Eventful week this week.

Monday, I had sorted out the day working from home (where poss) so that I could accompany kp to Sunderland Hospital where Mr Cross was going to review kp’s pelvis (yearly appointment) (or so we thought).

As expected, there were long waits in an assortment of waiting rooms. We thought it odd, when she was told that he would be x-raying her right hip, but didn’t think too deeply about it.

Long story short – Mr Cross had wanted to x-ray kp’s right hip as he thought it could need replacing. He was surprised to see this had already been done. Woe betide the consultant who didn’t let him know that he had replaced kp’s hip. Mr Cross doesn’t suffer fools.

Anyway, the good news is that he discharged her. We both thanked him a LOT for everything he had done. He may be the archetypal consultant whose staff bow as he passes, but he is one of a team that saved kp’s life, so our thanks genuinely go to him !

Thanks Mr Cross.

So, effectively, a wasted trip to Sunderland General. We headed off home. As soon as we got West of Durham, the weather was atrocious. Very heavy snowfall. No evidence of gritters being out, and the hill to get to Esh Winning was full of skids and careful driving. kp was besides herself when we finally got home.

Here is what it was like by the time we got home.

I worked from home in the afternoon as we expected Fran (the solicitor) at about 4pm, but alas, the weather was too bad, so she postponed until later in the week.

Bad sleeps have prevailed again this week.

When Karen got up on Tuesday, she was knackered after 90 minutes sleep all night. She had an appointment at the hairdressers to get her hair, nails and face done. She hated it. She arrived at 11am (with Adele), and didn’t get home until 4.30pm ! So, not a good day.

The night was worse. Karen spent most of it very upset. Adele and Karen had been chatting. Quite innocently, Adele had told kp how much she pays for her childcare to allow her to come and clean for us. kp had said “oh, that’s a good price” and not thought anything more of it. But, later on, she had realised that it was a LOT of money and she felt guilty for…..

1-Not realising it at the time that it was a lot of money
2-Having had the accident and being a “burden on others”
and a few other things.

I tried to reassure her that she has NOTHING to feel guilty for but I think she was so tired, she wasn’t able to take it in etc….

Wednesday saw the OT come. She was due to come about 6pm, but because of the traffic, didn’t get here until nearer 7pm. By 9pm, she had gone and we had a pizza tea.

Thursday saw Fran (the solicitor) come for her postponed (from monday) meeting. She arrived at 4pm and didn’t leave until abut 7pm. Fran has now got up to date with all the paperwork from the previous solicitors and now has a good handle on kp’s case. Another year or two should see it to the end. Basically, we have to wait to see how much kp improves with all the rehab she is getting this year before they can assess how the accident will affect her financially etc….

We are both so pleased with IrwinMitchell. Fran could not have been more communicative. And we both get a feel she really knows karen’s case. It feels like a real safe pair of hands ! Thanks Fran !

The other eventful day this week was Friday when kp, Syd and Patti (Syd’s wife and business partner) all went to Durham Job Centre to interview 4 ladies for the post of “Karen’s Support Worker”. Basically, it’s part of a rehab package that Syd has put together. This lady will work approx 30 hours per week assisting Karen in day to day living with the aim to make kp more independent. By all accounts, kp was great. All her old interviewing skills came back and Syd told me he was very impressed and could tell she had done it before.

We have a new lady, and she sounds great from what Syd and kp told me.

Jane and Ronnie arrived that night ready for their holiday to FuentaVentura on Saturday.

We had a late chinese, and an earlyish night (12am). I took the girls to the airport at 6am. 20 minutes after I had dropped them off, I got a phonecall from Karen saying “had I packed the tickets ?”. Well, I thought I had. It was the confirmation email from the airline listing all the passengers plus a confirmation code etc etc…..

Unfortunately, this was not the tickets, and we had some PROPER tickets ?! Karen got upset on the phone saying “it was all her fault”. I could hear Jane and Ronnie comforting her in the background telling her it wasn’t. To be honest, if anyone would have asked me “David, have you packed the tickets”, I would have said “Yes” as I thought the email was the tickets if you know what I mean. It normally is for our holidays.

Anyhow. She phoned me back 10 minutes later, saying everything was ok. I got the impression Jane had spoken with the woman on the desk and they had printed some more tickets out. kp was still upset when she phoned back. More Guilty Feelings.

It’s Sunday when I write this, and I have just phoned kp and Good News !! She slept ALL NIGHT !!!!! I can’t remember the last tiime that happened.

I think she said 12am until 8.30am !

Very pleased for her !

So, she is in the sunny (24′C) Canary Islands this week and she said it was lovely to wake up and for it not to be dark and cold.

I am sure she will have a great week !

Work for me ! Yay !