OS ways and Poor Health

Tink_04

Hi everyone - I've been super busy and it's all taken it's toll I've been off work about 6 weeks and am struggling to function much - the weather has been nice and I've enjoyed a nice couple of afternoons in the garden and I have started some veg growing - just in tubs and it's a bit late in the year but it was nice.

We have been hit with sickness bug last week with the kids and then decorating over the weekend - then we had a leaky pipe in another room! It's just all been go - we are finally back to some form of normal but today is been the first day I've relaxed.

The first thing that goes when my spoons run out is the food, I can't shop or cook or even make a list! Luckily I have some home cooked freezer meals and handy cupboard favourites to hand which keeps us going but I'll need to re stock these in the next few weeks as we are out now.

HM soup frozen
HM spag Bol frozen
HM shep pie frozen
HM chilli frozen
Bag of frozen shop oven chips
Tinned soup (the kids love this)
Part baked bread rolls
Bread rolls/loaf/buns frozen
Tinned ravioli
Frozen steam veg bags

We are a family of 4 DD7, DS3 me and DH when I am unwell it can take a big hit for us - luckily I have 2 freezers and can make and buy stuff to keep us going for a bit.

Does anyone have any other tips on food when you are unwell I have MS and have times I can do loads and times I can do nothing! I'm tempted to oven bake jacket potatoes and freeze but not sure how they would turn out? I also love my SC but don't use it as much this time of year.

Prinzessilein

Hi Tinks!....My conditions vary ...some days I manage a bit - others I am worse than useless!

I managed half an hour or so embroidery today - which I am counting as a 'good' day...With sewing and knitting I always see ANY work done as meaning I have progressed...even if it just half a dozen stitches, that is six less to do!

For cooking, preparation is key...I do what I can on a 'good' day and try and make sure I have supplies for the less-than-good ones.

I find the microwaveable packs of baked beans and spaghetti are very useful for the store cupboard.

My water boiler is brilliant!...it can boil one cup of water and dispenses directly into a cup/mug so I don't have to try and lift the kettle. ....all I need to do is put a teabag in the mug...or empty a sachet of cup-a-soup into it.

For a quick, no fuss - and no cook!!! meal.....couscous is a useful thing to have around...I pop coucous into a bowl and cover with boiling water....cover and leave for the couscous to absorb water...then mix in a good spoonful of peanut butter...some black pepper....a tin of tuna....some tinned pineapple chunks....and whatever cooked/tinned veggies I have available....... (everything is from a tin....I just need to put it in the bowl and mix!) ...depending on the age/willingness of your children maybe they could make this?

I also have a couple of bags of microwave rice on the shelf...again they make the base of a quick meal when tinned stuff is added.

Could the 7 year old help when your energy is low?....toasted sandwiches are easy enough....oh and if you keep a few pizza bases in the fridge (do they freeze too????) then they just need a good blob of ketchup spread over, some prechopped veggies and sliced meat/quorn...and some grated cheese (grate on a 'good' day....it keeps in the fridge or freezes well) and finishing in the oven.

I almost always have homemade curry in the freezer....and soup....bread too (frozen in packs of one or two slices)...mashed potato freezes well.

Oh and I wouldn't be without a tub of instant custard on the shelf...I can make just as much/little as I want and add to a sliced banana for when I need comfort food but can hardly move!

caronc

Hi Tinks,

Pre baked potatoes freeze just fine.
My stand bys are a mix of ready made or HM "ready meals". Noodles and microwave rice are also handy. Anything really that doesn't need me to drain a pot or stand too long on unsteady days

Tink_04

Hi thanks for the tips - it's so hard trying to juggle school runs, heathy cheap filling meals and then after school activities! We are having the last HM curry out of the freezer with some ping rigce and some pitta breads that need using.

I try to make the most of my freezers and usually have a well stocked store cupboard. When I do cook I always double up so one for now and one for the freezer.

Think I'll try the jackets as it's a cheap easy meal for everyone and is quite very versatile!

pollyanna_26

Good to see you back Caronc and Tink .
I batch bake potatoes , you can halve them when done scoop into a big bowl , mash and mix with some butter and grated cheese .
Open freeze and store in a box . I reheat in the oven , I imagine you could reheat in the microwave but have never tried as I like mine crispy .
As mentioned mash freezes well , an ice cream scoop is handy , scoop out the mash , open freeze on a baking tray and bag up .
You can do plain baked potatoes and when heated serve with leftover chilli etc .
I hope all the family are feeling better now . That hot weather is no good for me , I struggle to sleep .

You sound very chirpy Caronc I imagine you're relieved now you are retired .

I have to be up at 6am tomorrow and I'm not looking forward to it .
I posted a couple of months ago that my daughters barbotage much needed since last summer was due to go ahead a few weeks later .
A few days before her appointment the NHS cyber attack happened and any information at all was only on the trusts twitter feed . I've never been on either twitter or fb !
We were in the last few trusts to be sorted so she will hopefully get sorted tomorrow .
I'm crossing my fingers because I'm keeping an eye on todays reported cyber attacks and praying the NHS isn't targeted again .
Well I'm sitting here with damp hair so need to make an effort and get ready for tomorrow .
Take care all and sleep well x
polly

caronc

pollyanna_26 wrote: »

You sound very chirpy Caronc I imagine you're relieved now you are retired .

Unfortunately my application is still undecided I reckon it will be another 2-3 months and if that doesn't pan out another month or so before my employment formally ends. But I think I'm more or less coping with it better- still the odd "bleak" moment. There is nothing I can do to "magic" me fit enough at the moment to return to my job unless the specialist has a magic wand tomorrow but I'm very much a "don't fret about it if you can't change it "kind of person which has been hugely helpful.:) I'll deal with each hurdle as I come to it and have "parked" the angst for the time being......;)

Tink_04

Hi spent most of the day in pjs but managed a shower and clean bedding on for tonight - the kids has chicken (left over from Sunday roast) some jersey potatoes and microwave veg (the birds eye steam Ines although Aldi ones are nice too) then has cherries for after (super 6) they are having and bath then weetabix for supper - they never stop eating!? I've been off my feet for a while now so need to do an online shop as I can't get out to the shops and we need some things now.

DH is home now so I'm going to sit with a cuppa and try and make a list, hope everyone is well and plodding along!

pollyanna_26

Hello again .
Caronc How did the appointment with the specialist go , any magic wands ?

Tink I've been making a list too and it's scarily long ! I've been cutting so many corners for many years that I feel overwhelmed by what needs to be done to get back some routine and normality .
I was much healthier when I began to cut the corners and everything seems so much harder to find some sort of way back .
If real life would stop throwing curve balls things would be easier .
DD is being reassessed for her ESA support group claim and that's been ongoing for the last few months .
The form was sent back over a month ago but we've no idea whether she will need a ftf assessment or not .
As the transfer to pip was only sorted shortly before last christmas after many months there hasn't been much respite over the past year .
I know a poster a while back complained that this thread was complaining rather than tips but I'm sure many of us struggle at times and I would welcome any feedback as family etc do the " just get on with it " without factoring in the things that affect just doing the normal stuff .

Prinzess I hope yourself and mum had a good day at the craft shop on Friday .

I'm wondering how Cranky and the house Troll are doing . Also the previous posters .
If you're reading at any point LW please wave from the wolfs lair .
Unless your holiday is a very long one you seem to be missing .
I hope you're both ok .
polly x

maddiemay

Hi everyone, I have been reading since the thread started, but not commented lately, mainly as I am not as incapacitated as many of you, and felt a bit of a fraud, but also as I did not become ill until after I had retired I am not conversant with "the system" and the terminology.

I have had a blood disorder for 17 years, for a lot of this time it has been well controlled and I have led a pretty normal life. My health, energy, pain levels and mobility started taking a gradual turn for the worse about 5 years ago, went through rafts of tests and 15 months ago was diagnosed with a rare Immune condition, I was accepted for replacement therapy a year ago and have been making progress gradually, cut down on most of the low level infections, and making baby step progress with the fatigue and very low energy:D

During this time the house and my lovely (pride and joy) garden have gone to pot, lovely OH has taken up a lot of the slack, but cannot do everything, I certainly do not want him to give up his own interests so that I can have a smart home.

If I was able to pace myself life would be better, but sadly things that I can do one week will knock me back for days another time, but I am making progress and feeling much more optimistic, mainly thanks to "lists" and 15 minute bursts of activity followed by rest.

I completely get the other people not understand thing, and offer good vibes and best wishes to those that need them.

Off to plant a couple of plants, weed a 12" square of garden and enjoy the sunshine.

pollyanna_26

Good to see you maddiemay
I don't see a problem with levels of illness etc . I myself are like you with diagnosed disorders which affect mobility , energy levels and in my case concentration levels .
As a carer for my daughter I find keeping all the balls in the air quite challenging .
Not all posters on the thread have to deal with DWP . the discussion over the past few months came about due to the DLA to PIP transfer which was newly rolled out with little information .
As I was supporting my daughter through the process I was able as were others to offer some advice .
Anyone is welcome to post here we don't require a doctor's note
We've had posters who are in reasonable health posting tips and advice and taking away ideas too .
One very wonderful and much valued occasional poster is Monnagran a lovely , supportive and often completely hilarious lady who apologies for not being in poor health but lifts us up and lives up to her signature as a quiet angel .
She is minus her router at the moment but those who love her look forward to her swift return
Chin up T*ts out Monna !

My family don't mean to seem pushy in their world you just do what's needed , but if you're drained and in pain offers of help are sometimes badly timed and don't go well .
Take care
polly