General Chat

Have to be quick, running out in 1/2 hour to drive kids to schol, meg to work and me to work, my employer has been brillint, cancelling my 3 afternoon shifts this week so I am free to pick the kids up from school and be with them for the evening, instead I'm going in, only when they are in school to work on the PC, entering information re the labwork required for 231 residents. Allows me to sit down and get paid. Then she's scheduled me in on the weekend while Colleen is home. Now I don't have to worry about a too-small pay next week.
Alison, glad to see you, Claire you are brilliant to remember so many names at once,
I've run out of my citalopram so I have to get to the clinic later today, 2 days without and I can feel things changing.
Things are reasonably Ok here, except for the profound cold, which my joints hate. Sarah has had 2 meltdowns this week due to Mum's absence I think, Gareth is showing his displeasure by throwing everything in sight, and hitting his sister. dear child, he's really good at saying he is sorry but it's as good as piecrust, made to be broken LOL. We only have to make it to Feb 19th, then their Mum will only be gone one day a week, for 3 weeks, then she's home.
Hugs to those who need them, and CAROLE, thank you for the stamps, what a surprise, I didn't know Tinkerbell could fly this far LOL.
hugs
Mary

Good afternoon Claire, you did well to remember all the names. Belated congratulations on your wedding anniversary, enjoy your celebrations at the weekend. glad you got over the 7 year itch and are still happy together.

Nice to hear about the pup, i am sure he is keeping you on your toes and fit. and it is good to see you being so positive.

Ann
Glos

Afternoon all

Sunny but cold near Heathrow.

Was frosty this morning.

((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))

for anyone that needs them today

Cold ,bright, and sunny in Northampton. we have Blackbirds chaseing around, Polly wagtails, finches, robins, doves, I think you are right "SPRING is round the corner.

Good morning to all on a frosty beautiful sunny morning in Gloucester.
The Blackbird is singing his heart out, he is obviously glad to be alive and thinking it is nearly spring.
Ann
Glos

Morning can't stay have to get ready for work. Have sent a pm to Alison xxx Love to you all xxx

Just goes toward proving my theory that we have the symptoms of somebody elses illness.

Thanks Ann

Alison, fingers crossed that you find some help when you go back to the doctors. Sometimes it seems they play a guessing game with our health doesn't it? at least they did a blood test this time.

Ann
Glos

Hi, have you got room for one more to come out of the closet.

I've suffered from anxiety for about 15 years, this includes panic attacks and bouts of diarrhoea, I've been told by the doctor I've got IBS another says I've probably got a nervous stomach, but neither gave me any advice on what to do so I gave up and thought this was just the way it would always be. I never go anywhere without Imodium and toilet roll. 2 weeks ago I finally lost it and ended up crying constantly so I made another visit to the docs, this time I feel as if someone has actually listened to me. I was sent for blood tests last week to rule out thyroid problems which I've had in the past and I'm at the doc's tomorrow to get my results. I hope this is the start of me getting better.

Carole well done for managing without the imodium xx

Alison

Sounds like a case of Mum Bum to me Carole.I've had it.

Hi Colin nice to see you here again. I don't know enough about bi polar or schizophrenia. My own problem, the same as Sharron caused by my mother. With a different upbringing I don't think I'd have my problem.

Well yesterday and today I went to work with no imodium, and it was a 109 mile round trip. No loo stops once out in country. It doesn't seem far 54 mile trip but it takes a while picking up passengers. Tomorrow not going as far but I feel tonight if I can do Long Sutton I can do Caistor. I know in the morning I'll be having other thoughts. But I have to fight them. Just hope my pants stay fresh! You know what I mean. :o)

Hi Colin, My niece has Schizophrenia and I must admit her symptoms are very similar to bipolar.

anyone watch Eastenders. I know it is only a soap but they are tackling bipolar at the moment. well they were, the person who is supposed to suffer from it has just admitted herself to hospital.


Ann
glos

What I thought was bi-polar and what was always treated as depression disappeared almost completely when my mother died.

I think the highs must have been my normal self fighting to come out against the grinding misery that had always been the norm of living with her.

I have always thought the NHS could have saved all the cost of the tranquilizers I took throughout my teens with just one dose of the stuff vets give your dog at the end in her arm.

Hello again all, hope everyone is coping with the cold, or heat for Gail.
Two unrelated thoughts.
(1) I have always believed that major depression was endogenous, in that it came from within, not from external causes. Now I'm not so sure. So many people seem to have had major traumas in their lives. Also, so many seem to be in deep pain, so maybe emotional or physical pain disables the body's coping mechanisms??? On the other hand, others just breeze through sadness and grief and quickly recover. I have a sister who appears to be like this.
(2) I have just read in the paper that some expert says bipolar diorder and schizophrenia are the same. Does anyone else think that? Sure, in deep depression or high mania you can be delusional, and a few drugs seem to be useful in either condition, but are they really the same? As one commentator said, to have bipolar is socially acceptable, to have schizophrenia makes you a social leper. Sad, because one of the nicest guys I ever met had it. I have lost track of him shortly after his marriage to a wonderful, understnding lady. I hope they have stayed together.

Hi all, so many people with things to worry over and cope with.

Gail, I feel for your o.h. with the kidney stone, having had them myself, they are agonising but he is silly to be so pigheaded and make you do more than necessary when he could have had an ambulance and a wheelchair, if he had fallen and broken a wrist or arm or worse, what a pickle you would have been in.

Deanna, I think you are doing marvellously keeping up as you do with emails and pms and posts so just keep plodding on.....

Carole, hope your day wasn't too bad and will look forward to a chat soon. It's so sad to hear of your friend's aunt in such a state, but sadly this kind of thing happens all too often, too many stupid rules and regulations now whereas before care was given as and when necessary without having to look at rule books etc, if the old lady hadn't fallen from the bed she wouldn't be in such pain and discomfort now. I hope she has someone loved come and take her 'home' soon.

To all, my best wishes, am very tired. Doc wants me to have more blood tests, for thyroid again but everytime they come back fine and as she said, the tests in August showed my iron was as good as always and no other problems so this test will probably be a waste of time again.

O.h.'s scrounger son on free holiday in America has apparently managed to wangle some more time over there, went to the necessary authorities who said he can stay on! I suppose it's a good thing as he won't be claiming dole money while he is away, and his mother will have more peace and quiet, as will we! He didn't even let his dad know, he heard from the other son when he went to visit, funny how scrounger can make contact when he wants money but otherwise, it's out of sight, out of mind!
Wonder how long it will be for this girl to get fed up of him sponging off her like the previous one did over there !

Take care everyone, stay warm, or in Gail's case, cool (Please send me some sunshine Gail lol)

Lizxx

Yes it was nice to have someone to remeber mum of what we did.

When i talk to my sister we do the same.

Its hard but it also helps.

I am in alot of pain today with my back and hips. dont know how i walked about.

But wont let it stop me getting on.

Thanks all

Gail how is your oh? Sorry to hear he has been so poorly.
Put's stress on you dosen't it.
It looks like Australia treats it's elderly better than England does.
It's a crying shame how they are treated here. First question the authorities ask is do they own their own home. My friend at work is praying for her mil to pass away in her sleep it would be the most dignified end for her now. At 92 with alzimers she is a
sorry story for anyone to hear about. It's apauling what has a happened to her since falling on Xmas eve. In the weeks she has been in hospital her weight has dropped and her fight is none existant.
Well have to take the dog for a walk, it's freezing out there anyone want to do it for me? xxx

Ann I am still trying to finish the story I'm listening to at night.... THREE nights I have been playing it and rolling it back, still don't know the end!! ha ha ha proof that as a plan it works.

Eileen I have not heard from you or wrirtten to you for a while have I?
It does not mean I don't care it just means I am not very fast yet and get fed up and tired. Sorry love.

Annie I will chat to you I promise but I do need time to answer. I cannot do a big email and answer too.
FRUSTRATION is the word.

Carole I'm doing fine, really well actually but it all takes time doesn't it? I often get annoying little set backs too. Ah well that's life isn't it?

Caz Hope you were not to upset by the machinery when you went for your scan. I hope all is well for you love. XXX

Ben I Would love to see your latest venture and yes I do watch Emmerdale... it was Emmerdale you said wasn't it?
See What I mean, I have trouble keeping things in my mind if I get too tired which is what is happening now.
So to all of you lovely people I will say goodnight and I will see you all next time .
Lots of love
Deanna XXXX

hi, havn't been on for a few days. The weather is just a bit too hot to be out in the midday sun. I haven't much English blood left and am only mad part of the time. Desperately need rain just now. Grass is dying off, only patches of green in the yard right now and the rest is dry and brittle and crunches under your feet. Trying to keep some new trees alive and hand watering these.

Been a bit down, not depressed, just sad. So have been trying to keep busy.

OH was in hospital for the day yesterday with a kidney stone, so now has to have a CT. Luckily it shifted down the pipes, but he was in agony and refused to wait for an ambulance so I had to drive him to hospital, not too far away. Then he would not wait for a wheelchair and collapsed on the hospital veranda. Luckily I got a chair under him before he hit the ground. So he still got his wheelchair ride. Then I got into trouble for not calling an ambulance, from a nurse. Then was told I could not drive him home in my condition, by same nurse, as I was in no fit state physically to drive. Had to explain that the car is modified for me before she was at all happy. OH was off with the faeries, with all the drugs they pumped into him.

OH is a big man, I told him we would have to get rescue to pick him up if he went down. He did not find it very funny, but if he had gone down who was going to pick him up? The nurses would not have been able to. Very hard to reason with when not well is my OH.

Hope every things goes well for y/caz today with MRI.

Carole, I noticed you trying to get help for your aunt. If she was in OZ, aged care would just step in after a call. They still have to get the persons permission but really work hard to get it. I must add they do not bully, but reason and with my dad talked him into trying it out short term, just until you feel a bit better. They did tell me this works and once people have home help they do not give it up. My MIL was very adverse to it, now she loves it and does not know how she managed without it. In Oz, they have a package, meals on wheels, someone comes in once a day to clean, wash, or what ever needs doing. They will take them to appointments, doctor or hairdresser, shopping or bingo. They also keep an eye on their medication. Will organise lawn mowing or gardening, for a small charge. It is a great system and allows people to stay in their own homes. This way there is less strain on the aged care facilities.

Has he of the left hand wheels got his chair fixed yet? Sharron there are some wonderful aids available. I have a knife/fork combo for eating. Glad you got a board sorted. I use a sponge or wetex slightly damp to place under bowl and things to stop slippage. Also, those rubbery things for lining draws are great to stop slipping. Thin foam also works as does bubble wrap. Place bubble wrap with the bubbles down on table or bench.

I hope everyone else is well, I am thinking of you all.

Love and many hugs

Gail