The OS Doorstep - a helpful and supportive thread in these tough times

alfsmum

Morning toughies,

Couldn't sleep so got up to make cuppa and let poor tired DH sleep.

Hugs to all those who need them, trying to catch up and fascinated by talk of hair curling and cupcakes.

Feel shattered, not much sleep since Thurs. after exhausting day and planning early bed on Thurs evening, got call to say Mum's evening carer had called out paramedic. All piled into car and rushed over, first response paramedic suspected ankle fracture and called back up. Had to wait three hours!!!!! Till after midnight for ambulance to finally arrived. Nearest A&E now closed at night so mum taken to next city, much harder to visit. She is now in 9th floor geriatric ward in plaster cast but won't stay non weight bearing as she is supposed to because dementia means she doesn't understand. Waiting for Monday and hopefully discharge to community hospital. It this could be anywhere in county depending on where there isn't a bed. Dashing round trying to visit mum, cancel carers and milk, clear her cottage of perishables etc etc. plus Dd16 has started Christmas temp job this weekend, needs lift morning and evening every weekend till January, Dd18 working extra shifts where poss so also needs lifts Sat & Sun. So tired but no wonder I can't sleep....

Health care not joined up this days it seems, have explained Mum's condition to three different staff, all made notes but no one seems to speak to anyone else. Mum can't explain for herself. So frustrating. Ever since the dementia took hold we have had to chase help, it was never offered or coordinated so I feel for anyone else with loved ones suffering.

Have Strictly recorded from last night so may watch that as I don't think I will sleep now?busy day ahead! more running round so will be easy meals! soup! fruit etc and maybe a visit to McDonald when I pick Dd up from work later. The shame ( hangs OS head) but needs must.

Hope everyone has a good day and a lie in if possible

savingqueen

Sorry to hear about your mum's ankle alfsmum and all the running about you are doing. Of course you are shattered. Hope you manage to catch up on your sleep somehow, could you fit in a little nap later, even 40 mins can help you cope. Hugs.

No shame in a McDs, we get one occasionally. If we were having them as a regular meal that would be different but anything in moderation is fine. Sometimes you need to go into "survival mode"!

DH did some food shopping in Mr Ts yesterday, I dread the cost (haven't looked at the receipt.) In fact he has done several small shops like that over the last couple of months when I haven't been well. He is finding it hard doing the basics plus college work so is resorting to easy meals which cost more as well but needs must, everyone is being fed.

DH and I were both awake in the early hours and DH wanted to talk about his college course. He feels under so much pressure to continue the course and ditto actually doing it. I hope it all starts to click a bit for him soon. He only copes with his high pressure job by unwinding at the weekend and the opposite is happening now. My back had better hurry up and get better so I can take on all the household stuff again. DH is having a lie in at least so hoping he will feel better when he wakes up.

Well done to Miss Stiltwalker with her riding! Yay!

Hope everyone has a good day today. Thinking of you all.

sq:)

Pooky

Morning all

Alfs - hope you can catch up with some rest and that your Mum is moved closer to ease the pressure a bit.

SQ - hope your back is feeling better. I've had sciatic pain all week and have been waddling like a duck. Hope it beggars off soon as I've got a raised bed to dig, lots of weeding and gardening to do and want to get my room "spring cleaned".

Had the Inlaws here for dinner last night, we watched a film and had chilli nachos, nice and relaxed, I even managed to load the dishwasher and get the kitchen straight before I went to bed, so much nicer to come down to.

Doing a roast for lunch, meat is in, veg all prepped and I've got all the veg prepped for the rest of the weeks meal plans. Will get DDs rolls/sarnies made up for the week and in the freezer (it saves so much time) and will get some cakes baked for the tin. Actually scrap that my mum gave me a huge box of chocolate mini rolls last time she came down, they'll do for cakey snacks this week and will free up some larder space.

Washing machine is just whirring to a finish so I suppose I should get that out, the next lot in and put the kettle on for DH

monnagran

Alfsmum: It's just one of THOSE times, isn't it. When it's all over you'll look back and wonder how ever you got through it. But you will. The trick is not to look to far ahead, put on your blinkers and do what's in front of you. And take every opportunity to sit and close your eyes!

SQ: My heart goes out to your DH. Like Alfsmum, don't think about it, just do it and it will all pass in time.

Love and hugs

x

PRINCESSX87

Morning everyone.

Thanks for all the kind messages. It means a lot that I can escape here to many who understand!!

Spent the past few days in a state. Think I’m finally getting over it. It just seems when you manage to jump one hurdle you fall at 99 others. Life can be hard sometimes I know this but mine never seems to be any better.

What hasn’t helped is that we have since found out that OH brother (Who has been held after being arrested) Is now facing a worse charge. Its caused chaos here and everyone is simply deciding to “try” and find out what is going on. The unknowing is ……erm, causing a stir to say the least.

Today we’re heading out for a joint birthday meal. Neither of us is looking forward to going out. Ideally it would be better for us to stay in our tiny bubble and never come out. But alas, That can’t happen.

Off now to get some washing done, As we finally have some sunshine to get the washing out too!
Thanks again all. Hugs

jem132

Morning well I still can't work out how to do anything on this bloody thing and now ds 9 has claimed my iPad as I can do it all on hear I'm bloody lost can't see its too small argh

Popperwell

Anyone into their slow cookers and pressure cookers The Food Programme at 12.30pm on R4 http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03c2jwm

kidcat

Jem - apparently there is no option to increase font size on kindle fire, there are lots of people complaining on the amazon pages about it and a quick google brings up forums with people all complaining. However some internet sites may have an "in house" font control so you can adjust on those ones.

boultdj

SQ, don't know if it would help, but when my Mum's back went she use to peel the veg sat down in her chair, veg one side,colonder and knife on her knee and a roll of bag's the other side to put the prepared veg in to, so then it just needed puting in the fridge or freezer so then step dad just picked up the pack of veg to chuck in the pan, they use to get the sliced meat's [Farm F**ds/Fultons do 'em at £1 a pack] nuke a couple of frozen baby yorkshire pud's and do instant gravy to give them a roast diner in 25-30 mins of step dad getting home.hth

As for the cleaning, she use to say 'A blind man would be pleased to see it', when all's said and done you'v only got to do it again.....

savingqueen

thanks boult, yes good idea to sit down to do veg etc, I have a big kitchen table so that would work. I have been able to do a few bits today like put washing on and then DH hung it out. Also managed a bath and hair wash, very overdue and feel better for being clean! Think I will manage next week if I am sensible and pace myself.

Princess - sorry to hear how bad things are for you. Hang in there, this will all pass, try and remember that. When you get back from your birthday do, you and OH can wrap yourselves up in your safe, warm little bubble again. Thinking of you lots....

Have a good afternoon everyone
sq:)