Messymascot's faith in humanity and ginger safe haven

[Barnfred 55]

Hello everybody. We are going to be getting a grandson. Very excited- now I need to work on how to turn him into an Evertonian!! Daddy is a Middlesbrough supporter. It is all very exciting.
This morning I went to the gym. I worked out how to pre program the treadmill so did a proper workout - running was involved. Then I went swimming and then I joined an aqua aerobics class and met a nearly ( next month) 93 year old who did 4 classes a week! Unbelievable. I was in awe. I've also finished wrapping my presents. So, a very productive day. I feel like it could be bedtime soon though.
Last night's meal was lovely. Good food, good company- it doesn't get much better than that.
I'm pleased Mrs Pete showed further improvement today @peteblue . I think the problem in hospitals is that they can treat the symptoms of your wife's chest infection- I'm guessing she's on a ward that specifically deals with that but they may not have the resources or skills to deal with her Alzheimer’s. Their main focus is making people better but when they can't do that, things become more difficult. We had this with my Mum when she was diagnosed with terminal bone cancer. While she was on a general ward, things were very patchy - they didn't know what to do with her. Then she was moved to the palliative care ward it was completely different. The staff there knew that their patients were not going to get better and reacted accordingly. It was a lovely calm serene atmosphere. So I think what I'm trying to say is that your wife probably needs to see other people to help with her Alzheimer’s. I fully agree however about how little help is available for carers. One of my best moments as a union rep was being on the team that successfully campaigned and negotiated a carers leave policy which gave carers up to 10 days leave for caring duties if required and time to attend appointments with the person they were caring for. Previously they had to use their own time.

ha ha. Told you.

Edit. I honestly hadn't seen this post first. Congratulations. I think.

 

[Barnfred 55]

Awesome news Anj! Not sure why you’d want to bestow a life of misery on them, though. Neither of my kids are blues and I didn’t really have the heart to try and make a case beyond “I arbitrarily followed your granddad and now I’m miserable every weekend.” At least with Boro they’ll have the excitement of the occasional promotion/relegation…

Fingers crossed you and your lovely wife get the help you need/deserve @peteblue .

Plus it costs an absolute fortune mate. Just ask AT.

 

[Armaghtoffee]

Plus it costs an absolute fortune mate. Just ask AT.

I personally second this @Brett Angell Delight

 

[Barnfred 55]

I personally second this @Brett Angell Delight

I knew you would mate. You moan about it every time you go the game..

 

[anjelikaferrett]

@anjelikaferrett very impressed to hear of your work on establishing a Carer’s Leave Policy. Is that a Civil Service wide policy?

@peteblue good to hear Kay is making progress in hospital. They are the most draining of places for visitors never mind patients.

I think most departments have one now. Mine was for the one I worked it at the time. We had about 8000 staff so it affected a good few people. As I said prior to that there was no provision for it. To be fair management were pretty much on board with the concept but as you know, the devil is in the detail!

 

[Armaghtoffee]

I knew you would mate. You moan about it every time you go the game..

All part of the match day experience. From the price of a pint in Belfast International to the lateness of the Soccer Bus is all fair game for me.

 

[Armaghtoffee]

I think most departments have one now. Mine was for the one I worked it at the time. We had about 8000 staff so it affected a good few people. As I said prior to that there was no provision for it. To be fair management were pretty much on board with the concept but as you know, the devil is in the detail!

It’s a remarkable achievement and something that NI is behind the times in.

 

[peteblue]

Just catching up on the thread Pete. Sorry to hear about this mate. Just to add to your burden.

By all means tell me to sod off if I'm interfering, but you really need to concentrate on Mrs P mate and stop spreading yourself around so much. There's only so much a body can take.

I know Fred, but I can’t help it I’m afraid…..

 

[peteblue]

Anyway, back about an hour ago, Kay has been put in a normal ward, albeit in a private room and with a nurse stationed permanently by her door. She looks so much better than of Sunday. We got her up and walked her along a corridor and back to her room to get her legs working again. The nurses are still struggling with the fact she cannot understand what they are saying and is incapable of responding even if she did. I explained in detail the incontinence pants regime I utilise and after many wet beds and changes of clothes they are learning, albeit slowly. I fed her again today, her appetite still very strong and she looks more like she did before the virus. They are still keeping her in until the antibiotics have done their job and for that I am thankful. I was asked again about support at home and they will speak with me tomorrow, no doubt this will involve me paying loads of money but at least I will know what it’s being spent on and helping my wife.

Anyway, I’m still looking at an empty chair and it’s killing me tbh, when Im at the hospital with Kay I’m fine, but at home, with an empty chair and a half empty bed I’m in tears. I’m not a weak person, I’m mentally strong, I can deal with almost all issues, but I can’t live without Kay………

 

[peteblue]

Sorry guys, I forgot to thank you all for your comments and advice. I do read them all and really appreciate them…..

 

[blue1948]

All part of the match day experience. From the price of a pint in Belfast International to the lateness of the Soccer Bus is all fair game for me.

If you can moan about the team then you must be obliged to moan about the rest .

 

[peteblue]

We are trained in the art of moaning….

 

[blue1948]

Anyway, back about an hour ago, Kay has been put in a normal ward, albeit in a private room and with a nurse stationed permanently by her door. She looks so much better than of Sunday. We got her up and walked her along a corridor and back to her room to get her legs working again. The nurses are still struggling with the fact she cannot understand what they are saying and is incapable of responding even if she did. I explained in detail the incontinence pants regime I utilise and after many wet beds and changes of clothes they are learning, albeit slowly. I fed her again today, her appetite still very strong and she looks more like she did before the virus. They are still keeping her in until the antibiotics have done their job and for that I am thankful. I was asked again about support at home and they will speak with me tomorrow, no doubt this will involve me paying loads of money but at least I will know what it’s being spent on and helping my wife.

Anyway, I’m still looking at an empty chair and it’s killing me tbh, when Im at the hospital with Kay I’m fine, but at home, with an empty chair and a half empty bed I’m in tears. I’m not a weak person, I’m mentally strong, I can deal with almost all issues, but I can’t live without Kay………

My heart goes out to you and Kay @peteblue .I know when my time comes ( as a selfish person I want to go first ) I will be totally lost ,my wife does every single thing she can in my life ,I am not looking forward to being alone at all. Happily for you Kay will be discharged as soon as they can because they will need the bed and whatever the cost if there is any just look at that chair again and think. You must tell Kay we are all thinking of her as I have said before she does know but hasn't got a way of showing you ,it is hell for her being as she is . Stay strong that wonderful man.

 

[Gwladysover]

Morning all. Thank you for keeping us all updated with Kay’s progress @peteblue , I do so hope she will be back with you soon, filling that empty chair. The carers we were offered for my Mum cost over £25 an hour per carer (she needed two), that was just to get her out of bed and dressed in the morning and undressed at night, nothing more. That was over six years ago though and things may be different now.
Harry will be here soon for breakfast, full of the joys…. He had his mock GCSE art exam yesterday all day and again today. He’s always struggled with school life and I’m so hoping he can do well it would boost his confidence no end but I’ve told him as long as he’s done his best he can do no more.
Have a good day, all

 

[jazzy]

Anyway, back about an hour ago, Kay has been put in a normal ward, albeit in a private room and with a nurse stationed permanently by her door. She looks so much better than of Sunday. We got her up and walked her along a corridor and back to her room to get her legs working again. The nurses are still struggling with the fact she cannot understand what they are saying and is incapable of responding even if she did. I explained in detail the incontinence pants regime I utilise and after many wet beds and changes of clothes they are learning, albeit slowly. I fed her again today, her appetite still very strong and she looks more like she did before the virus. They are still keeping her in until the antibiotics have done their job and for that I am thankful. I was asked again about support at home and they will speak with me tomorrow, no doubt this will involve me paying loads of money but at least I will know what it’s being spent on and helping my wife.

Anyway, I’m still looking at an empty chair and it’s killing me tbh, when Im at the hospital with Kay I’m fine, but at home, with an empty chair and a half empty bed I’m in tears. I’m not a weak person, I’m mentally strong, I can deal with almost all issues, but I can’t live without Kay………

Oh Pete , no words mate. Just thinking about you