Smiling Clare

Well it has been a long time since I last posted, sorry about that! Life has been hectic and surprise surprise my health has suffered a bit. With Christmas coming up things are even busier but I’m forcing myself to take a step back so I can enjoy the festivities on the day.

Soo I guess I should update you all as to what’s been going on?! Read on only if you want to – it could get quite long!

Health wise it’s been a bit of a yo-yo! Doing more than I should then consequently suffering for it. I’m still trying to establish my baseline again. I’ve had days where I’ve been unable to stand unaided; got out of bed and just crumpled in a heap on the floor, even walking with aid has been challenging. Luckily those days have been few, but it takes me by surprise and knocks my confidence quite a bit.

I managed to get my Christmas shopping done, even though it did result in the next day being one of those days mentioned above!

I’ve also rediscovered the impact a change of routine has on M.E. with my sister spending more time downstairs I’ve been ‘socialising’ more – there’s more voices to take in, movement to cope with, more sitting up etc. and it was more exhausting than I expected. So I’ve had to spend more time on my bed resting. Amazing how such a slight change can have a big impact!

Uni wise, things are proving to be a struggle. I’ve had to request audio versions of the course materials (which should be on their way to me very soon) as the sheer amount of reading is leaving me with very tired painful eyes that can’t focus. I didn’t manage to attend my second or third tutorial – I was without a wheelchair for the second one as a wheel bearing had collapsed and it took almost 3 weeks to get the correct part! The third one I missed on Saturday as I had to make the difficult decision as to whether to risk the ‘payback’ lasting into Christmas, especially as I’ve been recovering from a cold. I decided it wasn’t worth the risk and I’d like to be able to enjoy Christmas with my family.

I got my first assignment back as well – 65%, and also the second – 62%. Not bad considering my health and I always do slightly worse on business courses than on I.T. courses. I’m happy with it as long as I pass! Just managing to study and pass is an achievement, the level of pass doesn’t matter to me.

Oooh and I got my final results back for my previous module – GRADE 2 PASS!!! Really pleased, didn’t do as well on my End of Module Assignment as I’d hoped, scoring 78% with borderline fail on some components but again it’s a pass and a high grade one at that! (The only grade higher is distinction)

Anyway I think that’s you all up to date for now, I aim to post more regularly in the new year.

Merry Christmas! I hope 2014 brings good health, and lots of happiness for you all.

Well it’s been far too long since I updated this blog! A lot had happened this past month so let me begin…

I had an absolutely AMAZING birthday! I went to Hylands park with my family for lunch, they have a lovely little cafe there called Huttons Courtyard Cafe. The weather was lovely and we managed to sit outside as inside was too loud (as per usual with my M.E). We had a nice stroll, okay I had a nice wheel…, through part of the park and got some lovely photos. Determined to go back again one day, and walk round a bit of it. In the evening I went to my grandparents for a yummy buffet meal, with them and my aunt, uncle & cousins. I really enjoyed myself even though we had to leave early because I was so tired. I got some brilliant presents and were spoilt rotten!

The next day I went to Tom’s for the afternoon and dinner. Had a fantastic time! It was lovely to spend time with him again. Can’t wait for the next time! He’s introduced me to the addictive world of Yankee Candles!! The journey there and back wasn’t as tiring as I expected although when I got out of the car I could barely walk I was so stiff, but that soon wore off.

I spent a couple of days resting as inevitably I suffered a bit of payback from all that excitement and activity! Then had dinner at my best friend’s on the weekend and got even more gifts! It was an amazing week, and I am so thankful to everyone who made it so!!

Since then I’ve had to start my new Open University module, Business Functions in Context. That’s proving tough going with the workload being quite heavy. I managed to make the first tutorial which was very local to me and had a great time. I had to go in my wheelchair as I wasn’t sure of the distance. That made me even more nervous about it, but everyone was lovely. They’ll be more about that on my other blog very soon I hope…! http://lifewithmedoingadegree.blogspot.co.uk/

Right now I’m going through a bit of a dip and this weekend has been the most painful I’ve had in a while. I’ve been managing (just!) on ibuprofen and paracetamol but it’s been tough. I’m also recovering from a sprained foot, which I did about 2 weeks ago now; by standing up! It’s healing well, but I’m still having to wear a support on it during the day or else it gets very bad in the evenings.

Went to the dentist last week and have got to keep an eye on my gums as they bled a lot when I had a clean up & polish with the hygienist there. Strangely they hadn’t been bleeding and still aren’t bleeding when I brush. So at a loss to what the cause is. I’m very wary of it all because of my dental condition which although is under control leaves me worrying about stuff like this!

I think that’s you all up to date…unless I’ve missed anything! Sorry it’s such a long post but like I said A LOT has happened!! Hopefully, I’ll be able to update this again soon. Hope everyone reading this is as well as possible!