some positive stuff

Hi All, well lets start this off how it should be, After all the hard work of getting the Hall, Landing and Stairs prepped, painted and wall papered today the carpet is getting laid... really cant wait to see it finished, I'm sat writing this while the team are in doing the work. I will share some pics on my social media of it, the handrail was fitted the other day and looks great. On the MS front I took some advice about using Vicks Vaporub on my legs when I'm going to bed and they are hurting, I wasn't sure about how it would help but my word it does!, twice lately before getting in bed I've used it and both times its eased the pain and discomfort, not get rid of it but defiantly helped. Also the advice about using lions mane mushroom supplements so far has worked very well, in a very short space of time I've noticed my short term memory has improved a lot, defiantly going to keep going with them. I'm so determined to keep pushing on no matter what this thing throws at me, can honestly say I've had some low times due to it lately but that will not stop me pushing forward, #FUMS is all I have to say to it, HaHa.

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how I've coped with a really rough couple of days

Hi, All. As the title says its been a couple of very bad days, The other night me and Lisa were sat watching a film and while relaxing I had massive amounts of pain and restlessness in my left leg, To the point I had to get up and fight do do some stretching exercises to try and help with it, I laid on the floor and fought the pain and discomfort to pull my leg up to my chest to get the muscle moving and then used the sofa to help with stretching at a bit of height. got to say it made a very small amount of difference, the following day.... I woke to take my pain killer after a quite bad nights sleep due to discomfort in my leg and back, when I woke the pain in my back as well as a really off numb feeling down my spine was so strange that I had to fight to go back to sleep to try and block it all out, I'm not someone that sleeps in for to long but, it was gone 14:30 buy the time I woke and was able to actually get out of bed. The sleep and rest in bed was very much needed, if I'd stayed awake and tried to fight through it may have made things worse, when I did get up literally just sat on the sofa relaxing, played some of my new Xbox game (PGA 2K23). thankfully now its a bit more manageable, still feeling pains but nowhere near as bad. 

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update

Hey, hope you're all doing ok. Well today after a couple of weeks without recording a podcast I actually posted a new episode, I realised that the reason it had been so hard to get time/motivation was due to a bit of a lack of confidence, after leaving work it hit me quite a bit harder than I thought it had/would. Well now that confidence is coming back it means I can get back to doing what I enjoy. In terms of how the MS currently is, well, that's quite difficult at the moment, with all the decorating work I'm over doing things a lot which is causing massive fatigue issues, back pain, leg pain, water drop feelings and electric shock type pains. It will be worth it in the end though once it's all finished. Few days ago I took my scooter into town to grab some bits and while I was in town I did something that I'd been thinking about for a while, nipped into Prime Comfort mobility shop (Grantham) to get the battery changed, the staff were fantastic, did a brilliant job very quick battery change and just out and out top class service. 

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busier now than when I was working

Hi all, WOW, it feels like I'm run off my feet a lot lately. We've been doing some decorating upstairs getting ready to put the house on the market and also I've been trying to find the new normal since leaving work. Had a couple of weeks off the Podcast due to being so busy, new episode will be recorded very soon and then back to normal recording times. How I've been lately is very strange, really throwing myself into things to try and keep my mind busy, been a struggle to get use to not getting up and going to work. It's also been quite tough with issues that MS is throwing at me, my back and legs are really painful after working so hard, my foot drop is causing me to have real difficulty walking to far as is fatigue, I'm exhausted all the time lately, my back at times has actually made me drop to my knees in pain, still getting water drop feelings on my head at times but through it all I refuse to be beaten and I'm going to keep going, yes I'll push myself and yes I'll suffer for it but, I wont quit and I wont stop trying. Really considering joining a gym to try some leg exercises I'm just waiting to hear if it would be safe for me to do so.

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a busy few days

Hi all, hope everyone is ok. Well after the few days away we came home and wow did I regret over doing it, for the first couple of days after I could barely do anything at all, my legs were very weak and fatigue was awful. Really enjoyed the trip though, such a nice area now just to research some less hilly areas around Plymouth. I did have a fall just after coming back, getting out of bed and my legs felt like they didn't exist, so I fell into the wardrobe, head first, thankfully no damage to me or the wardrobe. It's been a bit of a learning curve now I'm not going to work, but, I'm looking for something and I'm determined to keep myself busy. The new section of this website will be where I'll add Amazon links to things that help me and I think could help other people, OH and the odd fun item... talking about fun stuff, may have accidently bought myself a new Xbox, did stop gaming for many years but lately I've got back into it a bit to keep my brain ticking over, have to say it really is fun, just taking myself out of reality a bit and letting my brain have a rest from all of what's going on. Had a nice trip to the garden centre and actually didn't buy any plants for once. One last thing, during a couple of trips out when the wheelchair has been needed I've tried to learn how to wheel myself, honestly not easy and its very achy on my arms but really satisfying to be able to have that tiny bit of freedom.

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trip to the south coast 2

Hey, So, today was our full day in the city. We went for a walk around the shopping complex outdoors and inside as well, It was good to see so many different shops as well as get a feel for the place. It is a very hilly area which, being honest long term I'd find almost impossible to handle, so when we look to move down its defiantly a case of looking for houses outside the city centre. What I have done today is walk around a bit, that hasn't gone unnoticed by my body haha, my everything aches and really very tired but like I'd said to myself, these couple of days push myself as much as I can and then rest the next couple of days, honestly don't think I'll have a choice on that, when needed I've used my wheelchair. What I did do today is wear my hoodie with my podcast details on, previous to today I'd never had a download from this city but on last check I had hit 80+, kind of pleased with that haha. well tomorrow is home time, will defiantly miss the place and the view from the house we have stayed in, but, it was really worth a visit.

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trip to the south coast 1

Hi all, Well today has been a long day. We've had a 200+ mile trip down to the south coast to take a look around before we think about starting our possible family move to the area. On first look I have to say it's absolutely beautiful, the weather today (Tuesday) has been awful, dinner from the local chippy was fantastic though, the fish was lovely. I've over done it for sure walking around the shopping centre, lots of pain in my legs and back, but, to be fair it was worth it, when we get home later in the week I'll have a few days rest to recover. Tomorrow we will have more of a look around local areas to see what its like, I took some pictures from the house we are staying in's window, I'll upload them so you can see.

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positive day

Hey, I wouldn't normally write a blog 2 days running, but, thought it was worth it today. The sun is out its nice and warm so I felt like why not make the most of it, I'm not feeling that bad today, not that wobbly the foot drag isn't great but not letting that stop me. So its a 2 fingers up to MS and get out in the garden kind of day, BBQ cleaned, table cleaned, getting ready to stick some food on the grill and just relax with the family enjoying a bit of nice weather. Love a bit of sunshine. feeling really positive today.

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busy few days

Hi, hope your all ok. Well its been a busy few days, getting use to this not being at work stuff. Had the pleasure of getting back out into the garden now the weather is getting a bit better, managed to de-weed the border that I put in last summer, bit of cutting back and getting ready to plant some new bits, ready for the spring/summer. have to say I've suffered for it, my back and legs are very painful and its made me very tired. The day after I played assistant while the new flooring in the toilet was laid (thanks Dad & Rich), I literally did nothing except held things steady while they were being cut and yet again, I was exhausted. Its so strange because not long ago I could do this stuff and I'd be fine. needing a day of rest today (Thursday) my legs and back are awful, struggling to stand and move about but honestly, it was worth it because I've missed being out in the garden especially. No matter what I'm determined to keep doing things and not give in to the pains and tiredness. 

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big life change and emotional physio appointment

today has been a real mixed bag, after 20 years in the security industry, I made an agreement with my company for me to step away from the business. This was fully down to my MS diagnosis, without MS I'd have continued my job for many, many years to come, to be fair even with it I'd have kept going. yesterday was my last physical shift, I have no doubt this is going to be a big thing to get use to but when one door closes another opens... I had Physio today where it was arranged for me to meet a specialist to discuss a FES machine, WOW, what an incredible machine it is, I suffer very badly with foot drop on my right foot, when walking using the FES I could actually walk! no foot drop at all. Ok still very hard on my legs but well worth it, It went so well I actually felt confident walking and I've not felt that in a very long time. Got to be totally honest, I got very emotional because of how it felt to actually walk properly, I actually did lose a few tears. absolutely suffering for it now, really painful legs and mega tired but so, so worth it. I'm being referred and I'm told that in a couple of months I could have one to bring home to use. 

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fresh start and fresh thoughts

Hi, How is everyone?. The last few days have been a bit of an eye opener, really pushing through the stress and strain that's been around, hopefully that is coming towards a conclusion. Had a fall on the stairs yesterday, somehow my arm managed to go up through the handrail and get stuck while I was laid on the top few steps, not quite sure how it happened to be fair but my legs were very wobbly, no injuries just a lightly dented pride. Back end of this week I've got the meeting with Physio about the FES machine, really hoping this happens and they can see how much it would help, because, walking and moving around isn't easy with my right foot dragging as much as it does. . Some new things for the podcast this week, recorded on the laptop, using a green screen and tried to learn some basic editing... that wasn't easy at all, may take some time to figure it out properly. I have made the decision that I want to take the podcast, blog and social media as seriously as possible, very soon I may well have lots of time to devote to it all. lots of learning incoming.

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tough few days

Hi, hope everyone is as well as can be. sorry I've not updated for a few days, as the title say's it's been a bit of a tough ride. lots of things on my mind, along with pains and not sleeping well at all. unfortunately I couldn't record a podcast this week, due to not really being in the right headspace. I will be back with that ready for release Monday as usual. my doctor has given me sleeping tablets but I'm trying to avoid taking them, unless its absolutely necessary. struggling with pains in my right leg mainly at the moment, more so the calf muscle but also my lower back isn't good, foot drop on my right is also causing me a lot of trouble (always does) but due to feeling quite stressed of late that seems to be making even more of an issue. I will fight back and come through this little rough patch, on a better note when I'm resting up I've been playing the guitar a bit more (just a beginner after years without playing) found a really lovely little riff that's fun and sounds great. next week I've got an appointment with Physio which they have someone coming to give me a trial with a FES machine, if that can help with the foot drop it would be awesome but will have to wait and see on that one haha. 

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