My Journal:

September 2010

Well, my good record is broken; it's mid October and I'm only just now getting around to updating my journal. What a month!The Alice Award was on the 3rd - won by Cristobel Mattingly - and it was a lovely event. That was closely followed by an AGM,for which I had reports to prepare, so by the time that was over, almost half the month was gone.

Health issues took up a lot of the remainder of the month, with an MRI and a full body bone scan. These were done because I was tired of doctors not being sure what was going on with my hip, after I suffered bouts of inability to walk, sit or lie down without pain. My return visit to the specialist who ordered the tests resulted in his telling me that I needed a hip replacement. I agreed that there is some deterioration of the joint, but I disagreed that my problem would be fixed with a replacement because the tests had also shown evidence of bursitis and tendonitis. He decided to 'prove' it to me with a diagnostic injection. This involved me coming home and doing those things that had aggravated the problem in the past. I agreed and subsequently spent a weekend spring cleaning. I vacuumed, cleaned, dusted and polished, rising the next day expecting to be crippled. Nothing! So I got out into the garden (which had previously brought on bouts of pain) and worked there for a full morning. Still nothing. Then I washed the windows and glass doors, without any problems. Finally the specialist agreed with me - I don't need a hip replacement at all - or at least, not yet. Seems the original problem was bursitis and tendonitis and I just hadn't given myself the time to allow it to heal properly. As soon as the worst of the pain was over, I'd be back doing the same old things. This last episode was different - I'd rested for about 7 weeks, which did the trick.

During September, I progressed to stage 3 of my Dukan eating plan. My weight was down to its true level (57 kgs) and I was happy with the result. It's an easy plan to follow and I'd recommend it to anyone who has had trouble shifting excess weight.

In an earlier journal entry I mentioned the possibility of my taking on the role of Project Officer for a Community Literacy Program. The funding for that was finally approved and I have begun working (unpaid as yet!) on finding resources for this. You'll no doubt hear lots more about this next month - I'm to begin paid work at that on 1st November but there will be training and volunteers to find before that - so stay tuned.