Progress not Perfection

Humdinger1

Sending hugs @Sun_Addict.  Xx

Sun_Addict

Trying really hard this morning to not feel down. Had a bit of a wobble as work colleagues are having a bit of banter in our Teams chat about their weekends and I wished I had a more normal life. However my big girl pants are now firmly back on and it's time to continue with the things I can control. 

Anyway...

New budget period starts today so have totted up spends and pleased to report £138.38 underspend. Even the grocery pot has an underspend which is brilliant to say it's been Christmas. Have divvied up the surplus and £8.38 has gone to the Christmas pot, £45 to personal spends, £45 to entertainment and £40 to the house pot.

It will be a spends day as I need to order some wheatgerm for the pond fish and I could do with buying some coffee pods before we run out. 

Exercise today will be dog walking later this morning then I need to sort out something on YT for later with me not walking to work today. Also need to choose something from my meal plan for tonight's dinner based on what needs using up. 

ladyholly

So sorry to hear your weekend ended like that. It is hard when you cannot have a "normal" life due to your husbands disability so of course you feel that sometimes.

I understand how stubborn Mr SA can be but would he do some strength exercise to build up the muscles in his arms so he could at least help himself a little when he falls.

Cherryfudge

Maybe it's time for a little treat for yourself - even if it's moving some of last month's surplus to the holiday pot so you know you have it to look forward to?

beanielou

I wonder if it is worth speaking to the OT to see if there is anything that they can advise with on getting up after falls. 

Makingabobor2

Sending hugs SA.  You do a great job caring for Mr SA and not surprised you have a wobble from time to time. You should spend your extra spare cash on a nice treat for yourself, you deserve it. 

EssexHebridean

beanielou said:

I wonder if it is worth speaking to the OT to see if there is anything that they can advise with on getting up after falls. 

On this - I was already thinking that clearly the lack of strength he has is a big issue with his ability to get himself up again - or at least help with that. Is it possible that some form of physio referral could be put in place so that he can work on muscle strength in a way which is safe for him? Allowing that he uses the scooter when out and about because of the fall risk, he really ought to be being assessed for muscle strength I'd have thought as otherwise it will be a matter of time before stairs become impossible for him, and while a stairlift might be possible, this might - depending on your staircase - increase the trip risk for you. Mum was very anxious to get Dad's removed as soon as possible as it really reduced the width of her staircase and she was concerned that if she DID trip, she could easily slam into the stairlift as she fell. 

As for the wobbles, well I should think you do. Whether you can control things or not, you have still find yourself in a lifestyle that you didn't expect or indeed ask for, and that is always going to be a stressful situation, after all! Cut yourself some slack! 

Sun_Addict

Thank you all, your comments are greatly appreciated 😊

He seems to have fallen off the radar of healthcare professionals other than his consultant. I don't even get my annual carer's assessments, last one was before Covid. Last year when he ended up in hospital after a fall the GP gave him a sheet of exercises to do to try and strengthen his arms and legs. He did them on the first day then gave up on the second. One area of his brain that's damaged is the part that affects motivation. He's been referred to the falls team and had courses of physio a couple of times in the past but has been discharged when they ran out of things they could do for him, same with occupational therapy. We have mentioned the falls to his consultant but he just says it's the brain damage affecting his balance and there isn't a lot can be done. 

However, I think he could certainly do a few arm/leg strengthening exercises even if just from his chair that would help him. 

We took the dog on the park earlier so she's had her ball run fix. It was freezing cold over there. 

I'm definitely not firing on all cylinders today. Thankfully work isn't very busy at the moment so I'm just taking my time and dealing with things as they arise. Hopefully I'll get a better night's sleep and feel more with it tomorrow. 

Re the surplus money, I already have a treat pot for myself and the holiday pot is regularly topped up so there's a good amount in there. I'm happy with where it's gone and those pots are always fluid if need be. I'm going to book a Friday off, probably 2 February, and have one of my secret shopping days where I tell Mr SA I'm at work then take myself off somewhere different, have a coffee and potter round the shops. 

Mr SA is having his siesta so it's nice and quiet. 

ladyholly

I don't know if it's the same now but when my mum was having mobility trouble you could self refer to occupational therapists. I seem to remember she went via social services rather than health. Of course it was a number of years ago but might be worth a try. Does Mr SA use a Zimmer in the house and if not would he?

Cherryfudge

Sorry - I just had a cartoon image in my head of Mr SA doing leg lifts to lower a bottle of beer via a ceiling pulley - will go and rap myself over the knuckles now.

I'm so glad you have a secret shopping day planned. I think your readers look forward to these almost as much as you do! Meanwhile here's hoping for a decent night's sleep for you tonight.