So bizarre !

[Amy in the US]

Greetings to everyone! Unfortunately I'm having yet another sleepless night. I won't remember everything I want to say so apologies.

Ann, thanks for the sheep photos. Gorgeous! But so sorry about MIL's delusions on your recent visit. And work sounds too busy. Do look after yourself, as best you can. How is Miss Mac doing, both with school and behaviour?

RedLou, best wishes for your daughter's health.

Spamar, so glad you're home safely. Anniversaries are hard. Thinking of you.

Slugsta, sorry to hear about your mum on your recent visit. Hope you're well, or at least, okay. How is the Sky cat doing?

JM, no idea what I was going to say, sorry! Except that I liked the photo, in a "better you than me" way, if you know what I mean. I don't get along well with bicycles. How is your daughter?

Things are mixed here. Making progress on issues for my mother, more meetings set up, paperwork moving along, and so on. I had a successful phone call last week with the GP, who agreed to take her off a bunch of medications. As far as I know, my mother is doing okay-I've actually not visited since before our holiday this summer.

Perhaps that, and something about working on all this stuff for her, and perhaps my high school reunion this weekend, and some other stuff, all seems to be combining to make me not sleep and feel upset in general. I also had some sort of weird cold thing just recently. I'm not sure if I feel badly because I was sick or if I was sick because I felt badly, if that makes any sense. Whatever is going on, I would quite like to be able to sleep! I know it all has something to do with my mother. All I know to do is to keep making progress on the paperwork and hope that helps.

I can't help but feel this stupid disease has a lot to answer for.

In other news, it seems that for Thanksgiving (end of November), OH and I will go to his sister's. My MIL will be there, but I don't know about other family yet. It won't be boring! I'd hoped for a repeat of our Thanksgiving with friends from last year, but that won't work this year.

Anyone care to run away to a nice desert island for a few weeks at the end of the year with me, so I can avoid all this? Let me know.

Thanks for listening; you keep me sane.

 

[2jays]

Morning all

Firstly I feel I must apologise to JM. I have a feeling I may have upset you with my probably wrong teasing. I woke at silly o'clock wishing I hadn't teased

Redlou n AnnMc I hope you don't mind me offering your advice re the Big Reds and the use/purchase of to Sam Luvitt who is looking to buy a motor home. Apologies if you do

Apologies to all I've not supported individually. I do think of you all and follow you all regularly

 

[jugglingmum]

Amy - you would be welcome to come and stay here for Thanksgiving weekend, although not sure we are home, son has a fencing tournament on the Sat just North of London and daughter has a cyclocross race on the Sunday of the weekend, although I guess you would need to be flying back on the Sunday anyway, son is off school on the Thursday, and I'm sure he would be happy to entertain you. My SIL is in Colarado (roughly halfway between Denver and Albuqueque), if you want me to ask? I suspect she will be having the kids up, although if they can't get up she will go across to them in San Francisco. Suspect not much help. I think everything does heap up and lead to lack of sleep, I know when I do my mum's paperwork I get stressed and can only do a little at a time.

Thanks for asking about daughter, she seems to be much better, when we realised she had a low iron reading at the end of July, I banned her breakfast coffee, as coffee prevents absorption of iron, since I posted on here I have also added a sachet of spatone into the mix, and from the day she started taking them she seemed to be better, I have had a few talks with her about taking the iron tablets on an empty stomach, and so did a couple of friends with low iron levels (female cyclists around my age) at the end of August when they saw her on bike events. She was being a bit I know everything as I'm a teenager about it all, but I think it has sunk in a bit. I was also aware she had missed tablets from time to time, and thought I noticed a difference when this happened, but she was adamant there wasn't. Anyway, last night she commented she had managed to take all her tablets properly for a while and she had noticed a massive difference. Whilst wanting to say I told you so, I managed not to. My suspicion when she had the lower iron level in July was that she just wasn't managing taking the tablets at the right time, empty stomach, no milk, calcium, or caffeine anywhere near the same time. She is now managing to train properly, although we have had a couple of winter colds/bugs already this year - the cold season seems to have come in early and high sickness rates at work for the time of year - the bugs have definitely spread linked to the seating plan as well, which we don't normally notice. She is a long way off where we think she can get to fitness wise, but with the training hopefully things will come good.

As a result of the low iron reading the GP made a tentative hospital referral to a paediatrician, how said, no point to specialised, requested a load of blood tests (I think she probably phoned a mutual consultant friend who she knows I have had contact with and knows the background) and the only thing that came back on these was a high auto immune level so we have a rheumatologist referral, for the start of December. (I think that the waiting lists for these things are much shorter at my local hospital than across the border to Ann's).

@2jays - you are being a silly sausage (as I tell the children - although one of them refuses to be a silly sausage, so is instead a silly brocoli head) it was just nice banter - or that is the way I took it, don't you think road cyclists give cyclocross people grief all the time for running with their bikes, and most cycling clubs have a lot of close to the knuckle banter, which is always meant well.

Talking of banter, cyclist would suggest that Ann's OH should man up - rule number 5 (I have never read all the rules but everyone quotes rule no 5) - in addition rule no 9 applies - an american site and language is adult http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/ It isn't pleasant being wet, OH rides to work in most weather, but never ever if there is ice about. He does have shower facilities, mudguards on bike, winter cycling boots, and good cycling kit. He wouldn't go training in heavy cold rain though (not cold yet).

I need to sort myself out to book mum's flu jab today, and various other things I put off. Not a full post, maybe more later.

 

[2jays]

Yes JM it was meant as banter. Glad you saw it that way

I think I have the touch of the broccoli head at the moment

Putting it down to probable lurgy, so guilt monster/fluffy thinking is getting at me

Hey ho. Back to driveway weeding

Shouldn't complain abou weeding. I really don't have much in my life that needs complaining about now

 

[RedLou]

That's the trouble with social media. You post a jokey comment and in real life you get an instant reaction so you know it's been 'got'.
JM - that photo is seriously impressive. It makes me think I should do more aerobic exercise....
but I won't.
Slugsta, sorry to hear your mum wasn't great. Amy, you sound as if you need to - that annoyingly amorphous phrase - be kind to yourself. I am recommending Spacemasks to all and sundry. Forgive me if I've mentioned them on here already. I promise I'm not getting a kick back. They simply help me relax.
Daughter had a scan and all looked athletically normal. She's still getting cramps though and feeling anxious. I drafted out my first essay and was feeling 'ahead' and chuffed. Today I realised I've only answered half of the question.

 

[Spamar]

Just a quickie, I went for shoulder jab under ultra sound this morning. Heavens it's a long walk (for me) from car park! All done and dusted, but no one said I shouldn't drive afterwards! I did mean to phone and ask, but didn't get around to it. Anyway, got home in one piece! If it was that important, they should put it in their letters!
Didn't hurt, and when I looked at the u/s afterwards, you could see the path of the needle. Let's hope it works!

I won't give my opinion of JM in the mud, but if it's your thing, that's fine! I spent many years working on saltmarshes, most of them very muddy!
Though a girl who was helping me and I came away from one and said we would have had to pay a fortune for this- aerobic exercise, mud packs and quite a few other things!
Amy,, pity you can't come over here, we could have a meet up!
Ann, I have a step grand dog, he's my avatar! Muddy at the time ( which goes well with previous conversation!

 

[Slugsta]

Afternoon all,

Amy, I'm sorry that you are not feeling well and hope you are soon 100% again (((hugs))). I have an in-law event in December that I am not looking forward to - maybe we could share a deserted island?

Spamar, I'm glad the injection wasn't too traumatic and hope it will do what it should (((hugs)))

Jm, I didn't read all the rules - but the ones I did see made me smile. I'm glad that your daughter is much improved. These teenagers can be a little resistant to parental advice!

I was surprised to find, when I started running, that I am something of a mudlark. One day, out on the heath, I passed a springer spaniel that was very wet, muddy and was clearly smiling. Then I realised that I was the same! There you have it - I was obviously a springer in a previous life

It was a pleasant day here so TM and I took the opportunity to sit by the river. I wasn't able to stay outside for long though (yes, I am a real southern softie)!

Skycat is still happy and affectionate. She is not eating as much as she was, which does worry me a little. Her intake is still adequate but I am a little anxious about what this might herald . . .

 

[Spamar]

Hi Slugsta, glad you've caught the mud bug!
You know the saying about springers? There's nothing so happy as a wet springer, unless it's a wet, muddy springer!
I'm an ex springer owner, my gorgeous black and white Jasper, plus I grew up with springers.

Shoulder seems to be behaving itself, just the merest twinge! It's when I just forget it and do things that a couldn't without pain! Looking forward to that!

 

[Ann Mac]

Hello Bizarrites x

Celia, it's actually been suggested that I look for a volunteer to help - but volunteers are thin on the ground in terms of those who would be happy to tackle complicated (and often tedious) IT/admin tasks - most want to be helping with the project delivery (Can't say I blame them - that's the really lovely part of my job!), which I have to be present for anyway, and which I mange with no problems. I did pay dau once, to help with one particularly long and boring task - and at the end of it she told me that I could pay her double and it wouldn't be enough to persuade her to do it again, lol.

Sorry you didn't have a good visit with your Mum, Slugsta - hopefully, it was just that she was tired, and she will be brighter next time you visit xxx. Glad to hear Skycat is doing OK, and I hope the eating less is just one of those things, rather than a sign of any problems for her xxxx

JM, ROFCWL at the rules OH has all the gear, too - but particularly at the moment he is training, so some long days with some VERY physical instruction going on, and starting and ending the day with a wet and cold bike ride is just a bit much. Later, when training has finished - well, suffice to say that there are some unpredictable aspects of the work that he will be doing that mean that it's probably better for him to mainly travel by car, rather than bike!

Glad to hear that dau is being sensible about taking the iron tablets now. The comment about her being "a bit I know everything as I'm a teenager" rang loud bells here - we get a fair bit of that too. Also glad she is being seen reasonably quickly at your hospital - I saw the locum at our surgery back in February or March I think? And the letter came through asking me to ring and make an appointment just over 2 weeks back - and it took me nearly 10 days to actually get through on the number given and actually make an appointment - mainly, it either just rang or went to answer machine. So its been a 7 or 8 month wait, I guess.

I'm so sorry to read that you are struggling to sleep, Amy. I know I tend not to sleep a lot, but I've been like that for years and am used to it . I've seen the impact that too little sleep has had on OH, when he was working nights, hating his job and not having a regular sleep pattern. It really does mess you up, it made the stress and worry of work far worse for him, as I'm sure its makiing worry about your Mum worse for you. The more he stressed, the less he slept - and the less he slept, the more he stressed - it's such a vicious circle Sending {{{{{{{hugs}}}}}} and wishing you a good nights sleep - soon xxxx

I'll head to a desert island with you! My friends and I sometimes talk about how nice that would be - we call it 'Doing a Shirley' (have you seen the film 'Shirley Valentine?' )

As for dau - up and down days, I guess. I'd say she was resigned to college, rather than enjoying it. For several years now, I've mentioned that as well as the ADHD, I've felt that she was dyslexic. It's been dismissed by the 'professionals' up till now, but at the college, it was suggested that she take a test that will at least 'indicate' if dyslexia is a problem. A score of less than 1 indicates that there is no problem, 1 to 1.3 indicates that there is likely to be a problem - dau scored 1.9! So more investigation ahead. Meanwhile, her old school continues to be a pain, having now managed to 'lose' the official paperwork where it was reccomended that she have extra time for exams - the college are doing their best, but this is unlikely to be sorted by the time she sits her first exam next month and without the paperwork, she doesn't get the extra time.

In terms of behaviour - I think a fair assessment would be 'must try harder'? There is some improvement, but we still get odd meltdowns, and I don't have much patience with them to be honest. The last one was me filling the washing machine (whilst she was stood right next to me) then her realising several minutes later that she had put the top she needed in the basket with her dirty washing by mistake, and it was now being washed. Apparently, I should have realised that she had put the top in there by mistake and I was treated to a mini-meltdown with her being very rude - I didn't even bother trying to reason with her, I just had a bit of a melt down right back at her, and though she stormed off at first, an apology followed pretty quickly.

Spamar, glad the injection hasn't given you too much discomfort. Was it a cortizone jab? I've had a couple of them, found they initially helped but then the effect wore off quite quickly. But my friend, who has had the same injection to deal with a painful elbow joint finds the improvement lasts for 18 months - 2 years. Have everything crossed that it works like that for you xxxx

I've had to cancel going out on my project today - the lurgy has me firmly in its grip Nagging headache, bunged up nose and a throat that feels either claggy or so dry by turns, that I'm having frequent coughing fits and my voice is barely a croak. Wednesday afternoon I had to excuse myself from a meeting because I had such a bad coughing fit that I was drowning out what everyone else was saying. The usual heavy cold related aches and pains are also making themselves known, and I feel like I'm wading through treacle too. So. I've done a quick re-shuffle of activities and will spend this morning at least on admin, instead of going out and spreading my germs amongst my young folk. OH is a lot better, but still not 100%, and a lot of my friends/people I know have also been hit with the same bug and saying that its completely wiping them out. Got fingers crossed that I make a more rapid recovery, because the next two weeks are once again very full on for me as regards work, and I can do without trying to do all I need to do whilst feeling like this!

OH is on a half day today, and has the car - so once he gets home, I have to do a brief shopping expedition for work and next weeks projects, then I intend to dose myself with hot lemonade, throat lozengers, home made soup and then take it easy for the weekend. Fingers crossed that that will see off the cold.

Love to all, as always xxxxx

 

[Slugsta]

Afternoon all,

Ann, I am so sorry that you feel worse, rather than better I'm glad you have taken the day off work and really hope you are able to have the quiet weekend you need (((hugs)))

I was going to suggest that you pay dau to help you - but I see that ship has sailed! How unfair that her old school are still managing to mess things up for her It probably did her the world of good to have you meet her melt-down with one of your own, at least she knows what it feels like to be on the receiving end of one!

Spamar, I'm glad to hear your shoulder is doing well

Mum was quiet again today and took the best part of an hour to eat her chocolate (she usually hoovers it up!). There was nothing particularly worrying though, and that is good all things considered.

Sending (((hugs))) to everyone.

 

[Amy in the US]

Feel better, Ann!

 

[Spamar]

Hope you're safely tucked up, Ann, and hopefully have a better day tomorrow.
Slugsta, glad mums no worse, at least.

Winter, or at least Autumn, has come. I lit a fire tonight! It's been a fast hot fire, wood has been in this room all summer, thoroughly dry! Had an easy morning to make up for late nights, though think I'm feeling better after shoulder jab. Just hope it lasts!
Went shopping, but managed to forget something. Just as well I'm going back tomorrow for coffee with a friend!

My legs are lots better one minute, and as bad as they have been, and the rash moves ( have a handy scar to judge) . I really don't know what's gong on! Managed to get another weeks supply of ABs, but MUST see the original gp next week! Well, if I'd known she was gong to be away..... IF you've lost count this is the fourth weeks ABs I've started today.
Getting bored!

 

[Spamar]

Morning all, hope all is well in your world.
Now, to add to my troubles, sleep is eluding me! Having been loglike over the past three months or so, i either can't get to sleep, wake up and can't get back to sleep, I'm cold, I'm hot, I'm in pain or whatever! That's why I've only just finished my cereal! Legs are a lot better, though, thank goodness.
Nothing exciting, though had coffee with a friend for a catch up yesterday. Today, I have nothing planned, except watch F1 and strictly results ( and/ or look at the spoiler!) I already know know who won the F1!
After all my efforts on song sheets, another coupper of books have surfaced that need updating! Plus one book with a piece missing!
Also met up with cousin who has found out a bit more of the family history, so have those to go through, plus I seem to be the only one with a photocopier, two copies required!
Have a good day, everyone!

 

[Slugsta]

Afternoon all,

Spamar, I'm sorry that you have added insomnia to your mix of problems Glad that the legs seem better though! It sounds as if people are determined to keep you busy! (((hugs)))

Ann, I do hope you got that quiet weekend and feel better for it.

Hubby and I spent a pleasant couple of hours with friends at the, newish, cat café. We will visit Mum tomorrow, many of the roads near to her were closed this morning due to the local marathon and it would have been getting a bit late - for her - after we left the café.

Hubby is in the lounge, either watching F1 or snoozing. I am on our bed, Skycat is sharing it with me and seems very happy

 

[Ann Mac]

Morning all,

Good to read that your shoulder is doing OK, Spamar - but sorry about the insomnia - the last thing you need with everything else! Autumn , albeit a very wet and soggy Autumn, has arrived here too - very chilly the last few days, and our heating is now back on morning and evening.

Sorry to read that you are still suffering with the cellulitus in your legs, too AB's, elevated legs (or at least, sometimes elevated, when I could persuade Mil to cooperate) and copious amounts of the aqueous cream usually helped to clear it pretty quickly for Mil - you really do need to get back to your GP asap, hun, and find out why its not responding to the ab's xxxx

Slugsta, I guess the best I can do is echo Spamar and say glad that your Mum is at least no worse, hun xxx

Thanks all for the get well wishes x But, I'm afraid this cold is reluctant to leave me. Friday, I stayed away from my project, and just got some admin done, in the afternoon I had to nip out and pick up some stuff needed for this weeks projects - but it was a case of getting out, getting what I needed and getting straight back home. Saturday I was no worse, no better - yesterday I was rotten! Proper head cold, with the added bonus of one of those horrible 'claggy' (sorry, can't think of a better word to describe it) throats, which keeps causing coughing fits and the usual aches that go with this sort of lurgy. Most of yesterday was spent on the sofa, with a hot water bottle at my back and hip, lots of drinks and lots of throat sweets. I think I'm a little better this morning, though I had a restless night, waking every couple of hours desperate for a drink to ease my throat. I have workshops booked for my groups this week, plus some other stuff that can't be postponed, so I'm just going to have to get on with it, and in between take things as easy as I can.

Obviously, I stayed away from Mil yesterday, stupid to risk passing this on to her, so OH went by himself. I'll be honest and say I haven't asked for any details - OH was out about an hour, and came back saying she was 'pretty good - for Mum', so I'm guessing all is OK, with no notable issues with her health or behaviour. As Slugsta put it - 'nothing particularly worrying' - and with dementia, that's as good as it gets sometimes, isn't it?

Right - I think I'll have another hot drink (doesnt matter what of - can't taste a flipping thing!) before I get showered and get going! Take care everyone, much love to all of you xxxxx

 

[Spamar]

Ann, you posted at 04:20!! I mean, early or just ridiculous? You should have gone back to bed, not thinking of having a shower!!

 

[Slugsta]

Ann, you posted at 04:20!! I mean, early or just ridiculous? You should have gone back to bed, not thinking of having a shower!!

My comp says it was 05.20 - but that is still the middle of the night!

Ann, I'm sorry that you are still feeling so rough (((hugs))) I suspect much of that is down to the fact that you have battled on, rather than taking time out and resting

Spamar, I agree with Ann about your legs. Cellulitis is not to be trifled with (((hugs)))

Mum was awake when we saw her today. She managed a small smile but did not attempt any other interaction. We arrived at 11/30, told the staff we would be there for aprox 1hour and suggested they brought her lunch through so that we could give it to her. We left at 12.30 with still no sign of lunch I know they are understaffed and busy - but us feeding Mum would have been one less for them to do. Mum was coughing and sounded quite rattly - but I am not going to push for a GP visit. There is a good reason that pneumonia used to be called 'the old man's friend' . . .

It is grey and drizzly here today. The temp is around 16C but feels cooler, I'm glad to be back home!

 

[Spamar]

I know, I know! I don't do legs up, but I can sprawl quite well, and that's what Im doing!
Must admit, have missed a couple of ABs, mainly cos meal timing is erratic! Much easier in Cornwall where meals are on time! Just have to avoid the cakes there! And I think all this water is gong straight through!

But legs are looking much better. One is not hot any more, and is only dull red, the other very slightly warm ( but it has a fan heater blasting at it!) and dull red. I live in hope.
My gripe is that my legs have been swollen for 12 years and no gp that I have asked has been at all helpful! As if they didn't know what was wrong/might go wrong. Wheres the preventative medicine in that?
So when this is over, I'm gong to go through all that is wrong and try and make my life a bit better. Cos is ain't worth a cent at the moment!
I've had a text to say book in for my yearly birthday check. Hmm, they are a month early. Then I'm told it takes that long to get an appt! With an HCA!! All they do is take your BP! I can do that myself, thank you very much. No need to waste your time!
Think I might use some of my hard earned cash for private medicine. At least they listen to you then!
Grrrrrr.
Rant over!

Went out for light lunch, baked potato and coronation chicken, no trimmings, thank you! Still feeling full! Had a steak pie yesterday lunchtime and had to have evening pills with a couple of raspberries! Just wasn't hungry!

Dull today, cold this morning, heating had come on! First time! Roll on next spring! Plus I've lit wood burner twice in last week.
Hope everybody has had a good day, including Ann, whose days are obviously 1 1/2 days of anybody else's days.
Slugsta, you can change the time to get it right on settings, I think.

 

[RedLou]

Slugsta - on the subject of 'old man's friend' - there is fairly recent research and evidence that says that aggressive interventions for patients with dementia who contract pneumonia are absolutely no use and just distress the patient. By aggressive intervention they mean ABs intravenously. (Which is why I was horrified that the hospital kept treating my father in this manner when he kept getting aspiration pneumonia.) So your instincts are actually backed-up by American research; it's just a shame more doctors are not aware of it and just go into 'auto-treat' mode.

Spamar - glad your leg is feeling better. Keep sprawling!

 

[Amy in the US]

Spamar, please keep sprawling and take care of yourself! Cellulitis is not to be messed with, as the others have said. Sorry the medical appointments are so frustrating. Hope you are feeling okay today.

RedLou, always nice to see you! I am going to quietly file away your comments for consideration. I recently realised that given my mother's horrific (albeit necessary) experience with her hospital stay, surgery, rehab, et cetera after her fall and patella fracture earlier this year, that my new secondary goal for her is to keep her out of hospital if at all possible, and to minimize treatments and interventions, if you know what I mean. I sounded out the GP on this and to my relief, he was sympathetic (I don't know him very well). The neurologist, with whom I have a good working relationship, is 100% supportive. If I can ever get hold of the new nurse manager for a care conference, I am going to raise this very firmly with her care home. I know they will be supportive. (Can you tell I still feel guilty about authorizing the surgery? It felt like signing her up for torture, but I couldn't condemn her to immobility, and she has regained almost full mobility and is in no pain...but, still...)

Slugsta, I'm sorry that your mum has been less alert on several of your recent visits and also that she seemed poorly yesterday. I can understand not pushing for a GP visit or intervention. How are you doing, physically, these days? I am sure cool and damp doesn't help.

Ann, I really hope you've been able to rest and recover and are feeling better.

My cold or whatever I had last week is much better, I'm just tired. This is partly due to a busy weekend. It was my (significant number deleted) high school reunion with events on Friday evening, Saturday daytime, Saturday evening, and then I met a friend Sunday morning as well. It was great and I'll bore you all silly with stories if you're not careful.

I must get going for an appointment and all the usual stuff that needs doing. Hi to everyone and hope you are all AWAP (as well as possible)!