Wednesday 2 April 2014

A Year in Books



Well here I am late again, I'm so sorry, but stuff has been happening. Some good stuff, certainly, but on the not so good side, my mum fell in the garden last Tuesday and fractured her neck of femur. She has had a partial hip replacement and physically is doing quite well. However, she is quite confused - much more so than usual, and I can't see us managing to get her back to her own little home again. It is very sad. I know there are packages of care, and we did actually have a pretty good system going between us, but I am so worried now about her being on her own at night. And to be honest, at the moment, she is a bit perplexed in time and space I think even during the day she would need someone with her constantly. We are waiting now to hear which unit she will be sent to for 're-hab', as our local hospital which has a purpose built wing for the elderly and re-hab, now apparently does not DO rehab. So it will be Downham Market, Swaffham or Fakenham.


Garden looking good - cheerful cowslips and primroses

In the meantime, I, who have not had so much as a head cold for nearly two years, - that's how retirement form the NHS improves your health! - has caught a head cold after two visits to the hospital, and now have exacerbation of asthma and a developing bronchitis. Nice. So, on antibiotics and steroids just when I could really NOT be doing with them!


My lovely Burwell Fiddle Class friend Debs

All of which, in-between hospital and surgery visits, leaves me plenty of time to read! I also managed a trip to my Burwell friend Deb's home in Godmanchester last Friday. She rang me to say our fiddle turor from the Burwell Bash, Jock Tildsley, was appearing with his band The New Rope String Band in Huntingdon, would I like to stay at hers and we could all go together? It was JUST what I needed. It was a hilarious gig, and afterwards another couple of Burwell Bashers came back to  Debs and also Jock came and parked his motor home on her drive for the night. We played very silly musical games as there were at least three fiddles, my melodeon, some boom-whackers, and a theorim which I have probably spelled incorrectly. It is a very strange instrument which makes weird sounds but you can play a scale and make a tune if you are clever. We weren't. A really lovely break, and great to see Jock and others who I usually only see once a year.


The New Rope String Band- minus Jock's wife Vera, at home with the children!


Jock, sorry about the terrible quality, I was too far away for a good shot.

Now then, back to books. I continue to race through the Game of Thrones epic, now on the final Dragon book, the last he has written (so far!) However this was not my Year in Books book. That was the Elly Griffiths newest publication "The Outcast Dead" which sees Ruth Galloway back in Norfolk and solving another historical conundrum, whilst dealing with her unorthodox relationship with her young daughter's father. All very satisfying and interest-holding. I look forward to her next! And those of you who have told me you've been inspired to check out her earlier novels - do let me know how you are getting on with them.

For March I have chosen a book by a favourite author of mine - Sally Vickers. I simply adore her first novel, "Miss Garnet's Angel", cannot get into her second, "Instances of the Number 3", and I have "Mr Golightly's Holiday" waiting my attention one day. This new one is her sixth novel, called "The Cleaner of Chartres" and is about the mysterious and elusive Agnes Morel whose little acts of kindness around the cathedral city of Chartres touch the lives of many. Then her tragic past is exposed and life for her can never be the same. I have begun reading this book and I can say she has, for me, regained the lovely flowing prose and human interest I last found in Miss Garnet's Angel. More about this next month!


I have only found this one Snake's Head Fritillary so far this spring.

So happy reading, folks, and I hope you are suitably impressed by the lovely weather we - here at least - have been enjoying. I was actually considering sun-tan lotion this afternoon as I sat out enjoying the flowers and herbs in our garden . Keep it up, weather, I can stand lots more of this!!

38 comments:

  1. Well,it's good to see you back again and know that all is (relatively) well with you, but very unsettling about your poor Mum. How will she take to new surroundings do you think, will it confuse or upset her even more? Such a worry for you, thinking of you. And I love Salley Vickers too and have the cleaner waiting! Lovely afternoon isn't it?

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    1. We will have to wait and see, Edwina, she is OK about going into re-hab so we will take it a step at a time.We have had two simply gorgeous days here in Norfolk - more to come I hope! xx

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  2. Good Morning Lynne, I am sorry to hear that you are under the weather, but happy to hear that you had a break with your friends. They all sound like so much fun, and what is better when you're down than a good dose of laughter and friendship. I am adding your Mum to my prayers. I do hope that her rehab center will not be too far from your home.
    Enjoy the sunny weather and get well soon.
    Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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    1. Am feeling better each day, thank you Connie, and mum is physically improving, sadly still very confused. I certainly did enjoy my break, and mum loves to hear that I have been 'doing my musical things'! And thank you for your prayers - all prayers, kind thoughts, vibes gratefully received! xxxx

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  3. Sorry to hear about your Mum, as you probably know, the anaesthetic is usually the culprit in making older folk more confused.
    I got a call from my from last night to say his Dad had a fall at the nursing home and broke his hip too, he's having his op today.
    Glad you had a good musical night out!

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    1. Hi Sandie, actually, mum had a neural block not a GA, though I was expecting some deterioration anyway.but this has been a bot more than we expected. We shall see how she goes with the re-gab. I hope your dad makes a good recovery - the operation is much swifter to recover from these days! xx

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  4. Dear Lynne I'm so sorry to hear about your mum, it must have been an awful shock for both her and you. I do wish her a speedy recovery and my prayers are with you. I hope you can come to a decision about her future care, it must be really heart wrenching for you. It sounds as though you enjoyed a well earned break with your friends, it must have been great fun. I've not heard of this author before but the book sounds interesting. I still haven't finished mine for March and am hurriedly reading the last few chapters in between catching up with blogging!
    Patricia x

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    1. Hi Patricia, yes, what a catastrophe! And something I had been dreading happening to her for years. Ah well, we shall see how she goes. Sally Vickers writes so well but I think she went off the boil with her middle books. This one looks really nice though. And come on! It's April!! Get your blogging clogs on gal and get moving! xxx

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  5. Sorry to hear about your Mum. As much as we love them, our parents do take time (and lots of effort) to be looked after and it can be very wearing. Neither of us are in that position any longer but understand what you mean. Hope she gets a place to re-hab soon. Also hope your health gets better as well.

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    1. Thanks Dc, I know you understand! They have now said Swaffham or Fakenham and I have strongly hinted that Swaffham would be SOOO much better for us all - but I suppose we have to take the first bed available. And thanks, I am feeling improved after just two doses of antibiotics and steroids.

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  6. Hi Lynne - sorry to hear about your mum. Mine is very ill at the moment so I know how you feel. Still, you seem to be coping with it all, and your many creative outlets will definitely help in that respect. Onwards and upwards! xCathy

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    1. Oh Cathy, I'm sorry to hear that. Are you close at hand? So worrying. Ye, definitely a case of 'onwards and upwards' and also 'nil desperandum'!!! xx

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  7. Hope you're feeling better soon Lynne, keep away from those hospitals they're bad for your health! I think we may be reviving our book club after a 6 month break.....we miss the wine!!! :) x

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    1. Hi Ada, yes, the hospital strikes back! Awful places. I've never actually been part of a book club - though I ALMOST have a couple of times. I love the idea, but have no spare evenings with all the music! xxx

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  8. Replies
    1. Thank you - more textile stuff coming next post - long overdue!

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  9. Sorry to hear about your Mum. I look forward to reading your thoughts on the latest Vickers novel.

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    1. Hi Laura, thank you for your comment, mum is doing ok physically and we have to be grateful for that! I am really enjoying my book this month, tell you all about it in a few weeks!

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  10. I'm truly envious of that Burwellian after-party chez Debs's! The NRSB are a hoot, aren't they?!
    Thank you for bringing Salley Vickers' latest novel to my attention - another for my wish list! Miss Garnet's Angel is my all-time favourite.
    I hope you're soon feeling back on form and that your Mum's recovery and after-care gets sorted satisfactorily x

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    1. Jayne it was just lovely, and all very unstructured - as you might imagine with Debs and Tim in charge! Yes, my favourite too - and quite disappointed with the other two of hers I have but this one is back to her best I think. I am feeling loads better myself, and mum is ok-ish! xxx

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  11. Oh lots of books to add to my wishlist, thank you! Sorry you've not been well, there have been a few nasty bugs doing the rounds, luckily I've managed to avoid them up to now.
    I hope you get sorted with your Mum, it's a hard decision to make about not going back home and looking for care. My Gran has had to move into a residential home in Suffolk (all the way from Exeter) and it's going to be tricky adjusting after 60 years in the same house. Good luck Lynne, take care x

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    1. On the mend, Jay, fingers crossed! Yes a time of transition for mum - and all of us really, quite sad, but I need her to be and feel safe. Thanks for your good wishes - always gratefully received!xx

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  12. I hope you are coping OK with the smog... living between the two worst places in East Anglia when it comes to smog levels - ie King's Lynn and Hunstanton - I am surprised it's not worse, but still I am a bit 'coughy' at present.

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    1. Have been out today and it feels quite smoggy, but hopefully clearing soon. Doesn't help the asthma but I haven't been too bad - thats steroids for ya! xx

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  13. Amazing! just as I have pondered how you are doing and intended to write to enquire.... up you pop with your newsy epistle.
    Sorry to hear it's not all good and hope you settle your Mum in a lovely place where she'll get good care. I'm realising myself how important it is NOT to fall and to be more careful now I'm "getting on"! I'm helping a friend who fell twice and has been in and out of hospital. Her life has changed dramatically.
    Lovely pics and good to hear about your trip as I'm sure the music lightened your problems.
    Take care,
    Jo x

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    1. Hi Jo, yes, got a bit out of sync with blogging and reading/commenting - but here I am back again. Life sometimes intervenes, doesn't it! I have ALWAYS had a fear of falling and breaking something! And now poor mum goes and does it at 92! Yes, the music is helping me keep it all together! xx

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  14. Really hope your Mum improves and you find a suitable solution for you both. I know how difficult it is when you find yourself in the position you are now. Thinking of you.
    Gillx

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    1. Thanks Gill, I'm happier now she has moved to a re-hab place, we know it well - my sister was there for her last weeks and they are wonderful. We just now have to wait and see how mum does. xxx

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  15. I don't want to alarm you but please take good care of your mum while she is in hospital. An elderly friend of mine who has Alzheimer's broke her hip. She is now receiving palliative care as she has gangrene in her foot as well as other infections which are now terminal. She was not eating and drinking properly as it was put out of her reach, she is too confused to know and ask and was just left, this commonly happens as I have seen. She intermittently had a drip because she was dehydrated, but was dehydrated because she wasn't given enough to drink. Got urine infection and kidney infection. Wasn't got out of bed every day. Circulation packed up so she got deep vein thrombosis which led to gangrene in her food, her toes are now black as the blood supply doesn't reach her foot, her foot is dying. Lack of fluids mean she is more confused that I have ever seen her, which in turn leads to her eating and drinking even less. Only then do they do anything and put a drip in. Then it is removed and back to square one as no one feeds her or offers drinks regularly or gives her enough time during the day (staff are also very abrupt and frighten her, which means they just go away and leave her). I go every evening at tea time but it simply isn't enough. She was clinically well after her operation for broken hip and ready to leave, albeit bedbound and incontinent now, when she wasn't when she went in. She was going to have to go to a home rather than be supported at her own home. Now she languishes in hospital with barely a kind word and hardly any attention. A nurse even berated her for ignoring HER, when she is unable to see properly and receiving morphine for the pain in her foot. She had a good quality of life and care before she was taken to hospital. I will NEVER be admitted if I can help it, I would rather spent my last minutes on the kitchen floor. Similar also happened to her friend who was dead within 6 weeks of going to hospital where she got an infection. She also now has a bed sore because she isn't moved. This has been over about 9 weeks. She will not recover from the foot and they will not operate as its too risky. Her health has been completely ruined and she is now terminal. Yes it is shocking. The lady has no relatives to fight for her and her friends are anxious about complaining too much lest we be asked to leave. Understanding of her Alzheimer's is practically non existent and as she is expected to remember things for the next day and can't remember 5 minutes ago, it causes problems.

    Relatives that go in and visit regularly help tremendously, by providing the care that is not given by the nhs. But you can't be there all the time. I would be paying attention to make sure your mother is receiving enough fluids. Dehydration causes urinary infections both of which lead to confusion as well as being dangerous. Don't trust the hospital to care for you, they don't. Try and get your mother into a home as fast as you can. A window of opportunity was lost for my friend, when she went on a drip for the first time as the home wouldn't take her then and since then her health spiralled out of control. Waiting for a home space made the difference. Had she been in a home, she may well have got that care with eating and drinking.

    I understand you worked for the NHS and so I am sorry if I have offended you. I literally speak as I am currently finding and have found two years ago as well. I wish nurses really were 'angels' Doctors have been good and much improved from the old school ones.

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    1. Dear Jess, I am not offended, I have seen for myself, and other nursing friends of mine have seen terrible care given in some hospitals; I know it happens. The district hospital mum was at gave as good care as they could given the staff shortages, and mum did reasonably well, but I am so pleased she is having re-hab at Swaffham because they are so good there. Also more people can get there to visit so it takes the burden off me getting there every day. I don't know what the answer is - but there are some terrible examples of care. Fortunately some good as week xx

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  16. Hope your Mum recovers to where she was before her fall. And that you recover quickly from the bug you came down with! Sometimes when it rains, it pours. The music, good food, and flowers and herbs are all good medicine to surround yourself with. Having recently lost my mother, I know the therapeutic value of simple pleasures. Take care!

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    1. I'm much much better, thank you Andrea, I think it wasn't helped by the air pollution problem we've had the last few days,but well on the mend now. Mum doing reasonably well, just need to see how her mental faculties recover in the next week or so. And yes, good friends, caring family and music are very good medicine! xx

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  17. Well I;ve been on steroids for over twenty years and I'm still a bit coughy!

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    1. It's the smog, Edwina, hope your chest improves as the smog moves away! xx

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  18. it's so sad when our parents reach this stage - in his last year my dad was diagnosed with vascular dementia and his world changed - it's a dreadful condition and i feel sorry for those who have it for a longer time - but you have to be certain that your mum is safe and if that means a home then that is what you have to do ..... no wonder you are ill as well - take care and hope you are feeling better - late again with my comment xx

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    1. Better late than never, Lynne! I have been sadly remiss myself at commenting these last couple of weeks. I am fine now, and when this smog clears will be wheeze-less too! It is such a sad condition, as it robs you of the person they were and leaves you with this shadow - sometimes more solid, sometimes less. But she is comfy, and I try hard to do my best that she doesn't worry - but she is a terrible worrier and frightens herself at times. Never mind, we will get there! xx

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  19. Oh my Lynne, hope your mother is doing well .....
    And you yourself ... we heard about this dust from the
    Sahara on BBC news the other day ....
    Thank heaven you can still have fun playing the fiddle !!!
    Take care !

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    1. Dear Els, yes the dust has been a bit of a hazard but is slowly moving away now - not towards you I hope! We have these things which help us through the bad stuff - good friends, family, music and textiles! We will get through! xx

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