Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Touching base.............

............ with everyone after a long absence

Things have been manic around here - plenty of hand stitching of Liberty hexagons going on but far more time taken up with family things

My lovely dad was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia in the spring so he and mum have needed much more support than before - his condition hasn't deteriorated too badly so far but there are marked changes and he will only go in one direction.  I'm just so glad that we moved them to be near to us - we can support them on a daily practical basis

Then just as we were getting used to all that our beautiful son was diagnosed with Bi-Polar Disorder about six weeks ago right in the middle of his GCSE exams

As you can imagine life has been pretty tricky, it has hit us like an express train and lots of the things we like to do have gone by the wayside, precious little time for quilting, but we're keeping our heads above water and hanging on in there together drawing strength from each other

Speaking of keeping heads above water one thing I have managed to keep doing during all this is a sponsored swim that I'd started before the diagnosis - swimming the equivalent of the English Channel in 13 weeks, I'm 161 lengths of the total 1073 away from the French coast now - the escape time at the pool has given me the luxury of being able to just veg out as I trawl up and down the lengths.  Nigel has done his chilling on a cycle along the canal towpath near our house - time out together has been pretty rare but we're coping

If anyone would like to sponsor me for my 22 mile swim which I need to complete by 22nd July  - it's in aid of Diabetes UK as Nick also has Type 1 Diabetes - please go to http://www.justgiving.com/Anne-Bebbington and add your contribution -thank you in anticipation if you do

So I'll leave you with a picture of my three great gorgeous kids taken last weekend at my niece's wedding in the soggy and stormy Lake District - after all, along with my parents, they're pretty much what life's all about at the moment and I wouldn't have it any other way.  However it may be a while before proper quilting content is resumed


13 comments:

McIrish Annie said...

Anne, You certainly have a full plate. Sorry to hear about your dad. Keep on swimming! exercise is a great release of stress which you appear to have a load of! Quilting will always be there as will your quilty friends. Hugs to you and your family

Kate North said...

Thinking of you. :)

sewkalico said...

Gosh they all look so gorgeous and so grown up! Sorry to hear about Nick and your Dad. Sending you lots of love, xka

Ali Honey said...

Oh Anne,
Life can be cruel. Thinking of you and all your family ....may the road get smoother in time.
Sorry the Lake District was soggy - we loved it there - but it was mainly fine, when we were there last year.

Plum Cox said...

Crikey Anne. Sending you all big hugs, but especially to Nick who has had a couple of tricky years, by the sound of things. Sending good wishes to you all. xx

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Sending you big hugs!! I have been thinking about you and figuring that life must have gotten busy...I hope now that you know what you are dealing with for both your Dad and your son that life will settle down.

Good luck with your swim...I know you can do it!

Clare said...

Sorry to read about your father and Nick. I can't believe it of Nick. Really?

Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. It helps a lot.

Tanya said...

Happy to see you blogging. I didn't realize you were a swimmer... I'll be thinking of you and your family while I plug away at the pool myself.

Lady of the Cloth said...

A friend's hubby had that kind of demention and she started giving him coconut oil dailt, about 2 tablespoons mixed in soup or oarmeal. After a couple of weeks, he is showing great results. He went from not knowing his own kids to carrying on a conversation again and going for walks alone. Our local teaching hospital is doing a study on it and is having wonderful results. Worth a try

Libby said...

What a gorgeous tribe you have there *s*

You really have had a lot to cope with of late. I'm sorry that life has taken these turns - but I do keep a good thought for you and yours every day. Hoping that all can soon take a turn for the good!

AnnieO said...

My grandmother had vascular dementia and it was hard to see the changes in her, but til the end she was strong in personality. In the end it was her heart that gave out--but she was 93! Glad you have your folks near you.

Your son's two diagnoses so close together must be really tough on him but he faced the first with determination and I bet that will be the same with this one. Hope some good therapy and meds will help.

Darling kids!

Angela said...

aorry to read all this - you are in my thoughts and prayers.

just keep on swimming

blessings xx

Andrea said...

You really are having a time of it :-( Sorry to hear about all this. Sending my best wishes and love xxx