The normal pain meds started working before I got up so I didn’t take the extra tramadol. However when I got up I was still in way more pain than normal. I pottered around the house for a bit in the morning, trying to make myself feel I was being helpful. By the time we left for Catherine’s brother’s at midday I’d convinced myself I’d be fine and so had stubbornly not relented and taken a tramadol. I eventually caved in about 1.30 but it was a few hours before I really started to feel the benefits. When we got home I was feeling fairly normal. We had something to eat and watched a bit of TV and then finished tidying up ready for my eldest daughter and her family to arrive. I don’t know how, but I lost track of time, and it was 3am before we came to bed. I was woken shortly before 6am, I think because the dog was restless. Cat was already awake and we eventually settled for a quiet life and let the pooch onto the bed with us. Cat and him are now fast asleep beside me again. Meanwhile I’m waiting for my pain meds to kick in, having once again taken them an hour earlier than a normally would in the morning.