h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Mum had her toenails done by a chiropodist a couple of weeks ago, I am sure I wrote about the saga of trying to find one here!

Well that was an eventful weekend. My daughter Helen in Manchester visited and we managed to arrange a meal out with my other daughter & her family and Ian and some of Ian's family. While I was actually eating my meal my mobile rang but I didn't hear it I rang the missed call when I got home - it was a carer who was worried about Mum. She'd managed to get hold of my sister who'd gone round to Mum's to deal with the situation (she couldn't). I spent almost the whole of Sunday there, while Ian enjoyed his Fathers Day at his daughter's house, Mum seemed OK and enjoyed a visit from Helen who popped in on her way back to Manchester. I left after she did and went home to put our dinner on (it was teatime) and we'd just eaten our roast lamb and I was in the shower because we were going to go inspect Ian's daughter's new Jacuzzi when Ian brought the phone in... evening carer at Mum's was so worried about her that she wouldn't leave until someone else got there...so I dried, dressed and went back to Mums. She has a compacted bowel and an emergency on-call came out to examine her to see if she was constipated or had a blockage. He left me a prescription for an enema which I'm collecting this morning but I don't have to administer this (thank goodness) I will ask for a (in the meantime Ian has his hernia pre-op appointment at the Diana hospital at 10am).

Did those cloning engineers ever get back to me? I can't remember.

...sounds like the action on my own home front in detail, down the concern about the cloning engineers.

(My Mom has developed a habit of referring to me in no fewer than 3 persons, often speaking to me as though I'm not present, sometimes in response to my own remarks that there is only one of me.)

She just got an upgrade on her oxygen machine with a cpap machine that supplies air and oxygen under pressure and is sleeping longer and more soundly.

Also, its easier to see her breathing.

Since she was having most of her falling incidents when she was getting up and moving without waking up completely, this promises well.

Ditto her occasional inability to distinguish between dreams and waking reality.

just back from Mum's, she enjoyed her bath but then managed only a 1/4 of her slice of toast with Lincolnshire honey for breakfast, she'd had nothing to eat since Saturday teatime and that was only 1/4 sardine & tomato paste sandwich. I fear she's going to starve to death

If one cannot force quantity, one can at least assure balance, one of the great advantages of soups, stews and casseroles.

GB, I am hoping your absence is from choice not necessity.

Some of my family members are facing the same food problem with an elderly relative and it is a worry, but you cannot force them.

Hope you can update us soon,

Take care of yourself,

Websailor

Hi, Mum's OK, I've been busy elsewhere, Ian's had his double hernia op. and I went to collect him but they decided to keep him in.

I passed my wits' end a while ago...

Hang in there, beautiful. I wish Ian .

...wishing you both and your mum the best...

"I passed my wits' end a while ago"

what score did you get ? I can't remember that exam test at school

Thanks GB. Take care. Don't think I ever had any wits to end

Websailor

Websailor

Me to WS

Nothing's happening

I have found the patio door unlocked, 3 times now, and it's a worry. I know she goes out in the garden but forgets to lock up when she comes in. The carers come and go via the side door & keylock I've put a note on the folder now, asking the last carer to check the patio door is locked.

Mum spends her time sleeping, eating, drinking, watching TV. When I go round, we have the same conversation on a loop. She asked me 3 times on the trot yesterday what day it was, even though after the second time I put the TV mag open at the right page and left it on her lap. When I ask her what she wants to eat the reply is "What have you got?" or "What's on offer?" I tell her, but nothing excites her or engages her. I've tried taking her for a walk but we're lucky to make it to the end of the road before she's had enough. Visitors have dropped off, I go every day but the others just about manage once a week, with the older son maybe once a month.

A family member is the same and it is a worry as she has a dog and tends to leave doors unlocked, even in her daughter's house where there is a toddler.

The rest seems to be par for the course with the elderly living alone, especially if their minds wander. So sad.

With all the extra stuff you have to deal with try and take a little time out for yourself. I know it is difficult, but essential.

Take care,

Websailor

lock patio and remove key(then ask mam) mam! where have you put the patio door key, followed by I'll have to have another cut - time is of no consequence then

Sounds good to me Prof.

Websailor

it covers all the basesweeks go byand "key shop shut" waiting for blank keys comingpatio door never opens for non invited personnel

your welcome sweetheart, little things like that can ease sleep etc

Bracing myself for today's trip to Mum's. Yesterday she thought I was taking her out to dinner somewhere and hadn't known what to wear. I warmed her a sausage & mash ready meal, which she said looked and smelt lovely, she cut the sausages up and chewed a mouthful, then spat it out onto the plate, chewed another mouthful...carried on until she'd got through 2 sausages, didn't touch the mash. Later she took off her cardi and just sat in her vest top, she looked like a skeleton covered in skin.