My journey to a debt free life

Onebrokelady

Sun_Addict said:

Aw bless him, he’s doing really well for 91, not many men make it to that age. He’s hit the nail on the head, he’s just old not ill 😊

He was a football referee until he was in his early 60s and always had two jobs, one was driving taxis which he retired from when he was in his late 60s and the the other was repairing sewing machines which he stopped doing when he around 80. His brother was 97 when he died a couple of years ago 😊

Onebrokelady

Willowtree222 said:

That’s a really good age. Sorry he’s had lots of problems though. Hope the transfusion helps. X

Thanks the transfusion has helped a little bit but he is likely to ned more 

Onebrokelady

milann said:

Wow 91 is a good old age…..can’t be easy looking after him though…….hope your mum gets some support from social services.
Your afternoon tea sounded lovely 👍

No it's not easy look after him as he gets frustrated that he can't do the things he used to do and he hates not being able to remember things. So far there has been no help forthcoming but hopefully we will be able to sort something out when he gets worse 
The afternoon tea was lovely 

Onebrokelady

Cherryfudge said:

Dementia is a tough diagnosis. At least the tests have had some benefits though and your parents will now get a little more help, which I hope will make things a bit easier for you. Is there any input to help his diet, or is it linked with his dementia?

It sounds as though you have had a bit of a treat with that afternoon tea, lucky you!

So far no help has been offered but he has been referred to the memory clinic. No advice on diet or anything else 🤷‍♀️ Afternoon tea was lovely 😍😍

milann

Hope the sun is shining near you are you are at home so you can enjoy it 🤞

Onebrokelady

Hi everyone just popping in for a catch up. I've been busy with the garden, house, family and work so not had time to post 

Dad has been diagnosed with something called  Warm Autoimmune Haemolytic  Anaemia which I have never heard of. It's an autoimmune condition that causes the immune system to kill off healthy red blood cells causing anaemia, it can be treated with steroids and a drug who's name  I've forgotten that is normally used to treat cancer. It's normally linked to having Lupus or other autoimmune illnesses and is also common in people who have lymphomas or leukaemia. He is still having tests but so far they haven't discovered why he has developed it . His memory is deteriorating really quickly now which is worrying but his appetite has improved because he is taking steroids. I saw him two days ago and asked him how he was getting on with his walking frames and he told me he didn't like them so they have been sent back to the hospital but they were actually in the living room 😟
I've  organised for a cream tea for two to be delivered for Father's Day as I thought he would enjoy that and it will help put some weight on 😀my sister and her partner are coming down for the weekend so that will be nice for mum and dad.

Im not doing anything exciting apart from the usual everyday things so have nothing to report . 

Work is work but we were all really relieved and happy to be told yesterday that we no longer need to wear masks at work 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 they still need to be worn in some areas and it's up to the individual but everyone I've spoken too has said they won't be wearing them any more and the overall reason given was that it would be nice for patients to actually be able to see a smiling face when they come in which I thought was nice. It's made such a difference to communicating with patients while wearing a mask and there have been so many misunderstandings simply because people can't see our faces. It's a weird feeling though and everyone is quietly freaking out about not wearing one after over two years of having to wear one for every shift. I ran through the ward swing mine over my head yesterday when it was announced 😂😂

milann

From a patients view I found it really hard when all the nurses wore masks. I missed a smiling face and at the time when no visitors were,allowed they were the only faces I saw……totally right though that they did wear masks at the time. I couldn’t hear some of the staff. I hadn’t realised how much I relied on watching people’s lips if I didn’t quite catch what they said. I can imagine how wary some will be at not wearing them though.
Good to hear the steroids are giving your dad a bit more of an appetite, but sorry his memory is fading so quickly.

foxgloves

It will be a lot more comfortable not needing to wear masks in hot weather, @OBL. 
I think a cream tea is a lovely Father's Day idea.
F x

Sun_Addict

Great news about the masks. The cream tea sounds a fabulous idea, I bet he'll love it.

Cherryfudge

The cream tea is a great idea - and it's good that the side effect of the steroids actually helps address the low levels of appetite. I wonder whether his GP would prescribe Fortisip or something similar for no-cream-tea days?

It's very tough when people start to forget. Hold on to the good things though, and remember there will be times when his real self shines through. Can he maybe get a book or two of old photos that would give him things he enjoyed and can talk about? My Dad had one of old photos of the English Countryside but it could be any interest.