The only thing better than a thermomix in the kitchen is . . .

[judydawn]

I would love 2-3 hours help a week and I don't go to work    The garden, the house but NOT the kitchen - that is my domain.

[cookie1]

Judy could you get one through your carers group? A friend did when her DH was needing care. She had a housekeeper for a few hours a week and a gardener every 2 weeks for a few hours.
It would leave more time for cooking.

[judydawn]

Yes, I probably could Cookie but have never gone down that path unless I have been ill.  Little miss independent 

[cookie1]

Fair enough.

[Cuilidh]

Don't be too independent, though, Judy - your health and well-being is very important as well.  It would be very difficult for Geoff if you ran yourself into the ground and were unable to help him as much as you do.

[judydawn]

Thanks for your concern girls, yes I do realise that.  I have a lovely SIL who offered to come and sit with Geoff when I need a break - I find that far easier for us both than getting strangers in.  I have only used her twice but it is nice to know she is there if I need her. We are actually having a 3 day break courtesty of SA Carers later this month.  The idea was for respite for me - to go away with a friend but I can't expect anyone to come in for 3 days so Geoff will be my 'friend' and they have booked us a disabled room in Tanunda in the Barossa Valley, only an hour or so away from home.  So, all being well we are off for our first getaway in ages. Not the kind of break SA Carers had in mind for me but it will be nice for us both.

[nazar]

sorry l dont mean to be a sticky nose but who is geoff

[Cuilidh]

Nazar, Geoff is Judy's husband.

Judy, hope you have a great time away - you certainly deserve it and a change of scene and pace of life will do you the world of good.  Are you taking any carers with you to help out?  We have a friend who is paralysed from his neck down and is, therefore, totally wheelchair-bound and when they manage to get away for a break they have to take at least one carer with them to help with his day to day care. 

[judydawn]

Thanks Marina, no I do it all myself. Since being referred to a Professor of Infectology a few of months ago and being placed on a variety of vitamins and minerals, he is going reasonably well at the moment so can transfer from wheelchair to bed/toilet with my help and I can still get him in and out of the car - this takes a little more effort on my part but he is very thin thank goodness.  We just have to make sure he doesn't get too much sun as then he becomes a bit like jelly and is no help with the transferring.

Nazar, Geoff has had MS for over 24 years, been wheelchair bound for probably 18 years or so. It has been a journey for us both and we never know from one day to the next how he is going to be so are appreciating this time at the moment where he is a little stable, is eating and looking so much better than he was during the first part of this year when he went downhill badly. Having said that, he could well end up in hospital tomorrow with an infection of some kind but since his additional tablet regime kicked in, there has been a marked improvement in his quality of life and not one infection either so as you can imagine, we are very happy to have found this doctor who has bought him back from being a skeleton of a man who hardly ate or spoke and had no interest in living.

[nazar]

sorry judy l should of re read this thread instead of asking the question l thought it might of been your husband but thought you might be looking after your son  . living with it for so long you sound like you have it all worked out .
l can understand that you want to spent this precious time with him .
but please think about getting a cleaner in to help you here in wa some carers have cleaners they come for about 2 hours each week . and you dont pay for it  just think that could be 2 extra hours  you have to   play with thermie or spent with geoff .
 also the reason l was asking originally was  where l work at the leewin lodge  carers are entilled to have time off from  the people they care for. these people  come in for respite  and stay at the lodge, they are classed as low maintence ,  now shore how that would work for you in sa but  l am shore you know all the benefits you can get . and now that l know a bit more about geoff l am not shore if it would suit him
enjoy your time away . am l am happy that geoff is feeling better with his new tablets and that he has something to look forward to . l hope l have not unset you  it was not my intension

[judydawn]

You didn't upset me in any way nazar, I  have always been open about our problems and Geoff is well known to a lot of  members of this forum. They have been a wonderful moral support for me when we have had problems in the past and many of them have had their own health problems so can relate to ours. He is high care and although I could get respite from time to time, I only like to use it when there is no choice eg when I have health problems myself.  We have not had good experiences with nursing homes, the staff just don't have time to do what needs to be done for him so there is nothing like home as far as we are concerned. He went into one when I was rushed to hospital a couple of years ago and 3 weeks later I got him out of there because he had become so ill with 2 different infections and they hadn't even bothered to get a doctor to see him until I jumped up and down.  It is far easier for me to do everything that needs to be done, the Government was kind enough to renovate our ensuite to make it disabled friendly and that has made our lives so much easier. They have provided every possible piece of equipment that is needed to keep him at home and we hope that he never ends up in a nursing home full time.  You don't know what is around the corner though so we can never say never.  Yes, I know I should get some help in but I cope so I figure there are probably people out there that need it more than we do. Thanks for your concern, I do appreciate it 

[Cuilidh]

I remember you mentioning the infectologist earlier this year and am not happy with myself for failing to follow up on this to see how Geoff was getting on, but now I know there has been a huge improvement so that is very good news.

You obviously know heaps about what help amd assistance is available to you, so don't be backward to take advantage of whatever is appropriate for you; as you know, in this sort of case, your health and well being is every bit as important as Geoff's.  Enjoy your break away and take care.

[judydawn]

Thanks Marina, we will.  Not going until 23rd Nov.

[cookie1]

Judy that will be a lovely break for you and Geoff. Not too far to drive and it will be a change of surroundings. Even the drive will be lovely. You will have to go via Hahdorf (would probably be out of the way though) and stop off at Ottos for vanilla slice. (I guess it's still there). Next year I plan to do that and go to Beerenberg at the same time.

[judydawn]

Will hold you to that visit to SA Cookie, yes Hahndorf is sort of the other way to where we are going.