Anyway, there is both good and bad news, a bit like taking one-step-forward-and-one-back! But the pressure to 'blog' today immediately increased when I told someone I would!
First, the bad news then; let's get it out of the way!
A few weeks ago now, I posted a comment on Facebook that my pain levels had dropped rather inexplicably, but they had done so for about a week, so I thought it might be a healthy trend - and worth reporting! I was grateful for the response I got from quite a few people, expressing their delight about it - thanks!
But alas, my comment was premature, as my pain levels increased yet again - and have remained very high ever since.
The picture above, gives you an overview of the recognised 'Pain Scale' from 0 -> 10, and under 'normal' circumstances my upper body pain tends to average around Level 6 ("Distressing" is a good word for it). Well, the level dropped to a manageable Level 5, so although it was still very unpleasant, it was a lot better than previously. That situation lasted for about a week - but 'lo and behold' it has once again returned to Level 6. However, worse than that, the exercises that I've been doing has pushed that average (over the last four days) up to Level 8 ("Horrible" doesn't do it justice - 'Severe' might work for me)... 'Intolerable' could be another way of describing it - and the only way I can get any relief is by lying down and remaining very still. Not exactly conducive to any productivity!! It's at around Level 8 as I'm trying to type this blog, but I'm going to have to stop very shortly!!
So, to the 'good news'.... My morning 'care call' has been formally brought forward to 8.30am, after pushing for this for many months! This is even better than I had hoped for, however, as I'm now able to get up-and-about by around 9.30~9.45am. The obvious benefit is that I have a far better chance of doing some 'real' work for Sanctuary Housing! The only drawback is that I'm potentially 'static' in my wheelchair for a much longer period of time - making me more susceptible to 'pressure sores' and the like. I'll just need to be careful.
There's another bit of good news.... I had a meeting with my Employer (someone I know well in their HR team), together with a representative from their Insurer (Canada Life). In short, they have agreed that I can begin a very easy-going return-to-work arrangement, amounting to around 4 hours per week... Should be a doddle, but with my pain levels as they are, even this very menial amount could present a challenge - I'll have to see.
For this to be come effective, the arrangement requires 'sign-off' from my GP (which I'm hoping will be a simple formality) and an assessment of my needs by an agency called "Access to Work".... They will examine what I might need to assist me working from home, such as better computer keyboard and screen arrangements and get them implemented beforehand.
Fortunately, I already know the project that Sanctuary want me to undertake and I'm well suited for the task, so I'm hopeful that I should be 'underway' (formally at least), fairly soon. I've actually started working already, to a limited degree and devised an outline plan for the project I need to deliver. It's potentially timely, as Sanctuary are going through a fundamental replacement of their IT systems and software. Without boring you with any detail, they want me to produce an Asset Data Strategy for the Sanctuary Group - which has significant cross-cutting implications.
I had better leave it there, as I'm running out of energy - and potentially 'the will to live'..... I hope you're not by now! ;)
Hopefully, I'll provide another update on progress very soon!