Whatever the reasons for the mix up over carers for today it now has to be seen as a lucky break.  With Maureen’s current presentation my suggested arrangements would have put her at risk.  Leaving her to cope alone for three hours in the morning and two in the afternoon were at best optimistic: now I view them as niave.

After the events of the last twelve hours I am pleased that I have already cancelled my plans to travel to Coventry this morning.  It would take more than the time I have at my disposal to detail events of the last 12 hours.  In summary there have been periods of real confusion; about time, place, and person at a level I have not seen before.  This has included such assertions as ‘you do not belong in my bed to why do the owners of this place not do this that and the other’.  Maureen has also been hearing voices and seeing people that are not here.  This morning she has no recollection about my plans to go to Coventry.

If Maureen continues in this vein I will have to try to ease her to Out of Hours G P services at the hospital.  Unfortunately, my attempts to get her assessed earlier in the week failed.  It might be better to keep her calm over the week end and try to get her to see her own G P on Tuesday – he is not in work until then.  The risk of seeing other people is that they may not understand her intolerance, and reluctance, to take medication.  Dr Munjal treats her with the understanding and compassion that she deserves in all her interaction with other people.

In terms of seeing my mum and family in Coventry it’s back to the drawing board.  I no longer think it is safe, or sensible, to leave Maureen to her own devices while I’m over a 100 miles away.  A tiring day trip to Coventry is no longer a practical option as I’m pretty tired, and not in great health at the moment.  What I now need is an overnight stay where Maureen is looked after, in our own home, by familiar faces.  Simples as the Meerkats would say.