Its been a very busy week at work, a new guy started Thursday and trying to run the show and train someone is proving tricky, but we will get there. The weather has been good and i have been out at nights on my bike, riding through Brig O Balgownie, down to Seaton Park and along the River Don. You sometimes forget what a beautiful country we have, but being out and about makes you appreciate it.
Aisha has now finished at Braehead primary and the school holidays have begun. she seems excited about going to a new school but we will see closer the time. We nearly went two weeks with dry pants but she had an accident last night. She seemed more upset than anything, which is probably a good sign.
I have been reading a lot lately, some books i have received from my new boss others i have picked up myself. They include The Goal, Broken Windows Broken Business, 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader and How to Win Friends and Influence People. I will go over them in more details next week. For now I am off to enjoy the rays!
Saturday, 3 July 2010
Friday, 25 June 2010
At this moment in time, everything is going in the right direction. My mum is getting closer to controlling her diabetes. She hasn't been hypo in three weeks. the wine is definitely the source of the problems. The next stage is to get her diet stable, and to get her mental thoughts away from what her blood sugar levels are, but i think we are getting there. The diabetic nurse told me if she cant sort it out she will need to go into a nursing home, but i have some faith.
Aisha is also doing better, last week was the very first week she has been completely dry for 7 full days. That even included a school trip where she normally has most accidents. Kim spoke to a mother who's son is autistic and he still has problems wetting himself at 9. Not what she wanted to hear! We have a meeting next week with various support staff to discuss Aisha's school move.
The trousers are fitting better, and i think the weight is starting to come off, but i haven't weighed myself. The diet is definitely cracked, i know what i have to do and am doing it. The exercise has been disappointing but i ain't beating myself up about it, i am very active with gardening and painting fences, and the summer nights makes it all the easier. Tonight I pick up Aisha's new bike. She is desperate to learn to ride her bike, the complete opposite as last year when she fell and had that mental scar. If all goes well i will buy a bike rack for the car and we can head off to the country to explore!!
Aisha is also doing better, last week was the very first week she has been completely dry for 7 full days. That even included a school trip where she normally has most accidents. Kim spoke to a mother who's son is autistic and he still has problems wetting himself at 9. Not what she wanted to hear! We have a meeting next week with various support staff to discuss Aisha's school move.
The trousers are fitting better, and i think the weight is starting to come off, but i haven't weighed myself. The diet is definitely cracked, i know what i have to do and am doing it. The exercise has been disappointing but i ain't beating myself up about it, i am very active with gardening and painting fences, and the summer nights makes it all the easier. Tonight I pick up Aisha's new bike. She is desperate to learn to ride her bike, the complete opposite as last year when she fell and had that mental scar. If all goes well i will buy a bike rack for the car and we can head off to the country to explore!!
Monday, 14 June 2010
Northumberland
Last week we had a family holiday in the North of England, staying in a Haven caravan site. We stayed there two years ago, and once again scored, with a clean tidy caravan, not like some of the horror stories we had heard about. The weather was poor, only seeing the sun once we came back over the border to Scotland. It was great to get some real quality time with Kim and Aisha, work is going to be hectic over the next few weeks with people leaving, so we had to make the best of what opportunity we had. Aisha is starting to come round to the idea of starting a new school and we are all getting excited at the prospect of what lies ahead.
I made a decision not to take my mobile phone with me, i didn't phone my mum while i was away, i left it all in Dave's hands. When i got back on the Friday i phoned her and asked how she had been. She told me on the Monday and Tuesday she hadn't eaten as her blood sugar levels were sky high. I freaked when i heard. I told her if she cant get to grips with her diabetes i was going to get carers in to watch her eat and a nurse in to take her blood sugar levels and leave her with no input. I thought scare tactics might work!! She hasn't drank wine for over two weeks and in that time hasn't been hypo, so we at least have found the missing link. The problem is i don't want to tell her not to drink again, but i cant guarantee if she does drink she wont eat enough to stop her going hypo. Oh the dilemma!! the diabetic doctor is to phone her next Monday, her birthday, to discuss things. I will speak to her today as well. Mums carer phoned this week for an update and said things were going OK, but her anger issues start to rear their ugly head when mums asked things like have you had something to eat, or more accurately, don't you think you should have something to eat. This is an issue we still need to address properly.
I made a decision not to take my mobile phone with me, i didn't phone my mum while i was away, i left it all in Dave's hands. When i got back on the Friday i phoned her and asked how she had been. She told me on the Monday and Tuesday she hadn't eaten as her blood sugar levels were sky high. I freaked when i heard. I told her if she cant get to grips with her diabetes i was going to get carers in to watch her eat and a nurse in to take her blood sugar levels and leave her with no input. I thought scare tactics might work!! She hasn't drank wine for over two weeks and in that time hasn't been hypo, so we at least have found the missing link. The problem is i don't want to tell her not to drink again, but i cant guarantee if she does drink she wont eat enough to stop her going hypo. Oh the dilemma!! the diabetic doctor is to phone her next Monday, her birthday, to discuss things. I will speak to her today as well. Mums carer phoned this week for an update and said things were going OK, but her anger issues start to rear their ugly head when mums asked things like have you had something to eat, or more accurately, don't you think you should have something to eat. This is an issue we still need to address properly.
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
Kim turned 39 yesterday. I have noticed a real change in her over the last few days. Yesterday i gave her a spa visit for her birthday, which included a facial and deep tissue massage. The masseur told her she would need to come back for more sessions as she couldn't shift the knots in her right side of her neck and shoulders with just one session. She is also off to get her hair styles today. This pampering is a little step in her recovery. Last night we had parents night at school and Aisha's report was good, but in the back of our minds we knew she was leaving and the report didn't mean that much. Onwards and Upwards!!
On Saturday i got a call from my mums carer, she was found hypo and in quite a bad way. An ambulance was called and she had to be injected with glucose solution. A pan of soup was burning on the hob. I phoned her afterwards and she was very upset. I phoned her again later that day and asked if she had had something to eat. She said no because her sugar level was very high. I told her, that's because you've just been injected with glucose. After all that's been said and done the penny still wasn't dropping. Anyway, i phoned her carer and discussed things with her. the pattern seems to be she drinks wine on a Friday, goes hypo Saturday, then struggles to control things from then on. So i phoned mum today and told her i don't want her drinking for the next three weekends. If the diabetes gets sorted, we know the wine is the route of all our problems. We can then address it. Everyone is 100% convinced that is the problem and we need to get a solution to keep everyone happy. My mum likes to drink wine on a Friday and Saturday night. Who am i to tell her no. But the high sugar content means she goes hypo on the Saturday as the blood sugar level drops. To avoid this she needs to eat while drinking, then have a good solid breakfast the next day. But we aren't at that place yet where she can do this with any control. Not yet anyway.....
On Saturday i got a call from my mums carer, she was found hypo and in quite a bad way. An ambulance was called and she had to be injected with glucose solution. A pan of soup was burning on the hob. I phoned her afterwards and she was very upset. I phoned her again later that day and asked if she had had something to eat. She said no because her sugar level was very high. I told her, that's because you've just been injected with glucose. After all that's been said and done the penny still wasn't dropping. Anyway, i phoned her carer and discussed things with her. the pattern seems to be she drinks wine on a Friday, goes hypo Saturday, then struggles to control things from then on. So i phoned mum today and told her i don't want her drinking for the next three weekends. If the diabetes gets sorted, we know the wine is the route of all our problems. We can then address it. Everyone is 100% convinced that is the problem and we need to get a solution to keep everyone happy. My mum likes to drink wine on a Friday and Saturday night. Who am i to tell her no. But the high sugar content means she goes hypo on the Saturday as the blood sugar level drops. To avoid this she needs to eat while drinking, then have a good solid breakfast the next day. But we aren't at that place yet where she can do this with any control. Not yet anyway.....
Friday, 28 May 2010
ADOS
Here the conclusion to the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule Aisha had done back in February
"Aisha did score above the cut-off for Communication and Reciprocal Social Interactions, but throughout this report, I have explained many of these difficulties with Aisha's marked social anxiety and shyness. It therefore remains quite uncertain as to whether Aisha does have any Autism Spectrum Disorder, but the overall feeling, by the examiners is that her general use of facial expression, gesture and non-verbal communication would be inconsistent with autism Spectrum Disorder"
We received this back from the hospital this week, a three month wait!! Coincidentally Aisha had a routine school doctors appointment. Kim took the letter to show her, and she advised a definite conclusion would come from the Psychiatrists assessment. Also did we know there was a support group in Bridge of Don? Kim got the groups number and phoned that night. Speaking to the girl Karen was great for Kim, someone who understands what she has been through as a parent. She also told her that Scotstown primary school, a stones throw from our house, has a Autistic support group within the school and that she thought there was one place left in Aisha year. You could physically see the change in Kim after the conversation. First thing next day Kim was at Scotstown School meeting with the head. She advised there were 14 kids with Autism at the school and even with the ADOS report she would happily admit Aisha for next term. But we needed a Doctors referral. So Kim stomped home and Phoned Dr Daud, Aisha's paediatrician. He apologies for the slow process and happily agreed to write a referral for Aisha. She was in, starting August!! Finally Kim spoke to the Educational Psychologist, Mrs McGregor, who's attitude in the past has left a lot to be desired!! She told Kim there was no way she could just walk into a school and get her daughter admitted. Kim told her she could and she had. she said she needed a doctors referral. Kim assured her this was in place. she then backtracked and said oh well I will need to speak to the headmistress. Various calls from various people took place before Kim finally heard for definite she Aisha was moving school!!
The difference in Kim has been amazing. The difference in Aisha will be amazing. Maybe, just maybe this is the start of my family finding its way again!!
"Aisha did score above the cut-off for Communication and Reciprocal Social Interactions, but throughout this report, I have explained many of these difficulties with Aisha's marked social anxiety and shyness. It therefore remains quite uncertain as to whether Aisha does have any Autism Spectrum Disorder, but the overall feeling, by the examiners is that her general use of facial expression, gesture and non-verbal communication would be inconsistent with autism Spectrum Disorder"
We received this back from the hospital this week, a three month wait!! Coincidentally Aisha had a routine school doctors appointment. Kim took the letter to show her, and she advised a definite conclusion would come from the Psychiatrists assessment. Also did we know there was a support group in Bridge of Don? Kim got the groups number and phoned that night. Speaking to the girl Karen was great for Kim, someone who understands what she has been through as a parent. She also told her that Scotstown primary school, a stones throw from our house, has a Autistic support group within the school and that she thought there was one place left in Aisha year. You could physically see the change in Kim after the conversation. First thing next day Kim was at Scotstown School meeting with the head. She advised there were 14 kids with Autism at the school and even with the ADOS report she would happily admit Aisha for next term. But we needed a Doctors referral. So Kim stomped home and Phoned Dr Daud, Aisha's paediatrician. He apologies for the slow process and happily agreed to write a referral for Aisha. She was in, starting August!! Finally Kim spoke to the Educational Psychologist, Mrs McGregor, who's attitude in the past has left a lot to be desired!! She told Kim there was no way she could just walk into a school and get her daughter admitted. Kim told her she could and she had. she said she needed a doctors referral. Kim assured her this was in place. she then backtracked and said oh well I will need to speak to the headmistress. Various calls from various people took place before Kim finally heard for definite she Aisha was moving school!!
The difference in Kim has been amazing. The difference in Aisha will be amazing. Maybe, just maybe this is the start of my family finding its way again!!
Thursday, 27 May 2010
Failure
"Ever Tried. Ever Failed. No Matter. Try Again. Fail Again. Fail better"
This is a quote from Samuel Beckett I read the other day and thought it highlighted my struggle with weight loss. No doubt I am better informed than i was a year ago. Maybe too well informed. Maybe reading every report, like the one in the Evening Express last night that says diet is the only important aspect of weight loss, not exercise, has done more damage than good. Less is more as they say. Anyway, i am now in a better place mentally, have decided my plan of action, and are taking steps to change. This week i have been out on the bike, when it hasn't been torrential rain, and it feels good. The thighs have been burning, the lungs have been filled, and the good thing about cycling is no matter how hard i push myself, my body doesn't lock for three days afterwards. I have also been swinging the kettlebell. Surprisingly, i hadn't tried a one handed swing properly until this month when i got Rays May schedule. I couldn't believe how much it worked my biceps, i really felt it straight away. I have just about finished the Brain Wave book and am ready to put into action, lets hope its all that it promises to be.
This is a quote from Samuel Beckett I read the other day and thought it highlighted my struggle with weight loss. No doubt I am better informed than i was a year ago. Maybe too well informed. Maybe reading every report, like the one in the Evening Express last night that says diet is the only important aspect of weight loss, not exercise, has done more damage than good. Less is more as they say. Anyway, i am now in a better place mentally, have decided my plan of action, and are taking steps to change. This week i have been out on the bike, when it hasn't been torrential rain, and it feels good. The thighs have been burning, the lungs have been filled, and the good thing about cycling is no matter how hard i push myself, my body doesn't lock for three days afterwards. I have also been swinging the kettlebell. Surprisingly, i hadn't tried a one handed swing properly until this month when i got Rays May schedule. I couldn't believe how much it worked my biceps, i really felt it straight away. I have just about finished the Brain Wave book and am ready to put into action, lets hope its all that it promises to be.
Friday, 21 May 2010
i get it
I finally get it. All the fannying about i have done, and i now get it. Eat less, exercise more. Not rocket science. Nothing Revolutionary. Eat less, exercise more. I don't know if i have just came out of a winter slump where my brain hast been working, or more to the point where i haven't been listening. But now i get it. Eat less, work more. Life is simple, we make it complicated. I am going back to basics. No food diaries, no fasting, nothing fancy, just eat less, and exercise more.
Last week i finally realised the secret to success, it just dawned on me while digging the garden, that me trying to complicate things, trying to jazz them up by giving them a title or a name, was the thing that was hurting me the most. Lets just forget all that and keep it simple. That will be the secret to my success.
My mum's still a concern, but i had to make a conscious decision to stand back and concentrate on Aisha and Kim, they have been needing me more lately. Mum is still struggling with her diabetes, and i don't think she ever will be able to control it. My concern is every time she goes hypo she just does herself a little bit more damage. I try to help as best i can, but I know it pisses her off me constantly asking the same questions. We still haven't addressed her anger issues but we will soon.
Aisha is getting better with keeping herself dry, she's still not 100% but she's close. Her behaviour is up and down. We are still waiting for the final assessment so they can confirm she is on the Autism spectrum. This will mean we can look at getting her help at school. This will be a big weight off Kim's shoulders.
i have been reading about Brain Wave Vibrations as i heard it can be good for both autism and spinal injuries. This would be ideal to help both Aisha and Kim. Not even halfway through the book yet though!
The sun is shining today, life is good. Long may it continue!
Last week i finally realised the secret to success, it just dawned on me while digging the garden, that me trying to complicate things, trying to jazz them up by giving them a title or a name, was the thing that was hurting me the most. Lets just forget all that and keep it simple. That will be the secret to my success.
My mum's still a concern, but i had to make a conscious decision to stand back and concentrate on Aisha and Kim, they have been needing me more lately. Mum is still struggling with her diabetes, and i don't think she ever will be able to control it. My concern is every time she goes hypo she just does herself a little bit more damage. I try to help as best i can, but I know it pisses her off me constantly asking the same questions. We still haven't addressed her anger issues but we will soon.
Aisha is getting better with keeping herself dry, she's still not 100% but she's close. Her behaviour is up and down. We are still waiting for the final assessment so they can confirm she is on the Autism spectrum. This will mean we can look at getting her help at school. This will be a big weight off Kim's shoulders.
i have been reading about Brain Wave Vibrations as i heard it can be good for both autism and spinal injuries. This would be ideal to help both Aisha and Kim. Not even halfway through the book yet though!
The sun is shining today, life is good. Long may it continue!
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