Mieliboo's Thingy-Ma-Blog

I can feel pieces of my brain falling away like a wet cake... Mieliboo.com

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Sometimes medicine has no answers

Sometimes even doctors have no answers...

Last week I had a migraine. My migraines have always been the kind that warns me, and I can take action to reduce them, but I can never stop them. I’ve had them all my life. None of the medications worked for very long; we have tried every single one thoroughly. Currently, I am waiting on botox treatments; I have been waiting a very long time (longer than I should have due to an administrative…

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It's Been Three Years...

Where have I been since 2020?

I fell off the blogging wagon during the pandemic. Things keep happening in the world and life, and this blog took a major back seat. But for some reason, tonight, I have decided to reinvigorate it. Maybe it is the uber painkillers talking. In my most recent history, I am currently on day 4 of a migraine that is more intense than I have ever felt. So much so my GP prescribed me a high dose of…

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Shielding Groups, Lockdown & Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: Health Secretary’s speech 31 May 2020

Shielding Groups, Lockdown & Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: Health Secretary’s speech 31 May 2020

This blog post is my interpretation of what I heard and not a script in the complete sense of the word. There is a full script of today’s ministerial statement here. It also filters out all the political, repetitive fluff that happens on most of these updates. 

I do welcome debate to my blog, but any aggression or general being horrid will be deleted and blocked.

Anyone with symptoms…

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Breakdown: Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: First Minister's speech 29 May 2020

Breakdown: Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: First Minister’s speech 29 May 2020

This is my interpretation of what I heard and not a script in the complete sense of the word. There is a full script of today’s ministerial statement here. It also filters out all the political, repetitive fluff that happens on most of these updates. 

I do welcome debate to my blog, but any aggression or general being horrid will be deleted and blocked.

Anyone with symptoms (persistent…

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Breakdown Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: First Minister's speech 28 May 2020

Breakdown Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: First Minister’s speech 28 May 2020

This is an overview of the First Minister of Scotlands COVID-19 update covering the move into the next phase of Test and Protect from complete lockdown. It contains a condensed version of all the critical points raised and facts shared. 

It is my interpretation of what I heard and not a script in the complete sense of the word. There is a full script of today’s ministerial statement here. It…

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They Had Pre-Existing Conditions

Over the last week or so, since the first death of a UK citizen due to the COVID-19 outbreak in the UK, news anchors have announced each death with:

“They were a man/ woman of — years old however they were known to have pre-existing conditions.“

For the majority of the population, this is a relief – the virus is only killing those with pre-existing conditions, and that’s not me. Therefore…

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The Zebra in the Room - Storytime

The Zebra in the Room – Storytime

Last Tuesday I was merrily doing some dishes and listening to music when the hot water ran cold. When I looked at the boiler, the readout was blinking, and all it needed was a simple reset. I feel I should mention at this point that our boiler is high on the wall above the kitchen floor units and to access it, you have to stand on the counter. Can you see where this is going?

I carefully…

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My First Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap)

My First Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap)

The weekend that just passed I was in the hospital Immediate Admissions Unit as I had been declining quite rapidly last week and the final straw was waking up with an EPIC headache. Worse than any I have ever had and I have had some choice migraines that come to mind.

Among other tests they performed a lumbar puncture, a spinal tap in the US of A) to check cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSF)…

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Testing... Testing... Hello? Is this on?

Testing… Testing… Hello? Is this on?

Hello!

Um… Yeah. Long time no see? Type?

Hi.

I’ve been away. December sucked. I was in the hospital for almost all of it and I got out on Christmas Eve. Since then I have been recovering physically and mentally as well as throwing what energy I can into my little eBay shop!

However, I miss the outlet that writing provides. So I will be here quite a few times a month to say hi, check in, vent or…

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Blogmas 2018 - Day 1

Blogmas 2018 – Day 1

I’ve been seeing lots of folks on YouTube doing “vlogmas” so I thought I would try my version. So here it is Blogmas.

So, on the 1st of December. Sleepy. I think that is an excellent way to describe it.

The big cats had their vet check-ups, so we were up and out by 0930. They were so, so well behaved. Ezio was clingy to James During his examination, which was out of character for him but also so…

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Travelling With Disabilities

That photo above is from James and I’s trip to Corralejo in 2016 for my 30th birthday. At this point in time, I was in a lot of back pain due to my ever deteriorating spine, I still had a numb right leg, I was exhausted and my joints were, well my joints. However, I was determined to not let my body and mind stop me from having an epic 30th birthday. The aim was for me to spend my 30th birthday…

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MY EXPERIENCE OF NHS POSTERIOR LUMBAR DECOMPRESSION AND INTERBODY FUSION - POST OP DAY 1

MY EXPERIENCE OF NHS POSTERIOR LUMBAR DECOMPRESSION AND INTERBODY FUSION – POST OP DAY 1

After the last post, I was rather mentally exhausted – so sorry that this wasn’t up yesterday as planned. But, here it is. The next instalment of the saga of my spinal fusion.

We left off when I was taken back to the ward after recovery. It was around eight o’clock in the evening so 13 hours since I arrived at the hospital. James came to see me and I don’t really remember much of that evening at…

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My Experience of NHS Posterior Lumbar Decompression and Interbody Fusion

My Experience of NHS Posterior Lumbar Decompression and Interbody Fusion

For the non-cyborgs, I had posterior lumbar decompression and interbody fusion (PLIF for short). There is an animation of the procedure here.

February 13th 2018 – Day of Surgery

We arrived at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (AKA the Southern General) bright and early. We went to the admissions area and got “checked in” and then headed to the surgical receiving unit.

When I arrived in…

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Time To Talk 2018

This year has been difficult for us all.

Usually, for Time to Talk, I would tell you a story or some inspiring thing. Instead, I decided I would attempt to make a mammoth list of resources for mental health.Please give me your suggestions and I’ll add them on 🙂

Help and Resources

Samaritans – Call 116-123 – If you need anonymous support you can call, text and email.

NHS Mental Health– Search for…

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An Open Letter to the NHS Regarding Cancellation of Elective Major Operation due to Flu Outbreak - A Patient and Virologists Thoughts.

An Open Letter to the NHS Regarding Cancellation of Elective Major Operation due to Flu Outbreak – A Patient and Virologists Thoughts.

Dear NHS,

I have always championed our National Health Service on the whole. A high proportion of my nearest and dearest are employed by you and I am a chronic illness patient within your services. It is always a point of mine to tell staff within the service when I have a positive experience as I feel the people within the service are very under appreciated.

My experience as a patient has bee…

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Mental Health: Switching Meds – My Experience My blog has always been an open and honest safe space, where mental illness can be discussed without judgment.

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How To Maximise Your Medical Appointments

As someone who has seen my fair share of health professionals over my lifetime, I have certain things I do to maximise the value and benefit of medical appointments. Especially when brain fog is a real hindrance to cognition sometimes, preparation prior, proactivity during and reflection after is key. This is my guide to how I get the most out of my appointments.

Before

Have a small notebook and…

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