Hi Billy,

I can't tell you how sorry I am to hear the latest news about your darling Brenda.  I was really hoping that, somehow, they would get her medication right and she would be able to come home to you. I feel for you, after the way you have cared for her all this time, but, as you say, home isn't the safest place for her anymore and you would never forgive yourself if she were to come home and something happened to her.

Take care of yourself, Billy, don't let this disappointment throw you off balance.  Brenda still needs your visits, even if she doesn't know it, sometimes.

Lots of love 

Christine x

Hi dear Christine and all my friends,   phoned Brenda ward this morning, told she had trouble in night and in A&E,  phoned  A&E told she's going to MEAU in a few hours, still don't know what is wrong. Was visiting this afternoon but not allowed to MEAU. 

Billy xxxx 

Hi Billy, 

I don't know what MEAU means, but this doesn't sound good.  I'm sorry! Please keep us informed.

Take care,

Christine xx

Really sorry Brenda's had to go back to the Medical Emergency Assessment Unit. Hope someone tells you what's going on soon and that Brenda improves. You've had a really tough couple of months. 

Remember to take care of yourself too, Billy. Ask for help if you need it and remember to keep an eye on that BP given the impact stress can have on Addisons. 

Is Bella is being good today? Hope you've plenty of treats in. 

Love Rose xx

Thanks Rose!

Hi all another update about my darling Brenda. Visited this morning, Brenda really happy to see me, yesterday she was nearly crying thinking i wasn't going to visit anymore, as other wards no visiting allowed. Found out from nurse Brenda should be going to psychiatric ward this afternoon, so phoned to make visit tomorrow and told Brenda isn't going back there as they haven't got a bed, so i phoned hospital and they are in lockdown, (covid on ward)so Brenda is staying there for now, but no visiting. 

Im feeling lost, tempted to get Brenda home after all this lot. 

Love to all Billy xxxx 

Billy,

This is super tough. I know you want to do your best by Brenda, but you need to take care of yourself too. Brenda could well be covid positive. The absolute worst case scenario would be both you and Brenda having Covid at home.

Hospital can't let Brenda out if there's a section in place without full care package and doctor approval, which will be problematic given the Covid lockdown but also given how Brenda gets whenever she has a fever (because of the psychiatric co-morbidities)

I think your options are very limited. I know how much you want to do the best by her. And you have Billy.  At least you've managed two visits this weekend. Better than none. Can you maybe get someone to help Brenda facetime you. Problem is that ward are likely super short-staffed given the Covid situation. It's a horrible situation for both of you but getting stressed won't help with the Addisons. Do you have any lateral flow tests at home? Given you've been on the ward today and yesterday you could get Covid. Have you been told you need to contact GP urgently if so? (there are extra medication options for people who are immunosuppressed). Do take care of yourself Billy. I don't think there is anything more you can do for Brenda – hospitals might allow you to drop things off. Someone did that for me when I was in hospital all on my own in isolation. Important thing is to try and look after yourself much as possible for when lockdown ends. 

Really sorry you've got to deal with this. It's been one thing after another for you. Take care Billy. 

Hi dear Rose. I've got covid tests got them through the post from NHS, im doing one now, been thinking of checking as depends on how long covid been there..

Love Billy xxxx 

That's good Billy. Hopefully you'll be just fine. But good to keep an eye on it! x

Test is clear, that's a relief. 

Xxx