Our schools are back this week having taken the collective decision to do half term last week. This meant families could ski or surf at a fraction of the cost travel companies charged for this week! The schools here sussed it some time ago!

Anyhow while schools here went back I went into London for admission for double dose steroid injections into spine.

Now you would think, wouldn’t you that after all these years, I asked questions , wrote lists and understood what I was letting myself in for.

Signing a consent form two weeks before the op gave me time to consider carefully my options and make INFORMED consent.

Well as you will guess, I just don’t seem to ever learn.

I do remember being told I must be careful as such a dose would affect my autoimmune system. I know I asked what that meant. I remember being told to take probiotics to boost my immunity.

So I did swallow the magic potion Uncle Montmorancy recommended years ago. Expensive “SYMPROVE”. Actually he made me a vip user so I get a discount. !

I also tried to contact Montmorancy for advice. But that did not work.

Not heard from Dipstick anything or any other of the men in the boat otherwise known as Consultants. Guess they are all on half term. In fact,Dip has not even done follow up clinic letter, appointments anything since the,January 3rd procedure. Ah well. Who cares.

Anyhow. Hospital was amazing. Injections clearly hit a nerve….my time in recovery after theatre was extended as they attempted to get pain under control. Why do they always start at paracetamol ( useless) and work up to the horse stopping killers like fentanyl. Got back to ward and they were brilliant, kind, empathetic. So on top of the pain, no stupid paracetamol, they were straight in with morphine on demand.

Home again I refused all painkillers, just could not think straight. Cleared head. Pain. is better than foggy brain.

As for the autoimmune? I now know, thanks to my paediatric friend that is adrenal gland something or other. I remember spinal nice lovely surgeon saying they had to be careful with spacing doses,because of adrenal gland issues. And now I find It makes you freezing cold one minute. Drenched in sweaty hot the next. Literally shivered and shaking all week.

But, I did not ask how long this goes on. How bloody stupid is that.

Meanwhile it’s a lovely sunny day.