we have a diagnosis

C Sorry this is a bit of a moan but I need to get it off my chest.was summoned to the doctors this afternoon following his blood tests yesterday.He has got acute rheumatoid arthritis and has been referred to see a rheumatologist urgently.At first I was relieved it wasn't Parkinson's but this is still going to have a big impact on his life and mine.At the moment I am feeling really down.He has had six years of various medical conditions and now this.Our friends all seem to be going through life without any problems.

Our trip to Madeira

 These are some of the flowers we saw in the Botanic Garden.This was reached by cable car.It is not the best time of the year to visit Madeira but we still saw a lot of wonderful sights and had much better weather than we had anticipated.

                                         Weird looking cacti.The tall droopy thing is the flower!!

                                          Strange looking fruit /veg!!

 We had a great week and it was so good to feel the sun on your face.It rained for ten minutes when we arrived but that was all.Sunshine hours varied each day but was enough.

This was taken at the hotel just before we left for the airport hence the long trousers.We had to be prepared for the cold of NW England and then home in N Wales.

We have been back two weeks now and I have only just found time to do this blog.We were only back two days when our Cambridge family came to stay for four days.I couldn't believe how much food we went through!!!Since then it has been catching up with all the washing etc.

In Funchal duty free shop we bought some wine which we put in our rucksack and C carried.Following this he has had pain in his neck ,knees,hands,shoulders and arms.We put this down to carrying the wine but last Friday he had a funny episode.His hands had been swollen and he had trouble getting his wedding ring off.We went out for the evening and when we came back he couldn't get out of the car.Eventually he managed it and I got him upstairs but he couldn't undress himself.His hands were so painful and sswollen and his whole body was stiff and aching.It frightened the life out of me.I didn't sleep.I had checked he hadn't got a temperature(he has no spleen).Saturday morning he could move a bit better and today just has tingling in his hands.I am insisting he goes to the doctor tomorrow to find out what happened(if he can get an appointment).I don't want to go through that again and neither does he.Fingers crossed it was a virus and not the start of something more serious.