Bless you all for your comments. I am tired again as I had a bad night, but hey, I got some reading done, I've spoken to the GP, and Keith (who appears to be brewing a UTI now) is going to have treatment for that (A/B's) and I am off to get Syrup of Figs for him too - don't ask!! We had an appointment for specialist physio come through the post today too so there is movement on that front. He desperately needs it as his chin is down on his chest all the time now as it's too painful to hold it up.
Fuzzy photos of the girls escorting next door's hens off the premises!
I am also going to phone Assist, for some help and support, and get Gabby to come up for a few days soon - she was going to come up this week but came back off holiday and developed Covid. So she's a social pariah here right now. . . I am going to try to get a couple of days away somewhere. Perhaps up in North Wales (much as I'd like to go down to Devon).
Off to get Keith's prescription now. Feeling slightly less trampled underfoot now.
(((hugs)))
ReplyDeleteThanks gz - exactly what I could do with right now.
DeleteKeith is going through the mill at the moment and having worked in elderly care know that a UTI can disorient them and make getting any liquid or food down them hard. When we were 'stuck' as my Granny used to say she gave us liquorice sweets to eat and it always worked. Hope Gabby can come soon and give you some respite, a few days away will do you good. Hugs Gill Xx
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to say what is infection or what might be laid at the door of the MSI. I'm trying not to go there with the latter idea at the moment though. I will get Keith Liquorice tomorrow as he loves Pomfret Cakes etc. He can have my share. Having checked out Air BnB prices for places on Anglesey, I am beginning to think ordinary B&B will do . . .
DeleteMissed your yesterday post - what a good visit you had and loved the re-enactment photos.
ReplyDeleteSorry you are getting so little sleep - makes everything much worse.
Hope you get lots of help this week
It was SUCH a good visit - enjoyed chatting to everyone. Hoping I will sleep tonight as Ican't function well otherwise (Keith neither).
DeleteWell darn the bad luck of a UTI brewing and then Gabby developing Covid. However, I'm glad to hear that you are looking for help and you are planning a little breakaway. What most people don't realise is that for the last three years I looked after Mum I was also in the early stages of Parkinson's, although we didn't know it then. Try and get a week away if you can. A couple of days will be better than nothing but you'll probably spend more time on the road. If you're getting in an organisation to help, they usually work in five or seven day blocks. I'd try and avoid the next week or two though, if you've seen the weather forecast. Again, I don't know what it's like there, but down here they used to work in 8 week. blocks. You'd have 7 weeks that you would be caring and get one week of respite for your loved one to give you a break.
ReplyDeleteI love your kitten cats. Never a dull moment with them around. Good to hear you are reaching out for help. Asking for help is always the hardest thing and tbh I don’t know when the time comes whether I’ll be able to practise what I preach. I went to yoga this morning and came home via the farm shop where. I bought local cox’s apples and treated us to some greengages from France - one of my favourite fruits. Once home and after a cup of real coffee I made a big pan of ribollita soup which we’ll start eating for lunch tomorrow. This afternoon we went to Petworth and walked around the pleasure grounds and into the park and all around the lake which is a good walk. At home I picked two sweetcorn cobs for tonight, yet another colander of red borlotti beans, 24 rainbow chard leaves, Sungold tomatoes, a cucumber and basil. It has been a beautiful sunny afternoon after a lot of heavy rain overnight and this morning and I’m sitting in the garden room with my late afternoon cup of tea listening to radio 3. Tomorrow we are having the hedges cut and on Wednesday my new young grass mower is coming. He trained as a chef but lost his job during Covid so since 2020 has been working as a gardener and has built up a good local customer base. He uses a 60cm, 60v Hayter battery mower (he has two on a trailer so one is always charging) and he loved the plot, the meadow, the kitchen garden, my compost heaps, the mini apple orchard and all the other trees I’ve planted and we just clicked. He can also mow the meadow, power wash the greenhouse clean the gutters so as you can imagine I am so relieved because at one terrible low point recently I thought we might have to move. S has not been great lately, legs like lead, feeling weak and wobbly, those horrible disturbed nights which leave me feeling like a zombie the next day but I force him to walk with me and he always says he feels better for it. I go to bed about nine, have a relaxing bath, and read in bed for an hour so whatever the night holds I have at least had some rest. Walking around Chichester briefly this last hot Saturday I saw so many overweight and clearly unwell looking people I thought I must count my blessings. Thinking of you BB and wishing you well on this terrible journey. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteI am so glad we got them because some days they are the only bit of light in the gloom. Pippi with her "look at ME" yowl when she is up somewhere high, and Lulu's murps and purrs, and weaving round your legs in the bathroom. There used to be an old Greengage tree overhanging a car park in Brightlingsea when we went to visit family, and I would always scoop up the best ones. A shame to see them ignored and wasted. (As of course, Fruit only comes from Supermarkets doesn't it?) Your garden is being very productive. What didn't get nobbled by the slugs here (anything cruciferous) has now gone over although the last few green tomatoes are ripening on the counter. Glad you have a good gardener and that has lifted the fear of having to move. Mine is lined up to cut the hedge for me (when it's not still covered in insects) and then top the orchard and bottom triangle.
DeleteSorry S hasn't been so good - it's horrid when the medication doesn't do what it should. The legs like lead - yup, Keith can vouch for those. Some days the medication doesn't work as it should. (((HUGS))) over the Zombie nights. We must enjoy life whilst we can.
Debbie - that must have been SO difficult for you to cope with. I'd love to have someone come with me on a break, as not much fun on my ownsome. Thank you for the advice about the length of the respite blocks. I'll have to see how it all pans out. Keith has appointments that can't be missed so it won't be anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteSending hugs and good wishes to you all.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lizzie. Enjoy your sewing.
DeleteVery glad you have got a few things started. As Gill says a UTI is sneaky and knocks everything else sideways. Not sure how it all works in Wales but respite care for my Dad in Suffolk is a thousand pounds a week and my brother tells me it is on the reasonable end. Syrup of figs reminds me of being horribly constipated after giving birth. It was like shifting concrete. I drank prune juice by the gallon and surprisingly still enjoy prunes and custard.
ReplyDeleteWell, the A/B's soon kicked in/sleep made a difference as Keith much perkier this morning (Tuesday). Yeesh - £1000 a week means I won't be going anywhere unless the kids help out.
DeleteI had to order Syrup of Figs as Boots didn't stock it, but the GP recommended it so dear Dr Amazon has helped us out. I'm with you on the post-birth constipation! HORRID!
Well, we will see what the going rate is round here. If/when he does have to go into a care home, there will soon be no money left for our kids from the house . . .
DeleteThose sloes look wonderful. I am glad that they were close to you for picking. I am hoping you get help with Keith's care so that you can get a bit of a rest. Here in my city in Canada one can make a reservation for a respite bed for up to a week in the hospital.
ReplyDelete((Hugs))
God bless.
I have NEVER seen such huge ones. The last couple of years there's scarcely been one on the bushes but this year we had a hot spring and then a wet July/August and they have been wonderful. I am trying to keep Keith OUT of 24 hour bed rest or he'd never walk again.
DeleteI hope you have gotten some more sleep, and Keith too as he must really need it as well. Getting some respite would be really good for you. Hopefully that will come through soon. I'm so Gabby has COVID. When it rains it pours! Sending you hugs and well wishes.
ReplyDeleteCatching up but still tired and my legs are complaining after I gave them a flat-out route march in the park yesterday. Seeing Keith even a little bit better lifts my spirits no end. Not surprised Gabby has Covid - wouldn't travel on a plane without a mask that's for sure, with all that recycled air.
DeleteThank you, thank you for your words and pix. I especially like those naughty kit kats! I hope that Keith improves (so glad you have called in care) and that you manage to get some time for yourself. Very important. I speak as one who was hauled through the wretched mill of watching my husband die of terminal cancer. Initially we refused help but once accepted it was a mini breakthrough. At the time son was studying for A levels so for his sake we had to pretend life was normal. That was often more stressful than the cancer and every uninvited thing it brings with it. Take care.
ReplyDeleteHello anon. Those naughty kit kats put a smile on our faces. You'd think anything chicken or pheasant size would be daunting as twice as big as them, but no . . . I am so sorry that you lost your husband to such a wicked disease. You had a lot on your plate. I can cope as long as Keith is on a usual type day we just go through the usual routines. The other night was scary as his legs just would NOT work.
DeleteAs Sarah says this is a terrible journey, one which many of us have gone through. Take your holiday and get some help from the system is the thing you need. And I wish Keith some comfort from all that he is is suffering from at the moment. xxx
ReplyDeleteWe see the PD nurse on Thursday - hoping she can change his meds to help. Plus we see the specialist physio soon, and hoping he will get a neck brace pronto.
DeleteSo pleased moves are afoot to get your some support and that the GP has prescribed some more medication. I do hope Gabby recovers soon and you can get away for a few days as a break would do you the world of good. Sloes look large! I must try and get to Brockhampton and pick some damsons. Take care and I do hope you can get a decent night's sleep soon.
ReplyDeleteHoping that the A/B's do the trick - he seemed better today. Having the kids cover is not as straightforward as it seems as there are elements to his care which would be difficult for them. Even a couple of LONG days out would do the trick right now.
DeleteEnjoy Brockhampton and the damsons.