"She helped me see I deserved to have quality of life"

For many years I have been in chronic pain with my legs and feet. I have attended my own GP surgery who have been absolutely fantastic with me since around 2007 with painful feet /ankles /legs etc . My GP gave me as much help and advice as possible but also referred me on several occasions to the appropriate health care I needed in hospital.

I attended orthotics for several years being issued 4 different sets of insoles leg braces. Surgical boots to wear but these only caused more issues and didn't help at all.

I was eventually referred to a lovely man called Dr Crane who quickly found what he believed to be the issue. So in November 2019 I went through my first surgery on my right ankle/foot, a triple infusion pinned and plated. Quickly down the line I saw a Dr Shah who carried 2 surgeries out on my left Foot/ankle the first 2021 then the second 2022.

During this period of time from 2007 till present my life has totally changed. I held my full time job for almost 39 years in retail and for 25 of those years as a store manager. I had to leave this position in 2019 as I no longer could do the long hours on my feet all day. I lost my confidence in myself my self worth my place in society. I continued to attend my GP who has been nothing but understanding caring and helpful but my pain just doesn't pass. My GP felt it would be helpful for me to attend occupational therapy so reluctantly I did . 

My occupational therapist is Elaine and I knew from our first meeting that I felt comfortable and happy to talk to Elaine. She helped with the practical issues I had. Carried out the home visits to ensure I had all the equipment I needed but most importantly Elaine helped me see I deserved to have quality of life, I deserved to put myself as a priority ar times that I deserved to have self love. With Elaine help I have requested further x rays on both my feet and ankles as the pain now travels up my legs and I walk with 2 walking aids and I have requested to attend a medication help group to see if there are any alternatives to the medication I am currently on. 

Elaine has been a massive help to me and I cannot thank her enough. I know that in the future I will not hesitate if I feel I am faltering in any way I will ask for Elaine's help again.  

To put it into perspective I struggle every day with pain with walking with functioning with day to day tasks all because of pain. It's tiring physically and mentally. This was not the person I used to be . 

Elaine. Thank you xxxx