We have had a couple of really good days. Yesterday we went to our local Flora Festival. I didn' t think it was as good this year as it featured drought hardy plants which are not as spectacular as exotics or the English cottage garden plants. Generally with our water restrictions people are letting their gardens go so there is not the enthusiasm or the income for plant nurseries.
One thing I noticed yesterday as there were a lot of pre-schoolers around was some of the tactics modern Mums u
It was Ray's birthday today. He is now 63. When he had his first stroke at 48 I didn't think he would live this long. Then he had nine years back at work and wham!! was it ever a shock when he had the next one, a major while we were holidaying in Victoria. And then the next major, while he was still in hospital!! this just doesn't happen, does it? I've found out since, yes it does.
Anyway, here we are six years down the track, he is 63. One of his sisters called on Monday night as she was
It was Fathers Day today and some of it was quite good. We went to church, to a meeting, had lunch after the meeting with the usual Fellowship members. No problems so far. Ray sat up for a while when we came home and talked to our older son on the phone. We had our daughter, SIL and two children call in last night so he had cards and presents. He's not very demanding now, just a couple of little gifts and he is happy.
It was raining today, wet and cold so he was happy to start on his aftern
I was a bit down in the dumps last night so started posting a really whiney blog , thought better of it and went off to bed. Thank goodness for that. I must seem really shallow when I think my little problems have anything to say in view of Hurricane Katrina, and other world altering events.
Tonight I went to a meeting of people who do pastoral care for our church, visiting the shut-ins, home communions, care calls etc.
One of the loveliest ladies suddenly left the room and collapsed outsi
We had a good day today. The kids and grandkids came and we managed to have a very harmonious day. We were supposed to go to a local beauty spot and barbecue but the rain came, only light and about an hour in all but enough to make sitting on the grass impractical. Never mind, it didn't matter, I cooked heaps of meats, had some salad prepared and added side dishes and there was plenty. The 'boys' washed up after lunch so peace for a short time.
Good to see the littlies playing together, ver
Didn't have a good day today, no real reason. Ray had an "accident" last night, tipped his half full urinal over the bedroom floor. 3am and I am on my hands and knees wiping over the carpet with old towels and spraying deodorant liberally around. So I was tired today and not functioning very well.
A couple of people have had a "word" with me this week about putting Ray into respite and giving myself some time off. As a full-time Carer on a Carers Pension I am entitled to 30 days a year of
I think back on today and it seems all about the steps we take. Everyone says stroke improvement comes in baby steps and we took another baby step today. Ray got a cancellation appointment with the neurologist. One step on the way to maybe finding a solution to why Ray is having strokes when in theory all the meds etc should stop it happening. The neurologist recommended some treatment, another possible step in the right direction.
This is why I came into StrokeNet, after Ray had the stroke
We had a phone call today to ask would I like to take a cancelled appointment to have Ray see the neurologist tomorrow morning instead of 13th October? "Yes, please," I said. Then thought oh dear I should be teaching Religious Education at that time. But you can't use time twice and I do want another opinion on why Ray is still having strokes so - sorry kids, see you next week.
Had my Mum home for lunch today and she paced in and out of the house for a while and then settled down in an ea
I have a new job. Putting one liners on our church bulletin board. Now if you think it is easy it has only been three weeks and I am already out of ideas. They have to be serious, not too frivolous now or people don't think about them. That is what it is all about, being thought provoking.Mind you I have seen some pretty dreadful ones on Other People's boards. Life is a bit of a challenge isn't it? Always something new to do.
Hey you lucky people in the US, you are complaining about gas (p
Usually I see my dear demented mother on Mondays when Ray goes to Daycare and I bring her back here. This week we had the doctor's appointment on Monday so I didn't bring her home. Most Fridays my sister comes and looks after Ray (mostly making his morning tea) and I go and visit Mum at her room in Nareen Lodge. I take cut up fruit and usually get there for morning tea, manage to get her on her feet after a while and we walk the indoor circuit for a while and then go to her room and she eats t
Hi
Another day, another doctor's visit.
The news. Ray's fall didn't do much damage. The compressed fracture of L3 was an old one???? Of course he still has the pain but the doctor agave him another week's pain killers.
The CT scan shows that Ray has had another stroke, that is since April when he had the last CT scan. That means that whatever he went to hospital with on the night of 20th May probably was a stroke even though the doctors in Emergency certainly didn't seem to think so. Bu
Went to the doctor with Ray today. Ray had had two falls one on Thursday which just shook him up, one on Saturday which resulted in a sore back. He rarely complains of pain so if he says it is sore it probably is, though no sign of bruising, grazing etc. I gave him pain-killers yesterday and thought a visit to the doctor was warranted today.
The doctor said the falls may be due to an increasing ischaemic area beyond the damage caused by the strokes. Ray is to have a CT scan ( he had his
Well, everyone has to start somewhere. So here it is, my very first blog.
As you would realise if you've read my postings I have cared for Ray for over six years now. He had major strokes in 1999, 41/2 months in hospital and live-in rehab centre. Lot of post release rehab, then a hip break in 2000, another stroke in 2001, a few falls. TIA's etc. since. He is on heaps of medication but we find that doesn't guarantee a life with no further strokes.
Life here is good as long as Ray is health
