Since the Move

Alot has been going recently on recently, my benefits went up some time again to £100 a week and the Incapacity people have said have said I don’t need to send in any proof for at least the next year which makes my life easier for the next year. Its nice to be believed after all this time.

Also I have now posted the Disability Living Allowance Form, I have received a letter back saying they have received it which is good. I am waiting for a few more letters and then eventually a letter which the result, I am hoping with how my fibromyalgia has been getting worse they will grant it to me this time, I really do think we deserve it.

A couple of months ago I was called to go to another Occupational Health meeting by my employer before I became sick to see one of their doctors to see how I was getting on with my Fibro, I took along a list of all my consultants; when I had seen them last and how the fibro was progressing. We talked for quite a long time and it was pretty obvious from both parties point of view that it would be some time before I would be return to work. I had always been in the hope of returning to work at some point probably part time but to be honest it was time I was honest with myself especially as the fibro is now badly effecting my hands.

So the Occupational Health Doctor wrote back to my employer and I was summoned to a meeting on the 19th of July, which I went to feeling rather icky as it was one of my worse days but I with held taking a morphine tablet because I wanted to be in a decent state of mind for the meeting. As I had been off sick from work for a year and the medical report from the doctor stated I had a disability my employer could not just “fire me” so It was desided that I would be “let go” under medical grounds a kind of “medical redundancy”. Also as it was not my fault I was ill I was being given a sum, which has not been totally worked out exactly but is just over £4000 GBP. They also told me I had the right to Appeal which I am not going to. They also told me I would be able to use them for references if I was able to work in the future. I feel greatly relieved to be honest and it is one thing hanging over my head

I have also been refered to the Occupational Therapist for a Shower board which is a board that goes across the bath so you can sit down and shower a s I was having problems standing whilst showering with my legs being so painful.We have also spoken to them about several other items in the home which will make things easier for myself to get around, and hopefully try and get on with some day to day tasks. We can also speak to them about other items if they are required.

I have been having a few problems with the flight of stairs going to our first floor flat and have agreed with myself that I will try to use them only when needed, I have also been trying to do as many chores as possible without hurting myself, however I have overdone it quite a few times since moving and have had to spend quite a few days in bed resting.

As of the 18th of July 2007 roughly I have had fibro badly one year although some symptoms eg sleep problems etc alot longer.

Moved Home

We moved out of our rented flat of 3 and a half years which was one bedroom into a dyso flat (40% owned 60% rented) two bedroom newly built flat on friday the fourth. Everything was rather chaotic my fiance had spend about a week packing up the old flat with a little help from myself, i did try to help as much as i could but found myself getting tired very easily, so most of the time he showed me items asking whether we wanted to throw them out or keep them before chucking them into the correct boxes!

The day of the move came fast; the first part of the day was choosing things for the new flat fridges, and washing machines etc to collect later in the day, this left me very tired, when the van arrived to us, i hopped to my sisters already having realised that i was absolutely useless during the actual moving stage and we already had several members of my family helping lug huge boxes of our worldly possessions up flights of stairs so i was as much use as a chocolate teapot filled with hot water as i was am on crutches.

They made good time and managed to have all the belongings into the property by the end of friday which was damn right impressive.

On saturday we spent many hours trawling around several large shops looking for finishing items for the flat inclucing rugs, curtains, blinds etc. Simon had also managed to unpack some of the boxes of our possessions, and we are finally starting to get things in order.

Its finally starting to get into order, the lounge with kitchen looks perfect the bedroom looks okay except for the suitcases on the floor which contain all our clothes as the chest of drawers and two wardrobes are being put up tomorrow, the bedroom 2 on the other hand contains all the boxes and junk not really being in any kind of order.

Although i have Fibro i have being doing the best i can although at some times i have overdone it, its a case of trying to learn to not over do it. I have been phoning all the companies changing addresses as well as the laundry stuff and trying to do small tasks.

We dont have broadband back which i am really missing i have internet via my mobile connected as a modem to my laptop but its only 115kbs which is sooo slow but its only after 7pm and at weekends.. roll on broadband.

I still cant believe this home is ours its going to take some time to adjust physically, mentally and financially!