Project 365 2017 Week 5

Project 365 2017 Week 5

Project 365 2017 Week 5 Day 29 – 35.  The week that won’t be forgotten for some time as Mum suffered a minor stroke.

Sunday 29th January  – Day 29

Project 365 2017 Week 5

The day started with Monkey running round the house like a dervish.  First in his T-Rex outfit and then as a Kangaroo Pirate (who knows).

We’d been invited to try the menu at The White House for lunch, so headed off there.  On the way home we were meant to agree the quotes and arrange dates for the carpet and flooring to be fitted, but they’d closed early.

Just after 9pm the phone rang, caller id showed it was my parents.  I knew it wasn’t going to be good news before I’d picked the phone up.  How bad though? Mum was in hospital with a suspected minor stroke and was being kept in for observation.  I don’t think anyone slept Sunday night.

Monday 30th January – Day 30

Project 365 2017 Week 5

I decided not to tell Monkey about his Granny before school so he could go off as normal.  I sent his teacher an email explaining what was happening so she could keep an eye on him for the rest of the week.  For my brother and I it was a waiting game, waiting for news.  Trying to decide on the best course of action.  I don’t think either of us functioned today.

Monkey came out of school with an Achiever of the Week certificate for some artwork he’d done.  I’m not sure if this was just a coincidence or whether his teacher had wanted to give him a little boost, knowing what I’d be telling him later.  Either way, it certainly helped.

I sat Monkey down and explained as best I could, what had happened to Granny, that she was safe and being really well looked after, but she was rather poorly.  Is she going to die Mummy?  One day Monkey, but not today.

He decided that a bit of train time with Daddy before Beavers was in order.  So off they went.  He seemed to take it all in his stride, but he’s a quiet one.

Tuesday 31st January – Day 31

Project 365 2017 Week 5

A day that went by in a blur.  I tried to get some blog things written up, but it wasn’t a very successful plan.  Mum has been very lucky, no loss of speech or mobility and was meant to have a scan today.  Hard to make plans until we know what’s going on.

Dad called to say a more detailed scan would now be undertaken on Wednesday and the doctor would talk to them on Thursday.  Time to try and smile as best we could, me and my boy.

Monkey got really upset at bedtime, bless him, he was struggling to process everything and really wanted to see Granny.  I knew she had her mobile with her so I said we could try calling her in the morning so he could hear her voice.  That seemed to do the trick.

Wednesday 1st February – Day 32

Project 365 2017 Week 5

Monkey asked about Granny as soon as he woke up, so I sent a text, could we speak at some point?  Granny was already in the scanner.  She was back out before school and rang and had a little chat with us.  It was all that was needed to put a smile back on Monkey’s face.  She’s ok and just waiting for info from the doctor tomorrow.

After being a total mess for the last few days, I felt a bit more with it, went shopping, remembered my list and posted a few things off to Spain to keep Mum amused.

My friend A had asked me round for a cuppa and a slice of cake.  Whilst there, Dad rang, Mum was going to be discharged.  The scan shows she’s had a minor stroke and there’s some scarring on the left hand side of her brain. A change of meds and a few other things, and hopefully she should be ok for the future. Never has there been better news.  Lucky, very lucky.

Monkey had drawn a picture for Granny in school which we emailed over, so it was there when they got home.

My college homework for the week was night photography.  A tricky one in normal circumstances as I’m home alone with Monkey most nights, add in the rain this week and my state of mind – not ideal.  I’d taken a few shots from the hallway with my front door open, earlier in the week, to get my street scene.  Daddy P was around and suggested driving me out before Monkey went to bed, so I could try to capture light trails from the motorway.  This was my best effort in the howling wind.  I didn’t have much time to perfect it and then is started hammering down with rain again. But it’s a start.

Thursday 2nd February – Day 33

Project 365 2017 Week 5

I had my hair done in the morning and then headed over to see my brother.  We decided to Skype Mum and Dad together to see how they were.  Although Mum looked shattered, it was so lovely to ‘see’ here.  It was clear to see that flying over tomorrow wasn’t going to do her any good, as she needed a bit of peace and quiet.  We looked at flights and my brother got booking as I drove home to pick Monkey up from school.  We fly next Friday for a few days.

Monkey and I had some cuddles after school, he wasn’t feeling well apparently, although there was little evidence. At bedtime he was the same, and around midnight he ended up in with me.

Friday 3rd February – Day 34

Project 365 2017 Week 5

Not feeling quite so ‘unwell’ this morning it would appear.  One cheeky Monkey went off to school quite happily.

I headed off to college to talk night-time photography and different lens and the effect they have on the field of vision. I’m missing next week’s still life session, so I’ve picked up 2 assignments to complete.

From college I headed off for lunch with a NCT friend before coming home to pick Monkey up from school.  He got to see Granny on Skype, although of course, when she was actually there, he didn’t want to speak.  Kids!

Saturday 4th February – Day 35

Project 365 2017 Week 5

The sun is shining today, and I’d love to be outdoors.  But I’m being led my Monkey today, he’s decided that he wants a quiet day at home, playing games and just being together.  He knows he won’t see me next weekend, so that seems fair enough to me.  Cuddles, smiles and laughter.  A perfect way to start the weekend.

Project 365



28 thoughts on “Project 365 2017 Week 5

  1. What an awful week you’ve had! I’m so glad your mum is on the mend and it will be a real relief for you to see her next weekend, I’m sure.
    Love your photo of the motorway – how nice of Daddy P to drive you out there especially! x

    1. I’m just grateful it wasn’t worse, it’s a warning we all need to take heed of. He wasn’t happy about me going out by myself tbh, and I wasn’t happy about leaving Monkey in the car while I faffed around with the shots.

  2. it’s so hard to be living so far away. it’s something that has happened to me three times, all times when we lived in South Africa, first my dad had a heart attack, but no one wanted to worry me and waited 3 days before they told me and it was a further 2 days before i could over ot the uk, i arrived at the hosptial as he came out of surgery. the 2nd time we were in durban on holiday and i had a phone call to say my mother was ill and rushed into hospital, the third time was my eldest son, again another call to say he was coughing up blood, and then nothing from anyone with my mum and son for 2 days, i was frantic i can tell you that they couldn’t be bothered to let me know what was going on. on both occasions i didn’t even know what hospital they were in and it took some ringing around to find out, when we’ve had medical emergencies, we’ve not bothered telling anyone back home until after we’ve sorted everything out, no one would fly over anyway, so no point telling them. so glad you have such a wonderful and supportive family. I really hope you have a good time visiting your mum with your brother and get to enjoy this unexpected trip altogether.

  3. Oh no! I am so sorry to read about your mum….I’m glad she is OK. Sending love and hugs!
    Well done Monkey for getting the Achiever of the Week award!
    That picture of the motorway is fantastic! x

  4. So sorry to hear about your Mum but glad to hear her getting home and it not being as bad as it could have been. Also erm that train set is amazing!! Where is it? #project365

  5. Oh gosh what a horrible start to the week but so glad that your mum is home and with the change of meds she will be better. It is so hard isn’t it when we see our parents go through this. Hugs to you all

  6. goodness Mary what an awful shock you have all had this week. I am so happy for you all that your mum is ok and back to being your mum again, and at home with your dad.
    well done Monkey – achiever of the week is an amazing award to win!
    lovely photos of the pair of you too x

  7. Glad your mum got off lightly, but this is when it is difficult them being so far away. Hope you enjoy your time with her this week.
    Well done to Momkey on the award at school.
    I have to say I like your night photo of all the lights.

  8. I’m so glad your mum is on the mend; I can’t imagine what it must’ve been like to receive that phone call which is then compounded by not being able to just get to see her. So, so glad it’s all looking good, Mary. Next week’s journey is going to be bitter sweet – leaving Monkey but seeing your mum.
    Your Monkey sounds like a sensitive soul and sometimes you just have to go with their moods; their desires and enjoy your time at home.
    xx

  9. So sorry about your mum. It is one thing I dread happening, knowing that I can’t hop in the car to get to them, and that it’ll take 2 days (if I can get a flight) to get back to the UK. Your night time photo is beautiful, I love lights like that. Amazing train set!

  10. Sorry to hear about your mum but glad she’s on the mend – not easy being far way from family, I struggle with my mum in Norfolk so can’t imagine if she was abroad. Love your night time photography.

  11. So glad to hear your mum’s on the mend, but what a stressful week for you. It’s one of the things I worry about most, living so far away.

  12. What a worrisome week. I’m really glad your Mum is ok. It must have been hard on you all to keep focused on the week.
    Hubbys come in useful at times don’t they?! My hubby is always happy to run me anywhere for my photo practice.
    You did a really good job of the light trails.

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