Keziah, City, Choc et al support thread

[Keziahhopes]

Hi - found us a new home. Just didn't like the title of my old thread - and have found your support so helpful but would also like this thread to be less egocentric .

Choc -hope cbt assessment goes well.

City - how are you doing?

My physio exercises are helping me, but don't see stroke consultant until beginning of July. Still not had OT assessment, but dont' think will need it by then - just been horrible for dh to do everything for me since Easter. Now more independend - just had my first shower by myself!!

AWWWWWWWWWWW & SQUEEEEEAAAAL at ds just learnt to smile & likes his picture book !!!!!!! < proud > wow wow wow ,can really picture thaht know

Hope you feel better soon & the sun did come out after all ( but then
baby has to have just been fed / changed etc etc etc before rain returns )

Eexcellent about weight even if not up to his centile - hope the sickness is a harmless stage & bless him at thinking starved < chucks D 'neath chin > ( can 8 week-olds bite yet ? >

Brilliant & timely news about counselling . Sending every positive thought about ultra- stressful situation . Think vdelay may work out OK - touch wood -as you will know you'll have that space to ofload, & it may even help you as you find you start to prepare the thing's uyou'll be adressing ( sorry if incorrect )<

Hmmm , awful "cold" could be hayfever- I often get it in April , & choc was very bad with it the other day- how are you now , choc?

Aha , choc - you are my style twin !too galey for haircombing anyway -but no , not qualified to join hideous club - am heavily on the side of unkempt - flaky / frizzy / spotty and look 15 yars years older than age... I put on some face cream earlier & I looked far better ! Must be some secret lifty stuff ( Aldi day cream with Q10 , but probably not cruelty-free ) Lots of thrifty ideas in Style &Beauty

Oh my goodness , your poor back , choc . Your post made me screech - catheter unethical yes !!! Time for dd to learn not to wake Mummy with chatter < hollow laugh from dd's Mummy > Thank you for entertaining me o much

Thank you both for putting up with my pity party on financial insecurity , when I know how lucky I've been in recent years - but times are v hard for us all . Am[ big fan of thrifty living anyway & have endless boring tips- yy to planting on next sunny day - we awnt to see giant brocolli plants colonise your garden , choc !

Thank you so muchfor wise advice , 8Keziah* - I keep filling in the form but physically can't keep up wirth the doctor appts / changes in condition ... CAB helped me fill in years ago & were amazing , but many weeks for appt here , so will try another local advice centre .

< of to find something for choc to look forward to ... bell ringing ?- bah , practice in evenings ... history talks ? book club ? Join a Morris troupe ? Alternative jubilee celebrations /occupy camping ?

Whoop, whoop Keziah on the counsellor - I recall you rated her before but that it was too brief. So pleased. Do you have her indefinitely this time, yes? (And see what special privelages having a baby gets you ).

ds weight = wow. I expect he's screamy, screamy because his extra food has been cut off, lol! Do you know whether week 8 is a growth spurt period? Hmm i guess midwife would know this off-hand. Ooh I remember the black & white book . Dd's was a fabric one and she liked chewing it!

I started suffering really early with hayfever this year so it could be possible. Couple of really bad days for me so far this year. But the rain helps - so maybe I do have something to thank rain for because I've had a few symptom-free days.

And to my style twin, Merivel I did my hair today woohoo!! And my dd takes great pleasure in pointing out my spots (I told her her day will come too!). Cream with Q10 that sounds posh, baby lotion if my skin is lucky! And I can't blame dd's arrival for lack of skin care - I just preferred to have more time asleep than worrying about cleansing, toning, moisturising etc .

Ooh another lover of thrifty living here . I've been reading up on soap making - think I might give it a go. I'm thinking personal use and gifts. I'm just waiting for a couple of books I've reserved from the library to be available. So watch this space. Thinking about also giving sprouting seeds/beans etc a go. Definitely no brocolli in this garden.

Funny you should mention alternative jubilee celebrations because I gave it some thought the other day having read a newspaper article. Will look to see if any child friendly ones local.

Good Keziah was able to give you some good advice on dla etc. I've finally got used to Tax Credits process < choc bets they'll change the renewal process this year > but I'm clueless about anything else. Guess I ought to get clued up on unemployment benefit soon. Agree it's a horrible time financially for most people I know, but disability must make it doubly so being reliant on only one salary.

Ooooh choc , friend from other thread has had success with making soap at home for a good while - think most recent one was a lemony liquid soap as a gift , so sounds as though you can get some nice results

Awwww at screamy , screamy - hope D gets used to the modified normal amounts soon, Keziah, & that you're feeling a bit better -, though probably not if dreadful cold

More ahhhhhhhs at teeny dd chewing her fabric book

Sprouting sounds excellent- I keep meaaning to look up but do worry a bit about salmonella , which I think can develop - did you know beansprouts are now meant only to be eaten well- cooked ? Not all sprouted things , I don't think , just contamination in bogstandard beansprouts so perhaps that applies to the unborn beans too ?< hungry>
Sorry , a sure it can be done safely - lots of manufacturers doing packs of sprouting things so .. sorry , am sleepy & rambling

Thank you both for support with financial stuff-.. glad you're getting on better with tax credits system , choc > Was off to advice cetnre today but found they've started chargingpeople with disabilities for advice on form-filling etc - Tory cuts . Went into a Shaw Trust shop , btw , & am going to seek their advice on work

( the miracle cream is thrifty , choc- 1.99 ... am enjoying hearing from a fellow beauty slacker ... my friend advised me 20 years ago to use high factor sunscreen every day of the year , & she now has the "same" skin as she had back then )

< M falls asleep in her makeup >

Ah Merivel you need to fill that form in. I would do it for you if lived anywhere near you (sadly had to become expert in form filling in!!) .... main thing I learnt is:

• fill it in, as if worst time/day. Repeat self as the form is repetitive!
• photocopy and send every medical letter that can support you
• get the top dr you see to write in support, there is a page for this
• have a copy of repeat medications and send it.

My theory is if you are entitled to it, you deserve it. Mum took years to claim DLA, and we went without so much as she was too proud to claim it, Dad had to give up work to care for her etc. In the end I made them claim!!!

Awful charging to help fill in forms!!

Thrifty living - my tip, is cook batches of my yummy lentil bolognaise, freeze portions to save making it so often (fuel, time economy etc). have with pasta, baked potatoes etc.

Hayfever - yes, could be that. Had it last year when it rained badly. Ouch if it is! Can't take anything for due to feeding baby. Hope yours beter choc.

Oh Keziah , amazingly lovely of you < sniff sniff sniff sob sob > Thank you
for brilliant advice - will restart form this week.
Poor you & family , with your DM's long impasse[ on seeking aid sad] . I just get worn out physically by sorting out evidence etc , especially as I have fallen out of the hospital system ( new GP veering between sayying I need v specialist consultant (not true) & to try for a London one on Choose & Book , & then putting off referring me to a neuro at all atm ...have to sort that out next .

How are you doing physically atm ? You are a strong woman to be dealing with DS all week on own . Hope his screaminess is easing < waves cheeringly to D >

Hope you've had a bit of breathing space before your DM's arrival , choc , & that her journey won't be too grim in the rain

Sorry , massive rush

Was hoping to write a nice cheery post but alas wasn't meant to be . Sat here trying to distract myself from horrible pins & needles-type tingling. Was in tears earlier because reaching my face now and this is new. I can't go to a&e as dd in bed, mum here but isn't staying with me (just as well, one of the first things she said when she popped round to say hi this morning was "you still not got your stairs carpetted?" all because dd was deliberately stomping up the stairs like an elephant). Miserable few days with all the rain. Finally got out for a walk this afternoon and legs were like lead! Don't know if this has worsened the P&N. Then been reading about all the dla/esa cuts etc for sickness & disability, it's all so depressing. Seems like a nightmare time for claiming Merivel . Really hope you have the strength to do all this form-filling / evidence sorting, terrible that charging now for assistance. And as for your gp dithering (I can't think of alternative word) - why should the patient have to be on their case when they're the ones living with the sickness/disability? I definitely get worn out now mentally by forms. Off to reluctantly do my hair.

Keziah I made a huge batch of lentil bolognaise Friday, then stuffed some into cannelloni yesterday and still had a load to freeze today. Excellent stuff indeed. If I'm up to it tomorrow I'll be doing batch of quorn korma. Merivel hmm I hadn't heard about salmonella and sprouting. Will have to investigate further. Thanks for tip off

(((((choc)))), you did well to even remeber A&E - facial P&N is very disconcerting . Hope you're feeling better today, & I would advise making GP appt & keeping a diary so you can spot any links to other things symptoms they may suggest could be causing it , eg migraines / trapped nerve & similar problems / panic attacks / other hyperventilation /allergies causing anaphylactic attacks

Keep a note of the leaden legs should it happen again , and make sure they write down that you had it the same day as severe P&N... there are a range of common possibilities GP will suggest probably for 1st couple of visits , & they can try to eliminate them , but they ought to take it more seriously in combination with very heavy sensation when walking , just in case they are related & potentially a neurological problem - which don't forget can mean simply migraine , which is in fact quite a significant condition which needs treatment as can cause some damage to our addled brains .Unfortunately these types of symptoms can take a very long time to diagnose , & if you get the symptoms again , GP will probably have to give you the standard pep talk about how many of her patient have real but unknown conditions ... < solidarity >

If you feel too rubbish to face GP , write down symptom/s and say it took eve more than usual to consult her when it might seem like a symptom of anxiety- and that you really don't feel that is . I would in fact avoid telling your DM about your sympoms in case she snipes at you at a vulnerable moment ... you can still ask her to watch dd whilst you go to doc's /A&E ,without listing the symptoms < bitter experience & that of friends' >

Amazed at how much you've been doing as I know grey weather is very hard on you & Keziah -thinking of you at this very hard time & hoping too that D is feeling more setled with his feeding .

Sorry the stories of people tetting turned down for benefits are affecting you , kind choc . Thank you so vrey much for support & empathy re dla/esa ...I've been failing at coping with it for years now - Keziah sorted it for herself though new to health condition & the process, then ditto for her DM .I will send you links of best campaigning organisations when you're feeling better - very therapeutic

Don't worry about my assessment , although I know it will be very undermining process ,.... as to consultant appt , I did know that the new GPs use one of those centres which scrutinise referrals & try to avoid patient seeing a consultant ! Still a better GP than most I feel , but it's a money thing which I refuse to allow to defeat me !

As for you , am staggered at how you are finding your way through current situation , & managing your resources - let alone not strangling your DM . Good grief , have you got any of the Mn retorts linid up ? ...though I have 2 relatives I don't always "call on it" when they are very rude . Hope you have some fgood times with her , of course !

DSorry for long-post-from-hell & delay in writing one , due to Mn crashes

I hear you on th eluctant grooming ( bet you're horrified at us , Keziah)Thinking of you with v sressful situation ,K & hoping foul cold / hay fever better
< calming , healing vibes to us all > < garden time prescribed , if not too wet >

Baby best excuse to not even find hairbrush!!

Choc Merivel has some great advise for you, regarding symptoms. Hope you can get to a+e, as best way to get tests done!!

Glad to hear there of one area part of life where the pressure eases when you have a baby !

Sorry if am making you worry , choc Also didn't mean to sound as if your DM is an ogress, sorry! I just notice loved ones can be very
odd about these sorts of symptoms , and health conditions in
general....hope she can occupy dd if youy're needing a rest

Nom nom at big batch of Keziah's lentil bolonaise - will do same in a few days . QUOrn korma sounds good . I'm sure you'llbe OK with sprouting i you follow the guidelines - must look it up again

Peaceful evening to us allxxx

choc like sound of quorn korma... do you make sauce from scratch, or a particular make jar/packet?

Just been sorting out baby son's clothes ready for next size... was given some which is a great help. Am then able to give some of his smaller clothes away etc.... I like the cycle of that!! Because I have for first time in weeks got him to sleep in the day... not flat on his back, in his bouncy chair but nevertheless asleep. 10 minutes so far! He is in cute dungarees that will be a nightmare to take off when I go to get him weighed today, but nevermind .

am hoping to sort out my counselling today with my care co-ordinator. All I know so far is June, middle of I think. No idea on number of sessions, will be to a timescale I know but more than 6!!! The fact that I met her before and respected her will help. But I am good at sabotaging help.

In spirit of money saving have just used ebay for first time and bought some washable, new ones, nappies at a quarter of price in shop. Very happy, just waiting for them to arrive now!

merivel how is form going???? - done the admin, simple bits yet? Can you go to gp and insist on that referral to the consultant? Up to consultant to say doesn't need to see you, not Gp. Then book a date and write that on your form!!

Choc oooh lentil bolognaise sauce in canneloni? Wonder if I can find gluten free canelloni, or could make it from my lasagna strips?? [hmmm]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah at next size up < proud > and D starting to nap in daytime - how cute to hear he's in little dungarees- I've been looking forward to hearing he was in wee trousers That's nice , passing on the clothes in turn

Thinking of you , choc - hope you'rerelatively OK [confused > and am so sorry if my post worried you - I really was trying not to but am sure added to your stress

Sorry for not answering since saw your post early afternoon , Keziah - having rushed day and still rushing

Thank you for keeping an eye on my avoidant tendencies , Keziah ! I
went to nurse clinic to sort out no lees than 3 issues today , so that's used up my courage for now - am building up to badgering GP about consultant thing as soon as possible , thank you - you're right it's up to consultant , & I feel better seeing you say it < doubts self > but as I'm not on this hospital's books at all the GP can refuse to refer me if stable , as ar as I can see ... am sure I can get it sorted . I love "then book a date & write it on your form!!"

So , so relieved to hear you sorting dates for counselling with helpful woman - empathy on the self sabotage but am sure this will be a great support for you

Amazing what you can find on ebay - have you seen the cut-price beauty sites not Ebay ? Lots of good brands , though you probably both try to only buy
cruelty-free- but I like it that the manufacturers of non-BUAV products don't get the profit when they're sold < v bad grasp of supply chain to try to justify own hypocrisy >

Hope your Mum has been OK so far ,choc , and is entertaining dd . Would be realy good if you've been able to escape into the outdoors for a bit today .

Peaceful night to us allxxxX

oops , sorry - was meant to be a [confused ] after "hope you're relatively well " but I think it's a stupid name for that emoticon & it looks awful in that sentence - wasn't my meaning at all - more "< fretting >"

...I still didn't get the right

Hope you're OK , choc , & hope you have some support if not
Hope D's weight was OK , Keziah , & that your & choc's hay fever isn't properly activated yet

I heard something the other day on radio abut coriander- apparently it's the herbs most prone to bolt , & there's a variety less likely to , but I didn't quite catch it-wonder if I can find it on i-player. Anyhow , to prevennt that they recommend successive sowngs every one or 2 weeks .. I think your coriander died rather than bolted , though ?

Don't expect you feel up to thinking about garden atm , choc , but this is encouraging -
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/gardening/1460566-Too-late-for-seeds-this-
Peaceful sleep to us allxxx

Oooh I feel like I've missed loads - am struggling trying to keep up . You have positive I can rule the world me tonight . I'm very pleased to say P&Ns departed (thanks for the great advice Merivel) I had couple days of "normal" P&Ns and then nothing (I am documenting as a couple of months ago gp told me to keep diary). But last three days I've been quite shakey. Other than that going good. Went on a course www.shaw-trust.org.uk/phil_motivated_by_goals_course would highly recommend. Pleased to read you'll be seeking their advice on work Merivel that was good thinking going into the shop. Yay you went to the clinic too. Avoidant part of Merivel departing?! Agree re-build courage then plough on to gp.

Wow little boy isn't so little now then Keziah . It's fun getting a change of wardrobe. It does slow down eventually though! Yes korma sauce is from scratch (does this mean I get to post recipe at some point ) but unfortunately none of it made it into the freezer so will have to make another batch at some point. Wow I'm that you make own lasagne strips. Do you have one of those pasta dough roller thingies? I've never made pasta. I feel a gadget shop coming on!

DM is behaving so far since initial outburst (blame it on jet-lag?). She's not done much baby sitting yet (rubbish no-evening bus service between hers and mine) but there's time. DD is also behaving immaculately well at the moment too. It's very scary - not sure I like it, lol!

Enough fretting Merivel (as entertaining as you are) . I like it that friends on other thread have had success with their soap making. If I get stuck I know where to come for tips . < tests to see if M has been paying due attention >. Night all xx

Ahhh we were both typing away Merivel

Ooh I missed the bit about Keziah's weigh-in. Hope it was ok.

My coriander a couple of years back bolted badly. I'm dying to get gardening but still raining buckets here (but was dry during my course ) - the ground is sooooo wet I've got mushrooms now growing in my grass . I don't think I've ever had that before in April/May.

Oops, sorry Keziah DS's weight-in obviously .

choc

What a brilliant post -fabulous that you went on this course & found it so useful . I can't find a centre within 30 miles from the your link , which might
be OK if they'd take on people from out of town , but seems to suggest
locals only- will enquire further !

Oh nooooooooooooo at rain only stopping during your course- you'vre really forging on here and I wish weather & bus services would cooperate . I don't suppose it's ben dry where you are , Keziah ? Bah

Sorry again for overkill on the P&N etc - excellent you've already kept formal note , & please include the slight shakiness in days after to build up clues
< medal for angelic dd >

< commendation for choc's DM >

I misdunderstood about making own lasagne-wow !!!

< muhrooms growing around here too - have been puzzled

You can see rom the lasagne thing my attention is deficient ! Will have another try later

< waves to choc and Keziah >
Has the rain stopped where you two are ? Bah , my underwatered seedlings are getting their heads munched right off by slugs somehow getting into porch

Am feeling much more organised and quite a bit stronger with different categories of scary things getting very gradually sorted .
I don't always exactly have fascinating things to report as everyday tasks take up axctive time - eg managed to get washing in / fell asleep on sofa again instead of made it to bed / cat has brough in fleas , am all behind with chores ...yawn awn

Any plans for the bank holiday ? I forgot to wish us all a happy Mayday ! Have DNephew's 18th birthday barbecue < am wimp about parties , DH too > nd hopefully a day out with DM & friend ... but am misssing loads of political things , never go to meeting house , & am still hunting for present I put in a Safe Place for dear friend's birthday last month

Has baby son ben perfecting his smiling technique, Keziah ? I'm looking forward to the day he notices flowers < waves blosom at infant >

Sorry for typos -rrealized they are often due to pc freezing < lightbulb >

No rain today... and good news, I may still have a job but with less hours than ideal!!

Yes, baby son really begun smiling now and just begun waving a bit if you wave at him, says proud Mummy.... sleep, though is not so good! Sorry short reply but have son asleep in one arm, as he will not lie down!

Hope party ok merivel

< very cautious but massive cheer> That would be so much better than the alternative , Keziah- everything crossed . they wouldn't want to let you go you must be exhaused simply from that stress ,let alone baby nights ( I had a feeling that was bad this week )l
Aaaaaaaaah at really smiling - and as for learning to wave - helpless with joy - thank you ! Isn't that lovely , choc , baby asleep on one arm .( Hope you haven't been straining your poor back by trying to lift chatty dd to spend penny in the night )

Thank you for wishing me luck with prty -What a trivial thing for me to grump about , but you may remember I've never succeeded in getting
assessed for possible Asperger's , so is a nightmare . That's another thing , I did go to a drop-in centre which people with mh needs can self- refer to -if they'ein the system -but as I have several v routine health issues which are overdue for referrals ... am going to take long list of the illnesses/injuries I have not bothered doctors with to see if they are more helpful(hey are v nice )

Lovely Shaw Trust can only help me if eligible for ESA , which I don't seem to be ... same with Disability Employment Advisor at jobcentre

Am in good mood though as Dh has bank holiday off & there are lovely things to do on Monday
Hope you both have lovely time & that it stops raining !!!

Argh , yet more mistakes-so sorry

< more waving from over here >

Much relief on the possible (probable??) good news on the job front Keziah. Although less hours not ideal, I presume you'll be able to manage and stay in your home etc on the reduced salary. And ahh at the smiling ds. It got me thinking about what new thing dd has done lately (ie nothing) and how babies learn so much in a very short space of time and I never really appreciated it at the time. So wonderful to hear second-hand whilst having an older child to compare with .

Have given up on lifting dd, Merivel. The down side is that she has been waking up earlier in the morning desperate for the loo and unfortunately it's not early enough for her to then bother going back to sleep as she sees that it's light outside etc and insists it's time to get up!

Oh no that Shaw Trust can't help you . Are you not eligible for esa because your dh works? I can see why coupled-up people (not saying you btw) get over-heated about us single parents. I really wish I'd seen them in the past they've been quite amazing really. Just sorry that you won't be able to benefit. At least dh will be home Monday for holiday fun. Sounds like you have a lot to look forward to (deep breaths for the party - I'm sure all will be ok in the end). No plans here. Will just play it by ear depending on the weather. It would be good to FINALLY get into the garden. It didn't rain today but I was at an art workshop so yet again didn't manage to get any gardening done.

Merivel it's great you're planning on writing a long list for your gp. The last appt but one I had loads of things on my list and it was only when I got to reception to book in that I noticed a sign on the counter saying how only one issue is to be discussed per appointment and that if you have more than one issue to book a longer appt. I didn't say anything to the receptionist but felt guilted into apologising profusely to my gp about it. I've now had the last of my blood tests done (actually the one I was supposed to have done ages ago but never got round to doing) and I've been diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency. It doesn't have anything to do with the pins & needles but might help with the frequent infections and depression. I'm just waiting for my NHS exemption certificate to come through before getting my prescription - it's not so bad paying for one prescription but this will be my fourth this month and the only one I've collected is my AD's because of the cost. It must be awful in places like the US not being able to get medication you need because you can't afford it .

Apologies for war and peace . And hope you both have a good weekend. I won't hold my breath about the rain though

Oh choc your post has brought tears to my eyes ,souhch a lot of change for you two , & thank you for support -- will post later
.
Vast sympathies about the Vit D deficiency- v important they spotted
it. Horrified youhave had to miss prescriptions - I was buying the prepayment certificates but can't manage it just yet- inhalers v expensive , as I expect we all know

Glad dd not snapped your spine yet , and sorry for not asking about her latest new things- I really am clueless with dc , including nieces and nephew

Peaceful night to us all, and much more sleep for you two