Arctic Challenge 2009
How it has affected us and our Grandfather
Summer 2007 - Something wasn't quite right
During the summer months Grandad (David) appeared a little more confused than normal - nothing we felt was really serious but things needed investigating.
September 2007 - specialists
Nanny (Joan) took David to the GP as by this time he had fallen over once or twice and his arm started twitching as well as his left side becoming 'slower' than the right. initial thoughts included him having a mini stroke or similar. David and Joan as well as my Mother Hazel all went along for initial investigations. The health professionals felt that perhaps David had a trapped nerve or slipped a disc in his neck which explained the mobility impairments at that time.
October 2007 - starting to think about the future
As David's mobility wasn't improving and things like the garden and odd jobs around the house were starting to become difficult, the future has to be considered. David and Joan had started considering the future, although at this stage there was no sense of urgency. Feelings of frustration and uncertainly about the future were felt by the whole family as well as us all having our own opinions of where they should move to, if at all and the 'best type' of accommodation etc as well as a realization that were not immortal. Hazel and John and Amanda and Ian starting to help out more with appointments and odd jobs to try and take the pressure off Joan and David.
November 2007 - initial diagnosis
Following various tests and nemourous appointments with specialists and professors the specialist (surgical) felt a diagnosis on Motor Neurone Disease should be considered, he made the relevant refferal. Hazel, David and Joan left the hospital with this 'new' problem. The rest of the family were told during the car journey home and this is the point where the true impact of David's condition 'hit home' as Amanda (having experience of an individual with MND previously) and Katie (being a nurse) had a deeper understanding of what Motor Neurone Disease was and the impact it has on life. Katie directed the entire family to the MND association website www.mndassociation.org.uk to find further information about MND. Several days later this is the point Amanda felt we should do something to help the association as already they were arranging for a support worker to visit Joan and David (and Hazel) and help with a variety of issues including support groups and facts about MND.
December 2007 - mobility becoming a problem
All the family now who live close to David and Joan are doing all they can to help and support David and Joan. Amanda and Ian as well as Hazel and John, Christine and Greg are all now supporting David and Joan in a variety of situations from lunches out, Dr appointments to finding appropriate housing and specialist support services. Joan now being the main carer for David, it's no wander Christmas doesn't seem worth celebrating this year! But for the sake of the Great Grandchildren a brave face is put on during this emotionally stressful situation for all. Emma, Katie and Rachel are calling regularly to offer support to all the family as well as the wider family of David and Joan including the Minister from the local church.
Christmas 2007 - Brave faces
Christmas was actually really nice - Hazel put on lunch and most of the family made it on the day. For those who live some 200+ miles away a night at a hotel was arranged and a really festive time was had by all. Emotions are now turning from anger and upset to trying to focus on the positive things in life, all the family focusing on just how we are going to raise the money for the challenge!!!
January 2008 - lets be positive
The house has sold and so that's one less thing to worry about. We soon here about the accommodation place applied for. David and Joan and so Hazel is busy sorting all those lovely housing issues out. Ian is busy doing the odd jobs and as always Joan and David are trying to remain positive. Emma and Kate are starting to arrange fund raising events and Amanda and Rich are trying to get fit for the challenge. Katie has a few months to wait - baby due towards the end of April.
March 2008 - Moving and the disease progressing!
Things have moved on since my last update in January. The house sale is going through but like everything it takes a wile for the paperwork to be sorted. The apartment that David and Joan will be moving to isn't totally built yet so there will be a cross over in accommodation. Mum (Hazel) and Dad (John) will be putting them up during the cross over. The family have been busy moving and David is becoming less mobile daily it seems - but everyone still trying to remain positive!
All the family are finding it difficult to think about the long term future but our thoughts are generally along the lines of 'we can't change anything so lets make the most of what we have - a wonderful, fantastic, intelligent, amazing, honest, genuine head of our family!
April 2008 - can't quiet believe how fast it's going...
Grandad
and nanny are now staying with my parents until their new flat is ready, it is
hard for them all but seems to be working ok with a few hiccups. Grandad really
struggles to stand now and getting in and out of the car is a long process and I
worry that it will encourage them to stay in more, so I am trying to get them to
look in to purchasing a wheelchair friendly car so we can get out and about a
bit more although a trip out does tire grandad some what. He is also struggling
with his right arm and has seen the physio and OT and they have given him some
exercise to do.
He
seems to be succumbing to this MND quite quickly.
September 2008...
Still waiting for this flat!!! How very very frustrating but even though there is phone call after phone call, visit and visit, assessment after assessment, they still don't have a moving in date.
Grandad and Nanny are for the time being living in Corbrook court, who have been supportive during this period of transition. It's not ideal as they went there following a tense and stressful evening and all's I can really say is bridges are slowly being built! It's so awful the stress this illness/disease puts on families. I'm just thankful we are a very close and supportive family and even then it's tested us all so goodness knows families who aren't close manage - I guess they don't.
Well Grandad physically is now TOTALLY dependant on others and unfortunately his speech has almost gone. This obviously has huge implications as communication is difficult (although everyone tries to understand) but also physically this mean changes are happening with his upper respiratory tract, which will clearly have a massive impact on lung function etc - how very very sad for him but also my nan - you can't really imagine watching your life companion, your best friend and the love of your life slowly slipping away... So a bit of slack is due her way from time to time ;-)
Fingers crossed the flat will finally be ready to move into within the next week or two and that Grandad's care can be sorted so his time can be spent with his family, with his possessions around him and most importantly perhaps for him, his wife 'being ok'
God Bless you Grandad - We all love you dearly x x x
If you require any further information regarding any aspect of the challenge, how to help, book, make a donation or just to make a general enquiry or contact with the family please email any of the below