I just wanted to say that my cleaner has let me down again saying she’s not well. So while I was sat in my chair in no pain I thought I can do that. So I went in to tidy a few things up before I started. Just doing that and I’m sat down again as the pain has started. As long as I sit down or lie in bed I’m fine but try to do something and I’m in pain. I just think I will do it I will do it! Then my back says oh no you won’t. 🤣. So I’m going to just try to do a little at a time. A very little. 🤣. I just cleaned a small airing cupboard carpet. I had to move things first. I’m now sat down resting. It’s just so hard. I might try again after lunch. I know I’m fussy but I don’t like the thought of it being dirty. How do you others manage. I am on my own so it’s all down to me.
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Mavary
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Hi Mavary, I can so identify with what you’re saying and feeling. I do like everything to be in its place and clean and tidy but please don’t do anything to the detriment of your health. It really can wait.
If your cleaner is unwell for a while, are there any volunteer groups in your neighbourhood who might pop in for an hour to assist you ? ( even a local youth organisation such as scouts or guides )
No I don’t know of anyone. I thought I could do it myself. I started and stopped several times I started again and I think someone is looking down on me cause my cleaner was sizzling and sparkling right up the handle towards my hand. I let go quickly, turned it off and took the plug out. I think I’ve been told. Now I can’t do it anyway. 🤣. It smelled really badly of burning rubber. My Son said the motor has burned out. I’ve got a G Tech so that’s going to have to do. I’ve got attachments too so I can do it all. I don’t think they last long though which will probably be false economy. It will have to do. I probably would have done myself a mischief anyway. 🤣
I also live alone but I have never had a cleaner. I have very limited energy and strength. I do a 20 minute slot twice a day...nothing too ambitious. I am lucky because I have a dishwasher. I treat emptying it as part of my daily exercise program! Dishwasher emptying and 20 minutes hoovering (in two sessions)...that it. Then I like back in bed and recover and try and work (online). I do live in a small apartment (500 sq feet) which helps.
Good luck...very short, gentle bursts of cleaning. (The day I do the washing, I do nothing else)
I’ve got a small table top dishwasher. I’ve only got a tiny kitchen. It was between a dishwasher and a washing machine. I lost a cupboard fir the washing machine but it was well worth it. Living in an apartment for many years and having a communal washing machine and dryer is not a good thing. I hated every minute of it while I had to use it. We did a Right to manage and were then allowed to have our own machines. As soon as I could I got one. I couldn’t afford to lose another cupboard so hence the tabletop dishwasher. It does quite a bit though.
They don’t do cleaning. The dirt can pile up . They are carers only. I don’t need that. They will cook a frozen meal or give me a wash and they wash dishes that’s the limit of their job.
Hi Mavary. I'm in the same position as you. I've adopted Quentin Crisps attitude, if you don't move anything you won't notice the dust. 🤔 Granddaughter visiting tomorrow so have had to do some! I'm on my own as well.
I’ve got a little stool that has a hand grip on it. My Son got it after he had a fit because I climbed on my pouffe. I know we shouldn’t climb but sometimes it’s got to be done. I had four boys. Two have got a lot of problems health wise and the other two are working and have youngish Children. So that leaves me.
I do. I put the ingredients in my breadmaker and cooked that and I made a bread pudding. I mix it on my knee with my back resting on the back of my recliner. We get through by using hacks. I also had to wash up and that’s the worst thing. I hate washing up. It always gives me pain.
Same! I finally got a brilliant cleaner having gone through several useless con merchants where I ended up doing it meself anyway, now she has gyni problems was off for 2 weeks, then just an hour Mon, but ongoing problem. I was without one for ages so dim (do it meself). My back is rubbish, thinking of sending it back to the maker but guarantee ran out soon as was invented. 😂
I do bits, sit/ rest/ repeat and get through it eventually so not too bad. But also having M.E , and asthma need keep dust and mould down. I have 3 long handled duster things, one micro so dust sticks, others just flick it around, a long micro wash thing which I wrap a cloth round to reach the parts other beers can't reach..😂 a grasper holds cloth to dust/ wash lower bits 🤔long handled dustpan brush thing to sweep up bits, widow hoover for steamed up windows to keep damp in house down re mould issue - you get the drift...
To precis I have cheap gadgets to help.I cannot use hoover, shouldn't use steamer, mop, anything that makes me bend, twist. I am used to Pacing re M.E so manage drip cleaning. I can feel my bones sink when I sit after few mins, have to re extreme pain, rest, have another go. I often overdo it and suffer accordingly, so be very careful what you do not to make yourself worse, bit at a time, rest, repeat. Also found jumbo car sponge makes my shower quicker. And Dettol mould spray is brill even on hard floors. Accept and adapt and enjoy what you can. Also a feeling of satisfaction if I even manage to clean a sink! 🥳 🤗
Hi Mavary. Home alone as well. Lying on the bed atm. Did dishes, cleaned up counter, walked around the flat, with my walker, for my 15 minute interval. Next walk is this aft. That's me done for a bit. I have PMR, osteoporosis with 9 vertebral compression fractures. Much pain and doing anything is an accomplishment. I tried the few exercises the Osteo Physio Therapist gave me. That was Tuesday and either I did them wrong or overdid it. I will try again as I expect to be sore moving muscles I've not really used for 8 months. A little at a time, as you say and don't let anyone make you feel guilty. All the best to both of us.
Oh I don’t don’t you worry. I live in a retirement apartment so you can imagine how nasty the odd one can be. I’ve had to put her in place a few times. She turned round and said one day. “ Oh well you’ve got to be worse than anyone else. Because I walk although it’s not too far people think I’m ok. If they knew the pain we’ve got from fractures they might be a bit more sympathetic.
How true. I don't wish this on anyone. They just don't get it, because we don't look that "sick". 🙄 Also I don't go on about it. I wanted to move to the ground floor but landlord will make more money down there if he renos the vacant flat. So here I am stuck on the second. There are only 4 units in this building so only a couple of neighbours, who mostly work.
No lift. Just stairs which I can do sideways. Lol. Only when my daughter comes though to take me to appt. or whatever. Ground floor has a large deck and yard, but landlord said no. Been here 6 years, but money talks. I will ask him again. It would be ideal in the spring. Oh well...I've a nice apt. Rent is good. I can get out the back door to the fire escape. I'm not ready for stairs by myself, plus the walker has to go down too. Enjoy your weekend.
Oh that’s such a shame. We bought our apartment off paper so it was new when we moved in. I’m saying we because I had my Husband then. I love it here because I’ve got my independence.
Polymyalgia Rheumatica. Autoimmune disease. Extremely painful. Your own body's immune system attacks muscles and ligaments and causes inflammation. Prednisone, which manages the pain, has caused this osteoporosis. There's a forum on here called PMRGCAuk. I don't know what I would have done without them. That's the nutshell version. Had it since end of 2021. It can burn itself out when it's ready.
No just joking. That sounds horrendous. It’s bad enough with all I’ve got without all that you have. The Osteoporosis is awful though. I can walk a little way but I couldn’t go shopping. I went shopping on my scooter this afternoon. I leave my scooter outside. I had a job to stand up in the end. My back was awful. As soon as I sit back on my scooter, in a chair or in bed it goes away. It’s almost tempting to stay in my chair. I won’t but you know what I mean.
I am on my own and used to set my timer for 15 minutes and just did what I could in that time. 15 minutes every day is better than doing too much and then not being able to do anything. I love the saying good enough is good enough. ❤️
Doing dishes for me is killing. I do them because I’ve got too. My friend said throw them out the kitchen. I now tell her I can’t see out of the window. 😹🤣. She does make me smile.
Ha ha! You’ve got the idea. 🤣. I only get one plate but then it’s the saucepan and the knives with big handles. None of it goes in the dishwasher. So I wash that. Then there’s the cat dishes. I know I should throw him out the window with the dishes. 😹🤣. Aww poor pussy cat. I love him to bits really and I wouldn’t throw him out. He’s too heavy to start with and who would eat the spare meat I cook. 😹🤣. When I have my dinner he sits beside me with wide eyes. Sometimes it’s things he doesn’t like. He then walks away.
You can get indoor cats from recue centres. They have I think it’s feline leukaemia. You can’t get it but other cats can. I’m sure rescue places would be only too pleased for you to have them. Perhaps a friend could get some cat food for it or you could get a home delivery. It’s worth a thought. You would be doing the cat a favour as well as yourself. Xx
Exactly! I was going to ask my neighbour across the hall if she would help if I got another cat. She's been a wonderful help and I don't think she would say no. I've been thinking about adopting another rescue for quite awhile. They're such a comfort. Getting food and litter isn't a problem as my daughter shops for me. My last kitty was 5 yrs when I rescued her. Thanks Mavary this was the push I needed. Have a great Sunday.
Mine has been a right pain sometimes. He liked his claws and teeth for the first few years and I ended up having dressings in the minor injuries. He goes to other people to be fed. I’ve asked them not to but when he goes out at four or five in the morning I’m not going to watch him. I go back to bed and get up at nine. He then doesn’t eat much so I know he’s been fed. The trouble is she tried him with cat food but why would he eat that when I give him it. So he now gets given tinned fish like we would eat. Totally bad for him as it’s got lots of salt in it. . He’s in out in the evening. It’s like the song. I don’t know why I love you but I do. He’s got some lovely ways with him too. I woke up one morning and he was lying right up close to my face. Then a morning a couple of days ago he was up on my bed nibbling the seam on my pjs. He is definitely a character and I do love him. He always comes on my knee after he’s been fed in the morning. They are such good company.
Mavary If 15 minutes is too long then set your timer for what suits you best. You just do what you can do! 🌈 I would reward yourself every time you manage it - make it fun and it will get done as they say... 👍
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