Maureen was on the offensive for quite some time after I returned from my Buddhist Meditation Class last night.  The only way I could escape from her abusive vitriol was to go to bed. Just before retiring I plugged in the Baby Monitor that I had bought earlier in the week.  A couple of hours later the monitor crackled into action as I heard Maureen moaning downstairs.  I rushed down and found Maureen lying on the sofa complaining that her throat and mouth were causing her significant discomfort.

My status as a ‘deserter’ soon changed as I became Maureen’s nurse and tea boy.  The hostilities of a couple of hours earlier were forgotten as I attempted to ease her discomfort.  After a while I attempted to persuade her to go upstairs to bed.  Once in the bedroom anxiety surfaced again with ‘they will take my clothes off and bite me’: the old fears about brutality in the bedroom.

I think Maureen felt safe with me beside her in bed.  Those who know her history have warned me to be very careful in case mistaken identity surfaces. We have slept relatively peacefully together with a natural break around 3 am when Maureen wondered if it was time to get up and expressed concern that ‘people were taking her car’.

I need to think a little more on how to respond to the ‘deserter’ accusations. The Baby Monitor saved my bacon as I could get out of the firing line without putting Maureen at risk.  I will read around and chat to one or two people this morning on how I take the heat out of the situation when Mrs Dementia is on the prowl.

Decision time looms for me this afternoon about the tear in my rotator cuff.  I’m hoping Maureen will accompany to my appointment with the Consultant.  Once again our social worker has helped to give Maureen options as a carer will be here for the afternoon shift, just in case she prefers to stay at home:  when you receive confirmation E Mails close to midnight you really appreciate the level of professional support you are receiving