Bless - what a lovely person you are taking care of folks. My cousin heard voices and was afflicted the same way: last year it all proved too much for him and he took his own life - only 34 or 35 years old - a lovely lad - his friends loved him very much - the funeral was amazing - the way out way folks dressed - the peircings - the weird hair do's - I felt very old and matronly in my beautiful black coat............. Pauline

"tho interestingly not with mam - but poor hubby keeps copping for it .............)"
LOL.My hubby and anyone who happens to be here at the time knows that feeling.Especially as I am still not smoking.Although i must admit to caving in a couple of times and had one.i haven't any in the house but the only time I caved in was because something stressful happened and with being a depressive and giving up smoking I was climbing the walls and shouting at anyone who happened to be in the way.As its just hubby here who is a wind up merchant at the best of times(in a nice way) I didnt appreciate the humour and bummed a fag of my young lodger.A nice lad just turned 18 who has been friends with my grandson since they were younger.He was homeless and i needed the money so i gave him a home.He is lovely and never minds being used as a sounding board LOL.he also helps m out when the back is playing up and if I ask will hoover for me .Bless.If you were to see him you might get the wrong impression as he has a couple of tattoos and some piercings but he is a lovely lad.He hears voices and when down he self harms but he doesnt want medication as it does tend to make people seem off the planet so he deals with it.He has his earphones on most of the time and its loud but it drowns out the voices.he is a very happy go lucky lad most times but sometimes can get down so we help each other.His home life wasn't a good one and sometimes its memories that get him down just like me .He is mostly out a lot as he has a lot of friends who know of his schizophrenia but accepts him for what he is.So many people are frightened of that condition as in the films they are always portrayed as murderers etc but there are different kinds of it.I knew someone who had the same but he was withdrawn and would run and hide from any confrontation.he lived here for a while too.I seem to attract lame ducks as my sister call them.Trouble with that one was he got so bad he would hide behind the hedge and look to see if anyone was in the kitchen before he would come in.if it was clear he would shoot in and up to his room b4 anyone could see him.Such a shame.Here i am going on and on again,but its nice to talk:D Got to go and pick my daughter up as we have to go to town and go to the bank to put some money in and then take it back out to pay the bills :D:D:D

Thanks for long newsy catch up - I'm meeting myself coming back with mam at the min but I am just coping and I'm not too worried about involving anyone else just at the min - I'm taking things one day at a time - and waiting to see whether she levels out - and also what the prognosis is when she's been to the geriatric clinic on Feb 2nd - the results from that might help us to see where we are going and why and what should come next. But my head is still above the parapet (tho I'm extremely tetchy - tho interestingly not with mam - but poor hubby keeps copping for it .............) I'm looking forard to a girly day out with my mate Joan on Thurs (forecast is for rain but I don't care) she and I haven't been out together for months - shes got a new car and I'm going to be passenger for once and enjoy it (which is novel cos I usually insist on driving!) we think we are going birding along the coast in N Wales whether its raining or not!! So that is keeping my pecker up. I'm sorry to hear that you have lost you 'driver' and mate - as you say thank goodness for this site - I would have gone completely over the edge with the problems I've had if it hadn't been for the support and love which flows out of here at times - I think these folks here are amazing - in years to come I think we will all realise that its been very special being part of wab - very unusual even in these days of internet connection - to have what we all have here - so chin up Charmain - the better weather is coming - promise. Love Pauline xxxxxxxxx

Goodness Cherrybee Charmain - I thought you were already on my list - accepted with pleasure!

Pauline

Oh i just realised you share my sisters birthday who I lost in a car accident we were in on Dec 1st 1994 so I will try not to forget it next time:)

Just thought I would pop in and see how you were getting on.How are things with your mum.Hope everythings going as well as it can be and you are getting out and about and doing things for you.I know how tiring it can be with your mum.I have a friend who has now moved away from me who was my midwife years ago.She gave up her midwifery to look after her husband who had the same cruel illness but in the end she had to put him in a home.She visited everyday until the day he died.she gave up a lot to look after him as midwifery was her life. She is now in hwer 70's and would go back to it in a moment if she could.It was only 4 years ago she lost him but she was still working as a midwife when they were short handed.My dad didnt have it but he was so ill before he died that he was very much like they are with this illness and it was hard especially when he didnt always know us and to see him struggle to remember things is the hardest part so I really feel for you.My husbands mum also had it and I could see how it hurt him when she had periods of not knowing where she was and he doesnt show his feelings in that way but I could see it in his face.Always keep your pecker up and make time for yourself.I am not on here much lately what with the weather and being a bit depressed and also suffering with my back and other joints with the cold and wet i never get out with the camera much.Most of my photos have been of family and xmas lately.They see me coming and run LOL.Roll on the spring and summer so there are loads of opportunities for photos.I also miss my friend now she is in Norfolk as we often went out together in her car whatever the weather even if it was only a drive so I often get very lonely and bored.Thank goodness for the th internet and my computer or I think I would go mad without it.God I do go on LOL.I am like this in real life too I talk a lot LOL.All my friends on WAB live so far away whioch is a pity as I would love to meet you all.You are all such a great bunch of people.Oh and by the way a very happy birthday be it a little late i sem to have missed the thread,I am going to look for it now:D
Love and best wishes Charmain xx