Cats make me hibernate

Oops I've been a bit lax here lately, sorry! I think I have gone into hibernation mode as I have spent so much of the time between my last post and this post asleep!

We had a wonderful day on Saturday, for Chris's birthday which was in December I bought us tickets to go and see Cats at the Palladium.  It is one of our favourite musicals and although I had seen it with the school years ago my memory of it is vague. Chris never got to see it, and with it being taken off stage never thought he would be able to see it, certainly not at the Palladium. So we have fuelled our love for it with the soundtrack and the DVD and both know most of the lyrics! Anyhow we were so excited to finally be able to see it!

We arrived in London a few hours early, and like the big kids we are spent a couple of hours exploring Hamleys. We both left with the impression that while it was a good and fun experience it was way overpriced and a lot smaller than we remember!  Oh to have the magic of childhood again!

Then after a quick McDonald's we went to the theatre. Where we were well looked after (I was in my chair so one of the staff members looked after us, he pushed me to our place and at half time he took our. order and went to the bar for us! [Half time??? That is Chris's influence...I meant during the interval!]) And then the lights went down, the music began and the show began!

We both had a couple of reservations about it although we were excited to see it. Firstly they had completely changed Rumtum Tugger to a rapping/hip hop kind of character and we didn't think it would work. We thought Nicole Sherzinger would not make a good Grizzabella. We also were worried as we love the original so much, whether it would live up to it or not.

Well, Rumtum wasn't right for me during the first half, but we agreed it wasn't as bad as it could have been. During the second half however...I really fell for him and he got nearly the biggest cheer from me at the end.

Nicole, didn't look right at first, but when she sang, OMG she was amazing! By the end I had completely forgotten that it should have been Elaine Paige. Nicole made the role her own and did a wonderful job of it.

As for whether it could live up to the original...IMO it surpassed it! As well as all the costumes/singing/dancing there was amazing work with the lights it was spectacular. Also the Cats spent a lot of time coming into and interacting with the audience. Towards the start one of them focussed on the man in front of me and stood next to him. While she was singing she was giving him such an intense look, it was honestly like a cat about to pounce on its prey. He wasn't very comfortable with it, which made it all the funnier. We both chuckled after the interval as well, as when he came back he had swapped seats with one of his companions so he was no longer by the aisle!

During the interval Old Deuteronomy remained sitting on the stage, and people queued up to go on stage and get his signature.

My two absolute favourite characters/routines (always have been always will be although Rum Tum, especially the original, is a very close second). They are Mr Mistoffelees and Skimbleshanks. Neither of their routines disappointed. There were some amazing effects in Mistoffelees routine. I really struggled to sit through Skimbleshanks's routine without doing the actions and ended up sitting with tightly crossed arms!

During the second half there were more adventures into the audience. Towards the end one came up to me and put his head on my shoulder, so I stroked his head (well his wig!) I didn't realise but Chris told me afterwards it had actually been Skimbleshanks, which of course made it even more special for me.

I was buzzing all the way home!

It has meant I spent most of yesterday and all of today in bed recovering (from both tiredness and pain) but it was SO worth it!

Am hoping to go and see Once for our Valentine's treat we wouldn't normally go so often BUT Ronan Keating is in it until March, and I have a big celebrity crush on him and have done for years. He has such an amazing voice, and doesn't look too bad either.

The other thing I was going to talk about is Thank Yous. I am a strong believer that when somebody does something well, or good, or above and beyond they should be told that they have made a difference. People are all too quick to complain, but I think we should be even quicker to praise. After I have written this I am going to be e-mailing Hamleys and the Palladium to praise a member of staff from both who went above and beyond. Planning that got me thinking.

 About 18 months ago I looked up an old teacher of mine on Facebook (after I had a random dream about her). She only taught me for a year, but throughout my school years we would often talk. She never failed to make me smile, and even when I was being badly bullied she could make the day just that little bit brighter. I have hummed and harred about whether I dare message her to say thanks or not. Tonight, I decided to go for it, so I have sent her a message. I hope that she sees it and that if she does I don't freak her out/come across as more of a weirdo than I already am! I also hope (but doubt!) She remembers who I am! There are a couple more I would like to thank, but I will stick with just sending one and seeing what the reaction is first. (Plus they are not on Facebook so I may need to do some detective work in the future if I decide (dare) to!

Sadly the teacher who had the most impact on me, my form tutor Mrs Platt, died while I was still at school. I would love to be able to thank her, she did so much for me and meant so much to me. Actually she continues to do so much for me now! Whenever I am really stressed/sad/scared ie when Chris has had cancer, I will dream about her...and it always calms me down/improves how I feel. See, I am most definitely a weirdo!!

I have decided to stop doing my positives as a daily thing, I will do them sometimes but having the rigid structure of having to do them daily isn't working for me, and actually keeping me away from posting.

Fibro Fog Friday has also turned into Fibro Fog Fun, if I think I have done something that will make people laugh I will share it on the day...I can't remember half of the stupid things I've done/said by Friday, Fine o Fog is to blame!

I

possies 9th January 15

1) laughing at Tizer when I called him and instead of going around Chris's feet (which were up on the reclining footrest thingy) as he always has before he randomly decided to commando crawl under them and the reclining thingy!

2) Chris has found a nice place for us to have a wonder around on Sunday afternoon. Is a nature reserve so I should get some good pics =)

3) a real soapfest this afternoon with Home and Away, Neighbours and two episodes of Eastenders from last night

4) being able to do a small bit of beading. Not masses because I have not got the energy but as I hadn't done any since Tuesday was good to get back to it

1. 5) watching my favourite shopping channel Jewellery Maker, and despite there being some amazing beautiful gems at crazy prices I managed to resist all (one strand in particular was especially tough to avoid!) except for a tool that I need for a project I have in mind and which was an amazing price!

my day

So...today's positives are again not going to be easy as I slept until 4 then came back to bed at 9:30 though I was Asleep for a few hours this morning. Also I am feeling particularly poorly today with a multitude of symptoms =(


On the plus side....oh wait I better leave that for my possie post.


I have decided to start a new feature called Fibrofog Friday where I share the daftest thing I've done that week for your enjoyment!

This week's would have to be spending 20 minutes searching my bedroom, under the bed etc for my mobile phone before realising I had left it downstairs! Oops =D

My Daily Positives 8th January 2015

Oops we are only on day two...and I nearly forgot!

Although most of today has been spent asleep I did have some time up and I do have some possies. :)

1) getting lots of sleep I think I needed it.  Slept til 1 got up for a few hours came back to bed and slept some more

2) I have downloaded some awesome music onto my kindle and somewhat bizarrely it often works out cheaper to get the CD with free download than it does to just download. Not sure how that works but not complaining as today I got:
Now Thats What I Call Disney
Time of my life (full of songs from films mainly click flicks)
Frozen soundtrack
through the door. They are wonderful cds and will go in the car to be enjoyed by us both :)

3) I'm playing a fabulous trilogy of games on my Kindle atm.  They are hidden item adventures which is a genre I love to play.

4 ) cos I was too tired to craft today all the rats got longer cuddles than normal and Nony who is my lumpy girly living on borrowed time got two!

5) Speaking of my lumpy girl Nony it is a positive she is still with us. has 2 massive mammary tumors but is still eating and active and most importantly happy, I'm aware it will be any day now and of course I'll be gutted but I took her to the vets in December to be pts as I thought they were turning necrotic. Luckily they weren't the tissue was inflamed/infected and the vet gave some medicine which solved the issue...so every day I have her is a bonus! She is such a lovely natured rat and loves to be cuddled. She likes going on her back in your hands and having her head stroked!

(I might just have to upload a video of her)

Positives

A rather lovely lady I know does a daily list of positives on Facebook. I always enjoy reading hers, so a while ago I copied the idea. However for a certain reason I had to stop. That reason does not exist on here, and so I have decided it is time to start again. The two rules I am setting myself are there have to be at least 5, and I have to do them daily. That said I will not beat myself up if I break a rule. So, today's positives

1) I made it to WI and am glad I did =)
2) at WI we had a "swish" this is where you take in unwanted items (we themed ours to accessories) and swap them for items you do like. I got a rather lovely bag and a big black and white sarong (or maybe a scarf?) I will have a proper look tomorrow, but I got it thinking it would make a lovely piece of fabric
3) Sprite having a completely mad 10 minutes just before bed time, spinning in circles, running up and down the stairs and making crazy noises. She does make me laugh!
4) I'm currently tucking in to a bag of sour skittles...nom nom nom
5) am having really vivid but enjoyable dreams atm I like seeing just what craziness my brain can come up with when left to its own devices!

Not a great day!

Today has mainly been spent...in bed! I have had no energy at all! I had WI tonight and having not made last month's I was determined to make this month's (I am the Secretary) so I allowed myself to have  the day in bed as it would help me go tonight. I did get up at about 5 and had a shower, which completely floored me, and I came back to bed until Chris got home!

That said though I made it to WI! This month was a discussion from the Pampered Chef about their range of items, followed by us splitting into two teams and making a chocolate marshmallow cake. I went and sat with the treasurer who was doing treasurery things so didn't take part in the cooking...but got to sample and I must say it was delicious! Came home and typed up the minutes, did some adminny tasks, watched an episode of the chase and came back to bed! All in all I was up for 4 and 1/2 hours today!!

Still I spent some of my time in bed researching and buying a new ecig as mine is getting rather old now! So much has changed since I got less involved in them I didn't know where to start! Still I think I have ordered a good one!

I also ordered a few cds from Amazon. I wanted more music on my kindle and for some bizarre reason it is often cheaper to buy the CD, making sure it comes with free download of the album than it is to buy just the download! I got the soundtrack to Frozen, which we already have, but it was only 50p more expensive (one of the few that are more expensive) and I figured somebody may like it, or I could sell it on. I also got Now That's What I Call Disney with 89 Disney songs, and as it was £9 but I could buy two for £15 (and buy them cheaper than just the download!) I treated myself to one called Time Of My Life which is a 3 CD set of music from the movies!

So, that has been my day =) Now off to do my positives.

Farcical trip to Worcester A&E

When we had travelled to mum's I had a random cold, which was basically a blocked nose and a coldy feeling, my chest had been fine until Christmas Eve when I suddenly couldn't breathe. We joined up as temporary members of my Grandma's surgery and saw a very nice doctor who gave me anti biotics and steroids. I felt a bit crappy on Christmas day, but by boxing day although I had a cough my chest felt fine and I thought I was going to have the quickest and easiest chest infection I have had for years.

Well on Saturday we travelled to Chris's parents for New Year. We were planning on having a second Christmas with his parents and grandparents which I was really looking forward to, I love my family in law to bits!  I had felt slightly poorly on the way up, but a few puffs of my inhaler and things had settled again. We'd had a nice take away for dinner and spent the evening watching tv and chatting. 8 o clock my chest started deteriorating and I started on my inhaler which helped for a bit but quickly my chest got worse again. I got into a cycle of inhaler, breathe, don't breathe, inhaler, breathe...etc. by 11:30 I was getting no respite despite the inhaler so Chris called 111 to try and get me an emergency doctor appointment. It's funny when you look back on something and realise how silly you have been! Luckily 111 called an ambulance for me which we really should have done at about 10! The ambulance came out, attached me to lots of wires and a nebuliser and decided I needed to go to hospital. This is where the fun starts. Most of us in this group have had cheap service from the NHS at sometime...but I think this is at least worthy of a bronze medal, at least!

When the hospital arrived at the ambulance they wheeled me in, and left me in the corridor, in a queue of people on trolleys. What made it even worse was the fact they had laminated letters on the wall marking out positions of trolleys showing that queues in the corridor are a regular occurrence. When I first arrived somebody did my obs and seeing that I was struggling moved me to the front of the queue. A good while later (about 90 minutes), having had nobody check how I was doing my chest was getting worse and worse. I told a nurse I was getting worse and she said she'd tell my nurse. 20 minutes later my nurse was talking to a patient behind me, and then walked straight past me. She did then halt and say "so and so says you are getting worse" I gasped out "yes" and she carried on walking. After a further 15-20 minutes later the doctor came. He introduced himself to me, and completely ignored Chris. He gave me a nebuliser, then pulled a flimsy curtain on wheels around me,though I could still be seen from front and back, and gave me an examination right there in the corridor, he was asking me questions and I was really struggling to answer as I still could not breathe. I looked at Chris to answer fully and as he started the doctor really snapped at him "let her answer" which is a fair enough point but the attitude with which he said it was completely out of order. I struggled through for what seemed like forever but was probably around 5 minutes until he asked me what medication I was on at which stage I gave up and luckily he accepted Chris telling him. He then started to walk off, stepped back and said to Chris "who are you?" Chris answered and doctor walked off again without saying a word leaving us with no idea what was going on. To give him his due though he was back within a minute and whisked me into rehab where he took a blood gas sample to begin with. I find them really painful and the last time I had one done I had a lovely female doctor who gave me a local anaesthetic first and told me I should always ask for one as they make it so much easier. I asked, he refused. He said if he didn't get it in first time he would give me one. To give him his due he DID get it first time and it was nowhere near as painful as they normally are. He then, however, tried putting a cannula in to the same wrist and a similar position to where he had taken blood. My God that hurt, I nearly hit the roof. He kept it in for a minute or two while I was squeezing the heck out of Chris's hand (though he barely felt anything!), I honestly think he hit my bone, or a nerve etc. I don't like needles cos my veins are so hard to find, so they tend to hurt as they dig around, but I can honestly say I have never before had one that has caused such excruciating pain. He couldn't find a vein so took it out and tried again. Luckily this one was a lot less painful and hit a vein almost immediately. I was then pumped full of IV steroids, antibiotics and Magnesium. Again not realising until afterwards quite how poorly I was I thought I was in resus as it was the only bed. I soon realised it was because I was so poorly when the doctor stood at the bottom of my bed watching me and writing notes for the next hour+. Then I freaked out slightly. Never been poorly enough for resus before!

After a while my breathing began to improve so they moved me out of resus which was a relief. They put me in a storeroom, still in a and e and on that bloody trolley! There was no way of observing me without someone coming into the room...and unless I pressed my buzzer they didn't come in! Did not make sense to me considering I was just out of resistance! My chest did deteriorate again and a different doctor gave me a neb and stood with me until it had calmed. By this time I had been on the trolley for about 5 hours, and my God I was in pain with the Fibro getting agitated! I managed to get about an hour's interrupted sleep. Eventually I needed a wee. I pressed my buzzer and told the nurse who asked me if I could walk to the loo. I asked her how far it was and she made it sound quite a distance away. (I found out later it was about 7 steps from my door.) Anyway I was in a lot of pain from being on the trolley so long, and really shaky from all the inhaler and nebs, so asked if I could have a commode. She looked at me and said if you can't walk to the loo you have to use a bedpan. I said I was fine to manage a commode and after reassuring her she went off to get one, or so I thought. A few minutes later she returned with another nurse who was adamant I used a bedpan. By this time I was so desperate and the nurse showed no signs of giving up I finally agreed. They took my clothes off/down and put this bloody thing under me. Not only was it really painful to use, but I felt so undignified and downgraded. I could have cried. Because they had both been so adamant I assumed it was a hospital policy. I pressed my buzzer to get someone to take it away and a different nurse came. She came in smiling and then got all patronizing "oh, you needed a bedpan, couldn't you get to the commode?" "Yes I could have, I asked to but they made me use this" "they made you" "yep" "well that was nice of them" said sarcastically towards the nurses before she left the room not smiling. I felt even more undignified I should have refused.

At about 12 o clock they offered me Lunch. I asked for a sandwich and was told I could Have cheese, cheese and tomato, cheese and pickle all on white or Tuna on brown. I asked for cheese or cheese with tomato as I am not a huge fan of brown bread, and I can't stand pickle. She came back with cheese and pickle, which I really could not face,even though I was starving. I had been in for 12 hours and it was the first food/drink I'd been offered! Anyway she gave me a really dirty look and walked off. A couple of minutes later she brought me in a tuna roll. My heart dropped and I was ready to force it down as its best to eat while I had the chance. I was pleasantly surprised therefore to discover it was in white bread! :) :)

Between 2 and 3 o clock that afternoon while I was waiting to see the doctor as I wanted to get out and my chest was manageable a nurse came and said "Good news" at which my heart lifted until she added on that they were moving me to a ward. I said I was waiting for the doctor and she said I would be seen quicker if I was on the ward. By this time I was just relieved to be getting off the trolley (15 hours on an a and e trolley is not the most comfortable!) So off we trundled to the ward.

When we got up there we passed yet another queue of trolleys in the corridor but this felt even worse as they were queuing to get onto a ward (MAU) so not 'unexpected' people as they are in A and E.

Nobody came to do anything with me like check ins. I asked to see a doctor and was told one would be along shortly. There was not even a bed in my cubicle and I lost track of the amount of nurses who commented on it. I eventually got one after about 90 minutes. I didn't go on it as I was ok in my chair, but even so!

An hour later I asked to see doctor again and was told they would talk to one and get them to come see me. I was then told they would do a round ward at 5 and it was a made clear that nobody had asked one to come see me yet (although I heard a nurse on the phone asking a doctor to come and look at another girl who had come in after me with an exasperation of her Asthma. They wanted a doctor to come and see her as she really wanted to go home. That stung!

By the time Chris got there at 6 o clock I was so fed up and still had not seen a doctor I told him I needed to get out of there and I was going to discharge myself. I expected him to disagree with me so was shocked when he just said "yes alright". He was as annoyed with the hospital as I was, and he could tell my chest had improved dramatically. So, I discharged myself. On the way out of the ward we again walked past the queue of people, and several of them had been there when I had been wheeled onto the ward!

I waited for Chris to bring the car round and he took me back to his parents who are literally a two minute drive away. As I was getting out of the car I noticed something sticky on my hand. I looked down to see where my cannula had been removed was still bleeding and had already soaked through the cotton wool, and a large amount of my t-shirt! We got that sorted without me making too much of a mess of his parents house! Where the painful cannula had not gone in was sore for days and still hurts if I touch it, and I was left with a bruise going from my thumb, down the side of my hand and round to the other side of my wrist! I still have remnants of it now! However as I would have told a doctor had I been able too my chest although I was/am still coughing was fine as far as the asthma goes, I was able to keep on top of it when it started to go by using my inhalers. I have had asthma attacks so often now I KNOW when it is ok and when it isn't! I understand they have a duty of care and could be in trouble were anything to happen, and had a doctor been and told me that I could not go home until the next st, it would be a different matter. It is the fact the nurses kept placating me whilst not contacting one for several hours that really angered me! Especially as I was taking up a cubicle unnecessarily whilst people were queuing in the corridor!!!

Rant over!

Introduction

I thought it would be a good idea to start this place off with a questionnaire so you can get to know me a bit better. I loved this one my friend posted, you just need to pretend I'm filling it in on New Year's Eve!

1. What has been your biggest achievement this year? The skills I have improved in both Jewellery making and sewing. Hard to believe I actually only started beading/jewellery making at the end of last year! 

2. What made you laugh most this year? Sprite, without a shadow of a doubt. She has so much character, if she was human she would be a stand up comedian. I know I'm anthropomorphicising her, but she pulls the most human expressions with such adept timing. For instance she'll be doing her own thing and you will say something about her that is slightly negative ie. "She's farted" and she will stop whatever she is doing spin to face you and give you a really dirty look. She is also funny when she has a muddy....and the noises she makes at times. 

3. What unfulfilled hopes do you have for this past year? I wanted to get my health on a better level, start driving again and get back to dog training. 

4. What was your favourite/most listened to piece of music this year? I think it would have to be a toss up between two Soundtracks from musicals. Hairspray at the beginning of the year and Lès Misèrables later on in the year. Then there has also been Andre Rieu, and a set of three cds with music from musicals. 

5. What was your best holiday this year? We didn't have a 'holiday' in the traditional sense of the word as everywhere we went was to stay with people. Visiting family is always wonderful, but I think our long weekend staying with friends in Derbyshire was best this year both because of all the new places we discovered and we finally got to spend a decent amount of time with two wonderful people. 


6 What has been your biggest achievements this year? The extent of my skill with jewellery. When I look towards the earlier part of the year I can see how much I have improved =) 

7. What's the best book you've read this year? I have really enjoyed two series of books, The Guardians by Lola st Vil which is a series of 6 books although 5 and 6 have two parts so it is actually 8 books. A wonderful story about the battle between Angels and Demons of course with a healthy helping of love/romance and friendship. Also The Girl in the Box series of 10 books by Robert J Crane. Another supernatural series about good vs evil. On a more intellectual level I really enjoyed The Goldfinch by Donna Trott 

8. What has been the biggest challenge of this year? Not letting my bad physical health affect my much improved mental health 

9.What is your happiest/fondest memory of this year? Hearing that Chris's full body scan was clear after a worry earlier in the year when they had discovered an enlarged lymph node. Turns out it was enlarged because he had just got over a cold! 

10. Of what one creation of the past year are you most proud or pleased? A beautiful peyote bracelet which I don't have a photo of unfortunately. Or Bride and Groom teddies I knitted for my step sister for her wedding present 

 11. What new hobby did you take up/old hobby did you reinstate this year? Jewellery / beading. Although I had done basics in the past it is only this year I have gone into it in any depth. And becoming a member

12. What one thing would you really like to do next year? Get back to dog training. Get debts paid off completely. Go abroad. (Yes I know that is three!) 

13. What was the saddest thing of this year? Watching a very loved, previously very fit and healthy person deteriorate to the stage they have lost all independence

14. What has been your best discovery of this year? I'd say finally having a diagnosis but that wasn't really my discovery, so I am going to have to go with a local, young thinking WI! =) 

 15. What news story of  year re had the biggest impact on you/do you remember? Rolf Harris being going guilty and imprisoned. He was a childhood hero and I found it verbally difficult to process. I'm not saying he was not guilty or should not have gone to jail, just that I struggled to find out a hero wasn't what I thought. Also, Robin Williams suicide really got to me.

16. What's the best film you've seen this year? There have been a few: Les Mis, Phantom of the opera but number one has to be Frozen Malificent was significant  for me as well as brilliant: The film was amazing and even more exciting we saw it on an Imax screen. Because I have a blind eye I am unable to see 3d and it has always disappointed me. But on the Imax for some strange reason I could see 3d!

17. What was your best buy this year? I'm going to have to say beads, as I have bought so many of them and love them all! 

18. What has been your best day out this year? I really enjoyed the whole day when we went to London to see Mamma Mia. We went to see the poppies at the tower of London and although it was
after Armistice day so most had gone there were a lot still there. Then we took an amble down the. Thames watching all the lights coming on, it was beautiful. Finally we wondered through Westminster past the cathedral etc and found a McDonald's before jumping on a tube to go to see Mamma Mia which was amazing! Also towards the beginning of the year we went to Ipswich theatre to see Derren Brown. He is amazing and l have wanted to see him forever! Was only atan evening out but a magical one.

19. If there’s one thing you did this year that you’d do differently if you could, what would it be? Start preparing for Christmas s lot earlier as I was far too busy to enjoy the run up this yeah! 

20. Is there anywhere you'd like to visit next year? Borneo but I know that won't happen next year! I'd love to go to Scotland

21. Name one thing you did this year that you'd like to do again? Saw Derren Brown. And will be again later in the year!'  

22. Who gave you the best advice this year? I really don't know! 

23. What new skill would you like to acquire next year? I would like to soap make from scratch, not just melt and pour

24. What was your favourite TV/radio programme this year?

Other than my soaps there were a couple of wonderful series, Doctor Who, Believe and Resurrection. Then there's Australian Masterchef, The Great British Bake Off..there were far too many! 

25. What would you like to make more time for next year I would like to find the time to get my business up and earning, will be an ongoing project throughout the year.

26. What has been the biggest disappointment this year? Learning that people I considered friends actually were not. 

27. What was the best or most enjoyable concert you went to this year? Easily Boyzone open air in Thetford Forest, it was magical. That said the tribute to Meat Loaf in Ipswich theatre was great too! 

28. What do you think was the best thing that you did for yourself during the last year? Began to lose weight though I have a long way still to go. 

29. What is the biggest difference in yourself from this time last year? I barely spend a whole day in bed anymore I have a lot more determination not to let the illnesses beat me 

 30. What are you most looking forward to about next year? Starting my business. A secret we have planned for beginning of April,going to more musicals in London starting with Cats!'':):):):)