... I hope that I will be at or on my way to the Neurophysiology Department, 4th Floor, Ruskin Wing, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill.
I was supposed to go there for an appointment last Thursday, but when the patient transport ambulance arrived, the crew of two felt that they were not able to take me. As a result, my appointment had to be cancelled at short notice and rearranged for today.
Since Thursday, one of the senior supervisors from the patient transport company has visited our house and has assured himself that a two-person crew will be sufficient to take me from my bed and to the ambulance ... and to return me home when my tests are over.
The tests I will be undergoing are known as Complex EMG (electromyography) tests and I may also be undergoing Nerve Conduction tests as these are often done at the same time. These tests should indicate how well the nerves and muscles in my lower leg are functioning, and will hopefully help the neurologist to identify the cause of my current problem.
The EMG studies the electrical activity of the muscles, and this is usually recorded using small needle electrodes inserted through the skin and into the muscles. The muscles are then tested whilst they are at rest and whilst they are being used.
I should know the results of the tests within a fortnight, and after that I will hopefully begin treatment so that I can walk again. To be frank, even if I have to use crutches, walking sticks, or some other form of walking aid for the rest of my life, it will be better than being restricted to living in a hospital bed and orthopedic chair 24/7 in our conservatory. I am even resigned to the fact that I may have to use a mobility scooter or wheelchair ... although I would rather that the result is not that drastic.
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Best of luck Bob. 🤞
ReplyDeleteMaudlin Jack Tar,
DeleteCheers! I’ve had my tests and they show that I have extensive nerve damage in my legs.
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob,
ReplyDeleteWhere I live there are numerous mobility scooters shooting around, and I say shooting around as they are going a great deal faster than me and I am a fast walker! Just to say that if you do end up with one I think that you would be pleasantly surprised at what they have to offer.
All the very very best
Steve
Steve,
DeleteI’d rather avoid having to use a disabled scooter or wheelchair, but I have to accept that it might be the only way in which I will regain some mobility.
All the best,
Bob
Mucho ánimo Bob, espero que las pruebas ayuden a que tengas la mejor recuperación posible, mis mejores deseos.
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo muy grande, y como decimos en España, que Dios reparta suerte.
MM
Good luck Bob, I hope the tests help you have the best possible recovery, my best wishes.
DeleteA very big hug, and as we say in Spain, may God distribute luck.
MM
MM,
The news isn’t very good. I have neuropathy in both lower legs and feet, and they now need to do further tests to find the cause … which might not be treatable.
All the best,
Bob
MM
Las noticias no son muy buenas. Tengo neuropatÃa en la parte inferior de las piernas y en los pies, y ahora necesitan hacer más pruebas para encontrar la causa... que podrÃa no ser tratable.
Mis mejores deseos,
Bob
All the best Bob. I had some similar tests for numbness in my arm, which turned out to be damaged vertebrae in my neck pressing on a nerve. I found the whole thing fascinating, with my dystonic tremors in my arm vibrating at 3-5 hertz; quite strange watching them on the graph on a machine.
ReplyDeleteSteve J.,
DeleteI couldn’t see the computer display, but my wife said that when my legs were tested, there were a few waves on the screen … but when my arms were tested, the screen was covered in waves, and these grew in number when my hand began to twitch.
All the best,
Bob
Good luck! At least there finally seems to be a little progress.
ReplyDeleteMark Cordone,
DeleteAt least the tests have identified the problem; the next stage is to identify the cause.
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob
ReplyDeleteIt must be very difficult coming to terms with these restrictions and keeping optimistic and cheerful. I have had some serious medical problems, but never anything that affected my ability to walk like this. Walking is my favourite exercise, and has been for many years. We run a U3A walking group and the weekly walk and company is the highlight of our week. I can think of nothing better for both gentle exercise and mental health.
However once your tests are completed and you know the future you will at least be able to come to terms with it, and try to make the best of it.
On a less serious note, if you do have to use a mobility scooter perhaps you should adjust your holiday plans. Instead of anothere cruise you could book a holiday in Benidorm. The sea front is crowded with them, mostly driven by middle age and overwieght people with no obvious physical problem. They certainly manage to get out of their scooters and into the bar without any problem!
best regards
Paul
Jan Leniston (Paul),
DeleteHaving been confined to either a hospital room or our conservatory for ten weeks, I am beginning to feel that I’m coming down with something akin to cabin fever. My only ‘excursions’ are trips to hospitals of out GP.
I used to enjoy walking, but I cannot see me doing much or any in the future. Living on a hill means that the terrain around us has potential to be challenging if one has mobility problems … but I’d love to be able to talk a slow stroll to the top of Shooters Hill, just as I did in the past.
In the comedy TV programme ‘Benidorm’, one of the recurrent characters - Madge, the grandmother - always hired a big mobility scooter when on holiday. As a result, Sue and I have always called mobility scooters ‘Madgemobiles’! It was funny at the time, but doesn’t seem as funny nowadays.
All the best,
Bob
Very best of luck for today Bob.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Lee.
‘Lee,
DeleteCheers! I got my test results … and I have neuropathy (extensive nerve damage) in both my lower legs.
I will now have further tests to see if they can identify the cause.
All the best,
Bob
BOB,
ReplyDeleteLet us hope that you may need little more than a walking stick in the future for mobility....it has been a long haul for you these past months- my thoughts are with you always- Best Wishes. KEV.
DeleteI was given the results of the tests right away and the prognosis is not good. I’ll be writing a blog entry later today about what will be happening next.
All the best,
Bob
It's a good thing you're a writer and gamer Bob. If playing sports were your life you'd be up a creek. Then again, you could make a living writing about sports.
ReplyDeleteTake care and all the best to you!
Mr. Pavone,
DeleteVery true. I have a friend whose main hobby was playing golf, and since he has developed Parkinson's Disease and can no longer play, he has become listless and his mental health has been affected. At least my writing and wargaming can continue without too many restrictions.
All the best,
Bob
All the best Bob, hope all goes well. Regards Paul.
ReplyDeletePDL (Paul),
DeleteCheers! I got my results yesterday and will be writing a blog post later today.
All the best,
Bob
Stay strong Bob, best wishes
ReplyDeleteQuinn
Glory to Ruritania, (Quinn),
DeleteCheers! Having the support of my wife and so many people I have met online helps me to cope.
All the best,
Bob