Karen remains in top form, really enjoying life, and for what feels like a solid few months now. She is doing so well. I am really proud of her, and chuffed to bits that she is in such a good place.

Monday and the OT was due to come but the bad weather meant the OT felt it better to reschedule until later in the week. Natalie (Support Worker) still made it though, well done Nat. They made a loaf of bread today. The following day, Adele and I ate half of it. It was great and then we all had sandwiches out of it the next day.

Karen’s challenge (Set by the OT last week), was to set herself one thing that she must do this week and to ensure she completes that task. Well, Karen, in true form, set herself about 7 things that she must do, and did all the ones the weather would allow. Well done kp.

Tuesday and Nat was going to the Headway meeting in Gateshead on the evening, and unbeknownst to me, she invited Karen to come along. Headway is a support group for people who have had brain injuries. I was in the study, when Karen came in at about 5pm and said she was going out and wouldn’t be back until about 8.30pm. Well, I was gobsmacked. My mouth visibly dropped in amazement. Unfortunately, my amazement, gave Karen second thoughts and after ruminating over it for a while she decided not to go. I was kicking myself. I should have kept my feelings to myself. In a way, the adult-adult relationship we had pre-accident has been replaced with a parent-child relationship with me being very protective over her, and I don’t think I was too keen her going out on her own, and it came across. I need to learn to let go a bit.

Things are going so well at the moment, I slipped into an email to my friend Nigel, that I am starting to think I can go back to work now, things are THAT good. For that to happen, I need to be sure Karen can keep this mood up consistently, as I don’t want to be a burden to a future employer by taking ad hoc time off to pick kp up, or if I work for myself, to my customers. It’s a tricky one, but I am sure I’ll know when the time’s right. In the email to Nigel I’d asked how his mam is, ‘cos she isn’t well at the moment, and I was reading out the reply to Karen who is always asking after her. But Nige happened to say something like ….

Nige :- “Great that you’re starting to look towards work again…”

I think Karen was quite surprised when she realised that I could be returning to work, so we have both shocked each other this week.

Karen’s week has been a real busy one, with her doing all her home exercises and physio, so when Wednesday came (her day off), she was gagging for it. The plan for Wednesday was to do a bit of shopping, and then she was going to see Angela (fellow car crashee) at her house (Nat dropping her off and returning her). She enjoyed the visit to Angelas. On her return it was patch change after a hot bath, and she has gone down another 25ug, so she’s now on 400′s worth of patches and we change them on a 3-day cycle (Day 1, 200, Day 2, 200, Day 3, no patch changes).

Thursday morning was Physio (double session), and the afternoon was OT. Friday saw the girls do more shopping. In the afternoon Syd came when the girls were out. We weren’t expecting him until Monday at 3pm. Karen frequently will put things in her diary on the wrong date. It will be the right day of the week perhaps but the wrong week or month, so I assumed she had cocked up. It turns out, that Karen was spot on, and Syd had come to the wrong house, and was due in a different town ! Nice one Karen, sorry for doubting you !

So, a very busy week. Karen was more than ready for the weekend and we have had a cracker. Saturday, we were up at a half-decent time walking the dogs in the freezing cold. It took some convincing to get this photo approved, but I got there in the end…..

kp had a leisurely afternoon doing what she’d looked forward to all week, a leisurely tv afternoon catching up.

Today has been much the same.

So, things remain great.

Pain – In control, only hurts if she physically exerts herself too much, but she seems to get the balance right
Sleep – Remains generally good. Mostly good night’s sleeps, but the occasional “up for 2 hours in the night”
Mood – Top Dollar !

All good in da hood !