This discussion has been locked.
You can no longer post new replies to this discussion. If you have a question you can start a new discussion

Continuing the journey

Hi All

Decided to drop the 'month' from the title of this thread as time moves so quickly and the date becomes irrevelant so quickly.

Hubby and I both feeling pretty drained today but not because of his illness. However it is something that has made both us further stressed and 'outside our control'.  Prepare yourselves for a rant or look away now.

Having put in a long work day yesterday (both of us). I switched on my mobile on leaving work to find a message from the social worker for Mum (regular readers of my thread will know what we have been going through recently).  The upshott of this message was that the Social Services panel have decided that they can offer Mum a place at a sheltered housing complex but not the most local one. The call was to advise me of the panel's decision and to tell me that a visit will be arranged this week, preferably by Wednesday, for Mum to be taken to visit the flat and be told about the package of care and how it will work. They require a decision from Mrs K (this is how my mother is addressed in the follow up e-mail!!) by Friday otherwise the placement will be offered to another service provider!  Unfortunately this means Mum has little choice but to move further away (closest sheltered housing has no vacancy and they are  not willing to help fund where she has spent the last 9 months 'settling in').  The guilt I feel at being unable to cope with this is overwhelming, my hubby is very supportive and angry in equal parts and I am dreading the days ahead.  I am unable to take leave and my negative feelings towards her social worker would not work in Mum's favour as she needs to go on the visit with an open mind and the care home staff state she is quite able to make her own mind up.  If she agrees I will be unable to visit as regularly (my problem not theirs of course) but apparently the social worker will accompany her and I have asked to be kept informed.

Even typing this is making me sad/angry/frustrated and emotionally/physically drained.  I was due to visit Mum today but this is on hold until I have spoken to the care home this morning. Hubby says I should leave it till later in the week when we know what is going on and I suspect he is right (bearing in mind my physical upset involves many 'loo' visits (enough said!!)).

Sorry for all the negativity but just needed to get it out and try and get  myself together before I start on the phone calls.

Hope everyone has a good day.  Regards Julesxx

  • Congratulations Grandma! What lovely news!

    From all the Cancer Chat team

  • Thank you- I feel like I have gained a whole new virtual family and its wonderful to share the good news especially as I have received so much support here over the past year.  Jules x

  • Congratulations on the new grand baby! Somehow babies and children tend to really lift our spirits and I think they give us hope for a better future. I know you will really enjoy both grandchildren and they will make you smile even on the days when you may not feel like smiling. They do worm their way right into your heart without even trying. Have fun!

    Lorraine  

  • Thanks Lorraine for your kind words.  If things have settled down with my daughter I am hoping she will be allowed home later today. Suspect if will depend on whether the canula can be taken out and they have been able to slow the bleeding(up to last night they did not feel she warranted a transfusion). I amgoing into work today to book few days off once our son in law goes back to work. This will give her an extra pair of hands through the half term week and also that's when hubby's next check up is due, too providing the manager agrees.

    How are you keeping?

    Take care Jules x

  • Morning Jules,

    I know you'll be at work now, hope you manage to book your leave okay.

    I know when we first started to discuss our pregnant daughters you will have told me what you are called but being me I have forgotton

    so what is it, Grandma, granny, Nan, etc. Let an old person know will you,LOL.

    Annabel. xx

  • Hi Annabel

    I am a granny but have just replied to Garf on the amazing quotes thread about same thing.  My grandson has called me Gingy since he was little and it has stuck- so sort of have a special pet name.

    Just got back from visiting the new family at the hospital.  Unfortunately my daughter had to have emergency surgery for blood clots this afternoon and is now having blood transfusions so will be in hospital a little longer.  All a bit emotional for her as the new baby was feeding really well but has had to be switched to the bottle because of the drugs my daughter has to take  Having said that the little one is happy as long as someone is giving him food and she is flat on her back full of tubes at present so it was like pass the parcel as we all took our turn with the customary cuddle.  Son in law in his element and doing a great job looking after both of them during the day. My daughter is being 'specialled' tonight so that she can sleep of the effects of today and the baby has its own dedicated nightnurse.  God bless the NHS.

    Have our first photos so can take them into work tomorrow.  I am on holiday from next Wednesday (when my son in law goes back to work) and do not go back for 2 weeks so can help out during the half-term week too. Hubby has been doing the afternoon school run and all in all we are managing quite well (feel a bit shell-shocked at the turn of events, especially as she had a really good labour/delivery.

    Still they are in the best place for now and we are keeping our grandson busy tomorrow so that his Mum can have a complete day of rest.

    Will chat again soon.  Hope all is well with you?

    Jules xx

  • Hi jules,

    Lovely to hear from you. What a strange coincidence that both our girls had a post partum bleed and transfusions after a good birth.!!

    It's funny how we all react when things don't go quite to plan, but with child birth and children thats often the way isn't it? As for feeding the baby have they not given her a breast milk extracting machine.? She could still feed the baby later . Emotionally this would be a big bonding action for her and baby which is a positive thing.

    Glad to see you got the time off. Hope you sleep well tonight so you have the energy for the next few days/ weeks.

    speak again soon

    Annabel.xx

  • Hi Annabel

    Yes quite the coincidence and must say I drew strength from knowing how well your daughter recovered.  Unfortunately my daughter not allowed to express (she already had the equipment herself as used if with first baby for a while) as she on heavy duty drugs which would pass through and not be good for baby.  Far better that she gets well (they had to do quite a repair job on her insides and the bad tear aswell as dealing with the blood clots).  She was on oxygen when we got to the hospital but they were able to remove this just before we left.  Hopefully following the transfusion and a good night's rest she will feel stronger.  She said that the last 12 hrs had been a bit of a blur but baby was quite happy laying next to her on the bed. She more fed up with being prodded and poked (and has a needle phobia).  Our grandson took it all in his stride but not impressed at the baby's cry (covers his ears) but very much hands on helping (so gentle).  Was a bit bemused when helping Daddy to change the nappy - wondered why the baby had a 'klippit' for a tummy button.

    Well off to work shortly and then we will have our eldest grandson after school (he not visiting hospital today) and Dad will pick him up on his way home (well thats the plan at the moment!!).

    As to sleeping, managed 4 good hours before tossing and turning began so not bad at all.

    Have a good day.  Jules xx

  • Hi Jules,

    Just to say I hope your daughter is feeling better, and hope new baby continues to do well.  I laughed at your grandson not being impressed by baby's cry  - when I brought my youngest home, eldest decided to help with bathtime, as I took baby's clothes off he naturally screamed and then eldest started crying and saying "put his clothes on"!  It's one of those little things I'll always remember.  Have a good day.  Hope x

  • Morning Jules,

    Hope your daughter is soon feeling back to full strength and able to come home again. I loved the part of your thread where your eldest grandson wondered why Zack had a klippit for a belly button! Priceless! One to remember for the archives

    Glad you managed to get a few hours sleep last night . . . I managed almost a full night, only punctuated by the mandatory stoma bag check that will be part and parcel of my nocturnal routine for the forthcoming future!

    Hope work is not too taxing today . . . Your mention of work and how you are moving stock round ready for Christmas, has inspired me to make this a 'Book Christmas.' Going out shopping is not going to be easy with upcoming treatments etc, so, inspired by you, everyone will be getting a book this year!

    Who knows, maybe next year they'll get a book written by me! Highly unlikely!

    Take care, Jo xx