Mixed Bag of a week.

Pain was all over the place – it started really bad, lots of tears, “life won’t be the same ever again” kind of stuff.  I assured her we would get on top of the pain. We had done it before (2 weeks previously) and we would crack it again.

We are keeping a chart of how much Fentanyl patch (strength) is going on so we can go back to the doctor to get adjusted to what works. She is supposed to be on a 125ug patch (changed every 2.5 days). That definitely wasn’ t working. On average she is on a 150ug and a further 50ug (every 2.5 days) and it seems to have borne fruit as the week has progressed.

The side effect is that she sleeps A LOT, but better that than the pain. The pain (btw) is pelvis pain (we think), extending down her legs. The hip seems to be much improved. Although she has complained of left hip pain (stroke side) which is a bit strange, but we’ll keep a watch on it.

Monday, I had arranged with work to be off until late morning as the social worker was coming. Pollards aren’t patient creatures and when she was 15 minutes late (at 9.45am), I was tapping my feet. By 10.15am, I was livid. I rang up only to find she had forgot about the appointment ! Grrrrrrrrrr ! The annoying thing is she lives in Esh Winning anyway !!!!

It was rescheduled for Wednesday (some MORE time off work). Nice lady. Just checked kp was getting all the help she needed.

Thursday was an eventful day. Michelle and Adele came during the day (about 11.30am ish), Adele to do the cleaning, and Michelle for a visit. kp enjoyed their company, although she didn’t wake up until 1pm !

I was off work AGAIN in the afternoon, this time it was for Karen’s bosses who were attending to formally dismiss her (based on ill health). It was Karen’s direct boss, the Personnel Manager for the North East Region and the big wig for the North East Blood Service (with the power to sack). We had never met her before. All three were lovely ! The bigwig had no airs and graces about her and seemed really pleased to meet kp.

kp chatted to them for ages (while I made the tea) – catching up on all the gossip. She has a habit of being quite direct in her questioning techniques, which they found unnerving but funny. She was asking the bigwig who had employed Karen’s boss what Karen’s boss was like as an employee and other such leading questions. There were lots of laughs and it was a good afternoon. Eventually, Karen had run out of questions. That doesn’t sound possible, but it happened.

kp:- So, I suppose you’re going to fire me now.

They laughed and a bit more conversation ensued.

About 5 minutes later, the question returned.

kp:- Eeeeee, sorry, I could talk for England. We had better get started.

At this, the tears started rolling and kp got very upset. I think she had perhaps, been trying to stall the inevitable. She hadn’t thought she would cry. She had thought she could see it as a “fun” thing, but all of those who know Karen could have predicted it. I jumped off my seat and went to comfort her. The bigwig jumped off her seat and kneeled down in front of the sofa. Both Karen and I shrieked at the fact she would get dog hairs on her, but she wasn’t at all phased. She was genuinely concerned for Karen as Karen’s boss and the Personnel Manager were.

They were absolutely fantastic. You couldn’t want for a better “sacking”. I felt so sorry for Karen. She knew that it was coming, she knows she can’t do the job any more, but yet the finality of it, is what got to her. And, I think, the fact that it wasn’t her choice. The choice was in other’s hands and they had said that she can’t work anymore.

The tears and sadness probably carried on for the best part of an hour (on and off). They arrived at 4pm and didn’t get away until about 5.30pm.

They did say some lovely things about Karen, which I was really pleased at. I have worked with Karen before (I used to be her boss), and I KNOW how good she is as a worker. But, to hear it from them, made me really proud (and sad).

Bigwig (who doesn’t know Karen, apart from what others have told her) :- I have heard only good things about you. It’s always the good ones that this kind of thing happens to.

Personnel Manager – You are an absolute inspiration Karen. You should be so proud. And you are too (looking at me)

Karen’s Boss – You’ll really be missed. You’re welcome to pop down anytime and come in for a cup of tea.

So, not a nice experience, but handled so brilliantly, I don’t think it could have been any better.

After the upset subsided, there was some more informal banter and then it came to the time they had to go. As they got upto leave, the tears began again…….

kp:- I am sorry, you’ll just have to go.

And that was that…..

They must have felt awful, but I hope they understand that they did a good job. kp did tell them as well, so they should.

The upset continued for another couple of hours and then by the time it was bedtime, the job was history. (well, I say that now, there may be more upset to come, but my gut is telling me that that should be it).

Well done Karen.

Friday was a new day, by this time, we were starting to get the pain in control. It was the TWO YEAR anniversary of the accident. Angela (fellow crashmate) had sent a hand made card. kp really appreciated the work that had gone into it and the words inside. Thanks Angela. It was also physio day. kp had some hip physio arranged, which turned into a very low impact assessment of her hip movement and them putting them forward for more hydro. Which is great, she loves that and it does her wonders.

She took a taxi to the town, where Marie was waiting for her at a prearranged point. She had come over from the ‘boro to do some shopping with kp. By all accounts, she loved it. They had a good walk around Durham, stopping for cups of tea, and sitting in every shop they came to (for Karen). Marie carried all the bags. Poor Marie. I think Karen got everything she wanted. But, more importantly, she really enjoyed it ! Thanks Marie – really appreciate it. It was lovely to see her so full of life when I got home.

A nice surprise awaited Marie and Karen when they got home. Michelle, who had been over the day before, had sent some flowers to Karen. Here is a piccy….

Thanks Michelle. She really appreciated them !

Saturday saw kp and I have a lovely day. We were “jobbing on” pretty much all day, but it was just really nice to be together for the day. We achieved a lot, got the shed cleared out, new “gate” put up, and other things that I have already forgotten.

Sunday was a more chilly out day. kp has slept A LOT today. From 1am to 10am, 11am to 1pm, 4pm to ? (still asleep, when I write this at 5.30pm). She is on 200ug patch, so I suppose it is to be expected.

This week should be a quieter week. Lydia (ex work mate) is coming tomorrow. Physio on thursday, and Adele coming up to clean Tuesday and Friday I think. So, nice week.

PS – It’s 2 years since the accident but I must have lost a few days as it is only Day 728 (supposedly), so I’ll correct this next week. I think today should be Day 732.