31/03/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 31ST MARCH 2007. MUM SPENT MOST OF TODAY SITTING AND DOZING IN HER CHAIR AND WAS GLAD TO GET INTO BED AT 7.15PM.  SHE SENDS HER LOVE TO YOU ALL.

ME TOO.

TED.

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30/03/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 30TH MARCH 2007. ANOTHER GOOD DAY FOR MUM ALTHOUGH SHE WAS VERY TIRED THIS EVENING AND FEELING NOT QUITE RIGHT. FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS SHE HAS BEEN FINDING IT HARDER TO DO THE THINGS WHICH SHE LIKES TO DO HERSELF - WASHING, GOING TO THE TOILET, GETTING IN AND OUT OF BED ETC - AND HAS BEEN RINGING HER BELL FOR ASSISTANCE. SHE RESENTS THIS FURTHER DECLINE IN HER ABILITIES AND OCCASIONALLY TEARS REVEAL HER FRUSTRATION. BUT THEN SHE SMILES AND AGREES THAT SHE CAN’T EXPECT IMPROVEMENTS BUT THIS MUST BE THE WAY HER LIFE IS NOW.

SHE IS ALWAYS THANKFUL TO SETTLE INTO BED AT THE END OF THE DAY WITH THE THINGS SHE NEEDS IN THE NIGHT IN THEIR PRECISE POSITION ON THE BEDSIDE TABLE.  ONE OF THESE IS A RED GLASS WITH TWO DISSOLVED CO-CODOMOLS IN IT - A RED GLASS SO THAT HER FAILING EYES CAN PICK IT OUT FROM THE GLASS OF MILK AND GLASS OF WATER WHICH ARE ALSO ON THE TABLE. IF SHE AWAKENS IN THE NIGHT THE CO-CODOMOLS SEEM TO SETTLE HER AGAIN INTO A PROPER SLEEP.

DESPITE THE OCCASIONAL MOMENTS OF FRUSTRATION SHE REMAINS HER OLD SELF AND BRIGHTENS EVERYONE WITH HER SMILES. THE STAFF LOVE HER AND CAN’T DO ENOUGH FOR HER.

TONIGHT SHE SEND HER LOVE TO YOU ALL AS USUAL,

AND SO DO I,

TED.

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29/03/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 29TH MARCH 2007. ANOTHER GOOD DAY FOR MUM. AS THE EFFECTS OF THE MORNING DOSE OF FUROSEMIDE WEAR OFF SHE RECOVERS FROM MUCH OF THE TIREDNESS AND WEARINESS SHE HAS IN THE FIRST PART OF THE DAY. TODAY SHE WAS VISITED BY BOB AND BARBARA, BOTH FROM BRIDLINGTON, AND HAD AN ENJOYABLE TIME WITH THEM BOTH.  SHE WAS STILL RELATIVELY FRESH AT BEDTIME WHEN SHE SETTLED DOWN FOR ANOTHER GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP. HER DIET STILL CONSISTS OF MILK, YOGHURTS, SOUP, NUTRITIONAL DRINKS AND A BREAKFAST CEREAL (USUALLY PORRIDGE) PLUS A MULTIVITAMIN, BUT SHE SEEMS TO BE THRIVING ON THIS. SHE SLEEPS  FREQUENTLY THROUGHOUT THE DAY BUT REMAINED ALERT AND WIDE-AWAKE WHEN IN THE COMPANY OF HER VISITORS. IT MAY BE THAT CAT-NAPPING IS THE BEST WAY OF PASSING TIME WHEN  THERE ARE NO VISITORS TO STIMULATE HER. 

ANYWAY, SHE SEEMS TO BE MAINTAINING THE IMPROVEMENT SHE HAS SHOWN IN THE PAST WEEK OR SO AND SENDS HER LOVE TO EVERYONE TONIGHT.

MORE TOMORROW,

TED.

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28/03/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 28TH MARCH 2007. MUM WAS FINE THIS MORNING AND SAID SHE HAD HAD THE BEST NIGHT’S SLEEP THAT SHE CAN REMEMBER. AFTER YESTERDAY’S VENTURE INTO THE GARDEN AT ST. GEORGE’S SHE IS NOW LOOKING FORWARD TO A TRIP TO SILECROFT IN THE CAR - PERHAPS ON SUNDAY IF THE WEATHER IS SUITABLE.

LOVE TO ALL,

TED.

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27/03/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 27 MARCH 2007. AFTER A SHAKY MORNING START MUM WAS BACK ON FORM THIS AFTERNOON, SO MUCH SO THAT, IT BEING A BEAUTIFUL DAY, SHE VENTURED IN A WHEELCHAIR INTO THE GROUNDS OF ST. GEORGE’S. HERE SHE ENJOYED HALF AN HOUR OR SO IN THE WARM SUNSHINE CLAD IN HER NIGHTIE, A SHAWL AND MY GILETTE. IT REALLY CHEERED HER UP AFTER MONTHS COOPED UP IN THE BUILDING AND SHE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING IT AGAIN AS WEATHER PERMITS.

SHE HAD A VISIT FROM A DOCTOR TODAY - NOT HER OWN DOCTOR - TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE ADJUSTMENTS TO HER MEDICATION TO AMELIORATE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF THE DRUGS SHE IS TAKING AT PRESENT.  SOME MINOR ADJUSTMENT WAS MADE BUT SHE WILL HAVE A CONSULTATION WITH HER OWN DOCTOR WHEN SHE RETURNS FROM HOLIDAY ON MONDAY TO SEE IF ANYTHING ELSE CAN BE ADJUSTED.  THE FUROSEMIDE - DIURETIC - PILLS MAKE HER DROWSY AND WITHOUT ENERGY AND SHE WOULD LIKE TO EXCHANGE THEM FOR SOMETHING ELSE WHICH WILL NOT HAVE THIS SIDE EFFECT.

FOR SOME TIME NOW MUM HAS BEEN WAKING IN THE EARLY HOURS TANGLED UP IN HER BLANKETS AND HAS HAD TO RING FOR HELP TO SORT THEM OUT. TODAY SHE WAS “KITTED OUT” WITH A LIGHTWEIGHT DUVET WHICH IT IS HOPED WILL NOT RESULT IN AN EARLY HOURS TUSSLE TO GET THINGS STRAIGHT AGAIN. THIS WILL ENABLE HER TO SLEEP THROUGH MORE EASILY. SHE IS, HOWEVER, SLEEPING QUITE WELL DESPITE THE TANGLE.

SHE WAS BRIGHT AND CHEERFUL AGAIN TONIGHT AND ASKED ME ONCE AGAIN TO SEND HER LOVE TO YOU ALL, 

MINE TOO,

TED.

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27/03/2007 by Ted.

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26/03/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 26 MARCH 2007. MUM HAS BEEN VERY TIRED AND WEARY TODAY AND WAS GLAD TO SETTLE INTO BED THIS EVENING.  AFTER SETTLING DOWN SHE HAD A BOUT OF NAUSEA WHICH WAS DISTRESSING FOR HER. HOWEVER SHE ONCE AGAIN SENDS HER LOVE TO YOU ALL AND IS LOOKING FOR A BETTER DAY TOMORROW.

LOVE FROM ME TOO,

TED.

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26/03/2007 by Ted.

really.com/main.hhttp://www.greatcom.org/resources/toughquestions/tm

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25/03/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 25 MARCH 2007.  A RATHER SLEEPY DAY FOR MUM TODAY SPENT MOSTLY LYING ON HER BED DOZING.

SUNDAY IS A DAY WITH USUALLY THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF STAFF AT WORK - NO CLEANERS ETC - AND THINGS GO ON AT A MORE LEISURELY PACE.  HOWEVER JANET THE MANAGER WAS IN AND WAS REVIEWING MUM’S CARE PLAN. THE FIRST ONE WAS PREPARED JUST AFTER SHE MOVED INTO THE HOME IN FEBRUARY 2006 AND SINCE THEN MUM’S LIFESTYLE, THANKS TO THE HOSPITAL VISIT, HAS CHANGED QUITE A BIT. WHEN THE NEW ONE IS READY WE WILL BE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO EDIT IT AND TAILOR IT AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO MEET MUM’S PRESENT NEEDS. THESE ARE NOW MAINLY FOCUSSED AROUND THE END OF THE DAY FROM TEA-TIME UNTIL BED. FOR THE REST OF THE DAY SHE IS CAPABLE OF DOING MOST THINGS FOR HERSELF.  SO WE HAD A SESSION THIS EVENING DISCUSSING WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THE NEW CARE PLAN. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A FEW TELEPHONE CALLS TO IMMEDIATE FAMILY TO KEEP IN TOUCH.

AT THIS POINT AN APOLOGY IS DUE.  THE TELEPHONE SPENDS EVERY DAY UNPLUGGED FROM ITS SOCKET TO STOP IT RINGING AND CAUSING A PANIC.  THIS HAPPENED ONE DAY DURING THE WEEK DURING MUM’S DOZE TIME.  SHE WAS AWAKENED FROM A LOVELY DEEP SLEEP BY THE TELEPHONE. OF COURSE SHE WAS UNABLE TO GET TO THE PHONE BEFORE IT STOPPED RINGING, AND A 1471 ENQUIRY WAS BLANK.  FROM THIS WE DEDUCED THAT THE CALL WAS PROBABLY FROM INDIA TO ENQUIRE IF THE PHONE WAS WORKING OK. SO - BECAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT IT WAS DECIDED TO INPLUG THE PHONE EXCEPT FOR THE PERIOD PUBLISHED ON THE BLOG - 3.30PM TO 5PM.  UNFORTUNATELY OUR OLD MINDS HAVE NOT REMINDED US TO PLUG IN THE TELEPHONE FOR THIS PERIOD EACH DAY.  WE THEREFORE APOLOGISE TO THOSE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO HAVE TRIED TO RING BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO.  WE WILL TRY TO DO BETTER IN FUTURE. WE DID THINK THAT IF YOU WERE UNABLE TO GET THROUGH YOU COULD GIVE MUM A RING TO TELL US TO PLUG IN THE PHONE.

ANYWAY ANOTHER GOOD DAY FOR MUM AND WE HOPE THE SAME TOMORROW.  SHE ASKS ME TO SEND HER LOVE TO HER FAMILY WHO SHE SAYS ARE WRAPPED UP IN HER LOVE.

MORE TOMORROW,

TED.

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24/03/2007 by PeterJohnson.

SORRY WE COULDN’T GET UP TO SEE MUM TODAY. PETER MAY VISIT TOMORROW. GLAD TO HEAR POSITIVE REPORTS OF LITTLE MUM. PLEASE GIVE HER OUR LOVE.

LOVE TO EVERYONE

PETER AND BARBARA  XXXX

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24/03/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 24 MARCH 2007.  MUM WAS FINE AGAIN THIS MORNING AFTER A BROKEN NIGHT’S SLEEP AND STARTED HER DAILY PROGRAMME  WITH A NAP AFTER BREAKFAST. PETER AND BARBARA WERE HOPING TO VISIT TODAY IF WELL ENOUGH AND MAY ADD MORE NEWS IN DUE COURSE.

MORE TOMORROW

LOVE TO ALL,

TED.

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23/03/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 23 MARCH 2007. ANOTHER EXCELLENT DAY FOR MUM, ONE IN WHICH SHE HAS SPENT A GOOD DEAL OF TIME CAT NAPPING - WHICH SHE FULLY ENJOYED. SHE IS HAPPY AND LOOKS WELL. SHE IS DINING ON SOUPS AND CEREALS, MILK, YOGHURTS AND A NUTRITIONAL FOOD DRINK WHICH THE COOK MAKES UP ESPECIALLY FOR HER. SHE HAS BEEN TOLD THAT SHE CAN HAVE ANYTHING TO EAT WHICH SHE FANCIES - SHE HAS ONLY TO ASK. TODAY SHE ALSO ENJOYED WATCHING PETER THE GARDENER/HANDYMAN PREPARING POTS OF FLOWERS TO FOLLOW ON FROM THE MASSES OF DAFFODILS AND TULIPS WHICH ARE VISIBLE FROM HER WINDOW. SHE SAYS THAT SHE JUST THANKS THE LORD FOR ALL THE BLESSINGS WHICH SHE HAS.

SHE ALSO SENDS HER LOVE TO EVERYBODY OUT THERE.

ME TOO.

TED.

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22/03/2007 by PeterJohnson.

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS RE. WILLIAM’S OPERATION. THE SITUATION IS THAT HE HAD  LOTS OF “GUNGE” IN THE LEFT EAR WHICH THE SURGEON FELT COULD BE AFFECTING HIS HEARING. THAT WAS ALL CLEARED AWAY. THE RIGHT EAR WAS FINE, SO HE HAD THE GROMMETS INSERTED INTO BOTH EARS. ON COMING ROUND FROM THE ANAESTHETIC, HE DEMANDED HAM BUTTIES AND A DRINK! HE WAS DISCHARGED HOME AT ABOUT 1pm AND HAD A TWO HOUR SLEEP. (ALI WAS VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE REST ALSO). PHIL WENT BACK TO WORK, AND I GUESS BILLY’S ROUTINE IS ALMOST BACK TO NORMAL.

MANY THANKS ONCE AGAIN.

WITH LOVE  PETER AND BARBARA    XXXXX

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22/03/2007 by Ted.

THURSDAY, 22 MARCH 2007.  MUM IS SO MUCH BETTER. TODAY ONE OF THE SENIOR CARERS WHO HAS BEEN AWAY FOR A FEW DAYS REMARKED ON THE IMPROVEMENT SINCE SHE LAST SAW HER. MUM SEEMS NOW TO BE ALMOST BACK TO WHERE SHE WAS BEFORE SHE MADE THE DREADFUL JOURNEY INTO HOSPITAL. THE WEARINESS HAS DISAPPEARED. SHE STILL SLEEPS DURING THE DAY BUT IS BRIGHT AND ALERT WHEN AWAKE.  SHE NEEDS NO SPECIAL CARE EXCEPT PERHAPS A HAND TO HOLD WHEN MOVING FROM CHAIR TO BED OR BED TO CHAIR FOR A CHANGE OF POSITION. APART FROM THIS SHE HAS A FEW THINGS PUT ON A TRAY FOR THE CARER TO MOVE TO HER BEDSIDE TABLE FOR HER TO USE DURING THE NIGHT. SHE INSISTS ON FEEDING UNAIDED AND DOES THIS ADMIRABLY.  SHE IS ALSO RINGING HER BELL WHEN SHE NEEDS TO CATCH THE CARERS ATTENTION. A VERY MUCH IMPROVED LADY!

MORE LATER,

TED.

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21/03/2007 by PeterJohnson.

HELLO ALL,

PETER WRITING THIS TODAY BECAUSE BARBARA HAD A BAD FALL YESTERDAY AND IS STILL NOT RIGHT. SHE HAS VERY BAD BALANCE, ARTHRITIC HIPS AND SPINE AND FREQUENT PAIN FROM HER LIVER CONDITION. A FALL TO HER CAN BE VERY DAMAGING IN SEVERAL WAYS. SHE HAD TO CANCEL EVERYTHING AND WAS UNABLE TO VISIT MUM ON MY BEHALF. (SEE BELOW)

BARBARA’S MOTHER HAD CHEST PAIN TOO DURING THE NIGHT AND IN VIEW OF HER PAST HISTORY OF HEART ATTACKS THIS HAS GIVEN RISE FOR CONCERN.SHE IS VERY UNSTABLE ON HER FEET AND BECOMING INCREASINGLY FRAIL. SHE IS 90 THIS YEAR. AS YOU ALL KNOW SHE LIVES WITH US AND RELIES ON US FOR ALL HER CARE NEEDS.

 I HAD EMERGENCY DENTAL TREATMENT TODAY BECAUSE OF A BROKEN TOOTH AND I WAS IN EXCRUCIATING PAIN. MY FACE IS JUST ABOUT RECOVERING AND I TOOK A SOFT DIET THIS EVENING.

WILLIAM JOHN (OUR LOVELY GRANDSON) IS HAVING EAR SURGERY TOMORROW IN MANCHESTER. PLEASE REMEMBER HIM IN PRAYER.

OTHERWISE ALL IS QUIET IN OUR LITTLE DISABLED GERIATRIC HOUSEHOLD (EVEN THE DOG IS ON MEDICATION FOR AN ARTHRITIC DISLOCATED HIP), AND I HOPE TO TEND TO LITTLE MUMS NEEDS ON FRIDAY AND POSSIBLY, SATURDAY IF BARBARA IS STILL NOT RECOVERED FROM HER INJURIES.

LOVE TO ALL

PETER AND BARBARA

Hi Peter and Barbara,

Please don’t even think of coming to Millom while you have your troubles. Mum, who seems better than any of you, would be very distressed if you did. I am here on Fridays anyway and can cover for Saturday too. You will see from today’s post that there are no needs to attend to now mum has improved.

Keep us posted as to how things are going.

Love to you all,

Ted

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21/03/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 21ST MARCH 2007 AFTER HAVING HAD A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP,  AT 9AM THIS MORNING MUM LOOKED AND FELT AS WELL AS SHE HAS DONE AT THE START OF THE PAST FEW DAYS.  UNFORTUNATELY HER SCHEDULED VISITORS WERE UNABLE TO CALL TODAY, BUT, HAVING UNPLUGGED THE TELEPHONE,  SHE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO A QUIET DAY UNDER THE CARE OF THE ST. GEORGE’S WONDERFUL STAFF.

MORE TOMORROW,

LOVE TO EVERYONE,

TED.

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20/03/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 20TH MARCH 2007. MUM HAS HAD ANOTHER EXCELLENT DAY FOLLOWING THE PATTERN OF LIFE OUTLINED ON THE DAILY PROGRAMME POSTED THIS MORNING. SHE IS LOOKING BETTER AND, THOUGH TIRED IN THE EVENINGS, CONTINUES TO BE BRIGHT, CONVERSATIONAL AND REASONABLY CONTENT WITH HER LIFE THROUGHOUT THE DAY. SHE SEEMS TO BE SLEEPING BETTER AT NIGHT TOO.

TODAY THE TELEPHONE WAS RE-INSTALLED. SHE HAS BEEN QUIETLY DREADING THE IMPACT OF THIS ON HER VERY CHANGED LIFESTYLE, BUT THIS EVENING WE RANG IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS AND SHE SPOKE TO EACH. AS A RESULT SHE FEELS THAT SHE WOULD BE HAPPIER TO MAKE CALLS AS SHE DID TONIGHT RATHER THAN TO RECEIVE THEM.  HOWEVER IF YOU DO WANT TO RING HER YOURSELF PLEASE DO SO - BETWEEN 3.30PM AND 5PM EACH DAY (EXCEPT WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY) WHEN TED WILL BE THERE TO ANSWER AND TAKE THE PHONE TO HER.  GIVEN HER PRESENT IMPROVED STATE OF WELLNESS SHE WILL PROBABLY, IN DUE COURSE, FEEL HAPPY TO ANSWER THE PHONE HERSELF AT OTHER TIMES. 

AS USUAL SHE ASKS ME TO SEND HER LOVE TO YOU ALL,

MINE COMES TOO,

TED.

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20/03/2007 by Ted.

 Mum’s daily programme (Times are approximate)

0730 Medication, wash, sits in chair, dozes

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19/03/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 19TH MARCH 2007. “I FEEL GREAT,” SAID LITTLE MUM AS SHE SETTLED INTO BED TONIGHT AFTER ANOTHER EXCELLENT DAY.

TOMORROW, OF COURSE, IS THE LATEST DATE FOR THE INSTALLATION OF MUM’S TELEPHONE WHICH WILL BRING HER MORE IN TOUCH WITH FAMILY MEMBERS WHO LIVE AWAY FROM MILLOM.  SINCE SHE LAST HAD THE TELEPHONE HER LIFE-PATTERN HAS CHANGED A LOT.  SHE RESTS MORE AND WILL FIND CALLS HARDER TO COPE WITH. HER LUNCH AND AFTER-LUNCH SLEEP TIME IS FROM NOON UNTIL AROUND 2PM AND SHE WILL BE WEARY AND READY FOR BED FROM AROUND 5.30PM. UNTIL WE ESTABLISH A SUITABLE PATTERN FOR PHONE CALLS IT MIGHT BE BEST TO CALL BETWEEN 3PM AND 5PM INITIALLY.

ONCE AGAIN MUM ASKED ME TO SEND HER LOVE TO EVERYONE,

LOVE TO ALL,

TED.

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18/03/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 18TH MARCH 2007. MUM HAS HAD AN EXCELLENT DAY - SMILING, BRIGHT AND TALKATIVE WITH LITTLE TIREDNESS BEFORE 6PM WHEN SHE WAS, AS USUAL, GLAD TO GET INTO BED AGAIN. SHE ASKS ME TO TELL YOU THAT SHE MIGHT BE JUST AN OLD WOMAN BUT SHE IS STILL FULL OF LOVE FOR YOU ALL.

LOVE TO ALL,

TED.

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