27/11/2007 by Ted.

Tuesday 27 November 2007. Gran continues her slow decline.  She has little energy these days and the exercise walks have been abandoned for the present time.  Recently she developed a cough and also a sore on her lip which has caused her some embarassment if not discomfort.  She is continually weary and glad to be put into bed each evening although she has fairly sleepless nights.  She is still eating OK but has become bored with her once-favourite tea of tomato sandwiches.  She now has a pot of marmalade in her drawer. She eats the tomato off her sandwiches and the bread is then thickly plastered with marmalade which she  enjoys.  She is also finding it hard to eat her customary cheese biscuits. Yesterday evening I made her a bowl of “pobs” - remember those? - bread soaked in milk and sprinkled with sugar - which she received with gusto.  It may become a regular tea-time option. I think she has now also accepted an option of Farleys’ Rusks (possibly in milk) to replace her now hard-to-eat biscuits.  At first she said the staff would laugh at her eating “baby rusks” but I think she quietly likes the idea now. She says the biscuits are a safeguard against her feeling hungry at night.  She could, of course, ring the bell if she was hungry and the staff would bring her something to eat but she prefers to do it her way.

The staff at St Georges continue to give her special care and pop in to see her when they have time.  She  has a ninety-odd year old Christian gentleman living in the room next to her now (name of Don) who chats to her from the door when he is passing.  She is also taken to the in-house Sunday Christian meeting and looks forward to that and also the monthly communion service.  There are also a couple of Millom friends who drop in to see her regularly although she finds visiting company very tiring these days.

She is still thinking of you all and sends her love to you, as I do mine.

More next time,

Ted.

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13/07/2007 by Ted.

TODAY, 13TH JULY 2007 WAS MUM’S 94TH BIRTHDAY.

SHE HAS HAD A LOVELY TIME WITH BIRTHDAY GREETINGS FROM VISITING FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND BY CARD AND TELEPHONE.

AT TEA-TIME THE STAFF AT THE HOME MADE HER A BIRTHDAY CAKE WHICH THEY BROUGHT TO HER ROOM WHERE THEY SANG “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” TO HER.

TONIGHT SHE ESPECIALLY ASKED ME TO THANK EVERYONE VIA THE BLOG FOR THEIR CARDS, VISITS AND LOVE.

SHE CONTINUES TO KEEP UP THE PROGRESS SHE HAS MADE DURING THE PAST WEEKS.  SHE NOW HAS MORE ENERGY, WANDERS INTO THE BATHROOM AND ATTENDS TO HERSELF, THINKS NOTHING OF MOVING AROUND THE ROOM TO RETRIEVE THINGS FROM DRAWERS ETC - SOMETHING IMPOSSIBLE FOR HER TO DO NOT SO LONG AGO. SHE IS LENGTHENING THE DISTANCE WHICH SHE WALKS DURING HER EXERCISE SESSIONS AND NOW VENTURES AS FAR AS THE LIBRARY (THOSE WHO HAVE VISITED HER AT ST. GEORGE’S WILL KNOW THE DISTANCE INVOLVED).

TONIGHT SHE ASKED ME TO SEND HER BIRTHDAY GREETINGS AND SPECIAL BIRTHDAY LOVE TO SUSAN WHOSE BIRTHDAY IS ON SUNDAY, 15TH JULY.  I AM TO TELL YOU THAT SHE APPRECIATED THE LETTER YOU PUT IN WITH HER CARD, SUE. SHE ENJOYED HEARING YOUR NEWS. AND SHE SENDS A VERY BIG, BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR THE BEAUTIFUL CARDS (WHICH SHE WILL NEVER THROW AWAY!!!!!)

LOVE TO ALL,

TED.

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03/07/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 3 JULY 2007. ANOTHER POSITIVE REPORT ON LITTLE MUM. SHE REMAINS FRAIL AND SOMEWHAT BREATHLESS BUT HER MIND IS CRYSTAL CLEAR AND SHARP.  SHE INSISTS ON DOING MORE AND MORE FOR HERSELF DESPITE HER FRAILTY AND ORGANISES MYSELF AND THE CARERS IN AN INOFFENSIVE WAY TO HAVE THINGS THE WAY SHE LIKES THEM - WHICH IS FAIR ENOUGH AS BEING IN CARE IS ALL ABOUT HER COMFORT AND WELFARE. ONE PARTICULAR INSTANCE CONCERNS HER GOING TO BED.  FOR THIS SHE HAS TO HAVE CERTAIN THINGS ON HER TABLE AND BED TO ENSURE THAT IF SHE NEEDS SOMETHING DURING THE NIGHT IT IS THERE WHERE SHE CAN FIND IT.  OF LATE SHE WAS REMARKING THAT SHE COULD NOT SEE THE CLOCK WHEN SHE AWOKE AT NIGHT.  SHE MAINTAINED THAT THIS WAS BECAUSE HER EYESIGHT WAS GETTING WORSE - BUT WHEN SHE WAS REMINDED THAT SHE HAD A PAIR OF SPECTACLES TO HELP HER SEE SUCH THINGS AS CLOCKS SHE PUT THEM ON AND NOW CAN SEE THE CLOCK PERFECTLY.  HOWEVER THIS MEANS THAT THE SPECTACLES MUST BE PLACED WHERE HER HAND CAN FIND THEM IN THE NIGHT SO THAT SHE CAN PUT THEM ON TO SEE THE CLOCK. AND SHE HAS A WHOLE FAMILY OF SUCH THINGS IN CASE SHE NEEDS THEM.

ON TWO NIGHTS A WEEK i AM NOT THERE TO SEE HER INTO BED AND TO ARRANGE THE COMFORTS SO A LIST HAD TO BE MADE FOR THE CARERS SO THAT THEY CAN GET IT RIGHT WHEN THEY HAVE THAT PRIVELEGE.  BUT HER MIND, BUT NOT HER TONGUE, IS AS SHARP AS TWOPENCE IF I OR THEY SHOULD OVERLOOK ANYTHING.

WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO VENTURE OUTDOORS FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER NOT BEING SUITABLE. HOWEVER MUM IS INSTEAD TAKING EXERCISE WALKS UP AND DOWN THE CORRIDOR OUTSIDE HER ROOM AND IS MANAGING TO WALK FURTHER AND FURTHER.  HER POOR OLD BODY CAN HARDLY KEEP UP WITH HER MIND AS IT DRIVES HER ON TO DO NEW THINGS.  YESTERDAY SHE HOBBLED ACROSS THE ROOM TO HER BEDSIDE CABINET WHERE WE KEEP SOME CHOCOLATE TEACAKES - HER CURRENT FAVOURITE SNACK. THERE SHE OPENED THE DRAWER AND RETRIEVED THE CHOCOLATE TEACAKES AND TOOK THEM BACK TO HER CHAIR WHERE SHE SCOFFED HER DAILY RATION (SELF IMPOSED)  OF TWO TEACAKES.  NOT SO LONG AGO SUCH AN EXPEDITION WOULD HAVE BEEN BEYOND HER.  SHE REALLY IS INCREDIBLE.

HER SHORT TERM MEMORY IS A LITTLE LACKING THESE DAYS BUT THE LONG TERM MEMORY IS GREAT. SHE RECALLS FAMILY BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES AND THE LIKE AND CONTINUES TO TALK ANIMATEDLY ABOUT HER LARGE FAMILY AND EXPRESS CONCERNS AT THEIR PROBLEMS AND PLEASURE AT THEIR GOOD HAPPENINGS. SHE STILL REMEMBERS AND LOVES YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

SHE IS, OF COURSE, STILL ANXIOUS TO BE OFF TO THE NEXT PHASE OF HER LIFE.  WHEN SHE HEARD OF RUTH’S DEPARTURE SHE WAS CRESTFALLEN BECAUSE SHE HAD GONE BEFORE HER - BEING ONLY 90 YEARS OF AGE! THEN SHE LEARNED OF A GENTLEMAN AT ST. GEORGE’S WHO WILL ALSO SOON BE ON HIS WAY - HE HAS ADVANCED LEUKAEMIA. WHEN SHE HEARD THIS SHE BRIGHTENED - “THINGS HAPPEN IN THREES”, SHE SAID.  “PERHAPS I WILL BE THE THIRD!”

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

ANYWAY, LOVE TO EVERYONE FROM MUM AND ME,

BACK SOON,

 TED.

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05/06/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 4TH JUNE 2007. ALL CONTINUES WELL AT ST. GEORGE’S. THE NEW CARE PLAN SEEMS TO BE WORKING OK AND MOST OF THE PROBLEM AREAS HAVE DISAPPEARED.  THE ONE OR TWO WHICH REMAIN ARE CAUSED BY THE CARERS HAVING TO GET USED TO THE NEW REGIME AND WILL BE RESOLVED WITH PRACTICE.

YESTERDAY WE WERE TOLD THAT THE NHS BED WHICH MUM IS USING HAD BEEN REQUESTED TO BE RETURNED, BUT IN THE EVENT IT WAS ONLY THE AIR MATTRESS WHICH WAS REQUIRED.  THIS WAS A RELIEF TO MUM AS IT HAD RIDGES ON ITS SURFACE WHICH SHE SOMETIMES FOUND UNCOMFORTABLE. THE REPLACEMENT STANDARD MATTRESS IS MUCH BETTER ALTHOUGH HER SLEEP PATTERN IS STILL ERRATIC.

SHE CONTINUES TO EAT WELL NOW THAT SHE IS RECEIVING ASSISTANCE WITH GETTING THE FOOD TO HER MOUTH AND YESTERDAY EVENING WAS PLANNING TO SORT OUT HER DRESSES AND SKIRTS WITH A VIEW TO WEARING THEM AGAIN INSTEAD OF THE NIGHTDRESSES SHE NOW WEARS. SHE WAS EVEN CONTEMPLATING SITTING IN THE LOUNGE DURING THE DAYTIME AGAIN, ALTHOUGH THIS IS ONLY AT A VERY TENTATIVE STAGE OF CONSIDERATION.

THE GOOD WEATHER CONTINUES AND SHE HAS REGULARLY SPENT PART OF THE AFTERNOON OUT OF DOORS IN THE GARDEN. SHE REALLY ENJOYS THIS CHANGE.  THE GARDENS ARE VERY ATTRACTIVE WITH MASSES OF FLOWERS (COURTESY OF PETER THE GARDENER) AND TORRENTS OF BIRDSONG TO ENJOY.

AMIDST ALL THE PLANS AND ENJOYMENTS MUM IS STILL  AN ELDERLY, FRAIL AND POORLY LADY WHO IS ANXIOUS TO BE OFF TO THE WONDERFUL LIFE WHICH AWAITS HER TOGETHER WITH HER ALREADY-DEPARTED LOVED ONES IN THE PRESENCE OF OUR SAVIOUR, THE LORD JESUS.

HER LOVE COMES TO YOU ALL,

MINE TOO,

TED.

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01/06/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 1ST JUNE 2007. BECAUSE OF HER ADVANCED YEARS AND FRAILTY MUM HAS BEEN GRADUALLY FINDING LIFE MORE AND MORE OF A STRUGGLE - EVEN IN THE SUPPORTIVE ATMOSPHERE AT ST. GEORGE’S.  LAST EVENING SHE SAID DESPONDENTLY, “I AM TIRED OF STRUGGLING”.

AS A CONSEQUENCE DISCUSSIONS WERE HELD WITH THE SENIOR CARERS AND MANAGERESS OF THE HOME IN AN ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS WHICH CAUSE MUM TO HAVE TO STRUGGLE. TODAY A NEW CARE PLAN WAS PRESENTED FOR APPROVAL WHICH ASSIGNS MORE PERSONAL HELP FROM CARERS FOR BASIC TASKS OF WASHING, DRESSING, TOILETING, EATING ETC AND IT IS HOPED THAT THIS WILL MAKE LIFE MORE MANAGEABLE FOR HER.  MUM WAS ALSO ONCE AGAIN INSTRUCTED TO RING HER BELL WHEN SHE HAS A NEED INSTEAD OF ASSUMING THAT ALL THE CARERS ARE BUSY AND SHE SHOULD NOT DISTRACT THEM FROM WHATEVER THEY ARE DOING.

WITH THE WARMER WEATHER SHE HAS BEEN HOT AND PERSPIRING IN BED AT NIGHT AND THIS HAS CAUSED HER SLEEP TO BE EVEN MORE INTERRUPTED LEAVING HER WEARY DURING THE DAY. AGAIN, STEPS HAVE NOW BEEN TAKEN TO TRY TO HELP HER TO SLEEP ALTHOUGH, AS SHE HERSELF POINTED OUT, SHE IS IN BED FROM AROUND 6.30PM UNTIL 7AM - TWELVE AND A HALF HOURS. AS SHE DOES NOT NEED TO SLEEP FOR TWELVE AND A HALF HOURS SHE IS BOUND TO BE AWAKE FOR SEVERAL OF THE HOURS IN THE NIGHT-TIME. TONIGHT AS SHE WAS PREPARING FOR BED SHE CONFESSED THAT BECAUSE OF THE SLEEPLESS HOURS SHE DREADS GOING TO BED. WE CONSIDERED HER PERHAPS GOING TO BED AT 9PM, BUT THIS WOULD MEAN THE ADDITIONAL HOURS WOULD BE SPENT SITTING IN HER CHAIR WAITING FOR BED-TIME TO COME INSTEAD OF IN BED WAITING FOR SLEEP TO COME.

TODAY WAS A LOVELY DAY WEATHERWISE AND SHE SPENT TIME IN THE GARDEN BY THE DUCKS AND DUCKPOND.  IT PROVED TOO WARM TO BE THERE FOR LONG SO SHE EVENTUALLY SETTLED FOR A SEAT IN  THE SHADE OUTSIDE THE LIBRARY WHERE SHE REMAINED UNTIL TEA-TIME.

SHE CONTINUES TO EAT WELL AND TO HAVE HER EXERCISE SESSIONS, AND ONCE THE NEW CARE PLAN IS IN OPERATION TOMORROW LIFE SHOULD - WEATHER PERMITTING - BE HAPPIER FOR HER.

TONIGHT SHE SENDS HER LOVE TO YOU ALL,

ME TOO,

TED.

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29/05/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 29TH MAY 2007.  MUM IS MAINTAINING HER RECOVERY THOUGH SHE FEELS VERY TIRED (BODY WEARY) AND HER BREATHLESSNESS HAS INCREASED SLIGHTLY.

OF LATE SHE HAS FOUND THAT HER NIGHTLY SLEEPING PILL IS SENDING HER OFF TO SLEEP FOR ONLY ABOUT HALF AN HOUR UNTIL SHE WAKES UP AGAIN. SHE HAS THEREFORE (UNOFFICIALLY) DISCONTINUED TAKING THE SEDATIVE. LAST NIGHT SHE WENT OFF TO SLEEP OK WITHOUT IT BUT STILL WAKENED INTERMITTENTLY DURING THE NIGHT.  

SHE NOW FEELS THAT THE OVERHEAD LIGHT IN HER ROOM - WHICH SHE HAS BEEN KEEPING ON ALL NIGHT SO THAT SHE CAN SEE THE CLOCK WHEN SHE AWAKES - IS AWAKENING HER. THEREFORE TONIGHT SHE IS SLEEPING WITH THE OVERHEAD LIGHT OFF AND A TABLE LAMP HAS BEEN PLACED ON HER BEDSIDE TABLE WHICH SHE CAN SWITCH ON TO SEE THE CLOCK IF SHE WAKES UP.

SHE IS CONTINUING TO HAVE DAILY EXERCISE SESSIONS WHEN SHE STEPS OUT OF HER ROOM AND WITH SUPPORT WALKS A DISTANCE ALONG THE CORRIDOR AND BACK AGAIN. SHE IS ALWAYS VERY GLAD TO SINK BACK INTO HER CHAIR AFTER THESE. TO HER THEY FEEL LIKE THE KESWICK TO BARROW FORTY MILE WALK.  TODAY SHE ALSO SAT IN THE “SHRUBBERY” WITH THE DOOR OPEN AND ENJOYED THE FRESH AIR - IT WAS TOO WINDY IN THE GARDEN TO GO OUT DIRECTLY INTO IT.

ANOTHER HIGHLIGHT WAS THE VISIT OF A CHIROPODIST WHO TRIMMED HER TOE NAILS AND TOLD HER THAT HER FEET ARE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. MUM WAS PLEASED AT THIS BUT INSISTS THAT THE REST OF HER IS DETERIORATING RAPIDLY.  WHEN THE CHIROPODIST TOLD HER THAT SHE WOULD CALL AGAIN IN TWO MONTHS MUM SAID THAT SHE DID NOT EXPECT TO BE HERE THEN. (WELL SHE WOULD, WOULDN’T SHE?)

SHE GETS A LITTLE DISHEARTENED AT BEING ABLE TO DO LESS AND LESS FOR HERSELF, BUT AGREES THAT SHE JUST HAS TO ACCEPT THIS IN VIEW OF HER AGE AND MEDICAL CONDITION. SHE IS EATING WELL AND ENJOYING HER FOOD AND IS ONCE AGAIN ENJOYING EATING CHOCOLATE AND CHOCOLATES JUST AS SHE DID BEFORE.

SHE SENDS HER LOVE TO ALL,

ME TOO,

TED.

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20/05/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 20 MAY 2007. HI! TED BACK AGAIN.  (OH NO!!!!!!)

MUM CONTINUES TO PROSPER.  HER EYESIGHT IS IMPROVED - SHE HAS STARTED WEARING HER SPECTACLES. THEY HAVE BEEN LYING IN A CASE IN A DRAWER QUITE OVERLOOKED, AND WHEN SHE WAS PERSUADED TO TRY THEM ON TO SEE IF THEY HELPED HER SEE THEY DID. SHE STILL HAS AGE RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION BUT IS VERY PLEASED WITH THE IMPROVEMENT.

THANK YOU PETER AND BARBARA FOR THOSE DELICIOUS MORRISONS CREAM AND JAM SCONES WHICH YOU BROUGHT YESTERDAY. THEY WERE DELICIOUS.  MUM REALLY ENJOYED HERS AND TOPPED IT OFF WITH A YOGHURT.  SHE ALSO HAD A TOUR OF THE GARDEN TO SEE THE FLOWERS WITH HER SPECTACLES ON AND SAT ON THE LAWN IN HER CHAIR IN THE WARM SUNSHINE FOR A WHILE. SHE FINISHED A VERY ENJOYABLE DAY WITH A TELEPHONE CALL TO RICHARD AND LYNDA TO WISH LYNDA A VERY HAPPY 60TH (NO, WE DON’T BELIEVE IT!) BIRTHDAY. SHE HAS HAD A REALLY NICE DAY.

SHE SENDS HER LOVE TO EVERYONE,

ME TOO,

TED.

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13/05/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 13TH MAY 2007.  MUM CONTINUES TO ENJOY LIFE. 

ONE STARTLING CHANGE IS THAT WHEREAS SHE PREVIOUSLY INSISTED THAT SHE HAD NO APPETITE AND DIDN’T WANT TO EAT AND WAS CONTENT WITH A LIQUID DIET, SHE NOW ANNOUNCES “i’M HUNGRY!” AND EATS ALMOST EVERYTHING PUT IN FRONT OF HER.  SHE HAS BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND TEA - ON FRIDAY OF THIS WEEK SHE ENJOYED SOUP, SCAMPI AND CHIPS AND APPLE PIE WITH CUSTARD FOR LUNCH - ALL THREE COURSES! TONIGHT FOR TEA SHE HAD A MORNING COFFEE BISCUIT SPREAD WITH GORGONZOLA CHEESE, A FROMAGE FRAIS, SOME CRISPS, SOME PUFF-PASTRY CHEESE BISCUITS AND A PACK OF MELON AND GRAPES AND A FRUIT AND CUSTARD TART WHICH WERE BROUGHT BY PETER YESTERDAY. AND SHE IS EVEN EATING BISCUITS IF SHE WAKES UP DURING THE NIGHT. SHE HAS ALSO BECOME IMPATIENT WITH JUST SITTING ALL DAY AND, WITH HELP, IS NOW HAVING LITTLE EXERCISE WALKS AROUND HER ROOM AND SOMETIMES INTO THE CORRIDOR OUTSIDE HER DOOR. 

SOME TIME THIS WEEK SHE WILL BE SPENDING AN AFTERNOON IN THE LOUNGE WITH THE OTHER RESIDENTS WHILE THE CARPET IN HER ROOM IS CLEANED AND IS LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS. SHE HASN’T ACTUALLY SAT IN THE LOUNGE IN THIS WAY SINCE BEFORE GOING INTO HOSPITAL.  UP TO THEN SHE SPENT EVERY MORNING THERE.

TONIGHT SHE SENDS HER LOVE TO EVERYONE,

ME TOO,

TED. 

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10/05/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 10TH MAY 2007.  MUM HAS HAD ANOTHER GOOD DAY. SHE WAS BREATHLESS WHEN SHE AWOKE THIS MORNING BUT THIS PASSED AWAY ONCE SHE WAS SEATED ON HER CHAIR. SHE CONTINUES TO HAVE AN APPETITE AND YESTERDAY AND TODAY SHE HAD MASHED POTATOES AND GRAVY TOGETHER WITH SOUP AND A PUDDING AT LUNCHTIME IN ADDITION TO PORRIDGE AT BREAKFAST TIME AND A TRIFLE, SOME CHEESE SAVOURY BISCUITS AND CRISPS FOR TEA.  

HER MIND CONTINUES TO BE ACTIVE AND ALERT AND SHE IS TAKING INCREASING INTEREST IN HER DAILY WELFARE, EVENTS AMONG THE FAMILY, IN THE HOME AND IN THE WORLD OUTSIDE. SHE HAS FIRMLY SET HER MIND ON NOT HAVING THE CATHETER REPLACED WHEN THE DISTRICT NURSE RETURNS NEXT WEEK. “I’M NOT HAVING ANYTHING PUT INSIDE ME”.  THE MANAGERESS AT THE HOME IS THEREFORE HAVING TO ARRANGE FOR THE CARERS TO VISIT HER FAIRLY FREQUENTLY DURING EACH DAY TO “CHANGE HER NAPPY” AS IF THIS IS NOT DONE REGULARLY IT COULD RESULT IN PRESSURE SORES SUCH AS SHE HAD A LITTLE WHILE AGO.

TONIGHT SHE SENT HER LOVE TO YOU ALL AS USUAL,

ME TOO,

TED.

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08/05/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 8TH MAY 2007.  A LITTLE LATE TONIGHT.  MUM HAD A DISTURBED NIGHT LAST NIGHT AND HAS BEEN VERY TIRED TODAY. HOWEVER SHE INSISTED ON TRYING TO STAY AWAKE SO THAT SHE WOULD BE ABLE TO SLEEP TONIGHT.  SHE WAS HELPED IN THIS BY A VISITS FROM HER FRIENDS GLADYS AND ALISON. AS SHE GOT THANKFULLY INTO BED TONIGHT SHE LOOKED BETTER AND HAD MORE COLOUR TO HER CHEEKS THAN EARLIER IN THE DAY.

DURING THE PAST WEEK HER APPETITE HAS BEGUN TO RETURN AND SHE FEELS HUNGRY. HOWEVER SHE REFUSES TO EAT SOLID THINGS LIKE SANDWICHES AND HAS BEEN SUPPLEMENTING HER YOGHURTS AND TRIFLES WITH CRISPS AND CHOCOLATES. THE COOK OFFERED HER MASHED POTATOES AND GRAVY TODAY BUT SHE WOULD NOT EAT THEM.  HOWEVER HER DIET DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE ANY DEBILITATING EFFECTS ON HER AND SHE IS REASONABLY HAPPY WITH IT ALTHOUGH SHE DOES FROM TIME TO TIME FANCY SOMETHING SAVOURY FOR A CHANGE. YESTERDAY TEA WAS GREAT - A CORNISH PASTY WHICH SHE ATE WITH GUSTO AND THOROUGHLY ENJOYED.

TONIGHT SHE SENDS HER LOVE TO YOU ALL AS USUAL,

ME TOO,

TED.

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06/05/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 6TH MAY 2007. MUM CONTINUES TO ENJOY LIFE AT ST. GEORGE’S. 

THERE HAS HOWEVER BEEN A HITCH WITH HER CATHETER.  THIS HAS BEEN CAUSING PROBLEMS AND SOME SORENESS FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS NOW.  THE DISTRICT NURSE CAME IN REINSTALLED IT ON FRIDAY BUT LAST NIGHT THE PROBLEMS RETURNED.  SHE WAS CALLED AGAIN AND THIS TIME REMOVED THE CATHETER UNTIL TUESDAY TO GIVE THE SORENESS TIME TO HEAL.  ALL BEING WELL IT WILL THEN BE RE-INSTATED.  IN THE MEANTIME MUM IS WEARING A PAD (SHE CALLS IT A NAPPY) AS SHE IS PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO MAKE HER OWN WAY TO THE LOO TO PASS WATER WHICH SHE NEEDS TO DO FREQUENTLY DUE TO THE HIGH DOSEAGE OF DIURETICS WHICH SHE IS ON TO KEEP HER LUNGS FREE OF WATER. 

APART FROM THIS SHE IS HAPPY AND CONTENT AND SENDS HER LOVE TO EVERYONE AS USUAL.

ME TOO,

TED.

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05/05/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 4TH MAY 2007. MUM CONTINUES WITH HER IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE. TODAY SHE WAS VISITED BY ANDREW AND ENJOYED HIS COMPANY TOGETHER WITH ANOTHER WHEELCHAIR TOUR OF ST GEORGE’S, ITS RESIDENTS AND THE GARDEN.

THERE IS ONE “AMUSING” INCIDENT WHICH CAUSED MUM TO HAVE A DISTURBED NIGHT.

AS MANY OF YOU KNOW MUM HAS A CATHETER WHICH MEANS SHE DOES NOT HAVE TO GO TO THE LOO TO URINATE.  HOWEVER SHE AWOKE IN THE NIGHT WITH A DEFINITE NEED TO GO AND RANG HER BELL.  WHEN THE CARER ARRIVED SHE TOLD MUM THAT, BECAUSE OF THE CATHETER, SHE COULD NOT REALLY NEED TO GO AND JUST TO RELAX AND “DO IT” - IT WOULD GO INTO THE BAG.  SO MUM RELAXED AND DID IT AND FELT WARM LIQUID RUNNING DOWN HER LEG.

NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE BED WAS STRIPPED AND CHANGED AND MUM RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DISTRICT NURSE YESTERDAY MORNING WHO CHANGED THE CATHETER. THE TUBE HAD BECOME BLOCKED AND INSTEAD OF ALLOWING THE LIQUID TO FLOW INTO THE BAG HAD INSTEAD FILLED HER BLADDER - WITH THE WET BED RESULT.

MUM TOOK IT ALL IN GOOD HEART.

SHE SENDS HER LOVE TO YOU ALL,

ME TOO,

TED.

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01/05/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 1ST MAY 2007. ANOTHER DAY SUCH AS YESTERDAY.  MUM HAS SLEPT WELL, EATEN WELL (CORNISH PASTY AND TRIFLE FOR TEA), HAD HER TUESDAY BATH AND PAMPERING, BEEN WEIGHED (NOW DOWN TO 8 STONES 2 LBS), CIRCULATED INTO THE LOUNGE TO SEE AND TALK TO THE OTHER RESIDENTS AND ALSO HAD SOME TIME ON THE LAWN IN THE SUNSHINE WHERE SHE WATCHED PETER THE GARDENER SETTING UP A FOUNTAIN IN THE DUCKPOND.  THIS MORNING SHE ENTERTAINED HER GOOD FRIEND GLADYS AND TONIGHT THE HOME WAS VISITED BY “THE BEAVERS” WHO SANG SONGS TO THE RESIDENTS IN THE LOUNGE.  BY THIS TIME MUM WAS FEELING TIRED SO LISTENED TO THEM FROM HER ROOM AFTER WHICH SHE WAS GLAD TO GET INTO BED FOLLOWING HER BUSY BUT THROUGHLY ENJOYED DAY. BEFORE SHE GOT INTO BED SHE FOUND A BIT MORE ENERGY TO PHONE HER SISTER CLARICE AND HAVE A CHAT. 

SHE SENDS HER LOVE TO YOU ALL,

ME TOO,

TED.

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30/04/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 30TH APRIL 2007. “I’M NOT SO ANXIOUS TO GO NOW - BECAUSE LIFE IS NOW SO GOOD”.  SO SAID LITTLE MUM THIS EVENING AFTER ANOTHER LOVELY DAY.

THIS MORNING I WAS GREETED BY ANN WHO JOYFULLY ANNOUNCED, “SHE HAD TWO HELPINGS OF PORRIDGE THIS MORNING”.  IT WAS TRUE. MUM ATE THE BREAKFAST BOWL OF PORRIDGE BROUGHT TO HER AND THEN ASKED IF SHE COULD HAVE ANOTHER - WHICH SHE ALSO “ATE ALL UP” JUST LIKE GOLDILOCKS! 

SHE REALLY IS ENJOYING THE FREEDOM FROM FEELING ILL WHICH HAS BEEN WITH HER FOR SO LONG. TODAY SHE SPENT THE MORNING PLANNING TO GO THROUGH THE DRAWERS TO DISPOSE OF ALL THE CLOTHES WHICH NOW DON’T FIT HER BY GIVING THEM TO THE SALVATION ARMY DROP-IN. THIS AFTERNOON SHE DID THE ROUNDS AGAIN, FIRST OF ALL GOING INTO THE LOUNGE TO SAY HELLO TO HER FELLOW RESIDENTS AND THEN INTO THE SHRUBBERY CONSERVATORY ROOM FOR A WHILE. AFTER THIS SHE WENT OUTDOORS TO ADMIRE THE FLOWERS AND ESPECIALLY THE WISTERIA WHICH GROWS AGAINST THE WALL OUTSIDE THE WINDOW OF HER ROOM. SHE CAN’T SEE IT FROM THE INSIDE BUT MARVELLED AT THE FLOWERS FROM THE SUNSHINE-WARMED PATIO OUTSIDE.

TONIGHT, OF COURSE, SHE WAS TIRED BUT CONTENTED AFTER HER LOVELY DAY.  SHE CHATTERED ENDLESSLY FROM 7PM UNTIL 8PM AS SHE WAITED FOR HER HORLICKS, AND WAS THEN GLAD TO SNUGGLE DOWN FOR A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP - BUT NOT BEFORE SENDING LOVE TO YOU ALL.

I SEND MINE TOO,

TED.

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29/04/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 29TH APRIL 2007. TODAY WAS A LOVELY DAY WEATHERWISE AND FOR MUM TOO. SHE IS PICTURED ON THE LAWN AT ST. GEORGE’S ENJOYING THE WARM SUNSHINE AND BREEZE. (YES IT REALLY IS HER BEHIND THOSE SUNGLASSES). AFTER THE TRIP OUTDOORS SHE SPOKE TO SEVERAL FAMILY MEMBERS ON THE TELEPHONE AND THOROUGHLY ENJOYED HER AFTERNOON. SHE WAS STILL FRESH AT 7PM AS SHE WAITED FOR HER HORLICKS BEFORE SETTLING DOWN FOR THE NIGHT.

THE HARDEST PART OF DOING THINGS OUTSIDE HER ROOM IS FINDING THE GET-UP-AND-GO.  DESPITE THIS SHE IS PLANNING TO RETURN TO SITTING IN THE ”SHRUBBERY” - THE CONSERVATORY-TYPE ROOM OVERLOOKING THE DUCKPOND WHERE SHE SPENT SO MANY HAPPY AFTERNOONS LAST YEAR - WHICH WILL PROVIDE A CHANGE FROM HER ROOM WHERE SHE HAS HAD TO SPEND SO MUCH TIME LATELY. SHE WILL, OF COURSE, CONTINUE TO ENJOY “THE GREAT OUTDOORS” WHEN THE WEATHER IS SUITABLE.

TONIGHT A CONTENTED MUM ASKED ME TO SEND HER FONDEST LOVE TO YOU ALL.

MINE COMES TOO,

TED. 

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27/04/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 27TH APRIL 2007. ANOTHER EXCELLENT DAY FOR MUM THOUGH SHE WAS VERY TIRED BY 5.30PM AND IN BED AT 6PM.  THIS COULD BE DOWN TO THE VERY WARM WEATHER WHICH WAS REFLECTED IN THE TEMPERATURE INDOORS - ABOUT 20 DEGREES OUTSIDE BUT THE HEATING STILL ON IN THE BUILDING. 

A SLEEPY MUM SENT HER LOVE TO YOU ALL,

ME TOO,

TED. 

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26/04/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 26TH APRIL 2007. TODAY, THE LAST THURSDAY IN THE MONTH AND A BEAUTIFUL WARM SUNNY DAY, THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A COMMUNION SERVICE AT ST. GEORGE’S FOR THE CHRISTIAN RESIDENTS.  MUM HAS NOT BEEN WELL ENOUGH TO ATTEND FOR SOME TIME BUT THIS OCCASION WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO GOING AGAIN. UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO OTHER COMMITMENTS, THE MINISTER WAS UNABLE TO HOLD THE SERVICE TODAY. AS MUM WAS ALREADY EMBARKED IN HER WHEELCHAIR SHE DECIDED INSTEAD THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO VISIT THE LOUNGE AND RENEW HER ACQUAINTANCE WITH THE OTHER RESIDENTS WHO SHE ALSO HAD NOT SEEN FOR SOME TIME THROUGH BEING CONFINED TO HER ROOM. SHE DID THIS AND THOROUGHLY ENJOYED IT, THEN VENTURED OUTSIDE AND ON TO THE LAWN TO ENJOY THE SUNSHINE AND FLOWERS AND FRESH AIR FOR A FEW MINUTES.

APART FROM HER INCREASED DISABILITY SHE IS HER OLD PRE-HOSPITAL-VISIT SELF AGAIN AND THOROUGHLY ENJOYING LIFE. BETWEEN FIVE AND SIX OCLOCK HER ENERGY DISSIPATES AND SHE IS GLAD TO GET INTO BED WHERE SHE CAN RELAX AND CHAT UNTIL HORLICKS AND SLEEPING PILL TIME.

TONIGHT, AS USUAL, SHE SEND HER LOVE TO YOU ALL.

ME TOO,

TED.

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24/04/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 24TH APRIL 2007. MUM HAD HAD ANOTHER LOVELY DAY HAVING SLEPT WELL, EATEN WELL AND HAD HER TUESDAY BATH AND PAMPERING. SHE WAS ALSO VISITED DURING THE MORNING BY HER DEAR FRIEND GLADYS WHO SPEND AN HOUR BRINGING HER UP-TO-DATE WITH LOCAL CHIT-CHAT. TO ROUND THE DAY OFF,  THIS AFTERNOON SHE RECEIVED AN UNEXPECTED VISIT FROM MARY, ANOTHER DEAR FRIEND OF MANY YEARS.  DESPITE SUCH A HECTIC - FOR HER - DAY MUM WAS REMARKABLY FRESH THIS EVENING AND IN NO HURRY TO TURN IN.

THE STAFF ARE OUTSTANDING IN THEIR CARE FOR HER.  TODAY MUM’S PERSONAL CUP WHICH HAS A GOLD SHINY HANDLE WHICH SHE CAN SEE DESPITE HER FAILING EYES, WAS CAUGHT UP WITH OTHER EMPTY CUPS AND WHISKED AWAY TO BE WASHED. THEN IT DISAPPEARED.  ONE OF THE CARERS SEARCHED EVERY (FORTY-SOMETHING) RESIDENT’S ROOM UNTIL SHE HAD LOCATED IT AND RETURNED IT TO MUM TO BE FILLED WITH TEA READY FOR TOMORROW MORNING’S EARLY COLD TEA DRINKING SESSION. 

TONIGHT MUM IS AGAIN COMFORTABLE AND CONTENT AND SENDS HER LOVE TO YOU ALL.

ME TOO.

TED. 

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23/04/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 23RD APRIL 2007 - ST. GEORGE’S DAY  MUM SAID THAT LAST NIGHT’S SLEEP WAS THE BEST SHE HAS EVER HAD. TODAY SHE HAS BEEN EATING WELL. AS I WENT INTO ST. GEORGE’S THIS EVENING THE COOK TOLD ME EXCITEDLY THAT MUM HAD ORDERED A CORNISH PASTY FOR HER TEA AND HAD EATEN NEARLY ALL OF IT - AND THEN FINISHED OFF HER TEA WITH A TRIFLE! NEEDLESS TO SAY MUM, TO USE HER OWN WORDS, HAS HAD A “LOVELY DAY”. TONIGHT SHE SETTLED DOWN HAPPILY AND COMFORTABLY READY FOR ANOTHER GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP.

SHE ASKED ME TO SEND HER LOVE TO EVERYBODY.

I SEND MINE TOO.

TED.

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22/04/2007 by Ted.

EVENING OF 22ND APRIL 2007.  MUM HAS HAD ANOTHER GOOD DAY DESPITE HAVING A BROKEN NIGHT. SHE IS EATING A LITTLE MORE NOW - THE ST. GEORGE’S STAFF HAVE TOLD HER THAT SHE CAN ORDER WHAT SHE WANTS AND THEY WILL DO THEIR BEST TO PROVIDE IT. TONIGHT FOR HER TEA SHE ORDERED SIX CRISPS WHICH MAY NOT SOUND A LOT BUT IS QUITE AN ADVENTURE COMPARED TO THE LIQUID DIET SHE HAS BEEN HAVING. AND SHE IS STILL FINDING BLESSINGS TO COUNT AND KEEPING HAPPY BETWEEN DOZES.

AS USUAL SHE SENDS HER LOVE TO YOU ALL.

ME TOO.

TED.

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