Another trip to Hull
Just returned from another trip to Hull and though I can't report any great change in Edna's situation generally, things are moving in a different way.
I think we were all reaching the same conclusion independently. We think that Edna is not going to progress significantly beyond where she is now. Indeed, if she continues to refuse opportunities to strengthen her walking and talking then perhaps we are facing a further decline in her ability to care for herself and live independently. Perhaps we always knew in our hearts that it was unlikely that she would return home to Sancton Close, but we hung on to the hope for as long as we could.
In the meantime, her place in a rehabilitation facility becomes more tenuous and we face the decision regarding the most comfortable place for her to be. Clearly, right now we are so very dependent on Jean and Christine, who have been so devoted to their daily visits and who have managed Edna's day-to-day needs so amazingly. There can be few families who could rely on such wonderful support over so many weeks, months, and we are incredibly grateful to them for everything they do. At the same time, we recognise that with a new baby expected in the family (Yes! Lynsey's expecting a new arrival and Millie will have a brother/sister in 2008!) Grandma Christine and Great-Grandma Jean will have other concerns before long. we are conscious that we have not been able to devote ourselves to Edna's situation as much as we'd have liked due to our commitments at home and the distances involved and as changes of some kind are imminent it was time to assess where to go from here.
It's with these thoughts that we now feel the time has come to consider moving Edna to be nearer to us, here in Gloucestershire. We realise that it's something we said we wouldn't consider, for Edna had always said that she wanted to stay in Hull, where she had been born and lived her whole life. However, none of us could foresee how events would affect our lives and in the firm belief that this would indeed be for the best for all of us, we have begun the process of finding somewhere for Edna in the Stroud/Cirencester area. At the moment, we are in the hands of East Riding Social Services, who will make all kinds of assessments and recommend suitable places for her. Clearly, whilst we don't want to rush the process at the expense of identifying the best choice, the sooner we can make the move, the better.
I look forward to being able to spend more time with her, to dropping in for a short time for a coffee or a chat (something she has always said that she would love). We still enjoy and appreciate each other's company, even if we are not saying much, simply being there for one another is so important. Though it's upsetting to see her feeling miserable, I think that it's helpful for me to be there - and of course, those 400-mile roundtrips are going to be more challenging as the weather declines.
We feel sad that in taking her away from Hull, we deprive her of friends and family there but of course, offer hospitality and accommodation to all and hope that the reasoning behind our decision is understandable in the circumstances.
I think we were all reaching the same conclusion independently. We think that Edna is not going to progress significantly beyond where she is now. Indeed, if she continues to refuse opportunities to strengthen her walking and talking then perhaps we are facing a further decline in her ability to care for herself and live independently. Perhaps we always knew in our hearts that it was unlikely that she would return home to Sancton Close, but we hung on to the hope for as long as we could.
In the meantime, her place in a rehabilitation facility becomes more tenuous and we face the decision regarding the most comfortable place for her to be. Clearly, right now we are so very dependent on Jean and Christine, who have been so devoted to their daily visits and who have managed Edna's day-to-day needs so amazingly. There can be few families who could rely on such wonderful support over so many weeks, months, and we are incredibly grateful to them for everything they do. At the same time, we recognise that with a new baby expected in the family (Yes! Lynsey's expecting a new arrival and Millie will have a brother/sister in 2008!) Grandma Christine and Great-Grandma Jean will have other concerns before long. we are conscious that we have not been able to devote ourselves to Edna's situation as much as we'd have liked due to our commitments at home and the distances involved and as changes of some kind are imminent it was time to assess where to go from here.
It's with these thoughts that we now feel the time has come to consider moving Edna to be nearer to us, here in Gloucestershire. We realise that it's something we said we wouldn't consider, for Edna had always said that she wanted to stay in Hull, where she had been born and lived her whole life. However, none of us could foresee how events would affect our lives and in the firm belief that this would indeed be for the best for all of us, we have begun the process of finding somewhere for Edna in the Stroud/Cirencester area. At the moment, we are in the hands of East Riding Social Services, who will make all kinds of assessments and recommend suitable places for her. Clearly, whilst we don't want to rush the process at the expense of identifying the best choice, the sooner we can make the move, the better.
I look forward to being able to spend more time with her, to dropping in for a short time for a coffee or a chat (something she has always said that she would love). We still enjoy and appreciate each other's company, even if we are not saying much, simply being there for one another is so important. Though it's upsetting to see her feeling miserable, I think that it's helpful for me to be there - and of course, those 400-mile roundtrips are going to be more challenging as the weather declines.
We feel sad that in taking her away from Hull, we deprive her of friends and family there but of course, offer hospitality and accommodation to all and hope that the reasoning behind our decision is understandable in the circumstances.
Labels: Family news
posted by Gill at
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