Home Weeks 8 & 9

Happy Holidays

22/12/2008 to 04/01/2009

Days 122 to 135

Be honest, you probably did all the things that you swore you were not going to do again last year, this year.Even with the credit crunch the £5 a head was not going to work. The only thing is that you have to wait until the credit card statements come in to find out you spent "HOW MUCH", well the sales started early.

I made the mistake of going round Sainsbury's on Christmas Eve. Has the war started? as people seem to be storing up for the next 3 months. People must be converting their spare rooms or garden sheds to store it all. Where does it go.

To be honest we did well with the food this year, the pigeon was just enough to go round. Seriously Marks & Spencer did us proud. Margaret was not quite up to hosting Christmas lunch so we went to Nicola's. We had prepared the turkey and ham joints at home and took them over. Nicola and Jason had the rest ready for dinner.

I still find trying to keep ; Gravy, Bread sauce and Cranberry sauces separate on the plate a challenge. This was followed by Brandy with a little Christmas pudding in it. I think it would have failed the breathalyser on its own.

WEB CAM

After lunch we had a Web conference call to Dublin. They were all there, Chris, Celeine, Brennagh, Rory, Breda, with Marilyn, Emma, Sarah joined by Ciaran and new addition Callum.

We also got a good look around the new 'conservatory' area which looks enormous. Look forward to a visit to see it later in the summer. There will probably still be some Christmas fare in the Pantry, see above.

Wii



Fortunately the weather was dry over the next few days and we were able to get out and about with Margaret getting exercise around the sales. And low and behold it came to pass - a miracle, we actually came out of one shop without buying anything, well several shops actually. Margaret cannot be bothered with all the getting changed or taking them home and trying things on then its me that has to change them. I am sure it was the same stuff I saw in last years sales!

I think I have become a little cynical.

I had written to Henry in Chicago, as I said before every time I contact him it seems to be bad news and unfortunately he had to write back to tell me that Ella had died on December 12Th. Ella had been suffering from Emphysema for years but her passing came as a shock. Our thoughts and prayers go with him.

New Years Eve. Again naivety prevails. I went shopping again. There was enough food in the shopping baskets to feed several large countries. I am sure that people had hired Sherpas to transport the food for them. There was no bread - again. I had to settle for an exotic Swedish Rye bread to go with the Salmon.

New Year was very quiet. Nicola went to her friends party for a change and Margaret and I stayed home. She did not fancy a late night, anyway it was below freezing. The fireworks round about only lasted about 15 minutes and the resultant revellers did not materialise. Maybe it was too cold, maybe there are less smokers so there were fewer people in the garden or just stuffed with the mountain of food and drink consumed that they went to bed early. It was quiet.

Margaret enjoyed the Holiday Period. She was able to get out and about, was taking a far more hands on role in preparing food and dinners etc., speaking to all the family.

2008 is gone, never forgotten but we need to look forward to getting back to as normal a life as possible. Margaret has been texting well on the mobile, her writing with her left hand is excellent, the usage of the right hand is progressing well and I have told her that her PC lessons start in January so look out for some E-Mails.

I will be encouraging her to go into work to visit again shortly as the interaction is needed. We will endeavour to visit Glasgow by the end of the month but until then contact her as often as is sensible.

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas and look forward to an exciting and healthy new year

Happy New Year and thank you all for your continued support and love.

With Love, Margaret & John xxx

Home Week 7

15/12/2008 - 21/12/2008

Days 115 - 121

Tuesday 16/12. Today we went back to Charing Cross hospital to see the surgeon. Mr Mendoza. We went through the Mri scans on the pc and Margaret was fascinated with the First one taken of the massive clot. Margaret wants to put in an order for some copies.

Will scan them in if we get them.

Margaret was given the all clear by the surgeon.

We then went shopping in the new Westfield centre opposite the BBC studios in Shepherds Bush. It only opened a few weeks ago and was surprisingly quiet. Getting closer to Christmas.

Tuesday night was the final session with Emma the speech therapist. Many thanks for her help and we may see her again next year.

Margaret is continuing with Kinga at the West Mid Hospitals and is getting plenty of homework to keep her going over the holidays.

Christopher is over for his work and also his Staff Party on Thursday night when he is staying in London.

Wednesday 17Th: Lisa and Sam Norton visited from work today. Margaret enjoyed the visit and a chance to catch up and the interaction with other people.

Margaret is still keeping up her exercises and showing a lot of improvement. She is very persistent.

I had sent half a dozen letters out with Christmas cards this week to inform some friends and relations about Margaret's condition.

Many thanks to Collette-Anne Geddes and Joe Farrell for their kind and supportive responses.

Home Week 6

8/12/2008 - 14/12/2008

Days 108 - 114

Another week at the office. Margaret's motivation is not yet waning. If anything her determination and drive to get herself back to normality is increasing.

Her exercise regime goes on for most of the day. She will do her arm stretching and leg exercises each morning but constantly works on the arm, rubbing and flexing the shoulder, elbow and fingers to keep them supple. She can now raise her arm to about 11 o'clock, which is a great feat.

Sometimes she feels her speech is going backwards. I believe it is more down to the fact that as the brain matter itself has been healing then her full vocabulary has returned but she still has to remember that although she now knows what words she wishes to say she tries to speak too quickly and stumbles on occasion.

I still think she needs to make more contact with others every day to practice her speech. While she does her 'homework' there is no feedback or others to interact with. Have told her that she must speak with someone else each day, whether it is by going to the garage or shops, or calling someone just for a quick chat.

Chris and Celeine were in New York this week so could not get an update on Sarah's baby, hopefully he will update this for me during the week.

We put the decorations up this week-end. Roll on Christmas.

Next week it is physio on Monday, to the hospital on Tuesday to see the consultant, Emma's last visit for speech therapy on Tuesday night, a visit from Lisa and Stella from work on Wednesday afternoon, the West Mid for therapy on Thursday and back to the GP on Friday to have her blood pressure checked.

5 minutes with nothing to do, give Margaret a call....

BABY NEWS

Congratulations

Congratulations to Celeine's sister's youngest daughter, Sarah, who gave birth to a baby boy at 2:02am on Saturday 6th of December 2008.

Callum Edmund Ince-O'Keefe weighed in at 5lb 15oz and both mother, father (Ciaran) and baby were surprisingly well.

In the couple of days following the birth Callum suffered from low levels of blood sugar and was kept in the hospital so he could be given high-glucose fluids. He was released into the care of his mother on Thursday 11th and since being home is doing extremely well.

Here is a short video of Callum, taken about 15 hours after birth, in the arms of doting Aunt Celeine (really she is a Great-Aunt, but don't say that too loudly - I suppose that makes me a Great-Uncle!).



Best wishes to Sarah, Ciaran and all their families.

- Chris

Home Week 5

01/12/2008 - 7/12/2008

Days 101 - 107

Advent Calender

On Monday Barbara Steele came to visit. Barbara is on a visit from Offally, Ireland. We have known Barbara for about 20 years since we moved to London. Barbara kept Margaret entertained for the afternoon while I was at work. I got a reprise of the news about Ladbrokes people who we used to work with. It was fun to catch up if a little bitter sweet. Half the names mentioned had died and the other half were Directors of divisions, some with other bookmakers.

Wednesday was a busy day. The physio came in the morning to take Margaret through her paces. In the afternoon Sam Mumby came from Bupa,with the usual entrance fee of a bottle of wine, to see how Margaret was doing and anything the company could do at present.
In the evening Emma came for her speech therapy session.

Thursday was the visit to West Mid for a session with Kinga. I was banished for this session. I think my snoring disturbed them the last time.

Friday Happy 40Th Jason Cook. Margaret had her first night out. We went to the Harrow pub for a little celebration. We stayed for an hour and a half, half bottle of wine and some excellent Asian snacks, we took Joseph home with us for the night.

Saturday was hairdresser day. Mandy Hawkett from work came over to give Margaret's hair a trim and tidy up. Mandy had commented on how much Margaret had come on in the three weeks since her visit to work. As I have probably said before, it is more difficult for me to notice the subtle changes on a daily basis although her right arm movement is more pronounced now along with shrugging her shoulder ans able to raise the arm to almost full extension above her head.

Home Week 4

24/11/2008 - 28/11/2008

Days 94-100

Margaret is progressing well.

She has had a lot more telephone conversations this week and is using her diary for appointments.

The physiotherapist came on Wednesday for the first time and took Margaret through her paces. She also showed Margaret how best to get up off the ground should the need arise. She will be returning next week with the occupational therapist.

Speech therapy is 2 sessions a week up until Christmas when the private sessions will stop. Hopefully Margaret will be confident enough by then to go for extra sessions by bus and also to the Therapy centre in Hounslow for some group sessions.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY's

Happy birthday to Mum who is 80 this week. Margaret is dissapointed that she cannot be there to join in the festivities.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - Geraldine 50 ssssshhhhhhhhhhhh dont tell anyone.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - Anne - ?? - somewhere in between

Home Week 3

17/11/2008 to 21/11/2008

Days 87 - 91

Margaret is settling in to a more familiar routine.

Sleeping patterns are now regulated and she gets up about 8:15 to 8:30. Has some breakfast cereal followed by toast and marmalade. I adapted a wooden cheeseboard and put some wooden stoppers down two sides with a corner gap so she finds it easier to spread butter etc.

Most nights now she will prepare the evening meal and set the table for dinner.

Some days she will go up to the garage or just walk around the block for exercise on the leg and to keep fit. On friday she made the trip to ASDA with her trolley to do a little shopping. I think she was exhilerated by the experience although she was very tired afterwards as the trip took about 1.5 hours in total.

Speech therapy is coming on. Currently she is having two sessions per week, one with Emma which is private at home, this will last another two weeks. Kinga at the West Middlesex is on a weekly basis but once Margaret masters the local busses she can go more often. Treatment here is only limited to access and is ongoing.

Give me a call

Margaret is reluctant as yet to join any support groups. I feel that she does not get enough external contact or stimulus especially to help her conversation skills. If you can, give her a call, may want to co-ordinate days and times. Better times are 12:30 to 1:00 before her nap and probably 3: to 4:pm.

I find it difficult now to discern progress on a daily basis so you may want to comment on your conversations. Cheers

Home Week 2

Friday 14/11/2008 Day 84

Margaret had her first trip up to the garage for a few provisions. Hopefully this is the first steps to her own dependence.

Thursday 13/11/2008 Day 83

Marie went home this morning. I have taken the day off so that I can take Marie to the Airport and we also have our first appointment at the West Middlesex hospital this afternoon.

Many thanks to Marie for her help this week.

It was a straightforward trip to the hospital, just over 20 minutes without pushing too hard. Kinga, the therapist was most welcoming and I think Margaret will do well with her. She also stated that there was no specific timescales for Margaret's treatment so she can have two or three sessions a week if needed.Margaret opted for just one for the following week, Thursday again at 4pm so I can leave work earlier to transport her there until she feels comfortable in taking the bus.

Wednesday 12/11/2008 Day 82

Today they walked down to the shopping centre which took about 20+ minutes. They tried out Margaret's trolley for the first time. I don't think they quite got the hang of it. It was supposed to be for convenience to store a few goods to transport rather than seeing how much they could get in it.

The few hours out plus the 20 minute trek back took it out of her and she was shattered by early evening. Although Margaret is at home it takes a lot of energy working and moving around the house.

Tuesday 11/11/2008 Day 81

Nicola picked up Margaret and Marie into Staines in the afternoon for some shopping and I picked them up after work to take them home.

Monday 10/11/2008 Day 80

Home Alone

This was the first day Margaret had to manage on her own. It seems to have gone well. Margaret spent the afternoon preparing dinner.

I met Marie at the airport, eventually. After 1.5 hours of being moved on from the drop zone she eventually arrived. Nicola and Joseph then came over for Pasta Sauce. First time for 3 months and it was wonderful.