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August 17, 2020

Ruby and Christina Update

 Hi Everybody,

First of all I want to wish  a really special greeting to my beautiful Cocker Spaniel Ruby who is celebrating being four years old today. She has been wonderful while I have been out of action

She has willingly gone for walks with Vickie and Dougal and been such a good girl. I would be lost without her especially since Griff died

Happy Birthday Ruby !!!
My little furry treasure

Thank you for staying with me during the past few weeks when I have been unable to blog every day. It has been very difficult to get up to the craft room to work.

To bring you up to date with what has been happening to me and where I am up to now. As you know I have had problems with right knee and left hip.

I had X-ray on left hip and my doctors surgery told me there was nothing that they could find.

I also had scan on right knee. I went through a private scheme, that I have been with since I went out to work, and they sent me to see a consultant, who had the scan pictures there in front of him.

He took the time to explain to me exactly what was wrong with my knee and he told me that I had arthritis and that I had also damaged the cartilage.
(That's what you get when you climb on chairs)

When I told him about the hip he sent me straight away for another X-ray and then told me what he had found in that picture too.  That too has arthritis in it and is causing the pain when I walk.

He said that before diving in to surgery he wanted to try injecting steroids into the joint of my knee and see if that helped, and he did that straight away. That was well over a week ago and now that it has had time to settle down it does feel less painful. I still hurts to weight bear  when I stand still for any length of time but at least I can walk around better

If this is OK then when I go back to see  him again he will discuss the same procedure into the hip, but that is more invasive. Then if the injections don't work, we can discuss surgery.

At the moment I am feeling more cheerful and positive about the outcome.
I am having a "Perching Stool" delivered which, will allows you to sort of perch on the edge, to help with support while standing, and will be very helpful if I have pain in the knee. And with this I am hoping to get back to work and doing some videos again.

Fingers Crossed Everybody 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

36 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday Ruby...dogs are such a comfort to us...Hoping they will be able to make your knee a little more bearable for you Christina nothing worse than pain it drags you down...Sending you a BIG HUG

    Anne

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  2. Happy birthday Ruby! It was good to hear that you are getting somewhere at last with your knee and hip ~ stay positive, it really helps!
    Big hugs, Maggie Coleman xx

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  3. Birthday wishes to your lovely Ruby. Pleased to hear that you have had some more positive news about your knee and hip problems. I'm sure you will find the perching stool is a great help. Gotta keep crafting

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  4. Already 4 years..time flies!
    Aging bodies can be such a drag! At least now you know what is going on and deal with it with the help of your physician.
    Thank you so much for the update.
    Much affection
    Christine xxx

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  5. Sometimes I hate my laptop! I had typed a message telling you that I had similar problems and was sorry you didn't get better results from your first shot..explaining how mine went..and all of a sudden the screen disappeared. :( Anyway, hope your knee feels better after your next shot. I get them every 3 months in both wrists and my right knee.

    A very happy birthday to beautiful Miss Ruby! Our fur babies are such good companions and really help us deal with the loss of a spouse. I have cats and one of them is the only cat who knew my husband, so feel especially close to her.
    Take care, Christina, and I hope you feel better after a few more shots.
    Sherry Hay

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  6. Happy Birthday Ruby!! I can see that you are not spoiled at all. Stay positive Christina. You got this.

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  7. Awhhhh - you poor soul. What an awful time you are having. Fingers crossed the steroid injections do the trick. And, a very Happy Birthday to the birthday girl. She is gorgeous, and, having a spaniel myself, I know how very loving and companionable they are. Like you, I would not be without mine. Big hug for Ruby and Ruby's Mum !!

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  8. Happy Birthday to Ruby! Really still a baby at 4 years old but obviously very loyal. Good girl! Glad that the steroids have helped some in your knee. I have the same hip problem but it's my right hip. I am sure it was arthritis but nothing showed on my scan either. I just deal with it. Some days are better than others. Stay strong! Be safe. I'll keep you in my prayers!

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  9. Happy Birthday sweet Ruby!

    Sandra Smith
    Queen Creek

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  11. Happy Birthday to you, Miss Ruby! I've had so many relatives with Hip and knee surgeries lately. I hate to see anyone suffer with this. I know it's no fun. I had broken my arm, just at the left shoulder in three places from a fall last year and it took me 8 months to recover to full range of motion and strength. I had a lot of gratitude in my heart for the things I could still do and then rejoiced when I accomplished another advancement in my recovery. Take each day at a time and do the things you still can do and not to worry about anything else. Healing will come in time. You have a collective here on your blog of people who care about you and are sending you all the healing energy we can. You are not alone in this. Big, Big Hugs. xo

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  12. Hello Christina,
    Happy Birthday to Ruby, who has been such a comfort to you.
    I'm glad you finally know what the problem is as it's always a relief and things can progress now. Take it easy (as if you have a choice!) and I hope the special stool helps.
    Maureen x

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  13. Get better soon and do what the doctors say,
    Happy Birthday to Ruby... I know she has been a great companion to you.

    Take care Toni Selden

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  14. Happy Birthday Ruby, a wonderful companion for you, I hope your pain eases Christina and the injection in your hip will help you. Thinking of you. Love Anne Owens xxx

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  15. Big hugs to you and your adorable dog! She was insanely cute as a puppy and now she is absolutely gorgeous!

    Stay together, stay strong, Ladies!

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  16. I can't believe it is your 4th birthday Ruby, have I really seen pictures and read little stories about you that long! Happy Birthday Ruby! I hadn't heard what has been bothering you lately Christina, I new by the sound of things it was painful. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Take care. Dianne

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  17. Lovely to be able to wish Ruby Happy Birthday and to get your update Christina.I hope things continue to settle down for you and that you may be able to avoid surgery.Arthritis is so painful but steroids do help so fingers crossed. Take care and don't try to do too much.Love and a hug xxx

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  18. Happy Birthday Ruby, All the best Christina for you knee and hip, its not fun getting older is it, all these things wearing out and causing us pain, I simperthise with you, as I have back problems, I have just had injections too, hoping they help Chris

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  19. A very HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ruby. Our 4 legged babies give unconditional love and support. Glad to hear the injections have helped with your knee, fingers crossed they help with your hip too. Praying for you. Thank you for all your wonderful inspiration. Hugs, Veronica Beard. Xx

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  20. Perching stools are great, theymdo help with the weight bearing when standing, i used mine quite a bit before surgery on my knee. Hope the injection will give you some more relief. HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUBY

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  21. I agree, a dog is such a treasure and can help you through the toughest of times, offering unconditional love.
    I do hope you find a way to get the arthritis under control - it sounds as though you've got it pretty bad. Have you tried any herbal remedies? They say that turmeric is particularly good, and I've seen a recipe on another crafting blog that I follow (where clarity matters!) for "golden milk", made with fresh turmeric, root ginger, cinnamon sticks, black peppercorns (apparently you need the pepper to release the power of the turmeric), all simmered in milk. I saw the post about it back in May and it took me a while to find fresh turmeric (eventually found it at one of the major supermarkets S...burys), so I've been making it for my mum for two or three weeks now. I don't know whether it's had any effect but, the way I see it, it's worth trying.

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  22. Hi Christina ...
    Happy Birthday to Ruby .... so to here you have not been well .... hope the injections are successful ....
    hugs Sylvie xx

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  23. Hi Christina. A BIG happy birthday to Ruby, delighted to hear she is minding you so well. Dogs are just the best! I'm so glad to hear of the development with the knee and hip. Great that the injections are a success so far and i'm glad you are on the mend again. The perching stool sounds fantastic (my dad bought me one when i started my crafted room up first). And what's better, it means we may get to see you back up and at 'em doing what you do best. So looking forward to seeing your videos once again. Lots of love and hugs from Dublin.
    Elaine xx

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  24. Hello, Christina,
    Hope you get better soon.
    Hugs,
    Guida

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  25. Happy birthday Ruby, Arthritis is such a painful thing as many of us know.Please take care and look after yourself and I hope the perching Stool makes like easier for you. Stay safe
    Faye xx

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  26. A very Happy Birthday Ruby.
    So glad your knee isn't as bad now and may not need surgery. Hopefully your hip will respond as well. Praying for you.
    You are a wonderful inspiration to us all. Thank you. Hugs, Veronica Beard. Xx

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  27. Good Morning Christina. How lovely to hear from you and how lovely to hear things may be looking up food you. You certainly sound more positive in your post. Great to have you back. Oh mustn't forget Ruby.. Happy Birthday Ruby. Sending hugs and best wishes to everyone.Kind regards Ann Toppcards Leeds.
    PLEASE STAY SAFE EVERYONE 🙏 🙏 🙏.

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  28. Birthday wishes to Ruby, I can understand you, I was told ive got to have a knee replacement.but it wont be for a long time yet..im thinking of you love...take care.

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  29. Happy Birthday Ruby! Thanks Christina for updating us! Do hope
    the treatments continue to have some ease of pain, and maybe you
    can avoid some surgery!
    Sharon Brand

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  30. happy birthday to ruby. she is a wonderful dog. glad she gets to go for walks with dougall. i hope you get relief from the shots. i didn't get relief from steroids but i was able to get some from Euflexxa. it's a series of shots in the knee. for me it prolonged the inevitable knee replacement. i know nothing about hips. so i can't help you there. good luck with both.

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  31. Happy Birthday Ruby, she's a super wee girl.
    Sorry to hear about your knee and hip and I hope the injections begin to help with the pain, take care, Kate x

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  32. Happy Belated Birthday, Ruby! So nice to see you both! And thank you, Christina, for the update. At least now you know what the problem is and hopefully the doctor will be able to help you more.
    Take care.
    Stay safe and healthy
    Carmen

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  33. Hi Christina and happy birthday Ruby! Hope she had a wonderful day with lots of goodies
    So sorry tho to hear Christina you are in so much pain but hopefully the steroid injections might help. Have had them myself a few times and it gave me some relief for some month. Take care and hugs for you both.
    Maria x

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  34. Happy birthday to Ruby, it really doesn't feel like it was that long ago you wrote your first post about her - time really flies.
    I'm glad you are feeling better, arthritis is not fun to battle with. I'm worried myself about getting it in my right hand some day, since I went through two surgeries in it, when I was in my thirties. I hope the shots will help you so you can avoid going through surgery.

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  35. Hi Christina
    Happy birthday, little lady Ruby. You're adorable and such comfort to your mum so continue to be a good girl. Sorry I've only just responded, Christina but only just seen your post. So glad you have managed to get some treatment for your knee and hopefully you will be able to get some for your hip soon. If it brings some relief from the pain then it will be worthwhile. So glad to have you back doing what you do best- inspiring and teaching us all. Take care, lovely lady, hopefully it is onwards and upwards from now on. Take care and stay safe
    Big hugs and best wishes
    Jenny C xxx

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  36. sure hope that you can get more relief from this and the doctors have the best plan for you

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