word of the week

Word of the Week 11 – Corona Virus

March 13, 2020 by Anne Sweet 8 Comments

Hello and welcome to the home of Word of the Week. A nice and simple weekly linky, with everyone welcome to pop by and share. The idea of the linky is to reflect back on your past week and share it with us. It’s great if you can sum it up in a word or phrase, hence giving us your Word of the Week. My phrase this week is Corona Virus and you can read more about that below.

devoted to Word of the Week and I will add posts to Mix Please add the badge below to your post so that others may find us and join in. If you comment or tweet then please use the hashtag #WotW

Word of the Week is open from 6am on Friday Morning to 12 noon on Monday. Plenty of time to join in!

If you are unfamiliar with the Word of the Week linky then please feel free to ask any questions. New linkers are always welcome, we love to hear what you have been up to in the past week.

MY WORD OF THE WEEK – Corona Virus

This virus seems to be affecting everything lately. Some people are not taking it seriously and other’s are going over the top. As someone who is immune deficient I do worry, but I also think that if it comes to us then we will deal with it and survive. I also think that we will be affected in some way, the speed it is spreading it’s hard to think that you won’t be affected.

I feel so awful for those that are elderly or with underlying illnesses that could mean serious results. The hospitals are going to need a lot of help and so is the economy. It’s not something to take lightly at all.

The only time I have been out in the last two weeks was to visit the GP. I mostly went because I had a mix up in my medication, but I was also suffering from a very tight chest and loss of voice. The Corona Virus had no victims in the UK at the time so I wasn’t too concerned. The surgery was empty, the GP saw me straight away, sorted out my medication and informed me I had a virus but I was okay and there wasn’t anything she could for me. Thankfully, I did feel better a few days later. (Although, I’ve been feeling ill again since.)

The kids have been told to keep washing their hands at school, but children seem relatively safe from the Corona Virus. They can get it but are strong enough to fight it off pretty easily. They can carry it though, and pass it on to others. This caused Star a lot of distress as she was terrified that I’d get it. I have tried to re-assure her as much as possible. I’ve only recently had checks on my heart and lungs and everything seemed healthy.

My daughter works in a hospital and they have already had some staff sent home to self isolate. Although, they haven’t been tested positive, they have had cold or flu symptoms. It’s good to know they are taking things seriously at least. My daughter has had a non urgent GP appointment cancelled this week. They are only seeing really sick or vulnerable people at the moment. Others are having phone appointments.

People are already fed up of hearing about the Corona Virus, but we can’t be complacent. Even if you are fit and healthy and most likely to survive if you catch it, please remember that it spreads and be careful who you share your germs with.

EDIT: After the COBRA meeting yesterday, I’m still trying to get my head around the conclusions that they came to. Many think they are making the right choices, many think it’s wrong. I’m not sure where I stand as a person who is ‘at risk.’ The headline, many loved ones will be lost, is a very scary one indeed. Nobody wants to lose a loved one, no matter how old or frail. Please take care and do what you feel is right for you and your family x

For some great daily updates please visit The Brick Castle on Facebook.

Now it’s over to you, what word or phrase sums up your week this week?

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Word of the Week 10 – Grateful

March 6, 2020 by Anne Sweet 18 Comments

devoted to Word of the Week and I will add posts to Mix Please add the badge below to your post so that others may find us and join in. If you comment or tweet then please use the hashtag #WotW

Word of the Week is open from 6am on Friday Morning to 12 noon on Monday. Plenty of time to join in!

If you are unfamiliar with the Word of the Week linky then please feel free to ask any questions. New linkers are always welcome, we love to hear what you have been up to in the past week.

MY WORD OF THE WEEK – Grateful

So this week I’ve not done much. We’ve had the workmen in every day and hopefully by today the bathroom will be finished. It’s not exactly what I was expecting. Rather than a wet room I have a flat level shower with a glass surround. It’s not bad, and we have a new floor which is nice. But the work has been a little shoddy and only half the room was re-tiled.

My husband complained on Facebook and was jumped on by people who were saying we should be grateful that we got it for free. The same happened when I complained that the workmen hadn’t turned up that day. At least we were not paying for it. Well, I wish we could have paid for it, I wish we had enough money to have the kind of bathroom that I really liked. I wish I wasn’t disabled so we didn’t have to have the bathroom renovated this way. I need to get over myself, but forgive me for not being so grateful for needing help. If I had the choice between not being disabled and having a free bathroom renovation, trust me the bathroom renovation wouldn’t stand a look in. But some people just don’t get that.

Grateful

So this brings me to this weeks word of the week, grateful. And now I’ve had my grumble, I’m going to turn things around. I am truly grateful for the help I receive, from the very first person who came up with a wheelchair for me when I first realised that walking was not going to be an option anymore. I’m grateful to all those who donated to my Just Giving fund when I needed more suitable wheels as I discovered that I needed an electric wheelchair to get a little more independence. Also, I’m grateful to all the offers of help and everyone who has ever sent me a gift, or even just a message. I’m grateful to everyone who actually still cares that I suffer and has never given up on me.

Especially, I’m grateful to my occupational therapist that has supplied me with all the living aids I need. I look around my home sometimes and wish like crazy that I didn’t have to have them, but it doesn’t mean I’m not grateful for them. What would I do without them.

My life may have taken a direction I never expected but I’m so grateful to all of the hospital staff that have cared for me. There may be no cure but I’m grateful to my consultant who has been amazing and helped me so much. The life expectancy for someone with my condition is three years and I’m already well over four years with it. The statistics are dated so I’m also grateful for all those who work behind the scenes to make this condition more recognised and treatments available.

Finally, I’m grateful for my family. They may drive me crazy sometimes but they are always there for me. And as much I’d like to left alone, I know that I would be nothing without them.

Thank you for reading.

Now it’s over to you, what word or phrase sums up your week this week.

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Last weeks Word of the Week – Wetroom

Word of the Week 9 – Wetroom

February 28, 2020 by Anne Sweet 8 Comments

I’m not totally strict on using just a word or phrase. But please try to stick to the theme of summing up your week.There are not too many rules with this linky, just remember to read at least another couple of posts in the link up after adding your link. I will read and comment on all posts and tweet them out for you. I also have a Pinterest boarddevoted to Word of the Week and I will add posts to MixPlease add the badge below to your post so that others may find us and join in. If you comment or tweet then please use the hashtag #WotW

Word of the Week is open from 6am on Friday Morning to 12 noon on Monday. Plenty of time to join in!

If you are unfamiliar with the Word of the Week linky then please feel free to ask any questions. New linkers are always welcome, we love to hear what you have been up to in the past week.

MY WORD OF THE WEEK – Wetroom

Last year I told my occupational therapist that I was having trouble with showering. She came to visit my home and said that I could do with a wet room. I don’t know why, but the thought of having my bathroom ripped out and changed just scared me and I said no. So we worked on some other things that would help, like seats, bars, steps etc. Sadly, nothing really helped. So I called her and told her that I had changed my mind about the wet room. She came to visit again and told me that I could also do with a through floor lift from my living room to my bedroom. In for a dollar in for a pound I guess.

I was told that work would start in April, but this week a workman turned up and said they would be starting this week! So, on Wednesday we had a house full of builders making tons of noise. I don’t deal too well with noise, but I popped in my headphones and just got on with it.

On Thursday, the workmen didn’t turn up until lunchtime!! I had to be at the hospital with Star, so I really didn’t have to spend to much time listening to their noise

I can’t wait to be able to shower with confidence. For the last six months it’s felt like I’ve been risking my life every time I shower, especially with my balance being so bad. And I’ll be able to go to the bathroom in my wheelchair during the night. I’ve had so many near misses with falls trying to make the couple of metres from my bed to the toilet when I’ve woken in the night. One night I crashed into the bathroom door and thankfully my eldest son was still awake and came to help.

Next up it will be my lift and I’m dreading the work involved, but again it’s something I really need. I can’t wait to not have to walk up and down the stairs anymore.

In other news, the hospital appointment on Thursday for Star was with her neurologist who told us all is well with her neck, yay! Just one more appointment at the Children’s hospital next year and she’ll be discharged. If anything happens from then on, she’ll be at the adult hospital. Now, that’s a scary thought! (Not the adult hospital, but the fact that she will be classed as an adult for medical issues!)

Oh, and we heard this week that she does NOT have Marfan Syndrome. We still don’t know what her actual problem is, she has a lot of characteristics of Marfan’s but no variation at all of the rogue gene febrillin that causes it. Of course, I may be jumping the gun as we still have some more testing to come back and don’t, as yet, have a follow up with her geneticist. It looks like she just might be one of those rare children that just doesn’t fit in any box. I wonder where she gets that from?

Now it’s over to you, what word or phrase sums up your week this week?

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Do check out my competition to win a fabulous bean bag chair from Beanbag Bazaar

Also, I have a code offering 25% discount from Photowall, wallpaper, canvas, prints, framed prints etc.

Word of the Week 8 – Fun

February 21, 2020 by Anne Sweet 6 Comments

Word of the Week is open from 6am on Friday Morning to 12 noon on Monday. Plenty of time to join in!

If you are unfamiliar with the Word of the Week linky then please feel free to ask any questions. New linkers are always welcome, we love to hear what you have been up to in the past week.

MY WORD OF THE WEEK – Fun

Fun - a group of children in the woods having fun playing with a ball and the Word Fun in the middle

I decided to go for something light and bright this week, Fun. Sometimes I think there is just not enough fun in our life but then I realise that it’s simply not true. So I’m going to focus on the fun of this week.

The weekend was super fun with a 16th birthday party on Friday night. You can see my kids having a dance in my Sunday Snapshot. Then on Saturday night I went to my favourite place, the Hippodrome, to see The Red Shoes.‘ I think if I had the chance and the money, I’d go to the Hippodrome every week. They have so many fantastic shows on and l love seeing things live. They also have pretty good disability places and always feel comfortable. I’m off to see ‘Don Quixote’ next, and then the musical ‘Six.’ I tried to book to see ‘We Will Rock You,’ but it sold out way too quick. I’d love to see ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ and ‘Carmen’ too, but I don’t know many opera lovers. I guess I could go alone.

Then it was a much welcomed half term. I hate getting up on cold mornings and rushing (ha) around to get the kids ready for school.

The girls had a fun day out at the cinema on Saturday seeing the new Sonic the Hedgehog movie. Then the older kids got out out their retro games and consoles and they all had lots of fun playing old games.

We had a couple of quiet days to rest up but on Wednesday it was Graham’s Birthday. This time we didn’t go out for a meal but chose a take out instead. Hopefully, while you are reading this we’ll be treating him to a fun day out at his favourite place, Cosford Museum. We haven’t been for a few years and I think the Little Man is going to love it more now that he’s older. I may even have a new post to share with Country Kids soon 🙂

Boo made her Dad a birthday cake which was fun too.

Now it’s over to you, what word or phrase sums up your week this week?

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Word of the Week 6 – Lifted

February 7, 2020 by Anne Sweet 19 Comments

Hello and welcome to the home of Word of the Week. A nice and simple weekly linky, with everyone welcome to pop by and share. The idea of the linky is to reflect back on your past week and share it with us. It’s great if you can sum it up in a word or phrase, hence giving us your Word of the Week. My word this week is lifted and you can read more about that below.

I’m not totally strict on using just a word or phrase. But please try to stick to the theme of summing up your week.

There are not too many rules with this linky, just remember to read at least another couple of posts in the link up after adding your link. I will read and comment on all posts and tweet them out for you. I also have a Pinterest boarddevoted to Word of the Week and I will add posts to MixPlease add the badge below to your post so that others may find us and join in. If you comment or tweet then please use the hashtag #WotW

Word of the Week is open from 6am on Friday Morning to 12 noon on Monday. Plenty of time to join in!

If you are unfamiliar with the Word of the Week linky then please feel free to ask any questions. New linkers are always welcome, we love to hear what you have been up to in the past week.

MY WORD OF THE WEEK – Lifted

Last week I left you with the word plans. This week I am still making plans but I have decided to use the word lifted.

Lifted. A photograph of a lift in a home with the word Lifted in bold

Do you remember that song by The Lighthouse Family, Lifted. This is my inspiration for this weeks Word of the Week.

I’d really love to be alone without all the
Ache and pain and the April showers

Ok, I know it’s only February and the showers are more like downpours, but who doesn’t get fed up up the cold and miserable weather? I used to be a winter person but the cold and wet just makes my aches and pains so much worse now.

When it all gets dark again
The whole thing falls apart I guess
It doesn’t really matter ’bout the rain
‘Cause we’ll get through it anyway
We’ll get up and start again

Sometimes it’s tough and dark but it’s only when you reach the very pits of the darkness that you realise that the only way is up. You can get through it, get up and start again. You can be lifted from the shadows.

I started counselling today. I’ve been on the waiting list for months and today I really didn’t feel like leaving the house, but I had to. And I’m glad I did. It’s what I need, someone to talk to that won’t judge me or tell me what to do. Someone who I can tell everything too and they won’t be able to tell anyone else. There is so much, I think I will need many sessions just to tell her everything. But I’ve started at the bottom and now things can only get better. I can be lifted from those shadows that have followed me around for many years. My illness is nothing compared to the pain of my mind. The darkness inside of me causes me more pain than the agony of not being able to move while my body cramps up into painful spasms. But the two work together, and I’m sure if I can work on the mind the body will follow.

Lifted

Another way of being lifted this week is by the news that my house is going to be made safe and future proof for me. I’m having a wet room and a lift installed in April. I have so much trouble climbing into the shower, they’ve given me a step, a chair and bars on the wall, but it’s still really hard. I had a shower the other day and used up more than half my daily amount of spoons. (check spoon theory, if you don’t understand)

Having a wet room will mean I can shower safely and alone. I will no longer need to be afraid of falling and I will find it much easier to do the most basic thing of all, get washed!

The lift is something as a family we’ve had many a debate about. I wanted a stair lift but because of the shape of our stairs the lift would be difficult to install and cost a lot of money. It would take up a lot of space on the stairs so everyone else would find it a pain, and they can be really dangerous for kids. Not only that, but my occupational therapist said that a stair life would be most inappropriate for my condition.

So, we are going to have a lift. From the living room to the bedroom. Our living room is pretty big (but it’s still cluttered.) the lift will be fitted in the corner which is currently behind our bigger settee. We will just have to move the settee over a little to make space. During the day we can keep the lift upstairs so all that will be seen are two metal stripes down the wall. We will have to keep the space clear though.

The bedroom will have the biggest transformation. We are going to have to move our bed and the wardrobe and get rid of some of the unnecessary furniture. One of my bookshelves will have to go and a chest of drawers which is currently broken and unused anyway. (If we can fix it we can put it in the Little Man’s room, if not it can go to the tip.)

It’s going to make such a difference to me, especially in the morning when it takes me so long to get downstairs (And it’s so painful I could cry.)

New Horizons

Lifted, lifted up today, lifted all the way, yeah we could be lifted
We could be lifted, from the shadows, we could be lifted
Lifted up to new horizons

I really do think that the house adaptations and the therapy could actually lift me to new horizons. And maybe, just maybe, those dark shadows could be chased away.

p.s. I survived my MRI, yay! Hopefully it will be a long time before I have to have another (if ever.) I did have to be ‘lifted’ off the bed afterwards though thanks to my body completely closing down and refusing to move by itself!

Now it’s your turn, what word or phrase sums up your week this week?

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