Well, if I have to take estrogen supplements?
Yes, fine, to keep people updated on matters…
Initially, as reported in the last blog, the view from the Doctor’s surgery, post X-Rays, was to wait a few weeks, see how things settled down, and then decide what the next step from there would be. I’m assuming that was based on what the hospital told them, and that a couple of days later, they saw the X-Rays for themselves, because when I came home from work on Thursday (Yes, now its kicked in, the medication is fine to allow me to go back), I got a message that the surgery had been trying to contact me, and I needed to ring them the next morning. No, it wasnt hard to work out what it was about, lets face it. Anyway, a few minutes before I was going to ring them, they rang me, and told me that having discussed the matter (and I assume, seeing the results for themselves), they had already decided to refer me for a bone scan.
I know, doesnt sound good, does it? Not surprised, but anyway…
Of course, one of the more fascinating options, if it does show as osteoporosis (and this referral is rushed, if they dont think it is), would be to put me on estrogen supplements, to try and build bone density, as they do with post menopausal women, which lets face it, I pretty much am! Yes, I would, given the opportunity, no surprise there.
The thing is, having got all my papers nowadays as female, but being very single, and being unlikely to find myself in a relationship, and not being a lover of unnecessary pain, or surgery, I had sort of decided that I wasnt going to ‘bob the bits’, or more technically correctly, go in for the sex reassignment surgery, which strictly would be the final step. Even more so, given the body is clearly in even worse condition than I thought it was lol! No, I dont think they’d do the knees/back/genitalia combo all as one!
But all the same, it did start me thinking, that if, and at this point, it is only an if, pre bone scan results, I did start loading up with estrogen supplements, should I take all this as a hint that I really ought to get my body changed, so that everything is fully female? Let me say at this point, I will only even consider this, if I do get to take estrogen tablets for osteoporosis, as otherwise, I’m pretty fine as am. But yes, I do wonder if this is a hint from ‘higher authorities’ that I should be doing the full transition, hmm?
Not saying yes, not saying no, but I suspect I would take less convincing if the seemingly inevitable happened, to take that big last step. But yes, at my age, and state of health, that surgery might still put me off! 😛
Right, video time. There are some great songs, that no matter how I try, an I going to be able to directly link into a blog, and tonight I’ve decided to provide one of those, as I cant think of anything that obviously fits, that I havent used before. So, a little classic Roxy Music, live…
Why dont you build me up?
If only to stop me from disintegrating completely lol!
Much to my surprise, and judging by her reaction, the nurse’s surprise too, they got the results of my X-Rays back today. Yes, basically I’m old, and my body is showing its age, in the disintegration of my back. It seems I have got a wedge fracture at the bottom of my thoracic spine, which has been caused by weakening of the bone in my spine. Or as it could also be called, osteoporosis. Which all comes down to the fact that I’m getting old, and the fact that my body has been battered a bit during life hasnt helped of course. So in truth, short of someone actually creating that new cybernetic body that I dream of, there isnt a lot they can do. But if anyone is researching such a thing, and needs a volunteer to try it out on, call me!
So, outcome for now, to leave it a few weeks, and see if it stays much the same, gets better, gets worse, and then take things from there. More painkillers, more steroid cream for now, and then review. I also need to try and do something to get my colon more active again, which may have been started because of this, which may have caused some of this, or might simply be a side issue, but yes, needs to be dealt with.
Yes, work knows, I rang them shortly after I found out from surgery, though I suspect most of bosses had gone home by then. I’m planning to go in tomorrow, though how well it will work with a standard seat, I have no idea? Even more the bus journey, but anyway…? Ideally I need a seat that will take all the pressure off my back, of which I have no idea if that exists, or not? I suspect a non gravity chamber is only in the range of science fiction lol!
But yes, its official, I’m getting old, and my body is determined to prove it! Anyone got a spare back brace laying around lol?
Video, like me, a real oldie. The record is from 1968, though this live performance is from the 80’s, and quite good. So…
If I could look inside you?
Before Friday, I cant honestly remember the last time I had an X-Ray done. My best guess would be about 30 years ago, when I was trying to climb into an attic, against my better judgement, and didnt make it, tumbled down again, falling down a long set of stairs, and the next thing I knew, was in the ambulance on the way to Yeovil hospital, to be checked over. Irony was, they checked me out accordingly for concussion, or head injuries symptoms, and completely missed the fact that I’d broken a toe on my left foot.
By the time it hadnt healed 3 weeks later, and I went to the doctor about it, went back up the hospital to get that X-Rayed, and discovered, it had already healed, though not correctly, which is why, to this day, one of the toes on my left foot looks so awful. It came down to the fact that trying to break it again, in the same place, then have it heal correctly, not really practical, unless I had serious issues with it. Never did, so its remained as an ugly reminder of that evening, ever since.
To be honest, with all I’ve heard of the NHS of late, I had no idea how long it would all take. I know, a set of X-Rays doesnt take that long, but throw in all the waiting time, and everything, and…in truth, I was out, more or less an hour after I entered the hospital, which I thought was pretty good. Yes, I know, me and tying knots, not a good combination, so the gown stayed pretty loose.
X-Rays done in 2 positions, I have no idea how many pictures taken, but I was laying there, especially on my back for a while, so I assume several were taken. Then changed back, bus home, and that was it. Doctor at Surgery had told me to allow about 2 weeks for results, hospital said about 1 week, but I will probably leave it nearer 2, all the same.
Yes, one of those scanners where they slide you in, and then do things would have been far more fun for me, but not to be, just a good old fashioned standard imaging machine, ah well… I’m pretty sure of 1 thing, it will be less than 30 years before I get X-Rayed again, as I’m certain they will take images of my knees, before the inevitable surgery, which I’m still trying to put off lol! But until then…?
The video is one of those feel good songs from the 80’s, by a group that never really made it, beyond this hit.
Arthritic, and we’re ancient
But I dont drive an Ice Cream van. Sadly, I suspect the vast majority of my readers wont get that comment at all, at least not until they click on one of the videos! Yes, a bonus blog, though sadly, not for a good reason, just that my back is living up to the title of the blog, nothing more.
Its fair to say that for far too many years, I’ve suffered with intermittent back issues, mainly of the joints locking up type, probably related to the amount of arthritic joints I have, to various degrees, and my back is one of the longer term ones. Normally it will hurt for about 24-48 hours max, and then return to a level that I can cope with, even if some might not call it comfortable. But yes, when you’ve had joint issues, and aches since the age of 10, you get used to it.
Snag is, this time around, its been about 7-10 days! Most of that time, its been in the range where I could ‘just about’ get to and from work, and do a day at work, but the last couple of days, not so good. So I finally had to wave the white flag, and take time off work with it. Today, firstly, that involved a trip to the Doctors surgery, to seek medical advice. I know, appointment on the same day, wow! Yes, it was the Surgery nurse, but in truth, thats all I really needed.
Fine, fun moment, she couldnt find me on the records. It is actually my first visit under my new name, but under 3 guises, I’ve been registered there since 2005. Even trying under the old names, no joy. Anyway, to cut it short, some hydro-cortisonal cream, and painkiller prescriptions later, and a form to go and get my back X-Rayed at the hospital (which will be tomorrow morning), I was off again. Yes, I had one of those ‘How much?’ moments with 2 prescription items, but I guess if you only buy these things once every eternity, its not too bad, I guess?
After that, was the work related Occupational Health appointment over the phone, explaining everything again, letting them know what had been prescribed, and said X-Ray screening, their advice was to do all that, and to stay off work until next Monday, and hope its cleared by then. Yes, I hope its cleared by then, too! So a call to work to update them on everything, then start to use the cream. Yes, it has a mild steroid count, so thats my Olympics career over, lol! It was anyway, but…
I guess the results of the X-rays will be interesting, though I suspect at fast approaching 60, a lot of my issues are just down to my age? But fine, I have to say it, if they find something that needs surgery, at least it will take the choice over the matter out of my hands, which has to be good? Osteoporosis? Why not, I seem to have suffered several ‘woman’ issues over the years, so it wouldnt totally surprise me! But generally, yes, I’m just ancient!
Which leads us to the videos tonight. Yes, 2 of the same song, but very different stylings. Firstly, the full length version, which presumably was the one used on the album?
Secondly, a version of the same song, but so different to the original, and probably not so often heard. No Tammy Wynette, but otherwise…
Oh, and lastly, if I do need surgery, can I please, please have a new internal body system like this one?
Sci-fi, and Huddersfield. Something in the air?
In truth, you would find it hard to imagine the heroes of the future (or infinity) being born in the Huddersfield area. Lets face it, it might be a lovely place to live, but as the place of science future, not really. But for acting roles at least, well…?
For now at least, the most famous local to travel through time, and space, would be Sir Patrick Stewart, who famously played the Captain of the Enterprise, in one of the numerous variations on the theme, over the years. As you can gather, I grew up on the original Shatner series, and never really caught up with the rest. Captain Picard, but dont ask me for details of events during his stay, all the same. Yes, Data should have appealed to me, I know, but still never really got into it.
But yes, Sir Patrick was born in Mirfield, only about 3-4 miles from where I live.
Now, we have another! Yes, I’m not going to go into all the boring details about the new Doctor Who, and I’m certainly not going to mention the fits that a few have had, over a woman being selected to play the new doctor either. What I am going to mention is that said lady, Jodie Whittaker was born in Skelmanthorpe, again not that far from here.
So clearly, if they ever decide to have an actress play a more mature version of Robot Girl, or they decide they need someone brave enough to be turned into a robot in a remake of Metropolis, I’m in the right place! Fine, I wasnt actually born that close to the town, but I’ve lived here for 12 years, so…?
Or of course, if she wants to let a local actress play a Cyberman, now that would be great! 😉
Congrats, and good luck, Jodie.
One thing that could never be said about KLF, was that they took themselves too seriously. Very much including this incarnation as The Timelords.
Can I have a P, Bob?
Before anyone makers assumptions about this featuring Bob Holness, or a certain TV quiz series, you’d be wrong. Its actually about a very silly event at work yesterday.
Let me explain, about once a quarter, they update the system we use at work on a Saturday. Nothing major, just minor tweaks generally, but given that Saturday is mainly about doing Admin stuff, using said system, between the odd phone call, or 6, not having it makes for a fairly slow day, because yes, we cant do work on the system while its down lol!
Me, yesterday, I settled down to doing some of my much ‘loved’ apprenticeship work, while the others did various other things to break up the boredom. Well, somewhere around lunchtime, this ended up involving a session of office ‘I Spy’. Yes, my lunchtime, so I missed most of the entertainment, as others tried to guess an item starting with P, for about 25 minutes. They had just solved it by the time I got back, and so I was asked my opinion as to what an item was called.
Me: “Planner.”
Apparently a previously mentioned team leader disagreed with this name for the item. Anyway, discussion continued (between calls) on the matter for quite a while, probably until the end of the shift! Sadly, or thankfully, it will be about 13 weeks before we return to this level of lunacy again. Until then, we will of course all act like perfect Humphrey Appleby types until then!
Yes, Madi, we love you, we do really! xxx
Ah, the video. Thats why I specified its not about the TV series, because this song was, err, not a tribute to it! This is Sweet, at their crazy best, as in the drummer getting up at the end of the first verse, and almost getting back in time to drum the second verse. Well, it was all mimed back then, so…Would anyone be surprised to hear I’d love the singers outfit, or Steve’s boots? I hope not! Some younger (but not too young) folk may remember this being sampled by the Timelords (aka KLF) for a certain song too
Someone’s gotten into my heart
Those who have been around a while, will know of the past life regression I did a few years back, and discovered I was a 20’s/30’s movie actress, though far, far less famous than Miss Harlow. Yes, that very modest actress, and dancer Clara E Johnson. Yes, for once I’m including that middle initial, because it may well hold a lot of significance.
No, I didnt find out that middle initial, or a few other details at the time of regression, but thankfully a chance to look at the census details for LA in 1930, managed to give me more than a few clues. So after that, I knew she was born in 1905, in Oklahoma, and came to LA in 1925, via Texas. Whether any more of her family travelled with her, no idea.
There are a couple of things that I didnt discover, one was her married name, so I have never been able to trace her last resting place. Nor have I managed to find out what the E stood for. Except, that maybe now…?
One of the Facebook groups included a number of women, who were part of the Goldwyn Girls dance troupe back then, and someone mentioned a list of the full troupe, who served over the years it existed. No, I didnt find a Clara Johnson there, before you ask. But what I did find, was an Elaine Johnson! Yes, that E! And guess what, typing that name into Google, bought up 4 pictures of the said Elaine Johnson. Oh fine, here’s a couple,
Cute, isnt she?
Fine, now the disclaimer, I have no literal evidence that this is my Miss Johnson, as it is possible there was another Johnson, with an E in her name, as a dancer, at the right time in history, but…for me, its a good enough match, thats my girl!
Agreed, I still have that annoying challenge of finding out her married name, and trying to trace her last resting place, but at least I now know how she ‘made a decent living’ as she quoted me, and what she looked like. So yes, to say thats a special moment for me, is putting it very mildly! No, Clara Elaine Johnson, until I find your last resting place, that search isnt finally over, but thats a massive step en route for me!
Video time came down to 2 choices. An old time dance number that might have had her in it, or the song given a massive clue in the blog title, and yes, its the latter. I’m sure if anyone had said Marc Almond, and Gene Pitney would work as a duo in the late 80’s, they’d have looked at you strangely. But yes, it worked brilliantly
We’ve got two tribes?
Firstly, to all my US readers, reading this on the right day, happy 4th of July. For non Americans, and those not reading this on the day of publishing, hope you’re having a good day, anyway.
I cannot vaguely imagine what life was like 241 years ago, on this day, in the small part of the US that was escaping the yoke of UK rule, so I’m not even going to try! The one thing I am sure of, is that it was probably a lot calmer, and quieter than today will be, in most places there. Of course, the US has grown quite considerably in size since then, even if the continent was there all that time ago, most of it, the colonists had never seen, and for most, never would. Indeed, back then, Alaska would actually have been part of Russia, now there’s an irony!
Back then, it would have taken months to traverse the country, by wagon, and horse, even if people had ever considered doing it, which I doubt. Now, in a matter of hours, you can cross the country by jet plane, though fine, if I had unlimited time, I still think doing it by train would be a whole lot more fun. Ironically, the train fare, with a cabin, would probably cost as much, if not more than the plane fare!
No, so far, I’ve never been in the US on the 4th of July, but maybe one day, after retirement, I will. A lot of it is down to the holiday season at work places, but also, for me, high summer in a lot of the US, would be ‘pretty warm’ for me. Maybe thats the time to go to Alaska lol?
But yes, have fun, if you’re celebrating.
I know, despite the title, I’ve avoided the obvious political comments until now. Now technically, this related to the Cold War, at its height in the 1980’s. But given a US leader’s ‘supposed’ ties to Russia, fine, I was feeling mischievous! Many said that Frankie Goes To Hollywood couldnt perform live, but this puts that theory to bed. Alright, its not quite the same as the recorded version, but its decent, all the same.
Somebody watching me?
Until about 6 weeks ago, this blog tended to dip into double figure daily views on days when I posted a new blog, and be lucky to reach more than a handful on days when I didnt. Fair enough, because of my posting pattern when working, by Friday, or Saturday, there’s not a lot fresh to see, so I could understand that. And may I add, most of the views, understandably were from the UK, with a number from the US, and a few others. And then…
The last 6 weeks or so, if I havent managed 25 views in a day, I’ve had a bad day. Most days its at least 30, and sometimes even more! The weird thing is, 90% plus of those, are from the US. I mean, I’ve had days when I’ve had over 40 views, on a non posting day, and everyone of them is in the US? So who is it, no idea. Given that I know the view count, and location stats seem reliable, I dont know where my new fan club has come from. I will say that if I believed the figures, most of them are individual people, coming in reading one article, in a 24 hour period, and nothing else. Thing is, I know that count isnt right, as I’ve had days in the past when I’ve had, for example, 3 viewers, but have had 5 countries listed in the location section. So yes, doesnt tie up.
But who has suddenly taken an interest in my blogs? Now, if this is some US film conglomerate, or theater company checking me out, before offering me a role, then great! Equally, if its some US newspaper, or LGBT group, looking at my blogs, before offering me a journalistic type role, equally great. I would jokingly say that it might be some scientist waiting to check all my robot/brainwashing fantasy stuff, and make me an offer to do something interesting to my mind, or those aliens reading it from Area 51, but suspect thats only in my dreams lol! Hopefully, one day, I might find out!
But yes, if you’re one of those new readers I’ve attracted, who reads all the old stuff, on a regular basis, let me know. Either here, by comment, or by email at stephmajor8@hotmail.com if you dont want everyone to know who you are, and why!
Oh, but if you are planning on making me a job/guinea pig offer to work in the US, for a while at least, let me know what is being considered for me, pretty please xxx
Right, video time. In the sense that the singer had hardly any hits, this song is probably more famed for Michael Jackson doing backing vocals on here than anything else.
stevielounicks 
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