Happy Saint Swithin's Day...

Hi Guys, I hope today has been a Happy Saint Swithin's Day for you!

Isn't Swithin's window pretty! 

I've always liked it.
All apples and raindrops! lol
 Saint Swithin's old traditional proverb...

St. Swithin's day if thou dost rain, for forty days it will remain. St. Swithin's day if thou be fair, for forty days 'twill rain nae mair.


Well, this year, I guess we're in with a chance it's been glorious sunshine here all day and that's  unusual in these parts!
Maybe things are looking up!
I sure hope so!
(((hugs)))
Maz x

Wee 3T Carers Respite day...

Hi guys I've been off out on a Respite day with my wee group!

Three Towns Carers...
Around six years ago our Carer group began. We are now a wee family of eighteen, who share and support one another through out the troubles and triumphs caring brings.

We offer support, friendship and extend a wee helping hand to Carers in our area and that can make all the difference in the world! I'm so very glad I found them!
We operate on a financial shoe-string using 'Tea money' and a little assistance from our local authority for which we are so very grateful! This wee bit funding makes it possible for us to access a much needed time-out and a little fun spent with other Carers too!
Respite...
Yesterday was one-such day!
Fifteen of us set off (in the council mini-bus!) for a wee day out to Dean Castle and Country Park in Kilmarnock and what a day we had! From Castles and gardens, Llama's and Donkey's to pigs - both pot bellied and guinea ones!- we saw the lot and had a fantastic day in the process!
It rained too but it didn't dampen our spirits!

 I like to live life by this principle...
 It's not about waiting for the rain to stop, it's about dancing in the puddles! 

Here I am doing exactly that!

It's thanks to our SDS (Self Directed Support) that I can access days like this at all. There were times in the past it was all just to difficult and stressful and in the end it was easier to say 'I can't come' and just stay home but not anymore! SDS has opened so many doors for both Coo and I, we can arrange time-out to do something together or like yesterday, I can sort care and get out and have some time to myself too - what a luxury! 

I know this isn't the case for all Carers, too many still struggle on alone year-on-year as I did and I'm so grateful for the support and changes SDS has brought us, I sincerely hope other Carers find the support they need too.

So inspiring I wanted to share...

This is from the circular memorial stone in Dean Park Kilmarnock and I thought it so apt for our Carers too - especially as we were on our grand day out!

Stay strong my friends as will I!
(((hugs)))
Maz x

Respite, SDS, Carer Roller-coasters, hard hats and keeping well...

Hi guys, it's been a bit of a roller-coaster week here!
You know the kind - up and down and kinda difficult to catch your breath kinda week!

On the up side...
Thanks to our SDS (Self Directed Support), Coo and I managed a respite night away at the theatre in Glasgow! woo hoo!
We went to... Dirty Rotten Scoundrels!

What a great show! It was booked ages ago and yet again, it was a bit touch-and-go if we'd make it as Coo's been real poorly but he rallied around on Monday and still wanted to go and...I'm so glad we did! He kept well pretty much, while we were away and we both so enjoyed it all so...result! lol
I guess a change is as good as a rest right enough! lol

Now for the down side...

The life of a Carer sure is a roller-coaster ride at times, a lovely night away, a giggle eating ice-cream in the theatre and then back to earth with a bump!
Coo's seizures have worsened, he's so very tired and tetchy shall we say! We're ok, I've dug out my hard hat and we'll get his bloods done, sit it out for a bit and just see what happens...again!

Keeping well...
I'm glad I completed that 'Mindfulness' training TACT - (The Ayrshire Community Trust) recently offered free - it's come in handy over the last few weeks.

I didn't think I needed this training as I'm usually kinda upbeat about things in general and cope pretty well but it's taught me to care a little more about me too and be a little kinder to myself and I guess that's a good thing to learn!

I bet a lot of Carers could really use 'Mindfulness' training too!

Stay strong friends and be 'mindful'
(((hugs)))
Maz x

Carers Week, Cycling, Spamalot and Sunshine...

Hi guys summer has at last arrived and...just in time for Carers Week too!

It's been a busy few weeks!

Respite...
Coo and I managed a wee overnight respite break up to Glasgow to the Kings. Coo's a great big Python fan so off we went to see... Spamalot!
It was great fun! Loads of laughs and even an impromptu theatre evacuation half way through! lol

After the fire brigade arrived and gave the all clear, we piled back in and...it was on with the show!
All-in-all we had a grand Glasgow adventure!

Next up...Carers Week!

Carers Week last year, saw me saying how enjoyable I found the nail painting session -is it really a whole year? It must be as Carers Week is yet again upon us!
This time around it's been a bit quieter, no laughter yoga or trips out this year but I did manage to get my nails done and a wee lunch at the local Carers Centre and our wee group managed to raise awareness of Carer issues at a local fete too so we've done ok!

Sunshine and cycling...

What a blast! The sun has decided to visit at last and...with Coo feeling on the up this week too, we got out on our bikes again! woo hoo! Such a great way to spend a lovely day whizzing about on the cycle tracks and what a great end to our week too!

I've loved it this week. Fresh air and sunshine and both well enough it enjoy it all! We've had a great week and we're doing good - I hope you're good where you are too!
(((hugs)))
Maz x

On the up, pain probs and bike rides too...

Hi guys, Hope you're well,
We've been taking it a wee bit easier this week and I guess it's been a mixture of the post holiday blues and my own pain levels this time around but on the plus side -  Coo's back on the up and...thank goodness for that! lol

My own health issues have continued. 
I'm ok but I've had some news on that front.

 It seems, all the issues at Christmas are stemming from a neck problem...who knew?
It looks like I have degenerative discs, nerve damage and neuropathic pain so pain meds and physio seem to be in order.
I'm not finding this new development at all easy - Turns out I'm a rubbish patient! I have all the patience in the world for Coo when he's poorly but markedly less so for myself, I just keep pushing myself a bit too far, I wonder if that's a Carer failing in general? Anyways, I started the pain meds a couple of weeks ago and this week, thankfully, they are working!

All in all, with Coo back on the up and my pain levels down (what a see-saw!), things have been pretty positive here this week!
The weather improved the other day too, the sun even came out and we managed a bike ride...woo hoo!
What a wheeze it was too! It's so good getting back out in the fresh air for a wee while, the feeling of freedom is really quite addictive - something that feels this much fun, shouldn't be good for you! lol

The first time out this season and we were both pretty much fine afterwards so...jobs a good 'un! lol

If you get the chance, give cycling a go, it sure is fun!

Remember to take care of you!
(((hugs)))
Maz x

Carers, Respite and Roller-coasters too...

Hi guys, and happy days - We've been away on Respite!

With Coo being so poorly, we didn't go far, just a little ways up the coast to Wemyss Bay...
It sure is a pretty place isn't it!

We always find it so relaxing and peaceful and the change of scene and pace too has done us both no end of good!
We nearly didn't even go! Coo wasn't doing at all well, he had an increase in seizures, was struggling and it was a bit touch and go but in the end we decided to 'just go for it' -I'm so glad we did!

The weather was glorious, the views spectacular and we really had such a great time!
Looby came mid-week with the grand-babies, I got some much needed sleep and as a bonus, we got to spend some quality time with our wee ones too so...jobs a goodun! lol

Quickly back to reality though...
Coo's blood results are not so good this time and we're back on that dreaded AED (Anti Epilepsy Drug), roller-coaster ride again!

You know the one, too much drugs in the bloodstream yet more seizures and too little? Pretty much the same effect!

We're having a think about it for a few days and then we must decide if we're going to stick, hope things settle or... begin adjusting the doses yet again!

I'm glad we got away for a bit and it's thanks to our SDS (Self Directed Support) care package, that we are able to take off for a few days when things are difficult. It's just so flexible and has made such a difference.
With SDS, I honestly feel the quality of life has greatly improved for us both.

I hope more Carers have a chance to try SDS and find a support system that works for them!
Stay strong,
(((hugs)))
Maz x

Carers, IJB, Tenders and Easter...

Hi guys, it's been a busy week yet again and...Happy Easter!

I've been out with my local authority again, with both the Carers Tender and the shiny new IJB (Integrated Joint Board) - after a lot of hard work...Health and Social Care are now merged!

IJB...It's been an interesting process and I'm so glad, here at least, Carers and Service users were in from the off!
Our input is vital, we've been there with services, both health and social care ones and we know first hand what works well and often where some changes could make things easier and that is valuable!
I've said it before and it's so true...in order for things to work well, we need to continue to work together!
The Carers Tender...
How did I find it?
Well, long, tiring but very interesting too. It was a lot of work and a lot of paper and a lot of potential too! I'm content with the decision we reached so...now to get on and make sure those services meet the needs of our North Ayrshire Carers!

While I've been busy working away on the practical stuff of the last few weeks and keeping my pledge, making sure Carers voices are heard, the caring still continues too!
Coo's still real poorly, his seizure increase is still evident and we're struggling on. I'm so grateful for the support we have. Our SDS (Self Directed Support) care package means even though things are difficult at home, I can still manage to get out to meetings and continue with my plans. Sure I'm always aware Coo is poorly at home but I know he's safe and things will be fine while I'm busy.


I guess it's always a bit of struggle for Carers.
Being pulled in every direction is always difficult but it just shows how important proper support really is and just how much of a difference it can make for Carers.


Keep strong and keep speaking out -
Lets make sure Carers voices continue to be heard!
(((hugs)))
Maz x