awake

[Julesgettingthere]

Hi

Anyone awake ?

jules

[Hidden]

Hola chica, que tal?

[Julesgettingthere in reply to Hidden]

Labrioss, hombre guapo

Jules

x

[Elenor3]

Hi Jukes,

I was awake but headphones on and trying not to wake up hubby with my downloads that keep me going through the night every night........sorry........id have welcomed a bit of cyber company lol Hope you eventually got some shut eye x

[Julesgettingthere in reply to Elenor3]

Hello Elenor

thanks for being there otherwise.

What do you listen to ?

Jules

[angelite]

Belated Hi Jules - bad night ?

You have just reminded me that I haven't yet answered your Headway question - apologies for my scatter brain !

My local Headway is in Preston, as I live on the outskirts. The drop in centre is first Tuesday each month - you can literally go just for advice, no pressure to interact with other members if you are not comfortable doing this. I was miffed at myself as I went later in the afternoon and had apparently just missed a good 'talk' in the main room - would have been interesting . The last Tuesday in the month is 'Workshop' day - art, IT etc. No booking needed, just turn up if you feel like it. I imagine most Headway groups have a similar sort of set up ?

I will add a link to the main site - just click on your area to find your local Headway and details of their services : )

headway.org.uk/supporting-y...

Angela x

[Julesgettingthere in reply to angelite]

Hi Angela

You know when you say IT workshops, does that mean just a room with equipment, a few people wanting help and maybe one adviser floating there if you want to ask for help. Or are you put on the spot ? Did you ever do any of the IT or art ?

Jules

[angelite in reply to Julesgettingthere]

Can't really tell you about much, I'm afraid Jules. I literally just went down there for the first time on Tuesday, seeking advice about getting back into work. Haven't had work advice yet - the lady I saw felt that sorting out benefits I may be entitled to was priority ( quite rightly ) so she took details and will be in touch by phone.

I can be naturally quite shy, especially face to face until I am familiar and comfortable with people. What adds to my shyness these days stems partly from my movement abnormalities , part from my cognitive : I stutter and lose words/thread etc. like so many of us. The one good thing about a group such as this, I feel, would be that we share similar issues so no judgement or need for embarassment, all is accepted, just like on here : )

I feel that the best way to find out about your local Headway is to first find the location and times via the link I sent in your last reply.

Next, decide how you might be able to get there ( I am lucky, my partner was able to drive me and go in with me ) Not sure if your hubby will be working and unable to take you ? If not, could a relative, friend or neighbour accompany you ?

After that, someone lovely will come and talk to you about what help you would like from them. You will not be forced/pressured into anything so don't worry. If you want to know about IT or any other classes they will be pleased to advise you. The staff I encountered were truly lovely - very understanding, happy to look into benefits and advise about other things. I should have done this ages ago ! I have simply got to a point in my disability where I am lost and not sure how to proceed - should I be concentrating on claiming my entitlement to benefits and going easy on myself work wise or trying to go straight into another job ? What if I cannot get another job ? What if I force myself back into work, only to find I cannot manage it, long term ? Perhaps I would consider volunteering at Headway if that is the case.

I used to be a bit arty, in younger days. Who knows, I might just take a peek at the workshop activities next time, if I am not gainfully employed by then : )

Take the plunge, Jules and make that first visit if you can. There is no obligation to follow up on anything if you do not want to.

Let us know how it goes if you go ! : )

Angela x

[Julesgettingthere in reply to angelite]

will do, thanks angela x

[cat3]

I'm sorry to have missed you last night Jules ; I hope you're OK ??

I'm usually looking in 'til quite late but must have just missed you. How are things today ? xxx

[Julesgettingthere]

Hi Cat

You know its so heartwarming to see a number of people have responded to my email from last night - it fills me with confidence in people.

I am better today, i eventually fell asleep on the couch with the dog !

I have been looking at some info on cognitive rehab which is especially/particularly for injury to the right side of the brain. The title is 'Cognitive Rehabilitation For Disorders Associated with RHD'. I forget where i found it and have now lost the text but it was a good site like headway or Brain line or similar (i think).

Not sure where i am going with it really, feels a bit like a tin of worms. Did you try and discover much about your condition ?

Jules

x

[Elenor3]

Hi Again

I try not to wake up my sleeping partner so I have a routine of downloading stuff before I go to sleep from BBC iplayer radio. Thers an enormous collection of all sorts of stuff on offer. I go for light hearted things for middle of the night as I'm likely to get upset in the process of trying to get back to sleep when I wake up (putting he world to rights - worrying about everything and Anythjng) . So nothing heavy duty. Radio four Just a minute usually amuses me out of my negative frame of mind in the early hours - along with Sorry I haven't a clue - and similar programmes 'The news quiz' is also a cheerer up. Then there are interesting series like 'infinite monkey cage - with about 100 episodes to choose from / Mastertapes - music chat show - agajn with 50 or more episodes available thers something for everybody. If I'm wide awake and I realise it's going to be an all nighter - I might go in for something more weighty like 'Open Book' or Loose Ends - again loads of differnt episodes. This week I've added 'Heresy' to my favourites along with Digital Human - but they tend to get listened to when I'm nt in the 'trying to drift off' stage I usually give myslef 15 mins to get back to sleep or five minutes of upsetting myslef - whichever is sooner lol! Before giving in to my iplayer addiction - I can think of worse things to be addicted to xx

[Julesgettingthere in reply to Elenor3]

Hi Elenor

I had no idea whatsoever what those films (music ?) from the iplayer were but they sounded wonderful !

Its funny we do seem to know the difference and when its probably going to be 'an all nighter' dont we. I still get upset easily like you if i watch the wrong thing at the wrong time.

I like nature films and also i watched the steven hawkin thing tonight. I question my existance a lot since the crash and his thoughts eased some of mine, but confirmed dim beliefs in others.

Dont think i will sleep again tonight. oh well.

Hope you fare better in the Zzzz status.

jules

x

[Elenor3 in reply to Julesgettingthere]

Sorry - I should have sayd - those are all radio . I line them up in either favourites (radio iplayer let's you save your favourite programmes in a list) , or sometimes I download them. It's easier to have it set up with the headphones already attached and the screen set to subdued 'night mode ' by the bed so I can avoid waking up my partner. It's been a God send through the winter months hope you get some sleep

[Julesgettingthere in reply to Elenor3]

do you just plug headphones into a mobile phone or ipad ?- i have a mobile no ipad, my husband does could nik his i suppose

Jules

[Elenor3 in reply to Julesgettingthere]

Yes - just plug into phone or iPad . I found the iplayer on my phone saved my life in hospital - blocking out all the beeps and buzzers and bells. I think that's how I got into he habit if staying awake all night - all the light and condtant disturbance - I've always been a great sleeper but I'm not now. Trying to resist the constant offer of sleeping pills from the dr and neurologist, but I'm getting close to the point of going back and saying I'll give it a try. x

[angelite in reply to Elenor3]

Good Heavens Eleanor, you are a busy girl at night ! You sound like you've got it all sorted for yourself - programmes to suit every occasion : )

Had to laugh when you mentioned ' Sorry I haven't a clue' - 'tis the story of my life ! : )) x

[Elenor3 in reply to angelite]

Ha ha yes sounds like a lot. It's more like an insurance policy lol. I like to have plenty of things lined up 'just in case'. To avoid the disaster of having a midnight meltdown,,,,,,,I often wake early so it'll be one programme to go to sleep to that I might pick up in the early hours rather than several programmes in one night - unless of course it's a bad night in which case it'll be several

I think I've had about five or six hours a night for the the last week do it's all improving

It can only get better x

[Lazuli in reply to Elenor3]

Wow, lots of great shows I've been missing. I love books although I never tend to read much these days but I'll check out Open Book.

I like listening to podcasts. One you might try out is This American Life. Very quirky but the American accents and their ways of speaking don't always appeal and I guess could annoy some of you. I'm sometimes unable to sleep or wake up at odd hours due to physical pain issues. Since my daughter's BI my sleeping has become a bit more erratic and the volume of my pain has been turned up a few notches unsurprisingly.

Another one of my favs is Shrink Rap Radio, the psychology podcast. Dr Dave (also American) interviews all sorts of professionals. He interviewed a neuroscientist who wrote a book on TBI not that long ago.

[Elenor3 in reply to Lazuli]

Thank you it's great to get recommendations. I'm not reading much at all since my accident, problems remembering what happened where I left off, but trying T to get back to books.....something I always loved. I can't really read at night cos I need the light on, so radio is my new best friend. There are some great science programmes on, you never know what youll find on iplayer. listened to a lovely little show last week about the St Helena islands (now having an airport built for the first time ever) . There's always something to listen to - I feel lucky to have the choice......its been a life saver for me. I'll look up the programmes you mention, thank you

[Julesgettingthere in reply to Lazuli]

Hi Lazuli

The idea of a psychologist in a podcast scares me a bit - i will have a look if ren helps me

regards

Jules

[Lazuli in reply to Julesgettingthere]

Dr Dave doesn't analyse anyone. He just interviews other psychologists, doctors, etc most of whom have written books. Some of the interviews are quite heavy and I tend to switch those off and listen to something else. Anyway, this is just one of my personal pet interests and won't have a wide appeal. Just thought I'd mention it because of the interview with the author of The Traumatised Brain. I haven't read this book yet but it's on my wish list.

[peaches2]

Hope you are feeling more able to sleep tonight. Sorry I wasn't on, life's been quite hectic in the last while. My grandfather actually listens to music with his earplugs in until he falls asleep....I can tell you a funny story about it....he has always been very scared of going to the doctors for anything and hates the thought of dying, he admits he is a coward! Anyway, one night as usual he was lying listening to his music, (he hadn't been feeling too well that day) and had fallen asleep...my granny thought she would creep round to his side of the bed and take his earphones out for him (she had on her long white night gown, white cotton gloves, yes it sounds weird but she is a stickler for putting hand lotion on and preserving her skin ) but as she approached my grandad he sat bolt up right and started screamingggg, he had opened his eyes a little and thought he was at the pearly gates!!! Hahaha, we still laugh about it to this day....plus we don't know who got the biggest fright, him or my granny!!! Anyway maybe music would help you...just a thought! xx

[Julesgettingthere in reply to peaches2]

Hello Peaches

Is that beautiful woman in the picture you ?

I have just been chatting to Elenor about earphones. Do you know i used to love rock music. I get upset with it now. But maybe i will try something mellow. Not sure how i get it to work through my headphones. My husband has just said he will buy me a pair that will work. Bless him.

Jules

x

[peaches2 in reply to Julesgettingthere]

Hi Jules,

Haha, that woman is me, beautiful I don't think so but yes it's me, thank you for the compliment! I do think it's worth a try with ear phones and also there is a pillow that you can buy that has something built into it, I'm not sure what, I'd have to google it to find out. It's sounding like your husbands willing to help, so that's great! I hope you've managed to sleep a little better, there's nothing worse than not getting sleep! xx

[Julesgettingthere in reply to peaches2]

I would love my face to look like yours when i looked in the mirror. Is it your wedding day ?

I am going to have a look at the built in pillow thing.

I have just been talking to strawberry, she seems very sad at the moment.

Thanks for your help Peaches

Jules

[peaches2 in reply to Julesgettingthere]

Yes Jules that was November 2014, what a lovely day it was, we thought we had managed to beat the brain tumour with surgery and all would be well, unfortunately it wasn't to be as only four months after our wedding day I was told it was growing again. My husband has been there for me through everything, including my surgery in 2012 and has been a real star and kept my spirits up through my radiotherapy and all my bad days! I'm truly blessed. He understands that one day can be a good day for me and the next I might not manage to do anything!

Yes you should look into getting yourself a special pillow....anything is worth a try!

I hope Strawberry is feeling much better today; it's a tough old life sometimes.

Best wishes.

xx

[Julesgettingthere in reply to peaches2]

Ah, the wedding looks magical.

I got married just in December 13, we went to the registry office on a red trike. I had a dress on but my faithful bike jacket on top. He looked so handsome in his smart suit with his biker jacket too. After the afternoon Do i was so tired we came home and put our jeans on and snuggled on the sofa - it was lovely. My husband too is worth his weight in gold to me.

I havent heard from Strawberry since, if shes listening, 'Hello there how are you today ?'.

Regards

Jules