I've mentioned my interesting xmas (yet again) so it is only fair to explain why I have perhaps seemed a tad quiet recently. While we were on holiday in Malta OH noticed some bleeding and went to the GP as soon as we got back, the Wednesday before xmas. She sent him directly to the hospital who kept him. He is on a NOAC (anti-coagulant drug) called rivaroxaban/Xarelto and they discovered that this drug, supposedly not requiring any monitoring, was at about 10 times the level it should be in his blood! No wonder there was some bleeding! They assumed that was all it was, wait until the blood level fell and it would be fine, and he came home on the Friday. But he wasn't a happy bunny at all and on xmas eve I decided I'd had enough and shouted, screamed and stamped my foot until he agreed to go back. We were met by a surgeon who really did excel in the "Poor bedside manner" stakes - shouted at us we should have arrived earlier and was just generally unpleasant. He did the same to the next case some hours later - who happened to end up in the same room as OH. To be fair, once some tests had been done he did turn into a totally different and very nice person and agreed there was an infection as well and it was right he'd come. In fact over the time he was in, this guy probably did most of benefit. It hasn't been the most festive of xmases as you can imagine - I have been at the hospital 3 times a day most days - Sundays and holidays get an extra morning visiting time and it was obvious I was expected to entertain him - which would have been easier if he had been feeling better and could have had a conversation. When I felt rubbish in hospital I just wanted to be left alone... You can't just sit there reading can you? On xmas day, in the middle of the afternoon (post Queen's speech I suppose), I had ham - a slice from the butcher that needed eating (OH's, not my choice ;) ) on some wholegrain bread and found a chunk of xmas pud from last year in the freezer for supper. The only thing I had made was brandy butter! And in doing that I had managed to slice my finger quite dramatically on the processor blade - not sure how much blood got in the BB, I also am on anticoagulant therapy!! Tastes OK though. Still haven't got round to making mince pies. Our younger daughter and family are on their way here for a few days - but yesterday evening she and her husband developed what we assume was food poisoning from a baked camembert - she ate most and was most ill, the son ate none and was fine, dad had a bit and was only slightly wobbly. Anyhow - they are safely at the hotel at the UK airport. I will meet them at Innsbruck tomorrow morning all being well - and not too many German tourists bunging up the motorway going home. So next year I shall refuse to even THINK about xmas - Bah Humbug!!!!
Eileen
I do so hope that David is on the mend.
The family are coming and, at the least, you will be able to bring 2019 in together. I wish you and your family nothing else except and healthly new year and always in the future. Give David a hug for me please.
xx
Oh no, poor you and OH.
Have a lovely New Year to make up.
Thanks for the rant Eileen. we all need it sometimes…I have hip discomfort and am getting checked out with Ultra sound and xrays…just plain hurts so I have to say it once in awhile…a GREAT BIG OUCH. Keep a smile and find more in the freezer to eat…might as well clean it up for your NYs resolution. Hugs for all in pain discomfort caregiving etc…N
Oh Eileen, I am so sorry to hear your news, i wish for a change i had information to help you through your crisis. All i can do is hope things will get better for you and your OH.
I hope your daughter and family will be feeling better soon as well, please kepp us all informed, and hope 2019 is better for you.
you all are in our thoughts, God bless Mags x
EILEEN,
Well, when it rains it pours they say. Hope your 2019 bring peace and prosperity. Hang in there, it will get better! You need to rant, we are here for you!
Eileen, sure hope you have a great new year.
Not sure he’s up to much!!!
What an awful time both you and David have had, Eileen. I am so sorry and it’s certainly not what you need with PMR. The worry and stress must have been so difficult and with your family in the UK you wouldn’t have had their physical support. A worrying time for them too. I hope that both you and OH are now feeling better, though you are possibly feeling the after effects of exhaustion.
I hope your daughter and family have a smooth journey and feel well enough for you to have some quality time together.
Wishing you all a healthy, pain free 2019 .
Eileen, what a disaster! I hope 2019 is a much better year and sees you all getting well soon.
Eileen, sorry you had to go through all of that..and your next CHRISTMAS will make up for it!. Here is hoping for a great 2019.. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
All sound overwhelming and scary. Glad shouty surgeon turned into Hyde, and that you got OH proper care. Next year can only be better so roll on 2019! Hope you have a cracking time with your daughter and family 
I do hope you enjoyed your holiday in Malta before the Grinch arrived. Now it is our turn to support you for awhile. Do keep us updated regarding everyone’s health and I do hope they are all well on their way to recovery. You will need a little pampering after all that foot stomping too. Blokes are obviously the same all over the world. Some need a little encouragement to see the Doctor. Seriously though, I am thinking of you all and I do hope the New Year Celebration will be a happier healthier start to a great new year.
Oh no, poor you and OH. What a rotten time you’ve both had, as well as your daughter and family. Hospital really isn’t the place you what to be over Christmas. I’m pleased your daughter and family will be arriving to take away some of the stress. I hope OH gets better soon and you can all be at home together again soon.
My reply was to Eileen. Sorry lodgerUK_NE.
Xaralto(sp?) was what caused an ulcer bleeding after my knee replacement. Not good. So sorry for you and family’s suffering. You are all in my thoughts for getting well.
Hugs and best wishes for you all. 
Eileen, I’m sorry to hear your Christmas was a bust. I thought my Christmas was a bit pathetic, but yours beats mine. A quick caption of mine: my four grown children and their spouses and my seven grands all met at an airbnb, in southern vermont, two hours away for me. My first frustrating situation occurred on the drive there. I drove an hour in the wrong direction, (no GPS). Then Christmas eve, after I hung my stocking with care, I realized I forgot my prednisone. So, as I was lying awake all night, mostly because my five year old grandson had his elbows in my side, I decided, I would just have to take the pain and suffering, and just do what I could. Next day though, I decided to drive back to my home two hours away, and get my medication, and return. I got home fine, got the meds but got friggin lost again on my return to the rental. I could have skipped Christmas this year. The big worry was that if I missed two days of pred, I would be back to where I started. I am currently on 6.5 mg, but was thinking I would have to go back to a much higher dose. I guess everything tuned out ok, although I was about twelve hours late to get it into the system again, and I did take 7 mg that day, but went back to 6.5 mg the next day.
Oh Eileen this just isn’t fair is it? Poor you and your husband, it sounds both awful and worrying. I know at times it just seems to be that we put our heads up over the parapets for them just to be shot at doesn’t? If good luck was given out in payment for helpfulness and support you would have been first in the queue.
Just sending you all the best for a better New Year and hope you and your family get better to enjoy the rest if the holiday together.