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when does the carer get care?

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Written by suew 10. Aug 2008 05:55 PM

The family are getting together to celebrate our littlest grandson's first birthday today and I sent Ray off with Trev as I have that horrible coughy virus that is going around and didn't want to spread it around the family. Trev took Ray with some reluctance, knowing that there can be problems but hopefully all will be well. All I know is that I was desperate for some peace and quiet and couldn't do anything else.

What do you do when you are sick? I was sick on Friday but as I had a "new girl" for the three hour resppite I went out and sat in a shopping centre and drank coffee. If it had been the regular carer I might have gone back to bed but didn't feel I could do that with someone new in the house. I did come back early though as I really didn't feel like shopping and didn't think anyone would want a share of my germs, so couldn't visit anyone. I'll visit Mum when I am sure I am over this completely.

There is nothing much a carer can do beside dose herself/himself up with over the counter renmedies or antibiotics and wait for time to heal. It is not as if there is someone else who will rush to our side and take over the job of caring, or offer to look after the two of us in their own home. No, that just doesn't happen, does it?

The good news is that Ray will be away at Camp Breakaway from Tuesday till Friday morning and so I will have time to get over this and maybe do some odd jobs around the house too. I will just have to see how much energy I have.

I am pretty healthy on the whole, but like everyone else sometimes a virus catches me unawares and then I wonder; "Who is there to look after me?"

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Comments from the community:

Ray was put in hospital today after a series of falls. The last one was this morning at Daycare so they called an ambulance.

The doctor says he has a high temp, an irregular heartbeat and a few blood problems so he will probably stay there for a few days.

Maybe I will get a few good nights sleep while he is away from home. I'll go to the doctors myself tomorrow and see if I can get something to shift this virus.

Written by suew, 11. Aug 2008 11:39 PM

Hey Sue

I read your entry about carers and yes it does make it difficult when we are not at our best. I struggled for some time when I fell down the stairs but was lucky to have the carers and my neice helped for a couple of days but there was still a lot of time that I was alone.
I worry when I feel unwell that I am going to pass it on to mum and dad but what can I do? They still require the same care despite my condition as does Ray for you.

I hope Ray is ok after reading about the hospital trip. I must catch up with you to discuss this .. life has been a bit hectic for me at the moment so that is why I have been slack.

Hugs to get you through

Lisa

Written by leslie, 14. Aug 2008 01:06 AM

leslie, it wasn't a hospital trip, he is still there. He has pneumonia and an irregular heartbeat that isn't responding to medication at this stage.

My chest infection doesn't seem to be responding to the medication either so I run out of the presnt medication tomorow and will go back to the doc if I need to.

At the moment life seems a bit grim (news of deaths etc) but I am sure we will all come good again. Thanks for your concern.

Sue.

Written by suew, 15. Aug 2008 10:18 AM

Ray is still in hospital. More tests have been done including an EEG ( to see why he is having the fits)and an endoscopy/colonoscopy ( to pick up if he has had burst ulcers). I am hoping tomorrow I will get a run-down on the results.

I don't think I am getting much of a break as I drive to see him every day but I am getting a full night's sleep which is good. I am almost free of the coughing apart from just on nightfall now.

Sorry I am not meeting up with any of you in chat. I hope it is because all is well and life is happy for you and you don't need to vent.

Written by suew, 28. Aug 2008 12:37 AM

the govt does not supply long enough and the time I need it, in the evenings.
I now put aside enough money to have tertiary students
come in a couple of hours three nights a week.
It is worthwhile going without things, foxtell. etc.
I have employed female students for mum, you can decide
what rate of pay you can afford. The female overseas
students have a different attitude, to western mentality,place them in a home etc.
Even if you can only afford to employ once a fortnight
for a couple of hours. it can save your sanity.
Charlotte

Written by charlotte, 13. Sep 2008 03:52 AM