What Day Is It Anyway?

Dear friends, and you are all friends, you have proved this more than once. I feel I should explain my absence since 4th June. I have been unable to write or even read any one’s posts, my apologies. Then this morning I spotted how Darswood had said she had wondered where I was and had sent condolences for the family that I should give you a heads up for now.

Firstly, MIL died late night 3rd/ early hours 4th June. The Covid and frailty won in the end. MIL did not go quietly she fought it to the end with every ounce she had. She made her goal, her 100th Birthday and was conscious, up and dressed to celebrate it with the hospital staff and hubby.

Then the days began to blur we fell into a pit of organisation. As you will know if you have been following my #WDIIA posts hubby and his brother and sister do not get on too well. But when MIL died they agreed hubby should organise everything, this is just as well as otherwise it would of been chaos. So he threw himself into arranging the funeral. I gave all the support I could but he was a man on a mission, he wanted to do his mum proud.

We got up at stupid o’clock, we walked Ruby , Hubby arranged the funeral this strange pandemic life continued with its highs and lows.

Stangely I was feeling ill, sleeping, eating and doing even less. I found it hard to write or read. Pains in my shoulders, back, chest, neck, jaw all escalated until we thought heart attack? … But for days? Eventually I rang our GP surgery.

Now going to the GP surgery these days is not normal. You ring up and talk to a non medical receptionist who quizzes you, luckily I was deemed unwell enough to see a duty Dr at 5pm that evening. Instructions : Arrive at carpark wearing a mask and gloves, stand at the first yellow line by the emergency exit and someone will let you in. I was greeted by an woman in brown scrubs, plastic apron, gloves, mask, goggles and a visor. She was actually the Dr. Her PPE and my mask made conversation rather difficult, anyway I had a chat with her then a nurse gave me an ECG. And an appointment for blood test was arranged. ECG was fine.

It was a very painful weekend though Saturday we got to see our son , his wife and the grandchildren, under brand new rules we are now allowed to have a BBQ of six people who must socially distancing. You may not go into the host’s house at all. So we had a lovely bbq.. and it was cold and windy and some of the time it rained thank goodness for heavy garden umbrellas. But it was the first chance to see them since lockdown and it was lovely. Some of the above rules have changed again.

As the weekend progressed I got worse. Monday was terrific, pain, Monday night thought I was dying, Tuesday I took to my bed. By 4pm we had to call 101, they sent an Ambulance which took me to E.D. Home at 5am next morning then back at AEC at 11am tests all day, then Ultrasound found the problem. A massively swollen gall bladder full of bile and large stones, one huge one blocking the neck. I was admitted.

© willowdot21 Not where I was but similar.

Now again because of the pandemic we have to go to hospital unaccompanied, so hubby had spent Monday night and Tuesday not really knowing how I was really coping. Luckily we were in touch by mobile.

Wednesday after nil by mouth I.V. antibiotics, fluids and painkillers overnight on the ward it was decided they would put in a drain and fit a cholecystectomy bag. Mid morning I was taken to ultrasound, the procedure did not go smoothly and it had to be done twice with a CT Angiogram done half way through to see what was going wrong. I might talk about that later but not today, the drain and bag are with me now for 6 to 8 weeks with appointments arranged with the surgeon and then another operation to remove the gall bladder.

Hospitals too at the moment are dark and scary places , staff wearing PPE, and inpatients and outpatients wearing masks and gloves. I will write about about my experiences, fears, what I heard and saw but not now I am tired and I don’t have the muse with me she is on holiday.

I was discharged from hospital Saturday evening, wearing my new accessary the cholecystectomy bag, with scant instructions on how to empty and keep it clean and even less on what I can and can’t do myself, but there’s always Google and my brain to help me with that . So Sunday dawned warm and it was so good to feel safe at home, hubby and I emptied the cholecystectomy bag , over 200mls good I thought it’s draining well , We had a very quiet day and it was good to relax and eat something edible though small. A neighbour rang and whilst they were chatting I was dozing. Hubby looked at my bag and there was another 150 mils in it. He said our neighbour had said it should not be red and looking like tomato sauce and over 300mls was an awful lot to loose since coming home. Thankfully we listened as we knew she was a nurse albeit 34yrs ago.

So it was Sunday evening I was back in hospital much to my distress, thank goodness after 24hrs, more tests, bloods and two nasty injections through a cannular I am back home , grateful and determined to stay here.

Last night I slept like a baby, we were up at a quarter to stupid o’clock. But today is MIL’s funeral and sadly I can’t go, I am not well enough. That again is another post. .

So I am going to stop now as I am exhausted, I have been trying to finish this post on and off for over 12 hours now but I am determined to do so.

The funeral went well, and MIL’s road was lined with her neighbours, family and friends. A mark of the woman she was. Our middle son followed the hearse to the Crematorium as a mark of respect, a one man Cortege. He payed his respects to the 10 family members allowed into the funeral then drove to our house to look after me. In the garden socially distancing.

Hubby and our two other sons attended the funeral, hubby read his lovely eulogy to his mum, the Celebrant spoke beautifully about MIL from what hubby had told her. Hubby and our to other lads joined The middle lad and me in the garden, we made a party of six with Ruby dog, and we were all socially distanced. The boys drifted off one by one the youngest first home to his family, then the middle to his flat our eldest and hubby took Ruby for a walk . Then he went off home too.

Below the music from the funeral.

Mil entered to this as it was a favourite of hers.

This hymn was for all to join in, with was this version.

Unforgettable, bless she is. Was her exit anthem.

So I think that is that for now, I still don’t feel up to being back full time yet. The loss, the cholecystectomy bag, the next op, the fear and pain, pandemic is all a little to much just now. I am here I am trying and it’s so good to know you are all there.

Thank you to Sue at Daily Echo and Ritu at But I Smile Anyway for seeing me through a dark night on the ward. Thank you Marjorie Mallon for her kind words and Darswood for giving me the shove I needed to write this post. To all of you , you know who you are Betty, Geoff, Di, Hugh, Colleen, Dale, Ronovanwrite’s, Kat, John, Jim all of you out there, I am here. I am coming back I just need some time. If your name’s not there consider yourselves all mentioned.

This is part of LindaGHill’s #WDIIA.

consider yourself mentioned Linda💜

What Day is it Anyway 24th May 2020

Why is Linda hosting this post.

She said.”Because if you’re like me and stuck at home already, or if you’re going to be like me soon, the days of the week are going to be hell to keep track of. We have a wonderful community here on WordPress, and I’m sure many people are feeling nervous and/or isolated. I want to make sure every one of us has somewhere to congregate and someone to talk to.

Why am I writing this post ?

Because it’s day ? since we have been told by Bossa to stay home and socially distance ourselves. We are all in different circumstances and yet we are all in the same boat.

Changes everywhere I look and mostly not for good. I really can’t go into this because I try not to go too deeply into anything political. I read today that: “A person who has had Covid19, could be re-infected with coronavirus in six months, new research suggests, in a blow to the push for “immunity passports” as evidence of recovery from the illness.” Information from here.

So there we have if that is true it will be as easy to catch as the common cold. So Ch, Ch, Ch, changes will have to be made… Life will never be the same again. I know not all the changes are bad, look at nature she is having a ball, clear skies even over cities, less traffic, on land sea and air road and rail. The animals too have got much bolder which is sad as now some of the traffic is returning there has been a rise in road kill. Today my sister had a special visitor in her garden not mr fox, who often visits, but a beautiful Monkjack Deer.

Oh! Look another new normal, Hubby was up at even more stupid o’clock than I . He could not sleep worrying about his mum. So there we were both battling with stupid o’clock.He took Ruby after his breakfast and after he’d rung the hospital. So started another day… Too early.

I had a leg of lamb in the fridge so I decided to roast it, for Sunday dinner. I did the whole works, Coliflower and broccoli cheese roast potatoes, parsnips, sweet potato and carrots and greens plus I made a huge Yorkshire pudding. It was lovely dinner and we enjoyed it very much. Hubby was going to mow the front lawn but instead he spent most of the morning putting up a new washing line for me. I have a system of six lines at the side of the house as I love to hang my washing out to dry it in the air.

The old line was green with a nylon inner, the new one is a bronze/ brown plastic line with a, wait for it …steel inner much stronger and very posh! I am very pleased with it.

After dinner we rang the hospital, checked up on the family and then walked Ruby.

In the evening we had our weekly video call with our friends five doors up, it was great fun as usual this week the invitation was named “WEEKLY SANITY CHECK”

Time for happy song

This is part of LindaGHill’s #WDIIA

What Day is it Anyway.Sunday 25th Through Tuesday 27th April 2020.

Why is Linda hosting this post.

Why am I writing this post ? Because it’s day ? since we have been told by Bossa to stay home and socially distance ourselves. We are all in different circumstances and yet we are all in the same boat.

Well it’s still out there but lots of people have decided to flout the rules , not everyone but enough so as we notice more cars on the road, more people out. The weather has been lovely and so people have been venturing further afield. Those who flout the rules are selfish and stupid sadly they will only prolong the pandemic. Covid19 has not left the building. The line “Don’t act like a dick cos’ you’ll make others sick” really is true.

Politicians and businesses are wanting to open the country up but be honest it might take time but the country can recover from an economic crisis with time but once you’re dead you are dead!

Yes it’s confusing.

Awake at stupid o’clock, see to Ruby, hubby up at sensible o’clock he took Ruby for her walk I did the house. The hubby had to take hearing aid batteries and wax guards to the hospital for his mum. The ward had rung and said as they were wearing masks and eye protectors she needed to be able to hear. That was another reason I couldn’t sleep, I was worried sick about hubby going to the hospital. But it’s his mum and so he went. He dropped off the batteries band wax guards, I managed to get him to wear a mask and he took his hand gel with him. He said the hospital was empty, he only saw two people when he was on his way to the ward.

We had a quiet afternoon, when he rang the hospital to see how his mum was the hospital told him she wanted some cloths and bits. Horror of horror, for me he agreed to go again the next day. So his brother who is staying at her place packed a suitcase for her.

In the evening we had a virtual drink with our friends who live up the road. We have a video call a couple of drinks and lots of laughs, boy we needed those laughs!

Queue happy song!

And so to Monday.

Not much sleep again, and the morning started just as yesterday did. Hubby walked Ruby, then he headed off to his mum’s house to pick up the suitcase. Then on to the hospital. I cleaned the house, and did my exercise class. Then hubby rang, how was the hospital was it quieter or busier……. It was the same. Did he wear his mask……. Yes he did. Then he dropped the bomb shell. They told him to come on to the ward? “You can’t stand in the hallway” they had said. He did as he was told. His mother’s nurse spoke to him , he had his mask on but she had taken hers off. She gave him an update. ….He didn’t see his mum of course. As he was just at the door end of the ward.

Well if I was worried for his safety before I was now scared ridged for him. It’s strange he does what he does for his mother because he loves her, I worry sick because I love him.

So home he comes, I find it hard not to show I am upset so I do the ironing, he phones the hospital and they offer to do a zoom call, as we have no idea how she is. We have the call in the afternoon , it was really difficult to tell how she really is. It was like the first call the other week. There is a lot of confusion but flashes of clarity, that’s a good sign.

I really can’t remember what happened the rest of the afternoon or evening, apart from it was stressful.

Queue Happy Song.

And so to Tuesday.

Another disturbed night though this time It was due to cramp . Another groundhog start to the day.. After breakfast we took Ruby for her walk, got soaked. Home did house Hubby did the shopping, we try to go once every 10days. I had several phone calls from friends and family. I warmed through a homemade vegetable soup for our lunch with some fresh bread rolls it was good.

Just before he took Ruby for her walk hubby checked the out the drains, it now looks like we have a problem with the downstairs toilet deep joy!

I have had enough. I am getting upset now, ever heard of the straw that broke the camels back?

This is part of LindaGHill’s #WDIIA.

PS. Plumber coming tomorrow 💜

PPS. They have asked if Mother in Law would be a guineapig for the new drug to combat Covid19 . She is 100, had two seizures… We said NO.

What Day is it Anyway. Wednesday 15th April 2020

Why is Linda hosting this post.

Families? What do you do with them, but what on earth would you do without them. It’s at times like these we see everyone’s true colours and I am not talking about make up or hair colouring!

We have the mother in law in hospital, not really sure what has happened as the hospital keeps giving us different information. This is not surprising as they are so busy the facts are it sounds like she had a TIA followed by a seizure, following by a massive seizure when she arrived at the hospital. I won’t go into the details too much but the hospital thought she’d had a stroke,then they thought she’d had a seizure, now they think it could be both.

Now hubby and his brother and sister are not best buddies so it can get really difficult sharing information. …… Families.

So it was up with the lark as always, feed medicate let Ruby into the garden. Then Hubby took her for a walk. I stayed home and did my homework and moved the furniture in our bedroom so I could have my Pilates Lesson.

Great lesson, via Zoom then I got on in the kitchen and made vegetable soup out of some of the excess veg I have in the fridge.

Got lunch for hubby, have no idea what I did in the afternoon? I prepared a chicken salad for dinner and that was lovely. We were expecting a Skype call from our friends from Murphy’s Ville in but before they called I had a Facebook video chat with one of my lovely blogery friends.

Our friends rang at 7pm and we were on to them until 8.45pm , as I had a video writing sprint to attend at 9pm. That was fun.

That’s about it for now, I really tried hard to be positive today and I think I succeeded. Time for a happy song. Let’s party!

This is part of LindaGHill’s #WDIIA.

What Day is it Anyway? Monday, April 13th, 2020

Why is Linda hosting this post.

Yes indeed we must all keep our distance 2 metres to be precise. In the street, in the supermarket, anywhere infact.

What sort of day was Monday, it was Easter Monday but to be honest is was just like any other day during quaeteen. Up at stupid o’clock, feed Ruby, medicate her let her out. Then we walked Ruby after breakfast.

Of course the day was overshadowed by worrying about hubby’s mother who is in hospital having had a seizure.

I did the usual, washing, ironing and cooking. Really and truly it was a full day but whether or not it was stress or monotony I can’t remember what happened!

So time for a Happy or hopeful song.

This is part of LindaGHill’s #WDIIA

What Day is it Anyway? Saturday, April 11th, 2020

Why is Linda hosting this post.

Yes well this is a very strange Easter no friends or family no church, temple, mosque , no bishops, vicars, Inman’s, rabbi or priest in their usual surroundings no they will be on line from gardens, kitchens, or anywhere they can find in their homes.

Another ground hog day, so much so I cannot remember much! Up at stupid o’clock, fed and medicated Ruby. I can remember what we did, rang round checked on everyone. Had lots of photos and videos from our youngest, pictures of our eldest grandson’s birthday plus a video of their Easter egg hunt.

In the afternoon Hubby cleaned the gutters and sophets at the back of the house. We took Ruby for a late walk.

Really not much to report so time for a happy song..

This is part of LindaGHill’s #WDIIA

What Day is it Anyway. Friday 10th April 2020

Why is Linda hosting this post.

We have a beautiful planet, I believe it is angry with us! I don’t blame it.

Usual start to the day, cramps, sickness, no point in staying in bed so up, feed Ruby , medicate her let her out into the garden. Then I did all my house work before hubby got up.

Today is my eldest Grandson was six and this morning we had a four way video call with our three boys and our grandsons. The birthday boy was camera shy so we only caught a fleeting glimpse of him. It was lovely to see our boys and plenty of our youngest grandson who a real cutie but it was a real shame not to get s chance to sing him Happy Birthday the Birthday Boy. This virus is really mean .

So it may not be the end of the world but I missed not being able to have a cuddle.

Hubby took Ruby for her walk. I had a Zoom,Pilates class which was very grueling but good. When I finished hubby was doing his exercise class when I came down stairs. I joined in with him for the last ten minutes.

After lunch he did some more gardening. I did a few jobs than caught up on my blog especially reading posts , I am so behind. I am sorry to say that I got so overwhelmed that I have deleted a load of posts. I do hate doing this but it’s the only way I can cope. I am also very behind with posts.

We all must keep our two metre distance and these days I for one panick when people get to close to me or hubby. Life is strange isn’t it. We fear friend, family and strangers alike. Anyway I rang a neighbour and checked she was okay, sister in law she and her hubby are fine too, hubby rang an Aunt and as ever we used social media to stay in touch with friends and family. Thank goodness for telecommunications !

Good song, weird video!

As that’s another day done. I hope you are all keeping safe and well and keeping your spirits up.

Happy song time.

Well it’s Easter, So HAPPY EASTER everyone. I am going to say what we have been told to do

Apart from you those you live with it is phone or video contact with family and friends. No going out to social gatherings, no sneaking off to the seaside, or the countryside, no family BBQs we must be sensible if we want to beat the Virus.

This is part of LindaGHill’s #WDIIA.

What Day is it Anyway. Endure. 6th April 2020

home already, or if you’re going to be like me soon, the days of the week are going to be hell to keep track of. We have a wonderful community here on WordPress, and I’m sure many people are feeling nervous and/or isolated. I want to make sure every one of us has somewhere to congregate and someone to talk to.

Our host Linda at #WDIIA called her post, today and it really took my heart she said :”Endurance. I think it should be the word of the year, not just the day.”

I totally agree and right now all we can do is endure. I think the best way we can do this is to find humour in the situation.

Yes another early start sorted Ruby had a coffee and checked my emails, and read some posts. Hubby up by 8.30, breakfast then time to exercise Ruby.

On the way back we had to stop to get the remainder of our middle son’s prescription. We had tried to pick it up for him on Friday but they did not have one of the items so we had to return. I waited in the car with Ruby while hubby queued up, as with all queued now each person separated my ten metres. It took an hour and there was great confusion caused by the staff about our sons prepaid certificate. They told hubby he had to pay, he told them he did not as our son had a prepaid certificate,they said it was out of date, not politely but very loud and aggressively infront of the whole queue. Luckily hubby had the email from when it was paid and all details on his phone. Eventually he had the medication almost thrown at him. I must add here that we totally understand that the staff are working under scary and stressful conditions but there was no need to treat hubby like a criminal shouting at him and not even apologize when he showed them it was them and not him or our lad at fault! Luckily they are not our regular chemist’s. I was very proud hubby kept his cool and was polite.

By the time we got home hubby was upset and tired. A neighbour rang to ask him something so I gave him a cuppa and let him relax. After lunch he did some gardening, Ruby spent the whole afternoon with him, she is such a daddy’s girl.

I did my daily exercise video then had a shower and washed my hair. Then it was to get the dinner, shepherds pie and cabbage and beans. Hubby rang his mum. We heard from the boys and both my sisters so we know they are okay. In the news our prime minister Boris who went into hospital last night is now in intensive care. Let’s add him to our prayers. That’s about it for now, we need a happy song.

Thank You

This Is Part of LindaGHill’s #WDIIA

What Day is it Anyway? Tuesday, March 24th, 2020

Why is Linda hosting this post.

Why am I writing this post ? Because it’s day Seven since we have been told by Bossa to stay home and socially distance ourselves. We are all in different circumstances and yet we are all in the same boat.

Okay I am a day behind but, yesterday was a really busy one..mm so what day is it anyway?

Woke up between 5am and 6am with cramp, tried to get back to sleep then the sickness started, I was up by seven fifteen no point in trying to sleep. The sickness in the morning usually passes after I get up and move around. I have had it now since I broke my back the second time, ten years ago. Let Ruby out to do her business, she is always delighted to see me. It a beautiful day again, sun in the blue sky.

Hubby got up and when checked his phone he found two worrying emails, about Ruby’s food. Our firm of choice is in Germany. They said that they had our order but could not say when it could be dealt with. The other was our fall back choice and their email said that they were closing their site for four days as they could not cope with orders. Action was needed Ruby needs food!

So we rang the local pet food retailers and luckily for us we found our nearest outlet had two bags of not quite Ruby’s food, she has a delicate stomach and has Royal Canin light. They only had the Royal Canin joint care but that will do, we can’t be picky, so hubby dashed off only stopping to dress and clean his teeth! Luckily he got two bags for Ruby fingers crossed we have nearly two months of food for her. Hopefully her order will arrive by then .

Food for Ruby secured we took her for walk, to our quite place. It’s so erie walking around an empty woodland .

We got back and I did my usual checks on family and friends. Hubby did a morning’s gardening and I hoovered and washed all my floors and did some cooking.

Then a lady who lives near who is blind as is her partner rang. She wanted some shopping and her gas topped up. As it was important we sorted that out for her. I have to say it was rather stressful as not all people are not keep the proper social distancing. So we got them sorted out, though they also did not seem to grasp the idea, that we were going to leave the food on the door step and post the gas card and key back through their door.

They have a list of phone numbers of young healthy people who are ready and waiting to help. I know this might sound mean but hubby is in the wrong age group to be out in shops and I am not far off it either. We must look after ourselves as well. I don’t want either of us to get the virus, I don’t want anyone to get the virus. We will help anyone if we can but we are not going to put ourselves at unnecessary risk again. We will shop once a week and exercise Ruby, apart from that we will do as asked and stay in. When we shop we can pick up for others if needed. But no more risk taking when people have help on hand but are too proud to ask for it.

Early evening we cooked some meals for the freezer, we make a good team when we try. Then we had steak and salad for dinner. We were exhausted mentally and physically. Middle son, rang a few times, and eldest son rang a couple of times he is still shopping in small shops. I am afraid I lost it with him, and told him he is at risk! To get out and stock up at a big store then I can relax…..a few rude words! He rang later and said it was all done, sorry and I can stop worrying. ….okay I went over the top but he’s one of my boys!

Our middle lad who has been sent home from work for 12 weeks because he is at risk, found out today his and his colleagues have to take a drop in pay and shift allowance that is happening to a lot of people.

The youngest lad who has two children and has been working from home for a while, told me he had printed leaflets offering help and giving his phone number. He said he goes out each morning to see if anyone has put a leaflet out, signalling a request for hope. He has already had some phone calls.

After dinner I whatapped a friend who is on her own, we had a video call and it cheered us both up. It’s the little things that help a lot. So reach out and talk to friends and family.

This is part of LindaGHill’s #WDIIA

What Day is it Anyway? Sunday, March 22nd, 2020 #WDIIA

Why is Linda hosting this post.

So today is Mother’s Day here in the UK . So I wish anyone celebrating Mother’s Day today a lovely day. If you are not celebrating Mother’s Day I wish you a happy Mother’s Day too.

I received a beautiful bouquet that arrived almost asleep yesterday. Today it’s looks so amazing.

Yes I do have three sons but number one son apologized profusely for not sending a card and anyway he rings or whatapps daily.

We were up early as usual, breakfast and then we took Ruby for a lovely walk. We went back to where we went yesterday and it was deserted again.

Home from the walk and time to check up on everyone, our younger nextdoor neighbours, two of my sisters, two or three friends on line. Then the boys all got intouch to wish me a happy day. Our youngest sent us a photo of the eldest grandson preparing the soil for growing potatoes.

Our other grandson was inside, playing paw patrol.

We had some lunch and then Hubby had to fix our satalite dish . That took about an hour, all good fresh air out in the garden. Then I took Ruby for a walk. I was amazed to find there were so many people out, old, young, middle aged, children, babies! Our prime minister had asked us all to stay in and keep a 2metre distance between us and anyone else? Well I had a real job keeping my distance , infact at one point there were groups of people from four directions. Ruby and I danced around avoiding them all. I have to admit though I was very concerned and I felt very unsafe. It is really getting to me, I was actually frightened, why were they all out when we have been asked to stay home.

Then our middle son popped round with a card for me, which caused consternation, hubby was not please and our lad did not come in, it’s awful when you are made nervous by your own son standing in your garden.

I know I promised I would not go on about it but it does worry me.

I feel so sorry for the homeless,they have nothing, no protection, no where to go they need help too. There is talk of some hotels opening up to the homeless I hope it is true.

The video below is a week old and not from my area, it’s from the north of England.