Saint Andrew's Night...

Hi guys, we had a brilliant St Andrews night!

For those who haven't visited before, Coo and I help run a wee group for adults with disabilities in our local Community Centre on Monday nights.

Tonight there were 5 very handsome kilted pipers booked to play in the local church (across the road) for a big civic St Andrews night bash.
They needed a place to warm up and tune their bag pipes so I said they could use our building.

Well, they were handsome and it was too good an opportunity to miss so I pinched them for 10 minutes! LOL
I told them I had a group for disabled adults in the next room and could they please visit us for a few minutes before they went on their merry way and the little diamonds that they were, they agreed!

They played us a few tunes!
We did a wee jig!
and a good time was had by all...brilliant.

We all so enjoyed the inpromptue pipers! LOL

I am always heartened by peoples kindness and generosity especially when it's so unexpected!

What a brilliant night!
Smiley faces all around!

maz x

Winter, Carers & Christmas...

Hi guys, with all the recent hassles surrounding Coo's meds, we've been at home a lot the last week so I've had some thinking time and I'm not really sure if that's a good or bad thing! LOL

On the meds front?
Coo's bloods are still a problem but here's hoping there's some better news tomorrow!

Enough of that...

I've decided I kinda like wintertime - even if it is still raining here! LOL
All the hot chocolate drinking and the snug woolly hats and scarfs! Warm hands in brightly coloured gloves and the even brighter rosie cheeks and cheery smiles to match! LOL

Our Community Centre put up it's Christmas Trees yesterday and I suddenly realised it really is just around the corner, I mean, Advent's in a few days and I've not even bought a chocolate calendar...yet - I'm definately slipping this year! LOL

Talking of Christmas, reminds me of a quote I came upon last year so I thought I'd share...


We are each of us angels, with only one wing. We can only fly by embracing each other.
Luciano De Crescenzo

Isn't that a pretty phrase?
I think so!

It always inspires me and I think it's really so very apt for Carers.

Now that I've realised Christmas is really coming and I need to get, shopping, organising and in general moving - I've decided I'm not going to...panic!
Instead I'm going to try and relax and stay calm this year!
Well that's the plan anyway! LOL

Keep cosy and keep taking the hot chocolate - (it beats the pills any day! LOL)
maz x

It's raining in Carer land...

Hi guys!
Well, the rain has still not stopped here at all!
In fact here's our local train station: You can kinda see why they suspended services can't you! LOL

We are used to wet weather but the sky is so heavy and grey it's having a knock on effect on everyone's moods!

Coo's been very down, his seizure pattern has not improved even though we reduced his meds. He's having his blood's re-tested tomorrow so we'll speak to our Doctor then.
I have to say, there is a new pattern emerging, thank God we keep a detailed seizure diary as these things can be spotted fairly quickly.

It used to only be when Coo's AED (anti-epilepsy drug) levels were too high, that his mood swings kicked in but now I think this is happening when they're too low as well!
The last time we were in to see the Doctor, he said a lot of people were having low mood issues mostly due to all the dull days and change of seasons but I'm pretty sure Coo's are related to his drug levels too.

I'm definately going to explore this further either with our doctor or his Neuro.

Apart from the usual hassles increased seizures bring and the current flippy mood changes - everything else is well...hunkydory! LOL

Rainy weather?

All you need is...

A great BIG brolly and an even bigger smile!

Just as well I kinda like the rain 'aint it!

maz x

Coo's Bloods...

Hi Guys, as if things were not up 'n' down enough at the moment!

I've tried unsuccessfully, to get Coo's blood results already this week and it now turns out the tests need to be repeated Arrrgggghh!

Our doctor will phone tomorrow and let us know why he wants them re-done. I'm not sure if there's a problem or the lab's lost 'em but time will tell, I suppose!
Mean while, poor Coo's like a pin cushion as it is and will need poked and prodded again so we're less than impressed!

On the upside, his mood has improved a bit and he's less sleepy this week so his drug level must be in a better place by now!
He aint Mr. Grumpy so it's all good! LOL

Oh and incidently....it's still raining here! lol

That's after 18 days practically constantly tipping it down too!
So...just like this little piggy who has the right idea...
It's umbrella and wellies here I come! LOL

maz x

Dreaded drug see-saw again...

Hi Guys, it never rains but it pours!
Who ever said the life of a Carer is dull?

We seem to be up and down on that dreaded drug see-saw again.
Too little drug in the system, it's seizure city and too little well...ditto!

For the last two days, Coo's slept and seized around the clock.
Our Doctor has advised we drop his AED (anti epilepsy drug) right away.

We were going to wait until he had his bloods done on Monday and check the levels first but as things are not getting any better we've ditched that plan and decided to go with his advice.
We're going to drop the dose tonight in an attempt to settle things down a bit.

Wish us luck,

maz x

When the Carer needs care...

Hi Guys, well...Coo shared his cold with me - how nice!

I've had a bit of a temperature, sore throat and sneezes since Tuesday but thankfully I think I'm eventually kicking it! LOL

Poor Coo's still suffering the last of the sniffles and it's taken him twice as long to kick it as me!

All I can say is thank goodness were both now on the mend! lol



All we need now is a dry day to get out in the park for a bit and kick up some of those leaves!

I hope you're avoiding the sniffles where you are.
maz x

That Carer Roller Coaster...

Hi Guys, things are a bit brighter here!
Thankfully Coo seems to be over the worst of his cold.

His AED (Anti Epilepsy Drug) level is still too high but he thinks this is down to his temperature and sniffly cold so we're going to hang on in there, wait it out and see what happens!

We're at home a lot more as Coo seems to have bursts of energy and then fall asleep again really quickly so it's still a bit of a roller-coaster ride as one minute he's bouncing about and the next he's out cold!

His seizure level has risen a little, well...he's got around 12 - 15 seizures a day. While that's not easy, it's a manageable level, considering last year he was having 30 a day so we gotta keep looking on the bright side!

But enough of that...

Our wee club, the one we run for adults with disabilities had their halloween party last night and it was brilliant!


Coo had a sleep in the afternoon so he'd be ok to 'party' lol
We had an assortment of witches, devils, ghouls and lots more besides!
We dooked for apples, danced, sang karaoke, had a much needed laugh and generally chilled out and it was great!

I always feel better about things after our wee club as it always puts things back into perspective.
Despite all their disabilities and health issues it'a a very happy club, there's always lots of fun and laughter!
Kinda makes you realise what really is important doesn't it!

A chilled out and happy, smiley,
maz x