Friday to Sunday.........

I was supposed to post last night, but it was beginning to get late when I finally completed all I had to do on line. Then there was losing an hour with the change to B.S.T, but how much better it is to have daylight well into the evening rather than having all the lights on at five o'clock in the afternoon.

I removed the final dressing today. The wound is fully healed and clean. If only the itching would stop. It's not the sort you can do anything about. A sign of everything getting back to normal...... hopefully.

I've still not touched a glass of wine, or any other alcohol, since before the operation. Is this the new me? I thought I might have lost some weight, so I hit the scales this morning. Yep, lost three pounds........... and am about forty pounds richer! We've a new car to order for October soon, so the extra cash will come in handy.

Our ex- neighbour in Torquay emailed last night, with news about the work being carried out on the old family home. It seems that it's being altered into two flats with mother and father living on the ground floor and daughter taking over the upstairs rooms. Two of the window have been bricked up, one to add more privacy to a bedroom, and a kitchen window, so that new units can be installed all along one wall. New windows, central heating and an extra W.C, completes the work so far. All work that was desperately needed.

It was a beautiful day today. Fine drying weather with a brisk but chilly wind. The promised rain arrived with the sunset and bathed the area in that strange yellow light against the dark grey clouds. I tried to photograph it but couldn't get the colour right. Perhaps another time.

Wednesday and Thursday......

As you can imagine, I've been taking it easy for the last two days. What with the extra tasks I completed on Tuesday, and the trip to get the dreaded staples removed, I fear I might have been pushing it a bit.

A neighbour who had the same operation two years ago told me that it hits harder the second week, just when you think you are on the mend. It's now when all the anesthetic has worn off, and the nerves are beginning to heal, that it lets you know it's there, especially first thing in the morning and late in the day when you're getting a little tired.

I'm waiting now for a recall, to see the surgeon, for him to check out his handy work. It's still quite swollen, which should reduce in time, so I'm hoping all is well. I think it is................

It was our anniversary today. Seven happy years................. and some so-so ones! No, seriously, I've been lucky..................... and Cag's been luckier............... seriously. Have you ever heard any husband be really truthful about anniversaries? I think not ;-)

Easter Monday and Tuesday..........

I am not a lover of Bank Holidays and I'm always glad to get them out of the way. Not that we were doing anything different this Easter, but it always seems like a lot of Sundays added together, and I'm not a Sunday person either.

Today has been different. Lots to do and places to go. A trip to the Post Office first thing, and as a result we are solvent for the week. Carers calling, washing to do and hang out on a beautiful sunny day, then my first shopping expedition for over a week. Not a lot to get and far enough for the first time.

3.20pm and an appointment with the Practice Nurse to remove the staples from the wound. I'd already removed most of the dressing to make it easier and quicker for the lady. I didn't recon with the staples. Nine popped out with ease, but number ten had some how crossed over and would not pull out.

Several tries, then another nurse was called. She tried but to no avail. More tools were brought. I suggested the Fire Service, their Station is just along the road. Then it started bleeding.

They did finally manage to get the 'little dear' out, then cleaned and patched up the area. The staple was unrecognisable, a bent and twisted piece of wire. Twenty five minutes to take out one staple. Did it hurt? Mmmmmm.... just a little.

An easy day tomorrow. Well, nothing could match today!

Good Friday, Saturday and Easter Sunday......

I was due to post last night, but blogging faced tough competition, Pride and Prejudice, the Keira Knightley/Matthew Macfadyen version. I wanted to see how it compared with the BBC series of a couple of years ago. It's a story that needs a lot more than 2 hours 20 minutes allowed in the film. No heaving bosoms in A-line gowns, and no wet shirted Mr Darcy after a swim in the lake. It still managed to be a good tale told reasonably well.

I have dropsy. Nothing to do with water on or in any part of my body. It's when ever you go to pick things up, they end up on the floor! And bending is a problem. I'm not in pain, it's very much a stinging, that creeps up on you when your not expecting it. Involuntary actions are also a problem. Coughing suddenly, or a sneeze that comes out of nowhere and give you little chance to prepare for it. I'm sure Cag is shaking the pepper pot around the house!

I've taken the last of the tablet supplied after the operation. The pain killers are finished, only regular Paracetamol have now been advised, and I had the last anti-biotic tonight, horrible tasting orange and grey bullets, so it means I can have a glass or three once again. Yes, I've been tea total for a week. It's not been easy, and there are a lot of very worried wine growers in the world. To all of them I say, I hope to be catching up very soon.

Easter Day and visitors. Two of Cag's sisters and our favourite brother-in-law (he might be reading this) arrived in the most comfortable ride that ever came out of Sweden, nothing to do with Ulrika Jonsson, more a Volvo. Cag had been really looking forward to more company, as it had been a very long week for her, with very little she could do. It was also a joy for me to have more conversation and to get away from repeats of News 24 on the T.V. And they brought chocolate cake!!!

I'm hoping to get myself back to near normality this next week. Still no lifting but I should be able to get out more and do a little shopping etc. These next few weeks are going to be the real pain. As I get better I will want to do more, and therein lays the danger.

Wednesday & Thursday..........

It's getting easier, at least for me. The carers have a better idea of what to do and I can keep out of the way. Now I know their routine, I can get things prepared which makes their visits shorter. Cag is still not happy having to use the hoist. I must admit, she does look like a trust up chicken when they are transferring her from bed to chair and back again. But what's the alternative?


I do wish Cag had a better attitude towards the carers. She makes her feelings known about her dislike of the situation. At times she is not the easiest person to get along with. I take very little notice, I know her ways, but to strangers it must cause some concern, especially as they are trying to help us both. I'm sure they have seen and heard it all before, but it's not to my liking.


I felt well enough to drive our car to the Surgery today. The dressing needed to be changed. Yet another lady nurse viewing me below the waist......... and I don't mean my socks. She was very impressed (careful Fi)............. with how the wound has healed. Very little bleeding, no infection, a little bruising but that's to be expected. I've another appointment now for next Tuesday to have the clips removed all being well. Should be interesting.

.

Easter is only a few days away.

It's not all fun for everyone, especially Easter Bunnies.

Monday and soresday...........

Oooooooooooooh! Only kidding. The operation was fine. Everything went like clockwork. I arrived a little early, thanks to my neighbour who hates being late for anything, had a pre-op interview, and was on the table at exactly 2.00pm.

The worst part was the bathing of the area with antiseptic. It stung, I mean, IT REALLY STUNG! There was a little prick from the local (stop it Fi) and the rest was pain free. Plenty of chatting from the nurses to keep my mind off things, and a cup of tea afterwards.

Neighbour picked me up about 3.30pm and we were home before 4.00. Even up to the time I got into bed, everything seemed fine, so I got a fair nights sleep.

Today has been O.K. A dull ache rather than actual pain, and a sharp stab if I move too quickly or try to do anything I shouldn't. So all in all I've fared rather well.

Cags hasn't had the same luck with 'faring well'. The carers have been having a lot of problem in using the hoist and it's been very uncomfortable for her. It is getting better now we've found how best to position it and the sling, but it's never going to be her favourite time of the day. It's not forever, so we will make the best of it for the time being.

And now another early night. Sorry I shan't be able to read my usual blogs, but I will catch up in the next day or two. Night, night.

Fourteen, going on Fifteen....

I was going to post last night, but as you can guess by the previous post, Friday was one of those days. I started the ball rolling at 8.45am by phoning Cornwall Carers Support. I couldn't speak to my contact there, but her supervisor Monica was covering for her. I told her the problem.

I got the feeling that this was not a new story to her ears. She asked for all the details, and then said "Leave it to me, I'll get back to you".

Within half an hour I had a phone call from Adult Soc. Care. They confirmed the carers would be contacting me within the hour to arrange a visit, a hoist would be found and delivered by 10 o'c Monday morning at the latest, and that Technical Services would phone, arrange a visit to raise the bed that very afternoon.

By 11.30 I had seen the carers supervisor and gone over our needs with her. Tec Serv were arrived at 3.30pm, and a few minutes later the manager of the carers phoned again to make sure I was happy that everything was in place. Waow!

Monica phoned back a little after 4 o'c to check on progress and I was able to tell her that all angles were covered. She said it was all about knowing who to light the fire under. I got the feeling that Monica was not a lady to cross. I thanked her for all she had done and she made me promise to get in touch again if anything even looked like going wrong.

Now to gird my loins (or shave them) and get ready for the big day. I shall write in ballpoint, just below my naval "BE GENTLE WITH ME".

Thirteenth....unlucky for some!

I told you so! Phoned Adult Social Care at 9.00am, and was told that I would get a reply call in about half an hour. I did, to tell me that my Care Coordinator was off work sick.

I did manage to find out the the carers would be calling at the arranged times, it was when I mentioned the hoist and raising the bed height that I got silence. Nothing had been done.

Carers won't work without a hoist, and Cag needs to be out of bed for an hour or more at least twice a day. She can't eat laying down, or swallow very well. I told the new Coordinator that the Community Nurses were supposed to be arranging for the hoist, and she said she would try to get hold of them and get back to me.

I phoned again at 5.00pm. She was unable to speak to the nurse who was organising the hoist, she was not at work today. I don't think the original message had even reached her. She would be contacted tomorrow. I was then told that this new Coord had been informed that a hoist would not fit through our doors, so would be useless. I reminded her that we had used a hoist before in the home, and although it was difficult for one person to use, two carers who knew what they were doing would have little trouble.

I then reminded her that they had had ten weeks to sort out these problem. A full in home assessment, a further nursing assessment and then a financial assessment. There were difficulties found but those could be easily rectified. I was getting annoyed, so I then asked for the complaint procedure.

The atmosphere of the conversation changed. Promises to make sure everything that could be done tomorrow would be, and promises to keep me informed as to progress. I have a couple of phone call myself to make tomorrow, to bring pressure from a different source. We'll see if it works.

In truth, it's not the new Coords fault, but I hate people trying to cover over poor work with excuses, when I'm only asking them to do the job they are there for.

Eleventh and Twelfth

Two days of marking time. I've got quite a bit to do before next Monday, but it's that in between time. Too soon to start and yet I don't want to leave thing for much longer otherwise it will be a last minute rush.

I've started buying in for next week, the non perishables, and have already spent a fortune....... all on 'just in case'. I get the feeling that some items may stay in the cupboard an never get used. Either that or Cag will change her eating habits and that will leave me to 'use them up' or more likely the dog.

We've had a visit from a lady who works for the D.W.P today. This time it's for me to have authorization to act for Cag when dealing with different government agencies. She had all our details from there computer system (big brother?). She just needed my signature and to say 'hello' to Cag to make sure she is not a figment of my imagination. Some figment!!

I received a phone call from the clinic practice nurse, to go over with me the order of play for Monday. Arrival at 1.15pm, operation at 2pm, cup of tea and a chat afterwards, and leave for home about 3.45pm. Then the pain begins.

I thought I'd better reconfirm the care plan details for Cag with Adult Social Care. I left two messages and had a promise that I would be contacted either this evening or tomorrow morning. I haven't been contacted by the care team yet, there's no hoist, the bed has to be raised, and furniture moved. I sense a last minute panic...................... MINE!

7th, 8th, 9th, 10th! Where was I?

Well, there's a New Year's resolution shot down in flames. My aim to post at least every other day has fallen foul of other demands on my time. I've had to catch up on some long delayed snail mails to relations and friends who have not yet caught up with modern technology. I even managed some correspondence in long hand, brave for me considering my spelling capabilities.

We, like many others I suspect, have battened down the hatches, and sat out the storm today. I did take a quick visit to our village Post Office, first thing this morning, and witnessed the removal of a large tree that had blocked the roadway to our local garage. Apart from that little excitement, and the odd deafening gust, it's been fairly quiet. We've been lucky.

I knew I had spoken too soon when I said that I had the 'all clear' for claims against my mother's estate. I received a demand for £155 on Saturday from the Dept. Works and Pensions. I phone on Monday to tell them that I had already received a letter to say that there would be no claim, and after checking I was told to ignore the demands. I have since written to them with chapter and verse, for I have found to simply ignore a demand from the D.W.P, will come back to haunt at a later date.

An early start on Sunday for our last trip to Brixham, or any where, until after I recover from The Op. It was a good day, a little drizzle traveling, but long bouts of sunshine to cheer us on our way. Cag took the journey well and was able to pay attention to most of what was happening. K played hostess with coffee, chocolate cake, and non stop conversation, so the afternoon flew by. She showed us the last pictures of her husband, a few months before he lost his battle with a brain tumor. We never saw him then, as Cag was pretty well confined to the home after breaking her leg. We hardly recognized him. The drugs had taken their toll. It was a sad end for a very fit and active person. It's good that she can talk about him and in such a positive manner, but I know she misses him dearly.

And now what? I still have the feeling that all the plans for Cag's care are not going to come together. Just a little feeling, but I'm not often wrong.

Wednesday and Thursday..........

Two quite ordinary days. A trip yesterday to the D.I.Y store for some large packs of compost to dig into the raised beds I have built, and because it was dry and the wind had helped take the dampness out of the grass, I managed to give it the first cut of the year. It's been so wet recently, there was very little grass, mostly moss, but at least it's green.

I saw the young lady that got me into blogging this morning on This Morning! La petite Anglaise started it for me when she became famous for being dismissed for blogging about her life and work. The original blog was well disguised but her employers got to hear of it and after reading it decided they could do without her services. She's now written a book and if it's a good as her blog, should be worth a read.

I've had a lot of pain today, sciatic nerve problems, which hasn't been helped by lifting Cag around, but there's little choice at the moment. Just take the tablets and bare it. It should clear in another 24 ...............hopefully, as we want to visit with sister's again this weekend.

Mother in law will be home tomorrow from hospital and two of her daughters should be there to settle her in. There's only limited cover by her carers over the weekend but neighbours have promised to keep an eye on her too make sure she is alright. Fingers crossed.

I've decided to look at things in a different way. From now on I will take life with a pinch of salt ............................. a squeeze of lemon and a large shot of Tequila........... hic!

Monday and Tuesday, and good news.

A promising start to Monday soon turned into wind, rain, sleet and hail. We were lucky. Others had a lot more of the white stuff, while we just had the wet stuff. Afternoon brought one piece of good news. Wendy, from Adult Social Care phoned to say she had set up the care package for Cag, to cover me when I have my surgery.

Two carers to call at about 10.30am to wash and get Cag into the lounge for breakfast, calling back about noon to put her back to bed. Returning again about 6.00pm to get Cag up for an evening meal and then coming back at about 8.00pm to settle her for the night.

It's not ideal but we can live with it for a few weeks, and hopefully as time goes on, I will be able to do more. Not at first, and I will be careful.

Today was a completely different day. Clear blue skies, with the air so clear you could see for miles. I was bemoaning the fact that I didn't have time to head for the high ground and take in the views. The silver skywriters were so clear you could see the passengers waving (perhaps that's a slight over statement).

Mr. Postman brought some more good news (but no pencils). The Department of Works and Pension informed me that they will not be making any claim on my mother's estate. She is a fully paid up member. Not too little and not too much. I can now close the books and get the final paper work filed. Phew!!

Better news of mum-in-law today. The examination went smoothly and the nurse I talked to thought that everything that needed to be done was done. The doctor is going to see her tomorrow, so there should be more news by lunch time. When I phoned, they had just changed shifts, so were not up to speed on what was happening ............ or was it staff, playing their part by being vague and not giving too much away. Am I getting cynical in my old age?

Our hairdresser called today. We were treated to a 'who's doing what with who and where'. It's better than the jungle drums. She had heard about my op, and the fact that certain areas (H-mm) would have to be shaved. She offered to do the job, but we haggled over the cost. She wouldn't pay enough.

Saturday and Sunday..................

Saturday, and blue sky with plenty of sunshine. Far too good to spend indoors, so it was a trip out in the afternoon. Only to a garden centre about 35 minutes away, but it was a change of scene for Cag and an easy place for us to get around in a wheelchair. It's close to the north coast, on high ground, so although the sun looked welcoming, the wind still had a winter bite. I got away lightly, just the purchase of two anniversary cards. Phew!

Today was a little better than the forecasters had suggested, and I managed to get some heavy bedding dry outside before a fine drizzle settled in for the evening. We had been waiting all day for news from Cag's sisters who were visiting her mother in hospital. We finally got the call about 7.30pm, a long day for all. M-in-L is improving slightly. The hospital is hoping to be able to fix the problem without an operation, and should know one way or the other by Tuesday........ more waiting.

We contacted Cag's eldest sister, holidaying in New Zealand at the moment, to give her the latest update. Everyone else seemed reluctant to phone her.............. worried about the cost I suspect. I just get the feeling that all four of Cag's sisters have not the same concern that we have over the recent events, and that mother is a problem they could well do with out. If anything was to happen, it would leave a great gap in Cag's life. She phones every day, if only for a couple of minutes, something the others would do weekly or more likely monthly.

So we wait. I doubt there will be any more news unless we enquire ourselves. I'm toying with the idea of making the journey up to see her, perhaps Wednesday, but only if Cag feels up to it. We will see.