So, I had an interesting appointment today. I absolutely trust my GP 100%. He is fantastic. He has helped me so much. But since Covid, it has been impossable to speak to him, let alone see him. So today I had an appointment with a GP who I havn’t seen before, with relation to a new probelm which Ive been experiencing for the past 5 weeks. Basically Im experiencing a lot of pain in my lower back, which keeps me awake at night, and almost constant abdominal pain. I have issues in this area with chronic constipation (sorry for the overshare!). But these other problems are new. So a couple of weeks ago I had a blood test, which thankfully came back ok. Unfortunately the pain is still there. So I finally saw this GP today. She was perfectly nice, but basically suggested that because I already have so much pain from the CRPS, that perhapse I am anticipating and expecting more pain! My 1st thaught on this….. what???? I have enough pain as it is, I do not need, or want more; and it is not in my head! So what to do when a Dr does not believe you, or tells you they think its all in your head…. I wish I knew. The pain is still there right now, so am I supposed to just live with it, like the crps, with no treatment or investigations to find out why it is happeneing? It feels that way. Infact at the moment im feeling like ive been cast aside completely. Ive finally got an appointment with a pain Dr, who is great. But that is not where I live in Exeter, im having to go to Bristol. My GP refered me to Exeter I think about 6 times or maybe more in the past 15 months, and I have not had one appointment or spoken to, or seen a doctor about my crps returning; until I went to London for my pain course, which BLESMA refered me to.

Sorry for the rant… it is so unbelievably frustrating. I have enough with the crps trying to dictate my life, let alone more pain from othet areas. Im trying to come off of my ton of pain medications as they do not help with the crps, but now I am having to take them because of the pain elsewhere!! Not helpful! So the plan now….. hope nothing bad happens, or gets worse!!

On the good side of life, I am loving my hand bike. It is just amazing. Really hard work, which I kind of like. I can do 6 miles at the moment. Practice makes perfect though! The wheeling is also going great. Ive mad my 1st target of Exeter quay to Turf locks, which is about 15 miles. It was awesome. I cant wait to go further, which will be easier when public conveniences re-open!!

I find myself fortunate that other than an extremely neglectful pain doctor before my amputation, that I have made it this far before having a Dr accuse me of pain being in my head! It seems to be a common thing amongst people with chronic pain conditions. It shouldnt be. Just because you suffer with one pain all the time, does not mean that others are not possable! I have to say, this all left me feeling quite upset and frustrated!

So what would I advise others. See another Dr, ask for another opinion. You know your pain, and what you are suffering, others dont. There is no point in waiting for something bad to happen, or suffering for longer because of being afraid to speak up. So I would speak up. I am going to 🙀

Well, over a month has passed, and what a busy one! Ive had another installment to my pain management programme, changed my living room around so its actually accessable, recieved conformation of my retirement from my job, and recieved my amazing hand bike!

So 1st things 1st… the pain management programme. This was brilliant as usual. The kings hospital for veterans. We went over lots more mindfulness and recieved great advice on desensitisation. We are working on reducing my medication as well. Anyone with CPRS will tell you that pain meds are more of habbit, and achieveing a sense of control over this condition…they dont get rid of the pain at all. Nothing does! You do, over time get used to a certain level, but thats about it! So when i have a flare up, I usually reach for my morphine; basically out of habbit, rather than necessity. It does calm me down and stop my rolling about like a wet fish on dry land… but thats about it. Basically for those who dont know, a flare up of crps feels like your stump (in my case, but any area which a person has it, will apply) is literally on fire. Your pain levels sky rocket to 10++. Often you feel like youve reached a new hight of pain. Sometimes just to shake things up, the hot burning is replaced with what feels like cold burning! There are lots of other funky things that the affected areas do as well, but I wont bore you with the details! So the pain management programme is not taking away my pain, but teaching me how to cope with it better, which is positive 👏🥰

We changed our living room around, finally. It was rather crowded and i steuggled to navigate my way around our enormous sofa with my wheelchair. Now it is open and frankly…awesome.

• 

The job…or should I say career, is a difficult one. I am not retiring because ive reached that age…ive been medically retired, because of my immobility and illness. I have been a registered nurse for the nhs for the past 13 years. I retrained after leaving the Army. I loved being a nurse, especially in operating theatres. Following my amputation I had high hopes, and wanted to finally persue my dream of going to medical school to train to be a Doctor. Why had I not done this before I hear you ask? Well, I did get accepted before my nursing, but I was doing A levels, and unfortunately half of them were cancelle half way through, and so I ended up applying to do nursing as a way of gaining experiance and hoping to lead to med school….then life kind of got in the way. So this was my window. The time when I could do it. But my leg unfortunately had other ideas. Or, should I say, stumpey!! You cant work as a Doctor if you cant walk! I was hoping to be an anaesthetist, which requires lots of walking, standing, running even! So, anyway, im digressing… the retirement. So I am being retired. I am really sad, I have to say. Especially with Covid, and not being able to help and contribute like I feel I should. But, I am also sad that it is the end of an era for me. My career is over, as are all prospects in this area. But hey ho…. life goes on, and I have lots planned as always.

The bike…. the amazing new hand bike arrived. A massive thankyou to the Aaron Lewis Foundation by the way, who kindly funded my amazing new bike. I never thaught there would be a time where I could not ride a bike, until now. I hated that my lovely Moda was sat, lonely in the bike shed. But now I can ride again. I went for my 1st proper ride today, and its amazing. Hard work. Legs are made for movement, and hoyking us about, but arms really are not…found that out! But I will persevere…. cant wait for the next ride.

So there you have it… I hope you are all staying safe in this strange new world of ours.

So, some of you may remember; way back when; that I started my just giving page, which was two fold in request. The first being for my freewheel attachment for my wheelchair so that I could finally negotiate the somewhat procarious streets of Exeter, and wheel myself about unacompanied,. The second being for funds for my Osseointegration surgery, so that one day, I may have the chance of walking again.

I am so pleased to report that I reached the 1st milestone, with thanks for some extremely generous contributions, and purchased my freewheel. It arrived just over a week ago, and so far I have been out and about 5 times. I am up to 5 miles. It is brilliant. It helps alot with my confidence, and I have had no further tipping incidences; which plagued my wheeling before. I am so incredably greatful to those of you who were kind enough to share my page, and to donate.

It is a strange old world which we are living in at the moment. But for me, and others out there who suffer with chronic pain; this life is kind of, the norm. Not to be all melancholy about things, but when you are living with crps and other conditions like it; most of life is spent in isolation. I am lucky that I have the most supportive wife I could ever wish for, and a couple of beautiful fur babies to keep me sane.

I have recently completed the 1st half of a pain management course with King Edwards hospital for veterans in London (via zoom). It has helped so much. In the 4 days I got to work with some of the countries leading experts in pain management. They have written a programme for me to work my way through each day, which includes stretching, desensitisation techniques, mindfulness training and general learning all about pain and what and why it is! I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone who has the chance. I have a family day next week and then another 4 days to complete the course.

I have noticed a few posts on the amputee pages this week, with people suffering with phantom pain. As you may know from my 1st post, I suffered greatly with this post op. It was almost instant, and excrutiating. But, thanks to Marianne at Exeter mobility centre, who came to see me in hospital, and start mirror therapy 6 days after my amputation, I have hardly had any since. I was rigid about following the instructions. I am no saint, and did miss a few days here and there, but it takes all of 9 minutes. I did this 1-2 times a day for a month. So worth it. Now, it is not for everyone, and does have some restrictions as to who can and cant do it; but if you are suffering, do speak to someone who can take you through the training and guide you how and what to do.

I hope you are all safe, and not too bored 😀

So, a whole year has passed since my surgery. My official ampuversary was a couple of days ago on the 4th of April 2019. As you know, it has been a tough year. It started with so much ambition and anticipation, and although all of the goals and dreams which my surgery was supposed to allow me to achieve; have not come close to being achieved; I will not stop fighting. I have managed to do some things this year. My driving test, which I passed just before Christmas. People ask me why I diddnt do it sooner, simple; I diddnt need to, I used to cycle everywhere, or even walk, which I loved to do. ❤

I have gone back to college to study english and maths, sadly now though we are all on lockdown and college is no more. I just hope that I have done enough to get a good grade 🤞. My challenge went south, due to injury and having to wait 8 months for a wheelchair which I could use. I still have hopes though of completing it in the future. I did have my 1st solo exhibition of my art which was really well recieved, and was shortlisted for the pastel societys art prize, which was amazing. I sadly lost my baby Winkeypoo to Leukaemia, which is by far the hardest thing Ive ever had to go through. I dont think I will ever get over loosing him. But now we have our lovely little Lily, who is named after the vet who saved Winkeypoos life on numerous occasions. ❤😿

I sadly still have not recieved any help from the pain team. A year and 8 referals later! Thanks to BLESMA though which is an amazing charity for veterans, they have arranged a pain course for me at King Edwards hospital for veterans in London. My course is due to start at the end of June, but I am now unsure as to weather this will rightly, need to be delayed. Also they have gotten me an appointment with a pain consultant in Bristol, but I am sure this will be aranged also. Cant help that though. We must all sacrifice at the moment.

So, whats to come? Well this year the plan is to start my access course to go back to university. As you know my dream is to study to become a Doctor, sadly this has been the hardest dream to give up on/postpone! Unless I can walk again and get my crps under control, there is simply no way I can get accepted into medical school. I wanted so much to become an Anaesthetist. If there is any way in the future, that this can be possible, then you bet your ass, I will go for it! But in the mean time, I have found a huge love for writing. Creative writing especially. My spelling needs work, but, that besides, I am hoping to go back to Uni and study a degree in English and Creative writing. But that will be in 2022. 🤞😘

I will never give up on trying to walk and run again, so this year is about trying to raise as much as possible for my osseointegration. Thankyou so much to those who have so kindly donated already. It means so much. More than you know ❤ I hope to start proving my worth using my wheelchair by doing a 5k, 10k, half marathon and marathon. Of course this is all dependent upon the healing of our great nation, from this disasterous virus. I hope all of you are staying safe and at home. 🤞

Id like to thank all of you who have continued to support me throughout the past year, and you know who you are. My amazing wife, Shannon, who has to put up with me rolling about the sofa crying, endless medication mood swings, sleepless nights, trips to the microwave to get my heat packs, manouvering my wheelchair up amd down the stairs; just to name a few things. She is my hero. My rock. The most amazing person I have ever met, and I feel so lucky to be married to her. ❤ Id like to thank Steve at BLESMA, who has been working so hard to make my life better. They got me my driving lessons, and college, and lots of aids for my home to make my life easier. I hope to raise some money for them in the future as pay them back. Catherine and Emily at Exeter mobility centre, who have worked tirelessly to try to get me walking. We are a long way off, but they never give up, because they know I wont! 🤞❤ Maggie, who always messages me, eventhough I am rubbish and forget to answer strate away. You are incredable. Such an amazing woman, who has shown me so much support over the past year, I cant thank you enough ❤❤

So this disease has taken so much from me so far. My leg, my career, my hobbies, my goals, my dreams. But one thing it has taught me is to never give up.and never give in. I can always make new goals, and new dreams. The old ones will always be there, trying to rear their heads and smack me in the face like a wave of heat from an oven door, but I just have to make sure that I open that door slowly, and dont let them hit so hard. My pain is relentless at the moment, but I am finding ways to cope. I hope that this time next year I will be able to walk without excrutiating pain, but that is my biggest dream. So in truth, Im not sure what the future holds right now. None of us do, in this uncertain world we now live in. I just hope my friends, family and little furbabies are healthy and happy. Much love to all of you, and please stay safe 🇬🇧

So some good news. ‘At last’- I hear you say. Indeed! I went all the way to London a week or so ago. Had my appointment at the King edward hospital, for the veterans pain management clinic. You have to be assessed before being accepted. It was a long day. 4 hours of driving each way. I actually drove for an hour and a half, which i’m really happy about as i am still a ‘new driver’.

The clinic was really impressive. I had proper conformation that I have crps. They were shocked that I have not yet, despite 3 referals; seen the pain team where I am. I explained to them my history with them. With the doctor accusing me of ‘self mutliation’ because I elected for an amputation. Then the same doctor being booked to place a block in my leg to try to get my pain under control, and thus reducing the possability of complications. So as you may know, I was admitted 4 days prior to my amputation for this procedure to take place. She was given the dates. Suprise suprise, she diddnt show up, despite my consultant ringing her. Now my crps is back. Did her what I would call, neglegent neglectful behaviour have an influence on my crps returning? Maybe? The doctors in london diddnt conform or deny this is a possability.

So needless to say though, that they said i should have no involvement with the pain team at Exeter. So instead they have refered me to Bristol or london. I have chosen Bristol as its closer. They have also accepted me onto the pain management programme, which takes place in London in June. Fingers crossed that something may help. The pain seems to be getting worse every day, but I am ever hopeful that something will come along which will be of benefit.

So a word of advice that I can give to anyone. If you see a doctor or any health professional that makes you feel upset or like a pile of rubbish, firstly you can complain, and secondly id request another professional. They may just be having a bad day of course, but I think I can confidently sat that in my 14 years being a registered nurse, I never took my mood out on a patient. The patients were normally the best part of my day, and often a welcome distraction from working life in the nhs, which is probably the least compassionate place on the planet to work, when it comes to caring for its staff! But thats another story!

So for now, im plodding along. I havnt yet gotten my hand fixed, and so cant train. But I am looking foreard to the day when I can. I am getting to the gym and still working with weights, so that when I can return to full function, I will not have lost all muscle mass, apart from that in my leg, which now looks like a twig! Ha ha!.

So as you may remember, last Friday was the day I had been waiting for…. the 2nd attempt at my driving test. I was extremely nervous, and not very confident; but I passed. I was so extatic. The poor examiner…I ended up bursting into tears in the driver seat, when he told me that I had passed! It means so much. I can have a little independance again. We chose our car specifically so that I can get my wheelchair in and out of the car by myself.

The past week has been a definate learning curve. Driving without the reassurance of the lovely Darren at second 2 none driving school, is a little scary. But ive managed it. Ive taken myself to the hospital for my CRPS appointment, and to physio, and to college. Its amazing. Once more, my poor wife can now; finally rest and stay at work, rather than having to clock out every day to take me here, there and everywhere. So a welcome break for both of us 😍

So, as for the rest of the week. I finally had my pip assessment on Wednesday, after waiting over 9 months to have my face to face appointment. For those of you who dont know, you are supposed to be seen within 6 weeks!! I have had my appointment changed 4 times. Then at the beginning of December, myself and the amazing Steve from BLESMA, (who has helped me so much); went to what was going to be my face to face, and the assessor left the building before even seeing me. She basically walked past us and went home! Then because of the mess ups, I was assured that I was going to be seen within 2 weeks of that date (4th December), and I was finally seen yesterday….and then It was delayed by 2 and a half hours!! But I was seen…. the lady was very lovely too. She was very kind and had actually heard of CRPS, which is amazing. Almost nobody has heard of it.

Todays appointment was not too helpful. Now we are trying a bit of tape on my stump…. I understand the premis behind the confusion which my pain receptors are in, and the tape may confuse them….but ive been waiting for 9 months for treatment…and so far we have tried local anaesthetic plasters…which made it worse, and now tape! I still have not seen a Doctor at the pain team, or a specialist of any sort. I have learnt that there are a few treatments which I should have had early on, which may have helped; but I diddnt recieve. An all too familiar story. The same as the pain Doctor who was supposed to arrive on the ward prior to my amputation, to put in a block and try to control my pain prior to surgery, and she diddnt show up; despite being reminded, and my consultant telling her she should be there. This was the same Doctor who accused me of, and I quote ‘self mutilation’, because I elected to have my amputation due to the crps. Those of you who have it, will know why I made this decision.

Anyway, I would also like to thank the wonderful lady who gave a very generous donation to my Just Giving page, where I am raising funds for my freewheel and eventually Osseointegration. This lady knows who she is, and gives me so much support. She is absolutely amazing and completely restores my hope for humanity; showing that there really are some amazing people out there. Thankyou so so much ❤ I have had a few requests to share my page, so I have put a link below.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lexialyx-chambers?utm_term=z29BQwkD5

For those of you who have CRPS, I learnt something interesting today. Aparently what Ive been doing for months….applying heat packs to my stump that is effected; has proven to help lots of people with CRPS. I have 3 of them, and spend alot of time with them on my stump. I wish I could find one which would last more than 5 minutes though!🤣. Also, I have been accepted for a clinical trial on CRPS, so will be winging my way to London in a couple of weeks for an assessment. On the same day I have my assessment for the veterans pain clinic in London, where they offer a residential course with CBT and other coping mechanisms. This I am so greatful for. Ive heard great things about the king edwars hospital, and am looking forward to hearing all about it. Hopefully it will help.

I do hope that all of you are having a good January and are sticking to those new years resolutions 🤣🤞. I have to say, that I made a couple, well, they are more like goals; so watch this space as I hope to fulfill every one of them. Lets hope that this year just gets better and better…..

We had a quiet Christmas. Still mourning the loss of our little boy. My little therapy. My winkeypoo. All the while, welcoming our new little lily. She is just a joy. So adorable. On the nights that I have to have sleeping tablets in order to get some hours of sleep, she follows me into the bedroom and snuggles up either beside or on me, just as winkey did. I think there is some of him in there. She has alot of the same manorisms which he had. We were doing quite well, or so I thaught; until that box arrived, signifying his return home forever. Just a little wooden box with his name on top. Since then, not a day has passed where I have not broken down in tears. Its strange that after all we have been through this year, a cruel twist of fate would tear our hearts open beyond belief and top off the year in the most awful and cruel way.

So as we trott forward to start a new year, I am ever hopeful of a better time. My CRPS has unfortunately reached new and unexpected hights of pain. But I am plodding along. I have my spectacular wheelchair. I am awaiting an appointment with a plastic surgeon and then as soon as my right hand is fixed, I can commense training again. Until then it is my intention to do what I can. I have had to put the date back for my event to 2021. There was no choice in the matter. I had to wait 8 months for a suitable wheelchair, and by then a great deal of damage was done to my hand and shoulders. I am still awaiting an appointment with one of the Pain doctors, for some treatment for my CRPS. Sadly the window of opportunity where treatment has proven to be sometimes effective, lapsed a long time ago.

So where to now? Well, I am currently fundraising for a free wheel, which is an attachment for the front of my wheelchair that can mean I can go more places on my own safely. Exeter is extremely hilly, with lots of cobbles where I live, and not very good pavement access for disabled. I have recieved a very generous donation form a wonderful lady from Canada (I will not name names until given permission, but she knows who she is). Also, I am looking into Osseointegration as an option for the future. The time which I can wear a prosthetic is getting shorter, and I can now only wear my leg for a few minutes at a time, and not at all without considerable discomfort and using crutches or a stick. It is such an awesome leg. I do hope we can come up with a way to wear it for longer. At the moment I am trying mirror therapy, with sadly no positive resutls as yet. But I will persevere. If all else fails…..then Osseo. That is if we can raise the £80’000 for the surgery!! Or win the lottery i the mean time!

So into 2020. I remain hopeful. Hopeful of a better year than last. Hopeful that we can sort something to help with the pain. Hopeful for passing my driving test on the 10th of January. Hopeful that my hand will be fixed so I can commense training. Hopeful that our boy Boe will have a healthy and happy year. Hopeful that my little lily will be healthy and Boe will get along with her ok (he is doing amazingly so far). I have my exams in may, and so i am also hopeful that I pass them and get good grades. I am having to re-evaluate my future, when it comes to working. At the moment I cannot return to work as a Nurse. The main reasons being my needing to use my wheelchair most of the time, and the unpredictabiity of my CRPS flares. So I am looking into options. I am loving English.

I believe that everything; even the terrable things happen for a reason. It is sometimes hard to know what the reasons are, but they usually come to light. So there must be a reason for last year. So onwards and upwards into this year. We will venture into in with positivity and hope.

Happy New year to everybody. I hope that this year brings all of you good health and happiness. ❤

So, it has beena few weeks again. I did the stupidest thing….when I came down with shingles and renal colic, and then failed my driving test; I stupidly said those idiotic 5 words, that one should never utter amidst a time like this (‘nothing else can go wrong’). Then of course, as im sure you know; and have experienced this yourself; it did. In spectacular, heartbreaking fashion.

You all know my Winkeypoo by now. The light of my life. My friend, the cause of my smile, my midnight cuddles when I cant sleep, my therapy. Well. On the 27th of November, he wasnt eating again. He has had alot of illness, and eating is always our guague of how he is. So not eating, is a big deal. So we took him to his favourite vet, Lily. She is amazing with him, and has saved his life so many times. She treats him as her own, and loves him almost as much as we do. She took him in for blood tests. We sat and waited as always. Not our 1st rodeo here. Then the door opened, and those fateful words. ‘Winkeys mummies’. Normally this was in an upbeat tone, but from the lower tone, i knew. Then she said ‘he is still asleep’. Then we really knew. He was laying on his side, with a lovely nurse holding an oxygen mask to his face. Then the bomb. His bloods were catastrophic. He had no white cells, his blood was basically like water. He had leukaemia. We all have no clue how he was still alive from how he was. That morning he was purring, and we had cuddles. He kept looking at me in such a way that i knew, in my heart i knew, but i did everything i could to ignore it. It couldnt be happening. Not to my baby. I was not ready. 13 years is nothing. We need more time. But he had no more to give.

We all, Shannon, Vet Lily, and I held a paw and kissed him goodbuy. We got time to tell him how much we love him, and thank him for being so wonderful. Then he was sent to sleep. We held him all 3 if us and cried, and talked about how wonderful he was. I have never in all of my life felt heartbreak like this. It diddnt seem real. Still doesnt. We took his carrier home, but with no Winkey in it. I couldnt even take it out of the car.

Well the next few days, we were barely at home. Couldnt face being there. We made sure our other baby Boe, had lots of cuddles and kisses, but thaught he would be ok, out of all of us. They never got on. Used to savage each other at least once a week. But in that last week, they cuddled. I knew then that something was wrong. Our Boe then went through such intense grief. He diddnt eat for days. We took him to our Lily and he had tests, but all came back fine. He was missing our boy as much as us.

During that few days, we went to Zizzis for lunch, and were sat sobbing into our food, when in walked Frank Skinner, who sat on the table next to me. Ordinarily we would have been a bit star struck, but we just tried to hide our faces. I think even the waitress was scared to come over!

It was about this time where we made a somewhat rash decision. Grief is never a good time for rationality. I saw a little face on my phone, and I couldnt stop looking at it. I showed my wife and she was transfixed also. A couple of days later we drove the 4 hour journey to London to meet, who is now our little Lily. Named in honour of our lovely vet and friend, who was so amazing with our boy, and there til the very end. She went above and beyond any vet. I really cant thank her enough.

This is our little Lily. Our healing therapy for us and Boe. He is a little unsure, but is so good with her. He has become really cuddley, which is amazing. We were told she was 8 weeks old when we collected her. She was very small. We took Lily to meet Lily, and found out she was only 6 weeks old. Im so glad now that we drove to meet her, and bring her home with us. I knew we would love and cherish her in the was she deserves, in a way all animals deserve. Lily said that as first she diddnt understand how we could get another so soon. Believe me, we were as suprised as anyone. We always said we wouldnt, but it was like fate. We diddnt see it until she pointed it out, but little Lily looks just like Winkeypoo. She has some of his personality too. She is definately her own little girl, but I like to think that some of him is in there.

We miss him terrably, and he will never be replaced. He was my baby boy and I loved him more than I thaught possable to love anyone or anything. He was and will always be our heart and soul.

And now…..we adore and love our Boe, and now our little Lily. She has baught us home again, and baught us all together.

I know this post is just about my boy, but he is a huge part of my life, and has definately been part of my healing and recovery. ❤

Last week was indeed the week from hell. As you may have read I was doing my condensed course in driving. So, on the Saturday before I started having back pain in the centre of my back, both sides ironically where your kidneys are positioned. This was then joined by pain under my ribs at the front. Trying to ignore it, I started my driving lessons. My instructor ‘Darren’ with second 2 none driving school; was absolutley amazing. He was very supportive and had a great way of teaching and putting someone at ease. On my 1st lesson I drove for 5 hours. He said that he was really impressed and even felt the need to ask ‘are you sure you havnt done this before?’. I got my parking in mainly 1st time. All was well. On the second day, i hadnt slept much due to the increasing pain in my back and abdomen, but again I persevered. It was the early hours of Wednesday that I was awoken in agony. I ended up waking my wife to ask her to drive my to hospital at 5am. After the usual epic wait for triage, i was sent strate to majors; put in a gown; and given a load of morphine. Anyway, a very long day, with a ton of tests; including a very unpleasant internal gynocological ultrasound (dont ask?), revealed Renal Colic. I was aloud home with alot of meds.

Determined to carry on with driving, i made it to my lesson on Thursday. We had quite alot to do with a whole day lost. But my lovely instructor reasured me that he was not worried, as I was doing so well. I have to say at this point, that I do not like duel carrageway driving. Its terrifying! But I did loads of it. Still in alot of pain on Thursday, my back started to itch, as did my abdomen. A rash appeared, which was extremely sore to touch and spread around the left side of my body. Yep, I had also developed Shingles. So I didnt sleep at all on Thursday. Not ideal for my driving test on Friday. Needless to say, that I did not pass. I was in so much pain and so exhausted, but I still wanted to try. The examiner asked me to head towards Plymouth on the duel carraigeway, and apparently I stayed in a lane too long. He siad that I diddnt mirror, signal, manouvour enough. I remember doing it everytime, but I think that I diddnt make it obvious. So all i all; not good. I have rebooked my test. My new date is the 20th of December. Lots of time for more practice.

So i now have new medication for my Shingles as well. My wife picked up my prescription today from the pharmacy, in a carrier bag. There was alot! I havnt been able to move much at all. Absolute exhaustion and pain prevented this.

Im starting to think that I must have done something really terrable in a previous life. I seem to be going from one health problem to another, adding pain upon pain. Or maybe its because im a very lucky, very fortunate person to have found my soul mate, my wonderful life; that the balance is agonising pain?

Either way, I declare that it is not fare. I really just need something to go well. At least the extra illnesses to dissipate, and maybe even a bit of intervention for the ongoing ones, would be amazing. Im still awaiting a specialist for my crps. Still waiting for everything basically!

Who knows? Maybe 2020 will be amazing. I do hope so. I like to think that I dont let stuff get to me, but it can be tricky at times. Especially what things do not go well at all. I think the trick is to stay as positive as possible. Not easy. But positivity is the better option. The only way from down, it up. 😄

A letter arrived through the door last week. An appointment. Not unusual at all, as I have an abundance of these. But this one baught a sigh of relief. It stated that on the 21st of November I will be finally collecting my newwheelchair. This month, things may finally start to turn around. I have my driving lessons through the week of the 11th of November to the 15th, when I have my driving test. 6 hours a day of driving. Its going to be quite a test of endurance for me, as ive been off work for quite some time. Then my chair 10 days later. Amazing.

So how is the new leg? Its amazing. It looks so much better than my last. It is much smaller so my trousers fit alot better. I have been visiting the tailors and sewing alot myself, to fit 20 inch zips into the inside seam of my trousers, so that I can remove my leg when I need to; without dropping my trousers! Its such a simple fix, and yet so life changing. I love my clothes. Ask my wife! She dispares everytime the postman arrives! “Been shopping again Lex?” She normally says! But to be fair, I am lucky. I hit the jackpot with my wife. She never minds me spending anything. She knows that im an avid bargain hunter, and as we are almost the same size; we get to share clothes!

So back to the leg. It is amazing. But unfortunately I cant wear it much at all. My pain has gotten much worse. I have now developed the all too familiar aldonia, which is where your skin hurts to touch. I had this periodically before my amputation. Mainly with heavier touch or in the bath, but now it is with most things. Also, my skin has gotten extremely baggy, as I am shrinking really fast. So my ‘baggy boob’, as my wife calls it; is now a pendulous baggy boob! So the skin is rubbing on itself. My Fibula, which is the bone next to the Tibia (bones of the lower leg) is rubbing on my prosthetic also. I have another appointment with my prosthetist on the 20th of November. I think this problem is just going to get worse; as is the nature of crps. I still have no word about an appointment to see a specialist. But I remain ever hopeful.

Training is still much the same. I can work hard in the gym, but wont be able to commense proper chair work until I recieve my new chair, and get my hand fixed. I also need my shoulders looking at to see if there is any lasting damage. Lets hope not.

Still, there is alot to look forward to. I am causiously optimistic about my future. I am a realist and believe that you can change so much, but you have to accept those things which you cannot change. I have crps again, and that will not just dissapear. My choices are simple. Hope that soon I get to see a specialist and maybe try some treatment. Try this spinal stimulator, although im yet to read any positive results with a crps patient. If all else fails, and I can raise the £50’000 needed; then I want to try osseointegration. There is a lovely lady in America who has had it, and has crps, but she will be able to walk despite it. Failing that, its trying an above knee. Thats something I really do not want to do unless absolutely necessary. But I cannot give up and just accept that this is the way things are. I had a few weeks where pain was less, as if to tease me into a false sence of security; and it was amazing.