A summer I'd like to forget

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

I've been away awhile. Towards the end of July my husband and I got Covid. Neither of us was bad with it - I've definitely had flu worse  - but before we were testing clear Hugh's Dad had a stroke and was hospitalised. Every year we always head north for about 10 days to take in Hugh's Dad's Birthday and that of his sister. we tested negative the day we traveled.

Hugh'd Dad made it to his 98th birthday. Visiting him was pretty gut wrenching. The stroke paralysed him right down his right hand side. He lost his ability to speak and to swallow - but he understood what was being said to him. After a couple of days he pulled his feeding tube out and refused to have it replaced. Family visited daily.

We celebrated his sister's hundredth birthday.

Things seemed to stabilise so we headed south again because I was due to have an MRI with contrast on a Saturday. Half way home (210 miles) we got a phone call saying Hugh's Dad got pneumonia. Hugh decided I should go ahead with the scan and then go north again. The following day I got a call cancelling the scan. "Can you come in on Monday?" they said. "No I can't. My father-in-;aw is dying and I have to go north before Monday" "OH - well how long will you be?" "I don't know. Probably after the funeral." "And when will that be?" "I have no idea. The man is still alive. How long does dying take?"
we got home, picked up the mail, repacked and drove 420 miles north again.

Hugh figured we could stay at his Dad's as finding anywhere to rent in August height of the tourist season is not easy - not to mention expensive. We stayed there, did a LOT of cleaning up (the house smelled like a urinal and there were mouse droppings in kitchen drawers) before  Hugh's youngest sister evicted us. She said she had power of attourney, had seen a solicitor and we had no right to be staying in his house. We explained that all we were doing was cleaning. we threw nothing out apart from rotten food, but she was adamant that we must leave.

Hugh's Dad took a bit over 4 weeks to die. He had no food from the end of July and latterly no fluid either. They said pneumonia was an old man's friend. Well - it wasn't his friend.The last day was horrific. eventually - after morphine - things quietened down. Then he was sick and it was like the exorcist but yellow instead of green. The nurses cleaned him up. The very end was peaceful.

In August we lived in 5 different locations. It was expensive. It was stressful and it was sad. Three of our kids, including the one who had only relocated to Seattle at the start of July, came home for the funeral.

We got home a couple of days ago leaving Hugh's father's affairs in the incapable hands of his older brother who is an alcoholic and not well himself.

However - I'm back now, catching up with the boards.

Take care - Scottie 

[meirish]

Scottie, I am beyond sorry for the really hard summer you had. The illness of  your father in-law plus trying to do your scan and then the sisters reaction to your cleaning.  My goodness. God Bless you for your ability to persevere through this ordeal. Hope you and hubby are both able to get rested up physically and emotionally. I guess getting older doesn't protect us from weird things happening in our lives. Take it easy and hope you are safe and comfortable during all these trying times. Your son was a gem to make it to the funeral from Seattle. Take care and stay well. hugs meirish

[Joe S.]

(((HUGS))) There is not much that I can say to comfort you. At these times, family can get strange.

[meirish]

Scottie, I am wondering how you are feeling and if the MRI has helped with answers and treatment. You had such a rough summer that I am sure that you have needed to rest a lot. That goes for your husband too and your children who had a lot of stress this summer also.

Seems like the world is just full of stress. Living like a hermit every so often is necessary to help us maintain our health. I feel sorry for our children and all the children of the world raising their babies with this stress. Much different than when we were young that is for sure.

Please know that I am thinking of you often and hoping that they can find help for your issues. Also, isn't every doctor booked up for 3 to 6 months these days. Unbelievable and tough on patients and medical personnel. Hugs meirish

[Scottietottie]

Hi Irish 

Thanks. I'm doing OK. I haven't had the results of the MRI with contrast yet but the first one showed up narrowing blood vessels in the brain. No answer as to why my eyes aren't moving properly.

because of the blood vessels my GP was insistent I try statins again. I did and I can't tolerate them so he sent me to a Lipid clinic. Really nice doctor there who is going to prescribe an alternative. If her alternative doesn't work she with move on to shots.

I think the summer wasn't helped by having Covid at the beginning of July which left some after effects for a while. I still haven't got my taste back properly but the other stuff seems to have resolved.

The GP has also referred me back to a rheumatologist. I have an appointment for next January! Our health service is in a bit of a post Covid mess.

Thanks for thinking about me.
Take care - Scottie 

[meirish]

Our medical clinic, especially the specialist are also in a mess. I have a new specialist that is an appointment for March and made in September. Thankfully, I can get into my practitioner usually in a couple days or one of the nurse practitioners. I feel very blest to have such good care at the local clinic here where I moved. hope things improve for you. Hugs meirish