5 WEEKS THAT CHANGED MY WORLD

 MY MUM,ANGELA JEAN LAKE DIED LAST THURSDAY THE 22ND OF AUGUST,AGED 92.SHE DIED IN KELLING HOSPITAL.a small cottage hospital.12 miles from me.they rang to say she was unlikely to live much longer,did I want to go and be with her.i said yes,my friend rushed over to pick me up.as she pulled up,hosptal rang back.too late.she had gone.too late.
 So,why the title??5 weeks??well,5 weeks before,on the Thursday the 21st of July,my mum was fine.she was eating well,we had been out that Tuesday,she was vague at times,dementia was bad BUT she was pretty well in herself.then came Friday the 22nd.she had her breakfast as usual,carer came to wash her.we had new carers,a new care package in place,and she liked the girls.the carer washed her,and helped mum to dress,and she came through on frame as always.all normal.just another Friday.but the countdown had started,about 10am mum started to feel sick,and was,violently shortly after,she continued throughout that day.in the end couldn't keep water down.i rang 111,the new number we have for non emergency cases.( I SO WISH NOW I HAD DIALLED 999)  when you ring that number,or use your own Drs number out of hours it goes to triage.a call centre,who ask various questions to determine the seriousness of the situation.in the end I was told a doctor would ring me.this was at 6pm.at 7 a doctor DID ring.and agreed mum needed to see a doctor ASAP.and one would be with me shortly.at 10pm,still no Dr.so I rang again.again triage.again questions.couldnt understand why I hadn't had a visit.promised I would hear within a short while.at 11,knock on the door.emergency Dr.he examined mum.gave her injection to stop her being sick.and left.i went to bed at 12,mum was sleeping.peace.UNTIL.......1.20am my phone rang.IT WAS THE EMERGENCY DR,RINGING ME FROM THE SECOND CALL I HAD MADE.OVER 3 HOURS AFTER I HAD MADE IT.i explained  we had had call.very curt indian Dr.just rang off.back to sleep for me.
 Saturday,mum was not too good,ate very little,kept in bed as I went shopping,but seemed a lot better.
Sunday,she had a cup of tea,and vomited it straight back up.that was 8am.she was sick all morning.i rang the damn emergency number.again.triage.again.need to speak to dr.again.finally got rang at 2.15.yes a dr would be along shortly.5pm he turned up.indian dr from night before I assume,very brusque.briefly examined mum,oh yes,she seems to be constipated.stomach distended.gave mum ANOTHER injection.then left.sadly this time it had no effect.she continued to be sick all through that night.not much at a time,nothing inside her.but sick.i was exhausted.so was she.
Monday I rang my own surgery.dr.M was on holiday.so the lady dr there on call.i was told,cant it wait til after surgery??as I was ringing,the carer came.she went and saw mum,came through said let me talk to surgery.mum was  drifting in and out of consciousness all the while by this time.i was in tears.Della told surgery in her opinion,and she had been a nurse over 25 years,mum needed a dr.NOW. she came out in 10 minutes.bit put out at being called out,but della soon put her in her place.explained that mum was drifting,dr said she seems ok to me,and............oh shes gone asleep.came through to me,said,ok,im sorry,your mum needs to go to hospital,ordered ambulance.non emergency one,no blue lights.and one arrived within 2 hours.
NOTE,I TOLD THE NICE LADY  AMBULANCE ESCORT MUM HAS DEMENTIA.WAS SCARED OF GOING INTO A HOME,WAS CONFUSED.WROTE IT ALL DOWN.
mum was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.accident and emergency.i followed in my car.somehow,mainly me using back roads,and warp speed,i got there before her.sat and waited til I was told she had arrived and buzzed through.very busy,but a kind dr went and found her,having ECG and bloods.saw a dr.eventually.sent for Xrays on distended stomach.that showed a blockage of the bowell,probably caused by constipation? she  was taken to low dependency ward.a ward for patients before surgery,minor ops.mum was confused.a foreign,probably Romanian nurse wasn't pleased when I asked if mum could go to toilet.i was told,she can ring bell  and someone will come........I said she has dementia,she wont remember.oh I didn't know.well why don't you read the notes I asked??I left mum at 9pm.i had been there since 11 that morning.no food.mum scared.
next day she was transferred to Docking ward.which should have abandon all hope all ye who enter.i went to visit at 2.until 4/again from 6 until 8.and I did that EVERY  DAY FOR 4 WEEKS.ITS A ROUND TRIP OF 76 MILES FROM MINE. EVERY DAY.after 3 weeks,the blockage was supposed to be clear.unpleasant procedures had to be done to remove the constipation.
mum wasn't eating much,food was VILE.her dementia had worsened.she was ignored,tea in a big mug just dumped in front of her.her hands couldn't grip the damn handle.if I wasn't there,it got left.as did her food.after 3 weeks GOD SPAKE TO HER.well the consultant obviously THOUGHT he was God.he told his retinue of followers,oh shes clinically well,she can go home.mum thought she was coming home.
they rang my care providers.told them angela is ok,go in tonight and care,we sending her home in hospital car,and you can look after her tonight as usual and.............WHOAAA said Claire,the acting manager.i want to speak to nurse in charge.oh that's not necessary,shes ok and...........I WANT TO SPEAK TO NURSE  NOW.
tell me said Claire,angela.is she mobile???well no,shes been in bed all this while,we have to turn her every 3 hours   Well,before all this,.she could get through to lounge,and back using frame.oh said nurse.i didn't know that.is she continent???well,no,shes had catheter in,so she wont be continent,,,,,,,,,,,well she went to toilet normally,before this,oh says nurse,can she hold herself up by arms??oh no,shes too weak,and................HOW ON EARTH CAN MY GIRLS CARE FOR ANGELA LIKE THAT??AND YOU WANT TO SEND THE POOR LADY HOME?NO EQUIPMENT?she refused point blank.thank god for good carers.
first I knew was when I got there at 2.im going home says mum.yes mum,course,very soon,when youre better and.......SHE IS,says lady in next bed.I HEARD HIM SAY SO.i went and founf ward sister.bit abrupt.your mother is well enough to be discharged  but your care company refused.i know Claire well enough to know something was wrong.so I rang.she was in tears nearly as she told me all that had gone on.i had to tell a very sad mum she wasn't going home.not yet
I rang social services next morning,got them to put a protection order on my mum,so she couldn't be  discharged without their permission.O.T.and physio to check her,assess. oh they LOVE those assessments.little S**T of a Physio asked me,in front of my mum,is she always this vague??DO YOU READ NOTES??ARE YOU TOO IMPORTANT???DONT YOU KNOW SHE HAS DEMENTIA??idiot.no he hadn't read mums notes.NOBODY EVER BLOODY BOTHERED.WHY SHOULD HE?finally,on that Tuesday,i went and saw my Dr.explained to dr.M that I was doing all those miles,and I was exhausted.he rang the hospital,shortly after the O.T. rang to say,mum would be moved to Kelling.then rang me back,oh,it will be Thursday as no bed til then.ok,least she was coming nearer.still not eating,or drinking enough.but hope on horizon.
thursday came,alas no bed,but any day,any hour,i was told.i went up that Thursday,i said to them,YOU WILL TELL ME WHEN MUM MOVES???OF COURSE WE WILL.i promise Mr Lake.it just is impossible you wont be told.my word on that
so on Friday,OF COURSE I RANG TO CHECK.4 BLOODY TIMES I RANG.NO REPLY JUST RANG,AND RANG.SO I WENT UP IN AFTERNOON.I HAD BEEN PROMISED.
got there,went in,round to ward,and............no mum.i went to desk.oh she was discharged this morning at 11am.W H A T?????????????????? IN THAT CASE WHERE IS SHE NOW?????no idea.finally found she had been sent to another unit.i trudged the length and breadth of that damn hospital until I FINALLY  found it.only to be told mum had been sent to Kelling at 2pm.so I wasted all that petrol.kellings only 12 miles from mine. I went to my friends for tea,got to kelling at 6.poor mum.so upset.confused,afraid.no idea where I was.where she was going.
that little hospital tried everything.she was got up,dressed mornings.nurses tried everything to get her to eat.mum told me and pam,ive had enough.i want to go.  she didn't mean home either.
last Thursday pam sat with mum,from 10 am until 6.30..i went in at 1. my mum.so weak now.just curled up in a ball in bed.didnt know us.didnt want to drink.or eat.or talk.MY MUM DIDNT KNOW I WAS THERE.i just burst into tears and sobbed on pams shoulder,i cant see mum die,i don't want to see her die.pam sent me home.rest I have told.
MY MUM,ANGELA JEAN LAKE.BORN 3RD JANUARY,1921.DIED 22ND AUGUST 2013.
5 WEEKS IN HOSPITAL.SCARED.LEFT TO DIE.OUR N.H.S.  I WAS SO PROUD THAT HERE IN THE UK,WE HAVE FREE HEALTH CARE.
SHAME ON US FOR HOW WE TREAT OUR ELDERLY
5 weeks is all it took.5 weeks to kill my mum.
funeral is next Wednesday,4th of September.she will be buried next to my dad.
REST IN PEACE MUM,YOU WERE THE BEST MUM ANY SON COULD EVER HAVE,IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE AND A PRIVILEGE TO CARE FOR YOU. YOU WERE LOVED.
but you were let down. 5 WEEKS, I am no longer a carer.i miss my mum.thanks for reading,tc xxxx

catchup time,im sorry i havent been in touch.

Morton Lake

 I have been very lax lately.and I apologise.lot happening,very little good.i have got to go to Papworth hospital for a MRI stress test in august. that is for all the angina im getting,i saw the heart consultant the other week and wants this test done ASAP.too dangerour to do another angioplas without it.Papworth is our leading heart hospital.its also miles away.so got to sort transport.

this month ive got to go back to dermatology as the nasty she zapped off my ear hasn't gone,in fact its worseshe said if the scab dropped off not to go back.but its got worse

.to cap it all I had a video xray done of me swallowing,as I choke on food and drink,they give you barium to drink,then yoghurt,then yoghurt and banana,and biscuit.after the radiologist said she can see my airway doesn't close properly,hence liquids are being inhaled into lungs,hence 17 chest infections in past year.also I have thickening top roof of mouth.7 yrs ago I saw ENT about that.they removed a tonsil thinking I had cancer in it.shame nobody told them I was then suspected of having MS.it was a perfectly good tonsil.the weird results were,MS.3 years ago my consultant sent me back to ENT,as he wasn't happy my croaky weak voice was MS.they had me in,supposed to have had a biopsy done.i later found all they did was "have a look,as it looked ok,no biopsy done"NOW,ive been called back to see them,seemss someone somewhere is now worried.makes 2 of us.

so not good.on top of all this worry,mum is so much worse.memory is now seriously bad.only good thing,someone is back in my life,my ex Myra.we close friends again
 don't swear at me lmao.i know what youre going to say.but im lonely.so is she.so why not?just friends is all.anyway,up to date.i am sorry im not always on,but I do check blogs,but cant always get on.no idea why.ah but for the good old days lol.

,i DO think of you all,and I wish us all,peaceful days,and pain free nights .tc all xxxxxx oh,and yeah the MS is a right pain,in all senses of the words.struggle on.tc and ty, mort xxxx

 

 

the Demen within

Dementia.such a nasty word. people get dementia,go gaga.thats the simplified view of most people.they send "funny"jokes about having it.you know,ive got alzheimers,but at least i dont have alzheimers.hilarious.anyone of my friends on facebook who posts a joke like that mocking dementia,well,you will be an ex friend in 0.2 seconds flat.BECAUSE IT ISN'T BLOODY FUNNY,not one tiny little bit.ask anyone with it,how demeaning it is to forget what you want to say,to forget the names of simple everyday objects.to forget what you had to eat for lunch,to not knowing what foods you like.who people are.THAT IS DEMENTIA,.is that funny??no.and my mum has the damn hideous thing.it lurks inside,popping up any time.when tumble driers become "the bin",when the TV remote control can be used to try and make a phone call,and get angry when she cant get through.or use the phone to change channels.when meals are often new and surprising,as we have never had this before.when the this in question is an old favourite i have been making years.THAT IS DEMENTIA.is that funny??no.it isnt.it is sad.horrible.both for her to endure,and for me to have to see.i am not going into too many details.i was going to write more,but as i am writing this i find i can't see the  screen.because i am crying.my mum is 92.a great age.but sometimes she is like a young child.she can be very aggressive,rude,quite unpleasant.THAT IS DEMENTIA.and she gets worse.as i am getting worse with the bloody MS.she becomes more and more dependant on me.i know one day there may come a time i cannot care for her because i need help myself.mum does not understand just how tired and ill i feel sometimes.she does try.and,inside,she trys so hard to make herself understood,to remember that name she has known all her life.that taste,that place name.
Yes there are drugs that can help.mum has tried one. made her so sick every time she took a tablet.but she tried.i stopped them.as i said to Dr.M,it is not fair to put her through all the sickness,and there is no certainty the drugs will help.i feel so helpless.every day my mum is slowly being taken away from me.THAT IS DEMENTIA. MAY WHATEVER GOD YOU BELIEVE IN HAVE MERCY ON THOSE SUFFERING WITH IT.and if you have someone in your life with Alzheimers or dementia of any kind,you have my utmost sympathy.
Hope everyone of you has got through this awful winter unscathed,keep warm and well,spring will come soon.tc all,mort xxxxx

HAPPY NEW YEAR?lets hope so

yes it really is me,lol.last post in march i see.im sorry,but MS and mum,both progressively worse than they were.and i find it so hard now to write about it all.where to begin???
 i had so much trouble getting mum decent carer,the one we had was in and out in under 10 minutes,hardly spoke to her.and one night i put cream on her back and being blunt she smelled unwashed.so i raised hell with office.sent a nice carer out,L,she was in tears nearly.took 2 bowls water,and mum had huge pressure sore the size of a 50 pence piece on her bottomn.no way any decent carer doing there job could have missed that.so nurse was coming in twice a week dressing it.thankfully it cleared up.L is our carer now,mum likes her,and she cares about mum.but she forgets so much.is so much worse than she was this time last year.Dr did put her on tablets to try and help memory loss,but she was so sick.as he said,is it worth it?not fair on her.92 in 3 days time.
as for me,i fall about,i slur my words,right eye has a problem with spatial awareness,swallowing still bad,pain,all worse.back is completely shot to hell.disc crushed,and basically its just pain management.myy garden hasnt been done this year,only kepy tidy.julie is coming in the spring to clean pond out.good friend to me.known her 36 years now.(possibly loved her as long too lol)i get tired so easily now,still have angina attacks too.but tablets are helping.
so there we are,start of a brand new year.2013.will it be good?will i get worse?who can say.do i worry?yes,because of mum.i am not scared for myself. and PLEASE dont feel sorry for me,i am ok,so many worse off than me.just be nice to each other,i wont promise to read blogs or when i will post again,but you are all in my thoughts.Lucy my friend,an inspiration to us all.Herrad you keep a doin gal( this is norfolkese lol) and to you all reading this,a very happy new year to all.tc,see you on Facebook,mort xxxx

something old,something new,its a car,and its blue.

ill named Christmas rose.it dont flower at christmas,its not a rose.lol. Helleborus Niger,being posh.ive got lots of them,self seed everyhere.nice to see the spring flowers coming up,snowdrops,crocusses and daffs all blooming.

this is an hotel ship which moors off the coast behind my house. it houses workers on the "Sheringham Shoal" wind farm that is being built off the norfolk coast. looks lovely at night all lit up.ermmm that pic didnt come out too well,lol.

MY NEW BABY.FORD FIESTA ZETEC 1.25. got it home wednesday,and yes if you look closely the front tyre is flat.had to get tyre company out today. somehow it sustained a large cut in the sidewall. almost as if some jealous person shoved a stanley knife in it.nobody would be so mean. would they??? no comment.

lovely inside,comfortable,plenty of room to get mum in and out. and me.

yes this is blue.lol. and no i cant remember what its called.

So,that is the something new and blue,the old??oh,the usual beast that is MS.saw the consultant last week,examined me,made notes,looked at last years notes,listened to what i had to say regarding fatigue,pain,balance. and,just like last year,i am to keep on with the baclofen,plus i also use gabapentin for back pain,which is also used in the treatment of MS, to rest when i need to. usual. see him in 13 months. could have copied last years post really. i know i am worse,he knows i am worse,i damn nigh did kick him,he was examining me and lifted my leg up.and you dont do that when someone has crushed discs. scream from me,yelp from him as my other leg poked him lol. sorry,he said,i clean forgot your back..thankyou. e both know there is damn all he can do for me,so we go through this charade every year. but its not his fault.

the back has been bad,and my ankle.been doing the exercises the foot specialist told me to do.still cant balance on the right foot like he wants. pains bad.torn the long ligament under that foot.maybe at the same time as i did my back in. painkillers help.a bit.choking and swallowing difficultys are back,as is the weak voice. again,i am being careful what i eat. it is common sense really. easier said than done.

So,new car,old pains. mum still has so much pain with that foot. huge bunion. did take her to nurse,who dressed it and made it worse.so we undressed it lol. she forgets such silly things,gets angry;.i wont say any more on that score. you all know i shalll care for her as long as i am able.

well,winter is nearly over.the nights draw out,flowers bloom.been a mild winter,one fall of snow,few sharp frosts. very dry,in fact,dangerously so.already warnings of drought later in year.

finally,the end of an era.i sadly gave up being an AOL customer. for nearly 8 years they provided me with internet.i got a better deal with BT,my phone calls are now all free,first 3 months of net is free,new home hub to connect to net,but,i still use AOL.writing this on it. only now its free.lol. good to be back blogging,won't promise when the next post will be,i am sorry i don't get round to youre blogs very often. but you are all in my thoughts. keep safe and well, take care all. mort xxx

MS LIFE 2012

World-leading MS research to be showcased at MS Life in Manchester

The MS Society has announced that Manchester is to host its flagship national event, MS Life - Europe’s largest event of its kind – for the third time when it returns to the city from 14^th-15^th April.

The free two-day lifestyle event will take place at Manchester Central and is aimed at everyone affected by multiple sclerosis (MS), whether personally or professionally.

Providing an impressive programme of speakers, MS Life 2012 will allow attendees to learn about the latest in MS research from experts including renowned Professors Robin Franklin and Charles ffrench-Constant who are leading the MS Society’s groundbreaking Centre for Myelin Repair and the Edinburgh Centre for Translational Research.

There will also be a plethora of individual workshops covering a range of topics for visitors to attend, while the exhibition space will be split into separate zones. Within this space, visitors will be able to gain one-to-one advice and information from the Support, Employment, Mobility and Lifestyle Zones as well as meet the event speakers at the Meet the Experts Zone. On a further interactive level, visitors will also be invited to take part in activities such as yoga and pilates at the Get Active Zone, while the Spa Zone will offer the chance to relax with a massage or complementary therapy.

MS is a complex neurological condition with many symptoms which might include fatigue, vision problems and difficulties with walking. In the UK, over 100,000 people have MS.

Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive of the MS Society, revealed the popular event, which has seen around 7,400 visitors and over 200 exhibitors over the course of previous years, will be bigger than ever before. While the event is free, people are being urged to sign-up to confirm their place as soon as possible.

Simon says: “MS Life 2012 will have the theme ‘Get Active’, tying in with the Olympic year, so a range of activities will be on offer to celebrate this. In addition to research talks from world-renowned scientists, there will also be complementary health, relaxation and beauty sessions and exhibition stands offering support, information and advice on MS, so we are advising those hoping to come along to book their place early.”

A number of interactive workshops will take place during the course of the event, from advice on how to manage symptoms, such as fatigue and tremor, to how to keep active with MS through cycling and exercise. Also included in the comprehensive programme are workshops on childhood MS and how positive psychology can be of benefit.

A colourful Wheel & Walk fundraising event, following the streets of Manchester will allow participants to take in famous landmarks like Albert Square and Manchester Cathedral while raising money for the MS Society. The 6km route is suitable for wheelchair users and buggies and it is hoped families and friends will join in the fun. The past two Wheel & Walk events held at MS Life have raised over £20,000 for the charity and it is hoped that a significant amount of funds will again be raised this year.

Simon adds: “Anyone with a connection to MS will benefit from the range of information available during the weekend. This is the best time for people to find out what scientists are doing to beat MS as well as take part in the more fun aspects of the event.

“MS Life has made its mark in Manchester, cementing a strong presence in the North West region and we have received enormous support from Marketing Manchester which we are very grateful for. The event in 2008 gained support from Manchester United’s Danny Wallace, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes so we are delighted to be back hosting MS Life in such a fantastic and responsive city.”

For further information about MS Life 2012 and to book a free place, please visit www.mssociety.org.uk/mslife or call 020 8438 0941.

Ends

Media contact

Michelle Oliver, Vicky Sanderson or Kim Bailey

Golley Slater Public Relations

Michelle.oliver@golleyslater.co.uk / Vicky.sanderson@golleyslater.co.uk / kim.bailey@golleyslater.co.uk

0191 2459020 / 01943 484848

Notes to editors

· Previous MS Life events were successfully held in 2006 and 2008, both in Manchester and most recently in 2009, when the event took place at The Sage Gateshead in Tyne & Wear.

About MS and the MS Society

• The MS Society (www.mssociety.org.uk) is the UK's largest charity dedicated to supporting everyone whose life is touched by multiple sclerosis (MS), providing an award-winning freephone helpline(0808 800 8000), specialist MS information and funding more than 70 vital MS research projects in the UK.
  
  
• MS is the most common disabling neurological condition affecting young adults and an estimated 100,000 people in the UK have MS.
  
  
• MS is the result of damage to myelin - the protective sheath surrounding nerve fibres of the central nervous system – which interferes with messages between the brain and the body.
  
  
• For some people, MS is characterised by periods of relapse and remission while for others it has a progressive pattern.
  
  
• Symptoms range from loss of sight and mobility, fatigue, depression and cognitive problems. There is no cure and few effective treatments.

hearts and flowers

i have been feeling really ill ever since Christmas day.rushing around getting lunch,stressing,lol brought on a massive angina attack.my own stupid fault,but it made me really feel bad.pain in arm,tight feeling in chest,bad signs.so last week i went off to dr.M.he examined me,said heart sounded ok,was still beating at any rate,lol.but,i had a very nasty chest infection.did think i had,i could feel it.so put me on antibiotics,my favourite big yellow horse pills that always get stuck and taste vile.also,increased the beta blockers i am on to double strength,and i do feel much better.one worry less.the MS is bad at moment,loss of feeling in my hands leads to smashed crockery quite often,dropped a nice vase last week full of flowers mum had had for birthday.i am getting terrible nightmares as well,but i think they are the result of increased beta blockers.alll in all not the start i hoped for in 2012.

mums bunion is causing concern again,very badly swollen,and that split is very red.or its scar is.nurse will look at it if it gets worse,really do not want it to burst.nasty for her last time,took months to heal.

the group i started on facebook continues to grow,if anyone is interested in joining,please contact me or indeed Guido,he is an admin for me.anyone in pain with MS,FM,ME,Arthritis,diabetes,anything that causes pain and distress.we share what we are feeling,and we help each other.we care,we share. hmmmm wonder where i got that from? lol.why did i start it?mainly because 1 member had MS,and was worried.there are so many places you can get "help and advice" from,MS society being the best,but what about FM?yes,there is a web site,as there are for many if not all of the different illnesses,BUT they are all so impersonal.what as needed,i thought anway,was a place we could go to be with friends.where people could come together to give each other help and support.to share information,new advances,or,just to have somewhere private,where friends and family couldnt read,to unload what is worrying us.it is a private group,only members can read what we write.many members, and i have over 40 now have never written anything,or shared. but,and i have had messages and emails thanking me,still get comfort from reading what others have posted,and realising they are not alone with their fears. fear.it is a nasty thing to realise you have a disease,whatever it may be,that is affecting your life.making you "not the person you were".and it is nice to get support,and we are friends on there first and foremost.

anyway,hope you all had nice christmasses,and new year celebrations.it has been a mild winter here this year,no snow,at least where i am,indeed very,very few frosts.i found a clematis flower on the large one i have near my front door,and bulbs are poking through.i know we can still get a bad time,but it all helps.roll on the spring. the primrose in the picture is growing in a tub,lovely to have some colour in the garden.cyclamen are all blooming as well.pansies are poor though,slugs and snails had a good go before the winter.never really recovered.

i go and see my MS consultant next month,apart from that i hope to be free from hospital visits for a long time.i do hope you are all keeping as well as can be,take care all,mort xx