Black Dog 11

Scaredycat are you still going walking? I am finding it harder I must admit. My back and legs ache so but I’m keeping on going in the Hope it wears off. I was fine before lockdown but I think all those weeks of not leaving the house had a big impact.
I expect you’ve been doing lots of washing and catching up since you’ve been back. Hope you all enjoyed the lunch.
Nonnie glad you managed to book something. Have a lovely time and looking forward to hearing all about it on your return.
Annie here’s me moaning about a few aches and pains and then I read about you and all the effort you had to go through yesterday. I’m so sorry. It must be so hard for you to cope like that. Poor Lottie stuck in the kitchen but you saved her.
Is there no one locally who could come to your aid if you needed them? I wish we were all closer and could help out.
Any news from your daughter?
sweetpeasue hope you are having a better day and not in pain.
Sleep well all ……and Lottie..don’t get stuck in the kitchen. xx

Nonnie- have a lovely holiday you deserve it X
Annie- oh Annie it must have been so exhausting for you and the feeling of being alone was magnified for you in that situation. I wish there was something I could say but can only say I often find myself thinking of you during the day so am with you in thought if not in person. Sending a hugx
SweetPeaSue- hope you are having a good day today
We are out to a belated Birthday lunch today for DH with my Stepson and wife. Love spending time with them and it’s so long since we went Out out with them. Another step into the new normality.
I hope all BDG have a good Sundayxxx

Thats brought tears Annie I want to say you have MT, you have Lottie but know this is not what you meant. I also want to say one can feel alone WITH someone. But this is also not the same as the way you feel. It must have been a terrible feeling last night in that helpless situation. You have us here on BD too, but not the same for you. I don't know what to say. Sending you hugs ?

Hi all x

Nonnie have a lovely holiday.

I would like to share , last night I was getting ready for bed/sofa, did the usual things, closed blinds, partly closed door
leading to kitchen, have a rope tied to handle to pull door. Realised Lottie my 14 year old wasn’t on sofa, she had been in
the kitchen when I partly closed the door, tried to get to me but closed the door. What to do ? Because my carer doesn’t come Saturday and Sunday we triple up all I need for weekends, rather a lot of drinking glasses, mugs, liquid food bottles etc, all on a trolley next to sofa, blocking wheelchair!

Struggled to push trolley out of the way, difficult getting wheelchair to sofa but dit it, took about 20 minutes, got Lottie,
then another struggle to get trolley back.

Realised, I am not only lonely but completely alone, have no one , am surprised it came as a shock . Have to accept it,

How is everyone?

Thanks Nonnie Have a lovely holiday!

Sweetpeasue bowel blockage sounds like diverticulitis, if it is the solution might be more fibre, maybe seeds?

Annie hope your daughter is OK, you must be worried.

Hurried post as yesterday we booked a holiday and less then 24 hours later are off to the airport. Will try to follow thread but on phone is not easy for me. New specs when we get back.

Good afternoon all
Joce- I,m sorry you are having such a worrying time and also having to deal with the news of you friend. She will be so glad of your friendship during the coming weeks. Please take care of yourself too.
SweetPeaSue- I do hope your results come through soon so you can start whatever treatment you might need to improve your bowel function. It’s funny isn’t it how we can talk about most body parts and functions except one of the most important parts. When your bowels are not working as they should it is so debilitating and emotionally distressing you really need to be able to talk openly with no embarrassment. I do feel for you.
Nonnie- thank you yes it was lovely. I hope you can get some sun soon it really does make you feel better. Can’t believe 2 days ago I was in a T shirt and today was walking in a fleece and waterproof jacket!!
HVDY- thank you we went to Gran Canaria. We had a car so were able to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of that small island.
Hope your son and the girls had a fun day out. Make sure you take time to rest in between all your works
Annie- Oh dear you must have been so worried about your daughter I do hope she is feeling better today.
Poor David must have wondered what was going on!!
Oooh that was a big old bill hope the car is working well again now. I hope there is something good waiting around the corner for MT.
Doodle- It’s good to be back. Yes the weather was lovely, bit chilly in the evening but you could still sit outside with a woolly on. We enjoyed walking there so much the sea was so beautiful.Hope you have a good walk today and stay dry.

This afternoon in our village there were some young people selling homemade cupcakes and cookies to raise funds for MND . It was so heartwarming to see their sweet,caring enthusiasm and reminded me there is so much good in our world still. X

Sweetpeasue nothing wrong with what you have written. It’s how you feel and that’s fine.
I think you will find your condition (or similar) is a common problem for many. Yes ok it’s not a subject often talked about but it is nothing disgusting. It’s a fact we all have a bowel and used for the same reasons. Like other parts of the body it sometimes goes wonky or needs specialist treatment.
It causes you great distress and there’s no reason you can’t talk about it.
Your kindness to others and caring comes through your posts. I hope you can feel some support here are others can feel the support you give them.
HVDY you’ve been busy with the washing. How nice your son wants your opinion on his girlfriend. Glad you liked her. Perhaps you will meet again soon.
Sounds like the girls will have a lovely time today. Good for them.
Scardeycat lovely to have you back with us.
So, so pleased to hear you enjoyed it. I was hoping, once you got away, it would be fine for you. Sounds like the weather was good too and you did lots of walking. Hopefully, now you’ve done it once, you may feel more able to do it again.
Nonnie I hope you manage to book something soon and get away for some much needed sunshine. Are you planning to go abroad? Hope the weather wherever you go is kind to you.
Joce so sorry to hear about your friend. That is very upsetting. Hope other things are ok and you’re still plodding. Take care.
Merylstreep that’s kind of you to post
Annie so sorry to hear about your daughter. I do hope she’s ok. Have you heard how she’s feeling today.
Sorry you missed the match, not surprising with all that worry. Will you be able to see it in catchup.
Shame the bill for your DGDs car is such a big one. Poor girl. She needs some good luck too. x
Off for a walk now before the rain comes.

Annie That sounds a nightmare.
. I do hope your daughter is OK. A&E have dreadful waiting times. You must have been so worried. Hope she's feeling better today.
Nonnie I thought you had gone away already. Sorry for missing you out yesterday. Hope you get away OK.

Hi all x

Shinamae hello, thank you, remember we are here if you want to talk x

Joyce sorry about your friend, there are times when we can’t
do anything practical but ‘being there’ is so important x

Sweetpeasue no, it wasn’t an epistle, you shared your thoughts and feelings, this is what Black Dog was started for x

Scaredycat welcome back, yes you were anxious about much
but the anxiety didn’t stop you, definitely a ? x

HVDY so much washing, cause for a ? x

Doodle yes , it’s the change of season and there has been much rain x

Nonnie hope you can get away x

Not a good day for me yesterday, car repairs, new gear box,
£2,000. Younger daughter was in pain, went to A&E , hours drive, 5 hours there, hour drive home and on her own. 7 hours of tummy churning, and this is unbelievable, I forgot Wales was playing, have never missed a match since a child, David stayed on top of wardrobe. Had little sleep so will drink my
meal replacement then go back to bed, well not bed but back to
sleep on sofa.

How is everyone?

ScaredyCat Glad you enjoyed your holiday. Where did you go?
SweetpeaSue I hope you manage to get some relief of your symptoms soon.
Anniebach I thought of you when rugby was on tv yesterday. How are you getting on, food-wise?
Nonnie You're off on holiday soon? Lovely, it will do you good.
Doodle I hope you and your husband are getting on alright.
Joce, Ellie Anne and anyone I've missed, hope you're OK.

Son1 and girls have gone out, to a leisure centre that's got a really good swimming place - flumes, fountains, wave machine, etc. It's quiet now so I'm doing (yet more) washing and cleaning, and DH is doing lunch. Hope everyone has a decent day x

Meryl you can freeze fresh ginger and grate it straight from the freezer too.

Joce talking to my neighbour a couple of days ago and sister has stage 4 breast cancer which has spread. She has all the treatments going and, at the moment, it is stabilised. I just tell you this as there is hope.

Scadycat so glad you had a good time, I need the warmth of the sun too.

HVDY you put me to shame, haven't even put one load out so far this year.

Yes, Doodle thanks, it went very well.

Shinamae glad this thread feels good, come and go as you please, we are here for you.

Annie could you manage a hose? We attach one to ours so we don't have to lift cans. We use gravity but there must be pumps too.

Half the fun of the fence will be choosing what to plant.

Still here, still don't know if we will manage to get away, still waiting for the chance to book.

Have a good weekend.

Oh blooming heck Annie. Epistle not intended! ?

So many caring comments. Hope I don't leave anyone out. Just a brief explanation about problem. Really don't think IBS. Stool sample showed inflammation in bowel. It's all so strange but don't believe various foods are cause but will try the good gut bacteria route. I've found a brand new word called Tenesmus that is one of my symptoms its horrible. Anyway
*MerylStreep *Really kind of you to care. Waiting for colonography results but was thinking about the gut bacteria issue and it can't harm to try. I've had good probiotic tabs in past after antibiotics. The ginger in hot water sounds such a good idea especially as I get nausea too. Tried peppermint extract like that for bloating, in fact tried everything going, but not ginger. Thankyou again for your help. Im touched that you've taken trouble to suggest things.
Annie Sounds perfect way to block the blooming eyesore. Really feel for you. A right mess was made opposite son's house. Hope they're not there for long. The climbers idea sounds so pretty. Oooh Mt's bill for car repair sounds so expensive. Hope the car is good everywhere else.
Scaredycat I'm so pleased you've had a good holiday and your fears didn't stop you from missing out. So kind of you to care. Today has been much better thankyou.
Joce345 Nice to hear from you again. V sorry about your friend. I'm sure you will be a valuable comfort and support to her though it may stir up painful memories for you.
HVDY Must have felt nice when your son said he valued your opinion. How lovely. Makes up for the more difficult times we can have!
Buscopan was suggested by a GP. Strange, 1 GP suggested them and another wasn't sure but will find out more when results from test come through. I know they help with IBS.
Hope you are OK.
Doodle Thankyou for your lovely words of support and care, they mean a lot to me. Luckily I do have quite a bland/simple diet(certainly according to my son's who find it a cause of amusement at times). Unfortunately it doesn't appear to matter too much what I eat but I try and eat sensibly. I find I eat smaller portions now and not too much fibre but never really know. I do use Movicol and think it's a good way to keep things moving but it's all guesswork. It's this terrible pain and needing to go but not being able to. It can last ages but not constipation. Oh dear, I've never talked so openly about bowels. I think that's what makes it so much worse--the embarrassment. I feel disgusting and its so upsetting. I can't explain. It's very sensitive for me but I think its the scary feeling I may be stuck with this too. If it's an inflammatory bowel disease I'd have to get used to it but if it's bowel endometriosis I think it will be more compicated and I don't believe the Gynaecologist wants to reveal it anyway after the other mistakes. I really need to talk to the Gastroenterologist. It was September when my GP referred me for the colonography, 6 months ago. Sorry for going on so long. Had better day today. Thought I might have to cancel my grandson's visit but so pleased I didn't. Thankyou everyone for caring and I hope you all have peaceful night. Oh no just remembered Shinamae Sorry last but not least. Hope you're worries will resolve or become lighter soon. What a lovely thing to say about the thread.

Sweetpeasue
I don’t know your back story with you gut/bowl problems but I had marvalous results from this product. This was about 5 yrs ago and I’ve never looked back. It’s not cheap but worth every penny.

www.standard.co.uk/escapist/health/symprove-probiotic-for-gut-health-does-it-work-a4126586.html

Every now and again I will get the bloating and pain but I find Ginger is the most wonderful natural product ( not the powdered variety) the fresh in a jar. I teaspoonful in boiling water and sip as hot as you can bear it. It works.

Good evening all you lovely friends..
I’ve not been looking in sorry, I’m having a very stressful time at the minute, with one thing and another. A dear friend of mine has just been diagnosed with breast cancer to top it all off.. I know how she feel bring back so many mixed feeling for me, thankfully I’m a good few years on, but still don’t know what to say to her, only that I will be hear for her.
Life can be so hard at times.
That’s my rant over, hope everyone’s doing ok..
I will try and catch up with all your news has soon has I can.
Take care all..?

Dear friends we are back from our 2 weeks away. I,ve read your latest posts and you have all had so much to deal with during that time.It never ceases to amaze me how bravely you all cope with whatever life throws at you. I missed you all.
I had been so very worried and frightened about going away from home,flying,Covid and all that a holiday entails and catstrophised every possible scenario but it was lovely and I,m so thankful I was able to pluck up the courage to go.
Annie- oh what a pain that the work is going to start right next to you. Hopefully they will be finished by the Summer. The fence sounds a good idea though and there are some beautiful climbing plants. Annie your struggles are our struggles we are all in this together.
Sounds like you are getting on well with the new eating regime. It must be wonderful to taste new things again. Cauliflower Cheese is real comfort food.
HVDY- your son will always remember his time with you and know how much he is loved.
Well done your GD - it’s great that she likes football. My GGD also plays and enjoys it.
I,m glad you have the day centre to look forward to every week.
SweetPeaSue- I,m sorry you are suffering so much - you must be exhausted. You are certainly not whinging it is so hard to deal with constant health problems let alone the worrying that accompanies it. I hope today is a better day for you.
Doodle- Sorry you still feel achey- yes it’s definitely the weather and not old age. Walking for us these last 2 weeks has been so enjoyable - to feel the warmth of the sun on your body really makes it work better. Not burning hot just warm.
Like you I have had tinnitus for many years. It started after my Mums suicide and has been 24/7 and never stopped. But only in one ear and I often forget its there until stress or tiredness ratchets it up.
Yes it’s hard not to think of the happenings in Ukraine. Those poor people whose lives and families have been shattered. Such mixed emotions while away knowing that the horror was going on at the same time.
Nonnie- Hello before you go away for 2 weeks, take care whatever you are doing. Will miss you.
EllieAnne- hoping you have something to brighten your day today. You are not alonex
Love to all

SweetpeaSue Just a thought - would something like Buscopan (for the relief of IBS)help with your bowel problems? Charcoal tablets?

Annibach I hope you manage to get some fencing. There are some lovely plants around that would grow up it. Jasmine, for example, has a nice perfume to it.

Hope everyone has been having a decent day x

I put 3 lots of washing on the line at 8am, as it was windy but sunny then. It's raining now so I've brought it all in. Son2 rang in his lunchtime, wanted to know what I thought of his girlfriend. He said my opinion is important . We chatted for an hour.

Hello Shinamae nice of you to pop in with a kind comment. You are always welcome to post if you feel like joining in. Hope whatever troubles you resolves itself soon.
Annie that’s the spirit, fight back. A fence with climbers on sounds good. Plus planters. Is there anywhere out of sight round the side you could put your garden tap?
Ah that’s what’s making my muscles ache it’s the change of seasons ? x
Nonnie hope things are ok with you. We will miss you. Hope your volunteering goes well.
Have a good day all x

I have a couple of things going on at the moment but reading other peoples problems puts mine into perspective. What a lovely supportive thread this is…????

Hi all x

Nonnie thank you for your suggestion of a water butt, I couldn’t manage watering cans from a wheelchair, if a couple of weeks we will miss you x

My lovely friends, my rant about the builders site is so petty
compared to your struggles, I had planned to have shrubs etc,
sitting outside for the first time in 5 years, lovely grassed area,
hedge with some wildlife flitting around. Now a huge bright yellow porta cabin hiding the hedge, lorries being loaded with rubble causing birds to fly off the cherry blossom tree .

But, I think I have solved it, depending on the cost of repairs to
Mini Tornado’s car, now estimated at £1,200 to £2,000 ! will know today, I will have high metal fence fitted to my left and plant climbing plants . Enough about all that.

Doodle no, no, no, never put aches and pains down to age, I always blame the weather, it’s too cold, too warm, even ‘the mist is low on the mountains’, change of seasons. X

Sweetpeasue you do not whinge you share x

HVDY I so hope your son will settle soon, your cooked meal and pudding sounds bliss, x

Ellie Anne how are you my love ? Do you love your home ?
if so, leaving it would be hard , we are here for you x

How is everyone?

Sorry, have read all but in a rush as our 'job' needs us in 15 mins.

Annie must have missed your post about the tap, only seen the responses. In the middle of the night I wondered about a water butt? It would have to be on a raised platform but might help.

Hope to have a little more time tomorrow but, if not, probably not on for a couple of weeks.

Will think about you all

Annie I can understand how frustrated you are that your dream of peace and quiet on your patio has been destroyed by the arrival of the builders. Hopefully, they will be working elsewhere during the day and not disturbing you.
Can you sit with your back to them and try and ignore them.
All we want is for you to be able to sit peacefully in you garden and enjoy your plants. ? so cross for you.
Sweetpeasue don’t worry about mentioning the tinnitus it’s kind of you to care. I can go for ages without it bothering me then stress of some kind creates tension in my neck and off we go again.
Glad you went to book club. It’s good to go out and try and take our minds off things.
Have you tried eating very bland food for a while to see if that settles your pain? Have your heard of Fodmaps. There is an app available that helps people with IBS analyse their food. DH used it for a long time trying to find out what caused his stomach and bowel problems. He didn’t have pain like you but it might help.
I think all of us here are thinking about the situation in Ukraine, as is everyone I would imagine. It’s such a dreadful time for those poor people and I feel for the Russians who are against all this too. Losses on both sides.
You have been so kind and supportive to us all. Thank you for your posts. Sorry you are having such pain. DH takes a product called Movicol for his bowel problems. It’s a bit like Fybogel but much more gentle. Have you thought of trying anything like that? Do hope tonight is a better one for you.
HVDY I think it’s nice your son wanted you to meet his girlfriend. Glad you liked her.
Sorry your other son hasn’t found new work yet. Must be difficult for you all. At least he has your support and hopefully something will turn up for him soon. Perhaps the redundancy money will help him.
Wonderful news about your DGD. She must be so excited.
Your son is lucky to have you helping him. Perhaps if he manages to get a place of his own things will work out better for him.
Good you had an enjoyable time at the day centre. Early night for you perhaps.
Annie it must seem strange working your way up the baby food but be nice if you can get some flavours back in your life again. I like cauliflower cheese too.
Leg muscles are a bit better thank you but my back is really sore today. I wonder if I am getting older ?
Sleep well dear gang and hope you all have a painless trouble free night. x

Sweetpeasue Yes, it will be good if/when he can get his own place, although he doesn't own so much as a teaspoon - he's got his hi-fi, computer, that kind of thing. He's lived with 3 women altogether and each time the relationship has ended, he's been back here. He always walks away with nothing, even though he (and we) had bought furniture each time. We'll help him again this time and then that's it, no more. I'm sorry you had such a bad night last night, hope tonight will be better for you.

Anniebach How long will the workmen be using that space? Hopefully not long.

Well, I went to the day centre today, had a lovely cooked meal and pudding and quite a good day, but I've been up since 5.30am and feel really tired. I plan to watch part 4 of that drama on Central and go to bed when it finishes. Hope everyone has a restful night x

Anniebach Oh I do hope they won't be using that space for too long. When my son moved into a house there was lovely grassed area at front that children could play on. About 6 weeks later it too was netfenced off and was used for different building vehicles by builders parking them there after days work on nearby estate. What a shock for you. Hopefully as they're not working there shouldn't be noisy but not nice if it's right in front of your garden.
HVDY I hope your son can manage to do as you suggest for his own place. 2 yrs is quite a time and you'll probably all feel better with your own space. He must feel so blessed with such supportive parents. Sure he will miss you though and the home comforts when he does leave.

Afraid I had very bad night. Up all night with the pain, wind and bloating. Feeling I needed to go but couldn't.We were on verge of going to A and E many times but long wait alone on hard chair - - didn't think I could do it let alone the drive. Poor husband stayed up with me on chair dosing on and off. It started to subside by morning. Feels very bruised and tender now. Sorry for whinging but quite worried.
Hope everyone else is well.