Today's announcement

[Bunnylump]

Just wanted to say that I'm so pleased that Scurra has decided to continue writing us puzzles - even if there will be fewer this year. It is a massive, and often thankless commitment he undertakes on our behalf. I'm pretty sure nobody, myself included, fully appreciate the enormous amount of time and care he takes to not only write the puzzles, but to deal with the websites, admin and related issues. All with (mostly ) good humour and no financial gain whatsoever.

Three cheers for Scurra!

[LAT]

Hip hip

[chazzie]

Hip hip

Yes - good news indeed - and thanks Scurra

[SparkOut]

Hip hip...

[maisie ladybird]

Hurray!
Yes, good news. It’s really appreciated that you do all this Scurra.
Sorry I’ve not been around as much to join in, but I’ve been poorly. Hopefully on the mend now and ready to jump back in and try and finish some of this issues puzzles.

[Bunnylump]

Sorry to hear you've been unwell, Maisie, but glad to hear you are on the mend! x

[maisie ladybird]

Thanks, I've trapped a nerve in my lower back and the painkillers I've been on have helped with the paid but made me sick and drowsy. I've come off them now and still a bit uncomfortable, but can now move around and feel more like myself. I've never known pain like it, even child birth was easier!

[Bunnylump]

Oh you have my complete sympathies. I did that once, it was excruciating, and took over my entire life for about 8 weeks. And those painkillers / muscle relaxants they prescribed completely wiped me out. It was like I was on another planet! All fine now though (touch wood!)

[maisie ladybird]

That gives me hope because when I was in the middle of it all, and still now to some extent, I worry that it's not going to get better and I'm going to be hobbling around the house unable to do anything. It was the Easter holidays when it started, the children were off school and I wasn't able to take them anywhere or do anything with them, it was a complete write off.

[Bunnylump]

Well, hopefully once the swelling / inflammation has gone down it will start to feel a lot better. You'll have to be very careful for a few months afterwards though - and whatever you do, DON'T think that lying / sitting / resting is a good thing. I was advised to do a real mixture, and to keep on the move as much (and as carefully) as possible. It might also be worth asking to be referred to a physio to get some exercises which will help. As I remember, I had ones where I had to put my back against a wall and gradually move my feet backwards until my spine was flat, and also some leg exercises which (apparently) make the nerves see saw , which helps to get you properly mobile again. But obviously it depends exactly where the problem is as to which are the most appropriate.

[maisie ladybird]

Yes, I'm trying to keep as mobile as possible now I can get up. I've got some exercises to do and taking it careful, I can feel it straight away when I try to push it too far. Very frustrating!

[chazzie]

Sorry to hear you have been unwell Maisie - and wishing you all the best for a very speedy recovery now.... Good to see you have got over the drugs! and you are making progress with the puzzles....good luck!

[SparkOut]

But obviously it depends exactly where the problem is as to which are the most appropriate.

yeah. If it's a fractured endplate vertebra, make sure the report includes the word fracture, otherwise the "doctor" conducting the occupational health "assessment" may just decide that ... oh plah, I can't go there...

[SparkOut]

Flagh plagh blagh aaaarrrrrrrrgggghhhh

[Bunnylump]

Poor Mrs SparkOut has certainly been through the mill. Hope she's at least recovered OK from the last operation?

[maisie ladybird]

Flagh plagh blagh aaaarrrrrrrrgggghhhh

That was definitely similar to the noise I was making a couple of weeks ago! Luckily, I think it’s just a trapped nerve and by the sounds of some stories I’ve heard, I’ve got away quite lightly with how much time I’ve been out of action.
Thanks for all the well wishes x

[LAT]

Sorry to hear that Maisie - I had been wondering why we weren't seeing much of you and hoping all was OK.

I hope the recovery continues and you soon get back to full fitness.

[maisie ladybird]

Thanks x