Just Me.

[Deejim]

Hi, I cannot not believe it's been 2 years since I wrote. Time just flies by with me in a bubble most of the time. I still haven't had a diagnose as such and still staying away from doctors. Having said that I have just visited a mental health team nurse at my local surgery with a view to me reducing my very high dose of antidepressants. As she wants to support and stay in contact with me I don't think it will be long before she suggests having tests for dementia, maybe that is what I want and will be able to drop the front I show to ppl. I don't know, I feel I am behaving differently, but as my husband has been in and out of hospital (75 years) and with the help of my daughter in Devon (we live in Scotland) I've cooped. I'm going out of the house more, if I have to, and taken up knitting again and writing emails, not willingly but if needs must. I get more breathless at present with this heart condition which doesn't endear me to get out and about. I also get very muddled cooking etc, having been a good cook we now never seem to have a meal that is not over cooked or raw. Right I'm waffling so will say health and strength to you all and thanks for listening. Dxx

[sassy59]

Hi Deejim, time does indeed fly by. It’s good to hear from you and I hope that things work out well for you.

I wish you all the very best. Xxxx

[Deejim in reply to sassy59]

Hi Sassy, It was so good to get a few lines from you last night before I tried to sleep. You do a good job as Ambassadors. Dxx

[sassy59 in reply to Deejim]

Thank you very much Deejim, much appreciated. Take care. Xxxx

[Hidden]

Hi Deejim,

It’s lovely to get your update. Always so good to hear how members of our community are getting on.

And despite your fears and the ‘front’ you say you need to show the world, you actually sound to be in fine fettle at the moment. Long may that continue to be the case. Very best wishes.

[Deejim in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Callendersgal, yes have had a few good days but slumped this morning but thats life. Carry on doing your good work its so nice to see a reply, Dxx Can I change my profile name? been reading your privacy tips. LOL

[Hidden in reply to Deejim]

Hi again Deejim,

To be honest I probably can take a guess at how your decided on your profile name! Lol. It's not a changeable part of your profile, but I guess you could sign up again using a different profile name and email address if you want to.

But in your case I don't think your profile name gives enough away for it to be a safety issue, so if I were you, I'd probably just stay with the one you have. A lot of our members choose the same method you've used, and I'm not aware that anyone's had any problems with that.

Regarding your 'slump', please do remember to take good care of yourself as well as your husband, and rest whenever you possibly can. It's so easy to forget yourself when you are busy taking care of someone else. If you don't feel like going out much, then rest at home, so long as you don't get too housebound.

Best wishes once more.

[MAS_Nurse]

Welcome back Deejim! It doesn't matter how long you have been 'away', you are always welcome here.

I can appreciate your fears for the future implications and that you have been resisting seeing your doctor about having tests for dementia. But maybe being forewarned is forearmed? You can get appropriate support in place to help both you and your husband. It can take the pressure off trying to cope and employing strategies to cover-up issues. Is there any way that you might consider moving nearer your daughter or vice versa to have some family support too? Until you have a diagnosis, it will be difficult to make plans or to consider what options are available to help you.

Do keep in touch. We are always here and listening. You don't have to say much, just a quick hello will be fine!

Take care,

Best wishes,

MAS Nurse and Moderator

[Deejim in reply to MAS_Nurse]

Hi Mas, thanks for reply. Would love my daughter nearer but her job is down south and I wouldn't ask her to come up here as she is doing so well. All her leave is spent with us and she flies up on her days off if we have a crisis. She was a Cardiac Nurse Specialist as you may remember, but now out of nursing and working for an airline in their planning department and loves it. I know she hates us being so far away and is constantly looking at retirement flats etc down south. I'm from Wiltshire and my husband of 49 years is Scottish. I know things are deteriorating with me, (so does Sarah) but we will have to see how things work out. We have just bought a retirement garden flat which we are so happy with, and it is much easier for me as its all on the flat. it also means I have my 2 small dogs and 3 cats here. Im still able to cook although seem to set the alarms off most evenings with over cooked food. Sorry to bash your ear, but lovely to be able to talk to someone who knows the problems.

[lell1 in reply to Deejim]

Hi deejim! Good to be able to find support that isn't just repetitive n regurgitated leaflet grindins!! Procrastination is the thief of time gal! Come out from behind your cushion, and play whilst you're still able to enjoy! You would also have the reassurance that bases have been covered and you will be taken care of when needs be! A smoke alarm is my constant companion when i cook...but there again, it always has been! If it's not burning, the mice are throwing themselves on the traps!

[MAS_Nurse]

Hello again Dee and a heart felt welcome back. It is lovely to hear from you again and I hope that we can support you in any way.

It is good to hear that you have reached out to the health professional, maybe you are now ready to take the next step with you antidepressants and looking for a diagnosis.

It is good to get out isn't it? even if it;s only around the garden, then out into the street and around the block - aim for a little more every few days as you feel able.

Perhaps anxiety and tiredness is not helping you with the 'muddled cooking' as you call it.

I am sure you will receive lots of support from members on here, what about asking the mental health nurse for more assistance coping with your husband. She could perhaps get the ball rolling on more support for you in your caring role.

Glad you are knitting again and please keep posting on here for all our lovely members to help support you.

Best wishes,

MAS Nurse & Moderator.