Good News

Had to take Jamie to Hull Royal Infirmary today to see an orthopaedic consultant.

Jamie's feet have been turning inwards for several years and he has been wearing splints for two years to help with the problem. He also walks from his hips i.e. he swings from the hips when walking. Add to this that he has no awareness of anything around him, if he spots something to head for that's all he 'sees', no humps, bumps, potholes or kerbs and his walking can be pretty bad at times. He has had a wheelchair for several months, for long distance treks, as his feet soon begin to hurt owing to the effort he puts in.

Anyway, last year Jamie's paediatrician (fantastic doctor Evans) referred him to an orthopod for an opinion on possibility of an op. I have to say I wasn't looking forward to this. My beautiful 17 year old niece has cerebral palsy and had an op, to help her walk without splints, four years ago. She went (very bravely) through immense pain and was bedridden for around six months, then had to have painful physio and basically relearn how to walk. She still doesn't walk properly but she can now walk without splints and doesn't need her wheelchair. But having watched her go through all that and seen the stress it put her parents under, I was dreading having to go through a similar scenario with Jamie. Mainly because he would never be able to understand why or what it was all for, given the level of his disability.

So today was the day we finally got to see said orthopod. Mr Johnson (top consultant for this area, no less) was very thorough and asked many questions about Jamie's health and how he coped with walking etc. He took Jamie for a walk round,with and without splints, and manipulated his legs and hips every which way. His decision --------NO OP NEEDED.
He felt Jamie coped well with his splints and that his problems came more from his hips than his feet. He said the only reason he would consider an op worthwhile was if Jamie was tripping over his own feet, which isn't the case. He would have to have four seperate ops, involving breaking bones and fitting plates, which Mr Johnson felt would be far to traumatic for Jamie and far to hard for us to cope with the aftercare involved and it wouldn't make his walking much better than it is now.

It was like a weight lifting off our shoulders. I love Jamie dearly and want the best for him but to have to make a decision like this was really worrying. Knowing what I would be putting him through, how do you decide what is best? Great pain and suffering for slightly better walking - or no pain, no suffering but wondering if he would end up in a wheelchair permanantly? Such a relief not to have to be in that position.
Dr Johnson wants to keep an eye on Jamie's progress so wants to see him once a year, in case there is a significant change and a rethink will be required. But for now we can go back to getting on with the daily grind and hope and pray change is not in the air.

Spring Time Layout

This is my layout for UKS week 3 March challenge. I am the grand old age of 19 in this photo! Taken in York on a lovely spring day amongst the daffodils. I was really pleased with this layout. I feel I'm getting much more confident with techniques and inspiration for LO's now.

Today we have had no water since early morning because a major water main burst in the night. We weren't flooded like some poor homeowners but it really does make you realise just how much water you need in one day. Of course everywhere had sold out of bottled water by dinnertime. I was lucky enough to get plenty for our drinking needs though. My parents weren't affected so good old dad filled me some 5 gallon drums to use for flushing the toilet and washing up. Jamie got an unexpected day off school so he was happy. It is so horrible not being able to bath or shower and pouring buckets of water into the toilet to flush is no fun either. We've been told it will be around 10.30pm tonight before our supply is back on. We have no heating but it has been a mild day so it isn't to bad and we have the fire. I've put an extra blanket over Jamie's duvet so he's nice and toastie warm. I really hope it's back on before tomorrow or it's all round to mum's for a bath.

Happy Mother's Day

God was working late on the 6th day of creation when an angel came by and said, "Lord, why are you spending so much time on this?"
The Lord answered "This is a mother and I have many specifications to meet. She must be washable, have more than 200 moving parts, all of which must be replaceable, be able to function on all kinds of food, embrace several children at the same time, give a hug that can heal everything from a bruised knee to a broken heart and she must do all this with only two hands."
The angel was impressed, "Just two hands.....impossible! And this is the standard model? Why Lord that is far to much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish."
God stood back and declared, "No, she must be finished tonight and she will be my favourite creation. She will be able to work 18 hours in a day and cure herself when sick."
The angel touched the mother and said, "Lord, you have made her so soft."
"She is soft," said God, "but I have also made her strong. You can't imagine what she can endure and overcome."
"Can she think?" asked the angel.
"Not only that, she can negotiate and reason," said the Lord.
The angel touched the mother's cheek, "Lord, it seems your creation is leaking, you have put to many burdens on her."
"She isn't leaking, that is her tears," the Lord corrected the angel.
"What are they for?" asked the angel.
"Tears are her way of expressing her grief, her doubts, her love, her lonliness, her suffering and her pride."
The angel cried, "Lord you are a genius. You have thought of everything, A mother is indeed a marvellous creation!"
"Yes, she is," smiled the Lord, "and she would be perfect except for one flaw."
The angel looked puzzled, "What is it, Lord? And how will you fix it?"
The Lord smiled and said, "Oh, I will not need to fix it. Her children will do that for me. It is simply this, SHE ALWAYS FORGETS WHAT SHE IS WORTH.

Happy Mother's Day to all mother's around the world. And please remember your worth.

Dublin's Fair City Layout

This is my layout for UKScrappers weekly challenge. The challenge was to use monochrome colour, an Irish link, blossom and group something into threes. This is the first time I've been able to do a challenge and get full points. I've also used an overlay that I made myself from a transparency. I'm really learning some great scrapping techniques from UKS.
As a beginner to scrapbooking I need loads of help and since I've been a member of UKS I've learned so much. The people there are so friendly and helpful. I feel really at home and by taking part in the different challenges am gaining more experience.
These photos are from a short break me and DH took in Dublin two years ago. They would have continued to languish in my computer without my UKS challenge. They look so much better like this, don't they?

Sunny Day and Bye Bye Garden

It's a beautiful, sunny, mild day today in Sunny Scunny. It finally feels like spring is coming. There are daffodils and hyacinths blooming in the garden giving a splash of colour to the bare days of winter.
I love my garden but I've had to make the sad decision to get rid of it and have it block paved.
Two years ago I had a really bad break to my ankle and was unable to tend the garden for 3 months. It got so badly overgrown that I've never been able to get control of it again. I have a weakness in my ankle now that stops me from standing on it for long periods so heavy gardening is beyond me now. Hubby can't do it either, owing to a leg injury from a motorcycle accident. So we have decided the garden has to go. I'm keeping my rose arch and honeysuckle trellis but the rest will soon be no more.
It saddens me somewhat but it will make life easier. The garden was large and took a lot of my time with constant weeding, planting and watering. I am going to keep my greenhouse and just grow a few plants for hanging basket and wall planter. I will also have some pots dotted around but I think I will fill those with perrenials and shrubs.
It will be a great scrapping opportunity too. I have lots of photos from start of to finished garden, that I've been meaning to scrap for ages, so I'll dust off the camera and get snapping again, then I can have a complete record.