Hi, my name is Kathy. I am relatively new to being an unpaid carer and it took me sometime before I even would call myself such and come to terms with this new chapter of our lives. My hubby was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis in 2019, aged just 51, and around 6 months later the pandemic hit…
I have started writing a blog all about my journey, with a hope that it not only helps me, but also others who may be able to relate, as carers present or past. Hopefully it will be a help on some level, or at least a comfort other people on a similar journey.
My blog is on my Facebook page which is called ‘My blog’ (username Katunpaidcarer) if you wish to take a look. But extracts are going to shared here too.
I had awful sleep last night, hormones to blame mostly, so I was exhausted in work this morning.
I came home and grabbed a short sleep before taking M for his infusion at RUH in Bath. His first in Bath, which is easier than Oxford. Then heading off to Trowbridge to drop off keys, it was a relief to get home, rest and take a bath.
It is still fresh in my mind and by Monday it will sink in. M was home quicker than I expected, and managed to get the bus but is tired now.
I look forward to getting some life and energy back as I wait for my new job to offer me some shadowing. I will try and rest but I am looking forward to energy picking up once more.
Here is hoping it will work out much better for me but also for M. I have learnt looking after myself is important too.
I am trying to encourage M to go the gym, but this week he managed just one time due to fatigue. I managed two, but for me it is about mental health as much as fitness. I look forward to my running picking up also. But the gym I also took up to encourage M, and we went together on Friday.
It’s hard… many memories of running races as a couple, making a day out of it. And going for small runs together… but that is the chapter past, this is the new chapter. M finds it hard, still finds it hard to move on. He still misses it two, nearly three years later.
But our daughter continues his running legacy for him as she is running London Marathon this year to raise money for the MS centre in Warminster, that we both use, but particularly helpful for him.
So highs and lows, good, hopeful and difficult, challenging.
Which kind of sums up this condition really. Although it is actually a challenge, producing more challenges every day.
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