Monday 4 January 2010

The Big Freeze

Photo copyright: Maggie May

How the weather has changed from my last post when we went on that lovely walk. Ever since, I have been a prisoner in the house. The side roads where I live are treacherous and ungritted and the pavements are like ice rinks. Unfortunately I just cannot take the chance that I might break a bone, as that would land me in big trouble.
My poor husband, who is not well himself, goes out and risks his neck and gets supplies in for us both.

My daughter drove back to the east coast on Sunday. I felt really sad to see her go and worried about her journey. However, within three and a half hours she rang to say that they'd arrived safely.
My son is still in Japan but comes home this weekend.
He left me a message on his blog for the new Year that touched my heart. Please look it up if you have the time. The Mighty Sam....... arigatou.
I will be so relieved when he comes back.

This weather has proved to be the spanner in the works as regards my treatment because I am so dependant on my husband for everything. Lifts to the hospital, getting food supplies in.......everything.
Within a short time I have gone from being a capable granny in charge of children and working in two responsible jobs, to a person who has been plunged into the role of a much older, housebound pensioner....... just because I can't get out.

I am feeling stronger and this is my best week out of the three weekly sessions of treatment. I should be going for walks and building up my strength. However, even the new hiking boots that my daughter bought for me while she was here, do not grip on the ice and I am experiencing foot problems with peripheral neuropathy (a side affect from chemotherapy) that stops me feeling at the bottom of my feet, properly. Very scary on the ice as I cannot tell where my feet are placed.
Sorry to moan, but I do feel really cut up about this with no prospects of the weather getting better.
I live within sight of the shops....... but the roads I have to go down to get there do not seem to thaw at all and there is not other way.
I HATE THIS WEATHER!


My hair is falling out very slowly, strand by strand.

33 comments:

Mimi said...

Oh Maggie, sorry to hear about this fix you're in.
I'm kinda house-bound here too, but as I love snow (hate ice) I'm trying to make the best of it.
Had to cancel a visit to my sister, and a few coffee arrangements with friends, so I'm using the time to clearout and bake.
Now clearout is one thing, but baking is putting on weight.
I still can't believe the councils, here too, didn't get in stocks of grit in time- they had enough warning. Is it a money-saving scam? In Austria they can have tons of snow and all the roads and paths are clear!

Reasons said...

Oh dear Maggie. What a time of it you are having. You must be stir-crazy and totally fed up. I hope you have some good books and films to entertain you during the seige and that soon you will have turned a corner and be feeling much better in time to enjoy the spring.
Sending you hugs.

Irene said...

We have the same weather here, Maggie, and the streets and sidewalks are treacherous to walk on, so I wouldn't even try it if I were you. Let's hope for a big thaw, but it seems like there's not one coming for a while. I would love a big rainstorm and higher temperatures, so the snow and ice would disappear, because even I am afraid of slipping and falling, though I may bounce better than you. Walking boots are very good to have, but with the problems you are having you better wait a while before you use them. Hang in there, girl.

Boozy Tooth said...

Guess what Mags... The forecast low for us tonight is 18 degrees. 18! I live in Florida! What's up with this wacky weather?

I'm so very sorry you are having to endure it AND chemo treatments AND all the holiday stress. Hopefully most of the bad stuff is behind you honey. I'll keep sending up little prayers for your healing and comfort.

Meanwhile... just stay warm! Aint nuthin wrong with hunkering down with a good book and a nice roaring fire until the craziness outside improves.

Lots of love to you my friend.

cheshire wife said...

We have had days of cold without snow and I have felt cheated that we did not have snow. This afternoon the snow arrived and as I had to drive home on untreated roads my opinion of it soon changed. It may look very pretty but the first car that I saw on my journey this afternoon skidded missing me by a few feet, making me realise how careful I needed to be.

Bernie said...

Oh Maggie, please don't get discouraged and do stay inside where it is warm and safe. I know it has been very cold and snowy every where this winter. I also have peripheral neuropathy due to being diabetic, it is so not worth falling and breaking your foot as I did 2 years ago. It took forever to heal.....you have enough on your plate right now.
Perhaps when you have your next chemo you can have them shave your hair as once it starts falling out you won't believe how you will find hair everywhere....as a woman you will feel devastated but remember it is only a few months Maggie and you will have your hair as well as your life back.
I am so praying for you and Harry, take care my friend......:-) Hugs

Anonymous said...

Its the same here Maggie ,but not even our road is gritted
Its not good enough - get on to your councilor about it
So you get a chance to wear that wig soon Maggie ,I think you shold have a bright blue fun one too

Suburbia said...

I hate this weather too, I hate being confined, much like you do by the sound of it. I am dreading the snowfall tonight and having to endure a day at home as FOURSOME! However, how can I moan when you have so much else to endure?

Thinking of you Maggie

x

Eddie Bluelights said...

Maggie, I have been saying for a while that the animals are right and we should all hybernate out of this dreadful weather - I HATE IT too.
Joking aside please take care and do as I said on the phone - try to get amulance transportation to the hospital. Nowhere to park when you get your car there anyway!!
I'm hoping after this bad spell of weather things will improve. Heard tonight that they expect 20cms of snow in North England and this is the worst we have had for over 20 years. The last thing you want with your chemo treatment.
Love - Eddie x

Chic Mama said...

Fingers crossed this weather will all be over very very soon and we'll have forgotten it. Really sorry about your hair, I can only imagine how awful that feels. Take care. x

Hilary said...

I can't blame you one bit. I don't like it much, myself. I hope the weather and your health improve very soon. Until then, just try to make the best of being house-bound with some good books., good blogs.. and good company. This too shall pass.

Rosaria Williams said...

Oh, this must be so frustrating at the very least. Hang in there; there is nothing you can do about the weather.

MARY G said...

Canada's answer to that kind of footing is ice grips. For a source in the UK, here is a link http://www.icegrips.co.uk/
I have several pair, more or less seriously spiked, for some ice, icier and iciest. And they work.
Also, sympathy with the cabin fever. It makes everything hard. In Ontario we have an organization called 'Home Support' that you can call and get rides, shopping done, etc, if you are under medical treatment. Is there such a thing in the UK?
Hang in there! You may be as far down the hill as you have to go.

larkswing said...

Cabin fever at its worst! So sorry for the housebound and cold - hope a thaw comes your way - very soon!

Brenda said...

It must be so hard not to be able to go out and walk. During my chemo, it helped me a lot to get out and walk. I hope you can get out of the house at least, it helps so much.

Sorry about your hair. . that is such a hard thing.

RNSANE said...

Hello from the San Francisco area, Maggie May, where we had a glorious sunny day with temperatures up to 60 degrees and it's 45 degrees now - no snow, of course.

I know it's horrible being confined to the house, especially when you can see town and the shops but better to be safe than sorry.

I read your son's blog...nice when they say thanks, isn't it? So he's the one who started you blogging!!!

Anonymous said...

Stuck inside and losing precious hair... Sending you hugs!

Now to Sam's.

Jeni said...

About all I can here Maggie is this too shall pass. Unfortunately, when we're stuck in the throes of bitter cold, snow, ice and the like, it is small comfort that spring is, as they say, just around the corner. That it will take over two months to round that corner -well, all we can do I guess is stay put inside and wait it out.
I've been forcing myself to try to go out everyday and walk the dog -doing a very fast-paced walk with him (something totally foreign to my old system, for sure) but lucky for us, the road along which we live is level and has been pretty well plowed even had a bit of salt on it so as to be mostly clear enough for me to maneuver walking with Sammy. Hope you get at least a couple nice, sunny days soon though to help clear away some of that damnable ice that's keeping you locked in these days.

Ayak said...

Thinking of you as usual Maggie and hoping this awful weather will clear soon and you will be able to get out and about.

Your son's post was lovely...very moving.

Much love xxx

Deb said...

Dear Maggie ~ I wish I didn't live so very far away because I would love to come and sit and chat with you awhile. I am sending prayer and wishes to you for warmth and strength to fill your days. Know that you have so many blogging buddies who are here for you - we are just a keystroke away. Please take care.

Working Mum said...

You need a different perspective, Maggie May!

Don't think of the weather as keeping you prisoner, think of it as keeping you warm in your own home. Could you get your strength up by doing some indoor exercise? Walking up and down stairs, lifting baked bean cans (I've done that one - it works)?

Instead of sending your husband out for supplies, find out if your supermarket is still doing deliveries (I saw our Tesco delivery van out yesterday and I've ordered for Friday).

And remember, this is all temporary; the weather will improve and you will get better and be "Capable Granny" again!

WM x

Akelamalu said...

This weather is just a pain in the proverbial Maggie and the forecast isn't good. I'm sorry to hear you are struggling so much. Like you we live in a side street so we don't get gritted either and we just have to wait until it thaws.

Jackie said...

Maggie...The photo on your blog is spectacular. What a grand photograph!
I am pleased that this is your best week yet...and saddened to read that you can't get out (even though you mentioned putting on the hiking boots...if it wasn't so icy.) Girl! There's no ice here...and I'm not on chemo..and I haven't even THOUGHT about going for a walk...so, you have my utmost admiration...(you always have, though)...for even wanting to get out and about. Continued success to you, my dear friend. You know that you are on my prayer list. I pray for you every day.
Love to you from Jackie

Rose said...

Maggie, it is so hard to go from a strong, independent person to one who must depend on others. I do hope this is just a temporary situation and that the weather improves so that you can get out. I remember being housebound several years ago after some major surgery, and it was a thrill just to be able to go to the grocery store one day:)

I did check out Sam's blog--what a wonderful tribute to you! His love for you just shines through his post. I know it made your day, and you can be so proud of raising such a caring son.

Sniffles and Smiles said...

I'm so, so, sorry, my dear friend...am praying that the weather improves...SOON!!!!! I know you must feel so cooped up!!!! So hard!!! Glad Sam is on his way home...Sending you much, much love and prayers! Janine XO

Dimple said...

It's frustrating when you feel like doing something good, like taking a walk, but can't. Maybe hubby can get a Wii with boxing or some other really violent exercise program and you can take out your frustrations that way! Or maybe put on Sinatra and the two of you in the living room, pretending you're in your favorite sunny spot, only it's night, and the stars are out, and the moon is full...
Blessings on you today, Maggie. I admire your courage.

SandyCarlson said...

I am going to pray for a weather miracle for you.

Mickle in NZ said...

Dear Maggie, the UK is getting a very nasty Winter Whallop. You are wise to be so cautious. I'n sure your lovely, mighty Sam will help out as soon as he's back

Right now Wellington is being whacked around by gale force winds yet again so I'm pleased that I'm not outside either. As my Dad keeps saying - Global Warming!

Love and many huggles from me and snuggly cuddles from Zebbycat, xxx and loud purrrrrumbles

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you have the strength to blog though, because I so love hearing about how you're doing. I imagine you are looking forward to your son coming home and being able to spend some time with him. These conditions are awful and I hate the weather too, but I guess we just have to keep going and remind ourselves that it will thaw. Eventually!!

Take care, CJ xx

Elaine Denning said...

What's important right now is not whether the snow falls, or the clouds rain, or the sun shines, or the wind blows; it's that whatever it's doing out there, you still long to be a part of it. Embrace it all, Maggie. Keep strong....keep strong. xxx

Casdok said...

I hope it dosnt last much longer, or that the council got out and grit the roads.

Glad your daughter is safe.

Expat mum said...

My mum is going nuts in her house too. Can't get the car out. having spent two weeks indoors with bronchitis over Xmas, I can symapthise with everyone.

My Word Verif. is "boloc". Too right mate!

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