20 November 2012

I can't think of any lyrics that don't seem staggeringly insensitive.

As most of you will know, I'm at my mum's house.

She had a stroke earlier. Luckily...well, sort of luckily her partner was in the house. He noticed after a bit. Called an ambulance.

The doctors said the chance of having a stroke is much higher just after drinking. And higher in alcoholics. And now higher after having one...

Anyway, now I'm in her house, messing about. Tidying.

She's got drink next to her bed. She doesn't when we visit. It's different, seeing a place when someone's  just left it.

Bit like a crime scene.

So, they think she'll probably be okay, after some therapy and stuff. They'll know more tomorrow, when they do a brain scan. They think she was lucky, though.

44 comments:

Sherlock said...

You have to call now, it's almost bedtime.

Greg Lestrade said...

Okay, I'm calling. You better be in your pyjams. I'll know.

pandabob said...

its a rubbish job to have to walk into the home of someone you love when its not prepared for your visit, I'm so sorry this has happened to your mum and that you and nicky and the rest of your family are having to deal with it all.

The fact they think she'll be ok is a positive to hang in to right now, the future will be what it is but right now work towards that positive and stick with Nicky while the boys aren't with you you're better off with her than on your own :-)

Anonymous said...

It's weird how the definitions of 'lucky' change in these situations. There's not a lot to stay really, except you're all of you in my thoughts. Don't beat yourself up more than you can help difficult though that is.

Lancs. Anon

Nicky said...

I'm making up the spare bed for you. You can wait until the kids are in bed, but you should come back here, you great silly sod.

John H. D. Watson said...

I'm glad her partner was there to see something was wrong.

(Sherlock is telling L about every single thing he did today at the moment, even the early morning parts that he was there for.)

pandabob said...

how cute! I hope he sleeps for you tonight John :-)

Greg Lestrade said...

...I have a horrible feeling I've just somehow been told I've agreed to play guitar in Sherlock's school Christmas show.

Nicky - okay, I'll be there...before midnight. Probably.

John H. D. Watson said...

Given the amount of glee Sherlock is currently displaying, I think you probably have.

Greg Lestrade said...

I'm really not entirely sure how that happened.

But as I'll be accompanying you doing an interpretative dance of the nativity, I suppose it's a small price to pay...

He really is a great kid. And talking to both of you has made me feel better.

I hope he doesn't wake you too early. I told him to read his bee books in our bed with you if he woke up early and wanted a cuddle.

John H. D. Watson said...

Always interpretive dance...

I'm glad it helped. I love you. It's okay if he wakes me up, as long as he doesn't expect much sense from me, which we know he doesn't.

How's the house? Tidier?

Small Hobbit said...

L - funny how we manage to volunteer for things, like guitar playing isn't it. And I think it's lovely how happy your agreement has made Sherlock.

I hope you all manage to get some sleep tonight, whichever bed you happen to be in.

Greg Lestrade said...

Substantially. Chucked out food that won't survive, too. And stuck some washing on. Cleaned the kitchen and bathroom.

Left the drink. I'll talk to Nicky.

I hope when she is back here there's some sort of home help that can come out and check on her. I've no idea how she'll get off the drink.

Just doing some last bits. Hoping my jeans and jacket might be even slightly drier before putting them back on to get to Nicky's. Not that it'll make a lot of difference once I'm riding.

John H. D. Watson said...

home help that can come out and check on her.

I'm sure there's something that can be worked out there.

Hasn't stopped raining?

Greg Lestrade said...

Not yet, no.

And yeah, I think she needs...I don't know. Someone just to keep an eye on her more, even without the stroke.

Way it is now reminds me of her bad times before. The basic things slipping because she's in the bottle too much to notice or care.

John H. D. Watson said...

That's...well. Not good, obviously. I'm sorry you had to walk into that.

piplover said...

L, I'm not sure if you have something like this over there, but my dad has Life Alert. It's a neclace type thing he wears that he can press if he's in trouble, and it summons an ambulance or the nearest family member. It allows him to live on his own, even after a stroke and two heart attacks. I know now isn't the time to look into that, but maybe in the future, once things have calmed down?

pandabob said...

there must be people who are trained to help her or at least people who are trained to help you all help her and one thing this will do is open up your access to it all.

I hope the weather gives you a break and you're on your way to Nicky's soon :-)

Greg Lestrade said...

John - it's not as bad as when she had 5 kids to supposedly look after.

I'm heading back to Nicky's. Is there anything more horrible than putting wet jeans back on? I'll call you in the morning. I love you.

Thanks again, everyone.

John H. D. Watson said...

Putting wet socks back on? Okay. I love you too.

Anonymous said...

Hope you manage at least a little sleep

Lancs. Anon

REReader said...

Good night, L--I hope tomorrow brings some good answers and that things look brighter.

Anonymous said...

It's probably too late to say drive safely, but I hope Nicky has a dryer so you won't face wet jeans again in the morning.

Sleep if you can. You too, John. But some of us will probably be awake later if you just need to talk at someone.

rsf

Anon Without A Name said...

Lestrade - dealing with a family health crisis is tough enough even without all the extra problems your Mum's alcoholism brings. I'm glad you're going to be with Nicky and her family tonight, not on your own.

Hope you all manage to get some sleep tonight, and that tomorrow brings some positive news for your Mum's health, L.

ryo said...

Sounds like things are turning out as best they can so far. Maybe this will help spur your mom to decide to quit drinking. Regardless, best wishes for her recovery. Be safe.

ryo

pandabob said...

fingers crossed that today brings good news for your mum Greg.

Thinking of you all.

Greg Lestrade said...

Thanks. They found her a bed, so they're moving her this morning and then we'll go and see her.

pandabob said...

that's great news :-)

Small Hobbit said...

Glad to hear that. Hope Nicky managed to dry your clothing out, although it won't be for long this weather.

Anonymous said...

Thinking of you.

rsf

Greg Lestrade said...

Yeah, I'm glad she'll be in a specialist unit, and we can talk to her doctors about the drink.

Nicky did manage to dry my jeans. Jacket is rather damp still. But given the weather shows no sign of letting up, it doesn't matter.

Currently wearing her other half's clothes. He's a bit bigger than me. She says I look about 12.

Feel like it, too.

Anonymous said...

Ask if you can bring ballons for her to look at. Hospital walls are unstimulating.

pandabob said...

go find a shop and buy yourself some clothes that make you feel like you Greg.

I hope the specialist can point her in the right direction and give you the information you need.

Nicky said...

Now he's said that we're going to buy him clothes and go and see Rach and Jess. We can't see mum until she's settled after lunch anyway.

pandabob said...

Good idea Nicky, I'm glad the two of you have each other right now :-)

Greg Lestrade said...

This afternoon may signal some sort of sign of the apocalypse - the five of us kids are all getting together.

I can't even Remember the last time this happened.

Desert Wanderer said...

I hope it goes well for you guys. You know where we are...

pandabob said...

I hope it goes well and maybe that is the good thing that comes out of the bad, who knows.

REReader said...

Seeing Rachel and Jess sounds like a great idea. And I hope the afternoon goes well all around.

Anonymous said...

When my mom had her heart attack, all five of us got together, too. And it felt very odd. But it did make it easier for us to decide how we'd deal with the aftermath while she was in the hospital and take some of the pressure off my sister, whose son was in a hospital across town with appendicitis at the same time.

I hope the news is good. And so glad you have the NHS and aren't looking at a financial catastrophe for your mom on top of the health issues.

rsf

Greg Lestrade said...

Yeah, luckily i'm in a position to pay for her care once she's out of hospital, and get her meals on wheels or something. Otherwise i'm not sure what we'd do.

Jess is gorgeous. She even knows her own name when Rach says it. She's very cuddly and noisy.

John H. D. Watson said...

I can confirm the cuddly part at least. Carla just sent me pictures of you cooing at her. :)

REReader said...

Baby cuddles are in a class of their own. :)

Jaws said...

Best wishes for your mum's speedy recovery, Greg

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