Had a diabolical first half to 2004 - colds, laryngitis, pesky infections, yet another relapse in May. Back to the slammer. Became a little alarmed at my post steroidal swelling...told EaZyD to stick a ribbon round my ankle as I am going to float off soon like the Michelin man on the Bibendum building!
And then, life just got worse. Relapsed in August 2004: way too soon, so I just had to grin and bear it for a bit. Tried to hang on until September (still too soon) or October (would be better) but the speed and the impact of my deterioration became a real problem.
Sadly, when I was ready (desperate!), the hospital had no beds – a new NHS guideline to save costs, I believe: stop treating the patients!
As I was forced to wait, my relapse gathered a frightening pace. We were frantic... in the 4th richest country in the world, I can be left blind and tetraplegic because our, supposedly free at the point of need, health service that we all are forced to pay for, cannot arrange a three day course of one of the cheapest, most widely available drugs on the market to prevent this occurring! This is no health service…more of a NO health service!
December 2004: when I got in, the relapse stopped – as usual – the minute the steroids hit my bloodstream...but the damage is done. The knock on effect is not yet clear but my quality of life is again significantly poorer! At present, I cannot hold or feel things and my arms are numb and painful. I cannot transfer into our car or hold cutlery or books; typing, filing, opening post - so many day to day things are affected it is impossible to describe. Air travel....how?
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