Category Archives: MyShetland

In My World

3 Replies

This is my Night Nurse who finally turned up having cleared up the supper things first.

And this is my Day Nurse, who likes to sit on my arm, gaze at me (probably to check I am still breathing) and ruin my sweater with his pummeling claws.

I went for a little walk this afternoon, and met a kind friend bringing us hay to replace all that the horses and ponies ate while living in the shed.  We had run out and were down to nothing. I am so grateful for the kindness of everyone who has helped during this difficult time.

And then there are the sheep who came home tonight to a lovely new bed – four bales of straw were also delivered (2 now down) – and the horses’ old haynets to finish up.

Now, the snow has gone things are beginning to get easier as there is less work for me to do.  Floss is still here and she does all the daily lifting and carrying, which is helping hugely.

I am still spending most of my day lying on my bed resting up and listening to a very good version of Lord of the Rings on Spotify.  We are just leaving the Shire and entering the Old Forest.  The Black Riders have not arrived yet but they’re coming……

(I wonder if I could have LOTR wallpaper in the bedroom – or maybe even a map?)

Tunnocks, Tea and Tramadol

6 Replies

My current diet consists mostly of Tunnocks, tea and tramadol.  The three T’s, as I like to think of them.  (The blue/silver ones are the dark chocolate variety if you’re busy thinking they’re the wrong colour!)

And I spend the best part of my day lying on my bed willing my sciatica to leave me in peace.  I get nothing done, and I’ve given up trying to attempt anything.  There really is no point.  It only leads to frustration, misery and more sciatica.

Another Tunnock?  Don’t mind if I do.

But today, things seemed very slightly better so I took everyone’s advice and went for a short walk.  Walking is good for sciatica.

I decided to stay on the track and road as they are level and easy to walk along.

I realise that the hill is no place for me at the moment. I took a walking stick too for stability, as well as Pepper for company.

Taking Pepper was not one of my brighter ideas as she is was nearly impossible to see in the dying daylight and certainly no help either.  Never coming back when she was called.

When I turned the corner at the end of our track, I could see there was the sunset was just ending.

We lingered a while to watch as the colours really were very beautiful.  It was nice for me to be outside too.  Fresh air always does me good.

And so my invisible companion (Pepper) and I walked up to the first passing place on the road and then turned around and walked home again.  Back to my Tunnocks, tea and tramadol – those also do me good and now I definitely deserved another Tunnock for all my walking efforts today.  Don’t mind if I do.

Opened the Gates and Shouted!

3 Replies

Today has been vile – rain with constant storm force winds.  It is not freezing – now, there’s a plus, but it is definitely not nice out there.  First thing, Floss and I went out with the buckets and for once, turned back.  The wind was too strong and we couldn’t reach the old horses and ponies who were huddling down the bottom of the field looking utterly miserable.  They did have rugs on, though.  The field was slowly flooding too.

Floss did, however, get to the Shetland ponies and they ate their food quickly and left to huddle somewhere.

These days, I can’t make a decision about anything. My brain is fairly addled with painkillers so I phoned Daisy and described the situation.   We decided that, if possible, everyone should come inside.

Floss and I kitted up and went out.  We managed to open the shed big door, Floss opened the gate and shouted. First up was Vitamin who trotted determinedly by and put herself into the shed, followed pretty swiftly by Fivla and then the three big ones.  Grim determination on their faces.

We quickly de-rugged and put them in their stalls.  No one rolled first, which was kind (I hate a sandy rug, it makes me feel ick).  Surprisingly, all were totally dry underneath.  We have had nearly 0.8cm of rain today.  The rugs had done their job very well.  I am impressed.

Next was the turn of the Shetland ponies. I said they could come in if we could see them.  Poor things were all huddled like soggy orphans. I caught Waffle (ring leader) and led him a circuitous route to the shed (avoiding deep puddles and new rivers).  Everyone dutifully followed like a troupe of little circus ponies.  When things are rough, follow Muzzah. Floss also had the inspirational thought to also shut the door to the sheep shed so no one could muddy the waters there.

I think this was a wise decision.  Bloomin’ good rugs, though.

I’m Still Standing

9 Replies

Well, surprise, surprise, I’m now pretty much back on my feet again and I am not sure quite how but maybe it was a mixture of pills, potions, ointments, unguents and exercise.

Last night, before bed, I whizzed up a smoothie of banana, turmeric powder, milk, fresh ginger, honey and black pepper.  I knocked it back – it wasn’t too bad, I’ve tasted worse – and went to bed. I slept the sleep of the dead.  Lovely.

This morning, I thought I would get in there first on the pain front and took some painkillers before the sciatica set in to see if that would keep everything at bay.  And it did, which was a huge relief.

Here’s something I didn’t think I would see – Haakon sharing with anyone, even Newt.

Haakon doesn’t share and has been going around like the chief dinosaur in Jurassic Park 1-V1 hating everyone, even Iacs, which is sad.

On a roll, so to speak with my back, I drove the Suzuki up our track, through some major dug out snowdrifts (well done OH) and onto the road.

As the road was not great, we then decided to leave the car up there for the time being.

It is living with our neighbour’s now.

We walked home and I managed it fine.

(neighbour’s garden fence)

Since then, I have been out a few times gently exercising, walking with two poles trying to get my back working again.  There have been a few twinges but nothing like the previous days and Floss and OH are all helping hugely with the lugging side of things.  That has made a major difference.  And the water is back on in the shed so we are all happy about that.

Exercises

12 Replies

A spectacular sunrise this morning. It even made the muck heap look good.

And while that was going on in the sky above, everyone equine was totally oblivious and happily munching their breakfast having survived their first night outside in the snow.

Meanwhile, my back is terrible. I have intense pain/sciatica going down the front of my left thigh and I am finding life very rough.

So I looked up my symptoms and started to do exercises every 30 minutes that would help while lying in bed.  Walking is difficult and sitting impossible now.

Obviously, I had help.

And Pepper was not helpful.  Her legs are spikey and heavy.

I have phoned up the Pain Clinic where my name is always on stand-by and I have joined the list to be seen for spinal epidural steroid injections soonest. I can’t go on like this and am very worried.

On a good point, though, I might have found the photo to be made into Daisy’s next Christmas puzzle! 1000 pieces of varying shades of white.  She’ll love it.