Gardens

[Dimity]

If you see this @Patches59 please know I hope you and your furry ones are OK. I'll miss seeing you and hope you'll come back to the forums soon... take care my friend

[Patches59]

Hi @Dimity 

Physically and mentally struggling, thought taking some time to me to think and deal with all the negative things was best option.  

Within this last week I have ceased dealing with lawyer and have lodged compliant with a legal commission for breach of privacy and breach of duty of care.

have appointment tomorrow with previous lawyers.  Have spent couple days trying to have everything to go into this will typed up (that helped me head and panic attack).  After bad experiences with this last one I’m on edge about appointment tomorrow.

yesterday saw very nice Dr at pain management clinic who explained treatment options she feels are best and gave me info about all 3.  2 are very similar and involve nerve blocks for my spine and are day procedure.  Last one needs me in hospital for an entire week as is an infusion.  

today in heaps of pain.  Entire back hurts plus base of right thumb.  Supposed to be at croquet morning tea at 11:30am, I’m not going.  Trying to stay positive about playing croquet tomorrow, lawyer appointment tomorrow and cats being in cattery in up to 10 days, not winning though

[Dimity]

Thanks for checking in @Patches59 I've been concerned and knew you had the pain clinic appt coming up. 

The lawyer thing sounds troubling but it sounds as though you're taking the right steps.

So sorry you're in so much pain. I trust the Dr explained how likely the different treatments are to work and how long they'll last, and any risks or side effects.

Why are the cats in a cattery? Are you OK? Needing a break?

[Patches59]

Sorry for confusing @Dimity 

If I have one of the treatments she suggested I will be in hospital for a week.   This would mean cats would have to be in cattery.    They are not used to anyone else being around them.   With my last move they were in cattery for about 4 days during which they hid the entire time.    Not dealing well with thought of them being there for 10 days 

[Dimity]

@Patches59 Tiger hides away in the cattery too, but I knew he was basically safe and cared for. 

It sounds as though it will be a big decision,  choosing one of the three treatments. Working out the pros and cons.  Hopefully your Dr will be open to discussing it with you.

I spent some time in the garden today, starting to replant. I put a couple of succulents against the north facing wall and replanted an iris and sedum. Found some blackberries coming through from next door.

A friend just bought an ornamental toadstool from the reject shop and I thought of your fairy garden. 

Hope your pain has eased...

[Patches59]

@Dimity  my separation anxiety and fear of abandonment both kick in when I think about the cats in the cattery.   Trying to keep telling myself they will be safe and taken care of.  Last time when they were at the cattery and the owners saw they only wanted to hide, they used lots of clamps to hold a blanket, I had taken down, in place and providing the cats a hidey spot on a shelf.

Bit silly I suppose, if they don’t eat they will both loose weight that vets keep telling me they have to loose.

treatment is different types for different reasons and Dr has suggested I have all 3 over time.  First is short term nerve block to see if is beneficial having the second treatment.  Second treatment is long term nerve block.  Third treatment involves a pain medication slowly injected where each day the strength is increased .

ive been reading online information produced by the hospital about the third treatment which has given me heaps more information.  Patients are encouraged to get dressed each day and move about as much as possible.  Even allowed to go off the floor and go to the cafe on ground floor.  Suggestion is to have own movies plus colouring in books …. Things that don’t need lots of concentration.  Thinking might investigate portable dvd player.

garden wise, overnight rabbits have dug up one of my Kalanchoe plants. The only one I have with yellow flowers

time to head to appointment with lawyer.

hope you have a nice weekend

[Dimity]

Hope the lawyer was helpful @Patches59 . 

I should sort out my legal stuff too but it involves crystallising family relationships and estrangements. But it needs to be done, my next of kin hasn't spoken to me or contacted me for many years

It sounds as though it could be a while before you have the third procedure.

Dratted rabbits. My sister has dreadful problems with possums. 

Have a good weekend.

[Patches59]

Appointment with lawyer went very well @Dimity 

Her answers to every question I had made sense and were said in a pleasant tone.  She asked instead of jumping to conclusions.  She gave me could of suggestions, one I will be doing.

yesterday neighbour who offered to build my raised garden beds was supposed to come over to have discussion about size etc and give me estimate of cost.  He was a no show yesterday and today.  Based on his track record it will be a few weeks before he comes over.  I’m thinking of buying a birdbath from Bunnings plus getting a bird feeder from somewhere and have both in corner where I look out onto.

currently waiting to hear if plans to meet a woman I know at local cafe this coming Wednesday or not.  This is third time since April that plans have been made, previous 2 times she has cancelled on short notice for different reasons.  Message I sent her approx 2 1/2 weeks ago she hasnt read yet.  Starting to get uncomfortable feeling by now.  She’s moving into same town as me in few months.  My offer to help show her back roads, preferred shops etc she rejected, says she’s used to doing everything herself and doesn’t need anyone.

temperatures this morning were horrible.  At 9:30am (when I crawled out of bed) it was 2 degrees outside, frost on grass where sun hadn’t got to.  Got down to 7 degrees inside overnight.  Quickly put the heater on and it stayed on for about 3 hours.   I’m not looking forward to the next power bill 

hoping you keeping as warm as possible

[Dimity]

According to the BOM website it was minus 0.1 here this morning @Patches59 .

Glad the lawyer went well. I've suggested to a family member we see a lawyer to set up PoAs etc as we're both getting on and not 100% well. I don't know what to do about my will, I'm conflicted by different parental and family expectations and family estrangements. 

I hope your neighbour is well, he sounded quite poorly.

I can't see my birdbath. I want to plant a grevillea outside my kitchen window after I remove the nandina. 

I wouldn't get your hopes up about friendship with that lady. Giving you the brush-off when you offered to show her around and help her settle in, and her track record re meeting up, don't sound promising.

Tiger seemed happier today. I'm sure he picks up on my stress. He was quite distressed yesterday after I had family problems. Well I guess the family problems are ongoing but I got a cranky message very early in the morning. 

I need to get into the garden again, it's very grounding.

[Patches59]

@Dimity  That is my feelings about this lady also.  One down side of the schema therapy is I find myself questioning my thoughts at times.  Same part of the schema therapy is also being good.  Instead of automatically looking at negative aspect (which I do quiet often), it teaches to look at all possibilities including what might be happening for the other person.  It is slowly helping me not be hard on myself and blame myself.

my boy seems to be in tune with when I’m physically not well.  I got as comfortable as I could on the couch this afternoon and put a rug on my knees as my legs were feeling cold.  He waited till I was settled before climbing onto my lap which is where he stayed all afternoon.  They both pick up when I’m feeling stressed and take turns laying on or beside me.   Pets are amazing.

it would be quite difficult to make a will when dealing with those expectations.  Whoever the time comes, there is bound to be family members not happy with some decisions I’ve made.  After going through lot of bickering and back stabbing from my late husbands family after he died Ive reached a point where I don’t care if others are happy with my decisions or not.  

I enjoyed gardening as a child. It’s only within the last 10years I started to enjoy gardening again.  I’ll never be someone who likes spending hours in the garden though