It has been some time since I last made an addition to my blog and I apologise to any who have been fretting as to my well being. I assure you all that I am fine, I quite simply found myself suddenly not wanting to write. Every time that I tried, and believe me I did, nothing came out, there was nothing there. After 5 years of constant updates, not only did I have nothing to say, but I had this great desire to simply take a break, to not write, to do anything other than that one thing, so that’s exactly what I did. I never intended for one second for it to be as long as it has been, but what is it they say about best-laid plans?
The first couple of weeks went just as I thought they would. I found silly games to play online until I found one that pulled me in and suddenly I was addicted. Days passed with easy, so much ease that it was almost scary. I think it was around the start of week three when Adam suddenly had an accident that damaged his back severely. It wasn’t like he did anything that you would expect to cause such an injury, he simply stood up from sitting on the settee and that was it, he was in excruciating pain. He couldn’t stand, he couldn’t sit and he couldn’t walk without pain like he had never known before. Suddenly, he was in my world.
Like many out there, he thought he knew, especially as he had witnessed what has been happening to me, over the past 17 years, exactly what chronic pain was. As each day passed, the pain he was in was wearing him down but still his admiration for the way I cope grew, yet oddly, he was reluctant to take any of my advice. Just as I once had been, he was determined to work it all out for himself and I became more and more helpless just watching him struggle. Unlike me, Adam has this thing about not taking tablets. For as long as I have known him, it has been a battle just to get him to take an aspirin, convinced that it would do damage far worse than what it would cure. It was the middle of week three, and only because his doctor had prescribed them that he started to take high levels of ibuprofen and codeine, but only when the pain was at it’s worst.
Adam has been my carer for so long that finding myself having to care for him the best I could, was hard. Not the caring bit as I totally love him, but there is so little that someone can do from a wheelchair to aid another, especially someone who is finding it hard to walk. Yes, because of my electric chair I could do much of the running around in the house, but I was totally unable to support or aid even one of his steps where ever he had to take it, and the emotional support that he needed was draining. My energy levels aren’t great and when you have to repeat over and over again the same things you said just an hour ago, well I simply didn’t always have the patience he needed from me, and he needed a lot of it. I found those five weeks of holding him up, amazingly hard work. Not too surprisingly, there were a couple of points when I did snap, like the day through his tears he said: “What am I going to do if I can’t ever walk again?” I did kind of go through the roof on that one, but I think I was justified.
After weeks of physio and doctors prodding and checking, he is now fully mobile again, but the support is still going on as they discovered halfway through his recovery that he has high blood pressure and I do mean high!. He had been at work when he started to feel really ill and he phoned me to tell me what was going on. He’d only been back at work for about a week, but all I could do was tell him to speak to his boss, then come home. It was over an hour before he phoned me again. His boss had called one of the nurses to his office and she had taken his blood pressure. Straight away he was sent out to the main hospital in Glasgow for an ECG, why that couldn’t be done in the one he works in, I still don’t understand. By the time he got there, it had lowered, but was far from low enough.
We have been going from one medical disaster to another, mine being fitted around his as they occurred. As I said, don’t worry, I’m OK, for me, it was just all the normal stuff that makes up my life, but finding the time to relax or to rebuild the energy that I needed to get through each day, has been hard and sometimes impossible. At times I have been so tired that doing anything other than playing those banal games, has been totally beyond me. I have sat here hour after hour, connecting numbers, stacking different sized boxes, eating snakes and all those other free games that are out there. I have sat here quiet simply happy to let the hours tick by and looking forwards to when I could next just go to my bed and sleep. Because Adams health has generally been so good, I had forgotten what it was like trying to be me alongside being his carer. I know there are a lot of people out there who do this daily, handle their own health along with that of their partners, but it’s all new for me.
High blood pressure is a chronic condition that can be handled with ease by taking medication. Not something that Adam finds easy and has no intention of doing for the rest of his life. He knows that he has to lose weight, something he is doing well at, he is already over a stone down but upping his exercise levels isn’t going so well. I am finding it so hard not to nag him, as I know he doesn’t respond well to that, either mentally or with the level of his blood pressure. I can see now that he has probably had this problem in the background for a while as trust me, I can see when it flares. I know that if I could just get out there with him, go swimming with him or just on long walks, that it would be easier for him, but I’m trapped here in the house unable to support him any more than do. I am such and easy excuse for him to use, as doing any of those things that are good for him, would mean leaving me behind and once again alone and he doesn’t like that. Somehow we will work it out, we always do.
So now you know what has kept me away. What was supposed to be a short restful holiday, has been anything but, but I’m back and I’m happy to be here.
Two Rooms Plus Utilities 
Before I even read the post, I just want to say I’m so glad you’re back. I’ve been thinking of you, often when I’m on the loo and thinking back to our conversation about and your recommendation of stylish grab handles!
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You will definitely work it out, Pamela – of that I have no doubt. I’ve been through so much of what you have including playing endless word games on my iPhone. I find it very soothing; it keeps the brain connecting and calms down the endless worries. On the plus side, I’ve finally had my cataract done and the heart specialist doesn’t think, although the problem is ‘serious’, that I need to have an op just yet. I’m breathing out having held my breath for six months! Phew! All power to yours and Adam’s elbows! I’m so glad he’s better.
Sarah x
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Thank you. I bet it feels good to be able to see properly. That is one of the many things they can’t fix for me, but it is surprisingly to many one that is near the top of my list. I’m so glad that you aren’t facing the surgeon knife quite yet, and hopefully never. Take care 🙂
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Bless you. You take care too. x
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Did you ever actually have them fitted?
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No, because at the moment I have various bits of furniture to hold on to when it comes to both loos (so don’t need to use the radiators!) and the bath is shaped in such a way with a big ‘lip’ that makes it okay for now. I’m also having the bathroom painted so want to wait until I know whether chrome will work though it should because of the radiators. Anything but white, pretty please!
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I wouldn’t get used to using the radiator, I use to use the heater in the hall then I had to switch it on and I forgot it was hot. Lets just say the air turned blue 😦
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Hi,
So pleased you are able to be back blogging. I understand a little of what you’ve been through as my partner has had some health probs recently. I hope Adam continues to improve.
As for the games, yes, they are addictive – but good for brain training – enjoy!
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They also bring a huge amount of peace to a troubled mind and time flies by as you always have to have just one more go 🙂
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Glad to see you are back- I think everyone must feel writing on their blog is a chore. I agree- often I think what have I got to say- that isn’t repetition or sounding like a whinge. But perhaps it was no hard- to just concentrate on other matter for a while. But I am glad you are back- well done for perservering
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Thanks for bringing us back into your world.
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So sorry you’re dealing with all this. Sending (((hugs))) to you both
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Thank you 🙂
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Your ansence has been noted. I did hope you were taking time out form yourself, just being. Hope you haven’t been playing Candy Crush? It’s a gateway drug……. horrible Adam has been suffering. And then sometimes when they experience what you do every day first hand they better understand what you have been dealing with for so long. And never under estimate the empathy you would have had for him during that time. Cheers,H
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I avoided candy crush as I know they are after your money one way or another. As I said my intention was to have time to myself and I did at first, but then life took over and the peace ended. I think we have both had our eyes opened to many things in the last few weeks. Pain is a great teacher, not just for those who are feeling it 🙂
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I’m glad to see you back here. I had been wondering how you were. I’m sorry to hear about Adam’s and your struggles. It sounds like your break away from blogging was what you needed for the time being. Sending good thoughts your way!
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💞
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It’s good o see you back, even if it’s just once and awhile. So sorry to hear about Adam’s back and high blood pressure. Being a care-giver takes its toll, too.
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Having so little energy in the first place makes it all the harder 😦
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I am so sorry that you are going through this. But I wanted ti tell you how much I admire you, as well as your writing. You have inspired me so many times and are so strong. I understand the need to avoid writing for a while until you get things better under control, but I am so glad to have you back and writing. I love your blog and I too suffer from Chronic Pain and you are such an inspiration to all of us and we love you. We are all here for you ❤
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Thank you 🙂
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*HUGS*
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Oh my gosh, you are back! I have missed you. I sort of started thinking the worst. While your news isn’t the best, at least you both have a strong relationship and this situation can only make it stronger.
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I guess this is life telling me that I’m not meant to take holidays from anything. LOL 🙂
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I am so sorry to hear of your trouble. .my heart goes out to you. It must have been a very difficult time for both of you. You seem more positive about things now.. But just made me think we all take so much for granted..and appreciate when things get better. . I Wish you both well..stay positive .. something that keeps me going are the words, that we are so much stronger than we think we are. ..stay positive ..best wishes 😊
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Thank you, I am a naturally positive person, Adam is the total opposite. It’s that that I find so draining to deal with, but we always get there. Take care 🙂
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I’m so glad you’re back, you were missed. But I understand your need to be away from writing for awhile, we all have to step away from something for a time. I am sorry that you and your husband have to deal with physical problems. I’m glad that you are okay and your husband’s problem is improving. Blessings to you both. Mary
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Thank you, I’m glad to be back 🙂
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Hi Pamela, First I’ll echo all the other commenters “glad your back”. I was worried, and I missed reading about your life. Being a caregiver is not easy, but it does provide a purpose outside ourselves, which we may not recognize at the time. Instead we feel stressed and anxious. Your husband apparently does a wonderful job, caregiving for you. He gets it. Try to focus on how caregiving is enriching your life. But yes, I hope your husband is soon well, you both have enough on your plate. How about an exercise bike…. so he doesn’t have to leave you alone?
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I did think about that, but I fear that it would just join the pile of good ideas that never get used. He has agreed to going swimming now, it’s just a matter of getting him to go for the first time now. Once that is done, hopefully he will continue 🙂
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Pamela you are certainly in love with Adam and he is in love with you. You know that I was almost killed on my mountain bike under a reversing car on 25 August, 2003. The Australian and Canadian Doctors did not have my nerve damage corrected, Earlier this year with severe pain, I was treated by a Female Doctor from my own Medical Centre, with a more experienced Female Doctor and my Power of Attorney listening to her, while she was examining me from L4 right down to my left heal and toes. Thls Female Doctor referred me to a Phio. at our local Shepparton Health. Hannah from your city treated me three times and straightened my body. Yes just two days before her 30th birthday. Thank you for listening Pamela.
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Missed you..
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