Packing.....

Well.

I am a master packer. Believe me, I can go away for 2 weeks with hand luggage. However, I am looking at a mountain of stuff I am required to take to hospital, and you know, they even say "Do bring your duvet if you want to.". Hah. That would mean I would have to rent a truck. A step too far. I do hope they actually provide sheets and a blanket. Hmm. Oh well, I have always got the pink marshmallow type dressing gown. Which may well need a bag of its own. It seems to have grown after the wash and tumble.

I have been out trying to tie up the loose ends this morning, doing things like paying bills, and returning library books. And visiting Julia, bless her, who is prostrate on her bed with a neck in spasm. Not nice at all. And now I have some croissants in the oven, as I seem to have forgotten to eat all day and this is not good when one is on industrial strength meds. And once I have squished everything into the suitcase (a real suitcase, for crying in a bucket) and amassed the books I want to take, and the chargers, and quilt and paraphenalia, I will relax and do nothing.

I have a suspicion that doing nothing is not on the cards for Bath. I am going to have to work very hard, and I am more than ready for that. So there we are.

No, there is no internet access, and as I don't own a laptop, it would be pointless anyway. However, you never know, I may escape and find an internet cafe somewhere. Or a library. That is, if escape is an option.

The hospital I am going to is over 200 years old. It is an ancient building in the centre of Bath and is apparently affectionately referred to as the "Min". I am going to the Royal National Hospital for RheumaticDiseases, and part of it seems to be the Royal Mineral Water Hospital. It was opened in 1742, can you believe it. And, what is more, it is just around the corner from the actual Baths in Bath. You know - the Roman Baths. Well, if you google it you can see a bit about it.

And I am not there for an operation, to recap for new readers. This is the centre of excellence in the UK for CRPS and they have a special unit for this and do a lot of research and utilise all the disciplines. So there will be hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, cognitive therapy, occupational therapy, mirror therapy, and heaven knows what else. I think they admit 3-4 patients at a time for 1-2 weeks therapy, and one of this lot is me.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrone (it used to be called RSD) is not pleasant. It means a huge amount of pain, and discomfort, and the only chance of getting better is in the early stages, if treated properly, so that is why I am going. It is progressive, and in the worst case scenario, which I refuse to believe will happen, you can lose the use of your leg.

I don't care what it looks like, or if I have to take meds for the rest of my life. I just want a strong leg which works. I would prefer to be totally healed of course, but I will settle for strength and movement. So if you would please pray while I am there, it would be a huge blessing to me. I will not come home healed, but I could be on my way there. Nothing is instant. However, miracles do happen!

And now I am off to squish and squash my stuff.