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Bilateral THR ByGosh ByGolly ByLateral

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Part 2
Right, Mike has been fed and is now reading the Sunday newspapers, sleeping, snoring in the garden.:rolleyes:
We're back on our London trip and before we go back down the underground at Westminster, we're going to cross the road and have a little walk up Whitehall. On the left, you'll see a large pair of iron gates that are guarded by the police. This is the entrance to Downing Street. At No10 and No 11 live the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Well, they have flats there as much of the premises are offices and official rooms for receiving important guests. President Obama and his wife have been entertained there. The PM and the Chancellor do live there with their families but they also have houses out in the country too. I can remember when you could walk right up to the doorstep of No10 - I have a pic of me with my daughter in her buggy and the policeman supposedly guarding the door. In the world we live in now, this is no longer possible and this street is one of the most heavily guarded in London. Carry on a little further and in the centre of the road is a large war memorial made from Portland stone. It is called The Cenotaph. This is the national memorial to all war dead. It bears no names, simply the inscription 'The Glorious Dead'. Every year, on the Sunday nearest to November 11th, the national Service of Remembrance is held at The Cenotaph. The Queen lays a wreath on behalf of the nation followed by religious leaders, politicians, representatives of state and the armed forces. There is a two minute silence, a short religious service , the wreath laying and a march past of many thousands of veterans. The wreaths are all made by the Royal British Legion of red poppies which in the UK is the flower of remembrance chosen because they grew on the Belgian fields of Flanders in WW1. The war poet, John McCrae, wrote these words, '
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row, ............
Anyway, on we go up Whitehall and past all the government offices and statues of generals on horseback. Give a wave to my daughter, Liz, whose office looks out onto Whitehall. I think it's time we had lunch. I've booked us a table at the Silver Cross on Whitehall. They do great pub grub and you can enjoy battered cod with chips and peas, sausages and mash, or a roast dinner. Or you may just like a sandwich or a jacket potato with a tasty filling. And how about a beer? Or a glass of wine? Soft drink? No problem. Nice to rest our legs and have a chat. Then back down Whitehall. We don't have to rush. Facing us across the road is Westminster Abbey where William and Kate got married. We haven't got time to go there today. We're going down the underground at Westminster. Onto the Circle Line again for just four stops to South Kensington. Guess where we're going? We're going on a tour of the Royal Albert Hall!! The tour lasts for one hour. Into the main entrance and meet our guide who will take us into the auditorium and the Gallery. You'll be able to stand right next to the Royal Box where the Queen sits when she pays a visit. If any of us get a job working for the Queen, be it ever so humble, and become what is known as a member of the Royal Household, we can use this box whenever the Queen isn't using it. How about that? The guide will tell us the entire history of the place and we'll be able to go into the private suites and the Royal Retiring Room which is a small, badly decorated room with what looks like uncomfortable chairs for the Royals and their guests to sit on during the interval. And no, our rears, however much subjected to the vagaries of the surgeon's knife, are not allowed to rest there. Make sure you have a good look at the organ, Songlady. I've seen Swan Lake danced in the round here - just beautiful - and we go to a Christmas concert every year, too. The acoustics aren't great. I think we're all worn out now so I suggest we have afternoon tea in the Coda Lounge. We are getting tea or coffee, finger sandwiches ( stupid name for titchy little sandwiches) , cakes and scones with jam and cream - yummy!! We can all have a lovely chat for as long as we like. Then you can all go back to your posh West End hotel while I slope off home to recover.
I do hope you've enjoyed this little trip ByGosh and for a short time helped you to forget the horrible pain. Not long now until Tuesday and the cortisone shots. Keeping you close in thoughts and prayers :flwrysmile: :flwrysmile: :flwrysmile:
Ros xx
 
ByGosh, I am so sorry you have been having such a hard time. Hadn't caught up on your thread until now, and I remembered the positive, upbeat things from early on. I'm glad you've been able to host an ongoing house party on your thread, and hope that having all these smart, funny, caring visitors has made the journey a little easier. You are my thoughts and prayers.
 
Lovin the trip thanks Nylsor, I've only seen the Houses of Parliament from the outside and I've never been in the Albert Hall either, passed it many times, on the way to work at the Science Museum, which is just round the corner, I should probably take the time to check it out one day!! Hope Mike enjoyed his lunch!! :)
 
Nylsor said:
ByGosh, LeeApril26, Kim22, BeckyR, Littlejem, Songlady, anniemg, nmay51, glynis, sandpiper, Poppet, alexthecat and sqwerlie.
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zauberflöte octopus Kylesh sandybeach Liveringer SeaSiren Peaches too.
That was such a wonderful trip! I think we should all give Nylsor a big round of applause! :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay:
It was very educational and interesting, and not only are you a great educator, but a very good writer.
I read it to my family and they enjoyed it, too, especially my hubby. He wanted me to read it with a British accent, though! :heehee: I tried, but it didn't work.. He also asks what MP stands for?

Nylsor that was so kind of you to do, I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. I really loved it all. It made me hungry hearing about our nice lunch - and then our tea with the delicious English scones. Mmmmmm...I'll look up all of it and see what each place looks like, too.
You're like a personal tour guide, only better and much more fun. :)
But I wonder if you rubbed someplace else on Winston's statue if you'd have better luck?? LOL :wink:

LeeApril26 You've got the right idea - waiting in a pub sounds like a very good place to be! And poor Mike is so patient to wait for his lunch. I'm glad he was finally fed - he does get hungry.

Kylesh This is quite a different type of trip than a kayaking adventure. What a nice balance - nature trips with you, and city trips with Nylsor! I'm glad you made it and could come along.

zauberflöte octopus sandybeach Liveringer SeaSiren Peaches I hope you made the trip, too! The more the merrier. :friends::friends: :friends:
 
Wow Nylsor That was a wonderful day out in London.I really feel like I have been there today with you all so thank you.ByGosh is so right when she says that you are an excellent tour guide and writer.I would like to thank you for doing it for us all.
 
Nylsor. Thanks so much. You are a wonderful writer. I felt like I was walking along with you. Now I really want to come to London.
 
Hi Lenora LeeApril26 Thanks for your vote of confidence in me in your previous post!
I'm glad you were able to do the stair exercises in the pool. And you're right - you do need to be capable on the subway stairs, that's for sure. If the exercises only tire you out, that's ok, too - I'm glad they don't cause you pain.

The CD is very good - I listened to it last night and it helped. I realized that I tense up a lot when I have pain, and I know that must make it so much worse. Just listening helped me to relax those muscles, and that alone was an improvement.

I hope you're enjoying this cooler weather and you're lovely mountains and lake.
 
ByGosh. Glad you relaxed with the Cd. It's strange but the idea of leaning into the pain rather than fighting it really helps.

It is much cooler at our cabin but we drove to town this afternoon to see Young Frankenstein at a community theater and it was pretty hot there, about 95. It's only 20 miles away but downhill. We combined the trip with a stop at a natural food/herbal store that sells Elmore oil so now I have my very own bottle. My husband used it on a sore knee (too much tennis!) and it helped. I was wiped out and sore from yesterday, so I rested. Tomorrow I swim again.

I have such hesitation going down the stairs. Have been practicing whenever I can. I'm very slow, and with the hordes of people coming down the subway stairs I am afraid of being knocked down. Have to get over this soon.

I have been taking turmeric for the OA, trying to cut down on the ibuprofen. Read that valerian helps with pain as well as sleep so am trying that, too, as of today's health/herbal store. Hope I don't poison myself.

Enjoy the cool.
 
ByGosh glad the cd helped...I have used my Andrew Weil one tons and it always seems to knock me out! The other thing that has helped me when I am hurting a lot is to write down when I don't hurt. It helps shift the focus from pain centered to feeling more normal. When you are pain centered you focus on it so much you convince yourself you are in pain all the time when you really aren't. Read it in a book...it also suggested putting a number to your pain in your log so you see that for two or three pockets of the day you are actually at a two or three even if you are at a six much of the rest of the day. Saying prayers for you for Tuesday that you get some relief.
 
ByGosh I am so sorry I haven't been by to visit for a few days but my goodness, you have had activity on your thread. I read all the heartbreaking stories of your pain, I feel so sad for you. The pain of those bone spurs make me shudder. I had those and felt them every time I moved. When it comes to your health are your own advocate. If you want other scans/tests so you can make a informed decision of what you need to do next for your treatment, then you need to insist that your GP get those tests ordered. I have dealt with doctors for a few years for a mystery condition or a complicated illness I was told. I had some good ones and others that I wondered how they ever got through medical school. Through my experience I realized that I am the one going through this not them. What you want is what needs to be done. I hope the shots give you relief quickly and nothing else needs to be investigated by future testing. I still haven't read this entire thread of yours yet so I have to get back to where I left off and finish....take care and know I am right along with the rest of our BS family holding your hand and supporting you through this tough time.
 
Awww Nylsor I'm trying to rally all the troops around so they can enjoy your wonderful tales and trips out and about London. :) I want all of your hard work and writing skills to be appreciated by as many of our Bone Smart friends as possible! Yes, a nice comfy coach sounds perfect, and we'll get the bargain price because there's a whole crowd of us tramping around town together - just like your school trips! You'd better keep your eye on us, too - you know how we can act up and start giggling too much! :heehee: But I'll try and behave myself..
 
LeeApril26 said:
with the hordes of people coming down the subway stairs I am afraid of being knocked down.
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I agree! The subways can be scarey places, especially during the busiest times. And those people rushing around are pretty much just looking out for themselves, thinking of where they have to be, and how quickly they can get there!

Has the tumeric helped your OA enough so that you can cut down on the ibuprofen? I didn't know you could take ibuprofen while on Mobic, as they are both NSAIDS. When I used my NSAID topical gel, diclofenac, on my shoulders while on an oral NSAID, it made my ears really ring, more than just the NSAIDS alone.

I've heard about valerian root, but haven't tried it even though it has good reports. It's in a muscle relaxant herbal compound that my husband's naturopathic PA gave him for his back pain. He says it helps him rest better at night. Let me know how it works for you. Wouldn't that be great if helped you get some nice restful sleep? :sleep:
Belleruth Naperstak has a sleep meditation CD. I'll have to listen to a sample of it and see how it is.
I don't think you'll poison yourself with the Valerian, as long as you don't double up on valerian and sleeping pills together. I do think that one does need to be careful with things like that, as those herbs really can be effective.

Glad you found the Elmore at the store - it saves you the shipping fee. It's great that your husband found it helpful, too.

I loved the weather today, and am happy to have the A/Cs turned off.
 
sandybeach said:
If you want other scans/tests so you can make a informed decision of what you need to do next for your treatment, then you need to insist that your GP get those tests ordered.
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sandybeach You're absolutely right. Thanks for that reinforcement and support. It's hard to be one's own advocate, especially when in pain. But I don't have anyone else here to do it for me, really, so I have no choice. I'm very good at advocating for others, not as much for myself, which is a little strange, but true. Although after my 12 weeks post-op were up and I realized this wasn't going away, and I did my week long course of Prednisone, with no improvement, I knew I had to get on the ball and do something.
I do hope the shots help, as this is getting worse now and it's hard to continue like this. The stress is getting to the family, too. My husband's getting tired of his many many chores here, as he's doing his full-time job, and taking care of everything I used to do at home, too. It's wearing on everyone, as it's been 5 months now.
Thanks for being here to provide your support and help with this. It means a lot to me, and what you say is always very sensible.
 
Thanks for that post nmscienceteacher ! You're also very sensible and concrete with your advice. What you say rings true - focusing on pain, just encourages more focus on the pain. I'll try to put a # to it and write when it's not so bad - I usually write when it's bad and what I try to do to alleviate it. I'll do both - write when it's not bad, and what I was able to do. Makes sense.
I'll check if Andrew Weil is on i-tunes and listen to a sample of his CD. They can really help when you're in bed trying to fall asleep and can't relax.
 
ByGosh said:
It's hard to be one's own advocate, especially when in pain.​
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I so agree. I got tired of listening to the doctors at my GP practice telling me that I had 'wear and tear' of my knees, that I couldn't expect to have the knees of an 18-year old, and other such twaddle. It wasn't until I took myself off to a private OS and had x-rays of my hips that I got a diagnosis. It was ME walking around this house every night in such pain I couldn't sleep, ME crawling up the stairs on my hands and knees, ME howling with pain and rolling around the floor in the worst pain I have ever had in my 65 years. And ME who had bone-on-bone, bone spurs and a disintegrating hip. There didn't seem to be a Plan B at my doctors. I often wonder what would have happened if I hadn't advocated for myself. But my goodness, it took me every bit of willpower I had left. I am thinking of you dear ByGosh and praying that the cortisone will give you relief. And I do know the effect that continuing pain has on a household. :flwrysmile: :flwrysmile: :flwrysmile: Rosxx
 
ByGosh said:
My husband's getting tired of his many many chores here, as he's doing his full-time job, and taking care of everything I used to do at home, too.​
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ByGosh, I'm sure down deep your husband is more irritated that your pain levels are going up instead of down. He probably realizes that no matter what he does to help, doesn't help your pain. :shrug:
It's almost Tuesday....Thinking of you...
Annie
 
ByGosh. I'm sorry. No you can't take ibuprofen with Mobic. I use the term ibuprofen to describe Mobic because my primary care doctor said it was like 24 hour Advil. Perhaps I misunderstood? I read that it can take a couple of months for the turmeric to totally replace the NSAIDS. Since the Mobic stays level in the blood, I have been trying 24 hour vacations from it. I was also thinking of stopping it and just taking an Aleve at bedtime, which would give me a 12 hour break. As soon as I feel courageous about subways I am going to discuss all this with my primary care physician. He did not think I was at high risk for problems with NSAIDS, since I have not had cardiac or gasto issues, but he did not mention kidney damage. It is hard to balance all this. I was also thinking of trying TaiChi. I am not so good at group exercise-I go left when everyone les goes right! But the stats on Tai Chi and pain are pretty good.
I tried the valerian last night, with my epipen next to the bed. No problems. I'd did fall asleep fairly quickly, woke up a couple of times and got back to sleep-total about six hours, which is about the same result I get with Ambien. So I will continue it for a bit.

I agree with anniemg. My husband, like most men, likes to fix things. Your pain is something he can't fix, so he is probably feeling powerless and frustrated. Sure, extra chores are a bummer, but watching you in pain is probably driving him nuts.

I'm counting down the hours with you, ByGosh. Did your doctor give you any idea how long the shots,could take to work. When a friend had them in her back, I recall her being told it could take 5-7 days. It may be different for tendinitis.

Nylsor. I'm so sorry you had to fight so hard to get the doctors to listen to you. I know it is not uncommon, but it sounds dreadful.
 
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