Karen remained distressed through the night and we stayed up all night (!), dozing on the settee.

At about 6am, we went for a few hours sleep in the bed, me resigning myself to staying at home, ‘cos kp was simply too upset. When she got up, she pretty much started crying straightaway and remained upset until Syd (Case Manager) arrived. Syd had come to settle Doreen (kp’s new Support Worker) in. Syd was unable to calm kp, and so when Doreen arrived, kp was in full flow. kp felt guilty that Doreen was arriving to her being upset

kp:- What a welcome this is for you ?

Doreen was great though. She started talking to Karen and taking her mind off things and within a couple of hours Karen had calmed down enough to not be crying. She wasn’t out of the woods though, so knowing kp was on the verge of a breakdown, I phoned the new neuropsychologist, only to be told she couldn’t come until the 31st of March. How ridiculous !!! I was livid. I phoned Pip (the original and best NP around) and true to form she said she would attend to Karen later in the day between appointments. At about 4pm, kp had come off the phone to Pip and she was feeling a bit more positive. Pip is awesome !! She is a true life-saver !

On Tuesday, I went to work, and Karen got to know Doreen more. Steve (the physio) came and together all 3 of them PLUS 2 dogs went for a long walk. kp loved it !! Then in the afternoon, Doreen and kp had planned to go shopping, which they did. Matthew, the speech therapist came late in the day, and together kp and him worked on how to not be as anxious when she has to speak to people over the phone. They came up with this little intro speech…..

That night was an awful night for kp. At about 2am, I woke up to hear Karen shouting in her sleep, it went something like this…..

kp:- I am trying, I’m trying. It hurts too much, I can’t, I am trying…..

She was really crying in her sleep and really distressed, so I thought it best to wake her.

dp:- Karen, ………. Karen…….. KAREN

She just continued…..

I got out of bed and went round her side and started shouting “KAREN !” but she wouldn’t wake up. I was very concerned, as normally she wakes up when I shout at her. In the end, I had to slap her around a bit. Well, that would have been nice, but instead, I grabbed each arm and gently shook her, shouting Karen as I did so. It took a few attempts, but she did wake up, and she was crying when she woke up. We got up for a cup of tea, and had to watch some programs to take her mind off her dream.

The following day kp was in a hell of a state. She was 100% TOTALLY KNACKERED, physically and mentally.

Doreen came, but they stayed around the house mostly, preparing some roses to be planted later in the week. Syd had brought a new whiteboard for the kitchen door so that kp can see what’s coming up later in the week.

Doreen had recorded something that made me laugh.

She was dead right, and I drew the little face and “LOL”.

The rest of the week was all about kp recovering from Tuesday. Even last night (friday), kp was still bad. She had spoke to Steve (physio) earlier in the day and he said there was no point he was coming if she was in such a state. Last night, I was concerned that there could be something else causing so much pain (like the morphine patches wearing off), but am pleased to report that she is a little better today.

To summarise the week, it has been a bit of a roller-coaster, with Doreen proving to be an excellent choice for the role. I think, for Karen, it has been too full-on. And she is exhausted. You think that would improve her sleep, but far from it. Her sleep is worse this week than the previous week.

One day, i got up at 5am, and kp was fast asleep in the front room.

Karen is used to having some quiet time, but she doesn’t get that now, ‘cos Doreen is constantly around. It will take kp a while to get used to company 24/7 and being active all day.

Watch this space. Time will tell if things improve. I hope and think they will !