Tuesday 13 May 2014

Two Weeks Later!!

No blog for 2 weeks mainly because I didn't think there was anything happening, but making notes earlier there are a few things to say!! 
Pete had his regular 3 Botox injections today, so we are hoping there will be a bit of relief for him with his right arm.  It doesn't make a huge difference any more but does release his muscles a bit, especially in his hand which gets really clenched up.  Also he has made a lot of progress with the jigsaws he does on his ipad - he is now up to 81 pieces and can do them in about 30 minutes.  It probably doesn't sound like much to you but, believe me, for him to solve a puzzle with 81 pieces in a half hour is a major achievement plus it gives him a sense of achievement which is very important.  The ipad is brilliant for doing jigsaws as he can choose himself which one to do and can choose how many pieces plus no pieces are ever missing or end up on the floor!!!  We have to buy the categories but each category costs about £1.50 and gives a choice of about 40 puzzles which I think is VERY good value as where can you buy a proper one for £1.50, never mind 40!!  And each one can be done as many times as you like with your choice of number of pieces.  
We have also started doing sounds again which is good as it was his choice to get back to it.
The only downer for Pete has been that we had to get rid of the car he had in the garage which was going to be his retirement project.  It was a Rover 820 which we have had since new (early 1990's) and, after serving us well for several years, it started to need a lot of work doing on it so Pete took it off the road and put it into the garage for him to do up when he retired.  It has been there for 8 years!!! Unfortunately, there is now no way Pete can work on it so the decision was made to get rid of it.  Pete's brother and his mate kindly came over and managed to get it out of the garage, even getting it started which was amazing.  It still looked really good but, last Wednesday, we sent it on its way.  It was a sad day as was a source of many happy memories and also emphasised to Pete that he couldn't do what he wanted any more.
Last week I also had a phone call from another carer asking to meet up - so I met her for a drink on Friday - we can't meet at home as both Pete and her husband hate to hear us talk about them!  They both know why we meet but Pete gets very angry when I talk about him (unless it is good things of course) and she says her husband is the same.  Anyway it was a relief to talk to someone who knows exactly how it is and we both offloaded and felt much better.  I am so glad she is there at the end of the phone and we both agreed that we will meet when either one of us feels the need.  It makes such a difference to know someone else is going through the same as often you feel you are entirely alone - and as I have said before, there are things you can only say to someone who knows!! 
I have been out driving a bit with Martin and also been out on my own - but definitely need to get out on my own more often. Getting from A to B is ok, but parking in a car park is still a tad tricky!!  I need at least 3 spaces (to get in the middle one), 5 spaces is better and 7 or more is ideal!!!  Need to nail this as soon as possible!  Pete hasn't been out with me yet - he is still a bit nervous yet I think but I have told him he WILL come out with me soon!!! 

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