Pre-ops and rainbow catching...

Hi guys, we've been living quietly this week as Coo has a pre-op meeting tomorrow!

The stress of yet another hospital visit has been weighing heavily on both our minds!
The dreaded meeting with the anaesthetist is tomorrow and in some respects, I'm glad it's finally here but I feel sure it's going to bring it's own problems too so we are both a bit wary!

Poor Coo, it's been a real struggle this last week, lot's more seizures all probably down to stress. I kinda know how he feels though as if I had sleep seizures and needed a general anaesthetic, well, I'd be feeling wary about it too!
General Hospital visits are never easy.
Stress makes things worse for Coo and I, so part of me thinks, well, let's just get this first bit over with, and then wait and see what we are dealing with and the other part? Well, it says... more stress, more seizures and yet more hassles are looming right on our horizon!

I'm trying to be positive and one thing's for sure, we need to know what exactly is wrong with Coo this time and can it easily be treated and that's not going to be answered tomorrow but it's a step in the right direction!

I'm posting a lovely rainbow today, it's one of my favourite images.

I find them really restful and soothing, and I kinda like the idea of catching one and holding it for even just a little while! LOL

Wish us luck tomorrow! I've a feeling it's gonna be a long day so... I'm gonna try hard to catch hold of that rainbow and think of some happier times!

I hope you're doing ok where you are and having some happy thoughts too!
(((hugs)))
Maz x

Health troubles...

Hi Guys, it seems that more health problems are in store for Coo and I and it's a worry.

Remember a few months ago? When I mentioned Coo needed to have some biopsies done? Well, thankfully everything seemed to be fine and the problem definately wasn't cancer.  The problem is, things have not really improved much for Coo so he needs more tests...again!

We've struggled with this issue as it's been decided Coo will need a general anaesthetic and with sleep seizures nobody really knows what the added risks will be - not good!
Anyways, we're now waiting on some info. from Coo's neurologist before we decide on our next move.
It's worrying times and you can imagine Coo and I are a bit stressed about the whole thing! Although considering the latest health hassles, we're doing ok! There's more seizures due to the stress but we're holding it together!

Guess what?
This weekend is our wedding anniversary so we're going to celebrate a little - even if it's just out to dinner! Our wee grand-daughter (and her parents!) are coming for a visit too so that should cheers us both up no end and bring some smiles back!

I'm not really what I think of as the average granny, a bit like this one...

...but I must say I really love being a granny! It's great fun! lol

I've decided this week I'm not going to worry about the hospital stuff. I'm going to push it from my mind and enjoy some family time - everything else can just wait!

I hope where you are you're having some settled times!
(((hugs)))
Maz x

New year and good news...

Hi Guys, where has January gone? lol

I've been busy training with my local council again and this time it's about writing care plans with social services - I thought that would be really helpful for our wee Carer group!

Coo's been really tired this week and hasn't wanted to go out much at all, I think it's just the after Christmas lull most people experience in January but I'll keep an eye on things just in case.

Good, infact brilliant news...meet Jessica!

Our much awaited first grand-baby has finally arrived! Woo Hoo!
She's pictured in a tartan heart because, being born on the 25th of January makes her a Burns baby!
My friend Cally says she's lucky as people the world over celebrate on her birth day and as daddy's a Scots Guard it was a perfect day for her arrival in his book! lol
Coo and I are tickled pink at being grand-parents - can you tell!

So you could say, for the moment, here, things are in the pink! lol
I hope things are good where you are too!
(((Hugs)))
Maz x

Happy New year 2012...

Hi guys and a 'Happy New Year' to you! lol

Coo and I have had a good time this week visiting family.
We've had a laugh and it's been fun and that's despite the gales and storms we're still experiencing here on Scotlands blustery west coast!
Look it this...wild or what! lol

I hope the weather improves soon. It's very grey and dark and that really doesn't inspire happy thoughts or help anyone's mood  for that matter. We'd like a nice wee spell of wintery sun, and wouldn't that be good!

This storm sure has caused some havoc!
My wee green-house still badly needs some help and assistance but I've decided not to risk having a go now. I'm waiting it out until the wind has gone and then we'll re-build for spring - just in time for planting - yeah!

Well then, how did 2011 shape up in the end?

Mm...well, it wasn't a brilliant year health-wise, still lot's of seizures for Coo but in recent times, I guess it's not been the worse either so I'm counting my blessings!
I'm hoping it's going to be a hale & hearty year for us all this time around, even a little improvement would be nice for Coo and I!

I've been really busy in 2011 too!

Things were a bit hectic at times, with Caring, campaigning both locally and nationally and the usual appointments and hospital visits that are always on the go!
This year I'm going to re-evaluate just what I realistically can do and set some boundaries - well I'm going to try!
I know, I know...I need to be busy and I'm passionate about Carers issues so I'm going to keep up with the work I've already committed to with the Local Authorities Carer Strategies and personalisation care plans and also Carerscotland. They are important to me and what's more I'm proud to be involved with them and pushing for a better deal for all Carers. God only knows, I sure would be lost without the Direct Payment that enables me to have some sort of time outside caring and I want the same benefits for other Carers and what's wrong with that!

So in our own scots way....'Slainte Mhath'!
You may well ask...Slainte-what?

Well, it's an old Scots toast to Good Health and around here it's pronounced...
'slanj-e- vah' - isn't our language really quirky! lol

Lastly from a not so sunny (more like stormy!) Scotland...

I hope the new year's kind to you wherever you are!
Happy New Year 2012!

(((hugs)))
Maz x

Carers & Surviving Christmas...

Hi Guys, well have we all survived ok? I hope so! lol

Christmas is such a challenging time for most Carers isn't it? Well I usually find it that way anyways! lol
It's really nice to be around family, if your lucky enough to be able to get out and join in but sometimes that creates it's own challenges too.
Between the changes in routine and beds 'n' meds times add in the ...

Rich foods and the obligatory chocolate munching that usually accompanies Christmas and I think everybody suffers a little bit don't they and no wonder! lol

One thing though, I never touch alcohol - never really liked the taste much and Coo rarely drinks too as it affects his meds.
He does have the odd beer at this time of year though, and so far it's not done any harm so I think we've done ok!

Coo's been no worse than usual and better than some other Christmas times I can think of, so all-in-all we've survived the Christmas splurge this time around - Woo hoo!

Just new year around the corner and we're home and dry!
I hope you're surviving things too!

Happy Christmas
(((hugs)))
Maz x

Carers & Christmas shopping...

Hi guys, well...are you all ready for Christmas?

I'm never ready - but I'm usually more organised than this! lol
First Coo's and then my nasty cold, kinda de-railed things a little bit and we've been caught a bit on the hop this year.
Luckily, I got a few things ordered online (in between sneezes!) so it wasn't too bad but really!

I never go shopping on Christmas eve...ever!
Now I remember why....it's a bit of a stress-ball-struggle isn't it! lol


Fast and ferocious are two words that spring to mind!
Shopping is kinda crazy this time of year and people seem to go a little nuts don't they?

Anyways...I guess it was real lucky I only wanted some last minute bits, a cuppa and...back home again! lol

Thank God for our Direct Payment and thank goodness Looby was here too as Coo would not have coped well with all that hustle and bustle and we'd both have been totally stressed out! I went with my mum instead and nothing much fazes her in a hurry! lol

We manged to hit the shops, stop off for a lovely cup of tea and casually make for home while everyone else was still fighting at the chocolate and perfume counters!

Now, if I can just find the quiet hour I need to finish wrapping parcels it'll all be done! - Woo Hoo!

Happy Holidays!
Maz x

Who carers when Carers are ill...

Hi guys, the dreaded has happened! I have a stinker of a cold!

I think it's the same one Coo had the other week and now my system has given up the ghost and fell down with it too- typical!

The weather is terrible too, rain and gale force winds - what a week!
My wee greenhouse has taken a bit of a battering and come to think of it, maybe me running around chasing the roof panels in the wet, has contributed to said stinky cold!
Note to self ...next time, just like Piglet here...let 'em fly...it's just not worth getting ill! lol

Anyways, my plant pots are strewn everywhere too so all-in-all our garden looks a sorry sight and it'll just have to keep as there's no way either of us are in good enough shape to sort it out yet!

So I got to thinking, just who does look after the Carers when they're ill? Well, that's a good question isn't it!
I think if you're lucky, family can come help out and if not...well, you're kinda on your own with things and just have to carry on regardless! Now that just isn't fair and I suspect most Carers are in the latter category and need to muddle on as best they can and I think that's easier said than done!

I'm lucky in some respects, as when Coo's awake, he can help out and make the odd cup of tea but then the down-side kicks in as he quickly tires, sleeps and...yes, you've guessed it...seizes. They're never far away that's for sure but at least, between us, we can mostly manage!

I really worry for those Carers where that is not the case and when the Carer is ill, the person they care for is not able to help at all! Who picks up the strings and helps them?
Probably nobody - We need a better system!

My mum and dad popped in just to make sure we were ok, at times like these  I'm kinda glad they only live a few minutes away! We have  a system though as sometimes getting out just isn't an option for Coo and I so the delivery man brings the shopping and if things get really crazy...I'll use some of my Direct Payment holiday and send for Looby!

Meanwhile, we'll just keep cosy indoors and wait it out!
Let's hope this stinky cold goes soon and...normal service can be resumed! lol

Hope you're fairing better in the sniffy and snuffly stakes where you are! lol
(((hugs)))
Maz x