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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

Parents
  • Morning Jules,

    Was just wondering how you got on when you visited your Mum this week, and also how your daughter got on at hospital?  I do hope things are not too stressful for you and that you can try and have a relaxing weekend.

    I'm waiting for my eldest to come home, he has spent somewhat of Freshers sleeping on fellow pupils floors after social events - latest was a toga party last night!  I'm off to my counsellor this morning, had originally been thinking I wouldn't need to see her for too much longer but have been so emotional this week so will talk things over with her.

    The weather is forecast to be nice this weekend but is looking a bit gloomy at present.  Here's hoping it brightens up and the sun shines on us all.  Take care  Hope x

  • Hi Hope

    Hope you visit to the counsellor was helpful and its good for you to be able to talk things through and this should last as long as you need it.

    I have just returned from visiting Mum and she was ok though I am sure a little concerned at how long she will be able to stay where she.  She has amazed the staff at how forthright she was when social worker 'interviewed' her and they are left in no doubt as to what she wants. All the care staff came to see me whilst I was visiting to make sure I was okay too - very sweet.  I stayed until she was due to go into lunch and we even managed a bit of a laugh when I showed her latest photos of her great grandson.  He has really enjoyed his first week in Reception and keeps telling his mum that his teacher is the most beautiful one in the school!!

    Hubby and I picked him up from school on Friday as my daughter had to return to hospital for a second day of tests and monitoring.  Specialist blood tests with regard to her liver function have been sent off and unless she hears otherwise she returns to clinic next Friday.  The last set of bloods were borderline but all readings for the baby were good.  If the new blood tests show certain 'rises' she may have to be taken in and possibly induced (she is now 37 weeks and would probably welcome is being over and done with!!).  Anyway so far so good.  I have an overnight bag ready and waiting and she has several friends on standby to get her to the hospital if her hubby is at work.  Mind you she is still driving herself at present!!

    When we met our grandson at school (its only 10mins to his home) he told Grandad that he could meet us there as it was healthier to walk!!!  My hubby's face was a picture as he drove off and I walked the little tyke home!!

    Life's stresses seem to come and go but having the forum to offload certainly helped me to see things in perspective this week though I think my mood swings are more due to hormones than current circumstances.

    Sounds like your eldest having a great time during Freshers but will no doubt be looking forward to some home cooking.  Have a great weekend with the family and will catch up again soon.  All the best and look after yourself. Jules xx

  • Hi Hope

    Thanks for the reply - the terrible teens more like Kevin and Perry.  If you ask her to do something she can't be bothered or will do it later. Hope your son enjoys his birthday.

    How is your eldest getting on at Medical School?.  My friend's daughter is doing her course too which can last up to 7 years but she said it will be worth it in the end.

    How's work going Hope?

    Take care and chat soon

    Mickied

  • Hi Hope

    Trust you are having a peaceful week and I am sure having been able to move forward now that probate agreed makes some things a little easier. You should feel very proud of yourself for managing to visit banks on your own, daunting at the best of times let alone when you are grieving.  sometimes think we sort of go onto 'automatic pilot' just to  cope with day to day tasks.

    Had another bad night last night (not sure why but suspect once awake the mind works overtime in the quietness!!!).  Hubby had physio yesterday and has exercises to do at home and goes back in a couple of weeks so hope it helps though he says little other than when I try the 20 questions route to have some sort of conversation - FRUSTRATING to say the least.  Think I am having more written conversations than verbal ones so thank goodness for the forum and people like yourself who are happy to listen to my waffling.

    Mum was so so this week. Not so chatty but at least she had agreed to have a hair done (unlike the previous week when I thought she was on good form!!!).

    Am off to work shortly and then hope to pop in to see our daughter and the children (probably pick up eldest from school).  She  is coping well now though still have to remind her to get plenty of rest when the baby sleeps.

    Have a good weekend and hope to chat again soon.  regards and hugs Jules x

  • Hi Jules,

    I'm sorry that your hubby isn't very talkative at present, I can understand how frustrating that must be - I love to talk and would find it very difficult getting little response. Likewise to find your Mum less chatty this week must also be difficult.  Thank goodness you have this site, we are always ready to chat on here! No doubt you will have fun later today when you see your grandchildren, glad your daughter is coping well now.

    I'm relieved that I now have grant of probate, it is just another box to tick; however the house remains an issue as I've found out there is such a lot of work to be done if I want to get it up to scratch for renting. Intend to get further advice  and quotes and will then need to decide what to do for the best. Although I would like to keep it I also need to balance finances and also need to be able to move forward emotionally myself, so I will see.  I'm emotionally not in too bad a place just at the moment so am taking advantage of that as I'm sure another bad day will be ahead at some point.  Sunday I have a memorial service held by the hospice to attend for Mum, so it could even be then!

    Mickied, thanks for asking after me and my eldest, he is absolutely loving med school - tons of work but he is in his glory.  Let's hope he will be a good future doctor.  Hope all is OK with you.

    Take care my friends.  Hope xx

  • Hi Jules,

    Thanks for the reply on the other thread. Good news is my latest blood test was okay and levels was back to normal so last one must have just been an anomaly.

    My new headset has just arrived which I am very pleased with so will be able to get cracking on my stories again. Haven't done any writing for about three weeks so have a lot of catching up to do. I wish you well for your Bingo session tonight.

    I hope you have a good weekend and will talk again soon, Brian.

  • Hi Brian, Jules and Hope

    Hope all is well with you.  Starting to get a bit of a sore throat today but struggling on nonetheless.

    We received a call from the police yesterday.  A few weeks ago a young female called to our house with a sponsor form for cancer.  My husband gave her a small donation and thought nothing else of it.

    Apparently this young lady is being charged with fraud and had been going from different parts of the city looking sponsorship for a so called cycling event.  My husband had to call to our nearest station today to make a statement.  He said he can't even remember much about it.  Just shows you what people get up to.  I know times are hard but I would never consider conning people like that.

    Well take care and chat next week

    Mickied

  • Hi Mickied, Unbelievable about the sponsor form scam!  People who have no conscience and are able to carry out these cons obviously have been lucky enough to never have been affected by cancer, it makes me sick to think of people acting in that way.  Fortunately there are many good people in the world (a lot on here I might add), who understand the devastating effects of cancer, to even consider using the word for personal gain is appalling!

    I hope all is well with you Mickied, have a good weekend.  Hope xx

  • Hi Jules,

    Just wanted to pop up on your thread and say Hi and that I am following your latest news, but not always posting a response.

    Have a good weekend and hope the sun is shining where you are. I'm hoping to convince my other half that a little walk in Derbyshire would be good for us both! Think I can clinch the deal with the promise of a pub lunch at the end of it!

    Big hugs to you and your family, Jo xxx

  • Brill news Brian regarding your results and I am sure you will soon be cracking more nuts and planning more books now that the new equipment has arrived.  As the sun was shining this morning, once I had done the washing and ironing (boring but necessary!!) I set off to the local farmers market (treated myself to a large hot chocolate to keep our the chill) and also found a few bargains at the Charity shops for my winter wardrobe and a couple of social events planned (and hopefully attended together) over the next two months.

    Hope you and MrsB have a peaceful weekend. Regards Jules x

  • Hi Mickied

    Absolutely appalling what some lowlife's will try and get money out of people for!!  Leaves a very bad taste in the mouth when innocent people are getting duped in such an outrageous manner.

    Hope your throat does not develop into anything nasty - so many bugs around and some seem to last quite a while.  So far so good

    with me, since taking a short course of antibiotics, no more waterworks problems and last sample was clear .  Having taken Annabel's advice and found some cranberry tablets (before I bankrupted myself on the juice!!) I am now on 1 a day for a month to keep the bugs at bay (hopefully!!).  My GP had recommended cranberry too so heres hoping!!

    Managed my Friday night out and hubby went with his friend to the pub and watched the football (hubby not that bothered but his mate is and they had a couple of hours over a beer/whisky.  Hubby has also begun his physio regime (has exercises to do in his armchair too!!)  and he goes back in two weeks for next session with the physiotherapist.  At least it gives him a reason to get out of the house (consultant wanted him to do more walking but  having always driven everywhere, he rarely walks further than the front gate  which is not quite what she had in mind).

    Wishing you and the family a peaceful weekend. Take care and virtual hugs.  Jules x

  • Hi Hope

    Hope you are enjoying a peaceful weekend and that you and the family are all keeping well.

      Hubby has now got his exercises to do at home (mostly managed within the realms of his armchair!!) and will see the physiotherapist again in a couple of weeks for another session.. He is 'going with the flow' but says he doubts it will make a difference!!  I have been out to the Farmer's Market today (hubby did not want to come with me so I walked there and bussed back (beautiful sunshine for the walk there but then it clouded over) and enjoyed a hot chocolate to warm me up. Also found an outfit for a function we are planning on attending at the end of January (formal do so long dress called for and was very pleased to find an ideal answer in local charity shop - might be last season but it was a bargain.)   Hubby was dozing in front of the fire but has now woken again and has his milkshake and some crumpets to keep him going.  Chat again soon.  Jules x

Reply
  • Hi Hope

    Hope you are enjoying a peaceful weekend and that you and the family are all keeping well.

      Hubby has now got his exercises to do at home (mostly managed within the realms of his armchair!!) and will see the physiotherapist again in a couple of weeks for another session.. He is 'going with the flow' but says he doubts it will make a difference!!  I have been out to the Farmer's Market today (hubby did not want to come with me so I walked there and bussed back (beautiful sunshine for the walk there but then it clouded over) and enjoyed a hot chocolate to warm me up. Also found an outfit for a function we are planning on attending at the end of January (formal do so long dress called for and was very pleased to find an ideal answer in local charity shop - might be last season but it was a bargain.)   Hubby was dozing in front of the fire but has now woken again and has his milkshake and some crumpets to keep him going.  Chat again soon.  Jules x

Children
  • Hi Jules,  Glad you had a productive shop and found a suitable dress - even better when it's a bargain!  Armchair sounds a good place to do exercises this cold weather and I'm sure hubby is happy with his milkshake & crumpets!  I've been catching up with friends this weekend which is nice, tomorrow I have a hospice memorial for Mum, so am gearing myself up for that one.  Emjoy the rest of your weekend.  Hope xx

    Brian, great news about the blood results.  Take care.  Hope xx