Hello world. Thought I'd bowed out, did you? Tell you the truth, I had. What with the changes that are hanging over 20six like the sword of Damocles and the mass exodus of Old Skool bloggers to the four corners of blogsville, I was ready and willing to join the flood, seeking pastures anew on WordPress. Still am, come to think of it. But all that was before I was struck down by the return of my sciatica, the same excrutiating and all-consuming pain that afllicted me and so blighted my summer throughout last August. For the past ten days or so, I've been laid up, unable to move, unable to sleep and unable to escape or alleviate the pain. So once again, I'm drugged up to the eyes, lost in a sea of opium-induced drowsiness as the various drugs in my pain management regimen fight for supremacy in my central nervous system. Oh, and I've now got a referral to an orthopaedic surgeon too, so hopefully I can discover what's causing these intermittent bouts of intense pain. Ironic really, as I spent the day before the onset of this particular episode with an eminent neurosurgeon, planning the logisics of a forthcoming feature which will see me shadowing him for a week as he performs brain surgery, talks to patients, and looks in on them in intensive care. Should be fascinating to say the least. Otherwise, I've spent an awful lot of time working up forthcoming assignments, trying to put into place the neccessary arrangements for me to get where I need to be, with the right people, and at the right time. Oh, and along the way, making arrangements for the builders to move in for six weeks from the beginning of April to address the small problem of our house literally slipping away from under us. That little hiccup will require us to vacate the premises for a few weeks, so we rather have our hands full at the moment. Thankfully, there seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel for me pain-wise, which is just as well as I'm going back to Iraq next week. The date had been pencilled in my diary since the tail end of last year, but it's taken until this afternoon for the neccessary approvals to come though. They have though, so myself and the man from The Times will fly out to Kuwait next Wednesday night, the first stop on the lengthy process of getting us into theatre. Only a short trip this one, but it looks like being action-packed and given what I know of the itinery, fascinating too. I'm due home on the 5th, but just two days later, I've got another assignment which will take me to the northern-most tip of Norway, way up in the Arctic Circle to watch the Royal Marines undertake their cold weather training. Brrr. So, desert to arctic within a week. Never let it be said that my life isn't about extremes! Looks like this is going to be a busy weekend for me as I'll have lots of last-minute packing to do, plans to make, and things to buy. Oh, and it would be nice to try and live a little in there somewhere too, as I haven't done much of that in the past week or so due to being in so much pain. I shan't make any more lame promises of 'service returning to normal' because I won't be able to keep them. I'm definitely planning a move to WordPress which I shall facilitate upon my return, but until then, this is where you'll find me. A toute a l'heure
BACK TO IRAQ
24.2.06 16:24
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pixeldiva / Website (24.2.06 17:50) Glad to see you're still in the land of the living - was starting to wonder where you'd got to. Glad you're feeling better too and hope you're fully recovered by the time you head off on your travels again - you'll no doubt need to be to withstand the rigours of both climates. Take care of yourself. |
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(24.2.06 17:59) PixelDiva: Thank you - I intend to keep my head down. And if I don't, I have great faith in those that will be there to protect me. I'll try to blog again before I leave, but thanks for stopping by to comment. |
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(24.2.06 20:31) I second pixeldiva's comment. This year on 20six waiting for the changes, the 'spam' attacks, Jo-Jo going and others leaving to blog elsewhere has, at times, been highly dispiriting. While I have blog friends here FlightBuff will remain up and running, although like others I've found it hard to motivate myself now and again. Rest assured that wherever your blog is I shall link to it and undoubtably continue to mention it in future entries. Enjoy your imminent assignments and, as always, I look forward to reading all about them on your return. Cheers Flighty. |
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Molly / Website (26.2.06 21:31) I'm sorry to hear that the pain has made another appearance. Good luck with your next adventures. |
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Lisa / Website (26.2.06 22:40) I hope you are feeling better with that sciatica. I know from previous reading how much that hurts and incapacitates you. Iraq.. be carefull, will you? If anyone needs me, I'll be at home trying to figure out what to do for a job. I was fired last week. 
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GrrlScientist / Website (27.2.06 00:32) wow, i was so worried! i have missed you so much, especially after our conversation about one month ago. i am glad to see you back although i am very sorry for your troubles. i also -- occasionally -- suffer from sciatica, and that is a whole circle of hell unto itself!
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(27.2.06 12:56) Flighty: Cheers, fella. Appreciate your kind words, and rest assured, I shall reciprocate the link. Oh, and I haven't forgotten about uploading the BBMF feature; it just seems a little pointless doing it here when it will be decimated by the planned changes to the platform. I shall sort it though, just as soon as I can find organise my new blog. |
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(27.2.06 13:05) Molly: Thank you - and thanks for stopping by, your support is greatly appreciated. Pain appears to be gradually diminishing now, thankfully, although I think I'm getting better at living with it. All I have to do now is gradually wean myself off of the Tramadol; after the withdrawl symptoms I experienced the last time, I've no intention of just stopping taking them again! |
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(27.2.06 13:07) Lisa: Careful? It's my middle name, although with the pain being ever present, I don't think I'll be in any position to run if things hot up! Still, I'm pretty adept at diving to the floor if the occasion demands it. Really sorry to hear your news, I had no idea. And after so many years, too. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you; best of luck. |
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(27.2.06 13:11) GrrlScientist: Thanks for your kind comment. I've been around, but as you'll appreciate only too well, the pain tends to be all consuming and I've not been terribly sociable since it came on this time. I'll stay in touch though, and rest assured, I'll communicate the new URL just as soon as I know it. x |
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Megan / Website (28.2.06 18:16) And here I thought you'd left without leaving a forwarding address. I'm sorry you're not feeling well; hope you figure out what's going on soon. Can't say I'm thrilled at the prospect of you going to Iraq just now - things are not happy with our "friends" to the east. Keep your head (and ass) down. We'd like to get you back. Missed you! xo |
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scout (3.3.06 19:31) Be safe...I have no doubt you will take proper precautions. I would really be interested on your take of the situation there...it is most difficult to get a feel of what is really going on. Good luck. |
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karen (4.3.06 02:17) You definitely need to see an orthopaedic specialist and you must get an MRI to see what the root of the problem is .. sounds like a trapped nerve to me ... well I should know, I went through this 6 years ago. Since this seems to be a recurring problem, I wouldn't rule out surgery, and surgery has become so much less complicated in recent years. I do wish you all the best for a speedy recovery. Take care and keep us posted. In the meantime, Tramadol is probably the only thing that will keep you sane ... Best regards, Karen |
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(5.3.06 21:45) Oh dear, sorry to hear about your sciatica. I've had back problems for the past 10 days but not nearly as bad as yours. Hope you will have recovered fully in time for your trip. |
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Justin (10.3.06 15:01) Hey Ratty, What you need to try is a TENS machine. I've had back problems for about 10 years now, due to military service, and its the only thing apart from codeine and alcohol (but the docs don't like you doing that!!) that touches my sciatic pain. A decent one, from someone like Nidd Valley Medical (Sorry, don't have the web address) will set you back less than £50 all in, and it will be money well spent. Good Luck, J |
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(16.3.06 16:52) Megan: As if! I'm happy to report that the insurgents who had me in their sights this time round were no better at achieving their goal than those I encountered on my last visit. So that'll be Black Rat 2, Insurgents Nil, then! Nice to be back, though. xx |
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(16.3.06 16:53) Scout: You can't get much safer than travelling with the Commander of the Royal Navy; the military tend to look after people like him, so wherever he went, I wasn't far behind! |
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(16.3.06 16:58) Karen: Thanks for the advice and best wishes. I'm still on the Tramdaol, and I'm awaiting a date for an appointment with an orthopaedic consultant and an MRI. Just for good measure, I'm under physio too, and my doctor's referred me to a consultant neurosurgeon - whatever the cause, I'm not prepared to spend the rest of my life being held hostage to the sort of pain I've experienced with these two episodes. |
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(16.3.06 17:01) Jenny: I actually felt somewhat better on the trip - probably a combination of warm weather, and my mind being focused elsewhere, although since I came back, I've slipped back to how I was previously. I blew out on the trip to Norway which should have occupied me last week as I was in too much pain to travel, and I rather thought the cold of the Arctic Circle might aggravate it. That said, it hasn't felt much warmer here at times! |
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(16.3.06 17:02) Justin: I've tried a TENS machine. Physio gave me one after my last visit, but it's proven ineffectual thus far, so I'm back with the Tramadol. Thanks for the tip, though. |
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