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

Thanks GA, they came just at the right time. My Mum slipped and fell in her garden a few weeks ago, and has broken her wrist.

She's 86, lives on her own, is fiercely independent and usually copes very well, but this has brought her down a bit, so I have been visiting nearly every day. She lives about 35 minutes car ride from me, which isn't too bad, but I always seem to end up coming home in the rush hour!

We are constricted by the river, so there are very few alternative routes I can take home, unless I make the car amphibious! (Now there's a thought!)

I'm not really sad or unhappy, but I just don't seem to have any time in my life for "me" at the moment, what with Mum and the grandchildren (who I love dearly and would not miss out on seeing for the world).

I think my frustration boils down to the fact that I am of retirement age, but cannot retire yet, but if I was not at work none of this would be a problem, and I would still have time for my friends on hootoo.

I'm glad you haven't forgotten me, GA. Keep


UG

I'm very glad you are OK, but it is one heck of a strain having to fit in all these things.

Do take care of number one though. It is vital for your own well being and enabling you to do what you have to do.

Or am I teaching UG to suck eggs?

This is wrapped to take with you and open when needed. It is also one that won't wear out so you can use it again as often as you like.

If you loose it it is replaceable free of charge.

One day at a time. GA

UG

Have things settled down - I hope you are looking after yourself. Very glad you are surviving.GA

Well, yes they have settled down, but they have settled down into permanent hectic-ness (?)

I am still having to visit my Mum four times a week (my sister is doing the other three). It's difficult because although both my sister and I still work full time, my hours are from 0300 to 1300, which gives me the afternoons free to visit. My sister works the usual sort of 9-5 shift, which makes it harder for her.

And then, of course, we have had the summer holidays, so all grandchildren have been home and in need of entertainment. I had a week off last week, and so had them, one at a time, for sleepovers - which took out most of the week. I'm afraid Mum had to miss a day and I had to prevail upon a good friend of hers to go and see her instead.

Nobody forced me to do any of this, and nobody minded helping out with Mum, but I am still having to organise it and glue the pieces together when the organisation comes apart, and I feel bad when I don't feel I have enough "me" time because my Mum doesn't *want* to be dependant on me, and it's not her fault.

OK, I'm rambling now - bad sign! Enough!

Thank you for being there, GA, you are a great friend.

UG

Ramble as much as you like. Has your Mum's wrist healed?

Guilt is a big issue, but there is only so much you can do. Getting information and putting back up in place for when needed is a good thing to reduce the worry. Then timing on intervention is crucial - too early and it is rejected, too late and you get a mess.

We went through - Enduring Powers of Attorney, vulnerability, hospitalisation, assessments, residential care and defered payment schemes. Then she had a fall and broke her hip - the hospital didn't manage it well and she ended up with a replacement she would have been better without. She never really recovered and died a few weeks later. We have now managed to settle all my mothers affairs as we sold her house - it took over a year.

Who is rambling now, I might have told you all that before, but I do know how difficult it is juggling everything whilst someone else is chucking an extra ball in now and again.

Keep faith in yourself GA

UG