Getting some pain relief

 At last I‘m getting some pain relief for my back. Taking Codeine - just 15mg a day at the moment, and it does seem to be relieving things. 

Had a great meeting yesterday with Daisy Campen and Gina Awad about getting some University student support for the work she is doing - with the Cosy Routes and anything else.

On Saturday went over to Laura Wall in Teignmouth where I was able to buy one of her prints and several bottles of Christmas gin - for presents I might add. Had lunch at The View. 

I‘ve had a lot more energy in the last days. Getting little things done.

Just had an invite for another Arena Session with Chris Scotton, Sarah Lines and Prof. Gibbons. I hope it brings some benefit - won‘t be until February or March. I think I‘ll have to practice what I‘m going to say.

Going to the burial of Meg Leng on Friday. It‘s at a natural burial ground near Totnes. Not a church or religious ceremony. Will be an interesting experience I think. I wonder whether I‘ll be ok there. Sounds like it might be a lot of standing.

Have a session with physio-therapy next week.

Feeling a lot better

 Been feeling a bit down just lately. The pains in my back have been quite bad, making it difficult to even stand up straight let alone walk anywhere.

A couple of days ago though thought I would try something which someone recommended a long time ago but which I’d never tried - turpentine oil. It was recommended as a cure all for everything including the IPF so I wrote it off originally as just a quack remedy.

I looked it up again and one of the things it is said to do is relieve pain. I ordered it, and yesterday it arrived. Rubbed some on the small of my back, where the pain is seated. I have arthritis in my lower spine.

Just 24 hours later I feel a lot better and although I’m very stiff still, the extreme pain when I walk has eased. 

I have a feeling that if I can ease the pain to be able to move more freely again, the additional movement will itself lessen the pain, and stop it getting worse.

Have to decide now whether I should be getting out to attend meetings again. By the end of June I have two gatherings I should attend - one an ‘away day’ with the staff of the nursing academy, and an informal day in Cambridge with APF.

The weather is a lot better now, but not blazing sunshine. Makes life seem a lot better though.