tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51374701367309311712024-03-13T03:32:47.581+00:00Her Absent MindBeeezehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15271065464757862269noreply@blogger.comBlogger335125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137470136730931171.post-30519238918694800182013-07-11T18:30:00.000+01:002013-07-11T18:30:07.322+01:00Goodnight Sweetheart 1930-2013On Tuesday the 2nd of July, almost five months to the day since she went into a nursing home, Ma passed away. It was a very peaceful passing and I was with her at the time.<br />
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As you know I never wanted her to go into a home and felt that I had somehow failed when she did, but in hindsight it was the right decision and one which allowed me to regain the love and affection which had started to dribble away a little when faced with the gruelling challenges of dealing with someone who is in late stage vascular dementia. Right up until the end I could still see flashes of her personality which showed that she was still with us and for someone so tiny her strength and determination was astonishing.<br />
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Her funeral took place yesterday, it was a celebration of her life and the force of nature that she was. I thought it would be fitting to close this blog with the eulogy I wrote for her yesterday.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Audrey Mulvihill née James was the youngest child of Edward
and Annie James. She was born in Liverpool in 1930 and lived there until her
early twenties. The majority of her late childhood spanned the second World War
and although she didn’t share many stories about that time she would often
relate how much they loved cod liver oil and malt – she claimed it was like
toffee. Having been on the receiving end of a spoonful I can promise you that
it really isn’t.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>Anyone who knew my parents could see that they were
completely devoted to each other. They were married in 1952 and spent 58 years
enjoying life to the full. Sadly they lost a much wanted baby early in the
marriage but went on to adopt Peter in 1956 and me in 1961. Both of us were
absolutely adored and cherished and have many happy memories of holidays in
Trearddur Bay, Falmouth and beyond. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>Mum was the ultimate party animal and loved entertaining –
dinner parties, big parties, garden parties; she was never happier than when
she was entertaining and planning to overfeed the world - and she loved the
opportunity to dress up, put on the sparkles and dance the night away.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Being a product of her time meant that she was lucky in that
she didn’t go out to work but she was always, always busy. She was a talented
seamstress and made some outstanding things including a lot of her early Ascot
outfits and also my beautiful wedding dress, but equally she always seemed to
be making complicated curtains for someone, upholstering chairs or decorating
cakes, because if she wasn’t sewing she was baking. I clearly remember begging
for shop bought cake like ‘everyone else had’ and getting a short shrift on
that one!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>In later years they embraced the cruising culture and had
some wonderful holidays with David and Glenys, visiting some of the most
amazing places. Naturally Ma would adopt the waiter/bar staff etc. on each
cruise – following a long history of doing this wherever they went on holiday
and there are friends who are here today that are a result of this.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>She was always astonished when people asked her if she came
from Liverpool, convinced that her accent had long disappeared – despite still
saying she had a ‘fair coat’ and made ‘furry cakes’. She was a very beautiful
woman, looking at her photo you can see why dad utterly adored her. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>She loved clothes, shoes, hats, jewellery, babies, Royalty,
anyone from Liverpool, Coronation Street, swimming, dancing, her family, going
to Ascot, musicals and most especially a nice dry white wine. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>I hope the party dad had planned for her when they were
finally reunited is still going strong and that they are jiving away just like
they always did.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Goodnight Sweetheart x</div>
Beeezehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15271065464757862269noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137470136730931171.post-47276726427220577232013-02-05T09:46:00.002+00:002013-02-05T09:50:52.783+00:00End of an EraI've been putting off writing this update.<br />
<br />
Now that Ma is in a home my carer's role is so diminished that I don't feel I can call myself a carer any longer and the speed with which the situation has changed has left me feeling wrong-footed and adrift. I can't help feeling resentful that I wasn't given any option in the decision-making process. I was told that I would be invited to contribute my views at the meeting but that didn't happen. The whole business was incredibly upsetting and still brings me to tears when I think about it. I need to stress that no one was rude or unpleasant at any time, it was just that the outcomes I had been led to believe would be discussed were summarily dismissed as not being an option.<br />
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However Ma seems happy enough in her new home, although the new drug she is still being given is definitely flattening her to the point where she does tend to sleep in the chair for most of the time. Of course this change in behaviour also means that now she does not qualify for CHC funding, so thank goodness my parents paid into the NHS for all those years.<br />
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The house is going on the market this week, it simply isn't possible to keep it running. My heart sinks at the thought of all the sorting which will need to be done now - thirty years of memories and my Dad's inability to throw anything out will make for a challenging few weeks. Luckily I have a spare son kicking his heels in Devon so he will be coming up to give me a hand.<br />
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So this morning I have the third and final estate agent coming to give me a valuation on the house and then off to see Ma this afternoon.<br />
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Don't worry though there will be more updates to come and I am about to resurrect my other blog just in case you can't live without my scintillating writing and rapier wit...Beeezehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15271065464757862269noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137470136730931171.post-33195388970553032272013-01-08T20:47:00.000+00:002013-01-09T11:18:24.201+00:00Enormous change ahoyMa has been in hospital for a month now. She is happy and settled, spending most of her time walking up and down the nice wide corridors. When she isn't doing that she might be invading other people's space or she will sit behind the Nurse's station. The cellulitis in her leg continues to respond to the antibiotics and improves day by day.<br />
<br />
When I arrived today she was very much in walking mode, so didn't stop long when I gave her a hug. She was very 'dorritydorrity' and clearly had a mission in mind.<br />
<br />
Today was the day for the meeting with the consultant and others to discuss the results of her various assessments. Drug-wise she will stay on the smaller dose of Respiridone because it does appear to have lessened both her psychosis and her aggression. But the hope is to reduce and remove in the near future.<br />
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She has also been assessed as needing nursing care and this will be funded but she has not been awarded CHC funding. It is unfortunate that I was given the impression that the nursing care could be implemented at home, this is not the case and she will have to go into a home with an EMI unit in order to give her what she needs. To say that I was a bit blindsided by this is an understatement. However, CHC funding is not the golden ticket it appears to be in that should she be awarded it then settle well in the home, and thereby her aggression etc. is reduced, when she is re-assessed 6 weeks later the funding would be withdrawn. So you would be in the situation where thinking all was settled suddenly becomes oops... sorry.. you need to find £1800 a month. So in a way this is better. At least I know what we have to deal with.<br />
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Lots of issues around this. I've always wanted to keep her at home, so now I feel as though I'm letting her down (I know, I know); I'm very worried about how to keep the house going when such a massive amount of money is about to leave the bank account every month; I'm not exactly prime employment material these days so finding someone who will employ a disabled 52 year old in the current climate is likely to be akin to the proverbial needle in a haystack etc.<br />
<br />
But on the positive side, this is absolutely what Ma needs. Plus she is able to go to the home that I saw a few months ago and liked enormously and that really does make the whole thing so much easier to deal with.Beeezehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15271065464757862269noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137470136730931171.post-81540258430684421682012-12-19T20:42:00.001+00:002012-12-19T20:42:48.493+00:00Goodness meIn the first 120 hours after Ma went into hospital, I slept for over 95 of them. I think that says that I needed a bit of a rest.<br />
<br />
She is settled on the ward but there have been some changes. Social Services have had a bit of a shuffle around so now Ma has Chris, a CPN, instead of Barry. I don't suppose it will make a lot of difference to her other than the fact that she won't flirt with Chris (female). I'm not happy that they are giving her Risperidone, I wasn't willing to give it to her when she was at home and I'm not happy that they are giving it to her in hospital. However I am attending the ward round on Monday am so I will be asking questions.<br />
<br />
One thing that is without doubt, she will not be coming home before Christmas. I am fine about this actually, obviously I will go and see her on Christmas Day/Boxing Day (and multiple days in and amongst) but having had to cancel the respite care I had booked I was hoping that she would be staying in hospital. Harriet deserves a nice Christmas.<br />
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
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Two years today since Dad passed away. Still miss him every single day.Beeezehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15271065464757862269noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137470136730931171.post-39694673167005601762012-12-08T21:25:00.000+00:002012-12-08T21:26:13.038+00:00UnexpectedMa was admitted to hospital on Friday for nursing and care assessment and a full drug re-calibration. It's been a busy 24 hours and I need to sit down and give myself time to think about that I want to put in here.<br />
<br />
However she is fine. Has settled well on the ward and is content I think. I saw her this afternoon and she clearly didn't know who I was<i>,</i> I tried to get her to sit with me but she wasn't interested. The nursing staff are astonished that I've been caring for her on my own.<br />
<br />
It's odd really, I still don't see it as a problem despite all the stress, just something you do. However, as a lifelong member of the low blood pressure massive having to go for another check on my blood pressure on Tuesday suggests that some of it has had an effect.<br />
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I will do a full report/update in the next couple of days. But for now, for some reason I have an overwhelming need to sleep for a day or two...Beeezehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15271065464757862269noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137470136730931171.post-300431569543404052012-12-05T17:09:00.001+00:002012-12-05T17:09:58.087+00:00Plus ca change...<div>
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Nearly a month on and no assessment has been done. </div>
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<div>
After a chat with Emma at the day centre last Thursday where I told her about being hit so hard across the ear I cried for two hours, she suggested she should re-refer me to the carer's department at Social Services. I received a phone call the same day and saw Sue yesterday morning where we talked about how things were and I told her how it is. After getting home from collecting Ma in the afternoon I had a phone call from Sue to say that she and Barry would visit again on Friday and her boss would hopefully be coming to do a nursing assessment on Tuesday next week.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Barry phoned this morning to say that he had spoken to Sue and then to the dementia team to see if there was any medication available to help with her aggression and agitation. He will bring a prescription with him on Friday but in the meantime I need to do some research on the drug to read up on the side effects and make a decision on whether or not I think the inherent risks are worth it.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
He also suggested that Ma's behaviour has clearly deteriorated very rapidly over the last couple of weeks.</div>
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Hm. Well only if he hasn't been listening to what I've been telling him since at least July. I suspect part of the problem is that when he comes to visit Ma she is incredibly pink and fluffy with him so he doesn't see her usual behaviour (she does the same when Simon comes to visit). And probably promptly dismisses the majority of what I tell him is happening.</div>
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However the day centre told me this afternoon that they have their Christmas parties on Tues, Weds and Thurs next week. These are the days that Ma is there and unfortunately she isn't welcome. They feel her behaviour is just too challenging and it would be very difficult for them to keep her safe and the rest of the service users safe from her during the festivities. I totally understand this and hope that perhaps this will finally get the point across about how difficult it is.</div>
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My heart did sink a little though I have to admit. Not only at the prospect of no respite for 12 days but also that I hope this isn't the precursor to them saying they can't cope with her full stop.</div>
Beeezehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15271065464757862269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137470136730931171.post-17657264234809621762012-11-22T19:30:00.002+00:002012-11-22T19:37:37.581+00:00Hoorah!Hopefully Christmas is now sorted. The home must come and do an assessment of her needs, which they will do on Dec 7th and then hopefully we'll get the go ahead. I've booked her into a home a few miles further away than the local one, albeit not very much further away just in another health authority. A lovely place, it felt right from the moment I walked in through the front door. I suspect it's a bit like choosing a school in that you get a feel for a place and how it will suit your child/mother.<br />
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I know that the day centre have found her behaviour becoming more challenging in recent weeks. Emma took me aside the other day to suggest perhaps organising some support during the car journeys. In fact the morning journeys are usually ok, Ma doesn't tend to rev up until around 11:30, but the return can be a bit fraught. It's definitely easier since I started putting her in the back but I fear for the window winder which she pulls and strains on constantly trying to open the door. Emma is worried that they are being a bit unsupportive by happily waving me off with Ma on my own after the team have had a tricky day with her. It hasn't been a huge issue so far but I dare say it could become one in the future.<br />
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Healthwise she's fine at the moment. My biggest problem is an old friend - getting her to eat enough. Because she talks constantly it is quite difficult to get food into her sometimes plus she will not sit down for any length of time. So a lot of the time it's a case of literally trying to get food in as she's passing. Finger foods are now becoming a bit of an issue due to the fact that she'd far rather try and push a sandwich through the door lock or down the side of the sofa than eat it. It's no wonder the dog isn't losing weight despite not eating much of her dog food...<br />
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I still find random things in the loo (14 clean flannels this morning, oh joy) and a new behaviour and one which I really dislike is licking her fingers before touching things - the tv, the windows, the cushions anything and everything. It reminds me of that awful thing mother's used to do of spitting on a hankie before wiping your face. I have never forgotten the smell of it *shudders*<br />
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The third day at the day centre is definitely a massive help for me. Now we only have four full-on days, two of which are over the weekend which does make a difference for some reason. I do still get massively stressed out by all the things mentioned above but those days certainly help.<br />
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Lots of blips to catch up on but due to the new whizzy gadget at the top of the page I no longer need to stick a link in here :)<br />
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<br />Beeezehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15271065464757862269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137470136730931171.post-959435968887275072012-11-12T21:05:00.000+00:002012-11-12T21:05:15.219+00:00A disappointment and a major change in my viewpointBarry contacted me last week asking if he could come and see Ma. Nothing unusual in that and one that is guaranteed to please her. Despite the grip of dementia she does still remember how to flirt :) I was pleased that he was coming because I had things I wanted to discuss.<br />
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He arrived with some fudge because it was my birthday bless him, such a lovely thing to do. Then told me that Spurr House will no longer accept Ma because of her challenging behavior so the respite week I'd booked over Christmas is no longer and I have to try and find another place for her in a home which offers specialist EMI care. There's one home about 10 mins away which does offer the facilities needed so I'm off to have a look at it with Joani on Weds, she's not only a lovely friend but also works in the dementia field and is invaluable when doing this sort of thing.<br />
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Barry also stated that he wants Ma to have a Nursing Care assessment which would, should it be successful mean that her care needs would be paid for via the NHS. And the potential for a huge financial burden to be lifted.<br />
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I have been advised by family members and friends over and again to request an assessment for continuing healthcare funding via the NHS. Should the assessment be in our favour this would mean that Ma could go into a home with a specialist dementia care facility. I talked to Barry about it on Friday and he is happy to run this alongside the Nursing assessment. I'm not sure that Ma will qualify for it yet despite her challenging behaviour but I am willing to try.<br />
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I vowed that I would not put her into care but her behaviour is becoming so difficult to deal with that I am happy to admit that I was naively optimistic. She is violent, not all the time and I hope I haven't given that impression, however her repetitive behaviour really is extremely challenging to anyone's sanity.<br />
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Then again we have just done two giggling choruses of 'Goodnight Sweetheart' whilst waltzing to bed, so it's not all bad.<br />
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Not at all.Beeezehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15271065464757862269noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137470136730931171.post-48627816104984621742012-10-26T12:18:00.000+01:002012-10-26T18:56:22.382+01:00On trying to finish writing the next cook bookI am sitting here trying to finish writing another book in the 'Little Book of Low Carb...' series. I've got a legion of tested recipes to write down and one would think seemingly endless hours in which to do it. Unfortunately after a day of Ma wrangling my brain is too knackered to think about anything more arduous than what will happen next on Corrie or who is due to go out of Strictly. During the day there are other obstacles.<br />
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[me] 'Right, time to get the aubergine recipes written up...'<br />
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[Ma standing next to me] Forrityporritybaabaadidderybiddipydooo...<br />
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[starts typing] Aubergines are really useful for lots of things - for porridgey (what?!?) no no not porridgey for potato! a potato substitute...<br />
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[Ma bends closer, speaks louder] Borrityporritynerrilyferrilywinderynoonoolerryferryberrytorrityta...<br />
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Repeat (for hours) and fade.<br />
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Someone asked me earlier if Ma was channeling Dr Seuss. Frankly after 12 solid hours of it I am seriously considering channeling out my own ear canals with a chisel.<br />
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Feeding her tonight was an impossible task because she would not stop. She's had a reasonable amount of calories today, albeit on the run and snuck in here and there when she drew breath. Quite a lot of it she spat out again in a rage, but you can only do what you can do. My secret weapon of choice at the moment is a hot chocolate made with milk and double cream and a bowl of little chocolate bits (Whispa Bites, Giant Buttons etc.) which she will pick at - and also stuff in her pockets but I hope that's so that she can eat them later and not for me to wash accidentally. Some hope.<br />
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Changing her pad and onesie ready for bed wasn't much fun either. Three bites, five punches, knocked off glasses, many kicks and countless slaps later she is now moving the all the dining chairs into the hall. I have given up. I'll move it all back when (if) she finally goes to bed.<br />
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It's looking like today's blip will be one I took this morning of some contrails in the sky. Nope, not proud of it at all really but it's all I've had a chance to take. Still quite purty though.Beeezehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15271065464757862269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137470136730931171.post-52014040658881130532012-10-24T18:43:00.000+01:002012-10-24T18:43:22.865+01:00Much rejoicingAs from tomorrow Ma will be going to the day centre on Thursdays too. This means three days a week which is wonderful. I know it's only one extra day but it makes such a difference. I still have to take and collect her because of her behaviour but I don't mind if it gives me another four hours off.<br />
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I've been away for a long weekend in Northumberland which was really great, staying in a huge country house and cooking for 13 lovely ladies. Simon came to help and I would have been in a bit of a state without him there quite frankly. The weather was glorious and we managed to get out and about to see Cragside and some of the coast. Beautiful. (pics on Flickr)<br />
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Naturally Ma went into respite. When I collected her the staff mentioned that she had been a bit aggressive towards some staff members and also to a couple of the other service users. This means that they will now have to talk to Barry regarding her stay over Christmas and I really hope this won't affect her being able to stay. I suspect that sometimes the environment is a bit too stimulating and hope that they will be able to find somewhere in the home which will be more calming for her.<br />
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I'm sure I've got more to say but Ma is being a bit distracting atm. Hopefully I will remember to update this later...<br />
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My <a href="http://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2418933" target="_blank">Blip</a> yesterday hit the Spotlight page - always thrilling :) It was my 300th consecutive blip which still amazes me. Only 65 more to complete my 365 challenge.Beeezehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15271065464757862269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137470136730931171.post-35414079139583175582012-10-10T08:44:00.002+01:002012-10-10T08:44:48.793+01:00A bit of a non-updateThe lack of updates recently has a lot to do with the fact that there's not a lot to report. Or put another way, things are not much fun right now but I doubt you want to read endless posts of me whingeing.<br />
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Ma is deteriorating in little steps at the moment. Her speech is becoming more and more difficult to interpret and although she can still 'hold' a conversation of sorts when asked direct questions the rest of the time is filled with nonsensical ramblings. Unless she is asleep she literally does not stop talking. It is exhausting. Other things such as feeding her self or having a drink can be very hit and miss too. She doesn't understand the concept of using a tissue to wipe her nose but will happily use anything else that is to hand...<br />
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She is still in constant motion too and will move absolutely anything she can get hold of. The dog lead was in the loo the other day and someone began to suggest that I need to keep everything our of her way but then realised that this is pretty much impossible. So I spend a large amount of my day following her around, putting things back. Unfortunately the suggestion to leave things where she puts them in the hope that she will then move them back again doesn't work!<br />
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The violence is also an issue. Now a daily occurrence, it's not much fun being punched repeatedly by your mother. She has also punched a couple of members of staff at the day centre, so at least I know it's not directed at me personally. You do start to wonder sometimes.<br />
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We had 12 days of her in her onesies (because she was unable to go to the day centre) and not a single incident in all that time. Last Tuesday was her first day back in normal clothes and within 10 minutes of being washed and dressed I was on my hands and knees scrubbing the carpet, the walls, the furniture and Ma. I admit that I did cry quite a bit.<br />
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All of these things are distressing and upsetting and each little step takes her further and further away from the person I knew. It fosters emotions you know are not appropriate but it's hard not to feel annoyance or anger or even, at times, hatred. But then you just have to get over yourself, shove the guilt into a cupboard, stick a smile on your face and get on with it.<br />
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<br />Beeezehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15271065464757862269noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137470136730931171.post-17819631357421899802012-09-30T15:01:00.001+01:002012-09-30T15:05:47.887+01:00So...It would appear that the new medicine isn't having the much hoped for effect now that she's had time to get used to it. It only took a couple of days before we were back to 'normal'. I'm reluctant to continue with the increased dose because it doesn't stop the constant wandering and moving things but does make her more unsteady on her feet.<br />
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Also this week she's had a funny sort of cold/virus thing which may or may not be a UTI. The upshot of that has been no day centre and some increasingly bizarre behaviour. When the Locum GP came to see her she was immediately in full fluff mode. He was somewhat nonplussed when she greeted him with 'Oh hello darling, aren't you beautiful?' I told him he was lucky, she normally tries to kiss her social worker.<br />
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This morning is pretty typical we've had constant door trying and banging since about 5am mixed with clothes removal as per usual - thankfully the onesie idea does keep most of her covered even though she pulls the legs up as high as she can and bunches them in her groin. Plus of course plenty of other random behaviour - blowing her nose on a honey sandwich, putting the hoover on the sofa, cushions on the kitchen floor, bits of junk mail carefully placed on tables/window ledges/loo seats etc. Everything is moved with complete concentration and determination, there's nothing you can do to stop it so just have to move things back again once she's done. Often so that she can do it all over again... But if I don't put things back the house would be like Steptoe's yard in no time. At the moment she has taken off one shoe and sock and is determinedly trying to put other things on her foot. So far she's tried a tissue, the instruction leaflet out of my iPod nano box, a sheet of jumbo bubble wrap and the dog's squeaky duck. Then yesterday I had a hell of a beating around the head trying to stop her falling over. One new behaviour I've noticed is a sort of little knee bounce between each step.<br />
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In all honesty Tuesday and Wednesday can't come quickly enough, twelve days straight is just too much without a reasonable break. I have managed to take the dog for a walk a couple of times when H has been around but a few hours stitched together would be nice.<br />
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<br />
Some nice blips recently in and amongst. I like <a href="http://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2357274" target="_blank">this</a>, <a href="http://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2329369" target="_blank">this</a> and <a href="http://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2337012" target="_blank">this</a> :)Beeezehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15271065464757862269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137470136730931171.post-85399636628799559902012-09-21T11:15:00.002+01:002012-09-21T11:15:52.682+01:00Possible improvementThe dementia team came to see us on Monday, naturally Ma was incredibly fluffy. After a long discussion the doctor has changed one medication and increased another in the hopes of reducing her aggressive behaviour, the hallucinations and her agitation. We are three days in and it seems to be having a relatively positive effect and as there haven't been any falls I have added in the second dose this morning.<br />
<br />
The upshot of that was a calm and stress-free trip to Tesco earlier. It was raining so I got rather wet farting about with the wheelchair/Ma/wheelchair trolley scenario but other than that it was relatively easy, I managed to injure less people than last time and we didn't have any shouting or slapping from herself. It did amuse me that every time I stopped the chair and walked round to put something in the trolley Ma said with complete surprise 'Oh hello Darling!' and when we got to the till I realised that she'd been quietly taking a bite out of each mini doughnut...<br />
<br />
She's just had a cup of tea and a Jaffa Cake mini roll and is now dozing in the chair. I'd call that a successful morning.<br />
<br />
Maybe more later.Beeezehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15271065464757862269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137470136730931171.post-91534537075553916502012-09-12T20:30:00.005+01:002012-09-12T20:30:57.609+01:00My ears aren't burning, but they are definitely ringingYesterday was a no-show for Ma at the day centre. She wasn't poorly, just in the sort of mood which would have made the journey there too hazardous and I'm not willing to risk it, so she stayed at home and was moderately difficult and a bit slappy all day.<br />
<br />
I was contacted by a journalist from the BBC's programme Inside Out wanting to talk to me about being filmed for a programme on elderly care and especially in my case a multi-generational family with one member acting as carer for an elderly member. This came about because I answered a tweet request for carers to answer some questions for the money section of the Guardian and was quoted in the article (which I only realised yesterday!). Inside Out want to come and do 'a few hours' filming. I am going to say no I think because it will affect Ma enormously and massively disrupt our routine for days. Plus I've been on tv once and utterly utterly hated every second of it.<br />
<br />
She was in a better mood this morning - death threats aside - so off we went. I dropped her off as usual then went and had my 6 weekly treat (a pedicure). Bliss. Due to my apparent inability to operate a mobile phone I managed to miss all the calls and most of the text messages from Julia (the BBC lady) and feel a complete idiot. I put the phone on silent during my pedicure because the constant beeping and pinging from texts/emails/facebook upates and tweets doesn't make for a restful time and then forgot to put it back to normal. Abject apologies will be proffered tomorrow.<br />
<br />
Collected Ma at 3pm. Several staff gave me 'that' look as I went in. You know, a slightly wide-eyed mixture of exasperation and sympathy. It seems that she was segregated with a member of staff on a one to one basis because she insisted on removing her clothes constantly and was aggressive when the staff tried to put them back on. Obviously they can't have her behaving like that in front of the other 'service users' (new one for me) because it upsets them. Getting her in her coat was a battle even before we got her to the car. One member of staff said she didn't know how I coped on my own and another said she felt sorry for me. As you know, I'm usually fairly matter of fact about it all but I must admit I very nearly cried at that point.<br />
<br />
We put Ma in the back because the child locks are in place and that proved to be a good decision. I won't go on about the journey other than to say that although she couldn't get the door open she did manage to poke me in the head with the umbrella and wind the window down and then got soaked for her troubles - it's rained all day here.<br />
<br />
Since coming home she has been a handful. All that has happened today has obviously wound her up so putting her in her nightclothes resulted in a barrage of slaps (hence the ringing ears!). She is now in bed.<br />
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I really hope she stays there.Beeezehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15271065464757862269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137470136730931171.post-13542892607892726482012-09-05T17:53:00.000+01:002012-09-05T17:53:48.107+01:00Well it was only a matter of time.A bit of a teary start to the day for me. It's G's 19th birthday today and I'm sad he wasn't able to stay another couple of days to celebrate it here and it would also have been Pa's 84th birthday so also sad about that, to the point where it has ambushed me on and off all day.<br />
<br />
Of course Wednesday is the second of my non-duty days so off we skipped this morning and Ma went into the centre for a cup of tea and some toast perfectly happily without a backward glance. I did fiddly town-based things like going to the bank and buying cat litter then decided to forgo breakfast and come home where I failed magnificently to persuade H to go out for lunch on her last day before starting college.<br />
<br />
So I had a sad lonely ham salad in front of Floyd's Fjord Fiesta which is a complete swizz because there wasn't a lot of Scandinavia cookery going on - Thai red curry and Moroccan kebabs anyone? - followed by some hoovering etc.<br />
<br />
Then at about half three the phone rang.<br />
<br />
As you've read on here, Ma can be really aggressive when she wants to be. Mainly when she's being asked to do something she doesn't want to do. Clearly this afternoon she did not want to be installed on the bus in her wheelchair. Cue slapping the staff across the face and removing her clothes down to her skin. The upshot of this is that from here on in I will be taking and collecting her from the centre. This effectively cuts my time off to four and a half hours. Right this second it's not easy to be philosophical about it if I'm honest. I'm sure I'll get over myself eventually but allow me a few days of sulking first please.<br />
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~~~~~~~~~<br />
<br />
A couple of nice blips for you <a href="http://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2289870" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2291996" target="_blank">here</a> plus the happy news that I've passed my OU digital photography course :)<br />
<br />
Perhaps it is time to join the local photographic society and start learning how to do it properly...Beeezehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15271065464757862269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137470136730931171.post-5337846809336271932012-09-03T11:13:00.001+01:002012-09-03T11:15:19.803+01:00Back in the roomHello, been back for a week but not had much chance to post an update...<br />
<br />
We had a lovely time in Cornwall - even though the travelling was pretty horrendous - and H's GCSE results were excellent, so a good week all round. Peter collected Ma from respite and looked after her for the Bank Holiday weekend. We got back on Tuesday, H enrolled at College on Thursday and George arrived with his g/f on Friday. So busy busy busy.<br />
<br />
Having G here has been lovely, I do miss the boys dreadfully, but the change has revved Ma up a bit. She's been on a door opening/clothes removing mission from the moment she gets up until she finally (finally) falls asleep. With added middle of the night wanderings to boot. She's also still pretty aggressive when prevented from doing things which may harm her so I get roundly slapped etc. on a fairly regular basis. I'm a bit wary of trying a trip out after the IKEA episode but maybe if the weather is nice today we might tootle over to Boundary Mill for a change of scene. George and Fran are off to Leeds today to see Phantom so that means a midnight trip to Piccadilly station to collect them later, then they go back to Devon tomorrow.<br />
<br />
More later maybe...<br />
<br />
<b>***KLAXON*** 40,021 views!!!!</b><br />
<br />
Good Lord. Thank you so much for dropping by :)<br />
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A few blips I'm pleased with: <a href="http://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2278886" target="_blank">this</a>, <a href="http://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2252839" target="_blank">this</a>, <a href="http://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2248952" target="_blank">this</a> and <a href="http://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2286502" target="_blank">this</a> spring to mind :)Beeezehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15271065464757862269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137470136730931171.post-56638206945010861372012-08-17T08:12:00.002+01:002012-08-17T08:12:55.025+01:00<----------- Hear that??.... that would be the sound of the door slamming behind me.<br />
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I'm taking H to Cornwall for 11 days, Ma is off to respite for a week then Peter is collecting her next Friday and staying over the bank holiday weekend.<br />
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If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook I'll see you there, otherwise I'll see you on here sometime around a week next Tuesday :)Beeezehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15271065464757862269noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137470136730931171.post-64187671945394292362012-08-14T19:53:00.004+01:002012-08-14T19:55:29.490+01:00You couldn't make it upMe: Right Ma ready? Let's go and get in the car.<br />
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Ma: Oh I don't think I want to go out there.<br />
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Me: Come on... it's day centre today, you love it there.<br />
<br />
[reluctantly steps out onto the path]<br />
<br />
[dog runs past me into the front garden]<br />
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Me: Oh flipping heck Lily, hurry up.<br />
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Ma: Yes ok [starts walking faster]<br />
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Me: No! Not you Ma, the dog! Be careful, you'll fall.<br />
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Ma; Oh ok.<br />
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Me: [to dog] Come on inside!<br />
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Ma: [turns round] Yes ok.<br />
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Me: No Ma, the dog needs to come inside. Come on Lily, hurry up...<br />
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Ma: Yes ok. [starts walking quickly towards the house]<br />
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<i>Repeat and fade.</i><br />
<br />Beeezehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15271065464757862269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137470136730931171.post-33785171915351380742012-08-13T17:22:00.001+01:002012-08-13T17:24:06.449+01:00Laundry woes, egg mayo and a bite on the boobIt is really difficult to describe adequately how enervating it is to live with someone who spends the majority of the day on a 90 second loop. I regularly have people say to me that it must be like living with a toddler again. Well, no actually, for the majority of the time it isn't. Toddlers will sit and play for stretches of time, go for a nap and are generally cute and entertaining. Dementia patients are often unsettled and in a state of mild distress for long periods of time.<br />
<br />
Mealtimes and tantrums are the most toddler-like behaviours I suppose. If you try and feed something that isn't liked it will be reappear rapidly and end up on the table/plate/chair or spat out. A lot of food is eaten with the fingers and you quickly learn not to give sandwiches with sloppy fillings, I had to resort to the emergency egg mayonnaise sandwich today and I've been regretting it ever since. Simple things like knowing how to pick up a sandwich the right way are lost and I paid dearly for a moment of inattention this lunchtime. Goodness me but it goes a long way...<br />
<br />
Attempting to stop her from trying to sit down on the chair arm because I could see that she would miss by a mile and fall resulted in a ringing slap to my head and a bite on my boob. Sigh. The bite didn't really hurt, dentures make it difficult to get any real force behind it, but it wasn't nice to be bitten regardless of where it was and I hope this violent phase will pass quickly.<br />
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The 90 second loop goes something like this:<br />
<br />
Sits down.<br />
(10 seconds pass)<br />
Deep breath.<br />
Gets up.<br />
Walks across the room, touches several things.<br />
Walks back.<br />
Sits down.<br />
(10 seconds pass)<br />
Deep breath.<br />
Gets up.<br />
Walks to the front door, tries to open it several times.<br />
Comes back into the room.<br />
Sits down.<br />
<br />
Repeat.<br />
<br />
I promise you that it feels a bit like water torture after a while. Nothing seems to stop it happening - she absolutely will not be distracted from doing it. Even as you are saying 'Mum, come and help me with this' she will reply 'Yes yes ok' but resolutely heads for the door. I thought at first that she wanted to go outside but when I open the front door she will peer out but doesn't want to go over the threshold.<br />
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Then there's the continual moving things around habit. It used to be just the cushions but now it is anything and everything. Having nipped to the loo after doing a lot of ironing for our upcoming holiday/respite visit, I wasn't best pleased to find all the underwear sitting in the washing up bowl. With the washing up.<br />
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Four sleeps until Friday and really looking forward to it, I'm ready for a proper break.Beeezehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15271065464757862269noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137470136730931171.post-60113526004577685432012-08-10T19:56:00.004+01:002012-08-10T19:56:45.892+01:00End of the week catch upThankfully after the dreadful attempt to go to IKEA we had two day centre days to recover. I did get a phone call asking if I would bring her wheelchair though because they have such a difficult job getting her off the bus. We've had several occasions when getting her down the steps at the front is a teamwork job involving distraction, persuasion, bossiness (me) and lightning fast intervention between her hands and anything she can grip. Plus it isn't pleasant to see Ma in such distress being virtually bundled off albeit for the best of reasons and with the best of intentions.<br />
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With this in mind we've tried using the lift at the back but she hates standing on it and I can't say I blame her, I think I'd be a bit pooky too. So for all involved, although she doesn't really need it when she's at the centre she will now travel back in her wheelchair again.<br />
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Then... just when you think things are nicely on an even keel... I went to pick up a computer desk for H from Argos this afternoon. The plan was to pick up the desk then pootle back via the gym for a swim. But because Argos was full of people buying barbeques, no lie, 14th in the queue and every single person in front of me bought one - the slightest sniff of fine weather and the nation goes crazy for petrol flavoured food and insect hell, go figure - I ditched the idea of a trip to the gym. Thank goodness. Ma had taken the undressing thing to the extreme and H was half hiding in her room not wishing to see the results and I can't blame her for that.<br />
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I'm just thankful that the window cleaner didn't call for his money until after I got home.<br />
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Now that the carers are no longer coming in the evenings we've had a more relaxed attitude towards bedtime. The interesting thing is that keeping Ma up later makes absolutely no difference to how often she gets up again before settling. Some nights she is asleep in minutes, others she is up 10/12/20 times.<br />
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Updates as and when over the weekend.Beeezehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15271065464757862269noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137470136730931171.post-50653270037562840712012-08-06T20:03:00.000+01:002012-08-06T20:05:29.103+01:00OptimismEither I'm far more of an optimist than my grumpy, cynical exterior shows or I'm a complete idiot. And don't all rush to answer that.<br />
<br />
I thought a trip to IKEA might be a good idea - God alone knows why. We need some bits and pieces and they have nice sweeping aisles so the plan was to take the wheelchair, go for lunch and then have a mooch around. The plan started to fall apart 500 yards down the road when Ma (in the back with the child locks on) kept trying to hand me her seat belt. This continued all the way down the M66 and on to the M60 where she got bored with that plan and started poking me in the neck with a pencil she found in the back. I have to say that this probably had something to do with the fact that when we came off at junction 8 IKEA appeared to have vapourised. At that point I realised we actually should've been coming off the M62 not the M60. So a bit of a detour.<br />
<br />
We pulled up outside the front of the store and got a disabled space. Lovely. Got the wheelchair out and attempted to get Ma into it. This wasn't a hugely popular move so as I was trying to get the safety belt fastened I was also being belted from here to next week around the head. This was accompanied by shouts for help and pleading arms etc. The fact that it was quite sunny and pleasant meant that all the benches and tables outside the store were full of families having a drink or something to eat. So not in the least bit mortifying at all. We made it into the foyer where I could see that there was a bit of a queue for the lift. I was just about to ask H if she fancied having some lunch first when Ma kicked off again. Without breaking stride we did an about turn and headed straight back to the car. Extracting Ma from the wheelchair and getting her back into the car was a repeat performance in reverse - much to the astonishment of all the hot dog scoffers - and away we went. Both H and I were shaking with distress and Ma was oblivious, calling us both darling...<br />
<br />
As a direct result of that I went for a swim.<br />
<br />
This is the point where I tell you that I've joined a local gym and I wait until the collective sound of jaws being winched off the floor has ceased.<br />
<br />
So I've joined the local gym. It's very pleasant and not too huge but it does have two lovely sparklingly clean swimming pools, toning tables and more yoga and pilates classes than you can eat. I'm not terribly interested in the weights bit but hope to get on to the cardio machines at some point. H is happy to Ma sit for an hour or so on non-centre days or during the evening so with luck we can get into a bit of a routine. Going for a swim, steam, hydro-jet thingy and relax on a lounger for 10 mins was really great and I definitely feel much less stressed out than I did when we got back from the journey to hell on a stick.<br />
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The evening carers are no more. The final straw was finding Ma, bed and bedding soaking wet less than an hour after she'd gone to bed. This was because the two carers had managed to fold her night time pad in half which obviously wasn't then able to do its job properly. I was extremely unimpressed. So we are now only having help in the morning. In all honesty I probably could (and have on several occasions) deal with the mornings too but it's nice to not have to and it allows my joints to get going at a gentle stroll rather than a full gallop. <br />
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Very pleased with several blips from the last week or so. <a href="http://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2206573" target="_blank">This</a> <a href="http://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2205196" target="_blank">this</a> and <a href="http://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2199900" target="_blank">this</a> spring to mind :) Beeezehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15271065464757862269noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137470136730931171.post-71534242587143182492012-07-26T11:20:00.004+01:002012-07-26T19:42:39.880+01:00Decisions decisionsI'm seriously considering cancelling the evening care. There are a number of reasons for this. When Ma first came out of hospital her mobility was very very poor whereas now she is walks happily around the house without a frame and we only need the wheelchair when we go out. I know the company have sickness problems at the moment but having to interrupt her meal which she will then not eat because we've lost any momentum so that she can be made ready for bed at half past five or hanging around until 10pm trying to keep her awake because that last thing I want to do is get her revved up at that time of night after a three hour doze on the sofa does tend to irritate. With that point in mind I have been the one to get her ready for bed on a number of occasions recently and do not find it particularly arduous so am beginning to resent the constant 'she really needs two carers at night' comments. <span style="background-color: white;">My reasoning is that I can manage the evening shift thus saving money for when we will really really need at a later date.</span><br />
<br />
Later...<br />
<br />
As the comment below says continuity is important and a very relevant point in favour of discontinuing the evening calls. On reflection I think this is why mornings are rarely a problem because we (usually) only see two girls, Kay for 12 days straight then Lisa on Kay's weekend off. In the evenings we have a random selection, often two carers where one will fill in the 'book' while the other one does the job but sometimes just one. It's a pick 'n' mix group of around 10 different carers and her bedtimes can vary by up to two hours.<br />
<br />
The girl who came tonight is one of the ones who doesn't quite 'get' the best way to deal with Ma. So she's not settling at all. She's been up eight times in an hour already and I've just been punched in the face. Again. Between her and the cat, who is forever flipping my glasses off, it is a miracle I can see anything at all.<br />
<br />
Off to blip something. No idea what though, inspiration is a bit lacking tonight.<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Managed to go for a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/beeeze/sets/72157630757388492/" target="_blank">nice walk</a> with Lily yesterday.</span>Beeezehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15271065464757862269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137470136730931171.post-67748421659275408732012-07-22T10:17:00.001+01:002012-07-22T10:17:41.451+01:00Weekend MusingsIt's interesting the way behaviours I thought had been and gone come back again. It has been months since Ma haunted the front door, trying the handle every 30 seconds or so, but now she is back to doing it again. I can ignore it for so long (about an hour or so) and then suddenly it's just so <i>irritating </i>and I go through the whole 'It's locked Ma, you can't open it' and she says 'Yes that's right.' and then tries to open it. This is repeated a number of times until the futility of it bludgeons me over the head and I return to ignoring mode. Albeit with slightly flatter teeth.<br />
<br />
A current obsession is removing food from her plate and putting it somewhere else. Generally on the soft furnishings, but it can be anywhere. Vigilance is paramount here because had I missed the egg sandwich she put in a coat pocket in the cupboard we could have been searching for the source of the smell for weeks. I'm baffled as to how she decided that was where to put it but she clearly wanted to go there and in fact it was only her dogged determination that made me realise she was up to something.<br />
<br />
As she has been re-referred back to the dietician I am battling with the whole feeding thing again and this is linked to the above. As I mentioned a while back, when she is at the day centre she uses cutlery and feeds herself so I have stepped back from assisting her and encourage her to do the same at home. The downside to this is that she eats far less than she would if I was helping and tends to move food around the house/feed the dog etc if I'm not closely monitoring her and that has the inevitable result of some weight loss. Everything I feed her is calorie-loaded as much as possible - Jersey milk on cereal plus cream, I put butter, cream and/or cheese in as many things as I can and keep up a steady drip feed of soft sweet things such as pieces of banana, breakfast bars, cakes etc. The only time she flatly refuses is when I offer food which I've added Complan to. And frankly I can't say I blame her, it's foul. At the same time if she refuses to eat there's not a great deal I can do about it. Yesterday was a refusal day, hopefully today will be a good one.<br />
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Months ago I put my name down for a day retreat at Mirfield with the Vicar and others from church next Saturday but I am going to have to cancel. I hadn't realised that Peter would be in Spain and there isn't really anyone else I would ask to be with Ma all day, it's too much for anyone else to deal with. Hugh has offered to take me on a weekday when she's at the day centre which would be great, so we'll see how things go.<br />
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<br />
Some nice <a href="http://www.blipfoto.com/beeeze" target="_blank">blips</a> recently. I think we might have a jolly jaunt in the car today (Ma in the back with the child locks on) and go looking for something nice to photograph. It'll make a change from things in the garden :)Beeezehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15271065464757862269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137470136730931171.post-52749215513441084162012-07-18T09:37:00.001+01:002012-07-18T09:37:13.636+01:00Success!The Burglar Bill night time attire is working really well, since we started on this regime we haven't had a single 'incident'. Not had much success finding a suitable daytime version yet though. I may have to dig out the sewing machine after all.<br />
<br />
Harriet had a lovely birthday weekend and Ma had a few days in respite. When we arrived she was eager to get inside the door and once I'd unpacked her clothes in her room I took her to the lounge where she sat very happily saying hello and chatting away, in fact chatting away so well she didn't acknowledge me leaving. What a difference to a year ago. She did come home with half her clothes missing (despite me labelling everything, including her socks and knickers) and half of someone else's clothes instead. Not the first time this has happened and I'm seriously considering buying her a 'respite' wardrobe of inexpensive clothes so that I don't get annoyed when things go missing. Mind you she did come home from the centre yesterday wearing a pair of men's trousers. Thankfully she didn't bring the owner too.<br />
<br />
The home phoned me on Saturday night to say that as she had lost weight since her last visit they were referring her to the dietician. The fact that she's just been discharged from the same doesn't matter apparently. Nor does saying that she's been in hospital and had four weeks on an assessment bed since her last visit. So we will go round the houses again. I'm keeping a food diary this time because I can't see how I can get much more food inside her - especially if she refuses to eat it, and the stuff she refuses to eat is generally anything I've put Complan in as per the dietician's instructions. And can someone tell me what to do with <b>four</b> boxes of banana flavour? Where the hell do I put that? She's not keen on custard/mousse/cheesecake type things. Banana flavoured mashed potato isn't going to work.<br />
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It's Ma's 82nd birthday today so we are just about to set off for the day centre laden with cookies, chocolate roll, millionaire's shortbread, mini doughnuts and brownies (for 50). I hope they all enjoy it :)<br />
<br />
'Happy Birthday Mum!!'<br />
<br />
'Yes probably.'<br />
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<br />
I reached my 200th Blip without a gap on Sunday. Quite an achievement! <a href="http://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2161989" target="_blank">Roy</a> is proving to be a <a href="http://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2161927" target="_blank">popular</a> subject in and amongst everything else :)Beeezehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15271065464757862269noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137470136730931171.post-16436889328720091962012-07-11T09:48:00.001+01:002012-07-11T21:27:38.999+01:00Fun and GamesThe biggest issue I've had to deal with over recent weeks has been one of 'containment', particularly first thing in the morning, and four times in the last 6 days is apparently the tipping point. Without being overly coy or going into graphic detail it has meant washing everything in sight, starting with Ma and working outwards via the bed, bedding, soft furnishings, walls, floor etc. Ma gets distressed when she is put in the shower but unfortunately it is the only way to deal with the situation. Or it was... I think I may have come up with a solution.<br />
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It occurred to me that if I could remove access (as it were) then 90% of the problem would be sorted. So a bit of brainstorming later and she now goes to bed in long cycling shorts to keep the pad and net knickers arrangement snugly in place and then over the top she wears an all-in-one pyjama effort. These are not dissimilar to old fashioned long johns, the twist is that I put them on backwards so that the fastenings are out of reach. We are now on day three of this new regime and so far it's been 100% successful. One bonus I hadn't anticipated is that she appears to be much warmer in bed and the knock on effect of that has been that she sleeps more soundly and hasn't been up wandering about quite so much at 0 dark hundred hours.<br />
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Now I need to find some way of replicating this for daytime to stop the disrobing issue. Plain onesies without a pattern would do the trick but I'm not having much luck finding any small enough. If you happen to see any please let me know - the ones I have bought are sized for 13 year olds.<br />
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Phoned the surgery this morning because Ma had a skin tear on her leg at some point overnight. The appointment was for 10.30 which was fine, I would take her on to day care afterwards and rang them to say she would be late otherwise her lunch would be in danger of being cancelled. I thought it would be a quick in and out then off to the day centre with barely a blip. Silly moi.<br />
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We did eventually get in to see the GP but only after a 50 minute wait because she had 3 appointments run over. Ma was teasey and shouty after 15 minutes so you can imagine how stressy it was. Not surprised that GP was running over though, I went in just wanting to know if it should be dressing on or off, if antibiotics on stand by should be used or not and when to call if things deteriorated. I'm not lacking in intelligence but some of the situations I am now dealing with are new territory so I needed a quick precis on what to do coupled with reassurance that what I am already doing is fine. The GP gave me a full 15 minute run down on how the wound had probably happened, how it would likely heal, what to put on it etc. I have to say that in some ways she deserves a gold star, talking about something so minor for 15 minutes is a skill. She really needs to edit.<br />
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Thinking about the way the skin tear happened, I suspect it was the onesie wot did it. They all have a ribbed cuff at the bottom of the leg which is joined to the main body of the garment with some fairly robust stitching. So today I have been removing said cuffs off all the onesies and hemming up the softer jersey cotton. Hopefully this will stop any further injury. I really should have anticipated that though. Sigh.<br />
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<a href="http://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2145638" target="_blank">Thistle</a> blip today<br />
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<br />Beeezehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15271065464757862269noreply@blogger.com3