Travelling On

Suffolk_lass

Sorry to hear about your Auntie.

We have something weird going on with mine (in a nursing home for the last four years, she is 104 now). She has a build up of wax in her "good" ear (a mastoid in the other) and has mostly lost her sight in age-related macular degeneration. Her quality of life has really diminished to a dark world with no stimulation. My cousin did insist that a doctor saw her a couple of months ago but apparently the nurse can't go in to syringe her ears (we believe this is because the home won't let them) so she has had warm oil drops instead. My Mum rings her every night but sometimes there is no answer, and other times she says "is that my sister? I can't hear you" and puts the phone down. My Mum isn't sure if she just does not want to talk. I have suggested that she calls my cousin but she hasn't and I'm not willing to interfere. What a sad way to end her days

debtfreeoneday

Sorry about your Aunt KC x

Karmacat

Thanks both.  It's so sad, isn't it, in all sorts of ways.  When all forms of communication get shut down, it's difficult to know what to do for the best.

Sympathy cards sent - I mean, I bought ten of them a fortnight ago, and I've now used three, between auntie and the rabbit.  Very glad I got a set, which is ridiculous.  Also now having to think about whether to attend the funeral, because of all that train travel - 300 miles or so, including through London.  First class, for covid reasons, plus an airbnb, that comes to around £400.  Worth buying a railcard again for that, the journey is about £290 at best, so a third off that would be worth buying the card.

Funny story to cheer us up: bruv was telling me about a little adventure about his hair last week.  He's bald, with odd tufts in places, so he keeps it all shaven.  And his leccy razor ran out half way through his head-shave  so then he had to have a shower again just to finish the head-shaving manually  I couldn't stop laughing, and neither could he.

badmemory

I don't think I would want to train through London either.  Is there any sort of diversion you can take?

Karmacat

It used to be possible, badmemory, there used to be trains London-Liverpool that went through Watford, avoiding nearly all of London, I don't think that route's used any more.  It's not as bad as it could be.  I stay on my Southern train from my own station to Kings Cross/St Pancras - no use of the Underground necessary.  From Kings Cross, I can walk to Euston.  I don't like it, not at all, but unless covid suddenly explodes again, I'm going to go.  Unless my sister is forbidden attendance, there's family stuff going on, picking me as favourite and sister as the devil incarnate - in that case, I won't go either, and I'll make it plain to the rest of the family exactly why.  Sigh ...

badmemory

Families can make life a little too interesting!

At least you won't need to use the underground.  I never liked it even without covid.  Many years ago I used to live outside London, I was so glad to move back up North.

rtandon27

KC - so sorry to hear about your Auntie & sending condolences xx

(not to worry about the travel insurance - i didn't see it as abrupt, just a regular reply!)

edwink

Sorry to hear about your Auntie KC. Sending you a big hug.

Edwink x

Alchemilla

Haha to your brother.
DH looks like Gail Porter at the moment.

beanielou

Suffolk_lass said:

Sorry to hear about your Auntie.

We have something weird going on with mine (in a nursing home for the last four years, she is 104 now). She has a build up of wax in her "good" ear (a mastoid in the other) and has mostly lost her sight in age-related macular degeneration. Her quality of life has really diminished to a dark world with no stimulation. My cousin did insist that a doctor saw her a couple of months ago but apparently the nurse can't go in to syringe her ears (we believe this is because the home won't let them) so she has had warm oil drops instead. My Mum rings her every night but sometimes there is no answer, and other times she says "is that my sister? I can't hear you" and puts the phone down. My Mum isn't sure if she just does not want to talk. I have suggested that she calls my cousin but she hasn't and I'm not willing to interfere. What a sad way to end her days

Absolutly.
That is dire.
No quality of life.Shudder.