I thought I'd do something a bit different today with my blog, by telling you all about my week, and giving you some historical events that have happened on these days in the past..
Saturday 10th August
In 2003, Britain has its hottest day since records began, with the mercury rising to 38.1 C in Gravesend, Kent.
First thing my friend, Paul, comes over and takes Mum out to get the weekly shopping. Paul has been doing this for about 8 months, and it is a great help.
Saturday was always going to be a difficult day, and one I wasn't looking forward to as my sister, Jane, and her boyfriend, were coming to visit.
We have a difficult relationship. I don't like the way she treats Mum, and think that she could do much more to help her out. She acts as if there isn't much wrong with me, and that I expect Mum to do to much for me. I always feel that I have to watch what I say, as the possibility of an argument is never far away.
Jane was involved in a car accident about 25 years ago, and suffered some fairly major injuries to her neck and back, as a result. She was entirely blameless for the accident, but received little compensation, due to the tactics employed by the other parties Insurance Company, an ineffective legal team representing her, and the fact that she could not face being in court, and being bullied by barristers. This all had a huge impact on her life and Mum has provided loads of support to her, both physically and emotionally, as well as financially. Jane doesn't acknowledge the support she had from Mum, and if asked I suspect she would deny it ever happened.
The accident meant she had to give up a promising career. She has suffered bouts of depression, although she would never acknowledge this, and mentally, I think she has never really moved on from that event.
However, since, in the last couple of years, she has found herself a boyfriend - who is a complete drip - she is a much happier person, although not necessarily a nicer person.
They arrived about 12.00 pm, which was an hour later than they had said they would.
Following lunch, they took Mum out to a local garden centre to buy some things we needed for the garden, and when they came back they helped do a few jobs round the garden.
After that, they had a coffee and were gone by 4.15 pm. I always get the feeling that they stay for as shorter time as possible, and although I'm relieved to see them go, I feel sorry for Mum as she would like to see Jane more, and Jane could do more to help her.
Anyway, I get to watch Mo Farah win the 10,000m race at the World Athletics Championships in Moscow, and then relax for the rest of the day.
We usually eat our main meal of the day about 6.00 pm but because we had visitors, we had eaten this at lunchtime. This always throws me out, and I never feel quite right not having a proper dinner in the evening.
Sunday 11th August
In 1968, the last steam passenger service runs on British railways, hauled by the locomotive 'Oliver Cromwell'.
Sunday was a nice relaxing day, spent watching the Ashes Test match and the athletics. Nothing special happened but it was a peaceful day.
Monday 12th August
In 1949, the Fourth Geneva Convention is signed, providing for the protection of civilians in war.
In 1981, IBM announces the introduction of the first personal computer, or PC.
Nothing much happened Monday.
I had to book transport to take me to a hospital appointment in a couple of weeks, and I got this sort out early on.
After spending sometime on the computer, checking my emails and Facebook, I watched the end of the Ashes Test - another great win for England - and then some more athletics.
Tuesday 13th August
In 1961, the East German government closes the border with West Berlin and begins building a dividing wall.
In 1966, China announces the start of the Cultural Revolution, which will result in the deaths of thousands.
On a Tuesday morning I go to the Douglas Brunton Centre, a centre for the retired, where I volunteer giving lessons on how to use computers to the over 55's. It is good fun, and I get to meet some interesting people, and hopefully help them learn how to use the internet. It also gives Mum, one morning a week, were she knows I'll be out and she can do what she likes without having to think about me.
So I am up early. Augusta, the carer who is coming to me now in the mornings arrives at 6.00 am. I really like getting up early, as I hate being in bed too long, as I cannot move about in bed, and also I hate getting up later and finding that half the day has gone before I get to do anything.
Once I'm up and had breakfast, the Dial-a-Ride bus, a charity run local minibus service for taking elderly and disabled people round the local area, picks me up at 9.00 am.
I see my first person at 10.00 am, so while I wait for them to arrive, I have a cup of tea, and check my emails. I have 3, one hour sessions, where I give one-to-one tuition. I teach people only what they want to know about, and hopefully in about 8 weeks can have most people to a point where they are confident enough to be able to do the things they want for themselves.
The morning usually passes really quickly and about 1.30 pm, I'm picked up and brought home.
After a bit of lunch, I spend sometime checking Facebook, and then get in my armchair and watch the athletics.
In the evening we have some confusion with my carers, which I wrote about in my last blog.
Wednesday 14th August
In 1834, the Poor Law Amendment Act is passed, introducing 'workhouses' for the healthy poor.
Again, I'm up early, and after showering, getting dressed and having breakfast, I get on my computer and check my emails and Facebook.
I have a set routine of things I do on my computer, first thing most mornings. Once I've logged in, I open a couple of Excel spreadsheets, which I use to track my bank account and credit cards, and then check these against my online bank accounts and credit card accounts. This way I know what I've spent and what has yet to come out of my account or be debited against my credit cards. Although I am lucky that currently I don't have a lot of the financial pressures that many disabled people have, I am very aware of the need to be on top of my spending and finances, so that these don't become a problem.
After I've looked at my accounts, I check my emails, before going onto the BBC website, where I look at the sports page and then at the news. This is so much better than buying a newspaper. After that its onto Facebook, and checking out the various pages on there and any activity that might have happened since I was last on. I will usually check out the Myositis Support Group website and check if there has been any activity on the "community pages", and if there is anything to respond to.
I have an appointment at 1.15 pm with the nurse at my doctors surgery, to redo the dressing on my big toe. I get ready and set off down there at about 12.55 pm. I arrive early - I hate being late for appointments - and after checking in with reception, wait to be called. There is a baby clinic going on, so the waiting room is a symphony of screaming children, either going in, or coming out, from having their injections.
I don't have to wait long before I'm called in. The nurse re-does the dressing and I have to make another appointment on the way out for early next week, to have the dressing done again.
When I get home, Mum has a visitor. Rita, who has been brought down by her cousin, Michael, worked with Mum as a tailor at Hartnell's, in London in the early 50's, and they have remained friends since. I have known Rita all my life.
Mum and Rita spend a good afternoon together, chatting and catching up.
After some tea and sandwiches, Rita, and her chauffeur, Michael, leave about 6.30 pm. We decide that although we haven't had a proper dinner, neither of us really fancy a big meal, so Mum makes some more sandwiches and a cup of tea.
I find having people over and sitting talking, very tiring. Although I'm not doing much, afternoons like this really wear me out.
Margaret, my carer, come at about 10.20 pm, which is early for her, and puts me to bed. I'm glad she is early as I'm feeling tired and ready for bed.
Thursday 15th August
In 1867, the Representation of the People Act (1867) doubles the number of British men able to vote.
In 1945, The Allies officially celebrate Victory over Japan Day, and the end of World War Two.
In 1947, India gains independence from Britain, having been partitioned into India and Pakistan.
This morning I have my Physiotherapist coming at 9.30 am. Liz has been coining to me for almost 3 years, and we usually have a 1 hour session, every two weeks on a Friday. However, with school holidays and my appointments, we haven't seen each other for about 6 weeks, and I feel like I'm really in need of a good stretch and having my legs and arms moved about a bit more that I can do.
She has come on a Thursday because tomorrow she is going away for a week.
After a good hours workout, I have a coffee, and then onto my computer. I spend sometime researching more about stand up powered wheelchairs, standing frames and other alternatives. I make a few phone calls and hopefully I'm finding a workable solution, but I don't want to say to much about that yet.
After lunch, I print off a few documents I need for a meeting of the local Patient Participation Group (PPG) I have on Friday, and the chase the minutes from the last meeting. About 3.00 pm, exhausted from my session in the morning, I get in my armchair, turn on the athletics and fall asleep.
After dinner, and getting back into my armchair, the secretary from the PPG rings to say she has lost her notes from the last group meeting and hasn't done the minutes. Also she won't be able to come to tomorrows meeting.
I spend the rest of the evening watching TV. Margaret comes about 11.50 pm. She apologises for being so late, but she had gone to one of her clients, to put her to bed, but had been unable to get her oxygen working properly. It had taken her over an hour to get it working.
Friday 16th August
In 1819, Troops charge a political meeting in Manchester, killing 11 and injuring 400 in the 'Peterloo Massacre'
In 1896, Gold is discovered near the Klondike River in the Yukon Territory of Canada, sparking a gold rush.
I'm up early again, and after breakfast, I put together a set of minutes for my meeting this morning, from memory. When I was working I had a really good memory and very rarely took notes during meetings, as I could remember what had happened, and who had said or agreed what. I still try to do that as a way of trying to keep my brain sharp. It really annoys me when I find I forget things now, as I never would have done in the past, and like to think I should be able to maintain that mental sharpness.
The meeting is at 10.00 am at the local surgery. The PPG is basically a patient group, who are active within the medical practice, in addressing questions and concerns from patients, helping the practice develop services and arranging educational events. We have a committee of 8 patients, and are supported by the practice manager and one of the partners, when ever possible. I am the Chairman of the PPG.
We are currently arranging an educational event on Hypertension, which will be presented by onE of the practices doctors. We discuss the details of this, and how we are going to advertise the event. This is all pretty much sorted and we are just finalising details.
We then move onto the groups AGM, which will be held in early October. I hate this event as potentially I have to address a large group of people, something I'm not very good at. However, last year only one patient came along, in addition to the committee, so it wasn't as bad as I'd expected. We are looking at ways of getting more people along, although secretly, I'd be quite happy if no one turns up.
The meeting finishes at 10.50 am.
After checking out some bits on my computer, and sending some emails arising from this mornings meeting, I have lunch and the settle down to the athletics about 3.00 pm, and a good sleep.
And that is pretty much my week.
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