The Goose and Carrot Pub Thread

[roaringdragon]

Everyone is welcome, and the thread disappears after 90 days.

Thank you for the last thread @lougle. I hope the doctor was helpful and DD2 isn’t feeling too rubbish this morning.

DS1 has used the last of his EOTAS hours today. There will be at least a few weeks before the EHCP is finalised and funding restarts. He will hopefully have his operation during that time, but it is still going to feel like a long time without that provision.

@LathkillDale I'm not surprised DD2's ex can't carry on as he is! He is hurtling towards carer burnout if he isn't already there.

@Lougle I hope treatment is helping DD2 to be more comfortable. I also hope the hospital is looking after you as a carer and not being as dismissive of you as they have at times in the past.

@roaringdragon I was quite firm that I need to stay and they were surprised it had been an issue. So far, we have a cubicle (subject to change if needed) and they've kept back a folding bed from the children's ward for me, so we're hoping that will stay.

She's ok, pain is down to 5/10. IVabx and fluids. CRP is 130 so they're treating for cholecystitis.

It's not sustainable, is it? I feel for you all. Nobody is winning.

That doesn't sound sustainable @LathkillDale, a different solution for part of the week like childcare for the baby two or three days a week might be a start.

Sorry to hear about DD2 but glad they are letting you stay and hope they can help solve the issue.

We have been working on laundry room and downstairs bathroom, DS left it wide open like he wanted more work done today. DH has started cutting the irregular tiles for laundry room and that's going fine now he has better electric tile cutter. I painted pretty much all of the downstairs bathroom today including ceiling and cleaned all the floors. DS at the end was trying to get back in so we stopped and then DH said oh no we didn't make a sign telling DS there is wet paint. I pointed out the paint before was yellow. It is now white. DS is intelligent and will notice and it's also pretty dry anyway.

@roaringdragon DD2’s ex is already suffering compassion fatigue and carer burnout, from what he says to me. I am worried he will have a breakdown altogether. It’s not like he gets any emotional support from his family.

I have suggested to him today, he just co-parents DGD, and stops caring for DD2 - she can ask the MH services for a referral to the LA’s welfare advisors to claim benefits; and a social care assessment of need and support for herself and DGD, given they have split up. (The LA delegates social care funding to MH services here).

That sounds like a good option @LathkillDale . I do hope your DD2 can turn a corner so she can enjoy being a Mum.

I'm giggling away here. I'm so tired, and so grateful for the bed they've provided. They've even given me clean sheets, pillow and blanket. I've set the bed up and it's great, except it's missing a slat. The missing slat is in the centre of the bed 🤣

@LathkillDale that’s sounds like a good plan.

@Lougle I am pleased to read DD2's pain is more under control and you encountered more understanding staff.

We have an overnight carer for DS1 on Fridays. It sounds awful, but I am glad we do tonight. DS1 has had some difficult nights this week and I can hear tonight is going to be more of the same.

@roaringdragon enjoy every moment of relief you get, even if it's not quite the same as taking a proper break.

ITA!

DD2 is doing better. They've said that if they can convert her to oral abx and tablet pain relief, and she's eating and drinking, she can go home at some point. They'll give her a surgery date for 4-6 weeks, once the inflammation has gone down and get her gallbladder out so she doesn't keep bouncing around the system. The Consultant couldn't explain why she isn't on the surgery list. It's a bit baffling, but all's well that ends well and the nursing team on this ward are lovely.

Maybe someone forgot to put her on the list?

Maybe, it's all a bit odd. They know she was definitely referred on February 26th, but they don't know why she hasn't had an initial consultation and been added to the surgery waiting list. But at least this admission has pushed her to near the top of the list. I'm probably being over optimistic that the timing could tie in with half-term, which would be great.

@Lougle I’m glad DD2 is doing better. Fingers crossed you get home ASAP.

I had an undisturbed bath last night. A rarity.

We got a text message re DS referral to a neurologist the other day. I got all excited but it was just to ask us if we still wanted to be on the mailing list.

Currently we are on the family health camp. Everyone doing well. Hope DS doesn't put them off him too much, would be excellent if he could come on his own.

I hate those messages @drspouse . Glad camp is going well. It's hard when you feel your child is a 'problem'. Hopefully they'll see his potential rather than anything else.

@roaringdragon a bath! How luxurious. We don't have a bath so when we have Goose & Carrot meetups I always try to arrive early to maximise bath opportunities!

The doctor came in earlier to review DD2 and we asked about discharge. She said that they'd see how her bloods were doing compared to yesterday, so I mentioned that she hasn't actually had any taken so that would be tricky. Hopefully they'll take some soon.

More seizures and a very very busy two month ahead. Not much time for the pub. I need more sleep. I don’t seem to cope so well with the long days and exhaustion any more. Dh is slowing down but can still do double what I can on any job. I need a week in bed with room service.

@Zzzzzs sorry to hear of more seizures. When you find the key to getting a week in bed and room service, let me know.

@drspouse good luck with the camp.

@Lougle I hope DD2 had bloods taken, they were good enough to escape and you are now home.

@Zzzzzs I hope you can get more sleep. The pub will be here when you have time for it. Sorry the seizures continue.

No bloods. After telling us that she'd see how the bloods compared, me saying we hadn't had any, and her saying she'd order some, the doctor decided bloods weren't needed. The cannula tissued, so she's now on oral antibiotics but not allowed home. I presume that if she remains pain free overnight, they'll let her home tomorrow, but it's not been written as a plan yet. I begged DD2 to say yes to a cup of tea so I could steal it from her and she was very accommodating (she doesn't drink hot drinks usually).

DD1 was in an absolute state earlier because she couldn't go to bed before bedtime. She messaged me to say she wanted to kill herself. I told her I was proud of her, etc., with no effect. So I tried a new tactic. I messaged her and said 'I'm asking you to be on Team <surname>and help by waiting nicely for bed. I know it's been hard today.' That and DH offering a star for waiting until 7.30pm for bed did the trick.

@Lougle how frustrating. I’m glad you got a cup of tea. It would be nice of staff to ask you as well.

I’m sorry DD1 has had a tricky day. It’s hard when one DC is in the hospital. Particularly on top of the more day-to-day difficulties.

Some staff have offered. They're a nice bunch. I think it's probably also hard that DD2 has been admitted and is going to have an operation for her pain, whereas DD1 is told there is nothing wrong.

@Lougle sending many many honks.

Sorry DD2 is still in hospital @Lougle and DD1 is struggling but glad you are definitely on surgery list now.

Sorry about seizures @Zzzzzs

Varnished the worktop today - the one which will go over the washing machine and hopefully have the countertop sink on and has the radius corner in for the water meter. DH was cutting more tiles and is nearly done. DD called asking DH to pick her stuff up from Oxford on Tuesday so he'll do that but we were hoping for a day off DIY, which I guess it is but not a rest for DH. Once we have plumbing and electrics done can slow down. Electrics is Thursday. Plumbing we have 2 plumbers away but one back mid next week.

All tiles now cut, primer gone down- did more of first coat of paint in bathroom, that's now done except tiny bit on ceiling and around boiler and bathroom cupboard needs finishing.

Great weekend at camp, all exhausted, luckily I have booked the day off tomorrow. I was thinking of going to London for an optional training course next week Mon and Tues but honestly I need a rest.
Unfortunately DS has been too random for them to think about having him on the teens camp currently. With issues around wandering off at Scouts too we think it's time to put this at the top of things to address. We know he's safe when he goes out near home but he doesn't always reliably tell us where he's going or for how long. At the teens camp they expect them to stay in groups (which they would also if out in town with Explorers though not on Scout camp as there are always adults around, so it might be hard to get the difference over to him).
We also want to get both DCs more reliable in running errands. Currently they tend to buy a pint of milk but spend the rest of a fiver on sweets!