All aboard the Seafour tour bus #2

[Seafour]

A new thread for us

Old thread in HDU with respiratory failure and terrified

Afternoon all, not only does Gruber have the superpower to grow a human being but she also has the superpower to make him grow too. I'm impressed that you walked 2km.
I did some walking today too, I walked from the kitchen to the garden room and back again, I still feel ridiculously tall when I'm standing up, I know the novelty will wear off before too long but for now I'm really enjoying it. The walking bit isn't too bad it's all the preparation that goes into getting me onto my feet, spinal brace, AFO splints on both legs, quad glove strapping my right hand onto an elbow crutch and then I'm good to go but all of that takes about fifteen minutes, just to do less than five minutes walking.

Nancy sorry to hear you've had the lurgy.

Fabulous isn't at all well and won't be back next week. The new carer is very diligent with medication prompts and helping me with personal care but a lot of the job is running the house at which she is incredibly slow, yesterday she spent all day doing one large basket of ironing. Today I asked her to clean our bathroom, she started at 9:15 and is still in there now doing goodness knows what. What I would term as every day jobs like sweeping the kitchen floor, wiping surfaces etc aren't being done at all. I've written a comprehensive list of jobs and times for her to work from for the next few days and we'll see how things go.

What a fantastic achievement, walking! I say this with no sarcasm at all, but respect and understanding. Well done!

I wonder if your new bod is scrubbing the grouting or polishing the underside of the loo? I hope that it is sparkling when she's done.

How's DH's back?

The bathroom is indeed a thing of beauty but considering there is lots of built in storage and minimal stuff left out it shouldn't have taken all day, she's lovely but change is hard I guess and the everyday stuff has to be kept on top of or we will soon be in chaos.

Dh's back is much better today, he's moving more easily and not pulling faces every time he moves, but he is popping a lot of strong prescription pills. I'm just hoping that he hasn't overdone things today. I think the bathroom spring cleaning got to him and he decided to empty the boiler room and sort. Out all the junk and odd socks that have accumulated in there.

Today will be the first day that I've been out of bed and downstairs twice, just about to get up for the second time to go and have a slice of pizza, still struggling to eat which worries me as it's definitely a first for me, I normally worry about gaining weight post surgery as I've always eaten out of boredom. This time everyone is literally force feeding me and the hospital dieticians sent me home with a huge box of protein drinks too. I haven't weighed myself but dh says I've lost a worrying amount of weight, I'm hoping that it's just all of my internal organs settling into their new positions and that things will improve soon.

The dgc came to take Lola for a walk and found four painted rocks in the nature reserve, I really love the way painted rocks have taken off locally it encourages the most reluctant walkers want to go out. I'm even toying with the idea of painting some over the weekend for the dgc to hide. Progress indeed.

There is the last of the Christmas cheese board with a glass of port being served on the bus this evening.

Well done on walking, Sea! I remember my first shuffling, teetering, precarious steps all too well after my surgery - there is a picture of me sitting on the side of the bed about to walk, looking petrified but with a huge smile on my face.

Delurked to say I really hope people aren’t literally force-feeding you.

Is the new carer living in? Or working set hours?

Best wishes to PA, I hope she gets well soon.

Good luck with the weight gain - all those Christmas leftovers, yum!

Gruber I'm often awake at odd times of night, I'll stick the kettle on and bring you tasty food. Do you like Cornettos? I've always got a ready supply yes, even in this weather

Btw does anyone on the bus like Christmas pudding? DH got one in his work gift Christmas hamper, neither of us like it. Oooh we've got 2 bottles of champagne too so that's going spare because neither of us like it.

Sea ours was just the lurgy that's been going round, it was a grim one but we don't deserve sympathy. I was lurking while I had it but if I'd posted I'd only have been a mardy cow.

Now I'm fastidious about bathrooms but I can do everything including setting about the grouting with an old toothbrush in under an hour. What was the new carer doing? I'm properly mystified. From your posts she does sound good at the personal care bit, does she think the housework isn't her remit maybe? Meant with no malice I'm just trying to work out the reason for her slow progress.

You're welcome to put your fingers in your ears and sing LaLaLa for this because it's the usual platitude that everyone trots out...is there anything you fancy eating? If so have that also can I interest you in a Cornetto ? I'll have some Christmas cheese if you are?

The walking is impressive, keep going slowly and steadily. I'm not being sarcastic either, you've made such huge improvements in a short space of time. I love the idea of painting rocks for DGC to hide.

Bad backs are rotten, good that your DHs is improving.

I didn't realise Fabulous was properly ill, I assumed it was the same lurgy we've had if she's reading this then get well soon lass

New carer is living in - never easy but been here many times before, needs must and all that.

I love that people keep delurking on this thread, not literally force feeding but as I have no appetite it feels like it.

I am still here, reading. I tried to take the kids to soft play today but as we approach it was clear it was heaving and I started to have second thoughts. Fortunately they turned us away because it was at capacity so we went to the park instead. It was a gorgeous but freezing day.

Seafour - when I had major abdominal surgery, it took weeks for me to be able to eat without feeling as though my internal organs were attempting to relocate every time I swallowed. My appetite was none existent and I had to graze on little and often as opposed to full meals. I know your op was very different, but if everything's shunted around you may be experiencing something similar without the same awareness of the sensations. Hopefully, that's all it is and it's nothing more serious.

I lived on trifle and garlic bread for six weeks after my surgery, and even now I can't stomach trifle (obviously over-exposed). If you fancy something, literally anything, eat it! I've made Biscoff flavoured ice cream and I may be persuaded to share

Mmmmm cheese! I love cheese. I could happily be force fed cheese. I mustn't though as I am sadly overweight and am attempting to be good and loose some. Not easy when there's cheese about. Did I mention I like cheese?

Nancy I always make it absolutely crystal clear that I expect my carers to do all housework to a high standard, without being unkind or taking away from her skill and experience the real issue is one of physical fitness and her inability to move easily. I know people come in all shapes and sizes and I did voice my concerns when her supervisor introduced her but I was assured that she was very fit and able to carry out everything required. It would appear that she isn't as fit and able as she needs to be.
There is no way she should have taken a whole day to clean one bathroom and do one load of washing, no cooking, other housework or tidying at all. We shall see what tomorrow brings.

What do I fancy to eat? Good question soup would be good but I want homemade soup as made by Fabulous, she does really good soup and eggs Benedict. DH is a good cook, big hearty meals perfect for feeding a big family. I want small plates of crab salad, steamed fish and vegetables, wild mushroom risotto or courgetti and homemade pesto. Basically I need to get back into the kitchen and more importantly back to doing meal plans and shopping myself. I like porridge for breakfast but nobody makes it just right or I get brought a bucket of porridge that would feed six people instead of the green fluted bowl that holds exactly the right amount, or toast and marmalade but the toast can't be buttered on the plate because it goes sweaty on the bottom or if it arrives cold. Gosh reading that back I think I'm just a really fussy eater or I'm turning into an old lady or just maybe I just want my kind of food. Lunchtime today was a good example, I wanted a smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich but we only had sliced bread, ok I can cope with that but then there were no lemons, I wanted to scream "who the fuck buys smoked salmon and no lemons" but instead I smile, say thank you and nibble at it for twenty minutes then give up.

Tomorrow I might venture into the village and get real bread from the bakers and lemons from the co op and all will be well with the world.

Seafour I understand what you mean with the food. Those meals you're talking about are making my mouth water though! I hope you can manage to get the right food to help keep you strong and nourished.

I'm really struggling with the morning all day sickness at the moment and so only fancy really specific things at specific times - the past few nights I've had really strong cravings at 3am when I can't have them!

Just to let you all know, I went for an early scan today and there was a little tiny dot with a heartbeat! I'm so relieved. I know we're not out the woods yet but I'm hoping that all will be well. Thanks so much for all your prayers and well wishes everyone it's meant so much.

Applesin it's so lovely to have an update on your precious little apple pip, I won't stop praying for you and your family for as long as prayers are needed. I think you've earned the right to raid the fridge at 3am if that's when you can eat.

Delurking to say thanks for the wonderful read over Christmas and New Year. Not only has it shown how caring and kind people can be but your stoicism and bravery Seafour has truely put my situation into perspective and made me realise how much I can do and how lucky I am. I have a genetic chronic and progressive lung condition which was only diagnosed 3 years ago and my lung function has declined significantly since then. After reading this thread (and the precursor) I'm focussing much more on what I can do rather than what I can't - which is wonderful! Thank you for being an inspiration

Breaking news for the Buslings, today I wiped my own arse for the first time, I can't describe the feeling of utter liberation to get another bit of privacy back, I can now manage all aspects of my bowel irrigation independently. I still can't shower independently but I'm not far off, it feels bloody marvellous. Champagne all round today.

I was also up showered, dressed, hair brushed all before 10:00am which is also huge progress.

As I though, dh did too much yesterday and is suffering for it today.

I've given the carer very detailed instructions on what I expect her to do today and a timescale in which to do it, dh says there's lots of huffing and puffing going on, she's using a lightweight cordless vacuum to do the kitchen floor. It's a job I can do from my chair in 15 minutes, so far she's been at it for 45, it's very frustrating.

Later I'm going to venture out on a short dog walk in my electric wheelchair, I will also do some more walking indoors and report back later.

Nacnick thank you so much for delurking and taking the time to read 1600 posts, I'm sorry you're living with a debilitating lung condition but you are so right to focus on what you can do rather than what you can't, it makes me very happy to know that I've been a catalyst in that process. Stick around and enjoy the facilities, friendship and fun on the bus.

That's awesome about your increased independence and privacy Seafour!

Another bit of dignity claimed back 🍾

How on earth does it take 45 minutes to hoover a kitchen? Can you see what she's doing?

Well I went for a dog walk, it was lovely to be out in the fresh air and we bumped into some friends who happen to be the humans that belong to Lola's best four legged friend. It was lovely watching her race around the park and generally go crazy with her bestie.

I didn't do any walking as I was cream crackered when we got home.

The carer wanted to go to the shops during her break this afternoon, out the gate, turn left takes you straight into the centre of the village where all the shops are. We left the house about half an hour after she did and saw her walking towards us from the right!! The strange thing is that she walked to our house from the train station past all the shops when she arrived a few days ago, it's a ten minute walk if you're not in a hurry, less than five to the shops yet she walked for fifteen minutes in the wrong direction before realising she was going the wrong way. She has also managed to fall down the stairs and hurt her self, thinks she might need to go to a walk in centre tomorrow, I've told her she will need to catch a bus or get a taxi to the nearest walk in, about six miles away. But I won't be paying the extortionate fees for tomorrow if she's not fit to work.

DH is cooking Thai green curry for dinner.

oh dear, i hope your carer improves.
glad you got out for a dog walk.
hope you werent too cold

Oh dear, I suspect that new bod isn't good to work out. A bad sense of direction is no reason obviously, but they don't seem to be up to speed let alone hitting the ground running. 😔

A walk. That's astounding in the scheme of things. I remain in awe of your determination and strength.

As to the new helper, it does sound like she may not quite be up to the task, sense of direction aside. Let's all focus on FabulousPA getting better 👌

How is your care today? Has she had to abandon ship to get to a walk-in centre?