Old Style Ways and Poor Health part 2.

mothernerd

Another mask wearer here. Went to buy more today as I only have a few. The ones I'm using came from HB but they're being renovated (now in the 3rd week) so I went to B00ts - most of the shops hadn't bothered opening and I'm still wildly confused about what day it is - the church bells were ringing this morning.

Life is going through a challenging spell atm. I nearly fell last Sunday. Stood up from the stool I was sitting on to brush my teeth, went really dizzy and grabbed a chair back and the pull cord for the light switch. Saved myself but jolted quite a few things. Have been placing my left leg so that my hip, knee and ankle are in a line and using the right leg to move forward or which ever direction I want to go. All week I've been extra careful, holding onto both sides of the door frame then moving forward to the next hand hold. Standing up slowly, in stages, sometimes leaning forward and putting my hands on stools or chairs as a first stage. 

I've still woken really early (when it was still dark) a combination of pain and stuff whirling through my head. I've been reading until I drift off again. My mother died in January (I had been her carer for the past 5, nearly 6 years and stayed with her from the start of the pandemic). I only slept in my own bed on December 21st, on the 23rd she became ill, went off in the ambulance on the 30th (a Thursday) and on the Tuesday morning they rang to say she had died during the night. She tested positive for COVID the day after admission. I kept her safe for all those months but her partner's family don't care about anything other than being able to go shopping and travel to Spain. 

I'm still sorting her Estate although have finally been granted probate. My ex-husband died on the 16th of May, he was looking forward to meeting our first grand-daughter but she'll not be here until July. My nieces also lost their other grandma last Monday - both she and my ex had had leg amputations, been hospitalised twice since their operations and then the doctors had decided against further interventions.

I'm heading off for the funeral tomorrow. DS2 and his gf (the mummy to be) said where they were staying and they had stayed there before but places were going fast because of the BH weekend, so the next day I booked the last room they had. It's quite expensive but I last went away with my mum in December 2019 so I'll not feel guilty. I'm trying to make everything as easy as possible so planned to travel tomorrow, attend the funeral on Monday and take my time coming home on the Tuesday. I've made my own arrangements because I didn't want my sons running around trying to sort me out when they've lots of other things to do.

Booked train tickets last week. On Friday I looked at the accessibility of the stations (I use a walker). Wigan and Crewe were fully accessible but Abergele was unmanned - the train conductor would give assistance. So then checked out the 'passenger assist' scheme. The train ticket confirmation came through and had the 4th on (eek). Checked it and they wanted me to travel from Wigan at 9.30 pm this evening and wait at Crewe until the 9.25 am train tomorrow to continue my journey. Looked at other options - nothing from Bolton and Mc also only had the overnight wait option (it must be engineering works - it has been for the past 4 decades), so reluctantly booked a night in a hotel in Crewe - couldn't do 11 hours and 21 minutes on a station platform.

This morning I was awake earlier than ever (some time around 3 am - I only check the time once it becomes apparent that sleep is not happening). I sat up to read, took ibuprofen and finally dragged the quilt off the floor (I've been fine with just a bedcover but it was cold and I couldn't reach or manoeuvre across the bed to shut the window). Woke between 6 am and 7 am and felt really ill, very dizzy and disorientated went to the bathroom, brushed my teeth and then stayed sitting down for a further 10 minutes before it felt safe to stand up. Cleaned the sink and the parts of the wall and doorframe I could reach whilst waiting and then put my head down on the sink and thought about cancelling the whole trip. But I want to do it and I will. Took my morning pills and ate some crackers (think being hungry contributed to the dizziness) then put my CPAP mask back on because I thought I might go to sleep.

Woke feeling well rested but have been very cautious all day and took my time getting ready for the day (I went downstairs to collect food and it did lunch a well). Switched on the laptop and there was an email saying my train was cancelled - huh what???
Tried other trains - all full or cancelled. Couldn't get hold of DS2 by phone or messenger. Messaged darling d-i-l (DS1's wife, DS1 is in full meltdown mode) in case DS2 contacted her - my train was cancelled but I was exploring other options 'Don't Panic, always carry a towel and Wear the Lilac.' Claimed a refund on my ticket.

Tried buses L'pool to Abergele looked fine but they wanted me to bus hop to Ashton-in-Makerfield, then St Helens, then L'pool (with a walker, a suitcase and a 'picnic bag' (taking any salad stuff DS3 and his Beloved will not eat, with me). DS2 phoned me back and offered me the options of 
1 taking me to Abergele very early (he would then return and take DS1 and his wife - mummy to be would drive that time)
2 spending the night at their house and going from there to Abergele early tomorrow
3 as I had a bed for the night in Crewe he could take me there and I could continue from there on the morning train.

Said I would check out more options and then we would decide at teatime. Tried Mc but they kept telling me the train was the quickest option (but these are mythical trains with unicorn drivers) or suggesting a taxi. No bus route from Crewe, looked at the map and thought if they message me tomorrow to cancel that train, I'll be stuck in Crewe, miles from anywhere and no idea how or when to get back to Mc to try again. So will go early with DS2.

DS2 phoned back, complained about both his brothers, he and mummy to be are going to take both cars but will leave one in Abergele for now. He wanted to come and speak to DS3 and bring some photo albums for me to choose from and also tell him which were him and which were DS3 as the order was a little confused in places.DS1 is stressed out and lashes out if anyone offers suggestions or help - DS2 had put together a provisional order of service, DS1 came back with a totally revised version, 1 hour before it had to be at the printer's which appears to have dropped DS2's speech. I have said the records can come back here (ex has left them an inheritance of vinyl and old cameras, they don't yet know if there's enough money in his bank account to pay for the funeral) and DS3 and I will contact the auctioneer's and arrange for their sale. I've also agreed to take some cameras and try to work out what they're worth.

I know my way around the records. There's a specialist auctioneer about 5 - 6 miles down the road who will come out and go through what you have. I looked through the catalogue for this month's auction and started to jot down things they would be interested in that are probably still in ex's collection (Rock, folk rock, some blues - John Mayall, lots of early sixties stuff including more obscure bands - he made a point of not buying stuff his friends had multiple copies of). This will be DS3's contribution to sorting their dad's estate, so no-one can decide he doesn't deserve his full share.

I should be asleep - I'm not being picked up until 11 am but I still have a lot to do (the CPAP machine weighs more than all my clothes and I have a ton of toiletries/ medicinal stuff including sun cream, bite cream (I went outside, of course I've been bitten), hydrocortisone cream, antiseptic cream and lots more. If I'm the only passenger I can do some throwing stuff in bags and sort it later, if I have to. And I'm going to put a whole lot of stuff on hold, until I get back. Hydrotherapy pool, here I come - guests get a complimentary hour in the spa for each night of their stay. 

pollyanna_26

I have often thought those who have never experienced brain fog seem to think it's just being a bit muddled every now and then,`I tend to get very frustrated and angry at times as I try to remember somethingI need to do or how to do certain things that are usualy automatic.

As it often is part of painful conditions which are already making life difficult, often making sleep disturbed so we're already exhausted when the day begins it is not something we need Dusty.

It seems many of us try to lose ourselves one of my books in and reading from it  in books.

I've posted elsewhere about the little girll who could read when she was 3 years old and spent a lot of time asking the head librarian for a library ticket like her mum. I kept it up even taking othere and reading from it to prove I could read. She kept telling me I had to be 5 to get a ticket but I must have worn her down and was given one at 4, At 5 I wanted  more Eventually I was given a couple more and I'd read the books and be back for more.

 Books were expensive back then my parents weren't wealthy they had good life skills and we were alawys well fed and clothed. I would look forward each year to my birthday and Christmas six months apart. I knew there would be a new book just for me I could put on the little bookshelf my dad had made and it was mine to keep.

pollyx

pollyanna_26

I hope you managed to get back to sleep MN. I was so busy telling you to sit down, slow down and look after yourself rather than picking up after others and doing far too much pushing yourself way beyond your limits over on the Turtles thread I forgot something I'd meant to mention.

As you know my son is a Senior Mainline Train Driver and young driver instructer at Crewe. Usually laid back he was furious at the chaos being caused by choosing the long bank holiday for Engineering Works all over the Network. Far more passengers wanting to get away for the holiday breaks were needing to be diverted in various ways making for much longer journeys often involving a bus at various points;

I wasn't sure which route you were taking but one of the stations he mentioned was Manchester and meant to tell you. I got so carried away telling you to slow down and rest I forgot to mention it. You must dread my posts!

Reading your post today I'm very relieved your son is driving you to Wales. Moch nicer and far less hassle to have some time to chat to him.

I hope you can put the past to rest at the funeral.  The pool and spa help your aching body and can clear your head and just be in the moment rather than planning ahead tasks for when you get home. Things need to change so a new way is the way to go.

You often quote Ghandi. For once be the change you need to see in the world andcreate a new adventure.

Your first grandchild will soon be in the world so look at that as the need to slow down, take care of yourself so when she discovers her legs you'll stand a chance of walking with her.

You are used to boys ; I have one son and three daughters and they were much harder work than my son.

Safe journey as the miles slip away behind you look on it as a new life and better days to come.

pollyx

beanielou

Safe travels mothernerd xx

pollyanna_26

Nice to see you Beanie. MN should be well on her way to Wales now or possibly already there depending on traffic. I'm reieved her son is driving her.She'd have been wiped out on trains with diversions or buses.

I've been drinking Fentimans for years. Another favourite is the Dandelion and Burdock reminds me of childhood when an old lady a herbalist had a little kiosk. She had lotions , potions and drinks and bunches of herbs hanging from the ceiling.

I was very young but my dad and grandads were already teaching me how to grow flowers, fruit, veg and herbs but the little kiosk I can still picture really sparked my interest.

The lady sold drinks and when mum askes me it was always Dandelion and Burdock it was years before I came across Fentimans naturally brewed as her drinks had been and no additives.

I like the fact they're still in glass bottles. I avoid plastic as much as possible. The only drawback is the big bottles are so heavy. My little Coop started using wine carriers with a handle that hold 4 bottles and that was much easier than having them rolling around in shopping bags.

I take the carriers with me if I'm buting Fentimans. They're strong and sturdy and will fold flat. Coop don't charge for them but I reuse them until it's time they were replaced,.

I hope you and Miss Summer are well. I've been resting a lot trying to get this flare down and see if the rotator cuff tears will heal.

The only thing I watched on TV was Queen I know to be a band they need a vocalist  but I haven't taken to the one that fronts them now.

We adored Freddie and so did best beloved cat.  Freddie was a very talented one off. I don't beieve he can be replaced.

Take care Beanie. I enjoyed the time when Brian May and Guitar  were on the palace roof  on a prevoius occassion, He's as good as he always was all these years on.

pollyxx

dustydigger

I am a major Queen,and Freddie Mercury fan. Cant stand heavy metal in general(Led Zeppelin,Black Sabbath etc),but I exclude Queen from the others because they were unique.

I greed with John Deacon that once Freddie was gone,they should close down the group.No one could replace him

I watch a lot of reaction videos on You Tube,its fun to see the amazement on people's faces as they hear Freddie's wonderful voice.

I think most of the old music I like has people harmonizing. Queen,Beatles,Everly Brothers,Beach BoysSimon and Garfunkel are among my favourites. .Doubt if I could count songs of this century I liked on both hands. :I mostly listen to the Gold radio station,if I want to hear pop.*

dustydigger

Pollen's only supposed to be medium high today,and very high later in the week. Already feels high to my sensitive eyes and nose,here's hoping the damp weather holds it down a bit.

pollyanna_26

Sorry I went missing . I'm still trying to get these flares under control , Fibro in particular seem to be ramping up at the slightest thing, youngest has been finding it the same too.Foggy brain and pain don't hep us function along with other conditions joining the party.

I don't know how you cope Dusty. I a lolike a ot tthe bands you mentioned but although living then not far from Liverpool wasn't a Beatles fan. Liked John Lennon and the few songs her wrote. Eleoner Rigby, Strawberry Fields anda  couple of othersI preffered Gerry Marsen. Very down to earth no airs and graces and a lovly man.

During my days working at the top of the Liver Buildings I would gaze out through mt windows at his beoved Ferries going back and forth across the Mersey.

They started playing Ferry Cross The Mersy on the boats, When he passed away they renamed one of the Ferries in his honour and more recently part of the waterfront.

A very quiet man who will live on with his beloved ferries.

I agreed with John Deacon that the band could never replace Freddie. I liked him and Brian May but no idea why never took to Roger Taylor.

Liked allsorts many like Simon and Garfunkel andothers you mention plus the Eagles , Dr Hook and many american bands.

Still olve Born to Run Springstten who wrote some brilliant songs and hadan amazing band backing him.

I've just done a long post over on the OS Garden Fence and need a drink and a bit of a break.

I hope all went well for MN and yourself and other posters are ok.

I may post later if I haven't been banned! A very dear friend was badly hurt by some comments on that thread and has decided she will never post on the thread again.

Speaaking to her last night she is doing the odd post on other OS threads but has sadi she wont return to a thread she was a regular poster on through all it's different incarnations over many years.

I have never understand why people think attacking somone online is acceptable and it was a planned, targeted attack as I discovered later aimed at both of us.

I don't care about those with nothing better to do with their time  I've seen bullies in my life and survived. Her health however has been going downhill in the last few years and it was the last thing she needed. Her husband has had two recent big health scares

and they've struggled through one day at a time.

I don't do anger but was both angry and furious reading those posts. Some of the late night ones  weren't there next morning.

She used to post on the Poor Health threads but I have no idea if she will again,

Take care all.

pollyx

ETA Apologies for typos the hands aren't cooperating!

beanielou

So sorry that someone has been horrid to your friend polly    x

dustydigger

''Apologies for typos the hands aren't cooperating!''

I know all about that,Polly. Actually in my present  rotation of symptoms,my hands are fairly straight - well,for me,not so much ordinary people,but at least the little finger isnt so curled under as to hamper posting.Last week I spent twiew as much time editing as typing.

For me my favourite Bruce Springsteen song is Dancing in the Dark.I get as much pleasure from it after a thousand listens as for the first time I heard it.DD1 and DS1 are major fans,and everytime the Boss came north ,pre covid,they would go to watch him.

About Roger Taylor,like you he is my least fave Queen member. Brilliant drummer,good singer and songwriter,but there is often a sarcastic twist to the mouth. But I love Brian.He's still brilliant today. Unlike the show off guitarists of the heavy rock years,he always subsumed himself to what was required for the song and group. No 20 minute guitar solos. In fact they were always far too short,fans were always left eager for more. Loved the way Freddie would step aside in Brian's solos.

Years ago I would enjoy reading comments on you tube songs,but as time went on I was shocked by some of the vile comments people would make to each other. So I stopped reading them..

Some vile people around. I am always heartbroken when I read that some young girl has killed herself because of online bullying.Human beings can be so revolting......

Please pop in and make comments on my Frugal Fortnights thread whenever you feel like it. I could do with some company. Very few people make any comments. I get a feeling of being all alone in a desert. Few comments,few likes,or thanks or whatever they are called. Feel a bit lonely and then look and see 17.5k  views.WHAT? In just three weeks.?That's pretty good going I think