Well I got there had a brilliant time. Some of you may know that I haven't been away out of this wee bungalow now for nearly 5 years. I was diagnosed with RD 4 years ago and what a journey that has been......
Anyhow I was in great form and almost pain free for two years due to the wonder drug Abatacept and so myself and two neighbours booked a C'mas city break to gorgeous Edinburgh. Unfortunately for me about 5/6 weeks ago the drug has stopped doing its magic for me and I am slowly sinking again. I'm sero negative and can't take MTX so I am limited to what drugs I can tolerate. I have been told there isn't another drug available to me for the foreseeable future so not in a great place at present......anyhow, I went on with my holiday and did I ever enjoy it.
I was so determined to have a great time and I succeeded. Me and my friends had a wonderful time in this beautiful city. I met the nicest people, eat lovely meals, saw stunning architecture and even managed a wee bit of shopping.
At one point I had to leave my friends in a frenzy of shopping and find somewhere to sit down..... like a true Irishwoman I found a stall in the beautiful German Market that sold Guinness and mugs of Gluevine with a dash of Ameratto (spelling?). £7.00 a mug,but I got to keep the mug, and well worth it. I found a bench facing the 'Edinburgh Eye"....got talking to a lovely local woman called Cathie and her daughter April.....the warm wine was beginning to work its magic and the three of us ended up singing The 12 Days of Christmas to the amusement of passersby.....
Being an animal lover I also chatted with two darling homeless men who had their dogs with them. Poor men, my heart goes out to them, but they both told me that their much loved companions are their first priority when getting a place to sleep for the night....we are so lucky to have all that we have, aren't we?
There was sooooooo much I wanted to see and do but I just didn't have the time or sadly the energy. From beginning to end 3 days in Edinburgh was as good to me as a fortnight in the Bahamas!!!!
Back home now and still floating....even if I can't get off the sofa! Not complaining though....see the lovely Dr Armstrong on Jan 14th and he will sort me out with something, he always does bless him.
My two wee dogs were staying with a good friend. They pined for me but were still very good and nearly knocked me over when we were once again reunited......fab welcome home.
Well that's it.....still beaming, half of me is still in 'the old town' half here stretched out on the sofa with the dogs giving me 'that look' which means get up, get dressed and take us to the park.....all dogs loves know 'that look' very well!
In spite of everything I will have a lovely C'mas now and I hope all of you do too. I know what its like to not be in a nice place at this time of the year, I've had my share of them too so I know what I'm talking about.....but there is also hope too for better times to come. There is so much available to us now to help us. There are great drugs for pain relief and therapy's for our often awful sympthoms. I know it can take awhile but don't give up.....please.
Have a very Happy Christmas and New Year too.....however you celebrate it.....also a huge thanks to everyone here on the site for all your support and words of wisdom. Also to those in the back ground who offer us so much advice and guidance throughout the year a heartfelt thanks for all your hard work...where would we all be without you?
Jean XXX
Rheumatologist in Edinburgh or Glasgow that listens?
We survived 
There’s no such thing as a random question.......
What a lovely day our last day down here,but boy am i paying for it...
