The Carers crash...

Hi guys,
I think we've all had the what I call the 'Carers Crash' feeling from time to time. I think it usually happens, (well for me anyway), after a run of issues, hospitals, appointments or just generally, more than the usual hive of caring activity.
Suddenly, you find yourself feeling a bit off colour, out of sorts or shorter tempered than usual and then you realise you're just tired and need to re-charge your batteries!
Now, if I'm lucky I've reached this point before my energies are totally spent and I can start to re-dress the balance a bit and if not? Well...welcome to melt down! lol

Over the years I've kinda worked around things and found ways that work for me to bring my energy levels back up again. It's typical, but the best is always the most difficult to acheive isn't it and for me it's....(drum roll)...sleep!

Most Carers have disrupted sleep at some time or other and the lack of it, sure as heck is the quickest thing to pull you down and make everything seem just that bit more difficult! The problem for me is sometimes - well, most times if I'm honest, sleep just isn't an option so what else is there to help recharge things then?

***Crafts - a bit of whatever takes my fancy and usually anything that can be picked up or dropped at a moments notice fits the bill nicely! lol

***Cooking - slow or otherwise. I'm no Delia but it's nice to smell something tasty bubbling away and best of all I always get to eat the end results! lol

***Music - well, I love listening to Gheorghe Zamfir, I came across him quite by accident one day and fell in love with his music. The sound is just so magical and it's so relaxing too!

***Harping - Wow! Just how good does this make me feel!
It's just so...wonderful!
I never, ever felt I was musical at all but over the last year, harping really has become one of my passions!


When things are real difficult, it's so easy to lose myself in the music for a wee while and it always raises a smile even on the darkest days.
I guess it's been doing that for people for the longest time judging by this old picture!


Sharing some of the things that keep me happy and whole has also helped raise a smile today and I hope they've given you some food for thought too!

(((hugs))) and a happy smile sent too!
Maz x

This weeks trials...

Hi Guys, Coo's been a bit more settled this week so I'm hopeful things are back on the up, well at least a little bit anyway! He had more bloods done on Thursday so we'll see what they say and just take it from there I guess!

I've been slow cooking again this week!
Time's been a bit limited and it's a lot easier to throw things in and just 'leave them be' than it is to take time out to do the watch, stir and take care the pots don't boil over, kinda cooking that usually happens!

It's really a bit of a standing joke in our family, if it can boil over or boil dry, it has done so while I'm making dinner. Now to be fair, sometimes, it's been down to Coo needing a hand but others, I have to admit, are my own fault as I've just been distracted by something else at the time and lost track of time! lol

Lapses in concentration happen to us all especially when we're tired...well, that's my story and I'm sure sticking too it! LOL

I've been busy out Demo-ing too this week!
This week was the 'budget' for our local council so we Carers (who could make it!), were all out with the banners to stand up for ourselves against all the cuts to services.

Looby kept Coo company, while I went to...tear a strip of our local council again!

They are still planning on closing all the local community centres in our area and without these buildings lots of community groups (including my wee Carer support group) will be out on the street with nowhere to meet and no chance of any support!
We've been campaigning all year to get them to see sense and it's been a bit of an uphill struggle so far!
Anyway, it seems we've won a reprieve of sorts. The council has decided to defer any closures for this financial year so the fights not over but at least we're not out on the street...yet.

I guess we live to fight another day!

Hope you are ok where you are too, remember, don't give up just get back up, dust yourself off and keep on fighting!
(((hugs)))
Maz x

Hard hat & flak jacket time...

Hi Guys, I still need my hard hat 'n' flak jacket right now as Coo shows little improvement. Since we reduced the meds to try and find a safer level, Coo's seizures have got a whole lot worse and last night was real difficult for us both.

I woke Coo at around 10 a.m. and managed it make it to church this morning, our son was here to help out if needed.

Thankfully Coo managed to stay awake till I got back but only just - he slept and seized on and off for the rest of the day. I was starting to dread things were on a downward spiral again but thank God, he's rallied around again, given me a big smile, eaten something and now seems fine!

I honestly don't know how Coo manages, considering all the seizure activity but I'm only so glad that he does bounce back!
So it seems, for now we've weathered yet another storm and I'm hoping for a more settle night tonight - if not...well, let's cross that bridge when we come to it.

I'm keeping my hard hat handy but I'm still hoping we won't need it at least for tonight.

On a lighter note...

I came across this picture online and it tickled my funny bone...
A hard hat with built in tea now if only that were possible I'd sure buy!


Let's hope for more settled times for us all,
(((hugs)))
Maz x

See-saw or roller-coaster ride?...

Hi Guys, unfortunately Coo's blood results came back and I'm afraid we have jumped back on that AED (Anti epilepsy drug) see-saw yet again!

The safe dose, in the blood stream is between 10 - 20 points and Coo? Well his latest test was 28! We've been advised to drop one of his meds by 25mgs immediately, keep an eye out for any changes and re-test again in two weeks.

Let it never be said, the life of a Carer is easy. I don't know about see-saws it's more like a roller coaster ride at the moment!

Hopefully the reduced meds and plenty of rest will help Coo feel more like his old self again.

Meanwhile, just like Bob...
I'll dig out my hard hat and hang on tight for the ride!


I hope things are more settled where you are!

(((hugs)))
Maz x

Slow cooks and Sleepy Days...

Hi guys, it's been a bit difficult again this week.
Coo's been very sleepy and there's been lots of seizures as a result. I'm not sure if he's caught a sniffle and that's what's firing things up or if it's the dreaded AED (anti epilpesy drug) see-saw effect yet again.
You know the one, the drug levels are too high in the blood stream and causes problems, and then if there's too little, it's seizure city again!

Hopefully the latest blood results will come back tomorrow and we'll have a clearer picture, meantime it's...batten down the hatches and dig out that hard hat and flak jacket!

Happier news...

I've new slow cooker arrived at last! woo hoo!
This week we've been eating like kings! LOL
It's so easy to make even the cheapest cuts of meat taste nice and with Coo poorly and sleepy, I really like the 'throw it all in and let it cook itself' approach to meal times!
You know, I really do have a lot to learn from Delia! but I do try...or maybe it's just that I'm trying! LOL

What's in the slow cooker for tomorrow?

Well, let's see...
Chicken thighs, herbs and a creamy sauce, well that'll be something to whip up with pasta for a change then.
I'll let you know how it tastes!

If you've never tried slow cooking maybe you should give it a go as a Carer, I find it really useful, especially when things are hectic! You know the kinda days I mean, days when you really want to eat proper food but can't spare the time to cook - well on just those kinda days, the slow cooker's a Godsend!

From a cozy and comfy, cookery whizzing guru (I wish!) LOL
I hope you're feeling cozy and comfy where you are too!
(((hugs)))
Maz x

Mixed bag kinda week...

Hi guys, it's been a bit of a mixed bag kinda week this time!

Coo's been very sleepy and we've been mostly at home this week so anything that can be, has pretty much been put on hold!
I've been keeping myself busy (and sane!)with my favourite passtime...crafts...Yeah!

Today I've been weaving!

I moved away from my frame loom as it was a bit sore on my shoulder so I've been trying out a peg loom instead.

I can honestly say it's quick, it's easy and more importantly it's FUN! lol I managed to get a hold of some real nice arran wool and decided to brighten up our sofa with some new cushions.

I'm taking my time and just enjoying working with the loom but I'm truely surprised by the way the fabric is turning out.

It looks pretty chic for homespun even if I do say so myself! LOL



I guess I find crafts a bit of a therapy, even a diversion when things are difficult.
Why don't you try crafts too?
It's fun and it sure works for me! LOL
(((hugs)))
Maz x

I guess the holiday's over...

Hi guys!

Well, the Christmas fun is now all over for another year.

Did we all survive ok?
Well...I think so, at least I hope so!

The holiday period is no sooner over and already the Carer issues begin to kick in! We've had yet more problems with the dreaded meds...again! Honestly, the new drug has brought nothing but problems since Coo began taking it in November.

Latest saga...
We picked up all Coo's meds on the 20th of December - being organised, we never leave things till the last kick but best laid plans and all that...things have not gone to plan. I noticed at the time, the Chemist had only dispensed 4 boxes of pills but that's not really that unusual, the meds need ordered and sometimes we have to wait on further supplies so no alarm bells rang - till today!

Today, I got Coo to call the Chemist and ask if the rest of his meds were ready to collect. Now, it should have been a simple process but...err no, the Chemist insists he dispensed all the meds correctly in December!

We've had to contact our doctor and confirm he prescribed 112 pills and not 42!
Bearing in mind we picked 'em up on December 20th and Coo needs 4 a day - the maths just don't add up. If in fact, the chemist did prescribe 42 pills, they'd have long ran out and we'd have been in dire straits by now!

After all that organising poor Coo is down to his last dose!

The rest of the pills will need to arrive tomorrow or we'll be up the proverbial creek without a paddle! What a mess!

It's the problems that really could be avoided, I find so very irritating and I seem to resent more and more, the unnecessary stress they cause.

If we Carers can keep going, in what can sometimes be a very stressful role, why can't the professionals get it right too?

Fingers crossed they turn up tomorrow!

Wish us luck,
(((hugs)))
maz x