Messymascot's faith in humanity and ginger safe haven

[peteblue]

Thanks guys, off to the hospital soon and will probably be there with her most of the day…..

 

[anjelikaferrett]

Had to take my wife to hospital earlier Sunday. She’s had a mucus type cough which somehow combined with the Alzheimer’s and seriously affected her ability to breathe and her movement. Anyway the ambulance was going to be hours so I drove her in. The medical team did a great job of identifying a chest infection which will keep her in while they perform more tests and get her started on antibiotics. She’s in the best place and they put her right next to the nurses station to keep a close eye on her. The medical team that came to my car to look at her before they took her inside did a great job as did the Clinical Diagnosis Unit in sorting her out. This was completely different to the officious main receptionist who wanted me to take her to another hospital about 30 minutes away before I made it plain and she realised I was going nowhere until a doctor saw my wife, amazingly within 1 minute that medical team of about 8 were stood next to my car and everything burst into action. Anyway I shall be out again tomorrow with grateful thank you’s to everyone involved, even the receptionist who was obviously just doing her job……..,

I do hope Mrs Pete feels better soon. As you say she is in the best place at the moment. Try and take some time to relax while you know she is being cared for - put your feet up for a bit x

 

[anjelikaferrett]

Good morning all. I hope you are all OK after the storm. It seems to have all calmed down here now. Your pics are lovely @Val P . I hope the funeral goes well @blueloon.
I'm glad all your trees are intact @jazzy .
Have a lovely day x

 

[Gwladysover]

Morning, an early start for me, catching a flight down to Manchester and then on to Bangor for my cousin’s funeral tomorrow. I must admit these winter journeys, flights , hiring a car driving in unfamiliar areas etc cause me a wee bit of apprehension these days. It’s an age thing I guess.

Hope all goes well with the funeral tomorrow. I was never a good passenger in a car and the older I get the worse I become. The thought of travelling on a motorway fills me with horror.

 

[Armaghtoffee]

Thanks guys, off to the hospital soon and will probably be there with her most of the day…..

Hopefully she has had a good day Pete. To echo the comments of others, try and get as much rest as you can now yourself.

 

[peteblue]

Just back from the hospital. She looked a lot better, but obviously still not knowing anything that’s going on and sleeping most of the time I was there. I got to feed her at lunch and evening meal and her appetite is back but she can’t feed herself. The antibiotics are being given intravenously and I’ve spent the day answering questions about how she normally is etc. I was asked what support I’ve been given and I had to reply none. This seemed to generate more questions and a number of other medics delving further. One guy asked about my wife’s movement and I tried to explain that I was having to move her feet by hand, step by step. The result of all this seems to be that some degree of support, visitors, bathing, handrails etc may be coming our way, all of which I’ve managed so far, but of course I’m not getting any younger. I expect a bit may happen now. What saddens me is that in the two years since she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s there has been no follow up. I can’t understand why my GP hasn’t asked similar questions and I’m seriously concerned over how other carers are coping. When I get this and my wife sorted I’m going to throw my time into asking questions on behalf of other unpaid carers from our medical and political hierarchy……,sorry for dropping this on you, but I’m looking at an empty chair where my beautiful wife would normally be sitting. Anyway it’s off to the hospital again early tomorrow and hopefully another slight improvement……,,,

 

[peteblue]

I do hope Mrs Pete feels better soon. As you say she is in the best place at the moment. Try and take some time to relax while you know she is being cared for - put your feet up for a bit x

No time tbh G…..

 

[Ducans elbow]

@peteblue thats great news if you get some assistance, I definitely think you should be getting help with Mrs P , I was wondering why you didn’t have any help all ready ,

At least it looks like they will get the ball rolling to get the help you should be getting

Good luck mate,

 

[peteblue]

@peteblue thats great news if you get some assistance, I definitely think you should be getting help with Mrs P , I was wondering why you didn’t have any help all ready ,

At least it looks like they will get the ball rolling to get the help you should be getting

Good luck mate,

Thanks, probably pride on my behalf I suppose. But many carers take a similar outlook…….

 

[Ducans elbow]

Thanks, probably pride on my behalf I suppose. But many carers take a similar outlook…….

Fair comment mate, it’s a case unless you have been in my shoes

I totally get it, you are doing a great job

 

[blue1948]

Just back from the hospital. She looked a lot better, but obviously still not knowing anything that’s going on and sleeping most of the time I was there. I got to feed her at lunch and evening meal and her appetite is back but she can’t feed herself. The antibiotics are being given intravenously and I’ve spent the day answering questions about how she normally is etc. I was asked what support I’ve been given and I had to reply none. This seemed to generate more questions and a number of other medics delving further. One guy asked about my wife’s movement and I tried to explain that I was having to move her feet by hand, step by step. The result of all this seems to be that some degree of support, visitors, bathing, handrails etc may be coming our way, all of which I’ve managed so far, but of course I’m not getting any younger. I expect a bit may happen now. What saddens me is that in the two years since she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s there has been no follow up. I can’t understand why my GP hasn’t asked similar questions and I’m seriously concerned over how other carers are coping. When I get this and my wife sorted I’m going to throw my time into asking questions on behalf of other unpaid carers from our medical and political hierarchy……,sorry for dropping this on you, but I’m looking at an empty chair where my beautiful wife would normally be sitting. Anyway it’s off to the hospital again early tomorrow and hopefully another slight improvement……,,,

I remain convinced that your wife knows what you are doing for her ,I am a bit shocked to hear the lengths you are going to single handed .Surely by your own admission "you are not getting any younger " you should have done something to get help earlier .
This part your lovely wife won't understand but sick people can drag lots of others into ill health and that includes you !
With all the help you have given others in the recent past I fear you have masked the effect this strenuous caring is having on you yourself and the fact you now say you have no time to relax only makes me feel I am correct .
We all feel so sad for the time you are having but you must care for yourself or you won't be able to care for your wife .I am sure these words have been rattling around in your head as you are an intelligent man but don't be under the illusion you don't need help .
Please Pete think of yourself for once and have a brief respite whilst you can. Best wishes to you both .

 

[blue1948]

Good morning all on this fine day beautiful skies all around and not too cold .I hope all had a great night and have a wonderful day with some good news . Pete's post should make us all appreciate our good health while we can .
I myself feel a bit of a fraud having shared my diagnosis this year yet I feel healthier than for many years .I suspect this is a combination of things ,one I have lost a little weight to try to live healthier and therefore hopefully longer ,two I think I have stopped moaning about the little pains and three I seem to appreciate things more ,I see more beauty in nature and in people . Have a great day all COYB

 

[Gwladysover]

Just back from the hospital. She looked a lot better, but obviously still not knowing anything that’s going on and sleeping most of the time I was there. I got to feed her at lunch and evening meal and her appetite is back but she can’t feed herself. The antibiotics are being given intravenously and I’ve spent the day answering questions about how she normally is etc. I was asked what support I’ve been given and I had to reply none. This seemed to generate more questions and a number of other medics delving further. One guy asked about my wife’s movement and I tried to explain that I was having to move her feet by hand, step by step. The result of all this seems to be that some degree of support, visitors, bathing, handrails etc may be coming our way, all of which I’ve managed so far, but of course I’m not getting any younger. I expect a bit may happen now. What saddens me is that in the two years since she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s there has been no follow up. I can’t understand why my GP hasn’t asked similar questions and I’m seriously concerned over how other carers are coping. When I get this and my wife sorted I’m going to throw my time into asking questions on behalf of other unpaid carers from our medical and political hierarchy……,sorry for dropping this on you, but I’m looking at an empty chair where my beautiful wife would normally be sitting. Anyway it’s off to the hospital again early tomorrow and hopefully another slight improvement……,,,

I so hope you will get the help you so badly need. When we first became concerned that our Mum was becoming forgetful we took her to the GP, after examining her a visit to the memory clinic was recommended. We were told there would be a long wait for an appointment but after about six months we enquired as to how long we Mum was likely to wait to be told she would be seen but no indication of when. In the meantime Mum had a fall and a subsequent broken hip, The hip healed but the post operative delirium never cleared. Apparently they are looking into a possible link to anaesthetic and the acceleration of dementia. When she came home my brothers did her day to day care, meals etc . and I used to go round to do her personal care, luckily I was only a ten minute walk away. We never received any help as we were still waiting on the memory clinic for a diagnosis. She was then hospitalised for a chest infection, something we had to fight for as the G P was reluctant to refer her but it was becoming impossible for us to give her the care she needed. She improved at first but then went downhill and when it became obvious she was near the end we requested she be sent home. We were offered a carer for 20 minutes in the morning and again in the evening for a few days after that we must organise our own. As it turned out the carers weren’t needed as Mum passed away in her beloved home a few hours after returning from hospital. We got the appointment for the memory clinic some weeks later and also an application for carers allowance subject to a diagnosis. Unfortunately I feel our story is all too common.

 

[blueloon]

Just back from the hospital. She looked a lot better, but obviously still not knowing anything that’s going on and sleeping most of the time I was there. I got to feed her at lunch and evening meal and her appetite is back but she can’t feed herself. The antibiotics are being given intravenously and I’ve spent the day answering questions about how she normally is etc. I was asked what support I’ve been given and I had to reply none. This seemed to generate more questions and a number of other medics delving further. One guy asked about my wife’s movement and I tried to explain that I was having to move her feet by hand, step by step. The result of all this seems to be that some degree of support, visitors, bathing, handrails etc may be coming our way, all of which I’ve managed so far, but of course I’m not getting any younger. I expect a bit may happen now. What saddens me is that in the two years since she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s there has been no follow up. I can’t understand why my GP hasn’t asked similar questions and I’m seriously concerned over how other carers are coping. When I get this and my wife sorted I’m going to throw my time into asking questions on behalf of other unpaid carers from our medical and political hierarchy……,sorry for dropping this on you, but I’m looking at an empty chair where my beautiful wife would normally be sitting. Anyway it’s off to the hospital again early tomorrow and hopefully another slight improvement……,,,

Pete you’ve been doing marvellous but it sounds like it’s time to take any help you can get. When my father in law lived with us we managed well for many years , but as he approached 90 he had a spell in hospital and took a downward turn as he had vascular dementia.They wouldn’t let him out of hospital until a care package was in place, this consisted of Carers coming in three times a day . It took some getting used to having different people in the house but they took responsibility for helping him in the morning and last thing at night. There is a degree of intrusiveness with external carers but it is worth considering carefully.Good luck with getting things sorted .

 

[blue1948]

I so hope you will get the help you so badly need. When we first became concerned that our Mum was becoming forgetful we took her to the GP, after examining her a visit to the memory clinic was recommended. We were told there would be a long wait for an appointment but after about six months we enquired as to how long we Mum was likely to wait to be told she would be seen but no indication of when. In the meantime Mum had a fall and a subsequent broken hip, The hip healed but the post operative delirium never cleared. Apparently they are looking into a possible link to anaesthetic and the acceleration of dementia. When she came home my brothers did her day to day care, meals etc . and I used to go round to do her personal care, luckily I was only a ten minute walk away. We never received any help as we were still waiting on the memory clinic for a diagnosis. She was then hospitalised for a chest infection, something we had to fight for as the G P was reluctant to refer her but it was becoming impossible for us to give her the care she needed. She improved at first but then went downhill and when it became obvious she was near the end we requested she be sent home. We were offered a carer for 20 minutes in the morning and again in the evening for a few days after that we must organise our own. As it turned out the carers weren’t needed as Mum passed away in her beloved home a few hours after returning from hospital. We got the appointment for the memory clinic some weeks later and also an application for carers allowance subject to a diagnosis. Unfortunately I feel our story is all too common.

Sadly this type of thing is reported far too often ,I feel for you and your family ,the pain of her passing should be eased by the care she was given but too many times it is the opposite .