General Chat

Thank you.....
Needs a bit more than luck,a small miracle would come in handy!

It's been very interesting reading everyones comments & I feel a lot more decisive if the opportunity for an op is still available. (I think I'll scream if he say's it's too late)

Hi everyone
Well a lot has happened since i wrote about my back i was told after i had my last lot of injections i cant have any more for the time being , i am going to see a surgon on the 4TH AUGUST 6 weeks wait is nearly gone , but it wont be in London be at my local hospital, i have been in terible pain in this last 6 weeks my whole body has changed shape i now use a wheelchair i just cant walk far i am so depprsed over it all i just hope and pray he can do something for me i will go with thoughts in my mind that it has gone to far and nothing can be done other than a jacket to keep my body straight i was even asked by my other consultant i looked very tired and deppressed and would i like to talk to someone about my problem.
It is our 40th wedding anniversary on the 1st August i should be happy about it all but how can i feel happy with all this going on with my back,when i married all those years ago did i ever forsee what was going to happen ,take care everyone i will keep you posted
Margaret xx

Hello
I forgot my thread (thanks Margaret have pm'd you)

Well went to the appointment & no op is available for my spine it's too far gone.He was a bit more optimistic on the "walk or wheels" front,basically the pain will just get worse & worse until I can't stand,this isn't being helped as one of my tablets appear to have damaged my kidneys so I can't have them anymore & I need them (walking with crutches has never been a skill I've mastered v.well).
I would have liked a bit more good news & less doom
Thanks everyone because I went in determined to accept anything to try & make my back better-it meant a lot.

I will have everything crossed for you on the 4th Margaret-one of us has to get lucky,let it be you.

Hiya Carla and Margaret and everyone else suffering with the back probs.
I too am in the exactly same boat so my heart goes out to all of you..
I wish you all well and just,well,that I'll be thinking of you all.
Love and hugs
Tricia xxxx

I am due in to hopital this Saturday 28th August nothing can be done with my spine other than injections of which i have had many plus a nerve block as i have scoliosis and Ostoproisis just to let you all know how things are going as long as i am pain free will mean a lot to me as the Consultant said to me i woulddnt thank him if it all went wrong
Margaret xx

my hubby was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis at 26 and was told then he would be in a wheelchair by the time he is 40. He is on a lot of medication for pain control because unfortunately for him he has the sero-negative type and has not been in remission for 20years. He is only 49 now.

He has used his crutches for the past 10 years and his wheelchair is only used for long distances. This has not mean his life has ended. He went to China 2 years ago and was in his wheelchair on the Great Wall, went around the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, went to the Terracotta Warriors. When we were in China another English couple came up to us and said that we were very brave. My husband felt insulted by the way it was said and found the comments made very condescending. He asked would they prefer that he sat at home watching the world go by.

He goes to Thai Chi, okay he does the exercises sitting down and Frank his instructor works around his disability. He spends his days depending on whether or not it is good day or bad day. Good day, walks the dog. Dog walks without leash at his side or runs after a stick which hubby throws. He doesn't drive as often as he would like, only on very good day but this does not stop him from going out. He just pops onto the bus or gets a taxi. He still has his independence. Oh and he makes fantastic omelets. On bad days he is crippled with pain and mainly stays in. But he say if he didn't have the bad days he wouldn't appreciate the good days as much as he does.

What I am trying to say is that being in a wheelchair does not mean the end of your life, it just means a different way of living your life. You have extra challenges but these can be overcome with a bit of ingenuity. Try to be positive. I know it easy for me to say as it is not me, but I am his carer and I see my role as enabling him to do things for himself.

You have the right idea, dont take away any independance they have. Too many people say, 'Dont do that, I'll do it'' instead of letting you try.

Its also a two way street, he enables me to do what I want.