[susie123]

Well here I am back again and I must say I am touched by your concern and gobsmacked by the efforts made to find me (even in the obits!). I think Sherlock must be Margaret R's middle name and we'd better move that camper before anyone moves it for us!


Thank you for all the pms and emails which I haven't answered, also for this thread. And Mrs P how lovely (apart from my literally having just reached for a sick bowl with one hand while picking up the phone with the other) to hear your voice - my first real contact with an Accywebber!


As to where I've been for the last few weeks... some of you may remember that I was in hospital for most of May with something called septic arthritis in my knee and wrist and elbow, caused by bacteria in the blood, which was treated with large doses of antibiotics once they had worked out what the problem was. I spent most of June recovering from the after effects of the antibiotics and then we had a great time in July. I felt as though someone had flicked a switch and made me feel myself again. We went on a few trips and had a few days in the camper at Ravenglass on the Cumbrian coast, a very peaceful place with a good campsite and more important, a pub serving good cheap grub and real ale That was the last time I had a beer.


Anyway in August the problem recurred, this time in my other knee. It comes on over a few days till the pain becomes so excruciating you cannot walk or even stand and something has to be done. My GP came to see me and arranged a trip to hospital and an emergency ambulance to get me there. So I had little chance to let people know what was happening. No computer in hospital but would you believe it they installed wifi on the day I left!


I was in hospital for eight weeks as the infection was a lot worse than before and still hasn't cleared up. I also have an abscess somewhere inside which is draining into my leg though it has subsided somewhat. Also the physios made me get up and try to walk even though my knee was so swollen and I tried to tell them it was too soon but they wouldn't listen. So now I can't put my foot down to bear my weight let alone walk.


The problem with our house is stairs as we have a long steep staircase from front door to bedroom and ten steps outside to front door so the ambulance men had to carry me down as there was no question of me walking down. Then they had to carry me up again when I came home which wasn't such an easy task. In fact the powers that be wouldn't discharge me till an assessment was done to see if it was safe.


They asked me if I wanted to go to a hospice but that is just not me so here I am at home in a proper hospital style bed, with carers and district nurse plus a partner who is getting grumpier by the day. He told me that at one point they didn't think I would make it as the drugs I was taking were causing problems but I don't remember much about it. I did however find it rather suspicious that several members of my family plus Richard's sister from France and a couple of neighbours turned up to see me. Mind you they all had other valid reasons for being around.


I am now a course of antibiotics which make me feel a bit gruesome, I still have a painful knee and a swollen leg and no prospect of getting down the stairs and out of the house. Oh well it could be worse - Accyweb could have ceased to exist while I've been away!


Thanks for persevering with my ramblings and once again, I'm touched by your concern. It's good to be back among friends. I've been home ten days but my computer had problems so couldn't get in touch any sooner. Think it was sympathising with me being sick!