Just to say that I was visited by the doctor i/c my local hospice who -- when I asked! -- said that I'd probably got another six months left of fight left in me. I attended my first day-care there yesterday. I'm sure I'll get used to the activity that was going on all round me.
It seems that the time has come to get rid of all that clutter that I've collected over the years: books, knitting yarn, more books, cross-stitch kits, patterns, threads and fabric...
I'm going to be a very busy lady, I think!
With all good wishes to everyone here. Keep fighting.
Catnip.
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Catnip
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get rid of all that clutter that I've collected over the years: books, knitting yarn, more books, cross-stitch kits, patterns, threads and fabric... <-- if you may still use them and/or get pleasure out of them you should keep them. Maybe just downsize the 'clutter' a bit.
Is this doctor called Russell Grant or Mystic Meg? I don’t see how he can possibly predict this and given that you seem to have plenty of energy to attempt your decluttering it doesn’t sound to me that you’re going to leave us anytime soon, dear Catnip.
I’ve read your previous posts and you seemed very optimistic after you had the valves fitted. What’s caused the change?
I’ve been told that the greatest danger to your life when you’ve very severe emphysema is picking up an infection or virus which is what happened to my husband I Feb 2017. Fortunately he received very good care at a Swiss hospital and has stayed reasonably well since.
So take good care of yourself and try to avoid picking up any nasty infections.
Best wishes and let us know how you get on with your hospice visits and your decluttering.
where to start? The valve implant didn't work, and the respiratory unit has watched my "condition" ( stage 4 emphysema) get worse and worse. Oxygen supply is up to 10lpm from 4, just three months ago. O2 saturation drops like a stone on any movement, let alone exercise. The alpha-1 doesn't help. It's 36 years since my initial diagnosis but as a baby, I had poor lungs.
I'm hauling in friends to do the clearing, bless them. I do have a bobbin lace tablecloth to finish... I'm afraid that the doctor has it right, and --bless her -- says she wishes she hadn't.
Still -- smile, be happy: there are other poor souls out there without all the support I have. I'm so fortunate!!
Hi Catnip, I'm sure you have so much more fight left in you, only throw away what you know you won't need. Keep fighting have a good night and take care of yourself 😊 Bernadette xx
Catnip make the most of those precious 6 months and in the meantime don’t worry about the clutter as you call it. Don’t be too thorough as some of it’ll be memories for those we leave behind. Xxx
Catnip,fellow recipient of failed bling,you are one very brave lady and i am glad to hear you have the support of friends and also you still look life straight in the face and don't let your condition dictate what is a very strong personality,that lace tablecloth will be a thing of beauty i am sure.
It's nice to see you. 😃 I personally know two people who have defied all medical science and outlived their prognosis by years! They have left doctors scratching their heads and hospice asking them to kindly discharge themselves. No one knows. That's the bottom line. So please don't pack it in just yet. Of course me being a minimalist I don't have a lot and I think de-cluttering is a good thing to do.
I have a feeling that you will make the most of every minute you have , and finish the project you have chosen to create . I understand the sorting things out now , as we never want to leave others to have to sort everything out when we are no longer here , and it gives you the chance to give the items to whoever you want to donate them to . Enjoy however much time you have and celebrate you xxx
Catnip unless your doctors have a direct line to God they are basing your prognosis on statistics. The Father has a purpose for you and until He calls you you're staying put. We are all terminal . The doctor who gives you your prognosis may get killed in a car wreck tomorrow. Has he decluttered? Your positivity may be the purpose you haven't completed. I personally have been afflicted with chronic depression and anxiety for 17 years and the light at the end of the tunnel is awaiting for Him to call me home. My bucket list consists of trying to help all the people I can which is a challenge with the depression and anxiety. My death certificate my indicate COPD but the root cause will actually be the depression and anxiety. When it takes all your willpower to get out of bed it leaves nothing for having the discipline to quit smoking , eat healthy , or excercising . However it has caused me to develop a close relationship with Jesus. There are only one set of tracks in the sand for the last 17 years as he has carried me during that time. My diagnosis of chronic bronchitis and emphysema had no emotional effect on my life. However I did quit smoking and try to stay away from hazardous atmospheres so obviously He has some purpose I haven't fulfilled. I will carry on trying to help others until I am called home which I look forward to. I just wish my daughter and grandchildren understood so that they would not be sad when I pass.
Sincerely
Saved Bill
Sorry the doctor was so bleak. As others have said, doctors often get it wrong. They gave my dad three months at best, he went on for another four and a half years. I can understand the urge to declutter but spend your time doing pleasurable thingswith your friends.
Please don’t waste time decluttering Catnip, it’s too precious. Forget what the doctor said, they don’t know everything by a long chalk, they’re only guessing. Stay optimistic, and carry on enjoying your life as much as possible. Best wishes to you.
I find interaction with friends is one of my favourite activities. If they are willing to help you it gives them a purpose for a visit and you can discuss old memories. I’m trying to empty my house for us to move to a 2 bed flatlet as an extension on our house. My daughter and family are moving in the main house. I’ve found so many things I’d forgotten about. I would never have look at most of the “clutter” again, so it’s been interesting. I’m terrible at buying bargains so for instance we found about 20 rolls of unopened sellotape. There is a satisfaction in emptying a cupboard . Some stuff is valuable eg some gold sovereigns. Once my husband and I are gone I know it wouldn’t have been sorted , Just put in a skip. When I emptied my mums house, it broke my heart that I couldn’t sort properly. She was 100 miles away and I was in full time work with 2 children.
So, you are number one now. Do what you want to do and enjoy.
Im so sorry to hear this Catnip but love your postive attitude and do understand the need to de-clutter. I wouldnt know where to start in my house as I am quite a hoarder. Its good that you have plenty of help and good friends to see you through. I do agree with the comments here that doctors are not always right so please keep an open mind. Enjoy what time you have left and try to keep us updated x
Catnip - there is a book about this called 'The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning' by Margareta Magnusson. She wasn't terminally ill when she wrote it but it might be useful for you.
It's not unusual to want to put your affairs in order and if decluttering helps then that's good but perhaps it's best not to expend too much of your limited energy on the task. Others will come along after you and probably make light work of clearance so don't let it worry you unduly .
I hope you find some comfort in attending the day hospice. OH went there on a number of occasions and found the staff and volunteers to be kind and helpful. Unfortunately he is too poorly to go at the moment.
So sorry your OH is too ill to attend the hospice. One day, we will finally meet, you know!!
It's the "others" after me that bothers me, getting rid of First Edition books from the 19th century, or autographed ones by eminent historians; or tossing out ten years of research which needs writing up properly....or even throwing away expensive jewellery. Not to mention the sock wool at £15 a ball and more.
I can see your problem. People don't always understand the value of things and toss them out in the haste of the clearance process. As you know, those books need careful handling because they could be valuable. I have learned a tiny bit about books from my friend who has experience of selling special editions. She does a tremendous amount of research before listing them on eBay - it seems hard work to me. I don't know what to suggest unless you know of an auctioneer who can be trusted. Wonder if it would be enough to make a list of things that you feel are of value so that your family know not to throw them out?
I don't have anything of value but would love to have a thorough clear out. Just don't have the energy or time at the moment. One day perhaps. I heard the author of that book on Radio 4 and she made sense because if you leave it too long you run out of energy and motivation. It's possibly a kind thing to do for one's family because it saves them having to go through so much stuff.
At least while you are thinking of your clutter it's taking your mind off your illness so that's got to be good. You never know - that doctor could be wrong and you may still be chatting on here this time next year. As a carer, I don't even think about tomorrow - getting through today is enough for me.
I hope you find the hospice useful. It's a nice place but OH was never keen on it and required encouragement to go. He needed the stimulation but it became more trouble than it was worth because he was so negative about it. Don't know why because the staff were great and he was well looked after. He just wants to stay at home.
Hiya Bella. I was overwhelmed by helpful people - it was like being caught up in a whirlwind of activity. Just let me knit! I promised to help a lady with her crochet (that's my purpose for being there!), and I need to be comfortable there because it is now my chosen place of death (it had been BreathingSpace for years).. Time will tell...
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Trouble with inhalers 
My own jorney through mental health and learning to look after my lungs 
Pleurisy and bronchial pneumonia 
read any good books lately?
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