What have you been doing today?

[gertbysea]

Good combo C P.  Look like lots of fun and trouble !

Gert

[Emme]

Cookie, have always only initialled cheques 

Judy, hope Geoff is more settled next time.  Glad you had some time with GC

CP, how adorable.  Love the names too.

[mab19]

Cute puppies CC, cute names as well

[judydawn]

Cute little puppies - never heard of Jackroodles CP but you can see the Jack Russell gene in them.  2 sound like double the trouble but at least they have each other for company when you aren't around.  Happy days CP.

[goldfish]

Judy, it was so good you had that time with your DD and her family. You need that!  I know, too though, it's so hard when you're also a very important part of someone's daily expectations.  Part of the advice given by the nursing homes my mother and my aunt were in was to not visit too often during the week so that the resident in question didn't come to expect to see you all the time and you wouldn't feel under constant pressure to make it in every day.  That theory probably looks good on paper and maybe they're right . .  there was I felt a big "however" . .  and there would be the occasional time when it would be twice a day- even if it meant just 15 or so minutes before work and then a longer visit in the afternoon/evening.  I was just lucky to have everything in place geographically speaking so it didn't take long to get from place to another . . .   Geoff may have really missed you this time, but may cope a whole lot better another time.  The situation seems to change from day to day - if not more frequently!  Thinking of you and hope things are as peaceful and as smooth as they can be.. .  

CP - those pups are gorgeous! Really like the idea of the chicken/sweet potato dinners.  Can't believe your DD will be back in Perth at the end of this year.  Just seems like yesterday she was heading for Sydney!  

[judydawn]

Thanks GF, they are probably right but it's hard to not go in every day. In the early days it's probably a wise thing to let them settle into their new routine but I didn't even do that because Geoff was so ill when he went there and we didn't expect him to last the first week.  He will have been there for 12 months on the 26th of this month and I haven't missed too many days.  Because he is a pleasure to visit (and not a grumpy bum), it's no trouble for me to do so.  He gets nursing staff to position him so that he can see the TV and the front door and by the time I open the door he already has a smile on his face and is giving me a wave the minute I step in.  I could skip a day here and there during the week but weekends it would be hard to not visit when all his favourite staff members have the weekend off.

You very rarely see children in the home but there was a beautiful reaction from one of the residents when I took the grandkids in on Thursday before we headed down to Middleton.  He has gone downhill badly and is now confined to a princess chair like Geoff but when Amber went up to him, his face broke out into a smile and he slowly put his hand up to touch her on the head.  I haven't seen such a reaction from him since he came back from hospital recently in this condition.  He is so different that Geoff doesn't even remember that this chap used to annoy him immensely when he was able to walk around the facility.  I even found them both in the back lounge room one day, just the 2 of them and it appeared as if Geoff was his carer.  They'd given him the buzzer if he needed help and when I said hello to both of them, Geoff wanted to know how I new this chap's name.  I dare not remind him how he used to annoy him and everyone else. It bought tears to my eyes watching how he now cared for this person and was looking out for him, a far cry from the days when all he wanted to do was hit him .

You are right, this may be a one-off reaction to me not being there - it really was only 1 day as I was back there mid afternoon on Saturday.  The 6 days away in October will be interesting.  I'm going to email one of the staff members though and she can pass it onto Geoff to read - that may help.

[Bootobethin]

Oh Judy I really admire you for your loving care of Geoff.
I hope he is settled well enough for you to enjoy your trip away in October.
I have learned an enormous amount from you.
You are in a situation any one of us could be faced with and you manage it with such dignity.
You are a real hero.

[gertbysea]

Judy I was gobsmacked when you said Geoff had been there 12 months. Time does fly . You all made the right decision at the time as you can now see. Wonderful that Geoff takes an interest in other people. Shame there are not more children taken to see the oldies  or even the young ones like Geoff.

You have done a marvellous job looking after everyone including your mum and it is great you have "me" time and a busy social life at times.

We will take some photos of us all in October to send to Geoff. I am sure one of the staff will have an iPad so we can send to their address and they can show Geoff.  Work on that! Maybe a VDO too.

Gert

[judydawn]

Thanks girls, most of us would do exactly the same given the circumstances.  A great idea Gert, thanks for that suggestion - pictures speak far more loudly than words.   

[cookie1]

Judy I feel that Geoff missing you ( however hard it is for you) is a sign that he is well and settled. I have walked out of nursing homes many times in tears, it can be so very hard. It becomes part of your life to drop in each day and I always found it easy to do. However you definitely need me time. Perhaps you could creat a little photograph book for Geoff. Eg this time you could have put a photo of the children, Jo and her DH and maybe yourself. If you had one, a photo of the place you were going to.
You are doing a fantastic job.

CP you have a couple of cuties there. Fun times ahead.

[BeezeeBee]

You are amazing, Judy. Such strength and grace...a woman of substance.

Love the photo and video ideas, Gert and Cookie 😃

[obbie]

Judy time goes so fast. 1 year already.

Take some photos for Geoff

[Kimmyh]

Love you puppies CP. They are cuties.

[droverjess]

Oh Judy I really admire you for your loving care of Geoff.
I hope he is settled well enough for you to enjoy your trip away in October.
I have learned an enormous amount from you.
You are in a situation any one of us could be faced with and you manage it with such dignity.
You are a real hero.

Agree wholeheartedly.
You are a great example to us all.
Happy Easter to all
Xx

[judydawn]

Thanks for your lovely words girls - forum support has been a great help.