Karaoke, Thai & the old folks

Once again another week has whizzed me by and a start of a new month.  I do sometimes wonder where the times goes and how I manage to fill my days especially when I don’t have a project to work on.  I am spending a lot of my time worrying about Phil’s mum and wondering how much longer she can carry on looking after dad at home.  The carers are helping and at least she has someone to chat to but it’s not nearly enough.  Poor mum is now having to sleep in the same bed as dad as he has gone all nocturnal and is up for the most of the night.  Not surprisingly considering he is asleep for most of the day.  Getting old is no fun.

Phil went down on Tuesday to Melton and had a good visit.  Dad seemed a little better and Phil was kept busy with jobs that his mum wanted him to do. He fixed the washing machine and took mum to Tesco’s and to the doctor’s surgery to put in her prescription. I stayed home and did domestics in the flat, I had wanted to go to the gym but that didn’t happen.

On Wednesday I went with Sue to see Dr Medhi at MK General; he was the first doctor to start all of her investigations.  It is quite an experience going to Sue’s appointments, because her condition is so rare, she is being used as a case study in various medical fields and we get treated with almost fame notoriety. Sue has been discussed at a conference in America and the cardiology at MKG is writing a journal which he hopes to publish in the medical world.  Sue won’t be named, she’ll just be referred to as ‘white female 54 year old woman’ but it will be interesting to read.  She has asked for copies.

I did make it to the gym on Thursday morning which is the first time in a while and it wasn’t too painful.  Phil picked up Georgina and took her to see her grandparents.  I had a snack for lunch and then picked up Sue and we drove to her appointment with Professor Grossman at Oxford.  We had a good run in although not enough time to grab a cup of tea in the main building.  The Professor commented on how well Sue looked and gave her the all clear; he also pronounced her as ‘normal’ although I’m not sure I would agree with that! We managed to avoid the rush hour by the skin of our teeth and I got back to the flat before half five.

I was feeling jaded from a late night on Wednesday and not feeling much like going out but I’d promised to join Sue, Brian, George and Pauline for karaoke at The Canon in Wolverton.  Sue, Pauline & George got up to sing but thank goodness, I didn’t.  There was much persuasion from the others but the ones that did get up were very good, almost professional which put me off.  It was fun and a ‘one off’ but we won’t be going back or at least I won’t.

Phil went to the doctors for the results of his blood tests but the new computerised appointment system didn’t work and the surgery had no record of his appointment.  It was a shame really because I was keen to find out his PSA result. Never mind he is booked in to go back on the 17^th.  Actually he will get his results before that as we are going to see the consultant on the 15^th  at MKG.

Friday was a lazy day just catching up but Friday night was good.  We joined Brian & Sue for a glass of Proseco at Sue’s house and then Phil drove us over to The Blue Orchid in Aspley Guise.  The meal was part of Sue’s birthday celebrations.  This girl certainly has celebrated her 55^th and with good reasons after all the shit she has been through.  Phil said that Sue has had more birthday celebrations than the queen!  The Blue Orchid was packed out; we were there on a Groupon coupon which seemed a like a good deal but probably not so cheap when you factor in a few bottles of wine.  The food was really good and we had a great night.  Sue treated us to supper so cheers for that girlfriend, we owe you one!

It wasn’t a late night which was just as well because I had to drive to Melton on Saturday morning. I wasn’t up that early, I was on the road before 9 and landed in Melton about half tenish.  Only to find poor mum in a terrible state when I got there; she’d been up all night and the lifting with dad has made her arthritis ten worse.  It was obvious she was in great pain.  The slightest of effort made her wince and a couple of times she nearly lost her balance.  Of course she doesn’t help herself and is up and down like a yo yo. I helped with lunch, hung the washing out, hovered the bungalow and took her to Tesco.  I came away feeling useless though, what she really needs is help with dad and his personal care.  She is depressed and it’s obvious to me that things can’t carry on as they are.

All in all, our weekend has been quite depressing.  Phil went over to the caravan on Saturday whilst I was at mum and dads and I had wanted to go to the caravan yesterday but Phil wasn’t keen.  He hasn’t been sleeping and didn’t get up until after 10 and by the time breakfast and showers were done, half the day was gone.  So our Sunday was a day full of nothingness, shame really because it was such a nice day and it would have been nice to be and out and about.  But sadness and nothingness just about sums up how I am feeling right now in time.  I’ve got a couple of socials this week which should be fun but I am thinking come Saturday, I might just take to my bed.  I feel like hiding from the world.