Soop's pleasant (if boring) kitchen for friendly folk and precious pets.

I thought I had identified my ducks.
I was preparing to get them in a row for Thursday or Friday.
Now Paw has texted to say he can come home tomorrow (actually today, but that is just too soon)
No OT, now got to cancel Hattie's jabs at the vet, no wheelchair, no grab rails, no word as to any care /Physio package for the early weeks , no advice re the need for a nebuliser.
I can pick up mattress protector plus a couple of single flat sheets to use as draw sheets tomorrow, but also want Tena for Men pants as he is not too confident about night time (weeks with a catheter)
I don't want to rain on his parade.
However, I do feel a bit of rising panic.

MawB I personally would be getting in touch with the ward to say sorry but you cannot take Paw home yet without a reasonable care package in situ.

How is he going to get upstairs? How can he cope without grab rails or wheelchair? Once he is out of the ward you will have the devil's own job to get anything, including an OT to do an assessment.

You are no longer in your first flush of youth so cannot fly around.

Please think of yourself.

Please Maw for the sake of both you and Paw's well being, dig your heels in. No going home without a care package.
I was in a similar situation with my late mother. They suggested that I give up my job to look after her. They just ignored the fact I had rheumatoid arthritis as well as other conditions, three school age children and permanently wore splints, yet they said I was capable of lifting her and would able to dress and toilet her. I made such a fuss, that they eventually agreed that she couldn't go home in the circumstances. Your health and wellbeing is just as important.

A VERY, VERY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you, darling Soop!
And many more of `em, hopefully.
Maw, good to hear that Paw is well enough to come home, but don`t accept everything without a good care package in place.

Very happy birthday soop, hope you are having a lovely day.
maw good news that paw is well enough to come home but do think of yourself too, you need to be healthy to look after him.

maw much as you love your darling man and want to see him home where he belongs please don't hesitate to SHOUT loudly to get everything you need to make it work for both of you x

Many happy returns soop, I hope you are having a lovely day and that Rory continues to get better and better. Super photo of your DGC. Will you give me fair warning of when I should buy ear plugs for your annual get together. Rutland is only 20 miles away.

Maw, although you might feel guilty as far as Paw is concerned, please, please dig your heels in until you (and therefore he!) are confident that everything is in place. You cannot be forced to take care of him until you are happy that you can. You need everything to be in place for his safety and your sanity.

I'm hoping that you have done the AA application but, if not, do it as quickly as possible.

Right, I'm off to cook. We've been looking at cars all day so that DH doesn't have to keep borrowing mine and I'm absolutely jiggered.

I hope to be back later for a proper catch up and some cake!!

Goodness gracious me. I'm thrilled to have had such lovely birthday greetings. A very big thank you. The smile on my face is spread from ear to ear. You lot are lovely in every way.

The sun has shone all day through. I've thoroughly enjoyed celebrating my 76th. To start with - Rory decided to join us as we had an early morning brew. What's more surprising is, he didn't need to use a stool. MacSporran did give him a gentle lift. He purred and dribbled with delight. Rory, not MacS

We had a delicious lunch at Glenbarr with our pals from the village. We walked on the beach. Had tea in the garden. I've had phone calls from family. I really couldn't ask for more.

NanaandGranpa A special thank you for the hand- crafted card. It will live with others in my keepsake box. Thank you Baggs for writing her greeting with her left hand, (the right is still recovering from the nasty break she sustained in the garden)...and thank you to all those of you who my Facebook friends. What I want to know is...how do I get to add a message as you've done with a lovely border to it?

I shall now attempt to read your updates. Deep breath!

Maw NO WAY! You need a proper care package. Please do stand firm. It is you who has to care for Paw and you'll need all the necessary aids available to you before he returns home.

Maw Please read Marydoll's message thoroughly and inwardly digest.

Nonna Some tears and lots of smiles. I would like to think that, when my time comes, there will be lots of laughter too. And a Scottish song.

callgirl1 We said hello to David as we passed by the Muasdale camp site. Folk were sunbathing. It has been a very warm and sunny day.

kitty are you suggesting that my family is a rowdy bunch? Well, you are absolutely right. I can hardly hear myself think whenever we're together. In fact, it has been known for me to return home having lost my voice.

Soop Belated birthday greetings to you ,
Please maw get the care package , chair et all in place before dear Paw comes home , they never deliver if they think he is home and done and dusted !! I speak from bitter experience

Happy memories of meeting you and MacSporran at Glenbarr Nursery soop. Glad that the sun shone for your birthday and Rory made it on to your bed to wish you Happy Birthday too.

Maw - please as advised read Marydoll's message. We were in a similar position when the ward suddenly announced dad could return home that day. We were fortunate in having a brilliant hospital social worker, we'd never met but she arrived Mary Poppinslike when I suggested to the Ward Sister that sending dad home after 3 weeks, with no support could well mean both our parents needed residential care. We had been doing twice daily visits, shopping, domestic/garden/etc etc gladly for a number of years but more input was needed. A good care package was put together that day. Maw - please get the practical stuff in place and also don't disregard your own needs. I know its hard but you have to also look after yourself in all of this xxx

Maw they may get a move on with the care package if Paw stays in hospital (I know he is wanting to get home asap) but, if he comes out without it in place, they may not feel the same sense of urgency and it will be very difficult for you both to cope without it.
He will be disappointed but better that than coming home and not having things in place to meet his needs.
xx

Many happy returns soop and I hope you really enjoyed your day - that's a lovely picture

That`s a lovely photo Soop, I`m glad that Rory could take part in your birthday celebrations. I`m pleased that Glenbarr once again failed to disappoint.

What a beautiful picture soop. I suspect you are one of these women who unlike me always somehow look elegant! Sounds like you've had a lovely day x

Sorry it's so late soop. Many Happy Returns. ???? what a lovely pic of your grandchildren. Lovely pic of you too. Glad Rory was up to a bit of celebrating too.

maw good news paw is well enough to come home. Hope you get everything you need in place soon. I bet he can't wait to see hattie.

Creeping in, been away for a couple of days. So pleased you have had a special day. soop, belated birthday wishes from me.

Oh, maw, I know how hard it would be to disappoint paw and insist he stays in hospital just a little longer but please do listen to all of us and think about yourself. With no care package in place you will be so exhausted, it also may not be ideal for paw. Please care for you so you can care for paw.

How's the car search kitty? Must admit not top of my 'things to enjoy' list.

Agree with your sentiments about toddlers, grannyqueenie. A day with Littlest reminds me that there are sound biological reasons why women of my age are not designed to have babies .

My apologies to those I have missed, not ignoring you, just tired, it's been a long day so off to bed. Take care all.

Happy birthday soop! Glad you had a good one!

Our Georgie is 2 tomorrow ?? DGS2 and I are planning to make her a peanut butter dog cake.

I have some lovely news to report. DS and DDIL have been going through IVF for 2 years now. On their 4th round. Today we received a photo of their 12 week scan. A lovely healthy looking wee mite! Due in February. All being well, this will be GC number 7 and very precious.

Oh dear, you are all going to be cross with me.
Paw said he managed 16 or more stairs today with only one handrail (we have 2) and TBH he is no worse, and possibly a lot better than he was 3 or 4 months ago.
I believe we will be fine and he will recuperate better with home surroundings a peaceful night's sleep, good food and (if it ever stops raining) some fresh air.
He is to be assessed at home tomorrow for a programme of Physio and also the community OT team will see what else we need. They were very good after his stroke a couple of years ago so I hope I am not being stitched up.
Please believe in me - if you don't I will start to have doubts too.
(And I am definitely only just emerging from my first flush of youth!! )

Pleased you had a lovely birthday soop ? Good news Maw that Paw is so much improved, but I do hope facilities will be put in place for you both before he comes home.

Oh Maw. I hope you are not being browbeaten! It will be better for Paw to be back in familiar surroundings with people who love him, of course, but you really must make sure that all the promises of support are realised! Stamp your foot and insist if not.

Of course we believe in you maw, it's just that we worry about you too.

If the community OT team do their stuff I'm sure all will be well.

Sleep well, hope Hattie needs her sleep as well.