General Thoughts on Today
What a day!
The Positives
Steph has arranged a removal company, and thankfully it’s not going to cost the earth! The move is booked for 6th January 2025, with the piano going ahead of time on 2nd January. This means there’s a lot of packing and tidying to do, so we’ll probably stay in Newport from Boxing Day. After confirming everything with the solicitor, it looks like we’ll soon no longer have a Newport base—at least for now. I’m not sure how I feel about that… but it is what it is. I also finished Inhibitor Phase - Alastair Reynolds.
Family and Support
This morning, I got a call from Mam. She and Dad have been suffering from a bad cold all week, which has really drained their energy. For Dad, this means his mobility is much worse, and he needs Mam’s help getting up and down to go to the toilet. The hardest part is nighttime when her sleep is constantly disturbed, leaving her with little time to rest and recover.
So, Mam rang to vent some frustration, and I decided to drive over to see them this afternoon. It was a long drive through hideous wet and windy weather, but it was worth it just to give them some moral support. My sister also visited earlier in the day, but it’s clear they both need to tell us when they need help before things escalate.
Practical Steps
On the pragmatic side, Mam has reached out to Community Occupational Health for an assessment and potential support. They also have a stair lift being fitted on 2nd January.
Reflections on Ageing and Parkinson’s
Getting old is tough, and Parkinson’s Disease is particularly cruel. Seeing my Dad—once so physically capable—now needing help to get out of a chair, using a bottle for the toilet, and wearing a bib to manage dribbling when he dozes off is hard. But there’s a touch of humour in it too.
One saving grace is that he’s so far beyond embarrassment that he can laugh at the absurdity of it all. And now, he even goes to church!
Faith
Today I lift up my parents, both tackling each day as it comes and coping as best they can. They’re an inspiration and I have so much to be thankful for in the example they have set me in life.
Food
Calories eaten:: 1948 Calories burner:: 2229
Tags
FamilyMovingHouseParkinsonsAgeingSupportNewportHumourResilience
Themes
Daily Notes, Change and Transition, Family Support, Coping with Illness, Resilience and Humour, Pragmatic Faith