were both knackered and Kieran wanted to break in his return to work gently. Seems I may have problems booking leave in future!!!!!! I am in an office with just one other guy who also has mobility problems and who needs to be on the ground floor with easy access to the lift and disabled toilet. We had an 'informal' meeting with our team leader and section head, to discuss exactly what our duties were and the subject of booking leave also cropped up. It seems our so called 'friends' who are 'able bodied' have been moaning that we always get our leave granted whereas they sometimes are turned down!!! We are all part of the same department, even though we are actually sited in a separate office. We were told this could be taken out as a grievance by one of them as discrimination against the able bodied!!!!!! The fact that we don't cover them when they are on leave and they certainly don't cover our work when we are wasn't even considered by them. Or the fact that both of us have good and bad days and that most of the short notice leave is booked due to not feeling well or being in pain!!!!!! As you can imagine I was really peeved and let rip a little (well it was an informal meeting ;o)) I gladly offered to swap places with some of them if they wanted to take the chair as well which I am sure won't go down well if repeated to them. I just can't believe that people that I have worked with for years can be so uncaring and picky!!!!!!! I have always been of the opinion that they think we 'get away' with murder and this went to prove it!!!!!!! Maybe they should come to the office and see exactly what work we have done before they decide that!!!!!! Was I being silly getting wound up by it, other people don't seem to think so and I've even been advised to take it further but I'll let it ride for the moment!!!! Right got that off my chest now!!!!!

I've also had another fall this week. Now I hear you asking, fall? She's in a wheelchair right?? Well I only went and tipped myself out of the chair onto the kitchen floor (banging my ear on the table on the way down!!!!!) Luckily no injuries again (apart from a sore ear where I squashed it). But here's the problem, now I'm on the floor how do I get back up. If I was a slip of a girl there'd be no problem as Kieran could just lift me up but unfortunately I am not!!! I tried to kneel up and pull myself up on the kitchen counters but couldn't put my weight on my knees as it caused my legs to go into spasm. Eventually we worked out that if I could get to the bedroom I would be able to kneel up enough for Kieran to shove me onto the bed before my legs went into spasms too much!!! Now just how to get me to the bedroom. Easy, Kieran got one of our large floor cushions under me and then dragged me backwards to the bedroom. I am sure this is not the way things should be done but it worked for us and gave us a good giggle as well. Kieran has told me that I mustn't lean out of the chair the way I do anymore (I have a habit of learning forward to pick up stuff from the floor - oooppppsssssss!!!!!!!!!)

So thats it for now - one of these days I'll have something exciting to report!!!!!!!!!

Update 03.07.05

So, did you all watch the G8 live on TV yesterday (or better still were you there?) What a fantastic day it was and I never thought I would ever see so many people in Hyde Park.

What a great and historic occasion it was. We can only hope that things will come of it, and Sir Bobs efforts weren't in vain!!!

As for me, I haven't been very well this week. It all started Tuesday night when I had one of the worst nights of my life, spasm wise. I always seem to suffer more on injection night but this was worse then usual. I hardly slept a wink and at one point I felt as if something was going to snap (either my back or one of my legs!!) The spasms continued when I got up (extremely early - well even earlier then usual.) I actually felt as if I was going to push myself out of my wheelchair a couple of times, which was very scary. I managed to get a better night's sleep on Wednesday night but my legs were still store and stiff on Thursday. And then a repeat performance of Tuesday night on Thursday, (and surprise surprise, that happens to be injection night again!!!) I was dreading last night, but luckily I had a decent night's sleep and actually managed a small lie in (got up at 5.15am which is late for me anyway :o)!!)

I did speak to my MS nurse about the spasms being worse on injection night and she did inform me that unfortunately spasms are one of the side effects. I am on baclofen, although not sure if it does anything but don't want to stop it to find out. I see my neurologist later this month and I am going to speak to him about trying quinine. I've heard it is good for night time spasms and cramps and as that is when my spasms are at their worst I feel it may help. Don't know if he'll entertain the idea of prescribing it for me but I'll keep my fingers crossed (and my toes probably as that is what they feel like they are trying to do half the time!!)

Kier was off again this week. He did seem to be improving the middle of last week and then things went downhill again. He seemed to develop a cold as well which didn't help matters. He is slowly on the up again now so hopefully he'll be well enough to go back to work tomorrow.

Not a lot else to write about really. Mum and dad are over in Ireland for a month, the lucky beggars. If you read this while you are away hope you have a really nice time and a good relaxing holiday, God knows you need it after all the running about you've been doing for us over the last few months!!!

Update 25.06.05

Well just a quick update while I am keeping one eye on the TV watching the tennis. I don't normally get into Wimbledon but the new guy Andy Murray is playing and he is doing really well although I think the match will soon be over and unfortunately he won't be the victor!!!!!!

The weather this week has been unbearable although it has cooled down a little today. I do really feel for the people elsewhere in the country who have suffered from terrible storms and torrential rain causing flash floods and chaos but I would be grateful for just a little of that rain. It has threatened to storm a couple of times, but the sun keeps winning :o(

Luckily haven't had to worry too much about driving on my own this week as I took most of the week off annual leave. Kieran was worried that I was wasting my leave while he was off sick but I said I had a few more days leave then him so now we are about equal. Not been doing anything, obviously as Kieran is still not very well, and also it has been too hot to even think about doing much!!!

Good news on the house front. Shortly after my update last week we had a call from the estate agent (yes they work on Sundays!!) She had been showing someone the flat that day and he had come forward with an offer. A little less then we wanted so we put forward the price we wanted and he said yes. So the flat is sold, subject to everything going smoothly. Not bad for being on the market only a week - please keep your fingers crossed that nothing goes wrong as I am getting stressed already!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway I'm off to cheer for Murray. He's going down but with a fight!!!!!!!!

Update 19.06.05

Hi again!!!

Well the weather over here has been incredibly hot the last few days and boy has it made me suffer!!!!!! The stiffness in my legs isn't as bad as it is in the winter and normally, even though I hate the heat and moan like hell, I feel much better when the good weather starts but this year the fatigue has hit!!!

I never really knew what people were going on about when they said they had fatigue. I know from Kieran that it meant more then just being tired, but I never understood until yesterday how it could really make you feel.

Kier still isn't well and we thought a day by the coast would make him feel a bit better. Hayfever doesn't seem to be so bad when your near the coast (although the stuff he is taking had started to work anyway). And as they had forecast a really hot day yesterday we thought it would be cooler by the coast. We invited his mum and dad and as there were no trains running between them and us yesterday due to works, we said we would pick them up.

The day started well. I felt fine (a little tired as I'd been up since 2.30am!!) but other then that I felt ok. We drove to Kier's mum and dads and headed off towards the coast. We had decided to go to Deal which was only about an hour and a half's drive away. Well about half an hour into the journey I realised I had made a big mistake. It was stifling in the car (must get air conditioning in our next car), and the car started feeling incredibly hard to steer. First of all I thought there was something wrong with the car but realised it was just me having no energy and finding it hard to keep the steering wheel steady (holding it with one hand only doesn't help!!)

I eventually pulled off at a place called Faversham which is a lovely little place but not near the sea. The plan was that we would spend a little time there until I felt a little refreshed and then we would go on to Deal. Well we ended up spending the whole day there. I did start to feel a little better although by the end of the day my feet were swollen to the size of elephants feet!!!!!!

So came the time to drive home. A nice breeze had picked up and I had started to cool down so thought things would be fine. Well I had to think again. The car was like an oven when we got back and as soon as I started to drive out of the car park I knew things weren't going to be easy!! I only made it to the next street and had to pull over again, and I knew I would not be able to make it home (and if you're wondering, none of the others drive!!!)

I rang my mum and luckily they were in. I explained what was going on and would it be possible for them to come and get us. I felt bad as she didn't know the area and would be driving down motorways she didn't know, but she said she didn't mind and they would be heading off soon. The only alternative we had to ringing someone to come and get us was finding a wheelchair friendly bed and breakfast to stay the night and hope I would be ok the next day to drive but someone coming to get us was preferable!!!!!!

Well my mum made it in record time. And we were soon heading off back home. The feeling of relief I felt when we got home was untrue and once indoors and cooling down I started to feel a lot better in myself. I have never felt such a lack of energy and I hated it. It has made me a little nervous of getting back in the car now, especially as Kier is off sick still and I'll be travelling to work on my own, but we will have to see how I get on. I will speak to my neuro when I see him next month and see if he suggests taking anything for it.

Other news - as I said Kier still isn't well. He has been signed off until 27th June and hopefully he will be better by them. His hayfever was clearing up (he has been taking an homeopathic remedy, he finds works well), but something in Faversham must have triggered it off again yesterday as he was bad again last night. All that sneezing and shortness of breath doesn't help his energy levels either.

No news on the old flat yet. It's only been up a week but fingers crossed we'll hear something from the estate agents soon. I'm not even sure how many viewings there have been as they are dealing with it all but I will contact them next week and get an update on what is happening.

Update 10.06.05

Here I am with another exciting entry in the life of Divvy C. Wow!! I hear you gasp!!! I bet you can't wait to read it!!!!!! ha!ha!

Bit of an uneventful week really. Work is boring as per usual and the hot weather is not helping, by the afternoon I am falling asleep. It doesn't help that I have been on my own this week as the guy I share the office with has been on a week's leave. Gets pretty lonely when you are in an office on your own.

Kier isn't well either which is a bit of a bummer. I hate it when he's not well as I feel helpless as there is nothing I can do to make him feel better. I suppose he feels the same when its me!!! Fingers crossed he will be feeling well again soon - he just has to have plenty of rest. Not a lot else can be done for M.E.

I've got today off work which is nice. Not a nice relaxing day though as we've got lots of people coming around.

The wheelchair repair guy is coming back to finish off the bits on my wheelchair. So my chair should be in tip top shape and ready to go by the end of today!!! I'm also having my shower seat delivered today. Don't worry I haven't been going without a shower while waiting for it, I've been using a a plastic garden chair - so I don't smell (although some people may disagree with that :o)!!)

We have also got an estate agent coming around with a contract to sign. Yes, don't faint, our old flat is finally going on the market!!! Fingers crossed it will be a quick sale. They have told us that it shouldn't take too long to go as the estate where it is, is a popular estate. In fact they tell us they have 2 viewings already lined up and that is before we've even signed the contract with them. Would be lovely if one of those wanted it but I won't be too disappointed if they don't. (Now that's a lie as I will be disappointed but I can't expect miracles!!!!)

We have been invited to a sort of party/come together tomorrow. Not sure if we'll be going all depends how Kier feels tomorrow. I have told the girl that we hope to be there even if its only for a couple of hours so we can see everyone.

That's about it really. Byeeeeeeeee!!!!!!

Update 04.06.05

Here I am back for my weekly update. And what a week of mini disasters it has been. Well not really disasters but sagas non the less.

Last Sunday we wanted to pay our local garden centre a visit. We decided to walk up there (or rather Kieran push me), as it was such a lovely day. We had checked and pumped up my tyres the day before so we were ready to go.On the way is a lovely church and we decided to pay that a visit. We decided to just have a look around the grounds which are lovely and so peaceful, then be on our way to the centre. We had just left the church grounds (luckily for us we hadn't gone too far), when Kieran noticed one of my big wheels was wobbling around. He managed to get me back to a bench we had seen at the front of the church and then he had to do some quick d.i.y. on the chair. The wheel really didn't want to stay on but we managed to get it so that he could push me back home!!!

One of the bearings in the middle of the wheel had come out so the lock wouldn't stay done up and the wheel was free to wiggle itself off. Kieran gave it a good bash with a mallet and that seemed to do the trick and I was able to continue using it for the rest of the day. Monday we had to keep bashing it to get the wheel to stay on and I said I would ring the repair people in work the next day and get them to come and have a look.

So the next morning we are up and ready and off to work as per usual, only to discover when arriving at work that the wheel really didn't want to stay on this time. I could not go into work without the chair so we had to book emergency leave from work and drive all the way back home again. I rang the repair people but they couldn't come out until the next day so I had to book another days leave!!! He came on Wednesday, fixed the wheel and said he was going to order new puncture proof tyres for the chair, and also replace the seat canvas and some other bits. So once that is done it will be like having a new chair. I suppose its not bad really considering I've had the chair for 18 months and this is the first time I have had to call them out.

So that is the end of saga number one!!

Saga 2 - began a couple of weeks ago when my shower chair decided to start coming out of the wall. I rang the council to report it when it happened and have been waiting for them to come around.

The guy came yesterday. Luckily my mum was able to come over so I didn't have to book yet another day off work. (They must love me keep booking emergency leave!!!). He came in and took one look at the bathroom and went absolutely mad. He said that the shower chair should never have been attached to the wall as its only a partition wall and not strong enough to take someone's weight (especially someone with such a wide girth like me!! I said that not him - ha!ha!) He said I would have to be given a free standing chair as all the walls are partition walls apart from one which is no good for the shower.

Now that is not a saga I hear you say. Well here's the best bit. He said that the wall is completely rotten where water has continuously gone down behind the tiles. So the only thing that can be done is the wall be taken down and then new plaster put up and then be re-tiled!!! Hopefully it will be done in next couple of weeks!!! Mind you it will be a nuisance while it is being done but it will look so much better with new tiles up!!! The bathroom has been my least favourite room since we moved in as it is in bad need of updating. I know its only a few new tiles they will be putting up but it is a start to making the room look a whole lot better.

So that is my eventful week. Fingers crossed nothing happens next week. Until then, bye!!!

Update 29.05.05

It's another bank holiday weekend - hooray!!! And what glorious weather we are having. I can't quite believe that it is going to be sunny on a bank holiday weekend - can you believe it??

I do enjoy a bit of sun although I do hate being hot. Friday was a particularly hot and humid day in work. It wasn't too bad as long as I didn't venture too far from my office as we have an air conditioning unit in there and with only 2 of us in the office it tends to stay coolish!! Coming out in it to drive home is another matter. How I quite made it home in one piece I'll never know. As I got hotter and hotter my energy seeped away. I could hardly turn the wheel of the car to park it once home (mental note to self: I must get a car with air conditioning next time)

Healthwise I am doing ok. Even though I don't like the heat my MS seems to and I always tend to feel better as summer approaches. My legs don't seem to be as stiff and can even manage a little shuffling around with the crutches. The cold is definately my enemy!!!

We went to the cinema last week. Of course we went to see the new Star Wars movie (is there anything else worth seeing at the cinema at the moment!!!) It was absolutely fantastic (well the film was anyway). We have been to the cinema since I have been in the wheelchair so we are used to sitting right at the front but this time we decided to pay the extra and view from the gallery. I checked when booking the tickets that it was all wheelchair accessible and she assured me it was, so you can imagine our disappointment when we realised I would be stuck in the aisle. Luckily the girl had the sense to book an end sofa for Kieran so we were still sitting together, but I had to keep moving out of the way every time someone wanted to come past. Which was most annoying, especially as there was a slight step behind me which I had to keep bumping up and down!!! Even if it had been a good day when I could transfer from my chair to the seat, there was still nowhere to store the wheelchair so it would still have been in the way in the aisle and as Kieran pointed out, it would have been a fire hazard!!!

Also what we found most annoying was the fact that we had to pay full price. When you go to the cinema your carer is admitted free of charge but apparently not in the gallery. We feel this is discrimination due to the fact that if you are disabled and want to see a movie and you need to take a carer who doesn't particularly want to see that movie, you are restricted to sitting right at the front of the cinema unless you are willing to pay the extra money to sit in the gallery. We feel that £27.50 is a lot of money to have to pay for someone to see a movie they want to and someone else who isn't particularly fussed about seeing it. We are going to write a letter of complaint firstly to point out that the gallery is not really "wheelchair friendly" and also how we feel it is discrimination if you have to pay for your carer if you want to use the gallery. (another mental note to self: get your notepad out and write that letter!!)

Nothing planned for this weekend which is a shame as we should take advantage of the good weather. We did sit out in our garden yesterday. To those with a garden you are probably thinking why is this so exciting. Well to someone who has been stuck in a second floor flat for umpteen years, this is a real treat!!! And with this fantastic view who wouldn't be excited by it!!

although it's more like this at the moment

ha!ha!

I have been contacted by a few old friends this week which is fantastic. I am yet to reply, for those in the know, I am probably one of the worlds worst email correspondents!!! So this is a hi to Bev, Rachel and Jilly (if you are ever reading this) and I promise you will hear from me in the not too distant future!!!

So that's it for another week!!

Update 20.05.05

Well here I am back again with another load of old twaddle about my boring life - ha!ha!

We are settling in really well in our new flat. We love it here and it is hard to believe how much our lives have changed. When we think back to how life has been such a struggle over the last couple of years we really can't imagine how we coped with it all, but you just do. The thought of having to climb 2 flights of stairs a day makes me feel quite ill now. Although must admit I now haven't climbed a set of stairs for weeks and weeks - I will forget how to do it :o)

MS wise things haven't been too bad. Had a few days last week of stiff legs and couldn't even manage my waddling to the bedroom at night using my crutches. Things have slowly improved again and I have been using crutches a little more - I don't want to become completely reliant on the wheelchair. I have actually started to do some stretching exercises again which hopefully should help (if you are reading this Sue I know I should have been doing these all along, but you know what I'm like!!!). I now have to arrange some physio sessions (and yes Kitty if you are ever reading this I know I promised you I would sort it and I will!!!). I also took my monthly dose of steroids at the weekend which are obviously helping the legs as well. I am definately going to knock these on the head in the next couple of months as I can't keep taking them forever as I don't know what sort of damage I am doing myself. And obviously the more I use them, the more my body gets used to them and the less likely they are to help when I am in desperate need of them.

I actually did a whole week at work last week. This is an amazing feat as I haven't actually done a five day week at work for well over a year now. I found it ok, a little tiring but then getting up so early in the mornings is probably not helping the tiredness thing!!! I wouldn't exactly call it fatigue, just a little head nodding in the afternoons!!!!!!!!! I find I don't get more then 5-6 hours during the night now, so if I am in bed by 9.30pm then I am back up again at 3.30am. I know the easiest solution would be not to go to bed so early but by that time I am falling alseep wherever I am - which is normally in front of the PC.

You can tell summer is coming up as we are starting to be invited to parties and days out etc. Got a couple planned for July which is good and obviously there is the big one coming up in September. We are also hoping to get ourselves back down to Cornwall later in the year as we didn't manage to get there at all last year, and as most of you know it is our favourite place in the world!!!

Last but not least I'd like to welcome Amber into the world. My cousin's girlfriend gave birth to their first child on Monday 16th May. She was 2 months premature and is tiny, weighing in at just under 4 pounds. Mother and child are doing well, although Amber will be in hospital for a little while. I'd appreciate all your thoughts and prayers for her.

That's it for now. Until next time, Ciao!!!!!!

Update 06.05.05

Well can you believe we are already well on our way into May. This year is going so fast, I can't quite keep up with it!!!! Mind you one good thing is, I am still managing to stay in work and that is over 4 months now without any sick time off (should I really have said that, it is tempting fate!!!)

Again not been up to much (I did warn you my life is a little boring). We joined an online DVD rental thingy this week and had our first film sent through. The service is great and we are really looking forward to receiving the films and it is great that we are getting back into watching our movies. We saw a film called 'Saw' and it was fantastic. I didn't think I was going to think much of it but I really enjoyed it. Anyone who is in to thrillers with a psychotic killer and a great twist should watch it. It's on its way back to them now and can't wait to see what film we get next!!!!!!

MS wise legs were a little stiff the beginning of this week and couldn't even manage the walk to the kitchen that I normally do on waking up. (It's my little workout for my legs - I leave the wheelchair in the kitchen and use my crutches to get to the bedroom at night and then walk back to the kitchen in the morning). I am glad to say they have loosed up the last couple of days and I managed the "walk/shuffle" this morning. It was hotter at the beginning of the week so that could have caused some of it as I found my feet swollen again and they seem to affect how my legs are - luckily my elephant feet are back to normal size for now :o)

Had a bit of a result in work this week. On Wednesday they had problems with the fire alarms in work which put the area where my office is out of bounds. I could be moved to another office but I wouldn't be able to use the disabled toilet which would have been a problem so they said I would have to go home (and Kieran also as he is my carer). They said we could go to one of our sister courts the next day (which was yesterday). It was lovely and quiet over there and we managed to get on with lots of our work. And the court finished early so we had another lovely early day. So this week I have had Monday off (Bank Holiday) and 2 lovely early days. Hopefully I will get to do a full week next week and then I can finally work out if I am capable of doing a 5 day week :o)

Well that's it for now. One day I might have something exciting to tell you all (thanx for reading, if you are still awake after all that drivvle - ha!ha!)

Update 10.04.05

Well as I am typing this I am looking out my window at a wonderful view. Yes, we are in our new flat!!! For anyone who knows that is great, for anyone who doesn't here's the story. Last year I suffered several (or maybe one continuous MS relapse). This caused me to miss considerable time off work and also caused me to be housebound for a lot of the year, due to the fact that we lived in a second floor apartment with no lift. And yes you guessed it, I couldn't get up and down the stairs.

We applied to our local council in June 2004 and was told straight away that I was a medical priority/emergency and would be housed as soon as possible. Well the word emergency obviously means something else to the council as 9 months later we were still not placed in new accommodation!!!

As I was feeling a lot better and needed to get back to work (for financial reasons). Kieran's (my partner) parents kindly let me stay with them so that I could get in and out of the house. My parents would have let me stay there but they are mid packing as they are moving back to Ireland, so as you can imagine their house was not suitable for me and my wheelchair!!

February 7th this year (2005) we finally got the keys to our new flat. Yippee!!!!!!!! It was in a bit of a state and needed lots of cleaning and decorating but thanks to our parents that was soon sorted and we finally moved in on March 17th (Paddy's day which must be a good omen!). The flat is wonderful, so wheelchair friendly and also situated in a fantastic area. So we had a long, stressful wait, but we now think it was worth it as we've been lucky with what we have been given.

So that's me settled really. Been back at work since the beginning of this year and gradually increasing my days a week. Yet to do a 5 day week but that will be in the next couple of weeks.

Not been up to much else really. We've been busy buying new bits for the flat and Kieran has turned into a bit of a D.I.Y. buff - ha!ha!

I'm really looking forward to the JJUK party in September. For those who don't know about it check here. I can't wait to meet up with all the people that are going. I can't quite believe that I've been a member of JJUK for about 6-7 years and I haven't met anyone from there. Tut! tut! naughty me. That will all be rectified in September.