Our little family has adjusted fairly well to life with multiple sclerosis, but now and again it throws up some major hurdles.
Even though my ex-husband and I are happily divorced and are bringing up The Teenager as well as we can despite the 140 mile distance between us, there are definitely times when it would be handy to have a partner around, or at least in the same city.
I’m booked in to hospital for my second round of Alemtuzumab treatment during the summer school holidays and it’s coming round far too quickly. The Teenager will be at his dad’s for a week as usual and with the way the dates have worked out this year, I will have just one full day to recover at home after three days in hospital before The Teenager is home again. I am panicking. Slightly.
Last year, the Alemtuzumab left me exhausted, weak and under the weather and I had several weeks sick leave from work but I also had three clear days on my own at home to start to recover.
I’m not so much worried about me, but about how The Teenager will feel seeing me lying on the sofa even more than usual. Is there anything more depressing than an ill parent? I tried to have a chat with him about it the other day and he’s promised me that if I buy him enough pizza, he’ll be fine, so here’s my plan to get through the first week or so:
- Pizza
- Accept all offers of help
- When he’s out with friends, have a sleep, so I’m fully(ish) awake when he’s back
- Encourage/bribe The Teenager to have friends for sleepovers
- Stock the fridge with lots of good-quality ready-meals
- Ignore the dust
- Keep explaining that the treatment will ultimately make me much better in the long-term
- Pizza
My friend’s daughter has offered to cat-and-house-sit again, so that’s one less thing to worry about. I’ll also organise a huge grocery delivery just before I go to hospital. I know what to expect this time round, so hopefully I’ll be better prepared than last year.
I was feeling very chuffed with my list and plans, then I checked my diary again. Yup, I’ll be turning 40 less than three weeks after the treatment. Now I really am panicking…
(no small violins were harmed during writing this blog post)
Sounds as if you have an excellent plan laid out. Might I suggest adding pizza, though?
From his guest blogger stint, it’s obvious you have a wonderful, smart, and caring son. I reckon he’ll be okay, especially as you’ve explained things to him.
Wish I were closer to help you eat pizza and malteasers! Oh, and help you ignore the dust, of course. I’m a Certified Expert in that area.
I thought I’d forgotten to add the pizza!
Son’s a sweetheart, just don’t want him to feel down seeing me a bit poorly.
The sun is shining today and it’s throwing up way too much dust. Am closing my eyes to it, in preparation for the summer!
X
Pizza needed to be in the middle of the list, too, just to be safe.
“Avert your eyes” is something I mumble to myself a lot: e.g., when passing a dead animal in the road, catching my reflection in the mirror as I’m headed for the shower, and approaching any area in the house that might be in need of cleaning. Works like a charm!
Don’t encourage him! He ordered a curry for lunch behind my back yesterday – only knew about it when a poor guy turned up at the door.
My house was quite shocking in the sun yesterday, so much so I had to draw the curtain for a while. Too depressing!
X
Just wanted to say good luck with hugs xx
Turning 40 isn’t that bad, promise 🙂
Thanks Sam!
It’s a bit of a worry, but hopefully we’ll muddle through somehow. At least I don’t have to sort out a big do for my 40th! Just a quiet night in, lol.
I think my 40’s will have to be better than my 30’s anyay!
X