Can Life Get Better?
By skinner_jennifer
- 548 reads
Dear diary...This is the most awful period of my life. It's been an up hill struggle with all my health problems and no end in sight. I try to keep smiling, but every part of my body is being worn down having no way to break the chain of events since June. The only time I've been out and about is when I'm driven from home to hospital, with maybe a quick trip to the shop with a walking stick when I get desperate for important items that my partner doesn't know where to find.
Having previously had an x ray on my hip on Wednesday 7th August 2024, I found out from the consultant there was arthritis in the right hip, but he wanted to check that there wasn't a problem coming from my spine, as agonizing back pain was also a problem, as well as the knee.
An appointment was made for an MRI Scan on my lumber region and pelvis. So it was back to the hospital on Friday 16th August. Appointment was for 10.30am, but the hospital informed me to arrive at 10.15am. To be quite sure I arrived on time I left much earlier and presented myself at the reception at 10.am. Much to my surprise I was asked through to the MRI Department straight away.
I was met by a nurse who took me to this room no bigger than a cupboard with mirror, bench, and hooks on the wall to hang a coat. I was asked to remove any metal objects. So after removing my earrings and bra, I was ready to enter the big white room.
It was like entering a clinical twilight zone with its white wash walls and in the middle of the room was a moving table with a special elevated pillow and disposable sheet, which awaited me. One of the nurses told me to remove my glasses and firstly sit on the bed. I hoisted myself up with a pained expression on my face due to pain and tenderness in my hip, back and knee.
I was given ear plugs to keep out the noise, which I didn't have a clue about, then given headphones and asked what music I enjoyed, “Classical would be my choice,” I replied. Next I was told to lay down with my arms across my chest. Two nurses then attached a magnetic plate across my stomach, they told me to keep very still.
One nurse gave me a button to hold and told me to press if I became anxious. So here I was now entering into the unknown. My initial impression was of moving into a new dimension, like entering a time tunnel...but then I do have a vivid imagination.
Caught in the midst of settling down into a relaxed state and wondering what would happen next, this voice came on the headphones informing me there would be a three minute loud sound. I prepared myself for what was to come, clutching at any diversions that caught my attention through the arduous aching as I passed the time.
Cello music, hardly audible above constant racket of thud, thud, thud, followed by thump, thump, then a noise that resembled a loud pneumatic drill digging up roads coarse through my ears, for fifteen minutes.
I tried to remove myself from the situation by being creative and imagining wide open spaces from the past...myself walking along a beach, hearing the lapping of waves on the shore...anything to take me away from the din, but it was nigh impossible to visualize.
Finally the table moved out and I thought that was it, but it wasn't. The nurses took the magnetic plate off and adjusted my position to knees bent. I had to put my arms down by my side. Again a different magnetic plate was placed on my stomach.
The nurse told me to get comfortable as there would be another fifteen minutes to endure. I remember while I was in the middle of the scan wanting to scratch my nose, it was itching like crazy, while trying to ignore the irritation too afraid to move my arms...what a torture that was. Finally after 30 minutes it was over. I said to the nurse it felt like being in a science fiction movie, she never said a word, probably heard it all before, just smiled probably eager to get me out quick.
Friday 30th August I got the results of my scan. They did find some wear and tear of nerves in my lower back, but nothing that should require treatment. I was told I would need a right hip replacement which would take away the pain from my hip knee and back.
So it's back to hospital on Wednesday 11th September, to discuss whether I want to go ahead with the operation. Of course after so much pain there's no doubt in my mind what I will say. Hopefully I'll be on my way to recovery by next year, but sometimes I feel fate has left me so tearful and dispondant and I fear that other medical problems are on the horizon. But I can only cope with one situation at a time.
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Comments
So sorry to read that you are
So sorry to read that you are going through this, Jenny. I've had one of those scans and those machines are horrible - the noise, the being closed in... all of it.
I know someone who recently had a hip replacement, after years of increasing pain. In the end, the consultant said that he would be able to put a tennis ball into the place where her hip had been, so badly worn away was it. After a couple of weeks' recovery, then some rehabilitation, she's much better and much more mobile - and virtually pain-free. If that's any consolation or encouragement. Take care.
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So sorry you are going
So sorry you are going through such a time, Jenny. A bit like a tunnel in itself. I know what being confined is like, and some difficult pain-pressures, but not like you are enduring at present. I suppose pain relief maybe brings a little easing sometimes, but never fully. it's good you have good memories of the outdoors and your attention to the beautiful detail, and the videos to cheer a bit, and that you have an appointment to discuss the situation quite soon. Much love. Rhiannon
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Oh Jenny I'm so sorry to hear
Oh Jenny I'm so sorry to hear you're feeling so down- what a rubbish time it is for you! I will cross everything that you get a date for your hip replacement soon, but please do go to the doctor about the lump too. Your imagination is so vivid, maybe you could try escaping into one of your wonderful long stories? It might take your mind off things (and we could read it) - sending you all the good wishes for a swift sorting out of it all xx
When it's my next turn to do the Inspiration point I'll try to make it a Jenny Special!
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You Poor One! So sorry things
You Poor One! So sorry things are so horrible still. It is like you to think of helping others by writing of your experience in the MRI. I am glad that found there is nothing extra wrong with your back, as that must mean once you have your other new hip the pain there will subside, do you think? I hope so much that your operation date comes through very soon after your consultation on 11th September, which it really should, when they see how very sore you are! Please keep writing on ABCTales as we all care about you very much XXX
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So sorry to hear that you are
So sorry to hear that you are ailing. My husband often quotes his granny who said "Don't grow old" but the alternative is much worse!
I had an MRI scan a while ago, didn't get music to listen to. I thought the sounds were like listening to Stockhausen music. I said this to the nurse who looked at me as though I had gone loopy.
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Eesh..I've seen images of MRI
Eesh..I've seen images of MRI scans on the telly. Everyone seems intimidated by them and some folks can't make it all the way through the session. I can only imagine how scary the loud sounds must be. So glad your health issue has been narrowed down so that you know what to do next. A friend of mine is also having a new hip soon. I'm sure it will all be worth it when you are pain free again.
Take good care of yourself, Jenny. Paul :)
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I had no idea
I had no idea you going through so much diffculty and misery. I'll keep you in my prayers. I breaks my heart, to hear of your troubles, all my concern Ray.
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