UPDATE ON MUM

17/03/2007 by PeterJohnson.

TODAY I ARRIVED AT ABOUT 11am, AND I SEEM TO HAVE PUT MY FOOT IN IT ON LAST NIGHTS BLOG RE. THE SHERRY. IT WAS A JOKE, AND THIS “IDEA” OF MINE WAS QUERIED. SO SORRY TO ANYONE WHO THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO INEBRIATE LITTLE MUM.

SHE WAS VERY WEARY TODAY, AND TOLD JANET (THE MANAGER) THAT SHE DIDN’T WANT ANY MAIN MEALS IE. DINNER OR TEA. SHE WISHES TO HAVE A MILKY DIET OF PORRIDGE, SOUP, ICE CREAM, RICE PUDDING ETC. WITH GLASSES OF COLD MILK. SHE ATE SOME LENTIL SOUP AND ICE-CREAM BUT STRUGGLED WITH THE MAIN COURSE.

I SETTLED HER DOWN FOR HER SIESTA, AND WENT TO EAT MY LUNCH. ON MY RETURN SHE WAS HAVING A CUP OF TEA, AND I WAS OFFERED ONE AS WELL. I PUT HER NIGHT-TIME NECESSITIES ON TO HER TABLE, THEN LEFT. SHE SEEMED VERY THIRSTY TODAY, SO I MENTIONED IT TO THE STAFF ON MY WAY OUT.

MUM SENDS HER LOVE TO YOU ALL, AS DO PETER AND MYSELF. XXXXXX

 

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UPDATE ON MUM

16/03/2007 by PeterJohnson.

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 16TH.  PETER WENT UP TO MILLOM, ARRIVING THERE AT ABOUT 10.00am. HE FOUND MUM AND TED IN FAIRLY GOOD SPIRITS,  MUM  ATE MUSHROOM SOUP AND FISH AND CHIPS THEN THEN THE DOCTOR ARRIVED. (DON’T THEY PICK THEIR MOMENTS!). AFTER SHE HAD GONE MUM ATE PEAR SPONGE AND CUSTARD.

THE DOCTORS REPORT WAS THAT MUM WAS DOING WELL, AND SHE HAS HAD HER EYE TABLETS DISCONTINUED. THE NURSE WILL COME NEXT WEEK TO TAKE BLOOD FOR ROUTINE ANALYSIS. PETER SAYS THAT MUM LOOKS WELL, BUT TIRES VERY EASILY, AND NEEDS LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES TO SLEEP AND REST.

PETER LEFT TO GET HIS LUNCH GIVING MUM THE CHANCE OF SOME PEACE AND QUIET AND HER SLEEP.  WHEN HE ARRIVED BACK MUM WAS AWAKE AND SAID SHE FELT WELL. AFTER A FEW MINUTES SHE FELT WEARY. (DO YOU THINK PETER’S TO BLAME? AGREE WITH ME AT YOUR PERIL!).

TED ARRIVED SOON AFTER.   I WILL BE CARING FOR MUM TOMORROW, SO I’LL TAKE A BOTTLE OF SHERRY! THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MUM’S PHONE, MUMS PHONE GIVES THE NORMAL RINGING TONE WHEN YOU DIAL HER NUMBER, SO IF NO-ONE ANSWERS, DO NOT FRET. IT APPEARS THERE MIGHT BE A LITTLE WHILE BEFORE SHE WILL BE CONNECTED.

MUM, PETER,TED AND I SEND YOU OUR LOVE AS ALWAYS.

BYE FOR NOW.

 

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UPDATE ON MUM’S TELEPHONE

16/03/2007 by Ted.

FRIDAY 16TH MARCH 2007. PETER VISITED MUM TODAY AND WILL, I THINK, BE DOING THE MUM’S UPDATE BLOG. I THOUGHT I WOULD UPDATE YOU ON THE TELEPHONE LINE INSTALLATION.

AS REQUESTED BY THE TELEPHONE ENGINEER ON MY VOICEMAIL (READ YESTERDAY’S BLOG!) I TELEPHONED 150 TO MAKE A NEW DATE FOR MUM’S TELEPHONE TO BE INSTALLED.  I WAS GREETED BY “GOOD MORNING, THIS IS RICHARD. HOW MAY I HELP?” I EXPLAINED THE VOICEMAIL MESSAGE AND WHY I WAS TELEPHONING WHEREUPON HE SAID, “I’LL TRANSFER YOU TO MY COLLEAGUE WHO WILL DEAL WITH THIS”. A CLICK LATER AND THE PIPED MUSIC STARTED AND I WAITED. SUDDENLY A VERY FOREIGN SOUNDING VOICE - HARD TO MAKE OUT - SAID (I THINK!), “GOOD MORNING. HOW CAN I HELP?” ON A HUNCH I ASKED, “WHERE ARE YOU SPEAKING FROM?” WHEREUPON THE VOICE ANSWERED “INDIA”.  I SAID THAT I THOUGHT WE MUST HAVE A CROSSED LINE AS I WAS IN ENGLAND AND HAD BEEN SPEAKING TO AN ENGLISH TELEPHONE ENGINEER ABOUT A JOB IN ENGLAND - HOW HAD I GOT TO INDIA? SHE THEREUPON ASKED ME FOR MY TELEPHONE NUMBER - WHICH I HAD ALREADY GIVEN TO VARIOUS PEOPLE TWICE ALREADY - AND I BECAME SUSPICIOUS AND ASKED HER PROOF THAT SHE WAS A BT EMPLOYEE, SHE BEING IN INDIA. SHE SAID (I THINK!) THAT SHE COULDN’T PRODUCE ANY AND I ASKED HER IF SHE COULD RETURN ME TO ENGLAND AS I DID NOT KNOW WHO SHE REALLY WAS.  SHE SAID (I THINK!)  THAT THE ONLY WAY TO DO THIS WAS FOR ME TO DISCONNECT AND START AGAIN - WHICH I DID - ONLY TO BE TOLD INCESSANTLY BY ENGLISH BT THAT THEY WERE VERY BUSY AND THANK YOU FOR HOLDING. SO I DISCONNECTED THAT CALL TOO AND DETERMINED TO LET BT STEW IN THEIR OWN JUICE FOR A BIT.

THIS AFTERNOON MY TELEPHONE RANG AND A VERY FOREIGN SOUNDING AND HARD TO MAKE OUT VOICE SAID THE CALL WAS IN CONNECTION WITH A LINE INSTALLED AT ST. GEORGE’S RESIDENTIAL HOME, AND WAS EVERYTHING WORKING ALRIGHT.  I ASKED HIM WHERE HE WAS SPEAKING FROM AND HE SAID - GUESS WHERE? I EXPLAINED THAT THE WORK OF INSTALLING MUM’S LINE HAD NOT HAPPENED WHEREUPON HE ASKED IF I WOULD LIKE TO RE-BOOK THE JOB WITH HIM - IN INDIA - FOR 20TH MARCH. WHICH I DID - I THINK! UNLESS THERE IS A SAINT GEORGE’S RESIDENTIAL HOME IN BANGALORE IN WHICH CASE I DIDN’T.

SO A NEAR ROUND THE WORLD TRIP TWICE IN ONE DAY.  NOT BAD, EH? AND, PRESUMABLY, AN ENGINEER FLYING IN FROM BANGALORE TO INSTALL MUM’S PHONE ON 20TH MARCH - MAYBE! OR MAYBE HE’LL BE INSTALLING IT AT ST. GEORGE’S RESIDENTIAL HOME, BANGALORE AFTER ALL!

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UPDATE ON MUM

15/03/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 15TH MARCH 2007.  FIRST OF ALL, MY APOLOGIES FOR THE LATE POST - TICALI, MY ISP, HAS BEEN OFF THE AIR.

MUM HAD ANOTHER REASONABLE DAY TODAY AFTER A DISTURBED NIGHT WHE SHE GOT TANGLED UP IN THE BEDDING WHILE DRINKING A CUP OF TEA SOME TIME IN THE EARLY HOURS.  THIS NECESSITATED A BEDDING CHANGE WHEN THE TEA SPILLED AND SHE HAD TO RING HER BELL.  FOLLOWING THIS ADVENTURE THE CARERS GOT HER UP AROUND 7.30AM AND BY 9.30AM SHE WAS WASHED, BREAKFASTED AND INSTALLED IN HE CHAIR.  AROUND 10AM SHE FOUND MORE COMFORT LYING ON HER BED WHERE SHE REMAINED FOR LUNCH - WELL, THE GRAVY AND SOME OF THE CHICKEN AND MASHED POTATOES WHICH WAS ENOUGH FOR HER.  PUDDING CONSISTED OF A MERINGUE NEST WITH APRICOT SLICES AND CREAM WHICH SHE ATE WITH GUSTO.  THEN IT WAS TIME FOR A NAP, AFTER WHICH SHE SAT IN THE CHAIR BY THE WINDOW FOR AN HOUR OR SO BEFORE RETURNING TO THE MORE COMFORTABLE BED UNTIL TEA-TIME.  AFTER A COUPLE OF TOMATO SANDWICHES AND A PIECE OF CAKE SHE STAYED IN BED UNTIL THE 6.30PM MEDICATION AND I TUCKED HER IN AT AROUND 7.45PM AFTER HER HORLICKS AND SLEEPING PILLS.

MUM SAID THAT LAST NIGHT SHE HAD ASKED TO BE PUT TO BED AT 5PM BECAUSE SHE WAS SO WEARY AND TIRED.  SHE FINDS THAT THIS NORMAL END-OF-DAY WEARINESS IS COMING ON SOONER AND SOONER NOW.  BEFORE HER TIME IN HOSPITAL HER BEDTIME WAS AFTER 8PM BUT SHE NOW FINDS IT INCREASINGLY NECESSARY TO GO MUCH EARLIER.  SHE HAS ACCORDINGLY MADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CARERS TO PUT HER TO BED AT 5.30PM ON SATURDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS WHEN I AM NOT THERE AND HAS ASKED ME TO DO THE SAME WHEN I AM THERE.

I MENTIONED THE OTHER EVENING THAT A SAMPLE OF HER STOOL HAD BEEN SENT FOR ANALYSIS TO SEE IF SHE IS NOW CLEAR OF THE CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE WHICH SHE BROUGHT BACK FROM HOSPITAL.  ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT THE CD BACTERIA IS STILL IN HER SYSTEM BUT THIS IS APPARENTLY QUITE NORMAL FOR UP TO THREE WEEKS AFTER THE COURSE OF ANTIBIOTICS HAS FINISHED.  THERE WILL BE ANOTHER ANALYSIS IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

BARBARA MENTIONED LAST NIGHT THAT MUM’S TELEPHONE HAD NOT BEEN CONNECTED YESTERDAY AS PROMISED.  THERE WAS A RECORDED BT MESSAGE ON MY TELEPHONE TODAY TO SAY THAT THAT THEY HAD HAD SOME UNDISCLOSED PROBLEM WHICH HAD PREVENTED THIS AND ASKING ME TO RING BT SALES TO MAKE ANOTHER DATE.  THIS I WILL TRY TO DO TOMORROW AND LET YOU KNOW THE RESULT.

AS SHE WAS SETTLING DOWN TONIGHT MUM ASKED ME TO ESPECIALLY SEND EVERYONE HER LOVE WHICH I DO NOW,

MORE TOMORROW,

LOVE FROM ME TOO,

TED. 

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APOLOGIES

14/03/2007 by PeterJohnson.

THE ABOVE BLOG WAS FOR TODAY WEDNESDAY MARCH 14th.

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UPDATE ON MUM

14/03/2007 by PeterJohnson.

EVENING 0F 14TH MARCH 2007.PETER WENT TO ST. GEORGES TODAY TO GIVE TED A DAY OFFF. HE FOUND MUM LOOKING AND FEELING UNCOMFORTABLE, BUT WITH THE HELP OF THE STAFF, THAT PROBLEM WAS SOON RECTIFIED.AT LUNCHTIME MUM SAID SHE WOULD JUST HAVE SOUP AND A PUDDING, BUT SOON PERKED UP WHEN SHE HEARD IT WAS MINCE POTATOES AND VEGETABLES. IT SEEMS THAT MINCE IS ONE OF HER FAVOURITES. PETER GAVE HER SOME ASSISTANCE, AND SHE ATE A GOOD LUNCH, FOLLOWED BY RICE PUDDING. PETER HELPED HER INTO BED TO SETTLE DOWN FOR HER AFTERNOON NAP. WHEN PETER CAME BACK AFTER 1 HOUR, THE STAFF WERE HELPING MUM INTO HER CHAIR. SHE WAS MORE CHEERFUL AND BRIGHT, AND AFTER PETER GOT THE NIGHT TIME ROUTINE SORTED (SEE LIST ON LOCKER!), CHRISTINE ARRIVED SO PETER LEFT FOR HOME, AND LEFT THE LADIES TO HAVE A CHAT. MUM DOES NEED CAJOLING TO EAT, BUT IF THE TRAY IS JUST LEFT ON THE TABLE, AND NO ONE IS THERE ONE TO ONE, SHE CANNOT SEE WHAT IS ON THE PLATE, SO SHE STRUGGLES WHEN SHE IS IN THAT SITUATION.

BY THE WAY MUM HAS NOT HAD HER ‘PHONE CONNECTED YET. I HAVEN’T SPOKEN TO TED TODAY SO DON’T KNOW WHAT THE HOLD UP IS.

MUM, PETER AND I SEND YOU ALL OUR LOVE. XXXXXX

‘BYE FOR NOW!

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UPDATE ON MUM

13/03/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 13TH MARCH 2007.  HAD A SUPRISE WHEN I WALKED INTO MUM’S ROOM THIS MORNING - ALL THE FURNITURE HAD BEEN CHANGED ROUND TO MAKE THINGS EASIER FOR HER TO MOVE AROUND. MUM WAS SITTING IN HER “NEW POSITION” CHAIR LOOKING VERY WELL AFTER HER WEEKLY BATH. SHE HAD EATEN BREAKFAST AND ORDERED OXTAIL SOUP AND A SWEET FOR LUNCH. AFTER LUNCH SHE HAD A NAP AND THEN REMAINED FRESH FOR THE AFTERNOON.  TEA CONSISTED OF TOMATO SANDWICHES FOLLOWED BY PEACH SLICES WHICH SHE ENJOYED TOO ONCE SHE HAD MADE UP HER MIND TO EAT THEM.  AT THIS TIME OF THE DAY SHE IS ON THE DOWNHILL SLIDE TO HER EVENING TIREDNESS AND EATING IS ALWAYS AN EFFORT. SHE ALSO FANCIED AN ORANGE - FOR THE FIRST TIME IN AGES.  PRIOR TO HER HOSPITAL VISIT SHE HAD ENJOYED AN ORANGE AND SOME GRAPES EVERY DAY, SO IT WAS NICE TO SEE HER EATING ONE AGAIN. ABOUT 7PM THE DISTRICT NURSE ARRIVED TO CHANGE HER “ONE-MONTH” CATHETER FOR A “THREE-MONTH” ONE. ALSO THIS MORNING A SAMPLE OF HER POO WAS TAKEN FOR ANALYSIS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE HOSPITAL BUG HAD MADE IT’S FINAL EXIT.  HOWEVER WHEN THE SAMPLE WAS SENT OFF WE WERE TOLD THAT IT HAS TO BE TWO WEEKS AFTER THE LAST ANTIBIOTIC IS TAKEN BEFORE AN ANALYSIS CAN BE MADE SO ANOTHER SAMPLE WILL HAVE TO BE TAKEN NEXT WEEK.

SO IT HAS BEEN QUITE AN EVENTFUL DAY FOR MUM AND SHE WEATHERED IT VERY WELL.  SHE WAS IN BED ABOUT SEVEN-THIRTY, STILL BRIGHT, AND LOOKING FORWARD TO ANOTHER GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP.

SHE SENDS HER LOVE TO YOU ALL,

ME TOO,

TED.

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UPDATE ON MUM.

12/03/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 12TH MARCH 2007. MUM WAS BRIGHTER TODAY. AT 9.30AM I FOUND HER SITTING ON HER CHAIR, BUT WITH HER UNEATEN BREAKFAST IN FRONT OF HER. SHE HAD NO APPETITE, SO I GOT HER A GLASS OF MILK AND SHE SETTLED FOR THAT. SHE HAD, HOWEVER, HAD A GOOD NIGHT AND LOOKED FRESHER THAN YESTERDAY. AS WE CHATTED SHE EXPLAINED THAT SHE HAS COME TO THE PLACE WHERE SHE REALISES THAT SHE NEEDS ASSISTANCE TO DO THINGS.  A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO SHE HAD DETERMINED THAT SHE WOULD DO MORE THINGS BY HERSELF, BUT HAD NOW DISCOVERED THAT THE THOUGHT IS EASIER THAN THE DEED. 

WE SPOKE TO JANET, THE MANAGERESS, AND HAVE ARRANGED THAT THE CARERS WILL GET MUM UP AT 7.30AM EACH MORNING AND HELP HER TO WASH AND DRESS BEFORE BREAKFAST. THEY WILL THEN SETTLE HER IN HER CHAIR. BECAUSE MUM HAS A RELUCTANCE TO RING HER BELL IN CASE IT INTERRUPTS THE CARERS’ ATTENTION TO OTHER PEOPLE JANET HAS INSTRUCTED ALL THE CARERS TO LOOK IN ON MUM WHENEVER THEY PASS HER DOOR TO SEE IF SHE WANTS ANYTHING.  SHE HAS ALSO RECEIVED, YET AGAIN, FIRM INSTRUCTIONS TO RING HER BELL WHENEVER SHE HAS A NEED. 

WE ALSO ARRANGED 6.30PM AS THE OFFICIAL TIME WHEN THE CARERS WILL UNDRESS MUM AND PUT HER INTO BED ON THE TWO EVENINGS WHEN I AM NOT THERE. THIS WILL GIVE HER TIME TO RELAX BEFORE THE EVENING MEDICATION ARRIVES FOLLOWED BY HORLICKS AND HER SLEEPING PILLS.

FINALLY MUM HAS TO RING HER BELL FOR ASSISTANCE WHEN SHE WANTS TO GO TO THE LOO.  SHE HAS BEEN TRYING TO DO THIS ON HER OWN AND IT HAS BEEN A RIGHT STRUGGLE FOR HER.

FOR SOME DAYS NOW SHE HAS BEEN SAYING THAT SHE CAN’T BE BOTHERED WITH FOOD. FOR LUNCH SHE HAD SOME SOUP WHICH WAS ALL SHE WANTED. TEA-TIME WAS A CORNISH PASTY WHICH SHE SAID WAS TOO MUCH OF A STRUGGLE TO EAT. IT TURNED OUT THAT THIS WAS BECAUSE, DUE TO HER FAILED EYESIGHT SHE COULD NOT SEE IT TO CUT AND EAT WITH HER KNIFE AND FORK. WHEN I CUT IT UP AND FED IT TO HER SHE ENJOYED IT, AND I DID THE SAME WITH THE FRUIT AND CREAM WHICH FOLLOWED AND WHICH SHE ATE MOST OF.  I ASKED HER IF THAT WAS THE REASON SHE DID NOT EAT DINNER BUT JUST SOUP BUT SHE SAID THAT AT LUNCHTIME SHE HAD HAD NO APPETITE. 

PETER, BARBARA AND I ALREADY HELP MUM WITH HER FOOD WHEN WE ARE THERE AT MEAL-TIMES BUT IT APPEARS THAT HER EYESIGHT IS NOW MAKING THIS MORE OF A NECESSITY WHICH HAS TO BE ADDRESSED.

AT 6.30 THIS EVENING MUM WAS STILL QUITE FRESH AND HAD A HEALTHY COLOUR TO HER CHEEKS, SO MUCH SO THAT SHE DIDN’T GO TO BED UNTIL 7PM.  I FINALLY LEFT HER AT EIGHT OCLOCK REGALED WITH HORLICKS, MEDICATION AND SLEEPING PILLS AND LOOKING FORWARD TO  TUESDAY MORNING WHICH IS BATH MORNING AND WHICH SHE ENJOYS IMMENSELY - WASHED ALL OVER AND POWDERED TOGETHER WITH A CLEAN NIGHTIE.

……… AND THE DAY AFTER, THE 14TH, SHE IS DUE TO HAVE HER NEW PHONE LINE INSTALLED.

SHE ESPECIALLY ASKED ME TO SEND HER LOVE TO YOU ALL VIA THE BLOG.

MORE TOMORROW,

LOVE TO ALL,

TED.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MATTHEW

12/03/2007 by Ted.

13TH MARCH 2007 IS THE 26TH BIRTHDAY OF MATTHEW. MATT, THE FAMILY JOIN TO WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY.

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11/03/2007 by Ted.

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UPDATE ON MUM

11/03/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 11TH MARCH 2007. ANOTHER REASONABLE DAY FOR MUM TODAY. SHE WAS UP AND IN HER CHAIR THIS MORNING THEN RETIRED AFTER LUNCH FOR HER NAP AND DECIDED TO STAY THERE WHEN SHE AWOKE. WEARY, SHE REVIVED WHEN VISITED BY RICHARD AND LINDA AND ENJOYED THEIR VISIT. WHEN THEY LEFT SHE GRADUALLY WENT INTO DECLINE AND BY TEA-TIME WAS JUST WAITING FOR BEDTIME AGAIN. AT 8.10PM SHE HAD HER HORLICKS AND SLEEPING PILLS AND WITH RELIEF SHE SETTLED DOWN FOR THE NIGHT.

MORE TOMORROW,

LOVE TO ALL,

TED.

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AND MORE BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TOO

11/03/2007 by Ted.

TODAY JONOTHAN IS 22 YEARS OLD.  A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU JONOTHAN FROM ALL THE FAMILY AND LOVE AND BEST WISHES FOR MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY.

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AND BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TOO

11/03/2007 by Ted.

TODAY, 10TH MARCH, IS YSABEL’S 14TH BIRTHDAY.  HAVE A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY YSABEL, AND MANY HAPPY RETURNS AND MUCH LOVE FROM US ALL.

 

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UPDATE ON LITTLE MUM

10/03/2007 by PeterJohnson.

By Barbara.

Evening of 10th March.

 I visited Mum this afternoon, and found her in good spirits, but weary. We had a good chat, and I went and made a cup of tea for myself having just missed the tea round! I helped do a few jobs to prepare her for going to bed. She is certainly able to direct her carer(s), which just shows how independent she really is.

When it was time for her evening meal, and her tea was brought to her room, I was “dismissed”, Mum being anxious that I got home in the daylight. This is more like the “old Mum”, who always worries about her family traveling to or from wherever! When she gets her ‘phone put in, we will be able to ring her and say “we’re home”.

Mum sends her love to everyone, and so do I.

Barbara.

PS I am Ted’s blog secreatary today.

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UPDATE ON MUM

09/03/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF FRIDAY 9TH MARCH 2007. TODAY MUM WAS AS YESTERDAY - BRIGHT IN THE MORNING, SLEEPING A LOT DURING THE DAY AND TIRED AND READY FOR BED ABOUT 6PM. SHE HAS EATEN ALL HER MEALS ONCE AGAIN, TRIED LISTENING TO THE NEWS AND FELL ASLEEP WHILE LISTENING, THEN LATER PUT ON ONE OF HER TAPES AND DID THE SAME.

THIS EVENING SHE BELIEVES SHE HAS DISCOVERED THE REASON FOR HER STILL BEING HERE.  ONE OF THE CARERS, WITH WHOM GWEN WAS IN HOSPITAL WITH BREAST CANCER, CONFIDED IN MUM THAT SHE HAD BEEN IN AT THAT TIME WITH THE SAME DIAGNOSIS.  SHE HAS HAD CHEMOTHERAPY FROM TIME TO TIME SINCE THEN AND THE BREAST CANCER HAS BEEN CONTROLLED.  HOWEVER SHE RECENTLY DISCOVERED ANOTHER LUMP AND HAD TO GO FOR MORE CHEMOTHERAPY THIS WEEK. NO-ONE BUT THE MANAGERESS OF THE HOME IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT TONIGHT SHE UNBURDENED HERSELF, IN CONFIDENCE, TO MUM - BECAUSE HER OWN MUM DIED LAST YEAR AND SHE WAS JUST LIKE OUR MUM - CARING, UNDERSTANDING AND A CHRISTIAN WHO LOOKED FORWARD TO THE ENJOYMENT OF THE LIFE TO COME. WITH MUM’S EXPERIENCE OF GWEN’S PROBLEMS SHE KNEW THAT MUM WOULD UNDERSTAND. SHE SAID THAT HER DAD IS LOVELY BUT DAD’S CAN NEVER UNDERSTAND LIKE A MOTHER. MUM HELD HER HAND AND TOLD HER THAT SHE WOULD PRAY FOR HER AND THE CARER SAID THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HER MOTHER WOULD HAVE SAID. SO IT APPEARS THAT MUM HAS BEEN KEPT TO BE A PSEUDO-MUM FOR THIS LOVELY CARER DURING HER HARD TIMES. THE CARER IS A CHRISTIAN WHO GOES TO CHURCH BUT MUM’S ASSURANCE IN THE LORD AND HER ABILITY TO GIVE HER SCRIPTURES WHICH BRING HER THE COMFORT SHE NEEDS AT THIS TIME IS PROVING A BLESSING. IF YOU HAVE ROOM ON YOUR PRAYER LIST, PRAY FOR THE CARER AT THAT SHE MAY EXPERIENCE THE COMFORTING PRESENCE OF THE LORD IN ALL THAT SHE HAS TO GO THROUGH. AND GIVE GOD THANKS FOR USING EVEN A 93 YEAR OLD, HEART-FAILED CHRISTIAN LADY TO HELP ANOTHER NEEDY CHRISTIAN ALONG THE WAY.

MORE TOMORROW,

LOVE TO ALL,

TED.

 

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UPDATE ON MUM

08/03/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 8TH MARCH 2007. GOOD NEWS AGAIN. THIS MORNING MUM LOOKED WELL AND FELT WELL FROM THE START. DURING THE DAY SHE HAS EATEN ALL THE MEALS AND ENJOYED THEM. SHE HAS ATTENDED TO HER OWN WASHING AND TOILET VISITS AND HAS SPENT THE DAY IN THE CHAIR WITHOUT FATIGUE. SHE REALLY SEEMS TO BE ON THE MEND.

THIS MORNING SHE HAD HER “WALKER” RETURNED TO HER FROM STORE.  IT HAD BEEN PUT THERE WHEN SHE ENTERED ST.GEORGE’S BECAUSE SHE THEN DID NOT NEED IT AND DID NOT THINK SHE EVER WOULD.  NOW IT IS DOING STERLING SERVICE - SHE SAYS IT MAKES HER FEEL REALLY SAFE WHEN SHE IN ON HER FEET.

SHE IS STILL CONTENT TO STAY IN HER ROOM IN HER NIGHTIE. I SUPPOSE IT MAKES LIFE EASIER FOR HER WITH TOILETTING ETC., BUT IT ALSO ENABLES HER TO SLEEP WHICH SHE IS STILL DOING QUITE A LOT DURING THE DAY.  SHE IS ALSO SLEEPING WELL AT NIGHT THOUGH SHE REGULARLY WAKENS UP IN THE EARLY HOURS TANGLED UP IN HER BLANKETS AND PILLOWS AND HAS TO RING FOR HELP TO GET STRAIGHT AGAIN. SHE HAS NO IDEA HOW SHE GETS INTO SUCH A TANGLE.

BUT TODAY SHE HAS BEEN SMILING AND TALKING AGAIN. SHE LISTENED TO PART OF THE NEWS ON HER RADIO BUT SWITCHED IT OFF SOON IN DISGUST.  NOW SHE IS LISTENING TO HER FAVOURITE AUDIO TAPES INSTEAD.

WHEN I LEFT HER THIS EVENING SHE ASKED ME PARTICULARLY TO SEND YOU ALL HER LOVE “ON THE BLOG”.

MORE TOMORROW,

LOVE TO ALL,

TED.

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UPDATE ON MUM

07/03/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 7TH MARCH 2007. TODAY WAS MY WEDNESDAY SHOPPING DAY IN BARROW. BEFORE I WENT I VISITED MUM AND FOUND HER THE SAME AS YESTERDAY MORNING - IMPROVING FROM THE SIDE EFFECTS OF HER 7.30AM MEDICATION. AS I WAS DOING MY MORNING JOBS HER COLOUR RETURNED AND SHE BEGAN TO FOCUS IN ON THE DAY. I AM STILL IN BARROW AS I WRITE THIS, BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY THE HOME SO I ASSUME MUM HAS HAD ANOTHER DAY SIMILAR TO YESTERDAY.  BY NOW SHE WILL BE IN BED AND FAST ASLEEP HAVING TAKEN HER EVENING SEDATIVE.

MUM’S INDEPENDENCE IS NOW BEGINNING TO REASSERT ITSELF AND, THOUGH STILL FRAIL, SHE WANTS TO BE MORE ACTIVE DURING THE DAY. TO THIS END SHE THIS MORNING ASKED TO HAVE HER ZIMMER FRAME BROUGHT IN AND SHE WILL USE THIS TO GET TO THE BATHROOM TO WASH HERSELF AND ALSO WHEN SHE GOES TO THE LOO. SHE WAS ALSO PLANNING TO GET OUT OF BED HERSELF DURING THE NIGHT IF SHE NEEDED THE LOO AND GO THERE CARRYING HER NIGHT-CATHETER WITH HER.  SHE HAS NOW PROMISED THAT SHE WILL NOT EVEN CONSIDER DOING THIS BUT WILL RING HER BELL. THIS MORNING SHE ALSO ASKED ME TO CONNECT UP HER RADIO - TUNED IN TO CHANNEL 4 - SO THAT SHE COULD LISTEN TO THE NEWS AND MAYBE OTHER PROGRAMMES TO HELP PASS THE DAY - WHICH SEEMS TO BE A LONG DAY NOW THAT SHE STAYS IN HER ROOM.  HER WANTING TO DO THIS IS A STEP FORWARD BECAUSE, UNTIL NOW, SHE HAS NOT HAD INTEREST IN ANYTHING OUTSIDE ST. GEORGE’S SINCE SHE CAME OUT OF HOSPITAL.

MORE TOMORROW,

LOVE TO ALL,

TED.

 

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UPDATE ON MUM

06/03/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 6TH MARCH 2007. I THINK MUM TODAY MAINTAINED THE PROGRESS SHE SHOWED YESTERDAY.  WHEN I VISITED HER THIS MORNING SHE WAS VERY TIRED AND SITTING IN HER CHAIR LOOKING FRAIL DESPITE HAVING HAD A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP, BUT SHE SLOWLY IMPROVED AND REGAINED SOME COLOUR.  I THINK THAT THE MORNING TIREDNESS IS PERHAPS THE EFFECT OF THE 7.30AM HIGH DOSE OF FUROSEMIDE WHICH DRAGS HER DOWN A BIT. THIS AFTERNOON SHE LOOKED OK AND MADE SOME CONVERSATION. THEN, EARLY EVENING SHE WENT INTO DECLINE AND WAS JUST WAITING FOR BEDTIME FROM 6PM.  SHE STUCK IT OUT UNTIL 7PM AND THEN SANK INTO HER BED WITH RELIEF TO WAIT FOR HER HORLICKS AND SLEEPING PILLS.

ON A GOOD NOTE, SHE ATE BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND TEA AGAIN TODAY.

THE DOCTOR ALSO BROUGHT GOOD NEWS TODAY. A BLOOD-TEST WHEN MUM CAME OUT OF HOSPITAL SHOWED A READING OF 180 FOR SOME KIDNEY TEST WHICH WAS VERY HIGH.  THE CRITICAL LEVEL IS APPARENTLY 200.  HOWEVER YESTERDAYS BLOOD SAMPLE SHOWED THIS TO HAVE FALLEN TO 36 WHICH MEANS THAT MUM’S METABOLISM IS NOW HANDLING HER MEDICATION WITHOUT PROBLEMS.  THE DOCTOR ALSO OFFICIALLY RAISED HER SEDATIVE MEDICATION TO THE TWO PILLS WHICH HAVE ENABLED HER TO GET A PROPER NIGHT’S SLEEP SINCE THE DOSE WAS INCREASED BY THE WEEK-END DOCTOR.

I WAS BUSY WITH MEALS ON WHEELS WHEN THE DOCTOR VISITED MUM SO I WAS UNABLE TO ASK ABOUT RELAXATION OF THE RESTRICTION IMPOSED BECAUSE OF THE HOSPITAL BUG. HOWEVER THE APRONS - WHICH WERE OBLIGATORY WEAR FOR CARERS WHEN ATTENDING MUM - HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE BATHROOM AND THE COOK POPPED INTO HER ROOM TODAY TO ASK WHAT SHE WANTED FOR LUNCH. THIS WOULD SUGGEST THAT THE RESTRICTIONS ARE OVER. MUM IS HOWEVER NOW A VERY FRAIL OLD LADY FOR WHOM ENTERTAINING VISITORS WILL BE AN ORDEAL IN HER PRESENT STATE OF HEALTH. VISITORS SHOULD PREPARE THEMSELVES JUST TO SIT QUIETLY WITH HER AND LET HER TAKE THE LEAD. ON THE OTHER HAND IT COULD PERHAPS DO HER A BIT OF GOOD. IF ANYONE WISHES TO VISIT IT MIGHT INITIALLY BE A GOOD IDEA TO GIVE ME A BIT OF NOTICE SO THAT I CAN LET MUM KNOW BEFOREHAND AND SHE CAN GET USED TO THE IDEA OF YOU COMING. 

MUM SENDS HER LOVE TO YOU ALL,

ME TOO,

TED.

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Little Mum

06/03/2007 by PeterJohnson.

Dear Mum, it seems to have been ages since we saw you, but Ted has worked double time keeping us up to date with the news. We hope it won’t be long before we are allowed in to see you. Phil, Ali and William send their love to you. William sent me a birthday card, and when you open it his voice says “happy birthday Nanna”. I keep picking it up to have a listen! My Mum thinks I’m barmy; she’s just about right! I thought it was obligatory to be barmy when your my age!!

We look forward to seeing you soon - it will be good to have your ‘phone re connected.

Lots of love from Pete and Barb xxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Family Chat | No Comments »

UPDATE ON MUM

05/03/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 5TH MARCH 2007. THE ABOVE PHOTO OF MUM WAS TAKEN THIS MORNING.  IT CLEARLY SHOWS THE EFFECTS OF THE RAVAGES OF THE “HOSPITAL BUG” WHICH SHE BROUGHT OUT OF THE HOSPITAL WITH HER. SHE HAD ENJOYED A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP AFTER THE DOUBLE DOSE OF SEDATIVE LAST NIGHT AND WAS FEELING BETTER THAN YESTERDAY.  TODAY SHE HAS HAD MORE ENERGY AND HAS SPENT ALL DAY OUT OF BED AND SITTING IN HER CHAIR.  I THINK THAT “THE SAP IS RISING” BECAUSE THIS AFTERNOON WE HAVE BEEN SORTING OUT DRAWERS TO FIND THE THINGS SHE WILL BE WEARING WHEN SHE GETS DRESSED AGAIN. (SHE HAS JUST WORN A NIGHTIE DURING THE DAY FROM HER HOSPITAL DISCHARGE TO DATE) SHE IS NOW TALKING ABOUT “WHEN I AM BETTER” AND PLANNING THE THINGS SHE WILL DO. THIS MORNING SHE MADE HER OWN WAY TO THE LOO AND  WASHED HERSELF - SOMETHING SHE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO UP TO NOW.  SHE HAS ALSO EATEN BREAKFAST, DINNER AND TEA AND FINISHED THE DAY WITH A MUG OF HORLICKS.

THE DISTRICT NURSE CAME THIS MORNING TO TAKE A BLOOD SAMPLE, AND THE DOCTOR DELAYED HER VISIT UNTIL TOMORROW WHEN SHE WILL HAVE THE RESULT OF THE BLOOD TEST.  SHE WILL THEN REVIEW MUM’S MEDICATION. HOPEFULLY SHE WILL ALSO BRING US OUT OF QUARANTINE WHICH MEANS THAT THE COOK CAN COME IN AND ASK HER WHAT SHE PREFERS FOR LUNCH ETC. INSTEAD OF CALLING FROM THE CORRIDOR.

FROM PAST DAY-TO-DAY EXPERIENCE IT IS TOO EARLY TO SAY THAT SHE IS “OVER THE HUMP” BUT IT IS NICE TO THINK SO. SHE WILL NEED A LOT OF BUILDING-UP TO GET BACK TO WHERE SHE WAS BEFORE SHE WENT INTO HOSPITAL - FANCY COMING OUT OF HOSPITAL WORSE THAN WHEN YOU WENT IN! - AND THEN THERE IS HER UNDERLYING HEART CONDITION WHICH WILL CONTINUE TO DETERIORATE. BUT …. IT WAS GOOD TO SEE HER IN A POSITIVE FRAME OF MIND TODAY AS SHE TESTED HER STRENGTH AND RESOLVE.

HOPEFULLY HER RECOVERY WILL CONTINUE TOMORROW,

LOVE TO ALL,

TED.

Posted in NEWS ABOUT MUM | No Comments »