I'm walking 50 Miles in January for Dementia UK
This January, I'm walking 50 Miles and raising funds to help ensure no family faces dementia alone. I'm taking on the challenge for Dementia UK, the specialist dementia nursing charity, and would be grateful for your support.
Your donation, big or small, makes a difference. £33 could fund a new dementia specialist Admiral Nurse to spend an hour helping a family in the community, offering practical solutions and emotional support to cope with their loved one’s distressed behaviour.
Thank you!
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My Updates
10th Feb...the final walk
Tuesday 10th Feb Yay !!With my last 2 miles, I've finished my 50 miles !
I can't thank everyone enough for their kind words & sponsorship.
My last walk was to mum. Hair & nails done & a sing song in the lounge planned this afternoon.
We're thankful that's she's happy, food obsessed & as long as she doesn't sing too loud, the safety device on her room door won't activate & close her in....would would her audience do then ??!
It won't always be like this but we'll make the most of the time while it lasts.
Thanks for sticking by
Gill x
Days 30 & 31
Saturday 31st Jan Don't want to chance our luck but I think mum's hit a plateau (touch wood)It's been the same for a bit...
Singing
Talking about food
Eating
Laughing
Today, she asked what day it was. "Saturday ? The Bill is on channel 25"
She never ceases to amaze me !
I walked another 1.7 miles today..Just over 9 to go so I'm walking into February...determined to hit that 50 !
Gill x
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Day 29
Thursday 29th Jan 2+ miles walked today.Took mum for a well wrapped up walk in her wheelchair for some of it.
She liked to talk to strangers, shout hello to random people, & burst into song in shops.
Our saunter out was the first in a long time & she thoroughly enjoyed it...probably slightly more than the old guy she tried to serenade !
Gill x
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Day 34521 !
Wednesday 28th Jan Only joking !To be honest I'm running out of month so I'll be walking into February to finish my 50 !
Thankfully my kidney infection has been kicked into touch but with a reminder that lentils & green tea (decaf !) are my new normal ... bleurgh !
My brain was playing catch up with my body so despite resuming visits to mum, I couldn't think of the words to describe her/my days.
The throwing has stopped..for now; much to the relief of the remote control !
The singing & obsession with food continues.
Since last week she's been looking forward to her favourite singer revisiting the care home.
He arrived today to lots of fanfare, claps & singing.
We sat & sang & I was amazed that she knew every word of every song. Mum's parting words to me..."I really enjoyed that , Marji "
I'm gonna have to change my name....
Gill xx
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Day 15...ouch !
Thursday 15th Jan HiyaEvery day is a school day !
Lesson number 1...if you have underlying health conditions , don't ignore them !
A dose of antibiotics for me today & a reminder that I can't take care of others unless I'm 100%.
Couple of days of rest & I'll be right !
At least mum was looking brighter.
Songs sung...3
Remote control thrown across the room...0
Gill x
Day 14 ...toast!
Wednesday 14th Jan HiyaJust a 1.1 mile walk today. I wish the rain would sod off in the mornings so I can get out early & do a proper walk !
A full 24 hours of antibiotics are having a positive effect...thankfully.
We're now on day 2 of mum's obsession with toast. Every 5 minutes she asked if she could have some.
It's horrible swapping between distraction & trying to explain why she can't eat solid food.
Mum's swallow has been affected & so all her food is soft/liquidised.
The solution ?
Buttered toast dipped in tea that she could suck.
A simple taste changed everything then it was back to the singing...
Gill x
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Day 13...urgh!
Tuesday 13th Jan HiyaA 0.8 mile walk today...for a prescription for mum.
Mum had a morning appointment booked ..query infection. I hopped on down at 9am to wait. Breakfast given, fluids coaxed, songs sang, hunted for the remote control (it gets thrown on a daily basis) & she was then assessed just before midday !
We laughed a lot but it was a looong 3 hours !
A simple UTI now means that her mental health team assessment is delayed yet again. I despair.
A walk to pick up her prescription at least knocked a little off my target .
Whizz back to the nursing home to drop meds & popped into her room to ply her with more fluids !
The reality of dementia....mum didn't even remember I'd been there in the morning.
She briefly remembered having a nice cold milkshake with her breakfast. To be honest, it would be the highlight of my morning as well !
Gill x
Day 12...drink !
Monday 12th Jan HiyaAnother 2.4 (those.4s make all the difference!) miles in the bag. Not sure where I'm up to now !
Mixed things up a bit today. Visited mum late afternoon & it was so much quieter...Just the 2 songs !
It seemed as though I was constantly coaxing her to drink . We swapped between ice cold milk (a winner), water (with the bribe of a cake) & a brew (with said cake).
My morning was spent chasing up a medical referral. Half the battle with dementia is making sure timely referrals are made for assessment & treatment. Unfortunately, my idea of timely & mum's doc's idea don't match !
And I wonder why feel like I bang my head against a wall on a weekly basis !
My brain feels as though it's functioning today. For now !
Gill x
Day 11...surreal !
Sunday 11th Jan HiyaDay 11 & 1.2 miles on the treadmill. I couldn't summon up the mental energy to venture outside !
I feel mentally drained today.
2 hours of seeing things & talking to people that aren't there (mum not me) is exhausting. .
It doesn't feel that that all the time but when my brain screams 'ENOUGH !' , I listen. Years of caring for mum & others has taught me that.
I'm switching off...sewing & Stranger Things ( the irony isn't lost on me !) for the rest of the day, me thinks.
Gill xx
Day 10..woohoo double figures !!
Saturday 10th Jan Hiya2.6 mile walk today in the daylight !
At one point I think I shimmied down the road to one song !
Mum's had a good day....telling rude jokes & laughing. It's like sitting with her alter ego !
Her nails were like talons but she finally agreed to have a manicure...result !
A really good day !
Gill x
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Day 9
Friday 9th Jan No walk today & 2 visits to mum.It seems that Mum's got a really good appetite right now. Although she'll say she's hungry & then say she's not 10 minutes later.
We're learning something new all the time.
The care staff are great but they can't split themselves in two.
Me & my brother call every day to help with fluids & lunches. It helps us understand her ever changing needs.
Mum's singing continues & brings a smile to everyone in the home...Just not at 3am !
She sang throughout the night & was still full of the joys today.
Calling to see her again when it was darker & she was in her nightie meant we could talk about nighttime. She was about to burst into song a couple of times but looked at the closed curtains & stopped.
I left when she had a full tum, tucked in & sleeping.
I hope she notices the curtains at 2am if she feels like a karaoke session !
Gill x
Day 8....really ??
Thursday 8th Jan A good day.2 & a bit mile walk done. I kind of enjoy the peace & quiet on my 6am walks.
Another juice tried & liked...result !
Lots more singing & talking about her baby.
'Baby' is a doll that she takes care of.
A lovely visit but it's hard on the brain.
A quiet night in front of the telly for me !
Gill x
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Day 7...13 miles done !
Wednesday 7th Jan Hiya,I should say 13 miles in total so far,not today !
Another 2 miles today although I'm going to dig out my fitness watch cos I'm sure it was closer to 3.
An uncomfortable day for mum today.
Everyone that comes into contact with mum reminds her to drink to keep her fluid intake up. Offering drinks to stay hydrated & keep her (ahem) functioning.
Mum always drank plenty of water but her taste buds have massively changed & unless it's sweet, she's not interested.
Another prescription day to help keep her comfortable & a continued search for something other than 'pop' that'll tickle her taste buds.
2 fruit cordials down & more to try...
Gill x
Day 6...treadmill !
Tuesday 6th Jan HiyaI kept the alarm off this morning...did you see the weather ?!
I managed 1 mile on the treadmill. It was bloody boring so I'm not doing that again !
Mum was on form today. I think she was trying to make her way through Dean Martin's back catalogue. She'd burst into song out of nowhere. I especially enjoyed her rendition of Danny Boy when the name was spoken on the TV.
Dementia is weird. It plays tricks on you. It can feel like groundhog day one minute & then takes you completely by surprise with something new.
We don't know how long this current singing & thankfully happy phase will be around for but we'll make the most of it.
Gill x
Day 5... where do I start ?!
Monday 5th Jan HiyaWe often have downright bizarre days & today was one of them !
I tell you what, walking 50 miles is the easy bit ! My 2 mile walk this morning was quiet & mood boosting.
Fast forward to lunchtime & it was anything but.
[takes deep breathe]
Mum described events of last night & this morning. I doubt her sore feet were down to partying at her wedding or that she has to eat her lunch quickly as she's flying out of the country to meet her new mum-in-law.
Distraction sometimes works in helping to change the subject but today she just wanted to sing at the top of her voice...so we did !
I hated dementia today. I hate putting on a brave face... laughing when I don't want to.
And if I have to sing " 'A' You're Adorable " one more time I'm gonna scream !
I'm going for a lie down in a dark room...
Gill x
Day 4...with a day 3 gap !
Sunday 4th Jan Today's walk all done...early morning start.After today's walk, I've discovered that it stops the racing thoughts about my daily visit to mum...will it be a good day ? Will she still be swallowing?
Some days it's difficult to put on a brave face. Yesterday was an ok-ish day but I ironed & sewed & watched TV. Switched the brain off to give it a rest.
I woke up to 2 more donation & got back in the house after my walk before the snow started...I'm taking those as signs of a good day.
**edited for an add on**
A lovely visit to mum today...she sang & laughed the whole time. She remembered the egg custard I'd promised to bring. She often calls me by her sister's name but knows who I am.
Today was a brilliant day. See, I told you all the signs were there.
Gill x
Gill x
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Tonnes of walking today...
Friday 2nd JanHiya ! Day 2...
I'm currently sat in a pharmacy wishing I'd brought the car today...haha !My brilliant idea of walking to my mum everyday instead of driving has come a bit unstuck.
An impromptu call to the Community Matron by the home 's nurse ( I'll tell you again how brilliant they are) has resulted in calls to pharmacies with a much needed paper prescription for speed !
Drugs found & another walk ( a bit of a run actually !) back to mum means she'll be comfortable again.
The dash for what might seem to be to some a simple eye ointment , has become so important for her.
The slightest change completely knocks her.
Dementia means that you have to get to know someone all over again. Pain & discomfort are magnified.
It must be good stuff as she's more settled now.
Lesson for today ? Take the car next time !
Gill x
For Eileen !
Thursday 1st Jan Bloody hell, dementia can really turn your life upside down !Our mum's decline has been sudden & rapid but she's still there.
I've only needed to contact Dementia UK helpline once so far ( I'm sure it won't be the last!), but the person I spoke to gave me more support than they'll ever know.
My heart seems to break & mend every single day. This is our new normal now...& mum's.
Please just give a little bit...& I'll do all the walking.
As if by a strange twist of fate, the exact distance I need to walk every day is to mum's nursing home & back...so that's what I'll do. I might even drag the dog along for the odd day !
Thank you so much... Gill x
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Thank you to my Sponsors
£50
Susan Reid
£40
Hayley & Lewis
We're proud of you! Love you lots ❤️ xx
£40
Denise Hornby
Keep up the good work! Such a good cause. Mark & Denise x
£33
Gill Ward
£20
Suebint
Well done !!! Love due
£20
Barb
Such a horrible disease. Sending love x
£20
Sonny
Well done Aunty Gill. Love you ❤️
£20
Julie Mcdermott
Sending love and strength Gill xx ❤️
£20
Vic Thomas
Great cause Gill, you're doing a fab job!
£10
Debra Jane Paton
Congratulations Gill. You are such an amazing inspiration. Xx
£10
Bonnie
Your doing amazing
£10
Liz Williams
£10
Lynn T
Go girl - you will smash it!
£10
Claire
Great cause Gill, good luck 💛
£10
Clare Curran
Go Gill! You’re an inspiration ✨
£10
Gail Bell
Go Gill! My mother in law was an Eileen, also had dementia. It’s a bugger.
£10
Sarah & Jojo Xx
We love you Gill ❤️
£5
Charlotte
Well done!!!
Grand job Looking after your mum in difficult times Well done achieving your walks !