Mum2one - next chapter - baby steps make big strides

satchmo1

It's worth getting in touch with Macmillan Cancer as they have masses of info about benefits for cancer sufferers, and there may be some help from the electricity suppliers. That's not a fact, but I have a feeling I've seen it somewhere. http://www.macmillan.org.uk/HowWeCanHelp/FinancialSupport/FinancialSupport.aspx

mum2one

satchmo1 - thats brilliant thank you, the electricity just going through the roof, its not just the washing, but the fact the tumble drier is on 2 or 3 times a day.

He's been awarded attendance allowance, - but it doesn't come into play till next Feb, as by then he would have had his bag for 6 mths, - he needs to have needed care for 6 mths.

Will have a look and speak to the mcmillian nurse.

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Now done batch 2 of Christmas cakes, (with DDs help), thats one less thing to worry about.

xx

mum2one

What a start to November, seem to be livin at the hospitals one way and another, between last week and this dad has 5 hospital appointments, we had a massive ngtmare over transport, it ended with me being a "whistle blower" contacted the local paper and they run the story, we made front page news,

The story was published yesterday, I ended up being rushed up to hospital, been to GP, she went in a panic, they thought there was somethin major with my back.

So nearly 6hrs in a+e, poked, proded, x-rayed, blood tests, partly because there bowel cancer in the family, (dad and his mum passed away with it), they run tests for that.

So so pleased all the tests came back clear, my xrays showed arthritis in my spine (knew that I had that), and that I had jerked that spot on my spine, so rest but move got to go for physio,

All I could think was
why do i have old faithful bra on
why dont I have me posh undies and not my old faithfuls
why didnt shave my legs (that was due to be done yesterday)
why didnt I take a book.

Positive - I sorted out my handbag, found a months worth of receipts, started my xmas present ideas list (for dd, mum, dad)
Sorted my xmas card list out...

A mixed day today, it was a very close friend she lost her husband, he was only 60, it was a complete shock, he was an adopted uncle for dd, we'd been on holiday with them quite a few times, we were in Tunisia with them in May.

It hit home harder for me, as with what were going through with dad and all I could think was this could have been us going through that.

It was 50 miles away, so sat nav, knew how to get there they lived, but not the locations needed, took a pit stop both ways at a lovely country pub, open fire, big comfy chairs, I could have stayed there all day, its a pub that I intend to return to.

hopefully a couple of rest days, so i can some stuff sorted for xmas, - not back at the hosp till Friday - biggie appointment, hoping for some good news, xx

Trixxibell

Hiya OMG at your experience with the hospital I bet your sick of them at the moment. Glad the results were what you knew you had already.

Hope the appointment Friday goes the way you want it to xx

mum2one

Thank u xxx

mum2one

Quite a productive day thou am shattered have sorted all the Xmas prezzies out there now bagged per person ready for wrapping, left a bag full for dd to use for her friends and popped 2mens and 2 ladies gifts ready for her teachers. Even managed to have a couple of spares incase need them, moved items around so the spares are what I like - incase they get left! Xx

Trixxibell

Mum2one,

Just one word AMAZING! Can I have some of your motivation please xx

mum2one

trixxibell, - thank you, your one in a million.

to be honest trying to keep mind occupied, hopefully we find out friday the results of dads scan, anything can get sorted all done, most of the stuff i brought in jan sales, with vouchers, so come in cheap xxx

mum2one

Its been an another up and down couple of weeks, thou slowly settling down, (she hopes), the results of the scan, so glad the consultant looked at them, they found blood clots on both of my fathers lungs, to say everything went out of the window was an understatment.

I felt worse as had to leave dad at the hospital as had meeting at DDs school, all ok, the school decided to close for the day for lessons, but have a 10 min review slot, I was there with puffy eyes... DD settled in well and shes doing ok.

Dad was then given injections, - now on daily injections for months - the upshot is, hes now on a medical trial, related to blood clots in cancer patients, hes pleased he able to give something back.
Had a weekend away with DD, bit cold, but good to be the 2 of us.

Money wise - even thou I am trying to be proactive, it just seems to be a mess, but on the plus size the debt isnt increasing.

I've just decided to let things ride as they are, and get my head back down in Feb.

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On a different note, hings are starting to get organised for Christmas, have wrapped up all he presents for friends, etc, just got the familyto sort out, on a plus side for DDs main present, I have covered the cost £100 tablet and accesories, - done by cashback etc, so very pleased.

Family -
Dad - got half - £30 left to spend
mum - got half - £30 left to spend
£30 to £50 on joint present
DD - main, few top ups - reckon £50 to finish
Dog - he has £10 spent on him...

for DD
£20 for dad
£20 for mum
£20 for me - mum gives her £20 to spend

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My I need to sort list, theres still a wack to do, i wanted to get i done by now, but Rome wasnt built in a day...

Today - I sorted the corner by my chair, I found about 30 charger cables and plugs, have no idea where half of them go, but I chucked out a bag and that got filled with rubbish, its not really hoarding, its more deal with it later...

Were all dealing with it differently, mum just keeps asking the same questions, and crying, DD has gained a new friend....thou hes imaginary, shes gone back into her teddy bears, me this sounds daft saying it, I dont seem to leave the house without a scarf, I've brought about 10 since it all happened, even if it popping to Tesco theres a scarf on. madness as I never liked them before....

DD came home with the school trip letter - £340 for 4 day trip to France... course you dont want to say no, as its not her fault I got into debt, so its a tighter few months to get that paid... xx

mum2one

An update on Nov's to do list....

My To do list (November)
Groceries - plan a list - main shop and top up, main shop Sat 1st, done weekly shops, now dad does the top u weekend shop takes some pressure off.
Sunday market - vitamin tabs for dog dad went - done
Gut my bedroom (more the xmas prezzies etc) - whoops
the airing cupboard
under stairs cupboard
mums corner
Main shed - the top surfaces done
Little shed - tidy and find Xmas pressies done all prezzies are now wrapped, some been delievered
Kitchen Cupboards - wash, tidy, new wallpaper in cupboards
Dining Room (unit, floor, table)
Have list for Xmas cards = done
Write the cards - done, half posted
get xmas prezzies from loft (borrow a neighbour) - done
clean out shower trap (borrow a neighbour) - done, dad now doing that
allocate presents to the person - done
Paper, cards, tape etc -done
clean freezer
Sort list for Xmas shopping (turkey all sorted) - done all main bits brought
post parcels/sort posting
sort out foot appointment
blood test me
nurses app
doctors app - done
hygienst at dentist
make batch 2 of Christmas cakesdone made 1 big, 2 med, 2 sample size - done
Meal planning
4 days/evenings - make mum/dd time trying
decide what DD christmas. -main prezzie from g/parents babybliss curl thingie, (brought), from me tablet (in progree) sorted
set budget / check bank accounts
Touch base with all friends/nice relatives, whether, text, call, visit
Furneral to attend, a very close friend lost her husband, (day job - 90 mins each way). lovely day, but a sad ocassion...

My great to do list, wasn't exactly a failure, I just think I tried too hard.

As for December, - the main "to do is xmas related".
Post cards that are left
Wrap family presents
Check for any extras want for xmas, / look at freezer -

Money wise... apart from waiting to win the lottery, i've done well, got DDs main present, - tablet and accesories, dvds theyve been paid for by vouchers, other bits and parents, I've paid cash as gone alaong, - no spends on silly things.

Dads health - touch wood, we had a good visit at the hospital for chemo tabs and blood thinning jabs, so 3 weeks to next one.

i think this year as made me reevaluate life, and I realise I need to make adjustments to my own life, to be able to move forward, ad some baby steps, but baby steps do lead to a stride.

Money - spoke to dmp company, and as money been not balancing, we've agreed to £50 per month and review in June, it buy me time to get some money behind me and a few pots of money.

The New Year, be a lot of organsing...my main thoughts at mo.

Tackle 1 room at a time in the house,
set up pots of money - via spreadsheet, then move to 1 account
by end of yr I want to have £500 emergency pot
Ebay /car boot / facebook sellers / free ads local paper - put money seperate
Money for DDs school trip
paperwork in house - what do i need to keep - simplify

Theres something planned for everyday until Xmas, from doing some tidying up, xmas shopping, want as much done by this weekend...

xx