One step forwards, one or two steps back?

So over the past couple of weeks I've had to slow down the pace of my recovery a bit.

I was catching the bus to get to hospital for physio and to call in at work the other week, and on my way from work walking down hill to the 86 bus stop. I could feel a weakness in my legs, muscles shaking and inability to put one foot too far in front of the other. This couldn't be right could it? After all, I'd been doing short walks (0.2 or 0.3 miles, to the bus stop and back, or to the shop and back, every other day) for a couple of weeks and surely I should start seeing an improvement in my physical condition by now.

Another thing that happened that I wasn't expecting was the return of the severe headaches that I'd had in 2006, when it had been diagnosed as an issue with the placement of the scapula on my right shoulder: 6 months of intensive physio and taping seemed to have cured these, but here they were again. I wondered if it was because the physio exercises were done on one side only.

I had a day when I had a physio appointment at lunchtime and then the two-month post-op meeting with Mr Modi in the afternoon. I mentioned to Jenny the physio both the above conditions, and she suggested that the op had provoked a flareup of my rheumatoid arthritis. I hadn't even considered this possibility! So I have an appointment with my GP next week to see what he thinks. The headaches, she agreed with me about the exercises and so we've adapted them. Some of the ones I do lying down I now do with both arms, and the major stretches I do with both arms too. Let's see how that works.

She came to the consultant appointment too. I had an X-ray of the shoulder taken, and Mr Modi is really pleased with the progress and his handiwork, he showed me what it looked like and answered my questions about where the screws were screwed into. As it was 8 weeks post-op, I asked him if it was OK for me to drive and he agreed, especially as I have an automatic car, but to keep it local just now. So I guess that means no driving across the country visiting relatives for me!

I now have a plan for a phased return to work too.

Now until 14th January: 2 half-days a week.
14/1 - 8/4: 4 or 5 half-days a week.
8/4: 6-month signoff meeting with Mr Modi
After Easter: back to work full-time.

I had planned for a full-time return from the 14th January, so this is a bit of a blow for me I'm afraid. However, at least I can go back and do things. I can do therapies as long as I don't do massage: no cleaning or heavy lifting (yeh, right...), and keep up with the exercises.

I did do all day (9 - 3) on Saturday on my own, teaching the Violet Flame initiation in the morning and manning reception in the afternoon, then I cleaned up and mopped the floors.

Big mistake.

I am still not quite recovered from that! So, so tired when I got home. So much pain - out with the Zapain and I've had 3 doses since then, including one double dose (which is allowed if needed). And the headache returned last night so I had to take some ibuprofen as well.

Oh well, I guess it's all a learning curve isn't it. I am so frustrated, particularly as about the only thing I've been able to do is be a keyboard warrior! I did try and put the hoover over in the week as well, which was a similarly painful experience. But if I don't do it, it doesn't get done, and with 3 long-haired cats, it has to be done.