Sorry it’s been a while since I updated you all but it’s been so busy over this festive period. To sum it up I’ve done what I’ve wanted, I’ve danced, walked, sung and socialised without any consideration to my mobility, the consequences or the need to pace myself. I’ve lived as near a normal life, more normal than I’ve achieved in a number of years.
To keep with the festive theme and in no particular order:
On the first day of Christmas: I got dressed up in my finest gear, ran a choir gig before rushing to my works do and dancing the night away! It was madness and something I wouldn’t even have considered doing a year ago.
On the second day of Christmas: I walked 5 miles carol singing around the village with the only consequence being a dodgy left foot! See number 9! Do you like my fetching reindeer ears?
On the third day of Christmas: I sang karaoke (Dolly Parton, 9 to 5) in front of my work team as part of a pub crawl! We also did an escape room and I ran around that room like any of the team!
On the fourth day of Christmas: I stood decorating my Christmas cake with no need for added pain killers or having to do it over multiple days. I’m rather proud of it – but one slice and you’ll be tipsy!
On the fifth day of Christmas: I spent Christmas Eve celebrating with my extended family whilst sitting on a solid wooden chair without bringing cushions with me or suffering sciatica! We didn’t have to set expectations or leave early because of me.
On the sixth day of Christmas: I sat on the floor for a little while playing pirate boats with my nephew without pulling any joints out of place! Not something I do often but I didn’t even think about it.
On the seventh day of Christmas: I spent the day cooking with my nieces, we made arancini, sausage rolls and a cheesecake without me needing to rest, self medicate with wine or top up codeine!
On the eighth day of Christmas: I had numerous lie ins. I’ve explained before that I used to have to get up the moment I woke because I got sciatica immediately. I can now sleep as long as I need to!
On the ninth day of Christmas: less of an upbeat one, but being factual…. I worried about other joints. My knee spent the month getting crunchier and crunchier with an assessment with a physio planned in the new year… and I spent last Thursday in Minor Injuries wondering if I had broken my numb foot. I hadn’t but with the stimulator, numbness and EDS if my foot didn’t feel right I feel it’s right to get it checked! Luckily it was fine and it’s just been hypersensitive since.
On the tenth day of Christmas: hubby surprised me with a series of events planned for next year. I also booked two lots of tickets – one for a gig and one for theatre. I no longer consider whether I can stand through the gig, whether the chairs in the theatre are going to be too uncomfortable, if I can sit in the car long enough for the journey. I can plan things I want to do with much less consideration!
On the eleventh day of Christmas: I upgraded my desk at work! I still struggle with sitting and find if anything’s going to give me a cranky back it’s a period of time sat down. Work kindly bought me a riser for my desk which goes up and down using two handles and hydraulics. Nobody ever borrows my desk due to me weird mouse and keyboard!
On the twelfth day of Christmas: I said a little thank you to all who have got me to a good place this Christmas. To my parents for their support, mum specially for looking after me post op, my husband for listening to my rambling about it and for keeping my nerves steady, to all the doctors and nurses who have had a hand in my care, to the scientists who are clever enough to create SCS (which is clearly magic?)… and to anyone I’ve forgotten!
I’m not working for a few days now but after all the above I’m completely ready to do nothing! It’s nice to be able to choose to do nothing rather than being forced to.
On a more informational note… I stuck with my favourite setting for a while but did start to work through my third programme at the start of December. I hadn’t tried it since reprogramming back in November. I’ve found a programme I like even more and since switching to it I’ve had no sciatica and perhaps 60-80% improvement to my back pain. I’m not pain free – but I’m substantially better off.
Right I’m going to go soak in the bath (another win from having my SCS fitted this year!).
Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year to all of you! Thanks for reading and I hope if you are considering your own spinal cord stimulator that you have your own success in 2019.
J x
Bionic Jen 
Absolutely brilliant Jen. Have a great 2019 X
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How long were you off work once you received the permanent implant?
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Six weeks full time then 4 weeks phased return 🙂
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