General Chat

I am sorry to hear that your mum is not well Florence. It is a few years now, but after an operation, my dad nearly died and was very ill. He moved into the hospital rehab ward and was there for several months until they got him well enough to go home.

My sister came home on Sunday, she was sitting there most of the day with her discharge letter waiting for the ambulance to take her home and get her into the house. In the end they said that they couldn’t get an ambulance. She wasn’t prepared to stay, so her husband took her home. Between them, they managed to get up the steps into the house then very slowly up the internal staircase. How she managed, I don’t know. She stayed upstairs for a couple of days, then managed to get down again. It is tiring for her, but she is improving every day. She is still struggling with her speech. It is all going to take time. After about five weeks, she had to start daily radio and chemotherapy, so that is going to knock her back

Good afternoon folks.
Well the weather for the last few days has been so awful that i couldnt go out the front door as it was sooo windy, gale force and torrential rain! When will it end and summer begin.
The south east is set for another heatwave so why cant we please get a slice of the sun up here? Oh well we live in hope.

My mother has not improved at all. She can speak a little but very slurred except shes asking after her mother and when shes going home to the house she was born in? Her "dementia" has taken a turn for the worse.

However yesterday, they were talking about moving her to a rehabilitation hospital but I have no idea if that is in the same hospital or elsewhere. By the time little bro gets there at 5pm, not many drs about to discuss mum with.

The 5-7pm is staying for visitors because of the covid on the unit.

I have been ringing for updates after lunch but I only get a general update from the nurse.

Does anyone have knowledge of being moved from a stroke unit elsewhere?

One thing is for sure, she wont ever be returning to her home :-(
Im being kept busy sorting out things that i can do from here so its making me feel better for that.

Hoping everyone else is doing ok.

How is your sister Linda?

Take care all

Florence in the hebrides

Edit: Tesco delivery between 5-9pm today, so that will keep me busy awhile as its a big order. Not had a delivery for over 2 weeks!

Afternoon Joan and anyone else looking in.
Well its blowing a right old hooley here and heavy showers. Grass cutters came awhile ago after I didnt think they would come. There was a break in the rain so they came and all done now.

Bin day too...typical! They emptied the bin, left it on my parking space and within seconds it was on its side. Luckily my left sided neighbour is off from Tesco this week so he quickly picked it up and put it in the corner bit for me which was kind.

This weather Joan is lasting all week...so depressing and now im using tumble drier which Ive been not using saving the pennies.
Glad hubby is taking all his meds and washing up for you is a great help and at least he feels able to do something useful.

Have just been tidying up, bit of sorting out documents on PC and deleting old things.

So no other news so far today. Might pop on later.

Florence in the hebrides

Ann, I rather feel helpless tbh and little brother is the only one that drives. Middle brother or his wife dont drive. And if I was down, I could only go when someone could take me. other sil has a 5 year old in school.

Im always asking lots of questions but I dont get the answers. "A" said that yesterday as there was a skeleton staff with it being the weekend, noone had washed my mother all day!! That isnt good enough and I would have demanded to know why but he said there were very busy and wasnt many nurses around to ask. So yes it's very difficult for me but Im trying to stay positive.

Been raining all afternoon so no washing got hung out and im feeling it chilly too. not very summery at all.

Was keeping busy shortening two night dresses I bought awhile ago but they were far too long. I cut them and then used that wonderweb and they look ok so a good job done.

Florence in the hebrides

Yes Florence thanks I am ok. My neighbour has covid but luckily I had not been with her since Tuesday.

Well there was no gardening done yesterday as it rained most of the day. I mafe 9 greeting cards though, just simple ones but it boosts my stock.

Today I had a friend here for a couple of hours for a cuppa and a chat which was nice. Linda, I am surprised that they are letting your sister home if the house is not really suitable. Still maybe in her own surroundings maybe she will improve more.

Florence It is good that there are people to visit your mum and let you know how she is. But it is a worry for you not being able to see her.

Good morning everyone.
Mum is still the same and no change except last night she was feeling sick but wasn't.
Visiting hours have changed to 5-7pm so not hearing any news until 8pm once brother is home.

Been raining here and very windy so not nice at all. yesterday felt very warm in the morning when the wind was low but the midges were out again grrr. Plenty flowers on the strawberry plants but dont know how long it takes for them to grow fully?

Oh Linda, good that your sister can go home but the practicalities of steps is awful.
A bed downstairs for now sounds a better option. She must be so frustrated with her speech but in time it will improve. My mum can only slur out one side of her mouth and isnt understanding really why she cant eat or drink properly!

Hope your weather is better today Joan so you can get outside, no use gardening in the rain.

Ann, hope you are keeping well and enjoying good weather.Im sure you are busy with all your pots etc.

Off to put some washing on and maybe get it out. Not sure whats for evening meal yet, havent decided.

Florence in the hebrides

We had torrential rain and thunder and lightning yesterday, but it is much nicer today.

Little Esme doesn’t seem very well today, she has a runny nose and is being a real cross patch.

My sister is hoping to go home tomorrow if they can arrange the ambulance. Her speech is still tortuous, she has to struggle to get her words in order then say them It is really frustrating for her and she often wells up. Her walking is more like shuffling using a walker.

She lives in a totally unsuitable thatched cottage with steps every where. The steps up to the first floor are about a foot deep and turn around on themselves. There is no way that she will be able to get up there herself. They are hoping the ambulance men will carry her up, but the stars are very narrow, so how they will do it, I don’t know. Once she gets up there she will be able to get to two of the bedrooms and a toilet.

It would be no good if they put a bed downstairs as the bathroom is down a flight of steps on a lower ground floor. Maybe when she gets stronger she will b3 able to shuffle down stairs on her bum, but going back up, I doubt that she would be able to stand herself up.

I hope your mum is still stable Florence and mainly sleeping, so she won’t be upset at being in hospital

Good that Mum is sleeping Florence. Sleep is a great healer. Also good that she is comfortable. Just to let you know I am thinking of you. It is so difficult these days when families live so far apart. No problem when things are going well but hard when they are not. <3

Hello again peeps.
Well update on mum is no change. She had a comfortable night but no progress of any kind. She seems bright for 10 mins and then gets very tired so sleeping a lot.

Joan not much anyone can say really. Its just reassuring that people are thinking of us as a family and that means a lot.

I stripped my bed, washed everything but not dried just put in the boiler cupboard to dry it a bit and save the tumble drier.

I popped outside for 5 minutes earlier but still windy and cool. I noticed my yellow roses are in full blooms and look lovely. The other roses are making progress slowly.

Yes varnishing the toadstool will def save the paintwork in the winter. Daughter made and painted a little bird house and i varnished that so the paint wouldnt run in the rain.

Daughter is elsewhere until Friday so not sure what I will do tomorrow. I may sort out my wardrobe and chest of drawers as both seem full to bursting lol

Joan burnt bits are always the best lol

Florence in the hebrides

Good afternoon folks.
Well mum had a comfortable night and is still stable but no change and still paralysed down left side. her face is still dropped too.
I hopefully will get an update from little brother later when he goes over to see her.

I am just trying to keep busy rather than dwell on the situation. I have stripped my bed, hoovered and done some laundry.
The hairdresser lady tel me today asking after mum which was lovely. So I explained the situation and she sends her hugs from the ladies in the salon which was lovely.

My brother read mums gas and electric meters and so I rang them through to get up to date bills. Her gas meter hasnt been read since lockdown!! But she pays both by D/D so money into the accounts each month.

Still horrid rainy, windy weather here. More like winter and so depressing.

Hope everyone else is ok.
Joan hope you have no more cows in your garden.

Will be back later if i have any new news.
Florence in the hebrides

Good afternoon peeps.
Thankyou for all you kind thoughts and good wishes for my mum.

So overnight she has remained stable which is good in one way. She is unable to eat or swallow and is on 2 tubes. The drs say it is a waiting game and could take weeks before she may make any progress.

We had to have a discussion about DNR which was hard but the 3 of us siblings made the decision to have this in place. The dr said it was likely she may take another stroke or a heart attack and we do not want her to suffer or just become a vegetable with no quality of life.

But on a lighter note, although her speech is slurred, she asked for a cup of tea which is positive. brother says one minute she seems brighter but then goes very tired very quickly which i think is expected.

So we all remain positive for now and take each day as it comes as thats all we can do.

I did some phone calls today to her hairdresser, her taxi driver and the local shop to cancel her papers. So at least I can do things for her even though im far away.

On a lighter note, am i right in thinking Joan, you had a cow in your garden? Made me smile as I sometimes have a stray cat, a dozen pigeons and various other birds, some sheep over the fence but def no cows!! Hope it got back to where it came from.
Like your hubby, I also slept in my recliner sofa before my heart op when I was struggling to breathe laying down. It was the best nights sleep i ever had sometimes so hope he continues to sleep well.

Linda, hope your sister is improving every day...baby steps

Ann, you almost have a full time job watering all your pots but keeps you out of mischief lol.

My little greenhouse is still standing after the gale but dont think I shall leave it out all winter as it would probably end up in Iceland lol

Well quick tea tonight so cheese & tomato pizza, chips and some fresh bread to have a chip sarnie!With brown sauce of course!

Hope all is well with everyone else today.

Florence in the hebrides

Florence, such a shock for you and also your brother, but good that he was near and could call in. I hope that they are able to keep her comfortable. Sending you lots of thoughts.
<3 <3

I am so sorry to read about your mum Florence. It must be so difficult for you not being able to travel to her

Florence, I am so sorry to hear about your mom, it is an awful thing to have happened to her and also for your brother to have found her.. Stressful for you as well not being able to travel to see her.

Linda, it will be a long recovery for your sister and as you say she was out and about it must be frustrating for her.

Best wishes to all of you with family that are ill or recovering from illness.

Joan do you often get cows wandering around ? I know you live near a farm so it isn't so strange for you I suppose. The only creatures we get are squirrels and once a fox came in . Hope your hubby is sleeping ok in the chair and hopefully be able to use the bed again soon.

Take care all.

Oh dear Florence.
I am so sorry to read this.

I hope Mum is being helped to be as comfortable as possible.

Sending you a (( hug )) as it must be so difficult for you being so far away.

Afternoon folks.
Well its all come to a head with mum!!
During the week from Wed, she really began to go downhill. Long story but...on Sunday I spoke with her and decided she needed the GP to home visit her on Monday. Lets say she has some "personal" problems.

So I tel GP at 8.30 today got through at 9am. I tel mum to let her know but no answer. I rang every 10 minutes and no reply. Asked little bro to call round and my sil was on her way up. When he arrived he found her slumped in her chair. Called ambulance and they said she's had a huge stroke. All lopsided on left side.

Was taken to Maidstone hospital and now in stroke unit. My brother phoned awhile ago to say, they are working through lots of tests and will know later but it was a massive stroke. She cant swallow or talk.

Brother got a terrible shock finding her but I knew something was wrong. So glad he was only 10 minutes away.

So its all come to a head now very sadly. I cant travel down either!

A very sad, sad day indeed :-(

Florence in the hebrides

Good morning all, sunny here and 15 degrees so pleasant if still breezy.
Florence it is such a worry for you with your Mum, she does sound as if she is going to be very stubborn about letting anyone else make decisions for her.. And the doctors etc are bound by the fact that she has not given permission so I am afraid there is probably nothing else anyone can do. What a pity she is still smoking indoors as well, so hard for you and the family.

I hope the mini greenhouses survive the breezy weather. you can always take them down for the winter I suppose.

Linda Life is hard for you and your family too with your sister, it sounds as if a reserve of patience on all sides is going to be needed. It must be so frustrating for her as she is so independent and used to working, travelling etc. to have to struggle to make herself understood must be very hard. I hope that each day she sees some improvement and hopefully that independence will be her best weapon.

Joan, hopefully as time moves on your hubby will find a way of returning to bed, but at least he is getting some sleep, and is in the same room as you.

I am glad that your husband is home and coping Joan. I remember that my mother slept in a mound of pillows because she couldn’t be flat as well. It was easier because it was only her in the bed.

My sister isn’t very well, but she is making small improvements every day. She can understand what you say and can structure a sentence, but it is painfully slow and very tiring for her. She is very frustrated and cries when she can’t make herself understood. It is awful to see her like that. Despite being seventy, she is still working, she is an expert in peat management and regularly travels abroad giving lectures, so to see her like she is is very hard for the family. It is obviously going to be a very long recovery.

We had a lovely morning, it was my older granddaughters school speech day. She was given a prize for the highest academic achievement in year seven, so we are very proud of her.

We knew a couple of weeks ago that she was being given a prize, but she didn’t find out until Thursday. Her head of year called her out of a lesson and told her. For some reason he gave her a post it note with the award written on it. Afterwards, she was totally confused as to what the prize was for. She sent a text to her mum saying that the note said “ Best academic scones” . When we looked at it, we saw it actually said “ Best academic scores” :-D

Afternoon all
Well its a sunny day here, quite warm with a southerly breeze thats keeping the midges away.

Daughter bought 2 mini greenhouses from the factory shop at half price so £15 each.

Easy enough to put together but i had to buy some strong cable ties to tie to the fence and tent pegs for the frame on the ground to stop it blowing away.
It has a plastic cover with a zip at the front so you can open and let air in.

We put all the strawberry plants in and a few others last night and its still standing.

Not sure if it would survive the stronger gales in winter but will think about than come sept/october.

I managed to go out the back door and down the step and then walk down the bottom of garden to fill bird feeders. It was good to be able to get down the step pain free, but I wont do that on my own incase i take a dizzy turn.

My mum was still very breathless yesterday and it appears we have a huge problem!! I discovered through the conversation, she hadnt been taking the steroids as noone told her to take them same time as antibiotics!!! So she only started them yesterday.

Other family went to see her as it was her birthday yesterday, but they said she was very muddled.

Im not sleeping for worrying about her and she wont let anyone "interfere" with her business as she says. So we dont know what to do. Wrote to her GP and got told basically no authority to discuss with us.
Shes a disaster waiting to happen and she still smokes indoors too.

Oh well its so difficult to deal with

Joan your hubby is just not wanting to waste the expensive butter i guess..lol

Hope you all enjoy the sunshine

Florence in the hebrides

Anchor spreadable butter 500G is £3.46 in store today.