Time out...

Hi guys!
Well, after the last two days of meetings, I already had made my mind up we were going to the park today! Well that's if the weather would let us of course! lol
It was a bit of a slow start today as Coo had a bad night with 15 seizures so it took a while to get things back on track again but by lunchtime we'd donned the wellies and were all good to go!

Off we set, that's Coo, Looby, our wee Jack Russell Angel and me! We went to Eglinton Park which is always a pleasure!
It's such a calm, peaceful place whatever time of year you visit. You can see what I mean about it being a pretty place.
I just love it...can you tell? lol
I think one of the things I like about Eglinton, is their really friendly and relaxed cafe area - it's great! It's one of those places where you can take you're wee dog in with you and have a cuppa and a snack. It's a bit of a Godsend really as after a wander around the park Coo starts to tire and a coffee and somewhere for a wee seat makes all the difference and we don't need to rush off home!

In the end, we decided to treat ourselves and have some lunch there - no cooking for me so...Result! woo hoo!

I'm giving the Tournament Cafe a...

'Maz's Golden Paw Award' for being such a people and puppy friendly place - well done!


Even the muddy paw prints in the car didn't matter today but I'm considering another option...

What's the chances of training a wee Jumpy Jack Russell to wear these eh?
I don't think it'd be easy that's for sure! lol

What a great day!
Wherever you are, I hope you're having a great day too!
(((hugs)))
Maz x

Coo's bloods...again...

Hi Guys, things are still a bit on the difficult side here I'm afraid and it couldn't have come at a worse time! I'm busy again this week with social services and it's important! Then again, I guess there never is a good time for health hassles is there! lol

I think Coo's drug level is probably too high yet again, it's been steadily climbing this last month!
He's been sleepy or asleep most of this week again and he's short tempered and has the usual increase in seizure activity too. He sure needs more blood test done even though they're not due for another week!

Luckily Looby will be here to keep an eye on things so I'll still make it out to my meetings ok but it's always more difficult to concentrate when he's poorly and for whatever reason, I can't be there for him.

I guess all Carers feel a bit torn-in-two from time to time. I think life and Caring is sometimes a bit of a tug-of-war but it kinda goes with the territory doesn't it!


I hope things settle a little soon as we could both do with a wee quiet spell! lol
It's so important for Carers to be listened too so...
Wish me luck with Social Services!

(((hugs)))
Maz x

Carers and Angels...

Hi Guys, I came upon this quote again today an thought I'd share!

It's funny but when I'm kinda struggling and things are a bit difficult, I seem to stumble across this quote or maybe this quote just seems to find me!



We are each of us angels, with only one wing. We can only fly by embracing each other.

*Luciano De Crescenzo*

Isn't that a pretty phrase?
I think so!

It always inspires me and I think it's really so very apt for Carers.
I find it quite uplifting and some how it makes me feel stronger!

However I find it or for that matter it finds me, I'm just glad that it does keep popping up from time to time!

(((hugs)))
Maz x

Coo's still got a sore arm...

Hi guys, I left for my meeting just after 8 o'clock this morning as planned and that was a bit of a result considering the week we've had!

Coo has knocked his arm again during yet another seizure so Looby was going to the hospital with him...well, that was the plan when I left this morning.
So...what happened?

Well, nothing really!
Coo decided, once he'd got himself awake and together, maybe he'd just leave it for another day and see how things go and Looby thought it best to go with the flow as it were.
In the end, it boils down to is this - it's Coo's arm and it's Coo's choice!

I hope he doesn't knock it again tonight though as it'll only make matters worse.

In other news - My meeting today!

So, how did it go?
Well, it was really interesting!
Our Local Authority is working towards a more personalised approach to providing care for disabled people and that's where my input as a Carer comes in!

It's so very seldom Carers ever get the chance to shape policies that untimately will have an impact on both their life and the person they care for. Even to be involved or have their voices heard at all is unusual so I'm definately up for the challenge - can you tell! LOL

To be fair to our council, the service we buy with our Direct Payment (D.P.)is very effective. I would not willingly be without it now! Those two nights sleep and the few precious hours to myself really make the world of difference to Coo and I.
Things were so very different when we struggled to cope alone before our D.P. began!

Type Direct Payment and click my Search this blog button on the right for more of our D.P. related entries!

I'm passionate about support for Carers!
I know how very different things can be with the right support and what a benefit a good service can be - it saved us big time!


I'm hoping this involvement of Carers, at these early stages in the process, is a good omen of things to come and that their involvement and sharing of experience will lead to better services - now wouldn't that be an achievement!

I've a feeling it won't be easy but it will be worth the effort!
(((hugs)))
Maz x

Coo's arm...

Hi guys, Coo's mishap is still a problem!

We saw the doctor today for Coo's usual blood tests.
While we were there, he had a look at his poorly arm - it's painful and now developed a bit of a clicking sound when he moves the elbow joint, well Coo never does things by halfs! lol

The up-shot is, he's hurt it during a seizure and needs to go to the A & E.
As our GP puts it so aptly...
"I do try me best but I 'aint got x-ray eyes!" He is a bit of a character, our doctor don't you think?
I guess, with all the scrapes he's seen Coo and I through over the years he's more of a friend than just our doctor!

Anyway, Coo's decided to wait - he's never very kean on visiting A & E! and our hospital is quite far away and Friday nights there are usually bedlam and best avoided if at all possible!
His reasoning is...one more day won't hurt things and it's his choice I suppose!

Hey-ho, looks like another hospital visit is definately on the go tomorrow!

Wish us luck and a speedy in-and-out too! lol
(((hugs)))
Maz x

More mishaps...

Hi Guys, We've had a little mishap...well Coo has anyway!


I'm not sure exactly what happened but Coo's hurt his arm. He can't remember giving it a knock or anything and he has been limb jerking a lot this week so it's probably seizure related but who knows!


He has an appointment to get bloods done tomorrow so we'll let the doctor have a wee look at it while we're there!

In other news...
I've been busy with my Local Authority this week!

They were looking for Carers to help them plan their new personalisation strategy with social services so of course I agreed!
It's so seldom Carers get the chance to be involved with the policy makers and especially at a stage where they can influence the strategies and get hopefully a better deal!
I've a few more days contributing at workshops and I just hope they listen and the Carer involvement really helps us all get a better deal!

Wish me luck...I've a feeling I'm going to need it!
(((hugs)))
Maz x