Wednesday 27 October 2021

Real Life

 


Last Saturday Keith and I drove a lovely x-country route up to Ludlow (via Knighton, if that means anything to you!) to go to an Antiques Fair there, on the Racecourse. Well, not on the actual grass - in the buildings there.  There were a few familiar faces, and some nice things offered, but it was a bit heavy on jewellery, ceramics and silver.  We are furniture folk at heart and were a bit disappointed on that count. We slowly went around the stalls (there weren't that many) before heading for home - by a different route as I wasn't paying attention and missed the turning for the route we'd come in on.  

Below - the only photograph I took, which is a pretty quilt made from printed Indian fabrics.



Above, my monthly treat, and below, current Downstairs Reading.


    Apologies for being short on words these days.  Life has a lot to answer for.  We are currently hunkered down as Covid cases have really spiked in our little town (we had heard it was rife in the schools) and it doesn't take many to make it look Very Scary Indeed as this is a small community.  Entire families stand the risk of catching it when a child is infected.  I was careful when I went shopping yesterday to stand in the queue to pay each time behind an Elderly Person, rather than young enough to have school-going children.  Although we've had our booster jabs, I am still wary though I try not to count days after we have been to a Fair.  We always wear masks and walk through without stopping more than a minute or so to look at a particular stand.

    It's harder when we have tradesmen in the house, but I have to insist that masks be worn, to be on the safe side.  Keith and Tam are more complacent, and both think I am being a bit of a worry-wort, but I don't think you can be too careful in your home.  The Plumber will be coming soon (I hope - it should be next week) and will be here for a week and I shall have windows open and insist on masks - it will be him, his apprentice and then the chap to do the tiling.

    I am feeling very down as Keith's health isn't improving now he has been off the steroids for a few months.  We can no longer lay his symptoms at the door of the steroids.  His walking is not good, his balance is worse, and whilst we have his brain scan brought forward, the results may be even more worrying.  He went to the Falls Clinic recently but they said they couldn't really help him as his balance is so bad - so now he's been referred to Physio.  We just want a diagnosis and hopefully treatment. The future doesn't look very bright at the moment.

    We will have to deal with it as it unrolls, but I can't plan anything really - we had hoped for a holiday once we had moved, but Covid has put this plan on hold, and the longer we go on, the less mobile Keith becomes. We've not been away for longer than two nights in over twenty years.  I've looked into getting a Blue Badge, as he struggles getting in and out of the car and walking is an effort but apparently that isn't enough to qualify.  You have to be terminally ill, or have a broken leg or both arms not functioning (to put money in a meter).  

    I am really struggling to try and be positive right now, so if I just put up photos, and few words, you will know why.  I don't normally like to post about personal problems but I need to offload.  Apologies.

25 comments:

  1. Different routes are not getting lost..they are exploring!

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    1. You're right! We ended up on the road which goes through Hundred House, which we regularly use now when heading Leominster way. Loving our exploring round here.

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  2. I think it's worth applying again for a Blue Badge. I have one and as far as I know I don't have a terminal illness nor are my legs in plaster. When I first applied (in Wales) I had to go to the Council offices to be assessed as to my walking etc, but I never had to do that, just answer questions as to my capabilities. I can't remember if they told me there and then or if I had to wait, but since then I have to apply every two to three years for a replacement. Receiving DLA may have helped my cause, so maybe you, or Keith, should apply for that.

    That quilt is stunning.

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  3. Thanks Joan. We haven't applied at all, as looking at the rulings on line, Keith doesn't qualify. However, I've just gone to check it and ended up at a different page, where I can actually apply and he does qualify! So will do so once Keith's had his scan so we can get a Dr's letter to accompany. Thank you SO much.

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    1. You're welcome Jenni, I thought it was worth trying again because I knew of someone who got a Blue Badge because she had arthritus and I never knew. I thought that if she could get one then Keith would surely qualify. Good luck.

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    2. Well, it's such a struggle for him to get in and out of the car and to walk a long way to the shop we need is a struggle. He's certainly pass the walking test for the Council. A couple of years ago he could run 1 1/2 miles several times a week . . . those days are past.

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  4. The clam shell quilt is very unusual, possibly so from the choice of fabric.
    Whole of Wales pretty bad with Covid, and spiking here too. I cancelled my dental appointment.
    Hope you get some action on Keith's diagnosis. It sounds as if it's been dragging on for you. Being poorly is never funny, but in these days of pandemic it's so much worse.

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    1. I rather like it too, but I have just one big quilt left in me and I already have the pattern and fabric! Hoping to start on it this winter.

      I think the schools are where Covid is spreading rapidly at present. Sorry it's also spiking in your area - you are in a touristy bit too aren't you? We got to see our dentist (in another town) a couple of weeks back but he said, come back in a year, despite noting decay in one toof. Must mean they're not doing anything until it is deemed safe - or you go private, in which case they will happily don the full gear and charge you for it.

      Keith has his scan (which was considered non-urgent) next week, so we will wait and see. If it shows nothing, then ??? the way forward.

      I'm so sorry that you have had an unwelcome diagnosis and hope that you can get treatment that works for you so you can carry on enjoying life for many years yet.

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  5. I do hope you can get a diagnosis soon - it must be a very worrying and anxious time for you all. So difficult too these days to get hospital appointments for tests and such like and then such long waiting lists for a consultant appointment. Thinking of you.

    The rises in cases are very worrying indeed. Herefordshire cases were recently higher than where we live and yet I used to feel safer there and did things I wouldn't do at home. We had a boiler service and a vist from some BT engineers a few months back and we insisted they wore masks although I don't think they were very happy about it. Now masks no longer mandatory in shops and public transport in England so few people are wearing them which is even more worrying for someone as cautious as me and I am now even less likely to go anywhere.

    I hope all goes well next week with the scan and you can get a diagnosis and some treatment for Keith.

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    1. Not a good time to be ill, that's for certain, and waiting lists for the NHS are huge. We have to keep on keeping on though, and we go to the Fairs as that's what keeps Keith going. I think Covid is most likely to be passed on in the home from family members who have caught it at work, or on public transport (esp. now masks are no longer mandatory in such situations, which is crazy to me). I think you are safe enough going into a building which isn't crammed with people, as long as you are wearing a mask and use gel if you have touched a door. I try and avoid supermarkets at busy times and prefer to go to Morrisons or Tesco, which might be busier than Aldi, but the aisles give a lot more room and there is more roof space. Aldi always feels hugger-mugger.

      I think - just carry on going places, but do it at times when they aren't likely to be so busy. We're not going to Hay today as it's half-term so will be busy and lots of people "from off". e.g. not local.

      We will see what the scan reveals - possibly nothing, but his symptoms are looking more circulation-based than anything else.

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  6. You didn't get lost, you took the road less traveled.

    I hope that the scan shows what is wrong and your husband can get started on the healing process.

    Covid peaked here again a couple of weeks ago and is gradually dropping once again. Still I will not be heading into stores very often, and will always wear a mask while out and about. Well unless I am walking.

    God bless.

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  7. Indeed Jackie. It turned into a road we knew anyway! Then we tried another road to get to Llandod for some groceries, so that's another route we can add to our localish knowledge. Lovely scenery along the way too.

    A diagnosis and treatment would be helpful.

    I shall be glad when cases drop here again.

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  8. We agree with GZ - satnavs have taken the fun (and the challenge) out of exploring, but getting offpiste occassionally can turn up some of life's great discoveries.

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    1. We mainly plot our route by old fashioned road-map. When it's streets in an unknown town though, we use the sat-nav wotsit on the phone. We have to collect a piece of furniture soon, and will need the town-bit mapped out for us!

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  9. I'm sorry for your troubles. I too have similar experiences w health and covid issues. A friend was very offended that I turned down a concert, a rock benefit! I could just see the excited concert goers spewing covid germs. Blogger Sue in Suffolk says covid has not changed her life, [I commend her!], but sadly covid has removed all the fun in some lives, and having repair persons in is a huge scary issue. Plus everything from food to vet bills has enormously increased. Just do your best, you are so strong and active! How I envy your antiques and market outings.

    love

    lizzy gone to the beach....

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    1. Well, we shall carry on carrying on as long as possible Lizzy. Life is too short to do otherwise. We are careful when we are out and about and I couldn't contemplate being stuck in a theatre with thousands of others. I take my hat off to Sue as well, but I am a bit of a worry-wort . . . I really don't like strangers in my house. Bad enough when we have our children here as they are out in the big wide world and G and D live in big cities too.

      I agree with the prices of everything going up (and "some" tradespeople happy to rip you off if they can . . .) Since we've been here we've had people come to do one small job and trying to part with tens of thousands for little "projects". Money we haven't got to spare and if we had we would spend it on what WE want, not what they think they should persuade us to have!

      I don't know about strong and active, I can't do 8 hour gardening days any more - as I could pre-Covid!

      I shall put up my antique fair reports as they happen so you can enjoy them vicariously.

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  10. Sorry you are having cause to be worried, and hope Keith has some better news soon.

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    1. Well the scan is next week. I don't know how long the wait for the results will be. I will be on tenterhooks.

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  11. We are not surprised that you are feeling down at the moment. You must be so worried about your husband and we thank you for letting us all know. We quite understand your need to share some of your worries. Your positive attitude will help things and hopefully the scan will mean a diagnosis and treatment plan soon. Please pursue the blue badge issue, perhaps in person (even though difficult for Keith) at your council offices where they can see the problem and talk.
    Best wishes Wendy (Wales)

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    1. Thanks Wendy. They say "Old age never comes alone" and how right they are.

      I do struggle to find the words when I am blogging some days. I asked at the GP's surgery about a letter to accompany the Blue Badge application but they told me the Council have cut them out of the equation now - we just apply straight to the Council. If he has to do a walking/turning test, there will be no doubt he needs the badge.

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  12. Sorry to hear about Keith, and I hope you get a proper diagnosis soon so treatment can be sorted. Best wishes to you both.

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    1. Hello Beverley. Some proper treatment and physiotherapy would be helpful.

      In the meantime we will keep having our little outings to Fairs and Fleamarkets which cheers both of us up, although it is hard to see him struggling so at Malvern. It is only sheer determination that gets him round and he is soon exhausted.

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  13. Sorry to hear about Keith, and like everyone else can only hope there will be a better outlook soon. I'm glad he still does what he enjoys trogging round Antique fairs and I wish for him more strength to do so. Love to both of you, keep strong. X

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    1. Thanks Thelma. Well, ma-in-law used to say, old age never comes alone. It looks most likely to be a circulatory problem, but the NHS is struggling so much (things were bad before Covid) so getting the diagnosis/treatment is very slow.

      We still enjoy the antique fairs - it's what keeps Keith going, so will still creep round them, and chat with dealer friends.

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  14. Just returned from over the Pond and have been catching up on blog reading. So sorry to hear about the Keith's situation. The waiting for answers always seems interminable, but waiting to be seen (and heard) is almost unbearable. Hope that the upcoming test(s) lead to some answers along with treatments and ways to improve Keith's health and life. And reduction in your worry. Take care.

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