CONUNDRUMS

The second experience I had up at UCHL will have to wait as I have a couple of conundrums.  The first of which will be a decision I need to make quite soon, and is relative to the last post so here goes……..

O2 in OZ – and NZ

The last post referred to a possible relapse or was it because I was late having my hyperbaric treatment.  We are planning a trip to Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland and Wellington (and all country we can do by car in between).   But….can I survive 6 weeks without hyperbaric treatment?  Well, yes, of course I can survive, but will 24 hours of travel x 2 be worth the possible discomfort I may have between times. The medics say;  “For goodness sake, we have the pain killers for you, there is always something.”  But a) how easy is it to obtain them when you’re cruising around and b) is it worth all the agro of the travel if you’re so doped up when you are there?

However, after a swift chat with today’s chamber operator, Pippa, and Karen who is in charge of the whole Therapy Centre, I am beginning to think the trip may be possible:   Well, of course it’s possible but perhaps I mean feasible.  

Their immediate response was, there will be places around the areas we are going to that will have a chamber; particularly bearing in mind all the diving that goes on in those parts.  More homework to do. Plus, because I am away and on holiday I will be more relaxed.  So perhaps I won’t come back!

PS.  I’m now out of the chamber and on the way home (via a coffee).  I need to do more research into chambers out there and find out what letters of reassurance they will need that I’m not going to blow it up.  But new friend Pippa is all encouraging about going away while I can enjoy it.  Can you enjoy a great view and awesome county with a blasted python hanging round your neck?

The second conundrum is more ongoing

EXERCISE AND PHYSIOTHERAPY

Because of the advancement of this condition I am not able to do those things I used to.  I won’t bore you with the details – indeed one person said I will now be normal and achieve in a day what most people do – but suffice to say that thankfully I am out of sight when I’m completely wasted.  

So I am having physio once a week which means I am given particular exercises to do which aren’t going to make me better but just maintain the strength I have left for a little longer (at best).  Well, I realised that these exercises were working the same parts I use on a daily basis and if I do the exercises I then can’t do the things I usually do (gardening, sweeping, cooking, household things) which are pretty central to my wellbeing.  I do the exercises and then have to sit down and right the day off.  OK, I could do them in the evening but my muscles won’t play by then.  Unless I sit around all day and do nothing.  I need to talk to my lovely physiotherapist.

And I also need to introduce you to a new creature – Melvin – he’s a Man o’ War.

Since the last bad patch I had (1-2 weeks ago) a Portuguese Man o’ War has floated along.   Think exquisite pain.  He flicks a tendril and then lets it linger.  Strangely, the reaction is not to move away or break the contact at the point the pain is beginning, but to lean into it.  To put pressure on the actual spot;  real pressure with a point like a red hot skewer that will drive down into it.  My apologies to all Men o’ War out there who do not inflict their poison this way, but it’s how I visualise it and identify it as something different.  Thankfully, this guy only shows up in the daylight hours so I can move about doing those things like exercises to eradicate those tendrils that create hot spots down my right side.  When Melvin is done, Monty sometimes likes to snuggle up afterwards which is just a bit too friendly.   But, as I say, this is a daytime attack and I can handle that.  And they don’t like 24’ of pressure……..

PS2 (not sure such a thing is allowed but…) as soon as I got out of the chamber there was Melvin.  Bastard.

Lumbar Puncture next…….