Missing- desperately seeking part of roof...

Devestation of Blackpool...a road often used as a shortcut by me, coming home from work...

Well at least our roof isn't quite as bad as this. Although, as we type, Darren has just returned from packing part of the hole in our roof again with binliners, in an attempt to stop the rain from pouring in. Our roofer can't make it until tomorrow.

Yes, the storm damage to our house from last week- that was successfully fixed by the roofer on Monday- has been ripped off again, in the unrelenting storms that have been savaging the North West coast of England this week. Within 72 hrs of the roof being repaired, another part of the roof has been ripped off. We're in good company though- neighbours in the street are in the same predicament.

At least we haven't been left without entire roofs though, as pictures from across Blackpool & the North West show.

It is on the news that parts of Blackpool town centre are being cordoned off for at least three weeks, due to severe structural damage.
Surveyors are assessing whether buildings can be salvaged, or whether they are irrepairable and to be demolished. Blackpool town centre is a no-go zone because of the severe structural damage.


Darren & I count ourselves fortunate that we only have rain pouring through the roof to worry about.

Others have not been so fortunate. Families have been left without cars, homes, streets, even loved ones.

Nine cars crushed by the fallen tree.
A man had to cut out of the white van by the Fire Brigade. Luckily, he survived.

Images from around the county- where everyone has been hit in the worst storms in 17 years...

Ouch...

Lucky it didn't hit their house...

Yep- our house number is no. 13- lucky for some. You truely do count your blessings xxx

CT Scan- the after-effects...

Greebo- unamused at Mum's drug-dealing...

Well a quick update re: the CT Scan after-effects. As you know I had the scan on Tuesday, and sadly (and must say, unexpectedly), Tues night was a very bad night with my neck. The pain began to build around 9.30 p.m, so I had an early night, but the pain snowballed... nothing I could do- or take- would stop it. Eventually the tears were streaming down my face with the pain until, at 2.30 a.m., I ended up trying to sleep on the settee downstairs to support my neck on the leather sofa arm (bed pillows weren't enough). I fell asleep fitfully for a few hours, and then managed to drag myself into work exhausted and still in a fair amount of pain.

I gave up- I made an emergency appointment with the GP that morning (Wednesday a.m.), and after my explanation of my pain and symptoms (numbness in left hand, excruciating pain from neck down left arm into pins and needles in palms),and his examination, I have now been prescribed:

• Diclofenac: as before (anti-inflammatory)

• Kapake: as before (strong painkillers- 2 down from morphine apparently so he can't prescribe me anything stronger without consultant authority. Didn't know that GPs are only licensed to a certain level to prescribe drugs, which I found out today)

• Diazepam: (new) muscle relaxants and nerve pain inhibitor
  

• Amitriptiline: as before, but 4x my old dose, and, if required, up to 10x my current prescription -more muscle relaxants.

I could now set up a pharmacy in my own right.
Or become a soddin' dealer.
GRRR!!!
Not doin' bad for a person who HATES taking medication- even aspirin!!!

I was advised by my doctor that if was still this bad in 12 hrs time (which made me laugh, as I'd actually improved by the time he'd seen me) I was to go to Casualty at the hospital for them to use other measures to control the pain. (Thankfully, I did not need to go to A&E- the diazepam cocktail did the trick and floored both me and the pain into fluffy little cloud-world by 10.30)

He agreed with my suspicion that it was the CT scan yesterday that kicked this off, as they 'fix' your head in one position with a clamp so they can image the brain/neck without any movement for what seems an eternity.
This had obviously peed off my neck muscles and main brachical nerve (goes from neck through arm). GP tests showed 40% strength in my left hand (bad news as I'm left handed) and the pain constantly running right through my arm was really frustrating me. I was writing like a 7 year old as I couldn't hold the pen properly (but then, would anyone notice...answers on a postcard...)

• Bad news- absolutely no alcohol.

• Good news- totally banned from any exercise at all incase I have a blackout whilst swimming or jogging in the street and get run over! Not even allowed to do my yoga or pilates 'cos of the risk of stress on my neck/artery. There's always an upside!!! heh heh. Cue Dominos pizzas & size 20 clothes.
  

So I await the scan results with interest- as does my GP. I must return in 2 weeksfor ongoing assessment. I must say guys, I got a fair nasty fright Tuesday night, just very grateful it isn't like that all the time anymore. And at least now I have medicines to take the edge off the pain and relax the muscles, while I await the true diagnosis and treatment plan. Which is more than I've had before.

Storms hit Blackpool (we all like to be beside the seaside...)

Gale force waves batter the coast this morning...a mile from where we live...

Well, the weathermen did warn us to brace ourselves....but we never expected the storms to be so severe. The dreadful storms and gales hit the UK today, with trains & buses cancelled/delayed, people seriously injured and even killed all over the UK on country lanes through to the motorways.


We were warned that it would be particulary bad on the coast with gales of 80mph, but I never expected this devestation...



As featured in our local rag, the Evening Gazette, tonight:

"BLACKPOOL became a virtual a no-go zone today after storms battered the Fylde.

Roofs were ripped off, walls torn down and many roads closed as gale force winds ripped along the coast.
Some residents have had to be evacuated and Blackpool Victoria Hospital confirmed a number of people had been admitted for a range of injuries including broken bones.
The trail of destruction centred around Blackpool.
Palatine High School, South Shore (this is half a mile from where Darren and I live), was forced to close after its roof was ripped off.
The neighbouring library and sports centre were among scores of buildings badly damaged.
Many main roads were forced to close as fears grew over safety.
By 2pm council chiefs were advising people not to travel into town unless their journey was absolutely necessary.
The motorways did not escape with the M6 closed northbound between junctions 32 and 33.
The high winds are not expected to die down until around midnight tonight.
Damage reported so far includes:
* Squires Gate Post Office, Squires Gate Lane, where the gable end collapsed.
* A tree was blown down at the junction Lodge Lane/Preston Old Road. Has blocked road and crushed a wall.
* Kwik-Fit Tyres depot, Dickson Road, was closed due to damaged panel and reporting roof lifting in the wind.
* A tree on East Park Drive hit two parked cars opposite the Zoo entrance.
* A parked light aircraft at Blackpool Airport was blown by wind into parked cars.
* A 20ft high wall was blown down at Currys on Blackpool Retail Park, Squires Gate Lane.
Residents at Harrison Street in central Blackpool were evacuated from their homes after they were deemed unsafe.
Council staff have taken them to Blackpool Sports Centre."

Laugh and you go to Hell...

I shouldn't laugh....but this kills me!!! Is it the forlorn acceptance of the biddy?
Or the 'hands in pocket' of the onlooker that guiltily amuses...


answers on a postcard to:

"Granny's been drinking again",
Freepost: Crazed Drunk Granny Driver
Swinton



......

CAT Scan

Well today I had my CT scan (or CAT scan) to confirm that I had a brain. Thankfully, the radiographer took the scans of my skull, as opposed to where my colleagues think my brain is located, my ar$.. (enuff!!!-Ed.) I was actually a tad nervous, and it flippin' hurt my neck, which didn't help.

The CAT Scanner earlier today

I'll hear from the consultant neurologist in 10-14 days time, who will want to discuss the findings of the tests, the neck x-rays and CT scans with me. If I don't hear anything, I'm to phone up and chase them for an appointment. So that's done and dusted. I don't expect them to actually find anything, but at long as the rule out serious stuff, I'm happy to jump through the hoops. At least they're investigating what is causing the pain now, and hopefully, it may result in finding a solution.




The real CAT (CT)Scanner. A kind of cute mechanical doughnut. But without the icing.






Had you goin' there though didn't I?! You thought my cat was a neurologist!!

Ha ha ha!


(Celia scrambles round her handbag for Prozac)



...................

MERRY XMAS AND A FAB NEW YEAR!!!

Greebo sends you lots of mews and cuddles, and hopes that 2007 shall be the purrfect year for you xxxx

Greebo patiently waited for Santa Paws (see what I did there?)

Happy New Year everyone! D and I had a cracking time, and we hope you did too.


We blasted off by visting Karen and Stef down in Shropshire, and we had a lovely weekend. I wanted to return the next week, as there was a reunion of the Dorchester club, but we couldn't afford it. Not after the central heating boiler broke and cost £325 to be fixed 10 days before Xmas!

Stef, KC, me (oh dear) and D .....................................Stef & KC...the New Boosh?




D and I then saw the 'Gang' on Xmas Eve out in Blackpool, as has been tradition for 8 years now.


It was abit sad as Andrea is moving to Portsmouth next week to be nearer Lee when he comes home on leave from the Navy. It's been killing him driving up the M6 all that way when he docks returning from active service months away from home. Plus he hopes to be able to request Shore duties in a few years, so it makes sense to live where you'll eventually find your Shore job anyway!

Andrea and err...me.

She seems really used to the idea now, and excited about her new job and househunting! So we wish Andrea and Lee all the best with moving to Pompei- will miss you babe but we'll keep in touch!

Christmas Day

Dad came over for Xmas dinner at 3.30,


after we returned from seeing Darren's family and pressie swapping! Jake, D's nephew- and Godson- is super cute- only 17mth old but soo intelligent!

A lovely Christmas Day was had by all.




Darren Dad and I


Hogmany

We saw 2007 in with Ann and Tez, after a lovely Chinese restaurant meal in town, followed by a few drinkies in the pubs afterwards. Lee and Dee dropped by for a few jars, before Ann Tez, D and I picked up Charlotte from John and Lynn's, and saw in another new year in Woodland Grove. Possibly for the last time, as they plan to move this year.

Yep there are alot of changes to get used to in this New Year, 2007...and I'm sure they will be all positive!!!

Wishing everyone a grand New Year,

hugs

Celia Darren & Greebs xxx