janetg 4 years ago

lol, Clare - and my resources were sorely tested again today. Some of it trivial: including beating up Royal Mail AND TV licensing over a silly address cock-up; chasing my various disputes with the hospital; talking to all sorts of people and getting a teensy bit of sense from 1 or 2 of them (and garbage from the rest.)  Topped off by delivery of the wrong chainsaw; and then when Fed Ex turned up to pick it up, it's bar codes weren't right so I am tripping over it.   And THEN searching for jump leads for a member of staff's car, failing: the only good thing I ound while looking for jumper leads was a store of vintage wine and port - some worth £50 a bottle, lol.  That WAS a find!  Everyone has their own lot of headaches and worries - even a member of my staff who has an autistic lad in his final year of school.  They've closed - he's lost all the end of year pleasures, and she can't get anywhere else to take him.  It seems that every time we clear a hurdle another looms up to put us in peril. At least I've managed to book a taxi to take me to Worcester and bring me back - even managed to beat them down from 1st quote (£135) to a slightly moe rational £85.00!!  I'm very lucky that money isn't a problem - but if I could buy some luck, I'd spend a year's income on it happily.  Thank you for letting me vent - I've now moved up a gear!

Janetg

Clare 4 years ago

Hi Janetg,

Even those things we would normally think of as trivial and easily sorted out can feel overwhelming at a time like this. This community is a safe space for you to talk and vent about how you are feeling. It sounds as though work has been busy for you as well.

I’m sorry to hear about your staff member’s son, missing out on the fun activities that would have been planned for the end of his final year. The current changes are a lot for children to take in.

Well done on beating down the 1^st taxi quote you got. I hope that without the worry of driving in the dark you were able to enjoy spending some time with your husband.

Take care,

Clare

janetg 4 years ago

I dared hope that it couldn't get any worse.  BIG mistake.  I bought some screening glasses and was confident on the way to hospital (at 4pm so just bright sunlight.)  After a devastating hour with him, off I went, and glasses were a flop.  Missed a vital turn and took nearly 3 hours to get home after spending an hour driving around a DEAD Ludlow looking for a sign (thankfully, 2 young people who'd been to the chippy.)  My dogs were beserk when I got home - I was 2 hours LATE with dinner. 

Once they had been fed ad cuddled (and Benny, still bereft from absence of his 'dad' - wouldn't eat) looked again at the book sitting my computer for 2 weeks: Taming the Four Horseman (described as 'Radical Solutions to defeat Pandemics, War, Famine and the Death of the planet.)  I cannot pick it up on top of news that Robin Hanbury-Tenison, was in hospital on a ventilator.  And yes, coronavirus!  Robin was definitely the TOP explorer of the 20th century.  He was also the best 'boss' I ever had and quickly also became my best friend.  Robin will fight until his last breath - even at 83, he is the fittest a man could be.  He got the virus while skiing the French Alps until Friday.  He has always been a fighter - I pray he CAN beat this war.

Clare 4 years ago

Hi Janetg,

I’m sorry to hear that your best friend has been affected by coronavirus and is currently so unwell. It’s understandable that you don’t want to pick up and read a book that discusses pandemics with all that you are currently coping with. Sometimes the books we read need to be a welcome respite from what is happening in our lives. Your journey home from the hospital sounds like it was very stressful, thank goodness for those two people who were on their back from the chippy.

You mention that your visit to the hospital was devastating, how are things for your husband at the moment?

Clare

janetg 4 years ago

Thanks Clare
He's not at all good - not sure if he has pain as he flinches.  Thankfully, I've had a bit of progress today with nursing home.  The one I wanted is suffering staff problems and not taking anyone in.  But the Worcester one (at least I KNOW the way now) WILL take him once the final hurdles are cleared.  As 'Jimmy' there has been the most help so far, it could be far worse.  And at least I've soted a few problems today (including clipping terriers' feet, treating the cuts made to their pads - and managed to avoid having my arms shred to bits as they fought!!)  The success I've had today definitely been down to my no. 1 right hand - and telling myself AGAIN to stay calm and safe.  And - as best as I can find out - my best fried is still on the ventilator and I HOPE that means he is still fighting!!

regards - and thank you for helping me vent!

janetg