Hello,

How are you? I am so sorry its taken me a long time to get back in here. I have been quiet unwell and as a result I have let everything pile up and I am just getting around to things now.

Last time I was here I was preparing to go on my cruise around the south pacific. Well, I did it! It was interesting. I enjoyed getting dressed up of an evening, I didn't miss my phone or my diary. I enjoyed the sea fresh air and experiencing things I never thought I would. Everyone complemented me for the way I dressed and I spoke to many people. Before I went, I was a little disappointed that I was going to be in the wheelchair. I thought that would stop me from having fun but you know what thats so far from the truth! I spent hours in the chair, laughing so hard I was crying. People were happy to push me around, they got me up on the nightclub dancefloor in the wheelchair and everyone so made me feel like a special part of it. But I must admit, there was a lot of rocking of the boat so my balance was compromised even more than normal. The second day I sat on the side line and I watched everyone do a dance class... I know it sounds dorky but as I was sitting there I was getting upset because I wanted to be on my useless feet giving it ago. After the class a friend told me that it was so much fun, I snapped and afterwards I realised I snapped but I shouldn't have. It not his fault that I can't dance so the next day we were in the resturant having lunch, I looked at him and said, I want to participate in the Waltz dance class. He looked at me and said, 'But'. I now he was concerned, but I got out of my chair, my shaky legs and I did it. I was so proud of myself, everyone was just amazed and applauded for how beautiful I looked on the dance floor. I looked at my friend, he had tears running down his face because he knew it took alot for me, the pain I was in but he also knew the courage and determination I am known for wasn't going to let me down. On the final night, at about 3am in the morning, my friend got me on the dance floor for a last slow dance... it was beautiful,  sure it wasn't perfect but it was good enough for me to say I did it! I was definately glad to come home though, 10 days was definately long enough.

Since being home though things have been very rocky and I have had to have emergency shoulder surgery. One hospital didn't think I had done anything wrong to my shoulder, my GP and two dr's at my local hospital thought I had dislocated my shoulder but the x-ray came back clear and I was diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff. I spent the weekend popping pills and just not satisfied with the results so I went back to my Orthopeadic surgeon and he got me to have an MRI. I had to wait 5 days for the MRI, so kept popping pills to try and mask the pain, wear a sling. The MRI didn't show much because I moved to much in the machine so the surgeon did an Arthriscope and kept me in hospital overnight. The surgeon found I had torn some cartlidge, inflamation of the shoulder joint and a bit of wear and tear. I am much better now as to what I was a week ago but have spent since the 29/5/09 on my back recovering yet again from another anaesethic. I am really glad I followed my heart but really question the health field. 

I return to my everyday tasks tomorrow so until then I am just taking it easy.

Chat soon,

Brooke