A Big Ol' Catch Up

 Lakeside Motor Museum

Our first car was an MG Midget but not this version!

A Rehab Birthday and Dragon Bread

'Drat, Drat, Double Drat ... sorry we cannot be with you on your birthday love Ben and Pip.'  Dave and I were big whacky races fans in our youth and since growing a beard, I've nicknamed Dave 'Mutley' after the famous dog!  Pip very obligingly put her artist skills to use in making the card and ornament.

One of the Sue Ryder staff bought this icon for Dave and the kitchen staff cooked a special birthday lunch complete with gluten free cake.

Pip also had fun making and decorating our yeast free dragon bread.

Levens Hall and Gardens

We met with Mum H just over a week ago at this place which is a halfway point between both houses.  It was lovely to be out in the fresh air and admire the gardens.  We had a lovely picnic lunch followed by a coffee and hot chocolate treat in the cafe.

Beacon Fell Adventures

Two weeks ago we attended our first Beacon Fell Homeschool group since the lockdown in March.  Pip has really missed her regular activities and it was so lovely for her to spend time with Phoebe, since Arts Award is still not running.

A Solo Anniversary

We celebrated our 32nd Wedding Anniversary last Sunday, it's the first time we have ever been parted on this day.  It made me think of those who have lost loved ones or those serving in the forces and are away from their families.  We did get to have our usual WhatsApp catch up in the evening and that was lovely.

Breaking News ...

... Dave walked with a frame last week, the first time since July!  On Monday he walked 2x3m, on Wednesday 2x4m and on Friday 2x5m, so with a bit of luck he could be home on the 19th November as planned :-)

Rest In Peace Dad

 My lovely Dad died at 8:30 am yesterday morning.  I spoke with him on Sunday and he was his usually chirpy self saying that he was sure he would be home by the end of the week and would enjoy reading the blog from his phone in the hospital.  Sadly on Monday he had another heart episode, which necessitated sedation and shock treatment and due to the sudden collapse he also bashed his head quite badly.  A CT scan showed a fracture on the skull with an accompanying small bleed on the brain.  Due to the uncertainty of his condition my brother Col and I were allowed to be with him.  I arrived at the hospital at 8pm Monday evening as Col had arrived a few hours before me.  A priest was called and Dad was given the Sacrament of The Sick.  Since he was fairly peaceful due to the sedative Col and I returned to Mum and Dad's house at 11pm only to be woken by a telelphone call from the hospital at 1am.

It was a long night and Dad's heart and oxygen rate kept dipping and then he seemed to rally but as the night turned into day his heart became really irregular and we knew it wouldn't be long.  Just before he died the sedation had worn off slightly -enough for him to open his eyes and recognise we were with him and that was a real comfort.  Col and I had prayed with him and for him during the night and at the very end we were able to encourage him to make that step in to eternity - a very painful and humbling priviledge.  

Dad it hurts not to have you here and you have left a massive hole, may you rest in peace, San xx 

Last Week

Another school year and a ...

... not back to school silly car selfie and our first coffee stop since March.  We dropped off some items for Dave and our usual route home was blocked so we made it home via the motorway and a pitstop at Costa as a treat.

Elderberry Foraging

On Friday we went foraging for elderberries with Nanna.  Not only were they thin on the ground but small in size probably due to a combination of a very dry spring and a poor summer.  With a bit of luck we might manage to make one jar of elderberry syrup from our meagre pickings.

Crochet

I finished the blanket for my customer and she promptly placed an order for another one, this time in blue.  I have all the necessary colours which left over from the coast colourway bunting so I cast on immediately and have made good progress.

Hospital Number Three

My lovely dad was admitted to the High Dependency Unit late on Friday night. It was a grace of God that my brother and his wife were staying for the weekend as he had to administer CPR whilst waiting for the ambulance.  At one point there was some concern regarding a stroke but thankfully the CT scan was clear.  I spoke with Dad's nurse yesterday morning for a progress report and once Dad had his phone dropped of yesterday afternoon, I had a quick chat with him at the tea time.  The cardiologist in the local hospital will be speaking with Dad's cardiologist at Blackpool at some point today.  He does have heart failure but with careful monitoring and a possible change in medication he should hopefully be home later this week. 

 I will not lie, I had a jolly good cry yesterday morning whilst watching online mass.  I think the whole situation with Dave, trying to support the kids, my own health and concern for my parents just got on top of me. God is a very good listener and so He listened whilst I blubbered!!  I do miss mass too and I'm trying to find a way to attend, I think I'll speak with Fr Geoffrey our priest about the best day to visit. 

Update

 Dave was transferred to the Sue Ryder Neurological Rehab Centre a week today.  Pip and I were allowed to see him the day before his transfer as we were unsure whether we would be allowed to visit at the new place.  We can visit once his seven day quarantine is over which ends to today providing his second Covid test is clear.

He has settled in well and has a lovely ground floor room with an en suite bathroom. All the staff are not only very competent but very caring and at least four of the clinical support workers are Catholic/Orthodox so contact has been made with the local Parish Priest regarding Holy Communion.  Dave is now thankfully on the correct diet as a result of a visit from the dietician and head chef; not only is the food nourishing it is well presented and appetising. Most importantly of all however Dave is now accessing intensive physio rehab five times a week with additional occupational therapy support of at least twice a week.

The kids and I are bumbling along.  I won't lie my health is pretty rubbish right now and I'm using disability aids in the home and outside to help me get about.  Ben is majorly stressed about a return to college, (we have this every single year but this time it is much worse as a result of Covid)  and activities that Pip would normally attend, are either not running or it is tricky to access due to my own health inadequacies.

 My lovely friend Eva wrote a thorough and detailed list of a home school plan and I had intended to put the suggestions in place over the summer break.  Well that old saying "If you want to hear God laugh tell him your plans" certainly heled true this year!  I have however signed Pip up for a Year 7 English class courtesy of Oxford Home Learning so at least we have Maths and English sorted. Little by little we'll get there :-)

First time seeing Dad in five weeks

A room not only with a view but a place ...

... to dine al fresco!

Wildflower meadow on the estate :-)

Sarah who took Dave for a tour around the grounds yesterday :-)

   

Sunday Smiles Before The Storm

 

It was a Mum and Son weekend.

 Pip stayed with Sara, Tom and Oliver and Ben and I hung out together.  It was meant to be a quiet weekend but in the end we had two lots of garden visitors at various times on the Saturday afternoon, with rest breaks in between.  Living with a chronic illness and one that is in a significant flare is always tricky when it comes to socialising.  I find sustained conversation when I am this unwell very exhausting and in turn it exacerbates all the horrid physical symptoms. However I am  mindful that Ben and Pip need bright spots in their day and so  I said yes to the visitors knowing there would be a pay back at some point.

This morning I dropped off some items for Dave en route to having lunch with ST and Ollie and I made the mahoosive mistake of not taking the lift and using the stairs 😓  By the time I reached his ward I couldn't walk in a straight line and the muscle tremors had kicked in, oh dear.  There was no sign indicating that visitors were not allowed and a nurse even let me through the doors but I was met by a staff nurse who wouldn't even let me wave at Dave from the corridor.  I know they are doing their job but I must admit I was sad.

Sara made a really lovely lunch but the visit was marred by my feeling very poorly.  In fact I even forgot to take pictures of the visit which was a shame as I know Dave would have loved to see how they were all doing, ah well that's life.

Once home I staggered upstairs and crashed on the bed and that was me for the remainder of the afternoon (I've spared you the photo of me looking ghastly!)  Pip occupied herself downstairs and Ben took charge of the tea, thank God.  I had a very tired WhatsApp chat with Dave after tea and he has finally recognised that he needs a transfer to the neurological rehab centre in Preston.  He is currently on a geriatric rehab ward and a significant number of the patients have dementia.  Consequently he was disturbed during the night with staff dealing with folk going walkabout and looked quite dispirited this evening.

We are spending part of this forthcoming week in Cumbria visiting family, the kids and I need a break and my Dad is hoping I'll trim his hair, poor guy must be really desperate!  So tomorrow and Tuesday are home days packing and tidying and with a bit of luck Dave should be transferred to rehab before we leave on Wednesday.

August Snapshots

The man himself complete with ...

... a hospital beard and  an array of not terribly appetising food that is also causing an allergic reaction, so a visit from the dietitian is booked for next week. 

A specially commissioned Pip doodle for a 'dauntless dad'

 Never trust a man wit' beard, that can also hack your Sainsbury's food account and add a posy of Freesias to the shop 😜

Ollie let loose with the hose pipe, watch out mummy!

Mary following in her mum's footsteps and  climbing The Hoad Monument in Ulverston.

Keeping busy, cleaning the secateurs.

Trying out the latest bit of gardening gear, ideal for when working at the church using the strimmer and ride on mower.

Pip enjoying a much needed sleepover with her best buddy and yay the sun was shining that day!

Me having a much needed crash on the floor, currently dealing with a ME/Fibromyalgia/Glandular Fever flare at the moment, which is not surprising!  Thankful for a slew of herbal medicine and supplements and although it is horribly manageable it really could be a lot worse 😉

Happy Saturday x