At this point (September) our thoughts were beginning to turn to the beginning of my new term and our return to Linton. But over the previous month, we had become seriously concerned about Mum, who had been showing signs of increasing anxiety and irrational thoughts, leading to some very surreal conversations. She had also had a nasty fall, which may or may not have been a contributory factor. Anyway, on September 11, the day we were due to drive back to Linton, she had another fall, resulting in a nasty gash above her eye, which was dressed by the practice nurse. She was now showing signs of concussion.
I phoned my line manager and asked for leave of absence for at least a week until we knew more about Mum’s condition. With Ian and Nina, we decided that we should return to Linton as planned, for a few days at least, to sort some business matters. However, we had only been home 24 hours when Ian rang to say Mum was worsening and he thought we should return, which we did immediately. We took it in turns to keep vigil by her bed through the next 24 hours, fearing the worst. But at 2 am she rallied, sat up and asked what had happened and she was hungry!
The improvement didn’t last, sadly, and Mum was taken into hospital on 14 September, where she stayed, undergoing lots of tests, for 2 weeks. Eventually we were told that her medication (Prozac) had sparked a bi-polar episode. Once it was adjusted she began to return to a more rational state, but it had taken its toll on her physically and mentally. She is feeling her age more than previously, and she often quotes Dylan Thomas:
I phoned my line manager and asked for leave of absence for at least a week until we knew more about Mum’s condition. With Ian and Nina, we decided that we should return to Linton as planned, for a few days at least, to sort some business matters. However, we had only been home 24 hours when Ian rang to say Mum was worsening and he thought we should return, which we did immediately. We took it in turns to keep vigil by her bed through the next 24 hours, fearing the worst. But at 2 am she rallied, sat up and asked what had happened and she was hungry!
The improvement didn’t last, sadly, and Mum was taken into hospital on 14 September, where she stayed, undergoing lots of tests, for 2 weeks. Eventually we were told that her medication (Prozac) had sparked a bi-polar episode. Once it was adjusted she began to return to a more rational state, but it had taken its toll on her physically and mentally. She is feeling her age more than previously, and she often quotes Dylan Thomas:
“Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”
It became clear to us all that Mum could no longer live quite as independently as she had done up to now, and the decision was taken that I should become part of her care team.
So I handed in my notice at Swadlincote and became Mum’s carer, which means the balance between Linton and Godregraig has now shifted. Linton is still our main residence, but we are spending most of our time in Wales.
This has had serious implications for us all. We had not intended to move to Wales until next summer at least, and Brythonfa was not equipped for winter habitation. We have since installed a log burning stove in the newly-opened fireplace in the main living room, which provides much-needed heat, and also hot water - we have a pan and a kettle permanently on the stove. We are burning rotten fencing, wormy joists and floorboards – anything that cannot be re-used as good timber in the rebuilding process! We’ve also bought a couple of comfortable armchairs – second hand – garden chairs are not very cosy in the winter!
In early November we went back to Linton for a week to deal with business matters and tie up a few loose ends, as well as catching up with friends we had not had a chance to say goodbye to. We hired a van and David brought a van load of stuff down – furniture, goods and chattels we’ll need over the winter to make life more comfortable, as well as all our warm winter clothing! And last but not least, our computer, so we can get back on line and in touch electronically. We’ve now had the phone reconnected and Broadband installed, so life is becoming a bit more civilised!
So I handed in my notice at Swadlincote and became Mum’s carer, which means the balance between Linton and Godregraig has now shifted. Linton is still our main residence, but we are spending most of our time in Wales.
This has had serious implications for us all. We had not intended to move to Wales until next summer at least, and Brythonfa was not equipped for winter habitation. We have since installed a log burning stove in the newly-opened fireplace in the main living room, which provides much-needed heat, and also hot water - we have a pan and a kettle permanently on the stove. We are burning rotten fencing, wormy joists and floorboards – anything that cannot be re-used as good timber in the rebuilding process! We’ve also bought a couple of comfortable armchairs – second hand – garden chairs are not very cosy in the winter!
In early November we went back to Linton for a week to deal with business matters and tie up a few loose ends, as well as catching up with friends we had not had a chance to say goodbye to. We hired a van and David brought a van load of stuff down – furniture, goods and chattels we’ll need over the winter to make life more comfortable, as well as all our warm winter clothing! And last but not least, our computer, so we can get back on line and in touch electronically. We’ve now had the phone reconnected and Broadband installed, so life is becoming a bit more civilised!But ...
Just as we thought things were settling into the new regime nicely, we had a phone call from David’s Dad to say he had developed a hernia and would need an operation. David went home the following weekend to see Dad and to accompany him to his appointment with the surgeon. The timing coincided with the AGM of the Model Boat Club, so D was able to present his treasurer’s report in person and hand over to the new Treasurer – another loose end tied!
We had a weekend at Linton 11/14 December. I had been invited back to Christmas lunch with the staff at the Learning Centre. I was touched by the invitation and thought it would be good to join them – again I had not had a chance to see them all to say goodbye. I also took the opportunity to drop in to Kaleidoscope Craft Club and say hello to all my friends there.
Dad’s operation was scheduled for 23 December (yes, really!) so we decided that we should go home to Linton for Christmas so that we would be nearby in case he needed nursing after the op. As it turned out, he had no adverse reactions, and was discharged on Christmas Eve. He has made a remarkable recovery and we spent a very pleasant, gentle, Christmas together. Lesley travelled back to Brythonfa on 30 December, leaving David at Linton to keep an eye on Dad for a little longer, and also to do some of the finishing jobs needed before we put the house on the market (early January, we hope).
We had a weekend at Linton 11/14 December. I had been invited back to Christmas lunch with the staff at the Learning Centre. I was touched by the invitation and thought it would be good to join them – again I had not had a chance to see them all to say goodbye. I also took the opportunity to drop in to Kaleidoscope Craft Club and say hello to all my friends there.
Dad’s operation was scheduled for 23 December (yes, really!) so we decided that we should go home to Linton for Christmas so that we would be nearby in case he needed nursing after the op. As it turned out, he had no adverse reactions, and was discharged on Christmas Eve. He has made a remarkable recovery and we spent a very pleasant, gentle, Christmas together. Lesley travelled back to Brythonfa on 30 December, leaving David at Linton to keep an eye on Dad for a little longer, and also to do some of the finishing jobs needed before we put the house on the market (early January, we hope).
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