Thread 12 - TalkLair: “I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.”

[Kucinghitam]

(Previous thread 11).

The days are gradually growing longer, but the worst of the winter weather is not yet behind us. In the TalkLair, we remain hunkered down keeping cosy and warm. The hearth is glowing, the walls covered in dubious artwork, books by non-approved authors line the shelves, rugs are down on the floors (and assorted pets curled up on them).

We just won’t mention the gnawed bones of our prey over there in the corner of the cave…

Fabulous pump-free news @MouseMinge!

Things have been very busy ChezKuc (although I'm still managing to squeeze in a bit of MNetting here and there).

First, we've had a constant stream of visitors of both friend and work varieties.

Then, my parents have been quite unwell with undefined viral infections. My dad in particular has had all manner of bizarre intermittent symptoms in the past two weeks - terribly high blood pressure, fever, severe backache, dizziness, struggling to walk, etc etc. My poor mum has had to take my dad to the doctor and A&E several times, whilst herself being poorly. Yesterday it culminated in my dad becoming so confused that he couldn't recognise mum, or me and my brother when we FaceTimed them, and couldn't identify that he was in his own house. Another trip to A&E and a CT scan later, and they've ruled out a stroke but are still at a loss. Negative for COVID and for dengue fever. Blood tests are inconclusive, he has a lowered white blood cell count but other things look within normal range.

Today, FiL was supposed to be moving from his hoarder's paradise 50-year-family home to a sheltered apartment. The whole family have been frantically decluttering, taking carloads of crap to the tip, packing and labelling, for bloody weeks. The man&van were supposed to move his furniture to the new flat this morning and didn't turn up - BiL who was "on duty" to supervise the move, has been calling and texting the fellow, and eventually after being ignored for hours just got told "My helper let me down so I can't do it today." What the Actual Fuck.

That all sounds grim, Kuc. Sympathies.

That all sounds really stressful, Kuc. Hope things calm down soon.

And excellent news about your new pump-free status, Mouse! You have coped so well with so much.

That's cheering news, Mouse. Glad to hear that you don't need another one.

That's good hear, Mouse!

Kuc, that sounds horrible, I hope it gets sorted without too much hassle.

The main thing I have to say is that today is the first work day for what seems like months that hasn't ended with me, my clothes, boots and/or my tools covered in mud. It feels amazing.

Oh Kuc, that sounds so very stressful, and I would want to kill the Man With Van But No Helper. With fire, or just through strafing him with random possessions.

Have the medics ruled out a urinary tract infection for your dad? It's the first thing I thought of when I read the symptoms - confusion is a very common symptom of them in older people.

It's difficult enough dealing with elderly parent's health wobbles when they're in the same house - thousands of miles away is tough.

And Yay for Mouse's news.

I have - seen my first swallow, eaten my first strawberries (imported, Dutch I think) and seen my first butterfly (tiny little Holly blue) so I think Spring is very belatedly starting to do its thing.

Spring is definitely in the air. Finally.

@Kucinghitam I really hope they can get to the bottom of what's ailing your father. It sounds horrible and your poor mum having to deal with it while she's poorly herself. Fingers crossed for proper results and quick recoveries all round. Boo hiss to the shitty van man.

We're going to need a new thread pretty soon.

That's a lot to deal with, @Kucinghitam. My first thought was UTI as well, but I assume they'll have covered that alongside the other tests. Hope they work it out quickly.

New thread!
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5051670-thread-13-talklair-i-say-we-take-off-and-nuke-the-entire-site-from-orbit-its-the-only-way-to-be-sure

Thanks all, yes I thought UTI as well. They did a pee test during one of his previous hospital/doctor trips last week. But mum didn't mention any pee test yesterday, will have to check with her. He's not been given any antibiotics. She's really suffering from the stress of being his carer and I fear she's also losing her marbles now. My DBro and I have been trying to get her to investigate a care home for him, at least for respite care, but she's dug her heels in and refused to consider it "yet."

BiL managed to miracle up a last-minute replacement man&van, so FiL's furniture and the bulk of the stuff has been moved to his new flat. DH is feeling rather guilty that he couldn't be there to help with the move, but I did point out that (as he's the youngest by a long way) we are the only ones who are (1) not retired and have jobs to go to and (2) still have school-aged children and just for extra (3) do not own a car.

FiL will be staying in his old house until this weekend though, when we'll all go round to help properly set up his flat, assemble the furniture, etc.

Oh, well done BIL! A friend of mine in Baltimore had arranged a move which was due to happen on the morning after the bridge went down, and even though she was moving between places on the same side of the bridge, her movers were on the other side. Havoc ensued when she was unable to vacate her previous apartment.

Brilliant news @MouseMinge!

@Kucinghitam your poor parents. My first thought was dengue, thank goodness it's not that. I hope they can get to the bottom of what's making your dad so ill and that they're both feeling better soon.

If you're chasing up UTI results, make sure they've done a proper culture not just a dip test - PaBint had several that sent him loopy but didn't register on a dip.

That's a very good point, I bet they only did the dip test! I'll WhatsApp my mum and ask - not that she'll have any idea about the specifics.

This is one of the biggest frustrations with being so far away. My mum is completely vague about details and has a tendency to just smile and nod at whatever the medics tell her. And then the information gets relayed to me in a garbled form. And in a different time zone, meaning that it often takes hours of back-and-forth messaging.

Gosh Kuc that really is difficult for you - on top of the FIL issue, too.

That's good news for you Mouse - I smiled at the thought of you being held down by your shopping trolley – like a reverse of that woman who was hoisted up on the shutter and went viral.

It's gone quiet. Is everyone okay?

I can't speak for anyone else, but I've been hooked on the post office inquiry live feed.

I haven't seen that, kitty, but will check it out.

For me, now that the rain has eased, I've been frantically catching up in various gardens that was put off because of their sogginess. Had a careless moment on Wednesday when a rose thorn stabbed me in a knuckle and have been off with a horribly swollen and painful finger. It's easing, thank goodness.

We have a new thread @Vegemiteandhoneyontoasthttps://www.mumsnet.com/talk/chat/5051670-thread-13-talklair-i-say-we-take-off-and-nuke-the-entire-site-from-orbit-its-the-only-way-to-be-sure

You've missed a move: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5051670-thread-13-talklair-i-say-we-take-off-and-nuke-the-entire-site-from-orbit-its-the-only-way-to-be-sure?page=1

999

1000!!!!