Third day in my pjs and my faithful labradors

 

Buddy and Bella              Buddy helps with fortisips

 

Thursday afternoon, was feeling very very tired.  To that point that you feel your legs just can’t carry you.  Teatime – dire need to put my pyjamas on.   The whole afternoon I slept on the sofa, with the exception of the times my Labrador, Buddy, would wake me.  He would look at me and if he could speak he would say mother just try something to eat or drink a fortisip.

Buddy is a wonderful golden Labrador.  He follows me around everywhere I go.  Sits patiently in the bathroom, always at my feet or by my side when I’m sitting down.  Accompanies me to kitchen, stands and looks at the fridge – I know he is wondering if perhaps he can have something to eat.  When I’m in

bed, his duvet bed is in our bedroom.  I’m up at night – Buddy is up at night.  He carries clothes through to the washing machine.  Most importantly he knows when my blood sugars are dropping too low.  I can be in a sound sleep, I will suddenly feel a paw on my shoulder; tap tap.  I open my eyes to see his big square head looking over me.    On checking my blood sugar levels after buddy has woken me – they are always around the 2.5 mark.  He has an instinct that i need to drink one of my fortisip Drinks.

As well as Buddy we have Bella, she is also a golden lab, 2 years younger than Buddy.  She doesn’t quite keep as close as Buddy.  However, if I am home alone.  Or on a sofa on my own, I will have a Labrador on either side of me.  Bella is protective of me, keeps her ears open for anything out of the ordinary happening.  Bella is just as faithful, and is learning the household duties and definetly likes to carry things for you.  The softness of the labs mouth, they will carry something for you for a considerable time or distance and will not damage or mark it.  however she is a Daddy’s girl and knows what side her bread is buttered on – she very much looks forward to Steve’s cuddles, playing football, letting them run free outside with him.

Friday, I was violently sick.  While shouting hughie down the loo I had both Labradors in the family bathroom with me.  I was sweating and Bella was gently licking my feet, I know to many that sounds yuk, but for me it was comforting and when your heart is pounding in your ears it’s good to know someone or something is looking out for you.   Buddy takes charge and sits upright by my side as I grip the pan.  If he could hold my hand he would.  At last I’m sure nothing more can come out.  After composing myself to get back to the sofa, we three walk along the long hallway together.  Bella taking the lead and Buddy walking by my side.  Bella only one step ahead, normally she would run along the hallway.  This day she walks slowly at my pace.  Her ears pinned back listening to my every move.  I get to the sofa, fall asleep and wake up an hour or so later:  both dogs faithfully down at my feet.

Saturday felt like a nothing day.  Disappeared so quickly.

Sunday – today.  The first day I feel up to making a cuppa.  Brian and Margaret popped in for a visit.  I’m not very good with visitors when I’m feeling rubbish, but there are some people that you don’t mind calling on you at any time.  My brother Brian and sister in law Margaret are in that class.  They don’t mind if they don’t get a cuppa, or the dogs hairs need vacuumed.  And I don’t mind what I’m like when they come.  They want to visit regardless – which is lovely.  They brought me a beautiful present.  A zebra picture.  I love it.  Buddy loved the cuddles from Margaret too 🙂

I thought I would bath and get some slacks and a t shirt on.  Alas, it’s 4.45pm – I’m washed and in fresh pyjamas.  My labs don’t mind as long as they get a hug. It’s a slow evening snuggled up on the sofa.  And I think after the busy week my hubby has had he is benefiting from chilling on the couch.

 

Worth breaking the rules

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For the last five years my health has dictated holidays – breaks away abroad had been a thing of the past.  Postcards and tales from family and friends seemed to be the closest we were getting to foreign lands.  Anytime we thought about going away we hit stumbling blocks.  Our general rule is usually stay in UK, go somewhere proven.

  • do I feel up to going away
  • fitting timings in with lanreotide injection every 21 days
  • is it all really worth it
  • takings unusual meds on the trip
  • holiday insurance????
  • the weight of my fortisip drinks
  • carrying tubs of creams, factor 50 sun cream, etc

Im not the easiest person to be with at the best of time.  The spontaneous hypoglycaemia attacks when you least expect it.  Those who know me know I blether a load of rubbish at the best ofdden drop in blood sugar can turn me into a raving lunatic.  This tends to make my hubby slightly nervous, after the episode of us in the centre of Edinburgh and I just sat down in a crowded street – I could go no further and needed some supplies.  I’m sure Steve says in his sleep – “eat something” or “here is ….. Get it down you”. By the way this happens very often. I get grumpier than normal when my tummy aches.  one of the biggest challenges is the thought of leaving home and not knowing where the nearest bathroom is.  We have all had diahrea or loose movements at some time – but when this is an everyday occurrence a great deal of thought goes into leaving the security of your home and the comfort of ones own loo.

This is my 49th year on earth and have been married to Steve for 29 of them.  I want to do cheery happy things with my hubby.  Sitting one evening I thought I’ve had enough of pussy footing around.  I want us to go on a holiday abroad – go somewhere no-one knows us, take in sights and most importantly spend quality time together.   So we struck while the iron was hot and booked 7 days in Ibiza.  Was this too ambitious – a sunny island and me being photosensitive.  Get a grip woman I said to myself – put on plenty of your cream snd smother the factor 50 on.

The month before we were booked to go I was in hospital with pneumonia.  The thought of the trip we had planned together gave me strength and stamina to push myself.  Every breath, step was an effort.  Combination of IV antibiotics, steroids and sheer want to go helped me on the right road.

We got to Ibiza last week and spent 7 days there.  It wasn’t always problem free but having my soulmate with me made everything easier.

  • was it worth it? – most definitely YES
  • it wasn’t always easy
  • some of the hilly streets were a tad ambitious & challenging
  • was I tired? – exhausted – still am
  • would we go back – in a heartbeat

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