Tag: writing

Funnel Web Spider

~ joannerambling ~ Leave a comment

Here in Australia, we are home to some of the world’s most deadly spiders here is some information about three of them which I will share over the next three weeks starting with the Sydney Funnel-Web Spider.

The Sydney funnel‑web isn’t just dangerous because of its venom but because of the combination of venom, behaviour, and anatomy.

Its venom is uniquely potent to humans as it targets the nervous system, causing nerves to fire uncontrollably. However, dogs, cats, and most mammals are barely affected.

They deliver a lot of venom, this may have something to do with the fact that they bit repeatedly injecting large amounts of venom while they hang on.

They have huge fangs up to 6 mm long and strong enough to pierce fingernails, leather shoes, and thick clothing.

They’re aggressive when threatened, they will rear up, show their fangs, and will lunge if provoked. This is defensive, not “attacking,” but it makes encounters more dangerous.

They love humidity and after rain males wander looking for mates. They can be found in pools, shoes, garages and laundries, they also enter houses often.

Most bites happen in summer after rain, especially between January and March.

Symptoms can begin within 10 minutes, they include the following:

  • Tingling around the mouth
  • Sweating (especially on the face)
  • Drooling
  • Muscle twitching
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Confusion or agitation

Without antivenom, severe cases can progress to respiratory failure.

In 1981 the antivenom was created by the legendary Australian venom researcher Struan Sutherland and changed everything as since then there have been zero deaths as the antivenom is extremely effective with most patients recover fully within 24–48 hours.

Now where do they live they can found in:

  • Sydney
  • Central Coast
  • Newcastle
  • Lake Macquarie
  • Hunter Valley
  • Blue Mountains

They prefer to hang out in the following conditions

  • moist soil
  • leaf litter
  • rock walls
  • garden beds
  • under logs
  • swimming pool filters

The male is far more dangerous they wander at night looking for females.

Females stay in burrows and rarely bite humans.

Their burrows are a silk‑lined tunnel, with “trip lines” radiating out like spokes and are in moist, dark areas such as under rocks or logs.

They don’t make the classic “funnel” shape people imagine — it’s more like a silk‑reinforced hole.

WEEK 24 OF 2026

~ joannerambling ~ 1 Comment

Had a good sleep, slept for a bit over 8hrs, had a nice shower when I got up, I don’t shower every day because I don’t go out a lot, nor do I get dirty or even hot and sweaty so don’t see the point in a daily shower. If I don’t shower, I do have a good wash first thing in the morning.

Tim got a phone call asking if he could work today, he started at 11.30am and will finish at midnight.

It is now 9pm and I have had 3hrs of sleep, around 5.30pm I started to feel not with it as in extremely tired and unwell. So, I had Tasha come and help me get ready for bed and while I was getting changed, I decided to just go to bed. I must have fallen asleep very fast as the next thing I knew I had to pee and realised it was 8.55pm. I will stay up for an hour or so before going back to bed.

Steps: 4,502 = 3k’s

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After I went back to bed I slept well till 4.40am when I got up and I feel good this morning. It is a cold 10c or 50f and I have the heater on but will turn it off soonish.

I have had a good morning, went for a walk and did the housework.

Tim didn’t get up till around 9am, thankfully it is a public holiday here so no work for Tim.

Dave has finally had his surgery so now he just needs to recover.

Steps: 4,962 = 2.5k’s

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I slept well and got up at 4.40am, I had around 7hrs of sleep, it is 10c or 50f at 5.30am.

I was late going for a walk so only walked around the driveway as I don’t like walking on the road after 8am due to the amount of traffic. I also don’t like using the walker on wet grass.

Dave has at long last had his surgery and all went well, Sue and I may go and see him on Friday.

I stripped the bed and remade it with warmer sheets. I managed it but it wasn’t easy and left me exhausted.

Steps: 7,697 = 3.9k’s or 2.5miles

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Had a good night, I was up at 4.20am and had a shower straight after getting up. The temp this morning was 14c according to my phone, or 13c according to my watch and the laptop said 10c, this is normal and when I write the temp each morning, I pick a number like today I would normally say 12c.

It is a warmish day, I had two naps during the day, I did the usual housework as well as mopping the kitchen floor.

After that I sat in a darkish room and closed my eyes for 25 minutes.

Dave is doing ok, but not up for visitors yet which I get I have long thought when someone is in hospital really unwell people coming to see them may feel draining, especially if all one wants to do is sleep.

After lunch I decided I needed another nap this time I slept for 55 minutes and felt good afterwards.

Steps: 8,258 = 4.1kgs or 2.5 miles.

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I had a so-so sleep got around 6 & ½ hours, woke at 4.20am and got up at 5am the temp is 14c or 57f, it is wet outside but not raining.

I had trouble trying to dress ready to go shopping, I couldn’t put my pants on and just sat on the side on the bed staring at nothing till I thought to put my Beechband on.

After I did that, my mind became focus enough to ring Tasha for help, she came and helped.

Sue and I went shopping, no issues but as we were leaving the centre my feet started to feel heavy and I was glad   to get home and take my shoes off.

Steps: 9,399 = 4.7k’s or 2.8 miles

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Had a decent night, up at 4.20am washed and dressed, the temp at 5am is 14c or 57f, I managed to get 6 & ½ hours of sleep.

Sue and I have Dr appointments for our care plan reviews this morning. All went well spoke to the doc about the popping sensation and pain on the left side of my neck at the base of the skull.

Dave is being discharged today.

By 4pm I was so tired I had to close my eyes for 30 minutes.

I told Tasha not bother coming down tonight as I am fine and it’s cold and wet outside.

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I slept well but was awake and up at 4am after having nearly 8hrs of sleep. It is 12c or 53f at 5am, one thing I like about getting up that early is having how quiet and still the morning feels.

Sue locked herself out of her flat this morning and had to ring Sandy who was still asleep and get her to take the spare key over and let Sue into the flat, it was 9.30am.

Sue and I went to Kmart so she could get a new lighter vacuum then we went to see Dave. He doesn’t look good, he was sleeping on the lounge, and I thought he looks old and sick. Both Sue and I thought the same thing.

Tim is at work today and won’t be home till around 1am.

Steps: 9,846 = 5k’s or 3 miles

Update on Dave

~ joannerambling ~ 10 Comments

Hi all, I am posting this update about my brother, these are text messages sent by my sister in-law.

Sunday 7 June

We have some beautiful nurses today making regular calls to the Theatre team to see if his still to be done today, his still on the list for today so far and unfortunately just playing the waiting game again!

Cancelled for the 4th time, doing it all over again tomorrow!

I’m thinking they took him off the emergency list when his bloods improved so not so urgent but surely it would be making scare tissue and adhesions etc

Monday 8 June

They have collected him for surgery just now! 😔🎉Should be approx 1hr plus up to 2hrs recovery! Won’t know yet if he will go to ICU or a ward but they will call me when he hits recovery! 🤞all goes well and his recovery can start! Thank you so much for your love and support, will update again when his out! ❤️

And please sisters don’t panic if he does go to ICU they have a bed ready for him in icu just in case he needs it and it’s could just be a cautionary me to send him there because of his diabetes in her blood pressure

Tuesday 9 June

Hey all, his still in recovery, his asking to hold off visiting until he hits the ward as only 1 visitor at a time and his sleeping on and off still! His had a reasonable sleep overnight a little pain on coughing but has a pain button to press every 5 mins if needed! No details from the surgeon yet on how it went, didn’t have to open so just 2 chest drains for a few days and small wounds to heal!

At this stage he will get a bed F3 bed 12 but won’t be ready till 11ish but nurses talk will be 3pm lol.

I will add that on Monday Leigh told the hospital that if he didn’t have his surgery today, she wanted him transferred to Newcastle Private Hospital this is the hospital where they both work, Leigh as a nurse and Dave is in charge of the back-dock.

She filled in forms and lodged a complaint as Dave had been told he would have his surgery only to have it postpone 4 times and we all felt this was a joke

DAVE & LEIGH

Beechband

~ joannerambling ~ 2 Comments

Today I am writing about the Beechband, what is it you may wonder well it is a device to help control the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.

The Beechband works by delivering steady, rhythmic vibration pulses on your wrist to help calm and regulate movement, speech, and anxiety symptoms—especially for people with Parkinson’s.

It’s essentially a wearable version of a therapeutic tapping technique that its creator originally used manually.

It produces rhythmic pulsing vibrations (around 85 beats per minute in many cases). These pulses mimic a metronome‑like tapping that can help the brain stabilise movement patterns and reduce anxiety.

For some people, the effect is immediate, while for others it builds gradually over several weeks.

It can help with the following symptoms anxiety and stress, dyskinesia, rigidity, freezing of gait and other walking problems, speech difficulties, sleep issues and tremor of course.

However not everyone experiences the same benefits—some feel a big change, others only subtle effects, and some none at all.

You wear it on your wrist (or try switching wrists or even the ankle if results vary). Turn, it on and ignore it—most people stop noticing the vibration after 15–30 minutes.

It is recommended to use it daily for at least 6 weeks to judge whether it helps. Friends or family often notice improvements before the wearer does.

The vibration can be loud for some people; the battery life is often short around 3–4 hours.

Some users report major improvements in gait and freezing; others report no change.

The Beechband is a non‑medical wearable that uses steady vibration cues to help regulate movement and reduce anxiety. It doesn’t treat Parkinson’s itself, but for some people it provides meaningful day‑to‑day relief.

I have this device and it works great for me it calms my body, stops the internal tremor and helps clear my mind allowing me to focus and connect.

Week 21 of 2026

~ joannerambling ~ Leave a comment

I was up at 4.10am I had 7hrs of sleep and decided to have my shower then; after dressing I came out to the messy kitchen after cleaning that, I swept the kitchen floor and the lounge-room as well.

It is currently 13c or 55.4f and 5.30am.

I went for my walk did a little extra, today feels more like Monday not Sunday, it has warmed up to 22c or 71.6f.

Tim home at 4pm, he is so annoying at times when we are watching the news, and he gets angry with the pollies flapping their gums spouting nothing and yeah, I get how he feels but it does get on my nerves.

Steps: 8,763 = 4.4k’s or 2.6miles

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I was up at 4.25am after 7.5hrs of sleep, it is currently 16c or 60f I am dressed and starting my day, I hope all I know have a good day.

Around 11am I started to feel really cold so had to turn the heater on, but only for 15 minutes and then I was good.

It has rained on and off all day, no nap today got stuck in and sorted through my medical folder and shredded a lot of stuff, I then went looking and found Tim’s stuff he had two folders both with only a few things in them so combined that into one folder.

I also sorted out my drawers moving my shorts into the spare room and getting my winter Pj’s from the spare room and moving them to the bedroom.

Steps: 6,215 = 3k’s or 1.8 miles.

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I was up at 4.25am after 7.5hrs of sleep, it is currently 13c or 55.4f I am dressed and starting my day, I hope all I know have a good day.

I rang to arrange the MRI, but it’s not covered by Medicare, and the cost would be $300 so I said not to worry about it. I sent an email to the doctor’s surgery letting them know. I don’t really need the MRI it was just a suggestion.

I went for my walk and just after I got home it started to rain again. It has rained on and off all day.

Steps: 7,778

It’s Wednesday already, I have been up since 4.30am, the temp is 13c or 55.4f and it’s not raining. I slept for 9.5hrs and woke up feeling good.

I went for my walk after that I decided to mop the kitchen and bathroom floors. I took the clothes off the hoist, folded and put them away.

This afternoon I cleaned the glass sliding doors, they were very dirty, I also went for another walk just around the driveway after I checked the letter box.

Had a phone call from the Dr’s I know have an appointment tomorrow morning because I said I can’t afford to have the MRI done.

I had to put my watch on to charge, and it has been charging since 11am and it’s still not done.

Steps: 7,028 = 3.5k’s or 2.1 miles

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I am up bloody early it was 4.15am when I got up as I was awake and couldn’t get back to sleep so I got up. I did have a good 8hrs of sleep.

At 5am it was 13c or 55.4f and it is supposed to be around 19c.

I walked down to post a couple of letters.

Saw the Dr he wants me to have a CT scan instead of the MRI, for those who don’t know the CT scan will be bulked billed meaning I don’t have to pay for it.

It has rained all afternoon and it’s cold enough to have the heater on.

Steps: 7,023 = 3.5k’s or 2.1 miles

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Another early start got up at 4.15 after 8 and a half hours of sleep, had my shower and dressed. It is raining this morning; it should stop soon. It is 13c again with a top of only 19c.

Sue and I had an appointment with the podiatrist, all went well.

It has been raining on and off all day.

I am feeling so so, I tried to have a nap but wasn’t able to settle.

Tim and Tasha are fighting again, and I am caught in the middle again.

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I slept well, found Tim asleep in his armchair he is still in a foul mood, I got up at 4.10am he then went to bed.

It was fine when I got up but by 8am it was raining again, thankfully I went for my walk earlier.

It has rained on and off all day again, Tim’s mood has improved during the day.

Kathy rang at 3pm we talked for 30 minutes. Because of the improvement in Tim’s mood, I didn’t want to set him off again so asked that nothing be said that would do that.

However, Tasha posted something on the family chat that set him off again, I felt so stressed that I walked up the driveway and around it and back again. When I got back, I was gone maybe 5 minutes, Tim wasn’t here, he wouldn’t answer my phone call but did when I text asking where he was, he said he didn’t know. He then said he would either tonight or tomorrow. He got back about 7pm in another really foul mood, I went to bed.

I am so over it all.

Steps: 8,349 = 4k’s or 2.6 miles

Week 20 of 2026

~ joannerambling ~ 3 Comments

MOTHER’S DAY

I was up at 4.15am, my Cpap mask was annoying me, so I got up, it is a cold morning.

I did manage to go for my walk after I sat in my recliner and closed my eyes for a while.

Sue picked up and we went to the cemetery; we saw Dave & Leigh and Liarna as well as Sandy and Denni &Skylar.

While I was out Kathy came over and left me three framed photos for Mother’s Day.

Tasha came down and wished me a good Mother’s Day, Jessica & Sam rang to wish me the same.

Uploading: 55510 of 55510 bytes uploaded.

Steps: 8,526 = 4.3k’s or 2.6miles

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Had a good night slept for 9hrs, woke to the sound of rain, it is 13c or 55.4f and the rain is supposed to stop by 7am, I hope it does as I have a Dr appointment at 8.50am.

The rain did stop and we went and had our flu shots, then we went shopping for a few things.

This afternoon I started to feel not great and as the afternoon dragged on my PD symptoms worsened, so I checked with Google and yeah, the flu shot can do that, but I should be ok tomorrow or Wednesday.

I’m going to bed early

Steps: 7,225 = 3.6k’s or 2. 1 mile.

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I woke up feeling fine, it is another chilly start to the day with the temp being 15c or 59f, I slept for around 8hrs, yeah, I was up at 4am again.

No walk this morning as my feet felt so heavy when I tried to walk, I was worried I would fall over. By midday I was feeling good.

Had a nap between 1 and 2pm and woke feeling good.

Last night in a dream I received a stern talking to from my dad, he told me I should have got medical attention as soon as I fell over on the cruise, and that I must take more care and look after myself. He also said how proud he was of Sue for looking after me.

Steps: 5,113 = 2.5k’s or 1.5miles

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I had a good night, managed 7hrs of sleep and was up at 4,20am, the temp was 13c or 55.4f. It is also raining, I hope it stops by 7am so I can go for my walk.

It is raining this morning I hope it stops before I need to go out for the MRI.

It rained on the way to have the MRI but stopped by the time we got there. I had very little waiting and the scan took only 10minutes, I closed my eyes and dosed off while it was done.

We then went to the plaza so I could pick up my scrips and get bread.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….I was awake at 3am and up at 4am as I was restless and unable to settle, so got up and had a shower. It is wet outside but not raining.

The temp is 15c or 59f and I had a decent 9hrs of sleep.

While out shopping my Dr’s surgery rang and said I need an appointment to get the MRI results, so I am now going to the Dr’s tomorrow morning.

I had a short nap and started to feel better after that, as I wasn’t feeling good.

Tasha brought down my Mother’s Day gift a foot spa and I love it; I am so excited about it.

Steps: 5,510 = 2.8k’s or 1.7miles

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I didn’t get up till 4.50am how cool is that, I had another good 9hrs of sleep, the temp is 13c or 55.4f and it is wet outside, not raining at the moment.

Went and saw the Dr he read the report from Hunter Imaging which said there was no ligamentous injury, however, it also said that there are bone marrow changes and bruising at T2 and T3 and some subtle changes to T1 and recommended another MRI of the thoracic spine. I have requested an appointment for that to be done.

Bought Tim another loaf of bread, asked the women 3 times if it was sandwich, she said it was, Tim took one look at it and said it’s toast not sandwich, I explained that I checked with the woman who served me, and he said what an idiot. Thankfully he wasn’t angry with me.

It has rained on and off all day, I tried to have a nap at 12.30 but only managed to lay down for 20 minutes as I felt restless.

Steps: 8,526 = 4.3k’s or 2.6miles

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I didn’t get up till the alarm went off at 5am, so a good night getting 10hrs of sleep. It is 12c or 53.6f this morning I had the heater on in the bathroom and bedroom when I had my morning wash and got dressed for the day.

Around 10am Sue text me that she had attempted to clean her air fryer, which was originally mums, but it was so gross that she decided to toss it out and buy a new one. So, we went to Kmart to do that, she bought a mini air fryer which is all she needs as it is only her.

However, as she was leaving her place, she was carrying the old one to toss it in the bin and managed to twist her ankle and throw herself left so she wouldn’t’ fall down the stairs, she hurt her arm, ankle and head.

Steps: 9,179 = 4.6k’s or 2.8miles

Week 19 of 2026

~ joannerambling ~ Leave a comment

I slept straight through the night not waking till the alarm went off at 5am and I am feeling good this morning. I was having my wash when I heard the kettle going and wondered why Tim was up so early, he said he couldn’t sleep.

It is 16c or 61f this morning, it is going to be a warm day with a top of 28c or 82.4f.

I had a good 7&half hours of sleep

I managed to vacuum, sweep and do a load of washing as well as hang it on the clothes hoist to dry and take the hoists outside. I also went for my walk the normal walk I do, this morning without fear of falling.

I have a lot of lower back pain this afternoon.

Steps: 7,481 = 3.7k’s or 2.2miles

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Had another good night slept getting 9hrs of sleep before waking up 10 minutes before the alarm. It is 5.30am and 16c or 61f we are heading for a top of 28 again. I have woken with lower back pain again. I applied Deep Heat and it helped also applied a heat patch

I went for my morning walk.

I asked Sandy if she was in the area could she come and take my shower curtain down so I can wash it, she did. It is now soaking in wash booster.

Steps: 4,999 = 2.6 or 1.6miles

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I was up at 4am but I was in bed by 7pm last night and had a good 9hrs of sleep, at 4.30am it was 15c or 59f only supposed to reach 21c today.

I noticed it had been raining during the night and when it became near the time I like to go for a walk it was still wet, so I decided to wait. When I did go, I walked down and posted letters I had written.

The air fryer/oven I bought Jess as a housewarming gift arrived today.

Steps: 5,960 = 3k’s or 1.8miles

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What a pissy night, from 1am I was up and down to the loo like a damn yo yo, at 3am I got up for half an hour as I felt restless, when I went back to bed I slept for an hour before getting up to start my day.

Had the doc appointment, got referral for MRI emailed it to Hunter Imagine and they will contact me.

I had to have a nap at 11.15am I slept till 11.50am. I woke up to a messy kitchen. Tim said he would clean it up, but I did it.

Around 2pm I started to feel unwell, headache, tired, upset tummy. Oh well tomorrow’s another day and hopefully I will feel better then.

Steps: 5,212=2.6k’s or 1.6miles

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I was in bed by 7pm last night went straight to sleep but woke at 8.30pm went to the loo and decided to stay up for a big that turned into an hour, after returning to bed I slept through to 5am. The temp at 5.30am was 11c or 52f.

I did a load of washing and hung them on the clothes hoists and took them outside.

I had a nap at 11am for an hour then I had lunch, around 1.30pm I brought the clothes hoists in as it is windy.

I have felt cold on and off all day.

I have sent Tash a text saying I need to go to bed and could she help, even though it is only 5.30pm I am struggling to stay awake and feel sick.

Steps: 5523=2.8k’s or 0.5miles

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Good morning and hello Friday, I woke at 4.10 to pee and went back to bed till 4.30 when I got up. At that time, it was 9c or 48f. I had a good 9hrs of sleep and I feel ok now.

I went for a walk and posted the letters and then I swept up all the leaves out the front and vacuumed out.

It is really cold here for me I had to turn the heater on as the cold room gave me a headache.

This afternoon after my nap I didn’t feel as cold but around 5.30pm I got a headache.

Flu shot at 8.50

MRI at 13.20 be there at 12.50

Good morning and hello Saturday I was up at 4.30am and had a shower it was 10c or 50f. I found the kitchen in a mess cleaned it up and had breakie.

It feels crisp outside; I’m waiting for my body to settle enough to go for a walk.

Tim and I went to Medowie to check out a camper van. I couldn’t get into it as it was too high.

This afternoon Tim is attempting to put the table Jessica bought together, he said it is going to take hours.

He is also in a damn awful mood going on about no one helps him, although when he said something about needing help with the table, she said she would come down tomorrow and help, this went over his head because being in a mood feels better, I guess.  I am so over his damn mood.

Steps: 4,356=2.2k’s or 1.3miles

A stressful day

~ joannerambling ~ 10 Comments

Hi all, yesterday Friday 1 May was a stressful day for me I had to go and have an Xray done of my neck as I still have pain from when I fell on the cruise. However, I had only just got home when my doctor’s surgery called to tell me I had to go back and have a CT scan done of my neck asap. So, I went back and had that done the radiologist spoke to Sue and explained there was a small break in the neck.

After a couple of hours my doctor’s surgery rang and said I needed to go to emergency about the break, I didn’t want to go due to the time, but of course I did, Sue took me over and she stayed with me the whole time, I was there around 8hrs.

So, I have a C4 teardrop fracture at the back of my neck but thankfully not the front and the break is stable.

A C4 teardrop fracture is a serious injury to the cervical spine, typically caused by high-energy trauma such as a car accident or a heavy fall. This type of fracture occurs at the fourth cervical vertebra and is often associated with damage to the spinal cord, which can result in varying degrees of paralysis or loss of sensation below the level of the injury. In addition to bony damage, there may also be ligamentous injury and potential instability in the neck, making immediate medical attention critical to prevent further complications.

Symptoms of a C4 fracture vary depending on the injury’s severity and spinal cord involvement. Patients experience localized pain in the neck, which may radiate to the shoulders or arms. Muscle spasms, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms and legs are common. More serious neurological deficits, such as paralysis in the arms, hands, torso, and legs, or even loss of diaphragm function requiring ventilator assistance, can occur with spinal cord involvement. Recognizing these symptoms and seeking prompt medical attention is important to prevent further damage.

I now have to go back to my GP and arrange to have an MRI done to check for ligamentous injury.

So what does this mean in the long run, well it is still a serious cervical spine injury a future fall could cause loss of stability in the fracture which would not be good. As this could cause damage to the spinal cord resulting in problems breathing, difficulties moving my arms, loss of sensation in my body.

Worsening of the fracture as in an increased displacement, new cracks, or involvement of other vertebrae. As well as soft‑tissue injury to ligaments, discs, and muscles around the fracture can be damaged, reducing stability.

Then there are delayed neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling, weakness, or changes in coordination.

So even a “simple” fall — tripping, slipping, or landing awkwardly can transmit force through the neck. So, a stable C4 teardrop fracture can stay stable if protected, but a fall can change the situation quickly.

Week 18 of 2026

~ joannerambling ~ 3 Comments

I had an early start woke at 3.45am to pee couldn’t settle again so got up at 4am, the first thing I did was have a shower. I had a good 9hrs of sleep.

Then I had to clean the kitchen and start the laundry before unpacking the dishwasher and making myself a milk shake.

After hanging the washing out, I went for my daily walk it has been a warm day.

This afternoon I was folding the clothes up and felt extremely exhausted and Tim asked me what was wrong I told him I was exhausted and he said how about I do the yard work, and he does the housework, I replied how about you have Parkinson’s and I don’t. He said what’s that got to do with it, every bloody thing that’s what.

Here I am on Monday morning been up since 4.20am had a good 9hrs of sleep again it is now 5.45am and the temp is 13c or 55f.

I have had a busy morning sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, changed the bed sheets.

Tim hung the washing on the outside clothesline. He is off today as it is a public holiday.

It warmed up to 23c or 73f.

Steps: 8,937 = 4.5k’s of 2.7 miles

I had a so-so night, I was up and out of bed by 3.30am due to being in so much pain, the pain is on the left side of my neck and my right hip as well as my back from the middle down. I still feel a bit tired, but I am doing ok I am functioning. I had around 6hrs of sleep.

It is 11c or 52f at 4am and it is supposed to warm up to 22c.

Sue said she things I should see the doctor to make sure all is ok since I have been in pain and have limited movement in my neck since I fell over on the cruise. So I now have an appointment tomorrow.

I had an hour a nap after lunch, but by 6.30pm I was falling asleep in my armchair so off to bed I go.

Steps: 8,226 = 4k’s or 2.4miles

I had a good night slept through to 4am when I got up to pee felt awake and decided to stay up. I had around 9hrs of sleep. The temp at 5am is 13c or 55f.

I have made a doctor’s appointment for 11.24am, seen the doc he wants me to get an Xray done of my neck just to be sure all is good.

Sandy said I might have a slipped disc I hope she is wrong.

Sandy rang to tell me she can no longer deal with Landon’s violent nature so has informed DCJ of that and he is being returned to his mum. Sandy has done the best she could and did make some progress but her own daughter is not in a good place mentally and she wants to focus on her needs. She will let Landon know she is only a phone call away if he needs to talk to someone.

Michelle has gone on and on about wanting her kids back and now that she is getting Landon back, she doesn’t really want him because he will interrupt her life.

Steps: 9,809 = 5k’s or 3miles

Another early start to the day and I was up later last night it was 8pm when I went to bed. I slept well till 3am when I got up to pee but found it hard to settle again, so at 4am I got up and had my shower.

I am feeling good this morning no morning walk because I am going shopping with Sue.

I have had a good day I washed the ramp outside after sweeping it and I vacuumed and washed the towels all before Sue picked me up.

Steps: 10,353 = 5k’s 3miles

A good night managed 7hrs of sleep was up at 4.30, washed, dressed and ready for the day, first task of the day unpack the dishwasher and clean the kitchen.

Tim doesn’t sound good this morning he sounds like he has a cold.

I went and had my Xray done but after I got home, I had a phone call from the doctor’s surgery letting me know I now need a CT scan done today.

So, I have had the CT scan done and it turns out I have a small break in a bone in my neck. I am now waiting to hear from my GP as to what he wants to do next.

The GP sent me to the emergency room where I am going now, and I expect to be there till sometime late tonight.

Steps: 8,498 = 4.3k’s or 2.6 miles

I slept well after finally getting home at around 10.50pm, I spoke to Tim for a bit then went to bed.

I had around 6hrs of sleep, I was up at 6.15.

So it seems I have a stable C4 teardrop fracture in my neck, I have to see my GP and get referred for an MRI.

There were many phone calls to Sue during the time at the hospital, a good reminder of how much my; family love me.

Yes, I am worried about falling over again. I cannot let my fear of falling over again to stop me walking each day.

Steps: 5,751

Cruise Day 2

~ joannerambling ~ 5 Comments

On our first night on the cruise the ship is moving a lot, and there was a lot of announcements telling guest to hold on to handrails or walk close to the wall if they are feeling unsteady.

I did feel the ship moving but once I was in bed I didn’t notice it and had a good 9hrs of shut eye. I was still up at 5am and spent time writing my diary entry and drafting a letter to my penpals.

We had breakfast in the Botticell Dining room, and we will not be going back there, there service was so slow, and Tim didn’t like what he ordered. The bacon was so crispy it hurt our teeth; the waiter told us we should have ordered English bacon.

Jess started to feel sick with motion sickness and skipped breakie and return to her cabin to sleep, she in fact spent the rest of the day sleeping.

After breakie Sue and I went to hear a talk about Hobart and Port Arthur it was interesting but due to how much the ship was rocking I start to feel unwell, so we left before it ended.

After lunch Sue and I returned to our cabins for a nap, I was woken by my alarm for medication. I walked into the bathroom feeling great lost my balance or tripped I don’t know which and fell, I hit my head and ended up with a bruise on my arm, a sore right knee and a very sore and stiff neck. I managed to stand and walk back to the bed get my phone and ring Sue. I tried to ring Tim but couldn’t. Sue turned up in only a couple of minutes she was still in her nightie and barefoot and left her medallion in her cabin, she checked me over then returned to her cabin. She had to knock loudly on the door to wake Jess up to let her back in the cabin. She told Jess about my fall and assured I was alright, so Jess went back to sleep.

Sue messaged Tim and as soon as he saw the message he came back to check on me.

I am bruised and sore, in fact today I went and saw my GP because I still have a pain and stiffness in my neck and I have to have an Xray just to make sure all is good.