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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

  • Hi George

    Thanks for your good wishes which are, of course, returned to you and the family.  I have politely said no to 'eggs' this year but have already received one to share with hubby (he is being actively encouraged by his consultant to eat as much chocolate as he can to help with weight issues along will as much full fat food as he can) so I will have a little bit and hopefully he will manage the rest.  His eating has not been so good the last couple of weeks (something we have always had a battle with as he just does not enjoy flavours any more and also the position of the cancer leaves him feeling full after the smallest amount of food).

    Glad to hear they are still looking after you and hope the blood test and scan shed some light on your situation.  Take care and sending hugs to you and your family. Happy Easter.  Jules x

  • Hi to all

    George - thanks for your good wishes which are returned.  Only person who will get an egg in our house is 18 year old daughter!  She has already said which one she wants.

    Brian - Sorry to hear your old injury has been giving you grief.  Hopefully after a good rest it will improve so you can get on with the woodturning although I am sure grandchldren will be happy if you have been working on their various stories.  Will keep my fingers crossed for your Dad although as Jules say he is in the best place.  It is just so difficult being so far away.

    Annabel - Good luck with the babysitting.  You deserve a good rest afterwards.

    Jules - Good luck with the overnight guest.  I think it is great that your husband has been offered a grand tour of your sons place with the head man.  Hopefully he will be upt to this and really enjoy it.  It will certainly give him something to think about other than his illness.

    Best wishes and happy easter to all.

    Gill

  • Hi Jules,

    Just a little post to wish you a Happy Easter! I hope this weather holds out as I'm sure many families will be getting together on Sunday for traditional Easter fayre and Easter eggs! I usually give my children a selection of little eggs - the 'Hunt' element of it went out of the window a few years ago! But this year, I thought I'd give them a chocolate bunny with a little money attached to the ribbon round its neck! Well, they are 24 and 22!!!!!   

    Enjoy your babysitting! Maybe a sneaky piece of chocolate is in order to keep the energy levels up! especially as you've been gardening for England too, by the sounds of it!  x

    Annabel, I hope you don't wear yourself over the Easter weekend, taking care of your cottage visitors! Save some of your energy for babysitting Ava! Have a great time! x

    Brian, sorry to read about your leg - more nuts required methinks! They have natural oils which will undoubtedly help your condition    x

    To Gill and George too, a very Happy Easter to everyone xxxx

    p.s. Hi Hope. Haven't seen you post for a while. Hope you're having a good rest from school. Hugs to you xx

  • Hi Gill & Jo

    Lovely to hear from you both and wish you a very happy Easter too.  Weather has dipped a bit here today but still

    dry so not complaining.  Will catch up again after the hols no doubt.  In the  meantime both take it easy and watch out for Easter bunnies.  Hugs  Jules x

  • What a day we had been out shopping came home mail in the box sat down to read it and the phone went she picked it up and said it is the doctor for you I said right life fell apart the doc wanted me to go for a blood test today

    the letter wanted ,me to go for a scan on tuesday  what a life but they are looking after me I think ??????? have a nice weekend  all regards george    xxxxx

  • Hi George

    Seems that you are being well looked after by your medical team.  Do hope the quick blood test and Tuesday's scan can throw some light their (and your) way forward.  In the meantime enjoy the weather (beautiful in Middlesex) and your Easter.  Hugs to you and the family.Jules x

  • Hi Jules,

    Before I mowed our lawns yesterday, I had to sharpen the blade. It was so blunt I had to take it to my grinding wheel as there was no cutting edge left and then finish it off with a file. Oh what a difference it has made; it was worth while doing it. Lawn looks so much neater now. Still have to finish sorting my computer but have got the worst of it done now. The two books I have lost I had printed copies out before the crash so will be able to re-write them both. But the one I had just started I will have to re do from the start.

    Hope your visit to you mum goes well and she enjoys the flowers you were talking about getting her. Last year I bought a chocolate Owl for Mrs B from Waitrose but she wouldn't eat it and it stayed in the cupboard for months and months. Hope you get some Easter eggs to eat if you haven't had some already. Poor you having to work on Monday but at least the weather isn't looking too good for then.

    I wish you and your family a very happy Easter, take care best wishes, Brian.

  • Hi Jules,

    Hope you are keeping well and that hubby is looking forward to his Easter Eggs - I read that you weren't going to indulge but perhaps the odd piece?? I love the chocolate in Easter Eggs, always seem to taste better than usual.  Well I've returned from my trip to Venice which was fantastic, such a magical place - now just the washing to contend with over the Easter period!  Hope you and your famiy have a lovely  Easter.  Hope xx

  • Hi George

    Have not been on line for a couple of days and have only just caught up.  You do seem to be well looked after and hope all goes well with the blood test and scan.

    Gill

  • Happy Easter Sunday to all.

    Brian

    Mrs B has a great willpower.Despite my love of owls I could never had kept 'chocolate' that long!!

    I visted Mum for 45 mins (she then wanted a morning nap) and  sat quietly with her and gave her a few bits of family information plus showing her latest camera shots of the tulips she and Dad had bought me many years ago (that raised a smile).  She was a little brighter than usual and was pleased with her plant and also the 'Quick Read' book I took down and decided to keep both.

    I will see her again soon.

    On my return I got drink for hubby and then mowed the lawn.  It was not quite warm enough to stay outside but happy enough to get jobs done.  Today we are at our sons for lunch and will be able to admire the work they have done to the house and garden since our last visit (they were up the garden centre yesterday stocking up on wild bird food and hanging  baskets). So far still dry here though very cloudy and apparently rain is on the cards but with the family being together the weather will not matter.  Hope you have a relaxing day and best wishes to you both.Jules x

    Hope

    Glad you enjoyed your Italian break (have not been to Venice since  I was 13 (still remember the wonderful buildings and the gondoliers)). Hope you enjoy your Easter weekend.  As you can see from my chat to Brian we are at our sons today (my daughter and the boys will be there too) for lunch.  Have bag packed with Easter Eggs and bottle of wine for them. Then plan a relaxing evening before having to work tomorrow (thats the problem with retail!!).  Baby Zack  has his first sleepover  here (so as to  be kept out of the 'painting' smell for a while we have him until Tuesday tea time - had fun choosing his menu at the supermarket - so different to what was available when ours were babies ha ha).  Fingers crossed it will be a dry day and then he can go the the park (loves the swing).  If not it will be home entertainment with grandparents (pour soul).  Hope you and the family are all keeping well and enjoy the rest of your Easter before returning to work.  Take care  Jules x