2014

My last blog of 2013 is all about my hopes for 2014 as the clock ticks down, we have 3 and a half hours left of this year and i have mt tunes blasting and ill see 2013 out with what it needs a good kick up the backside!

Im sat here with hip pain thats rheumatoid for you ruins the party!

Anyway 2014 my hopes ...

• My rheumatoid is better under control
• my heart MOT goes well im february (it is 2 days before my birthday!!!)
• That my health in general stablises
• that the move goes to plan and i get a new start in a new city!!
• My book to be published

Wishing all my friends and family the BEST new year i hope 2014 is everything you want it to be and your hopes and dreams come true.

So until 2014 this is one blog writting wishing you all the best .. enjoy your night, wish i was partying in the best place i know Scotland new year!!!

lots of love xxx

Hearing

As promised my blog about hearing!!

As a child starting school no one knew I couldn't hear probably until one day I told my mum my friend was called "Nora" Infact her name was "Laura" some alarm bells were set off!!

So off I went back to the children's hospital in Birmingham to see an audiologist and they found out I couldn't hear probably! Now I don't remember anything else apart from seeing audiologist being offered an operation and refusing.

I spent years with hearing aids at school but I was bullied for them, accused if having a radio in class because I wore a bone conducting  hearing aid which vibrates the sound into the ear. So I stopped wearing my aids and depended on wearing them and relied on lip reading and smiling like a mad thing and nodding if I didn't hear anything!!

Fast forward to now age 28. I visited France in the summer of 2013 and I couldn't really understand the French they spoke so softly plus with people behind me all the time hearing was a nightmare!! So I decided to go back to the doctors and get a check, I had my ears de-waxed still a problem so off I went to the audiologist and ENT consultant!

I met a lovely audiologist who did my hearing tests and said ull need to see a consultant. Now he was a really nice guy and asked me if I knew the problem I looked at him blankly! He told me that basically the bones in my inner ear hadn't grown probably which meant sounds didn't get into my ear correctly. I was told I had a choice carry on as I was, (how would I ever learn French!!) or go for a hearing aid. I decided I'd try a hearing aid!!

Fast forward a few more months and I met a senior audiologist who explained my results and basically my bones and nerves in my right side are not working and Im basically deaf in that ear. Then we find out my elf ear has also got nerve damage too he see why I actually am quite deaf!!!

So I've been fitted with a standard hearing aid to see how it goes if it doesn't work then we will upgrade to bone conducting aid or try aids in both ears. So we will see in 6 months.

So far my new aid is a bit of a pain as I have small ears it doesn't fit well behind my ear. But it is fantastic I can turn my Tv down lol I can hear people speaking which is a new thing!!  In the new year I intend on restarting my French classes as hopefully with the new aid I'll be able to hear the pronunciation better!!


Xxx

My blog

So I was sat here last night looking at the stats of my blog and it made me want to say THANK YOU, for my regular readers and the support over the years.

I started this blog when I was an able bodied young women who'd lost her mum and been diagnosed with rheumatoid. Along the way we have talked about rheumatoid grief heart and others. I've yet to do a blog about my hearing I'll do it later today. I never dreamt that I'd end up in a wheelchair and you've seen how it upset me but I picked myself up and have tried to live my life.

So as I speak I'm 309 people away from 10,000 readers amazing thank you. I hope my blog has helped others.

I've reached people world wide which has been amazing.

I hope you carry on reading about my journey in 2014 It could be a tough year.

I'm going to ask a personal favour if you can please share my blog lets reach more people and I'd love to reach 10k before we hit 1/1/14

Thanks

Xx

They say ...

In 2008 as all my regular readers will know as well as family and friends I lost my beautiful mum. It's Christmas Eve 2013 and my sixth without mum, they told me it would get easier they promised.

Yet now 2013 December 24th I sit here crying because I miss her so much, it should be a happy time with family. Yet it's not the same.

On the 1/12 we still put out Christmas trees up because that's what my would do. My dad and brother still puts the decorations up the same way she did and the ornaments she brought are I'm the living room, it looks like Christmas but it feels like a sad day.

Now Christmas use to be a mad day. We would get up, normally mum first! We would open our gifts, go and get my nan while dad would be doing the sprouts! We would all sit down round the table at mid-day as a family laughing joking smiling too. Then we would have to wash up and put everything away well actually my dad did!! Then mum would change the table cloth get the paper plates out the spirits the beers and lemonade! Me and my mum would be doing the evening food, cheese and pineapple on a stick, sausage rolls etc. Then my aunty uncle and cousins would arrive with more gifts. We would all sit I'm a circle and me and Carolyn would hand out the gifts them we'd open it nd eat and drink. A true family Christmas.

Fast forward to Christmas 2013. Tomorrow I'll go to dads around 10ish we will open gifts then eat out lunch me dad and Pete. Dad be in the kitchen peter and I in the living room not round the table though (some because of my rheumatoid). Then we will have a chat then ill head home and spend Xmas night alone.

My mum loved Christmas she was Christmas to me and I shall cry many tears over the festive period but I know she would want me to be happy and one day I will be when the pain gets easier.

I miss my mum and the Christmas sprit so very much.

Wishing you all a very happy Christmas I hope Santa brings you everything you could wish for.

Manchester .. my hopes!

I know ive annouced about me moving and explained why, but i thought id do a little post about my hopes for Manchester.

My hopes for Manchester is to get part of vicky back i want to have some more fun, after all its been a bit of a tough few years!

Why Manchester i hear you ask? lol Many people move for partners, for friends, for family. Manchester for me is a city which ive loved for a long time and hold close to my heart, i did spend the best part of my young life going up and down the rail network from birmingham to manchester! I also lived there for a time in a place called Chorlton! I know Manchester has a lot to offer me its a friendly place, those northerners are a lovely lot, they actually hold doors open for you!!!

Well number one its were my club is!!! Manchester United and i fully intend to be sat at Old Trafford for a lot more games as a manchester resident haha. Watching football is part of me it makes me smile, it also pisses me off when they play badly haha! 

Two .. LIVE MUSIC!! Ok if you know me or follow my blog you will know how much i love live music and can often be found at the phone4u arena in Manchester LOL! I want to be able to attend more gigs and at different locations different types of bands and i know how manchester holds a lot of music in itd heart and theres always some gig on in town!!

Three .. Nights out!! Yes i want togo back out, pubs clubs at a push haha! 

Four .. Sports!! I want to be able to get back swimming, fencing and more and they have all the clubs and facilicites to enable me todo so in this magnificent city!!

Five .. SHOPPING!!! It usw to be a hobby haha but living in a small town and lets face it you have to drive at least 30 mins to get to a shopping centre! I can not wait to have Trafford Centre, Armdale and the city centre on my doorstep haha Manchester going me like whaaaaaa!! haha

Six .. disabled groups, from rheumatoid to hearing to even wheelchair groups meeting like minded people of the same disablities fancing simlar challenges.

seven .. social life .. it will be great to be able togo into town easily and meet up with my new friends :)

eight .. ACCESSABILITY .. shops i can get into lol .. taxis i can use lol a tram network i can access .. a high street thats not dangerous (if u live in my home town u will understand the tripping hazard!!)

Nine .. FOOD finally start going out agauin for food in new places and i have quite a list iof places i want to try excited much!!

So yes there you go ...

So raise a glass to Manchester with me and to bringing me back from the hardest and most challenging 5 years of my life.

Much love xxx

My Thanks

What can i say this year has been memorable but if it wasnt for many people  it wouldnt have been possible so heres some thanks for 2013.

To my medical team THANK YOU for everything you have done for me this year you have done great things. You have conforted me in the tough times encouraged me and kicked my ass (not literally) when needed it. Youve been there to offer support and advise, without you i wouldnt have done things i have done you give me confidence and remind me of pre-ra days and how i was a gobby 18 year old refusing to listen and wanting a second opinion! Heres to another good year!

Happy christmas and heres to a good 2014 xx

My family for your continued love and support and careing about me i am blessed to have such an amazing family. LOL and the fact you wasnt concerned when im stuck in Manchester just goes to show you still believe in my ability to sort my self out, love you guys xxx

A huge THANK YOU to Jo who comes in twice a week and helps me out and listens to me go on and on and is ready with advise and some true words when needed! You have really helped me with my eating worries, my confidence and to let me off load helps me clear my head. I hope you have a lovely first christmas in Bromsgrove and a happy 2014 xx

Many of my adventures this year wouldnt have happened without my lovely cousin carolyn, thanks for all the fantastic memories in 2013. Its been such fun spending time with you, matt and the girls. You have also helped me with my medication all year which enabled me get better sleep, the reiki weekly has helped me sleep and reduced my pain. Thanks for all the laughs and fun we have had my highlight was Disney by far, it was magical. Thanks to matt for pushing me all round. I hope we get many more memories in 2014 love you just like a sister xxx

Thanks to all the airport staff who helped me on and off the planes this year even the French at Nice thanks for not dropping me!!! Also the staff at the train stations for helping me on and off the trains! None of my adventures would have been possible without you guys xx

Now we come to my friends!!

Jo, what can i say, we have known each other a while now but this year we have become closer. Thank you for everything the chats and the phone calls (you know what i mean). Thank you for having me in France and introducing me to your lovely friends and taking me to some amazing places, and for all the laughs in France (toilets, esculators are my highlights for laughs). Oh and introducing me to some hot men .. beach boys wit woo! Getting me carried up and down the stairs by a certain fit irish guy LOL .. genious the French no lifts = hot boys .. hehe! But mostly thank you for the kick up the ass, you gave me confidence in my food i ate well in France i didnt know id enjoy breakfast as much as i did, the new cheese experience i love it!! For the long chats about stuff, for the physio advise and kicking me in the direction of getting my hearing aid fixed (i think learning french will be a lot easier now!!). So a massive THANK YOU and hugs and loves sending your way and i hope we can have some more fun in 2014 :) xxx

Mary what can i say again a huge thanks for all your love and support this year and your wise words are always good, i feel like i have known you for years, i hope i get to visit you in the future. Wishing you a happy 2014 xxx

Amber, we actually spoke this year and i was well chuffed you could understand me haha!! Thank you for always being there for me and kicking ra's butt with me! Here's to more phone calls in 2014 xxxx

Sam, my longest friend of 10 years! Its been a pleasure. Youve always been by my side, the latter of 2013 we have got really close again and its been fantastic to reconnect. Thanks for always being there for me when i need you, here's to more exciting times in 2014 ... lets do this!!! xxx

Hazel, i just wanted to thank you for being a good friend and understanding my heart worries and making me laugh!! We watched children i  need together via facebook was hillarious both crying with laughter!!! Thanks for making me laugh and your PICTURES are fantastic xxx

Katy, we dont see each other all that often but i know if i need you your at the other end of the phone and i always have some random fact to make you giggle! Thanks for being a great friend and here's to 2014, lets have some fun!!! xxx

Denia, I know you are probably thinking eh what! But before i came to France i wouldnt eat out, or with people i didnt know because of my anxities around food and rheumatoid (thought people was watching me haha)! I just wanted to thank you treating me normally around food it gave me the confidence to eat with people again haha!! It was lovely to met you and glad we are still connected hope to see you in 2014 .. lets have an adventure with Jo xxx

Mark, what can i say? thanks for everything the advise the long chats, the care youve shown, we have had some good luaghs this year and cried at times. Im so glad i could make your dream come true by going to Old Trafford it made my heart smile knowing you was living you dream. I really appreciated everything you have done for me this year. Heres to 2014 and lots more fun and laughter and hopefully more trips to Old Trafford!! xxx

Mike, thank you for all the support and love this year and the advise and generally just being a good friend, heres to 2014, southampton in Europe right? xxxx

Duncan i can not, not mention you, for the advise, the laughs and the tears, we got through and i hope 2014 is a good year for us both and i promise no pushing in hot weather haha xxxx

Shaun, Thanks for everything in 2013 we have had some laughs and some tears. I hope 2014 is a good year for you.

To everyone else that has been there this year THANK YOU and im going to name a few, thanks for the love, support and laughs xx

claire, eric,  muds, ste, chris, grant, ian, amanda, cyndy, lindsay, joy, sian, carene, sarah, barbara, jamie, gill, jackie, kat,victoria, shaun.

I am sure ive forgotten loads of you people so to those i have i apologise and say THANK YOU again xx

So as you can see theres been a lot of people to thank this year and im sure theres more i have forgotten uve all made 2013 a good year and helped me in different ways, im greatful to have each and everyone of you in my life xxx

I should say a special thanks to my friends on twitter you guys are a breath of fresh air and really cheer me up and take me for who i am football and all, love you guys xxx

My health review in 2013

Well its been a bit of a journey this year so heres goes!!

Heart - well overall my team have been happy with my heart when i saw them and ive been encouraged to drink on holidays for the calories of course! There wasnt any issues when i saw them and they seemed happy with me. I havnt had any issues with my heart with all the flying this year. The only concern ive had was with my ankles during the hot summer the UK had but i think in general it affected everyone so my team wasnt particularly worried which was a relief. When ive seen my GPs this year my sats have always been high and heart rate about the same, just above 100bpm. I look forward to seeing my heart team in February 2014 :)

Rheumatoid Arthritis - Well what a year. I have had quite a few flare ups this year that have been awful. But i learnt that warmer countries definatly help my arthritis which is why i enjoy holidays for the heat! I discussed with all my teams in great depeth and decided after much consideration that id give methrotrexate another go. to be honest its been tough! Sickness feeling of being hungover every week without the fun of drinking hasnt been the best i have to be honest. Unfortunaly my good knee has got worse and at times i really stuggle so i dont know what 2014 will hold in that respect. I had some physio when i returned from France and i was deverstated to hear that they think i shall never walk again and at 28 this was truely deverstating and broke my heart into small pieces but i will fight on with a smile on my face.

Hearing - My hearing has got worse this year and now i need a hearing aid which has been a big step for me but with my new aid (24 hours old lol) its weird being able to hear things id forgotten about or never heard like the tapping noise on the tablet/mobile!!!

Eating - Its been tough i have been at my lowest weight of 5 stone and nearly admited to hospital for treatment to being a stable 5 stone and 7lbs at my last weight in (3 weeks ago!). Im making good progress i eat every day now and ive reintroduced food that i havnt eaten since my mum died so thats real progress

Depression - Its been a tough year with depression but with the help and support from my doctors i am fighting back to my best and in time i shall be back to happy smiley vicky again.

lots of love

v xxx