Nisey back to work!

Pain Level at this time is 3.

Yesterday was a really lovely day. We just sat and enjoyed some programs we wanted to see and talked a bit, generally enjoying the day as a whole. A bit of a tidy up and later, Denise did the usual magic trick. She was able to find a bar of chocolate that had magically appeared from that tame 'Black Hole' that she keeps tethered in the bedroom. I'm not privy to the placement of this amazing phenomena, but in the past I have seen it produce, biscuits, sweets, cakes. but mostly that wonderful material that we both enjoy eating, Chocolate!

I got up at three and decided to try going back to bed after half an hour. It worked as I went back without the CPAP Breathing machine. I slept until just after 6:00am. Hoorah!

The Boss is back to work today after the Bank Holiday. I am going to try and sort things to make studying easier for me. So I'll have to tackle some of the accrued rubbish in the back room and the 'Sun Room' at the back of the Garage. Oh joy!

I am going to continue with the library work at the OU to get myself in a position to do the actual course content without any concerns about peripheral parts. However I am still working with the Mac and have not yet heard back from the OU about the equipment that has been recommended for me. If I have not heard by Friday I will be contacting them directly. Just one more brick in the building that is required before Phil becomes an 'Historian'! LOL :-)
Seems impossible.... But what the hey?

Lazy day

Pain Level at this time is 2.

Isn't life wonderful when you can just be a lazy bugger and enjoy the quiet.
I am really wanting to start the OU course, but I still have no tutor, or other bits sorted. I don't know what the next 4 weeks will be like, but it really is important to just get the old head straight and do what I can in prep.

I think I will go fishing some time this week. Just ti chill!

Pain Level at this time is 3
I'm OK after a reasonable nights sleep. Got up at 6:30.
I'm not sure if we're going anywhere today, but then again it will give me a chance to do some more study activities.
Mike got back yesterday after his 'working hols' down London way showing a friend how to decorate his house.

Pain Level at this time is 4.

Had to take my sleeping pills last night as I have not had a full nights sleep for a week now. So took them at 7:00pm. If I took them any later I would be too hung over for the rest of today. Can't remember after 8:00 last night but I woke up this morning at 6:00am feeling fully rested. Pity about the pain increasing slightly.

Not sure what to do about the course. I really want to start the thing, but I feel that if I do, then when the actual organised start comes around I will be so out of phase that I won't get anything out of the tutorials etc. I will have to organise that I do all of the peripheral bits n pieces to death, or try and organise something totally different to be done until the actual time.

The cats are funny. The big ginger is destructive as far as cardboard boxes are concerned. the container that the OU materials came in is now only suitable for a confetti parade. However I want to keep them, but Mike is due back today and I suppose he probably wants the cats back... I'll have to ask. :-)

Pain Level at this time is 3

Not a bad start to the Weekend. I really thought could manage the old 'Lie in' but no chance as usual. When I got up this morning I came through to the cats who where having a great time ripping up the box that my OU mailing arrived in. They seemed to be enjoying it. Both fed and watered, they are now doing the mad half hour run around.

Yesterday the posting arrived and I was so pleased. I got everything out and did the check. All there! I'm now starting to worry if I have bitten off more than I can chew. But then again there is only one way to find out. I'm busy working through the Course Companion and it doesn't seem that bad, but...

Ah well, the rollar coaster starts here.

Today's the day

Pain Level at this time is 2.

I managed to stay in bed until almost 6:00am to day, not bad. More numb then pain today. Painkillers should kick in by 7:00am.

It is not easy doing this with a Black Cat trying to get your attention. Sfun!
Max went out yesterday and has not been seen since. He doesn't like sharing with other feline persons, but what the hell. They are lovely, the two cooking fats...

Today is the mailing day. I am really hoping that the damn things come sooner rather than later. Keep the old fingers crossed.

Judith is staying tonight, so will have to share the cats around. I wonder if Max will be back by then?

Pain has migrated

Pain Level at this time is a four.

Got up this morning at 5:00 am. Feeling OK on the left side, but the right shoulder is feeling pain along with my right leg. Ah well, swings and roundabouts.

Nice today as we are getting the cats from Mike and Judith to look after. I can see it now, spending most of the day with a furry black thing on my lap. Do you think I'm looking forward to it. Betcha I am... Sad or what?

Just a day away from the OU mailing and the anticipation is getting really massive. Of course you have to allow up to 10 days for the delivery, but be positive, always positive. The pain will subside to my usual 2 and the posting will arrive by 10 tomorrow and I'll get 100% on my first and every subsequent TMA.

Yeah right!

There is live after pain...

Pain Level at this time is 3.

Well after two horrendous days, I am almost back to a reasonable pain level. Feels no worse than a toothache today, so that's OK. I have had two nights with sleeping pills and extra painkillers, but now I think that tonight it should be OK to sleep normally. Tomorrow will be a good day.

Only two days until the mailings are due to be sent out for the OU course. I wish it was the W/E and I had the first pack to play with.

I feel good enough now to actually go into the kitchen and cook a proper meal for Denise. In fact I might even do some baking... I have a new perching stool that allows me to 'perch' near the bench, stopping the pain from increasing too much while I am cooking. It is wonderful.

Catching up with the lists and mails that I sent out yesterday. 16 New friends on Facebook all doing the OU course. The an.....tici..... pation. is building. Hope it is not an anti-climax. Oh well, only time will tell.

Pain Level at this time is 4/5
I'll put up with this all day long, as I used to go to work when my pain level was up to a 5 or 6... I remember some of the classes where brilliant, with kids being so well behaved when Mr N was under the weather. Even some of the difficult classes where brilliant. Maybe that should be written into teaching courses from now on. Show your genuine pain level in class and see the kids become little angels. My Dog but I miss the teaching lark.

Shut up Phil, take whatever the world throws at you and smile.

A milestone as I have just made a friendship request to everyone on the Face book page that has been set up for the OU course I am due to start shortly. Hurrah!

If you build it they will come!

Pain Level at this time is 4.
I cannot believe it, but I went into the bathroom to get sorted and the pain level just dropped to something reasonable. I am still having problems with deep breaths, but I am now convinced that it was muscular. I can now get on with the day so long as it doesn't recur.
Back to reading stuff about the OU course.

No Better

Pain Level at this time is 6-7
Up at 5:00 am for painkillers and a shower. I will have to call the GP today as this can't go on.

Easing at last.

Pain Level at this time is 5
Will be happy this day is ending, and I'm also looking forward to the special babysitting task coming up. I will be looking after Michael and Judith's Cooking Fats?
The little furry ones that go meow...

Pain Level at this time is a six but starting to ease as I am in bed with my back support in place. I do not want tomorrow to be like today. I'm thinking of canceling it.

Pain Level at this time is 6.

Almost seemed like I was having a heart attack, the pain was so intense and localised in the right hand side of my chest and down my left arm. This is one of those times when it is useful to have a Wife lying next to you in bed...
The fact that she has been a Nurse for the past 30 plus years helps...

After the Weekend

Pain Level at this time is 6.

Had a great W/E starting Friday. Went for the Sabbath Meal to Judith and Mike. Their neighbours where there and all had a good time.
Busy day Saturday and the the Evening came and out with the boys. Nice Time was had by all, until the local psychopath decided to come over to give us all the benefit of his giant intellect and humanism. was a wonderful end to the day.

Sunday went to the Family Fun day out at Gosforth Park for NHS Fleet Cars. was actually quite good, but the shortlist of cars we are looking at has become a 'long' list.

Unfortunately up at 3:00 am with the pain going through bloody roof. Happy, I don't think so...

Enjoyed the W/E but not the Monday Morning. I'm sick of getting up early with this pain. I have decided that I will force today to be a good one, but I think sleepers tonight so I can get a good night.

My Pain Score better reduce, or I'm going to tell myself off.

Day out

After the fun and games last night, more about that later, we are going to an NHS phun day at Gosforth Park Race Course. I'm 'quite' looking forward to it.
Last night was great, from 7 until about 10:20, when we were suddenly introduced to a nice man who really liked my shirt as he used to have one just like it. Except his had some lettering on the breast that said 'HMPS'. NICE or what?
There is something I really enjoy about sitting in company with a drunken, psychopathic bully, full of pent up rage and anger, who is looking for a fight. It is at times like these when the wheelchair becomes useful as a diffusing device. However when it came time to go I was worried about leaving the others there, so I ended up staying longer than intended.
Surprising that the pain score is so low today, after late to bed and not sleeping so well. But then again I did sleep in until almost 7:30 today, so that helped.

Pain Score.

My Pain score to day is a 3. Not bad...

Pain Score

My Pain Level is about a 3 today.

Out tonight with the boys

I'm going out for the monthly pubfest avec the boys. Unfortunately as I'm the one with the wheelchair I am usually the designated driver.
However I'm looking forward to visiting the new pub in Killy.
I always enjoy the banter as Dave is mad, my son Mike is a good wind up merchent and Phil is easy to wind up. Roll on the Shandies.

I am giving the study of the forthcoming OU course a rest, as I think I may be getting ahead of the game, before the game has even started. It would be funny to have to un-learn something, ending up with less time to do the real thing once it starts. Can't wait for the first mailing

Getting sorted too early?

I am due to embark on the OU's AA100 The Arts Past and Present in just over a months time. However I seem too eager and want to start now. I am perusing bulletin boards and looking for suitable sources to follow, but all to no avail. Until I get my first mailing I am stuck. The mailing is not due until next week, but this apprehension is just like waiting for Christmas as a child.
Had to take sleeping tablets last night as the back was letting me know it was still there. When it gets like that I am unable to do much at all.
I hate giving in to it.

My Potted History.

Born in 58 (Yes that old), I was not to discover that others where different to me until I was in my 20's. I was born with a back problem that causes pain after exercise. As a child I ran, climbed and did all the usual things. As I got older I was into Athletics, Rugby, Judo and Ballroom Dancing. I also got involved with Drama before leaving school at 16 to do an Engineering Apprenticeship. I was already with my beloved by this time, after 'going out' with each other since the age of 14.
By the time we Married I was starting to have a few health problems which got all mixed up with the hospital visits that never gave a definitive answer. Eventually I had an x-ray that seemed to show something on my spine and thankfully a diagnoses finally arrived. Congenital Spondylolitheses. Nice, not!
I was then able to understand that others did not have the pain I was feeling. It was not a normal side effect of exercise.
Eventually I was unable to walk properly and had to have a Fusion of the spine.I was told that I would end up in a wheelchair eventually, but that was 15 or so away. I managed just over 20 before the hateful day.
During that time we have had a family and I have worked in various industries, but eventually ended as a Teacher of Physics, until I was no longer able to work.
I'm now starting the new part of my life, by starting a degree with the Open University in History. Just for a change...