General Chat

Gill, I've just copied this but if you put PALS into google you will see the full explanation. They are there to help patients and their families.

"The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) offers confidential advice, support and information on health-related matters. They provide a point of contact for patients, their families and their carers.

You can find officers from PALS in your local hospital."

Sorry to ask but what is PALS I've never heard of it?

OH never did get through to the Liverpool hospital, but did manage to finally get in touch with his mum on her mobile, she had not long arrived at Chester hospital, her battery was flat which would explain why he couldn't get through to her. He asked her what was wrong with her, but she didn't seem to know so he's going to ring Chester hospital tomorrow to see what he can find out.

As for his brother, he won't give OH his number saying it's because they haven't spoken for years. Sandra tried asking his wife for the number but she replied "No" so that was the end of that. His sister hasn't rang either so all he can do is ring his mum or the hospital for answers. As yet he still doesn't know what's wrong with his mum and is still as worried as ever as she said she is now completely blind in one eye and is still having headaches. Hopefully he'll find out tomorrow when he rings the hospital ward exactly what's wrong with her. He's just left for his night shift so it'll be tomorrow afternoon.

Evening all,

AnnG it must have lovely to hear from T and it sounds as if he was having a good day and wasn't so confused .
Ann if he can use FB and has messenger you could use messenger to do the video call ,son has set that up for us so we speak to the children and can see them too .

Frank i do hope you feel better soon so you can enjoy your birthday and christmas in some form or other.
How was the new car ? does Ros like it ?

If anyone is interested if you go on you tube and put in A carol service for Dereham and district 2020 you can see the little school where Lewis goes and where son works .
The whole school sang The Twelve days of christmas .
The song is at the end of the church service ,Lewis is at 46.51 he is on the left in the green christmas jumper with a dinosaur on the front ,he sings five gold rings .
He's on again at 49.13 and son is on at 49.52 you can't miss him as he's the only man :-D

Vera you've had a busy day ,Mum use to make little jam tarts at christmas with pastry left over from the sausage rolls and mince pies .
I went to Aldi again this morning and it was early when i went and so quiet i couldn't believe how quiet it was i was quite ready to do like you did drive in the car park and drive out again .
I only needed green veg and some creams but found plenty of other bits had crept in the trolley when i got to the till :-D

Oh Island poor little doggie perhaps he was dreaming he was outside and just went One little wee has led to a major remake .

That’s lovely to hear AnnG. You must be so relieved to have had a chat with him and find him lucid. I have heard that Covid can give you brain fog so perhaps some of his confusion was down to that. I have everything crossed for a steady progress for him now. I sometimes get a call that goes to my mobile and my iPad at the same time and trying to sort it out I usually end up cutting the caller off.

I am not surprised your OH is worked up Gill. Your imagination can run riot when you don’t know what’s happening and the chances are he is worrying over nothing. Island’s idea of using PALS is a good one; the hospital website probably has a number for them. Did you say OH has another brother? Would his mother have named this brother as next of kin? Even if there is some friction between them, he would probably tell OH what the situation is if OH contacts him and asks. I hope you get some answers soon.

I am glad you are feeling a bit better today Ann. I loved your “Arkwright’s Store”. We have one of those in our garage. I have a big kitchen with quite a lot of storage but I often bulk buy things on special offer if I know we will use them so our garage is currently housing some giant sized cleaning products, enough baked beans for a few months and several cartons of long life orange juice. There are also 2 large tubs of fat balls and 1 large tub of mealworms for the birds.

Oh Island, I know I shouldn’t laugh but I can just imagine your doggy putting on a “butter wouldn’t melt” look. Poor you having to nearly remake your sofa.

I’m sorry to hear that you are not feeling great Frank but it’s good that the doc is checking on your bloods. It’s sad that you haven’t been able to go to Devon but best to be careful and stay safe. Do be careful meeting up with your friends. Even in Tier 2 we are not supposed to meet with another household indoors so you shouldn’t really be eating with John and Carolyn, though I understand how you feel. There are times I think I am going stir crazy, hardly going out and not seeing friends at all. I know I get a bit snappy with OH sometimes. I hope you enjoy your birthday whatever you decide to do.

I’ve had quite a busy day today and feel really tired now. We changed beds and I got four loads of washing done. Then I dealt with a few financial matters and responded to some important emails that were hidden amongst the millions trying to sell me last minute gifts. We had an early lunch and then I needed some shopping. We had a delivery a week ago but my next order is a click and collect on 28th December. I am quite well stocked but wanted to get milk, bread and some veg. I had a few other things on the list but all things we could do without. We went to Sainsbury’s or rather we drove into the car park and straight out again. It looked so busy that I wouldn’t go in the shop. We decided to just check out the Co-op. There was hardly anyone there and I got everything on my list except Boursin, which we can do without,so I was very pleased. Not so pleased when we got back and saw our neighbour had visitors again. She has said to me on the phone that if we can’t go to our daughter’s on Christmas Day we could join them after lunch for drinks and maybe a game of something. I don’t think so!!!

Since getting back I have made a big apple and mincemeat pie to freeze for us on Boxing Day and some jam tarts for the next couple of days, and prepared our meal which OH is now cooking.

Enjoy the rest of your day and sleep well tonight everyone

The little skank didn't bat an eyelid! :-0
I've left the foam cushion out to 'aeriate' - I don't think it was affected but just to be on the dainty side.

O poor you and poor old Scruff. Did he look guilty? You'll have to put some poly bags on it till you can get the new stuff to do the cushions but what a time to do it just before Christmas. I hope you can sort something out. I shall be thinking of you......... :-(

Between you and me Mel......... ;-)
The dog wee'd on the sofa! Not deliberate, he was asleep but wet is still wet :-|
Off came the throw, it's an easy wash one. soaked through to seat cover, off came the seat cover, off came the inner cover..... Then I discovered the layer with the spongy pad had split so there was bits of foam, feathers and other detritus bursting through onto the carpet. The fella cleaned all that up :-D <3 :-D
Now I need to order some more wadding or whatever and make a new inner bag - might as well do both I suppose..... and buy a rubber sheet to go on doggies half of the sofa. It's the first time he's done it and, I suspect, won't be the last now.
I guess Scruff sort of did us a favour.

O that sounds good Anng. You'll have to have a shoulder bag with all the hones, Alexa, and the idpad in. It does sound as though he was more with it today and it must have been so nice to hear him properly at last. Sending another gentle ((hug)).

I had a neighbour on the phone this afternoon for 55 mins.I hav'nt seen them for nearly two years. I had their Christmas present in the uti room all that time but tonight I popped round and left it outside his office with their card also. I bet by now some one else has bought them these things as I have seen them in Mole Valley last year too.

Well thats another day gone by without doing anything much except natter. I got some chicken drumsticks out of the freezer and they are still frozen so I have dunked them in cold water.

Island what made you get in a frazzle? I still have a couple of present to do up so think I will do that now and see what I can put with these drumsticks.

Hi all

I've had a rather frazzling day so haven't caught up.

Just saw Anng's post so wanted to say what a relief for you. You must feel as if life is all a mixed up dream (nightmare). Fingers crossed for good positive progress.

Gill, has your husband tried contacting the PALS office at the hospital either by phone or email?

T just phoned, completely confused me because he came through on the Ipad!!!!
He was not too bad speaking but it is confusing because there is a time lag on the ipad. He was interested in the fact that next door neighbour had had his tree cut shorter and said 'it needed doing'. He was also pleased that I passed a couple of messages from his golf friends on. and he told me it was raining outside. He also said the doctor had been round and I am then not sure but he said 'I said to the doctor I want to get up or it may have been he wanted to move off that ward I couldn't get that bit. He didn't sound at all confused anyway and spoke mainly very clearly and is now going to have a sleep because there is nothing else to do.
so in future I need to be near the phone, near alexa and carry my Ipad, and maybe the mobile phone as well. I didn't know he could phone me on the Ipad.

Frank, I assume that your trip to Devon has been cancelled? How is Ros liking the new car?

Afternoon to you all,

Not in the best place again today. Was at the Dr. this morning. Ros rang as I wasn't feeling great.. Going back tomorrow to get blood test and test my blood sugars.We then went to Tesco. I stayed in the car, everywhere was heaving with people. Then to the Honda Garage to get floor mats for the car. Traffic was very bad. Was glad to get home for a bit of peace and quiet.

I was going to bed, but thought better of it. Ros is now watching Dr Zhivargo (sp) Not my type of film, so I am out of the way.

It would be so nice, if I was able to to go for a walk round the village. But that is out of the question. I would end up falling over, and do myself a mischief, and ending up in hospital.

Trying to sort out what to do tomorrow. John and Carolyn had us there for dinner yesterday, So I feel I should repay them by taking them out for my birthday. It will either be Chinese, or a Carvery. Can't make up my mind yet.

Dark, horrible, wet day here. While we were, out Tracy put our bins out. I must remember to thank her tomorrow.

I trust you are ll well, I just might sit and read through the postings. What a change that will be, I hear you say. lol lol Take care. xxxx

My next delivery is 3 January, almost two weeks but there is enough food in the house to stop me starving.
This morning daughter and I managed to get into OH's email, felt guilty doing it and actually I couldn't get in but she could (I do know his e mail password or else we couldn't of course.) It was necessary because the utilities and insurances (and Home insurance is due) are all connected to his email. Managed it anyway and able to print off the Home insurance docs so that is a relief. No worries with the utilities as they are all on Standing orders but I needed to check we were within our limit for gas and electricity.

Gill that is as bad as our hospital then, how do they expect people to get information. Have you googled the hospital and the ward name to see if there is another way of contacting somebody. Usually the hospitals have a complaints system or a help phone.

Ann, you have obviously got your appetite back today.That is good. Yes I was relieved to get my Teso shop out of the way.

Afternoon Everyone,

What a dreary looking day! At least we aren't missing a nice day out with this weather.
:-) I stayed in bed while OH showered and dressed ready for his zoom with one of the councils so was only up in time to shower and get lunch. We had gammon shanks with veg and baby potatoes that needed eating and a hollandaise sauce.

Where is Frank? I hope he's ok after the last fall. Was it today that he originally planned to go to Conrad's ready for his birthday tomorrow?

I'm so glad you plucked up courage to contact the doctor Gill. It isn't easy to admit to yourself that you can't do it on your own sometimes, or to believe that anyone can say or do much to help either. They can of course and it does take time but hopefully the adjustments to the doses will hit the right spot for you to be able to eat and sleep more soon which will help as well. <3 I do hope your OH can get some answers of some kind today. Could he contact anyone else that knows she is in hospital to see if they know any more?

Mel, apart from 'Arkwright's Store' in the 2nd bedroom we have some 'stores' in the uti and conservatory now! We don't have a large kitchen though, so not many food cupboards in there. First OH built me a floor to ceiling cupboard to the measurements I wanted at my old house. It was 4 feet wide and the shelves were just deep enough for the food mixer and it's bowl and all the shelves were adjustable in height. It was brilliant as nothing got lost behind other stuff and you could see everything easily. I need to see when my next order is. It should be due on 2nd Jan which is the day after the recurring deliveries were stopped so I hope I'm right.

I hope your OH rings again soon AnnG. I expect his mouth was a bit dry for speaking before. It's good your delivery was all there and only one sub! Ours is on Wednesday so I hope the shelves haven't been cleared by then!

Afternoon all

Damp here but so far no rain, very cloudy so it's a bit warmer than it has been. I'm hoping the clouds will go later as I'd like to watch Jupiter and Saturn close together shining, it's known as the Christmas star and would be nice to see.

OH has tried to ring the hospital a few more times today but still no one is answering, he rang his mum's mobile but it just rang so she mustn't be close to her phone, he thinks maybe she's gone for a scan or she might be being moved from Liverpool to Chester hospital. He even tried ringing her house phone incase she'd gone home but again there was no answer. So he's still in the dark as to what's happening with his mum. It's not helping his stress levels or mine as I'm worried about him, he's convinced himself he'll be burying his mum next year so I hope he can speak to someone to find out what's going on soon.

I'm busy with a pile of washing, so that's keeping me out of mischief lol.

I hope you found homes for all your shopping Mel, at least you won't go hungry.

I hope you've heard from your OH AnnG. It sounds like you got most of what you needed this time on your shopping, hope you've finished your wiping down now.

Just been speaking with my mum and she had to phone an ambulance for her 93 year old friend, she collapsed at mum's house and had no pulse for a few minutes, good job my mum is an ex nurse and could keep calm. Her friend is now in hospital and is having an internal defibrillator fitted tomorrow or the day after. Her heart stopped a few more times when the paramedics arrived, so she's in the best place now and hopefully will be home in time for Christmas.

Morning Anng Vera and all,

Sorry late on parade as oh had me checking my Asda order and putting a few more things on it as no delivery for two weeks. Where on earth I am going to put all this shopping is another matter. I shall have to get some old stuff out the freezer.

Wet wet wet here today but 12 degrees out at present. I hav'nt even let the big girls out yet but they are nice and dry in their house and very very wet when they come out.

BBL

I’m here AnnG, just having a busy day. I hope T rings back soon for you. It’s a very grey, very wet day again here. I must get on but will try to bbl.

Goodness where is everyone today? All out gallivanting or indoors zooming? Hope all are OK unusual for Mel not to have been on. I have had my Tesco delivery, dead on time, just one sub and nothing missing so all good. Just got a few more bits to wipe down, fridge stuff in the cool bag with an ice pack at the moment. Stopped for coffee.
T phoned early on but had such difficulty talking that he had to ring off, he said he would have a drink and come back later. I have been here before, now I wait making sure I am near the phone that I hear best on and he doesn't phone. Wonder what makes him suddenly decide to phone.

Good morning all early on here this morning but thought I would come and see what is happening on here as I was awake. Still very dar outside but 8 degrees so no frost and looks dry as well

Tesco delivery 11-12 this morning to look forward to.

Gill, if OH gets through to the admin office, they are not medical staff, he needs to talk to a nurse or doctor Admin staff will tell you if she is comfortable but can't tell tou anything about treatment.

I watched the news earlier and had a shock at how many people there were leaving London, I'd heard there was a lot but I had no idea it was that many.

OH tired to ring the hospital a couple more times but still couldn't get through so he's going to try in the morning, hopefully someone on the ward will answer, then he'll know more about his mum's condition and what her treatment, if any, will be, he also wants to know when she's being transferred to Chester, so I hope they answer this time.

Pleased to see you're feeling a little better now Ann. Yes the doctor is keeping an eye on me and is ringing me again in 3 weeks time when hopefully he'll put the dose of my night time meds up. I was on the higher one to start with so I slept well, but then I had to go on some medication during the day so he put the dose down on the night time one, since then I've not been sleeping or eating very well. Hopefully next time he rings and alters the other tablet dosage I'll start to feel better. I think he's just trying different things until something works. I was so anxious at one point I had some dark thoughts and ended up with counselling for a few months, but when it stopped I got worse hence the day time tablets as well as the one I was already taking at night. The problem with the higher dose during the day it's making me feel very tired, it'll take a few days for me to get used to them, but hopefully I won't feel to much like a zombie by the time Christmas is here.