Normal service will be resumed shortly...

Hi everyone.

If you're wondering what has happened to me in the last few weeks I've had a slight interruption to my normal routine (I know, what routine??....).  I was a guest of the good 'ole NHS for 3 days while they replaced the painful arthritic bone in my right knee with an 'Oxford' right medial unicompartmental knee replacement joint.  Just call me the bionic woman!

As you know I've mentioned my dodgy knees a few times on this blog but it was getting to the point where they were really beginning to slow me down.  Not something I'm too used. After 2 different specialists gave me the brush off, saying I was too young for any surgical intervention (how lovely to be too young for something!), I finally saw a Mr Simon West who specialises in knee and hip joints.  A very tall and charming man who I have to say was excellent.  As I said to him 'God has a lot of work for me over the next 25-30 years and these knees have to carry me around'.  To which he replied 'Well, we'd do something about them then hadn't we'.  (I do like a man of action........)

Op Weds, Up Thurs!
 Bit blurred - my daughter couldn't stop laughing...

Less than 12 weeks later I found myself lying in the operating theatre, having had a spinal block anaesthetic (yes, I was awake throughout the op - or should I say DIY considering the drilling and hammering!).  It's a really funny sensation when you suddenly see your leg in the air and have no idea how it got there!  The whole experience was incredible and every single member of the hospital staff, from the porters to my surgeon were superb.  Nothing was too much trouble and I was relaxed and calm throughout which I put down to a combination of prayer and professionalism.



If you're wondering what my 'jammies say it's 'Feisty but Fabulous' - didn't really expect sensible did you...? 



Me -2 sticks, 1 knee replacement, 4 days after op. 
My friend -1 crutch, 1 hip replacment, 4 weeks after his op



Anyway, it will be 3 weeks tomorrow since the op, I'm back living in my flat (and successfully negotiating the 46 stairs!) and experiencing less pain already.  The benefits are more than just the alleviation of the pain in my right knee.  Because I've been a good girl (I can do as I'm told sometimes....OK, occasionally......Oh OK - on very rare occasions) and listened to my physio, I'm really conscious of my posture so am walking correctly which has meant the pain in my left knee is so much better already. 

A very kind friend offered to have me at her house for the first couple of weeks as the stairs would have been a bit much straight away.  The photo on the right was taken on the first Sunday after my op on the Weds.  I'm amazed how much mobility I have so quickly and am so grateful to all my friends who have been praying for me.  As you can see I'm not the only one who has had replacment parts recently and I'm pleased to say Roy is making excellent progress as well. We'll soon be able to give the youngsters a real run for their money!

Anyway, I'll sign off for now but will be back soon. 

God bless as always

Jules xx

Cracking the technology!

Well, September seems to have come and gone before I could get to grips with the technology for uploading some videos.  But a very kind and patient friend of mine has persevered and hopefully you'll be able to view some of the things I've been up to recently.  I'll try and get at least 3 posts on in October to make up for it.

I mentioned in my last post I went dancing with my Mum and Dad so here's a little clip of them taking their customary Friday afternoon exercise.  I love dancing but have to confess ballroom isn't always the easiest to master but Dad did manage to steer me round the floor without us ending up in a heap.  My parents have always been an inspiration throughout my life and as you can see, they have no intention of stopping any time soon!

I was reminded this weekend of my day out in London for the Olympics as a group of us went to Wembley Stadium on Saturday
and walked up the Olympic Way.  Unfortunately due to being, what's the expression? - vertically challenged, I didn't really see much at all of the men's triathlon except the tops of cycling helmets as they whizzed past in one direction, then back again in the other.  But the atmosphere was amazing and I'm so glad I went....apart from it resulting on me taking part in The Audience! (and no, if you've been watching you haven't missed the episode I am in.  I think it should be screened sometime later this month)

Anyway, I shot some footage of the triathlon so here's a little reminder of the amazing atmosphere we've enjoyed in this country over the summer....

I'm down in Southampton for a few days with friends and I have to say the weather is certainly starting to feel rather wintry.  The sun was lovely earlier today but it's rather cold and wet now so I'm looking forward to curling up under the duvet this evening with a good book.

As you know I normally write this in the morning but I was keen to see if I had indeed managed to upload the video footage and so far so good.  I'm going to close now and get this posted - then we'll see if it really works!

I hope tomorrow you're able to enjoy at least a little sunshine along with the rain and like me tonight you will have somewhere warm and cosy to sleep. 

God bless
Jules xx