8 AM VISITED BECKETT HOUSE
I went to check out Beckett House...; and, to collect up all of the missed letters. There wasn't anything there that was extremely important...other than my mum is being sent Winter money payments/Post Office statement/and, missed other appointments(mostly, minor)/too, there was all of the usual rubbish adverts.
8:30 AM BROUGHT SOME CAKES FROM GREGGS
I went across the road to go and visit Gregg's cake shop; where I brought 4 or 5 items...to go into a plastic bag.
1 x cheese cake
1 x sausage roll (pork)
2 x cream finger cakes (1 for me/1 for my mum)
Pack of 5 jam dougnuts
8:45 AM RETURNED BACK TO BECKETT HOUSE
I returned back to Beckett House...partly, because I needed to desperately empty my bladder contents; and, also, to eat one of the cream cakes I just went and brought.
9 AM VISITED BRIXTON HALFORDS BIKE SHOP
I went and visited Brixton Halfords bike shop to go and get both of my bike tyres pumped up full.
10 AM RETURNED BACK HOME
When I arrived back home...I offered my mum one of the cream cakes; but, she said that she doesn't want it. I broke it into a quarter...; and, still, no. Thus, I went and ate the other 3/4's.
MADE 2 PHONE CALLS
> Call my cousin, Sharon...but, no answer
> Called my cousin, Millicent....Trevor answered. I told him I'm awaiting the doctor to call; but, I also have to go an sign on at Streatham Job Centre, first.
11:30 AM STREATHAM JOB CENTRE
I forgotten to go and 'sign on' at Streatham Job Centre, yesterday, Thursday at 1:30 PM.
So, when I checked the answer machine...it said that I need to make them a phone call because I had missed my appointment.
I phoned them...and, explained I was deeply worried about my mum's ailing state...Sue said I should come in, right now, to 'sign on'.
So, I rode my bike over there to 'sign on'...thinking they would make my life really difficult...as I hadn't been doing job search regularly...missed my last appointment; and, so on. However, much to my surprise Sue was very sympathetic...they didn't make any fuss...just told me to sign, anyway; gave me a new sign on card...the old one had gotten really tatty...and, then, let me go off home.
I can't say what a huge relief that was being allowed to still 'sign on'. I can't think of anything worse...than, you already got problems big time...and, then, they go cut off your benefit money completely; thus, tossing in even more problems.
12:00 MIDDAY NEED TO CLEAR UP THE HOUSE REALLY FAST
I cleared up some stuff; whilst other stuff I moved it into other rooms to be cleared up, later on, instead.
1:45 PM DOCTOR HENNA FROM TULSE HILL SURGERY CALLED
I had left the front door open; in that way, no caller can say they were knocking; but, you weren't in...even when you knew you were in...and, didn't go nowhere.
Dr. Henna, came, and, knocked on the door...; I told her to please enter.
We had a chat, first; as I carefully explained the situation.
MUM'S HISTORY
AGE/PLACE OF BIRTH
My mum is, currently, 93 years old....she was born 30th July 1926...in Kingston, Jamaica.
MOTOR CYCLE COLLISION ACCIDENT
Around 10 years or so back...my mum suffered a collision with a motor cycle...when she was crossing the street, Stockwell Road. Her foot was very badly broken...so much so, that the foot was actually hanging off...and, only connected to the rest of her leg by merely an attached piece of skin.
She was admitted into King College hospital...where she had an operation; and, perhaps, multiple other operations after that. Anyway, eventually, my mum got released from out of hospital...and, had to walk using a pair of crutches.
In around 1 years time...she was able to discard the crutches completely; only, now, whenever she walked it was on 'unsteady' legs. For example she had to hold onto something such as a piece of furniture/or, a wall...in order to stand/or, walk. So, when she went and did any shopping down the street...she had to, constantly, keep holding onto the shopping basket...otherwise, she would most definitely fall.
I wanted to do the shopping for her...but, she preferred to go do it for herself, instead; as she is very highly independent minded; and, also, extremely stubborn; that is, whenever she makes up her mind to be.
BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, SEVERE BACKGARDEN FALL
During Jan/Feb 2019; my mum had a serious fall onto the concrete located at the top of the back garden; basically, she couldn't move her legs; so, I had to carry her upstairs...across 3 flights of stairs...and, then, into bed.
I told her, please, let me call a doctor; and, she said, most adamantly, no; she did not want that! Instead, she suggested that give her a few weeks, and, she'll be back up, again. So, I decided to let her have her own way.
WALKED DOWN TO THE KITCHEN/BATHROOM
Over time, she was able to stand up, again/and, walk. Only, now, she would no longer go out and do the shopping anymore; instead, I had to do that for her. She would, however, go down 1 flight of stairs on her own...and, into the kitchen to both prepare/cook food; then, she would walk back to the stairs...and, then, return back into bed.
I would then heat up the cooked food/and, bring along some drink....and, she would eat/drink in bed.
NO LONGER WALKING/CONFINED TO HER BED, INSTEAD
This same situation carried on until the last few months; perhaps, around a month or so ago...I noticed she was no longer going downstairs, anymore...not to cook/nor to wash inside of the bathroom.
I tried bringing her a washing up bowl/together with a wet rag/towel...; but, far more often than not, she refused to use it.
Instead, she said she washed herself using surgical spirit lotion/and, TCP/-etc. I had to bring in a bed bucket for her to use; which I would then later go and empty/clean once she had finished.
NO LONGER INTERESTED IN EATING/DRINKING/MOVING
Then, around 2 weeks or so...I noticed her movement had stopped; instead, she would just lie down in bed, most of the time, completely stock still(if she wanted to move/turn...then, I had to move her myself). This scared me a lot, because I realised that in order for muscles to stay strong/and, supple...then, you have to 'move' them; but, if you don't practice moving them...then, your muscles/bones become both stiff and weak...and, even 'brittle'.
Also, she would eat much less...; basically, she said she doesn't have to strength to stand up and use the bed bucket, anymore.
So, I gave her small amounts to eat/drink...; 1 egg for the whole entire day/and, half cups of water/Ribena/Lucozade; but, then, even giving her small amounts she would actually start to vomit it back up.
I realised, then, that if you are already weak/old/frail...then, vomiting is a very bad sign, indeed. Certainly, if you are not going to eat/drink anything...then, you are most likely to die, either sooner or later.
That's when I decided this sort of truly desperate situation can not go on for too much longer...I will need to call a doctor in to do an assessment...whether she likes it or not...?! And, she makes it perfectly clear to me that she does not wish to see doctors/hospital...as she really hates them/going there.
Basically, what she really is saying is quite simply this...if you are 'hard of hearing'...then, you cannot hear/understand what the doctor/or, nurses are saying/doing to you...including sticking needles into your skin/as well as, going through highly invasive procedures...such as look at, and, interfering with your 'private' parts. My mum due to insufficient hygiene, sometimes, has infections going on down there. But, she is a very 'proud' and private type of person...; and, hates strangers touching/or, man handling her.
COMMUNICATION ISSUES
On top of all this...I think, it's quite possible that she may be suffering from either Alzeihmer's/Dementia/or, quite possibly, both...; or, maybe, she 's just 'senile'...meaning, I think, her brain might have shrunk; because any serious communication with her is no longer possible. I can no longer have or hold a meaningful conversation, anymore; everything results in shouting/screaming.
Basically, she just shouts out orders...and, I end up doing it. Move this/move that...give me this/give me that...and, if you give her anything else...she threatens to go fling it either in your face/onto the bed/or, floor.
Because she is 'hard of hearing'...therefore, whenever I wish to communicate...I have to write it down; and, sometimes, she completely refuses to actually see/look at/read it...if I try to open her eyes, myself...she digs her long sharp nails into my skin; and, sometimes, drawing actual 'blood!'
Furthermore, if I write too much...such as 3 page fulls...her brain seems to get so tired...
that she completely gives up reading any further; and, instead, just goes back to sleep.
DR HENNA'S CONCLUSION: MY MUM HASN'T GOT VERY LONG TO LIVE
So, in the light of all already said above -plus, my family members all insisting I go call a doctor in- eventually, I decided to call the doctor(both to protect my own self from being accused to not doing anything to seek external help or support/as well as, in my own mother's interest).
Dr. Henna said...she had already gone and consulted my mums medical history notes...and, realises that she doesn't like seeing doctors/or, going into hospital.
When we walked into the bedroom...and, I woke up my mum...explaining the doctor is here. She called me an 'animal'...and, simply, re-stated as she always did...that she doesn't wish to see no doctor. Dr. Henna said let's go back outside onto the staircase landing and talk.
When we walked into the bedroom...and, I woke up my mum...explaining the doctor is here. She called me an 'animal'...and, simply, re-stated as she always did...that she doesn't wish to see no doctor. Dr. Henna said let's go back outside onto the staircase landing and talk.
On witnessing seeing my mum's serious weak/ematiated/bed bound situation for herself...Dr. Henna said that she guesses my mum doesn't have too much longer to live...perhaps, a week/or, a few weeks.
Therefore, I should consult with the other family members...and, decide if she is to die inside of the home/or else, go into hospital to have her condition more carefully monitored.
Dr. Henna left...telling me...I should call, and, tell her what I've decided during the evening/or, even, during the weekend.
FAMILY GATHERING
I called the family using the phone...in particular, I called my cousin, Sharon; and, then, later on, my other cousin, Millicent. They all came...in the case of Millicent...3 people came: Millicent/Trevor/Phyllis.
7PM SHARON/AND, THE POLICE WOMAN WITH BATTERING RAM
I believe Sharon came, first...; only, I was so totally 'tired' that I forgot I'd requested Sharon to come...I'd actually gone off to 'sleep'.
After calling/knocking/phoning...and, getting no answer back in return...basically, Sharon 'panicked'...and, called in the police.
I was completely 'amazed' to suddenly wake up to the sound of a really loud banging noise...as the police battering ram...burst open the front door(which, fortunately enough, still remains intact...and, lockable).
When I ran downstairs...I was still wearing just my boxer shorts/with jumper on top...and, saw a 5ft 4in police woman standing there...telling me she is from whichever police station; and, had received a phone call from my deeply worried cousin, Sharon; requesting them to break in to find out what's wrong.
Anyway, I calmed down...when I realised we didn't actually have burgler's to deal with. I apologised to the police woman for being in boxer shorts/and, then, went back upstairs to change into some long trousers.
I went back downstairs...to explain I fell asleep to the police woman/and, also, to my cousin, Sharon. The police woman left; and, I stayed chatting with Sharon.
VISITORS: MILLICENT/TREVOR/PHYLLIS
Afterwards, Millicent and her husband, Trevor, turned up on the doorstep.
I was just in the process of shutting back the front door...when I noticed Phyllis behind...who is, Millicent's cousin, (I think?). I had to apologise for not seeing her coming in last.
Anyway, everyone gathered around inside of the living room...where, most unfortunately, there was little/or, no space to sit down...as I'd dumped in there so much stuff after trying to clear the house up.
The discussion centred around should she go into hospital or not; but, of course, in reality there was no discussion...as the rest of the family had already agreed in unison that she should go into hospital...having told me the exact same advice over the phone, repeatedly, again and again for months from ever since the beginning of the year...when I'd reported that she had fallen down inside of the back garden; stating that's the only 'safe' place where she will be provided with proper medical care.
Instead, it was my own counter argument...that she doesn't wish to go.
What eventually decided it was...my mum wanted to get up to take a leak...and, so, me and Millicent went into the bedroom to help...I did the work...she just merely watched; but, I could see from the frightened look on her face.../and, her words were...she must go into hospital...because she's in 'pain'. That finally decided it for me...; so, I called first the doctor's surgery which was already closed; then, the ambulance service on 999.
2 MAN AMBULANCE TEAM/TO LEWISHAM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
The ambulance team consisted of two male medical assistants. Outside, in the street, before they had entered the home...I explained to them the situation...my mum isn't eating/drinking, properly...and/or, isn't holding food/drink down...and, also, has mobility problems; on top of which she does not wish to go and see doctors/hospital.
The guys came into the bedroom...and, did a few tests...using their equipments...either they failed to get a reading...as my mum kept on moving/or, the readings just said, normal.
They then discussed together the options...that either they leave it to the G. P. to arrange any further help; or, do as the family wishes...which is to take her off to hospital, instead; which my mum doesn't want...which she is very loudly protesting.
Finally, they decided it's best to take her off to hospital. They went and got stretchers/chair; after some 'fussing and fighting'...hoisted my mum onto the chair/stretcher...and, transported her downstairs into the ambulance; then, off to hospital.
Unfortunately, the nearest hospital Kings College was closed(no more beds, available); so, they waited a while...but, still no beds had become available; thus, they decided to take her to Lewisham Hospital.
Frankly, I felt shocked...as Kings College hospital...2/3 miles...is only a bike's ride away/or, even within running/walking distance...but, Lewisham Hospital is really far away...6+ miles, maybe; but, there was really nothing I could do about that.
I climbed into the ambulance in order to accompany my mum to hospital; and, my cousin Sharon decided to follow the ambulance in her car. Gradually, we arrived at the Accident and Emergency department...front gates(just opposite Lewisham Park Road).
The ambulance people went in one way; and, me and my cousin Sharon went in another way. Eventually, though, we found her in A & E. They stuck a needle into her vein...and, took 5 vials of blood to go and test; and, also, introduced an intravenous drip...to give her fluids...through that same vein.
After staying there and waiting 3 hours...still no doctor had appeared. Eventually, a nurse came...and, explained we had better leave...then, come back the next day, when she might be admitted into a ward.
WENT TO COUSIN SHARON'S TO SLEEP
Coming back home...my cousin Sharon suggested I go to her home to sleep tonight...as she was feeling, really and truly, 'tired'...and, didn't want to go home alone...in case she might fall asleep at the wheel while in the process of driving...to which I agreed.
I spent the night sleeping downstairs in the 'living room' on the 3 piece settee couch with a thick blanket for covering(the central heating on).
I also met their 'new;' family cat: Geoffery...which has the same name as Sharon's husband, Geoff. LOL
After a while, the cat climbed off it's own bed...and, climbed up on top of me...to go and sleep.
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