I had hoped that if I waited long enough then I would have something different to report about Harry's predicament but I thought I'd better do an update as people are wondering what is happening. He's been in hospital for three weeks now and I've managed to visit him daily. Walking up the huge hill every day seems to be keeping me fit and my back and hip problems seem to be calming down a little.
He will be coming home soon and I'm going to have to try harder to cope with the fact that he's now less able than he was before.
I will have more free help for the first six weeks but I'm going to be left pretty much on my own with it after that. However, six weeks is a long time to me.
In the mean time we are having a last surge of summer weather and it has been warm and sunny again which is a real bonus.
He will be coming home soon and I'm going to have to try harder to cope with the fact that he's now less able than he was before.
I will have more free help for the first six weeks but I'm going to be left pretty much on my own with it after that. However, six weeks is a long time to me.
In the mean time we are having a last surge of summer weather and it has been warm and sunny again which is a real bonus.
18 comments:
It's good to hear that you're feeling better and having some time to recuperate yourself. When I read your blog I'm always touched by how valiantly you keep going under tough circumstances. You're able to balance the good parts of your day with the demanding times. I hope Harry's return home goes well for both of you.
I agree with above comments Maggie - when I read your blog I come away feeling so much admiration for you. I embrace your diligent faithful optimism and strength. Hugs to you. Dxxx
Nice information is you are in a better shape than before. I hope so you will be able take care of your husband. Good luck and my fingers crossed. Greetings from cloudy and rainy Poland. Gosia
Public Health system in Canada seems to have the criteria from hell for home help, and I am sorry to hear that the UK seems no better. We have a service called Community Home Care where you can apply for extra hours of support - do you have anything like this?
How about local Seniors' organizations?
If it were me (and I am sciatica prone too) I would raise hell to prevent my having to injure myself to do the heavy care. It is so, so shortsighted of the system. I have always been a polite and grateful consumer, but at some point I stopped. Now I nag, hiss and protest. And sometimes it gets me somewhere.
Now that I have finally got the computer behaving again, I hope I can follow better. Sending all my sympathy and good thoughts to you and Harry.
I'm glad to hear that you are getting more free help for six weeks at least. Maybe at the end of that time, some other option will appear that will give you some help for a longer period of time. It truly is a case of taking one day at a time. Diane said it so well--your blog also makes me marvel at your strength and perseverance, Maggie. Wishing the best for both you and Harry.
I'm glad to hear that you are feeling stronger. Perhaps the care giver can help the powers that be understand that you will be unable to give Harry the level of care that he requires. A lot can happen in six weeks. May it all be positive.
Discuss the follow-up care with Harry's Doctor, and be sure to let him know your own circumstances so he can contact the adjunct services you'll both need. Hospitals have social workers on staff who'll make all the appropriate contacts if they know in advance. My husbands needed daily changing of bandages that required special handling and I declared right away that I was unable to do such tasks, so they contacted local nurses to provide such services.
Thanks for the update Maggie. I'm keeping you both in my prayers. The path to help is full of potholes in the US too. So glad you are feeling stronger.
Nice that Harry will be home soon. It must be hard not to have him with you. I agree with everyone that 6 weeks is not a lot of time for home care.
I am happy that you are feeling better! Back and hip pain seem to slow one down and make us feel ancient. Not good, but if you're climbing hills, then you must be building up strength. Yay!
Sending lots of hugs
p.s. - thanks for your comment on my blog. I wonder how a hen can get lost. And you are probably right in that it ended up as someone's dinner (probably a fox or hawk - not a neighbour). LOL.
Make the best of that free help Maggie. xx
Good that the daily walking has helped you Maggie. Wishing you and Harry all the best.
Lots of good thoughts and advice from the other commenters Maggie. Mine is that you continue to have respite care for yourself - don't give up on the fresh air and exercise, you need that time to rest both your body and your mind so you are better able to give Harry all the love and attention you need to share with him.
Take care
Cathy
Glad to hear the hill is helping! Every cloud. All the best for Harry's return and your continued strength.
As usual, I haven't kept up with blogs very well during my India time. I didn't know Harry was in the hospital or that you had been feeling poorly. Glad you are doing better. Guess exercise helps. I should take a clue from you and get some myself. I am too darn sedentary. Of course, I use the monsoon rain as an excuse....but I could use my rubber bands and do some exercises in the house....but I don't.
Hope Harry improves and I am glad you will have help for awhile. Sending prayers and good thoughts your way.
Hope all continues to go well. Hugs.
Thank you for the update. I too admire you. I hope if Harry is home by now that you are receiving the assistance you need. Thinking of you and sending warmest wishes your way.
I hope you both survive this additional darkness :(
With the bulging demographic of us elders there are not enough carers or those who care.
My deepest sympathy.
XO
WWW
I don't know how you do it and I also know you have no real choice. Still keeping you in my thoughts.
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