Lovely Tea Towel

My wife saw this the other day and bought it for me. I am not sure, if it's a hint to tell me to do more washing up , or something else I hope that no one is offended by this, as it's just meant to be fun

MY GET UP AND GO HAS WENT

How do I know my youth is all spent?

Well, my get up and go, has got up and went

In spite of it all, I'm able to grin

When I think of where my get up has been

Old age is golden, so I've heard It said

But sometimes I wonder, when I get out of bed,

With my ear in s drawer and my teeth in a cup,

My eyes on the table until I wake up

As sleep dims my eyes,

I say to myself

Is there anything else I should lay on the shelf

But I'm happy to say as I close the door

My friends are the same, perhaps even more

When I was young my slippers were red

I could kick my heels over my head

When I get older my slippers were blue

But I could still dance, the whole night through

Now I am old, my slippers are black

I walk to the store, and puff my way back

The reason I know, my youth is all spent

Is my get up and go, has got up and went

But I don't mind, when I think with a grin

Of all the grand places, my get up has been

And since I've retired from life's competition

My schedules all scheduled (with complete repetition)

I get up each morning and dust off my wits

Pick up the paper and read the 'obits

If I see my name missing, I know I'm not dead

So I eat a good breakfast, and go back to bed.

Walking with Comorbidities

With most illnesses these days we are encouraged to remain active, whether  that's by taking part  in sport or walking as and when we can.

Sometimes it's not easy, because with some illnesses you can't walk as far as you used to do.

These days I feel restricted due to various problems, but I still try to walk as far as I can.

When I was at school I used to walk to and from school everyday, unless the weather was really bad

I used to save my bus fare money  up, and use it for something else. This was because I enjoyed the walks there and back with school friends who lived nearby 

When I was in the Scouts I really enjoyed hiking around the country, or walking around mountains, because I loved the countryside, along with the peace at times 

While I was restricted by breathing problems at times, I kept pushing myself to keep up with others, and never give in or stopped, until I really had too. 

I suppose in those days,  it was not an option, because I did not want to feel like a week link, or hold others up 

As a teenager I always had chest problems, which were put down as asthma,  but I was still fairly active 

I was never one to sit and do nothing at all, and my parents always thought there was something wrong, because,  I never sat down for very long before I was bored out of my mind 

I was one if those who was always on the move or doing something to keep myself occupied.

I  always loved walking and have walked on many occasions, when I could and possibly should have got a bus.

Yes I have a free bus pass, but it's only used on journeys that are too far to walk.

 I get annoyed when people get on  a bus at one stop, then get off at the next bus stop, which up is usually 500 yards away. 

To me that's being lazy, unless you have serious medical problem, but I do think these free bus passes encourage many to be lazy these days. 

Ever since I was diagnosed as having early onset Lewy Body Dementia,  I have tried to remain active. 

However many professionals have said in the past that people Iike me should sit down and take it easy, most of those were social workers.

I have never done that unless my chest has been playing up. I would rather enjoy life in whatever way I can.

Even if I am wheezing when i breathe at times, I force myself to carry on.  This is because it's good to exercise the lungs.

These days I struggle to walk the long  distances, due to my torn knee, Osteoarthritis in the hip, coupled with Bilareral Bronchiectasis and Emphysema, but I still try to push myself as much as I can.

Sometimes I hit lucky and enjoy it, but then on other days I know I have done too much

However on those days I usually pay for it later, but which time it's too late.

Walking helps the breathing if you pace yourself properly, and that in turn keeps us fit.

These days I usually take my camera with me, so that it's easier to pace myself, however I have been known to get carried away when watching wildlife, and then I walk too far. 

However photography has allowed me to remain active, and keep my mind occupied

This side of things I do for my memory problems. 

However it's hit and miss, and I can go out sometimes, then just forget the camera settings which is stressful 

There is something quite relaxing and calming,  about going for a walk around the riverside park, and spending time sitting with the swans and ducks

Some people find swans to be intimidating, but I find them quite calming

Two weeks ago my wife bought a garmin vivofit and I have managed to pace myself each day, and this device keeps track on how far I have walked.

This is then downloaded on to the computer every night.

Yes there are days when I don't walk every day due to my medical conditions, but I do my best and that's the important thing.

It's too easy to sit back and do nothing when you can't be bothered, but I know that if I keep going, it's better for me all round 

These days I have to keep covered up, because I burn if I am in the sun too long. The doctor said that it's because of all of the antibiotics and other medication. 

I have never been one to use sun  caps, so I find these things hard to get on with, but after being badly sunburnt I realise that they are important 

Its also been pointed out that the long term use of these medicines also mean that the eyes can get burnt ?

I find this  very hard to understand, but I have been told that it's a fact, so I have to cover my eyes too, 

But it's all for the best and I have to accept these changes 

Disabilities and respect

Over the years people with disabilities have not been given the respect and dignity they deserve, and in some cases, they have been very badly treated.

This seems to be the case everywhere we go these days, whether at work based places, or if it's in a voluntary basis, and I am not convinced that things have moved on far enough these days 

I know that many people struggle in the work place these days, and that his down to ignorance as far as management are concerned. But it also happens in the voluntary sector too.

Most if this is because quite a few illnesses are not visible. That is to say, a broken leg etc can be noticed by everyone, where other illnesses like dementia or illnesses where some people may be on the spectrum are not always recognised, or made allowances for. 

I have learnt quite a lot from my granddaughter who is on the spectrum, because she knows the difference between right and wrong, and usually does not need to be told something twice.

While she may have problems, many people may not allow her the respect or dignity she deserves, yet she like others, is living life with a hidden illness like many of us these days 

This is only one case, but how many other people within society do not give people the respect they deserve

Its like many other illnesses like dementia where people look quite normal from the outside, but their brain has stopped working the way it should and they make mistakes, which many in society these days either don't understand or don't accept.

There are other Neurological illnesses these days, like Parkinson's,  which are not recognised by many in society, and many believe that everyone who staggers around, or falls down is drunk or on drugs, when in fact it may well be their illness

Far too many people judge others before looking for the true answer, and that is very wrong

I do think far too many people are quick jump to the wrong conclusions to get an answer, with out asking the correct questions  or thinking it out properly

Everyone in this world should be treated with the same Dignity an Care, that others take for granted, however in reality this never happens these days.

dementia and co-morbidities

Many people living with dementia also have other problems which make life unpredictable to say the least.

On top of memory and planning problems, I also have Bronchiectasis and Emphysema, Osteoarthritis of my Hip, Leg and possibly Spine, along with balance and walking problem's

This is much worse on uneven or sloping ground these days, and I have no idea how I am going to cope when I go on a train to my daughters in Farnborough in the future

I also have a stoop which makes me feel shorter than I was, but it's difficult to stand up straight these days.

Last year I enjoyed the freedom of walking around Barnard Castle where we have our static caravan, but now this is restricted because I now struggle to walk very far, without constant stops.

I now also understand that my walks through the woods in Barnard castle, many well be a thing of the past, because I would not dare to attempt this on my own any more

These days I wonder just what is going on because I seem to be dragging my feet at times, and my balance is getting much worse than it was before. Not so long ago I was told that I had drop foot on the right side, but these days after a short walk it seems to be getting harder to move my legs let alone pick both of my feet up.

I really enjoy walking, but these days the pleasure has gone out of it, and even going upstairs is like climbing a mountain at times.

Whatever this is, it has come on fast, recently, and is frightening at times, when you are out somewhere and find your legs and back don't want to go any further.

The other day we went to our static caravan in Barnard castle, and then walked down to the town centre, a journey I have down many times over the last few years, and even though I have osteoarthritis in my right hip I managed to get there and back when needed.

I always felt sore and tired afterwards, but this time I struggled to get anywhere near to half way back, and had to stop a quite a few times. We were going to get a bus so far up the hill, but sadly we missed it, so I said I was going to try walking back

I guess it was too cold and damp to stop until the next bus, and I know that if I had stopped I would not have moved for a while.

Even sitting down can be uncomfortable, now and I tend to lean forwards or to my side to get some relief for my back, which is fine at home or in the caravan, but it’s not much good on a bus, unless is a comfortable coach, like the ones used on holiday's.

I have no idea what is causing this, but until I hear from the hospital we may never get to the bottom of it, but I am certainly not a good patient, and find it hard to sit still for long because I get bored very easy these days.

My wife has planned a short holiday in Scotland with our church over the next Bank Holiday weekend, so this may help just to get away for a while. its a nice hotel and very comfortable coaches, so I am hopeful

However no matter what happens, I know in my own mind that I need to completely change my life style and how I do things, while trying to pace myself, rather than forcing myself to do too much.

Life can be unpredictable as we all know, but with medical issues like this, life becomes annoying at times.

I still live my photography and will try to focus on this, on my good days, in the hope that I can take my mind off the rest of my problems

On Friday we had a letter telling me that I have an appointment with a consultant on Tuesday "today", so with a bit of luck we my find out what has caused this problem to appear so fast. I know it may well take time to assess the problem, but at least it's a start.

I admit that I am both looking forward to this, but I just want it to be sorted out so I can decide the way forward.