Black Dog 19

Hi all. How is everyone?
I have a pain in my right shoulder tonight due to the position I was in in the operating theatre, so I’m sitting with a hot water bottle on it (pacemaker on the left) . Been so very tired today and just doing small things and sitting.
Sweetpeasue sorry to hear you DH isn’t feeling well and you’ve been in pain again. Hope something can be done for your DH as you say maybe steroid increase. Hope you have a better night and day tomorrow. When is your pain management appointment? Must be soon I think.
nadateturbe thank you. Your son sounds nice. Good that you get on with his wife too.
Scaredycat hope you get over your med withdrawl soon, thanks for pointing out the pacemaker thread. Hope you feel better too soon.
HVdY my goodness all those shirts and trousers you must have been at it for hours. Hope the rest of the family had a good time together,
Whiff thank you nice to hear from you.
Candy thank you for telling me about your dad having a pacemaker. Low iron can cause lots of problems. Hope the tablets help you
Ellie Anne thinking or you too. Hope the weekend is ok.
Wyllow it means a lot that you come in and tell us you’re still with us even though you can’t explain, that’s ok. Take care
So sorry can’t post more my shoulder hurts a lot when I type, take care all x

Night night xx

nadateturbe I didn't mind not meeting up, as it was a Halloween thing in a pub, with fireworks later (I didn't want to be breathing in smoke etc). DIL sent me photos of baby wearing her ear defenders but looking astonished at the fireworks. She wore a skunk outfit . I've mollycoddled my sons, and cannot seem to stop it. I like scented candles, too. My favourite is baby powder, and it smells exactly like it. Glad you saw your son. Does he retain any recent memories? I write everything down, every day, and look back on those notes, because my memory isn't good since the stroke.

It's a bright morning, so I'm going to get ready now and await baby arriving . Hope ALL BDers manage to see a bit of sunshine today x

Hi all on a very rainy day- managed a walk in between the showers. It’s so dark though when it rains - hope it dries up for the children for trick or treating.
Candy- I,do hope the iron will help you -it does seem a bit low.I remember when I was pregnant with my 3 rd child I had to have iron injections and they stained my skin!
Hope your Sons move goes well it will be something for you to look forward to when he gets settled.
HVDY- It’s lovely how your DiL sends you daily photos- she must be a really nice person.
I expect today you are having fun with your little GD . I bet she has you and her Grandad wrapped around her little finger. Enjoy every minute- such precious times.
You have been so busy this week- 15 shirts in one go😩 Your boys have the best Mum . Don’t forget to have the odd rest day sometimes.
Nadateturbe- thank you I,ve slept well this week . The AF is there 24/7 and doesn’t change much - the consultant stopped that pill because it wasn’t working anymore . Feel less weird today so 🤞
Your Son sounds a lovely person - his wife too. Yes when they are happy we are too.
I feel the same as you and have a horror of our house being an “old person” house. Always have candles ,diffusers etc. I,ve made everyone promise to tell us if our house starts to smell “old” anytime!!!
My Mum died 30 years ago- she took her own life which was terrible for my sister and I . It wasn’t her it was her illness that made her do it. She was the kindest ,funniest sweetest person and no we are never ready. My Dad died way before that- he was lovely too.
Hope the Book Club goes ahead next week- it,ll be a new venture with new people just what you need.
Doodle- So good to hear from you- you must be so pleased to be home. Take it really easy - good idea to have a “hottie” for the pain.
I expect when you have recovered from the Op you will start to notice a difference and gradually find things easier to do.
DH must be happy to have you back.
SweetPeaSue- hoping you are both having a better day today.x
EllieAnne- hope the cold has gone and you,ve been able to get out today.
Whiff- hope you are not so weary today.
Wyllow- thinking of you always.
Love to all - those mentioned and those not.

HVDY Hadn't realised you could get a candle smelling of baby powder! I love Johnsons baby pwdr. Your little GD must have looked so sweet in her skunk outfit. I'm sure you have had a lovely day today with her. It's rained all day today with some rds close to complete flooding. Hope its ok there as I know in Derbyshire area nearby its been bad.
Nadateturbe I think I must have missed something in your posts about an accident causing your son some memory loss. So sorry about that. I hope youve been ok today. I recall you asked if I still isolate myself which I would have to say I do apart from the book group I go to. You are so right about making the effort to mix with others/join groups ect though its so hard. Its only ourselves that can do it though isn't it? I spoke about this with MH last week.
Scaredycat You sound such a positive fun person and your posts are so friendly. You have a lot to face each day with your AF and youve been through so much. I'm glad you feel less 'weird' today, hope that continues. Its funny you saying you want people to tell you if house started smelling 'old'. I think our home and furnishing is quite dated compared to our sons'. I should make more of an effort. It's strange--I'm aware of it but guess I cant be bothered enough. (not sure how this relates to candles! 🤭)
Doodle Hope you are managing ok. I saw the thread on pacemakers so not sure if thats of interest. Thinking of you, you and your DH been through such a lot.You must keep telling each other, 'this is just a blip' then something else comes along. We say 'This too will pass'. Hope you'll both be able to have a walk soon and you find it so much easier.
EllieAnne I too hope your cold is better and you have been able to manage to get out.
Candy I must have missed you saying about your son moving. I hope it doesn't take him too much further away. I didn't realise Sertraline could make you feel v tired but I know we dont all experience the same side effects and it can depend on each individual and how they respond. Take time to rest for yourself.
Wyllow Thankyou for popping in at night. I wish we could help. Hope you're being cared for by your MH people and you are not completely alone. X

Much better physically today though have felt scared about yesterday. DH calling GP tomorrow about steroid dosage. Will have to get pen and paper ready!
Love to all BDs mentioned and those who read.

HVDY I bet the baby looked cute in her outfit.
Good idea to keep a written record of things. My memory is very bad but it always has been. I see memories in photos. If I see a photo it can bring back a memory but I can’t picture it in my mind. Hope you have a good time with the baby.
Scaredycat it’s been raining a lot here today too but bright spells in between.
Glad stopping the pill has made you feel a little better.
Oh I’m so sorry about your mum, that must have been awful for you and your sister. No wonder you’re so close.
Yes DH and I are both glad I’m home, I will be taking it easy though as I still don’t have much energy, I’m hoping that will come back in a couple of months when I can start doing things again.
Sweetpeasue Johnson’s baby powder always makes me think of babies, funny how we all used to use it and nowadays it’s frowned on to use talc on them.
Thank you about the pacemaker thread. I thought it was a funny coincidence starting just as I had mine. Useful though.
Glad you are feeling better today. When we have a bad day or period we do feel worried about it happening again.
Hope the surgery get your husbands meds sorted.
Wyllow hope you are sleeping well and getting strength from somewhere. Hope you manage to keep in touch with Quakers perhaps on zoom.
Take care all.

ScaredyCat I'm glad you're feeling less weird today. What you said about "old people's smell", there really IS such a thing. I noticed it at just about every house I went to when I did care work. On Google - "As our skin matures, its natural antioxidant protection declines. This decline results in greater oxidation of lipid acid. When lipid acid is oxidized, the chemical compound nonenal is produced, giving off the “old people smell” that many of us are familiar with". We can't avoid it, apparently...........

"SweetpeaSue" Baby powder is gorgeous, although they don't appear to use it on babies these days. The weather has been lovely today - sunny and bright, and quite mild. We won't ever be flooded, as we live on top of a hill . Glad you feel better today.

Doodle Hope you'll start to feel stronger soon. Take it easy, don't try to do too much.

Wyllow3 Hoe you're getting the help you need.
EllieAnne Did you manage to get out today?

Baby was here from 10am to 7pm. We played with her, sang to her, took her for a walk in the pram. She's such a happy baby, and no trouble. Same again tomorrow, but we'll take her out in the car. Hope ALL BDers have a relaxing evening x

Her Halloween skunk outfit

Doodle Yes do be careful and don't overdo it. Your DH must be so pleased to have you home again. I don't know anyone with a pacemaker but I hope it won't take too long before your strength builds up again.
HVDY Thankyou for that explanation about the 'oldies aroma'. Blimey its the stuff of Halloween isnt it? 😱 We're all shrivelling away!
Aw I remember singing to my own baby grandchildren as babies. I love the way they can fix you with their eyes and be mesmorised. It doesn't last long that stage does it. Have a good day tomorrow.

HVDY that made me smile 😊. What a little smasher.
Sweetpeasue DH is pleased I’m home. I told the nurses at hospital that I was more worried about him than I was about me. I kept making him text me so that I knew he was ok.
Hope you have a good night.

HVDY Made me smile too, thankyou, she's just wonderful.
Doodle Thankyou, you too. When I had to stay in overnight Id worry about DH worrying and driving.

Goodness, everyone has been busy posting today. I went to the annual Royal Ulster Academy art exhibition this morning then rested to try to make church tonight, and I did. Only about third time this year. So pleased. So I'm afraid no energy for posting. Have read some, apologies for not answering folk. Will be here tomorrow. Glad everyone is a little better today, baby photo so sweet, babies are adorable.
Sleep well everyone, goodnight. xx

Night night everyone xx

Morning, all. It's bright and sunny here. DH just gone to collect baby. We'll take her out later, perhaps to see the ducks. Hope ALL BDers see some sunshine today x

Doodle hello. I'm sure you were worried about your husband when you were in hospital. Was there anyone close to keep an eye on him, give him company? Were you given advice about recuperating? I imagine it will take a while to gain strength. I too thought it was such a coincidence about the thread and immediately thought Oh dear I hope its ok and no horror stories. And it was, very positive comments (as far as I read).
I hope your shoulder feels a little bit better today.
My sons wife isn't the easiest to get on with, but she doesn't mean to be, and I am very fond of her, and think it is wonderful that she sees the lovely side of my son.

I'm bew here. Been feeling down lately. Promise my self every day I'll get up and clean the house. I do work 3 days a week so that gets me out. On days at home I tend to sit and read.

HVDY I'm glad you didn't mind not going to meet the families. No, inhaling smoke wouldn't be good. Sounds very noisy too. But maybe you don't mind that
I'm glad you've had a good time with the baby. You're so lucky, but then your mollycoddled sons are lucky too. If it gives you pleasure, why not?
My son doesn't retain much day to day stuff, but he does an important job, so he must retain a certain amount, although perhaps work has made allowances and not changed anything he does. They're very understanding. He's been lucky.
I think a notebook is a very good idea. I didn't realise a stroke could affect your memory. I'm amazed at how well you've done after having one.
Hope today is going well. You'll miss baby tomorrow.

As you can see it's a one at a time day. ......

nadateturbe Any trauma to the brain (blow to the head/bleed on the brain, etc) can cause problems with memory, depending on which part of the brain is affected. I had 5 clots on 3 areas of my brain, so have been incredibly lucky to have not been affected more (I did an advanced driving test with an instructor and OT, for 90 mins, plus an hour of cognitive function tests). Relationships with DILs can be tricky, can't they? Luckily, my sons have both got lovely GFs. Mother of Son1's girls was never likeable nor pleasant (still isn't but we don't have any contact with her)

Anne701951 Hello, has anything in particular made you feel low? Have you got a partner, family?

Baby has been here since 10. We did the usual things - singing, playing, talking to her. She's a very happy baby. We took her out, planning to feed the ducks - when it absolutely poured with rain, so we had quickly nip in to Sainsbury's instead! She didn't seem to mind. I bought a couple of pouches of baby food, and tried her with one - she wasn't terribly impressed but ate some of it. Strange that Sainsbury's here doesn't sell rusks. She's asleep now. Dark, isn't it? Hope everyone has been ok today x

HVDY I didn't know all that about strokes. That was very frightening for you to go through. And doing the advanced driving test. Wow! You were indeed very lucky. You've obviously worked hard at recovery too.
I also didn't know about old people's odour. I'm shocked. I will be paranoid now about smelling fresh.

SweetPeaSue- thank you for your kind remarks- the ADs have helped me be a bit more positive . My favourite candle smell is the cinnamon/ spicy sort of smell. Love the Christmas ones. Baby powder sounds lovely though - like the lovely smell on baby’s necks!!
Glad yesterday was a better day for you and hoping that today your DH has been able to get his steroid dosage sorted. I have a picture in my mind of you holding up instructions for him😀
Doodle- hope you feel a bit more comfortable today and had a good sleep.You are wise to take it easy in these early days - overdoing things could set you back. I,m sure you will feel so much better soon.
More rain today - getting a bit fed up with it now. Our newly potted pansies in pots look like they are too with their dripping little faces!!
HVDY- oh my what a gorgeous baby she is- her dear little chubby chops. What a lovely 2 days you have had with her. She sounds very adaptable and good natured.
Oh dear more perfume is required I think after your explanation !!
Have a nice rest this evening.
Anne701951- Welcome. I,m sorry you are feeling down- it’s,very hard to motivate yourself to do stuff when you feel,like that. Maybe work is making you tired and you just feel like being restful at home. Do you have friends you can see for coffee and a chat?
Nadateturbe- the Art Exhibition must have been interesting. It’s so good to see the other people’s work isn’t it.
I expect your Son has so much to concentrate on during his work day that he just relaxes mentally a bit after work. He has obviously worked very hard and is well thought of at work.
Hope you,ve had a good day today.
Wyllow- thank you for keeping in touch - think of you very often and like others hope you are receiving kind help.
Love to all.

Scaredycat that was so very heartbreaking for you and your sister. Your mother sounds such a lovely person before the illness. I'm so sorry.
Great that you've slept well recently. It makes such a difference.
I've not heard of iron staining the skin. How weird.
We really have to time our walks at the minute. I do feel sorry for children out trick or treating. Our forecast is heavy rain next 4days. And it's so dark.
I am lighting lots of candles, they make the room cosy as well as smelling nice.

nadateturbe It was indeed, very frightening, as I was in a different city, couldn't speak, swallow or move anything for quite a while. No visitors because of Covid. That's all behind me now, and I've got a very good life. Your son must have made a decent recovery, too, by the sounds of things. I'm glad he's doing well.

ScaredyCat The way in which you lost your mum was awful. I don't suppose there was counselling in those days. The rain has been relentless here since about noon.

SweetpeaSue Hope you've been ok today and that your husband's steroid dose has been sorted out.

Doodle I hope you're doing alright but not overdoing things.

Wyllow3 Are you managing to eat much?

It's been a good day with baby. She slept for 3 hours this afternoon, then woke up really happy . Fed and changed her, took her back to Mum and Dad at 7.30. Going to have our dinner now. Hope ALL BDers have a relaxing evening x

nadateturbe glad you had a better day and made it to church. I always feel better having been.
Normally our sons would be close at hand but they were both on holiday last week. We are lucky to have good neighbours though so I’m sure they would have helped if necessary or even DHs brother although he lives a long way away.
Very little advice actually. More a list of don’t dos. Don’t get close to an induction hob. Don’t stand near shop door scanners. Don’t hold your phone next to your left ear or hang earphones round your neck and so on and so forth. Don’t move your arm up at all for 7 days and then very little for the next 6 weeks.
Basically I think we love those who love our children. You obviously do your best to stay on good terms with your DIL.
Welcome Anne. It’s good you work and have contact with people. Do you live on your own? Sometimes it’s just a matter of starting. Perhaps pick one small job a day and fit that in round your reading. Any particular reason you are aware of for feeling low (that’s not me asking you to share just if sometimes you know why it’s easier to tackle)
HVDY your little one sounds so placid and happy. Must be nice to have her round. High levels on contact when they’re this age will make her happier to be left with you as she knows who you are. I bet grandad is a big softie where she’s concerned.
Your stroke sounds awful. Must have been so frightening for you not being able to talk or move. I can’t imagine how dreadful that must have been. You have done really well to get where you are now.
Scaredycat I love the Christmas candles too. I think candlelight is so warm and cosy. Not so good for reading by though so no going back to the dark ages for me.
Poor little pansies. Did you think about making them some little umbrellas to keep them dry 🤣
Sweetpeasue any news on DHs meds. How has your day been?
Wyllow thinking of you as always,

HVDY Glad you've had a nice time with your dear baby GD today. Shame you missed the ducks but there will be another time. Rain seems neverending though been dry here today. I forgot you live on a hill-definitely a plus in this sort of weather. How odd Sainsbury not selling rusks. I remember pouring warm milk on them for mine.
Nadateturbe So glad you managed to get to that annual art exhibition. Did you find it gave you inspiration? Hope you had a quiet day today after such a busy one. It's certainly darker much earlier now the clocks have been put back( I always have to think hard about how that works out).
Scaredycat I filled a tub with winter pansies-deep blues-and yes their little heads have all drooped. I didn't get the chance to hold up notes for DH. He walked off taking his mobile upstairs when she called! He was less than 2 mins before he returned and said he needed more time for it to get into his system after the other GP lowered it. Its rubbish and I'm fuming. She was same Dr that sent me to the wrong surgery. Grrr.
Doodle Hoping you have been alright today and are managing to get used to reduced activity. Did the Drs give you any specific guidance on what you weren't allowed to do? Ive been wondering how you were today.
Anne701951 Welcome. Slrry you've felt so low. When you feel like that its so hard to find motivation to do things. Dont beat yourself up about the housework. Sometimes it helps to just say you'll do one thing rather than thinking of everything you need to do. But do whatever makes you feel better be it reading or something else you like.

Seems like nothing is going right. I want DH to ne on these steroids for the least time possible. People can be on them for 2 or 3 yrs for Polymyalgia. I was lucky to be on 10mths but I wouldnt have been if Id took notice of first GP who wanted to put me on 40mg. I looked up Nice guidlines and found usual starting dose 15mg(have to be tapered off extremely slowly too) Have read that it works usually between 24 and 72 hrs. He still had pain after being on 15mg them 3 weeks and she reduced them. Another GP put them up again 6dys ago and theyre mot working. Read that some people need a bit more of a dose if theyre heavier or symptoms severe. DH is 6ft. If he doesn't get on right dose he can't begin to reduce them.
I've felt really bad today-racing, extreme agitation and confusion - it's the ADs, I know. Calling Psychiatrist tomorrow.
Sorry, not in good mood about our surgery tonight. I 100% believe he needs higher dose. DH wouldnt have time in under 2 mins to even explain how his pain is to her. If he wasn't feeling so bad I could throttle him poor man. I love him to bits. Just dont want him to suffer.

Hoping everyone has had a decent day and a peaceful night.