I did just that today Amy - I called the surgery in the morning and one of the doctors came out to see mum after lunch. She listened to her chest and confirmed it sounded clear, so at least I can stop worrying about a chest infection. I discussed the urine infection, which is back again, and she has prescribed an antibiotic which she said should see that off, plus deter any potential chest infection, so I will pick that up tomorrow morning. I will have to get up early tomorrow morning and shower. I haven't showered for 4 days, which feels so awful, but actually now, in this situation, it's not that important any more! I still won't go anywhere looking awful (!) but if I'm staying at home, then who cares what I look like.
Yesterday evening I felt really down but today, for the first time in about two weeks, I felt a bit perkier. Thank goodness, and at last. My cough is easing and I feel like some of my energy is starting to return. I had a real heart to heart with the carer who was here last night and she said she was worried I was nearing some kind of depression, but I think it's because I've felt so lousy the past few weeks. It's such a relief to finally start feeling a bit better. The doc who came today said this flu bug is causing huge problems, especially for the elderly. She referred to it as a form of swine flu. I even dealt with a few bouts of diarrhoea in mum today and yesterday, so I must be feeling better! I really need to get used to that, boy it's such a grim job cleaning up diarrhoea from someone lying down, it takes SO long and packets of wipes to make sure she's clean. Usually it comes when I'm on my own, no carer, which is such bad luck. The doc said the diarrhoea is probably connected with the flu virus, which makes sense, as I had it for a while myself. I'm not sure what to feed mum any more, so am just trying small portions of what we would normally eat. I left her in bed today to rest and plan to do the same tomorrow. There's no point pulling her around until she has shifted the flu, if she ever does ...