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Way’s of coping with a chronic illness

ByThe house that never rests | On June 24,18 | 0 Comment

Way’s of coping with a chronic illness

Living with a chronic illness can make life very difficult indeed, as those living with one will understand. Yes I have a chronic illness but I am also a mum and wife still wishing to live my life and not let my health get the better of me.

I suffer with Endometriosis and have been living with the condition now for 16 years, resulting in surgeries. I also suffer with Fibromyalgia and depression – both of which recently diagnosed. A cocktail of medication is taken daily for various of reasons. I don’t like taking them but know they are for my own good.

Due to my health deteriorating I am having to sadly reduce my working hours and step down in my position at work. This is reluctantly being done as I love my job and I wish to continue working for as long as I can. I work as a support worker out in the community – currently on light duties and only working three day’s a week.

Daily chores are apart of everyday life and if not managed they soon begin to pile up…..If only the cleaning fairy was real.

The chronic pain really does make my life difficult, but things are still needing to be done at some point. At the moment I am currently under the care of consultants and attending pain management in London. I am trying to live life as comfortable and to the full the best I can, following specialist advice.

Hopefully soon I am due to start a specialist treatment plan but this sadly doesn’t start until October as these plans only run a few times a year and I have been booked on the next plan. In the meantime I am going to do all I can to manage my chronic pain better and make life easier for myself and my family.

Below is a list of my way’s of coping to still feel like a mum and wife whilst suffering a chronic condition. I may suffer a chronic condition but I am still a mum and wife with bills to pay and a house that needs cleaning.

Here are a few of my self-help tips

Make a list of jobs – Making a list of jobs that I know I can do and making up a weekly jobs planner to help me keep on top of things so they don’t pile up.
Post-it-notes – It is probably medication related (well I hope it is) but my memory is awful at the moment and I am easily forgetting things. Leaving myself little notes/reminders are currently helping massively.
A little bit each day – I have made a point to try and do a small amount each day. Long gone are the days of rushing around and trying to blitz the house in a day or two. I now have to go day-by-day doing what I can depending on how I am feeling.
Make chores more manageable – By using light-weight cleaning tools/aids it helps a great deal. No more big heavy hoovers, mops and buckets. My stomach muscles are not what they used to be due to my Endometriosis and surgeries.
Medication reminders – I am always asking myself “have I had my medication” – I purchased a dosset box. This gets filled up on a weekly basis and all I have to do is check the box. If my medication is still there for that day and times of day then it helps to remind myself.
Online shop – Online shopping is a godsend. No more having to struggle with heavy bags/trolleys. Ordering online makes my life so much more easier. I order our weekly shop online and pretty much everything else needed to be honest. I am even going to try online healthcare at some point.
Ask for help – I have always been a very independent person and to be honest asking for help is something I struggle with and absolutely HATE doing – but is something I have to start learning to now do. Ian is always telling me off where I overdo things and end up in pain.

Working from home will make life so much easier for me

Work from home – It goes without saying, reducing my working hours with my employer is having a knock-on-effect with our monthly income. I am currently trying to work more from home so I can be resting but also be working and helping pay the bills.
Plan ahead – On what I call “a good day” I like to plan ahead, by organising myself more. This can be anything from preparing for any upcoming family events, paying bills, meal prep/batch cook and reply to missed emails from a “bad day” as when I am in pain I tend to let things slip. Things are then easily missed or forgotten so I try my best to catch up with things and try and plan ahead the best I can.
Talk – I can sit and talk for hours about a load of gibberish but I must also learn to talk about my feelings more. Recently at one of my hospital appointments I was asked “how I was feeling” – this was done over a few questions in different ways. I ended up breaking down because to be honest I just feel useless now. A few years back I used to be able to do so much, be so organised and I look at myself now and how little I manage to do, I just feel like a complete failure. I have recently joined support groups to try and help me open up about how I am feeling and not hold it all in.
Rest/relaxation – Learn to rest would be a huge help to myself. I am always looking round and seeing things that are needing to be done, I just need to learn that it will still be there later/tomorrow and not everything can be done in a day. Or learn to ask for help and see if someone wouldn’t mind helping me. We are currently trying to form a family daily cleaning jobs list. If it works the way we hope then we will all have 1-2 jobs a day each and things shouldn’t get that bad.

Not stay indoors – Getting out for some fresh air is important. Staying shut away indoors isn’t good and it is good to get out even if just for a little while. I do enjoy walks with Coco, someone always comes with me just in case It gets a bit much. I do have to rest along the way but I do enjoy the fresh air and the walk. It helps to clear my head.
Weight loss – Trying to shift some weight is something I would love to do. I managed 3 stone loss a few years back and I would love to do it again plus more. Weight loss will also help my health. I am currently trying to do light exercise at home alongside trying to eat more healthy.
Sleep – I seem to have forgotten what sleep is lately. It has been ages since I have had a good full nights sleep. Some day’s I wake feeling more tired than when I had gotten into bed. I am constantly exhausted from the pain but just can’t sleep. I must look into way’s of helping to get a good nights sleep. A good nights sleep makes a huge difference when suffering chronic pain.

Do you suffer with a horrid chronic condition?

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5 Ways to Help Out Your Grandparents In Their Old Age

ByThe house that never rests | On May 31,18 | 0 Comment

5 Ways to Help Out Your Grandparents In Their Old Age

I’m sure I speak for most of us when I say that our grandparents are some of the most treasured people in our lives. It’s always difficult seeing them get older because it’s a constant reminder that they’re not going to be around forever, but they are indeed getting older and as a result of that we should really do our best to help them out when they need it!

If you’re interested in ways you can help your grandparents then read on – after all, they’d do it for you!

Ask your parents how you can help

If your grandparents aren’t as spry as they used to be, there’s a good chance your parents will already be caring for them in some way – so they’ll have a better handle on the situation than you. It’s best you ask them how you can help before you just blinding go do chores around their house – otherwise the same job will be getting done twice!

Pitch in with the cleaning

As people get older their joints start to ache and they become a lot less mobile than before – so therefore their house may fall into disrepair. It’s always a good idea to offer to do their cleaning once a week. It doesn’t have to be anything drastic, give the place a quick dust, hoover up any debris and maybe even mow their grass – nobody wants to live in a dump!

Help them get around

As I mentioned previously, their mobility can become a real issue when they reach a certain age. Offering to give them lifts in your car (or even just accompanying them on the bus) can be a huge support to them when they need to get out the house.

If they value their independence (and don’t we all) it might be a good idea to get them a mobility aid. A mobility scooter is the perfect gift for anyone who suffers with getting from A to B but absolutely refuses to let anything stop them from doing just that!

Cook up a storm

It’s probably a safe bet that they’ve cooked you plenty of lovely meals of the years. So don’t you think that it’s about time you repaid the favour? Don’t go serving them up any old rubbish though, give them some proper nourishment. Oily fish and green vegetables are a tasty and healthy way to keep your body in tip-top shape – they also do a great job in improving your mental functions!

Engage in a good old chin wag

They say the youth have lost the art of conversation, well, prove ‘them’ wrong! The elderly absolutely love it when you dedicate time to listen to their stories, after all, it can get really lonely sometimes when nobody wants to devote attention to you. Who knows, you might even learn a thing or two from all that sagely wisdom!

So there we have it, 5 things you can do to brighten up your grandparents day just that little bit more. Feel free to comment below if you come with any more!

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health, Lifestyle

Time to admit age is catching up with us

ByThe house that never rests | On May 10,18 | 0 Comment

Time to admit age is catching up with us

Our kid’s are no longer babies and are in fact growing into handsome young men. We are often being told how polite and helpful they are. They are growing up too quickly for our liking. Two out of our three boy’s now have girlfriends and are in full-time jobs making plans for their futures. Lee has only just left college and within days has got himself a job where his brother is currently working. Bradley our youngest is just about to sit his GCSE exams and is due to leave school in the next few weeks…..Yikes, how do we stop time?

Recently we dusted off our old photo albums from the loft and we all sat and had a lovely evening reminiscing, it was lovely. We was laughing at funny moments we had captured of our boys with dinner on their head from when they was learning to feed themselves, also funny potty training moments. The boys were laughing at each others outfits before they then started laughing at photos of us. Yes the comments was coming at us of “crikey dad you had hair”, and “mum look this was before you started going grey”. It was funny and sadly yes the comments were true. Age really is starting to catch up with us.

As working parents we spend our time worrying about our kids that we hardly take time-out for ourselves do we?

Well after seeing those photographs I fastly contacted my hairdresser and booked her to come and hide my grey, but poor Ian he really is going thin on top. Everyone tends to laugh at him for it and I do feel sorry for him, but he takes it in his stride and laughs it off but I know it does bother him. We have in the past bought him shampoos that have been recommended but sadly they didn’t work. I have taken to looking online and reading up on men who have suffered the same problem, most are saying that the they opted for hair treatments. I had been browsing the internet looking up on the treatments as I was curious and asked myself “how does a hair transplant work“? I came across Wayne Rooney’s hair transplant results, wow what a difference.

When chatting with Ian about going thin on top he seems to think it is a receding hair-line problem. He is fully aware that there is help out there for him should he wish to get help, but for now he said he enjoys winding the boys up and blaming them for him going bald, as he say’s he had hair before they was born and they made him pull it out. Cheeky bugger, he is a wind-up merchant.

Quit smoking – self-help tips

ByThe house that never rests | On May 09,18 | 0 Comment

quit smoking – self-help tips

Quitting smoking is something we always nag Ian about. He say’s he will give up smoking when we give up chocolate – yeah that’s no time soon then!

I will give it to Ian he has tried on many of occasions to give up but then he slowly starts up again. He says “there are too many things that make him start again”, like:

His social circle
Habit
Routine
Lack of will power
Work stress
It’s his way of chilling out and relaxing

I must admit that smoking has never really bothered me. I never have smoked and probably never will. I’d sooner a nice glass of wine.

Here are a few tips that may help with giving up smoking

Think positive – Having the right frame of mind will go a long way when wanting to quit. You have got to want to give up yourself to have the best chances of quitting. If you’re wanting to quit then tell yourself “you can do this” and get the right support in place.
Make a plan of action – Get a date set that you’re wanting to start a new non-smoking you. Get that date set and make yourself a promise and give it all you’ve got and go kick that butt!
Make a list of your reasons to quit – Make yourself a list of reasons that you want to quit smoking. Keep it close by and keep reminding yourself of your reason to quit. You made find it a huge support if/when you’re struggling.
Identify when you smoke – Take note before you gave up on when your cravings are. This will help to put things in place to help work around them, such as avoiding going outside with the smokers in the smokers area, not allowing smoking in your house, pre-warn friends and ask for support so they are aware not to offer you a fag etc.
Get support in place – Make friends and family aware of your decision to quit. Chat with your GP to see what support is out there in your local area. See if anyone would like to join you by quitting too and support each other.
Take up a hobby – Finding something else to occupy your mind may help you to stop thinking about having a cigarette.

A lot of people say the thing they found the hardest about giving up smoking was not having a cigarette to hold. Some people like a cigarette with their coffee, watching TV, or even whilst having a soak in the bath. For that reason a lot of people make a switch from cigarettes to Vape kits just for that cigarette feel of keeping their hands busy still. Whilst some are happy to switch to nicotine patches or gum.

Do you have any tips to help quit smoking?

Endometriosis and me

ByThe house that never rests | On April 23,18 | 0 Comment

Endometriosis and me

I first noticed my Endometriosis symptoms after I had Bradley my youngest son. I suffered real bad pains and periods to the point one day I took myself off to hospital in bad pain, I was seen by a Dr and sent for numerous tests, fastly beginning to feel like a pin cushion to then be told they wanted to admit me to hospital. Being on my own at the hospital and having my baby with me I was scared and felt alone as Ian was at work at the time, I didn’t feel the need to worry him as at the time he didn’t work local to home.

To cut a long story shorter I was told it was just a bad period and period pain and all should start to calm down given time. Did it? like heck did it!

I then went on to suffer every month from there. I went to see my GP several times who just repeated what I was told at the hospital….Just a bad period and it should calm back down….Grrrr

I then started to question myself and think is it normal, Is it just me being silly?

But NO, I knew my body wasn’t right and I knew my periods wasn’t normal but the Dr wasn’t really listening to me. I then began to start getting myself in a state and just didn’t know what way to turn.

One day I felt so down, I was in pain, I was tearful, I had three boys to look after so I contacted my GP surgery who gave me an appointment for later that day. I went along to my appointment explained my situation about whats been happening to just be sent away with anti-depressants. I really did feel like I was going mad at this point where I felt like no one was listening to me!

At this point I just felt like I had no option but to just get on with things the best I could. I knew things wasn’t right inside my body, but what could I do. Time passed and I did continue to suffer heavy painful periods to the point I was slowly becoming bed-bound for. I continued to see my GP, I was eventually offered an ultrasound scan at the hospital to see if it would show anything up, but nothing come of it to explain the pain or heavy bleeding.

I was watching morning TV one day and there was a lady on there talking about her suffering and long battle to be diagnosed with what was called “Endometriosis”. She was talking about her symptoms to help raise awareness to others who may be suffering the same or similar symptoms. My chin must have hit the floor as I had every symptom she had.

Some symptoms being:

Heavy periods
Painful periods
Chronic pelvic pain
Fatigue
Low mood
Bloating
Pain during sex
Some bleeding between periods
Painful bowel movements

I could not believe what I was watching and listening to. For the first time in ages I did not feel like I was going crazy. I went and spoke with my GP about what I had seen on the TV and explained my symptoms was the same as the lady had explained in her awareness to Endometriosis. I did not want to be ignored this time and pushed for further tests to be done. I had been bed-bound on too many occasions and my life was really being effected to the point I felt like my kid’s was missing out on a proper mum, a mum who wasn’t in pain so much.

I chatted with my GP about Endometriosis, we discussed my symptoms and then my GP went on to explain what Endometriosis is in more detail.

Endometriosis is:

Endometriosis is a very painful disorder in which tissue that would normally line the inside of the uterus – the endometrium – grows outside the uterus. Endometriosis can be known to affect the ovaries, bowel, Fallopian tubes and the tissue lining the pelvis. Endometriosis can even spread beyond the pelvic organs and stick to each other. Endometriosis is even know to sometimes cause fertility problems.

What happens is, each month cells like the ones in the lining of the womb can be found elsewhere in the body. Each month these cells act in the same way as those in the womb, building up and then breaking down, then bleeding, BUT….unlike those within the womb that have a way to leave the body as a period, THIS blood has nowhere to go.

A shocking 1.5 million women in the UK are suffering with Endometriosis. Endometriosis can affect women and even girls of childbearing age regardless of race or ethnicity.

This short video may help you understand in a better way.

Finally…

I was then referred to a gynecologist at the hospital as an out-patient. I had an appointment through within a few weeks and things finally started moving…..5 years after my first symptoms!

After a five-year battle and being misdiagnosed on many occasions I was finally under the hospital with a possible self diagnosis. An ultrasound scan was ordered but again didn’t show anything but with self research I had read that Endometriosis rarely shows up on an ultrasound scan and is mainly diagnosed via a laparoscopy procedure so this is what I pushed for.

Another referral was pushed for, I did not give up….I knew something was wrong with my body. A few months later and I got my appointment through. It was then confirmed I HAVE ENDOMETRIOSIS.

The tears started to pour down my face and I was a bag of mixed emotions. I was scared, relieved and angry all at the same time. I also wanted answers.

Questions I wanted answering…

How could this diagnosis take so long?

why was I just left to suffer?

Why did I have to self-diagnose myself?

Why the big fight all the time to get anywhere/get things moving?

Sadly it just boiled down to lack of awareness. Endometriosis needs so much more awareness.

Once I had my diagnosis I was then given the right treatment to help me cope better. This only lasted for a while sadly and before I knew it was going back downhill again. The heavy painful periods started again and I felt like I was back to square one again. My GP referred me back to the hospital again for further discussions and to get an action plan put in place. After long discussions and many appointments and counselling the next step was arranged.

A hysterectomy was booked.

I was booked in to have a hysterectomy at the age of 27. My periods got so bad and I could no longer live with the pain as it was affecting my ability to be a proper mum to my boys. I was forever having to phone in sick at work, debts started to pile up and loans was having to be taken out just to help keep the bills paid. We did look at Lendgreen on a few occasions. Enough was enough at this point. The day fastly arrived and before I knew it I was heading to the operation, nervous but I knew it had to be done.

A hysterectomy IS NOT a cure.

A hysterectomy is not a cure for Endometriosis as I am still suffering today, 8 years after my operation, 16 years after my first symptoms. I am still finding myself phoning in work unable to go in as I am in so much pain. OK the heavy periods are no longer an issue but the pain is still there. I am currently under the UCLH in London receiving treatment. I am currently receiving injections, a three-month trial of Zoladex. I am on this treatment which is an injection in my stomach once a month for three months to freeze my ovaries as my consultant has advised me that my Endometriosis is hormone fed. I had a hysterectomy but my ovaries was not taken out due to my age at the time. If this three-month trial proves to be effective and help me then it strengthens my case to have my ovaries removed.

I am currently on this Zoladex treatment and just had my second injection. Hopefully this has positive effects for me and helps to ease things for me.

I hope me sharing my Endometriosis story raises some awareness to help someone get the diagnosis they need or even helps to give some form of help or support needed. Just remember you know your body better than anyone else, if you feel something isn’t right then it probably isn’t….Don’t give up seeking for help.

Posted to help raise some much-needed awareness.

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health, Winter

Keep warm: Be prepared

ByThe house that never rests | On March 02,18 | 11 Comments

Keep warm: Be prepared

Do you hibernate like me when the weather is bad. I hate the cold and I’m always looking for ways to keep warm. Being cold can really takes its toll eventually so its best to protect ourselves the best we can from the dip in temperatures. Being a support worker and looking after the elderly in the community I am always looking for the best ways to help keep them warm. Here are a few tips on how to stay warm during the cold spell.

Ten top tips on keeping warm if going out.

Have something hot to eat and drink before setting out on your journey and also drink plenty whilst out to keep your insides warm.
Layer up. There is nothing worse than not dressing appropriately for the weather.
Wear wool as wool retains the heat.
Carry a hot water bottle with you if you can. Pocket hand warmers are also good.
Wear a hat, gloves and a scarf to help protect you from the cold.
Avoid getting wet the best you can. Wear waterproof clothing. There is nothing worse than having to wear wet clothes all day.
Keep moving and avoid standing around too long. Try and use good grip shoes/boots for safety!
If you can, always try and carry a change of footwear and socks to change in to.
Check travel arrangements before leaving. Check transport times etc so you’re not left hanging around in the cold. Always keep in touch with a friend or relative in extreme conditions and/or travelling a distance. It then saves them from unnecessary worry.
In extreme weather conditions carry any urgent/needed medication with you in case of emergency/road closures etc. it’s always best to be prepared. Always carry any needed chargers to keep gadgets charged so you can keep in contact with friends and family. If travelling via car, blankets and a flask of soup always come in handy in an emergency. Also write down any important numbers and keep them safe, just in case your mobile goes flat and you are unable to charge it.

Ten tips on keeping warm when indoors

Put the heating on. Homes should be at the temperature of at least 18°C. Check if you are eligible for help with heating costs (link below), no one should be scared to have their heating on, especially on cold winter days.
Have extra blankets to hand and hot water bottles.
Block any drafts around doors and windows.
Keep windows and vents closed.
Check radiators are working properly. You may have one or two that may need bleeding. Move away any furniture obstructing the heat from the radiator.
Layer up, several thin layers work better. Wool and/or fleece preferably.
Hot regular drinks to keep your insides warm.
Keep active and this will help you to keep warm. Batch cook some meals, bake a cake or even some biscuits, that way your near the oven for extra warmth too.
Have a hot soak in the bath.
Eat well, this will help keep your body warm. Also helps to fight off any winter germs – homemade soups are a good choice.

Be prepared:

Have a good stock of flu medications at home.
Check your home is insulated properly before the winter months. This will also help keep the fuel bills down.
Speak with your GP about a flu jab.
Check windows and doors for drafts before winter.
Check if your entitled to a cold weather payment, it doesn’t hurt to check and every penny helps.
Keep an eye on the weather and stock up on your shopping, saves going out if no need in the bad weather.
Check on your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector.
Prepare/protect your pipes for the winter months.
Be prepared for power cuts caused by storms. Candles, batteries etc. Have them in a place ready to grab that all household members know.
Give your car if you have one a winter check.

What are your favorite items to help keep you warm on a cold winters day? >>here are ours<<

Always check on elderly neighbours and relatives. Make sure they are warm and have all they need, especially during cold spells.

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How much nicotine is in a cigarette?

ByThe house that never rests | On June 15,17 | 2 Comments

How much nicotine is in a cigarette?

Aside from being well-established harbingers of death and disease, there remains an abundance of misconceptions when it comes to cigarettes. The most prominent of which, of course, is people’s perceptions about nicotine. Synonymous with the cigarette, nicotine is the substance that gives them their addictive quality. But what actually is nicotine? Is it bad for you? And how much of it does a cigarette contain, and how about e-cigarettes for that matter?

Nicotine itself constitutes anywhere from 0.6% to 3% of the dry weight of tobacco. Generally speaking, a single cigarette contains around 9.5 milligrams of nicotine, around 2 milligrams of which are actually absorbed into the body. Of course, the levels of nicotine vary from brand-to-brand and which size of cigarette you opt for.

Without going into too much detail, nicotine is a naturally occurring, addictive component of tobacco. It acts as both a stimulant and a relaxant, causing the heart to beat faster and stronger, as well as increasing blood pressure temporarily. As you may have guessed, it is also responsible for all of the psychological draws and drawbacks of smoking. It reels you back in for the reward that comes with another cigarette, and then punishes you with withdrawal when you give up – anxiety, irritably, craving and even mild tremors are all to be expected.

In spite of these effects and its inextricable association with the heart and respiratory maladies of smoking, there are relatively few health effects associated with nicotine use. Its infliction of suffering is largely limited to withdrawal symptoms. The administration of nicotine via nicotine replacement therapy has been studied in great detail and numerous studies have declared it a safe undertaking. That is not to say that nicotine is without its problems though. It definitively has dangerous effects on foetal development. It has also been posited that nicotine may play a role in promoting tumours and aggravating cardiovascular conditions – but research on this is far from conclusive.

The extent to which you will struggle with quitting cigarettes, is directly related to the amount of nicotine your body is used to consuming. Methods range from going cold turkey to undergoing nicotine replacement therapy (which is nowhere near as scary as it sounds by the way) but one of the most effective routes is to adopt vaping as an alternative.

The real advantage of using an e-cigarette is that, regardless of your previous nicotine intake, you can tailor the nicotine content to appease your own needs. When kicking a heavy smoking habit, it is best to start on a higher or equivalent dose of nicotine. This will prevent the overcompensation that commonly occurs when vapors elect for too low of a dose, which invariably leads them to decide that vaping doesn’t work for them, when, in fact, it was the nicotine content that didn’t work for them.

By starting at a satisfactory dose, the nicotine content can be gradually reduced over time, which leads many ex-smokers to eventually adopt a zero-nicotine e-cigarette – how’s that for progress?! With an extensive range of e-liquids, Vapourmate is the perfect place to get started – you are sure to find a flavour you’ll love.

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health, Lifestyle, Safety, Safety tips, Top tips

Making your home safer and healthier

ByThe house that never rests | On June 04,17 | 0 Comment

Making your home safer and healthier

Your family home should be a safe space. It should be a place where you can bring up your kids to be healthy happy adults. Unfortunately, for too many of us, our homes are far from being the safe havens we would imagine. They’re filled with potential dangers like boiling water, toxic substances and dodgy wiring that could potentially make us sick or cause an accident. So, even if you think your home is a pretty safe, healthy place to be, it’s worth doing what you can to make it even healthier. Here are some tips to help you do just that:

Check Your Hot Water Heater

We all know that leaving young children alone in the bath is a bad idea because they could drown, but few of us think too much about the possibility of scalding, Unfortunately, many kids are burned by too hot bath water each year, and although most of them are not too badly affected, some will experience significant injuries. That’s why, if you have a baby or toddler in the house, it’s a good idea to check the temperature of your water heater. 120 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal because temperatures above that could scald a child in as little as 5 seconds!

Secure Your Windows

It’s shocking, but thousands of children each year are injured falling out of windows. That’s why it’s never a bad idea to install window guards on any windows that could be accessed by small children. Of course, you want to be able to open your windows quickly in the case of fire, so you should look for guards that are quick-release, just in case.

Remove Asbestos

It’s unbelievable how many homes and sheds in this country still contain asbestos. Once a popular building material due to its fire-resistant properties, asbestos is known to cause a range of devastating illnesses, including lung cancer and asbestosis. If you suspect you may have asbestos on your property, it’s important that you call in the professionals to remove it safely from your home.

Look Out for Faulty Wiring

Faulty wiring is a disaster waiting to happen. It can cause fires and electric shocks if left unattended to. Tell-tale signs of faulty wiring include flickering lights, circuit breakers, and fuses that go out on a regular basis, switches that give off shocks and burning smells. If you notice any of these things, call in a local electrician to take a look. Better safe than sorry when it comes to your family’s safety, after all.

Decorate with Chemical Free Paint

There’s nothing more satisfying that freshly painted walls that are all clean and new. Of course, the average can of paint contains all manner of toxins, which h won’t exactly do you or your family much good when breathed in. If you want your home to be as toxin free as possible, it is, therefore, a good idea to use eco-friendly chemical-free paint. Sure, they’re a little more expensive, but they’re so worth it, if only because you don’t have to put up with that horrible paint smell for days after decorating.

Install and Test Smoke Alarms

If you don’t already have smoke alarms installed in your home, please, please go out and buy some right now. A functioning smoke alarm really could save yours and your family’s lives at some point. You might think that a fire could never break out at your home, but most people who’ve had house fires think that too. It can and does happen to anyone so take precautions by installing and regularly testing an alarm today.

Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector

While you’re buying that smoke alarm, pick up a carbon monoxide detector too. Carbon monoxide is so dangerous because it’s odourless and it can creep up on you without noticing. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include a headache, dizziness, and nausea and if you are exposed to it for long enough, you could die. Protect your family by installing a detector as soon as possible.

Keep the Place Clean

I know most of us hate doing household chores, but keeping your home clean and tidy is one of the best ways to prevent sickness bugs, food poisoning, allergies and the worsening of conditions like asthma. You don’t need to keep your house spotlessly clean, but don’t neglect it either or it could become a breeding ground for all kinds of nasties.

It might seem like a lot of work, but periodically checking up on your property and making any relevant changes will help you to maintain a safe, comfortable and very healthy home.

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Epilepsy – Taking Charge

ByThe house that never rests | On July 19,16 | 39 Comments

Epilepsy – Taking charge

Life as a teenage boy can be hard, your noticing hormone changes and your also making important choices. You’ve life choices to make at school and you’re preparing and taking charge of your life with GCSE also taking place.

Lee was busy with all of this going on, he was happy and taking each day as it came, getting up and going to school meeting with friends along the way – after school doing any homework he had and then going out to play football with friends just like many other teenage boy’s.

This was soon to change….

One Sunday morning I had noticed Lee to be having a seizure, luckily with my job I’d had training in epilepsy awareness and noticed the signs. I took Lee straight to the hospital where they run some tests and it was confirmed Lee has had his first witnessed seizure.

Lee was referred to the epilepsy specialist where more test was run over a course of time, MRI, ECG, EEG, sleep deprived test and light tests. Lee was so brave especially with the MRI test as this really scared him, he hated the loud sounds and small space but with us in the room with him 2nd time round (we wasn’t allowed in first time) he was brave and braved it out, we couldn’t have been more prouder.

We awaited Lee’s results which was given at a follow-up consultants appointment where it was confirmed and Lee was diagnosed with Tonic-Clonic and Absence seizures.

Our poor boy…

When Lee was diagnosed he went withdrawn, we noticed a loss in his appetite and he hardly went out with friends anymore. He was put on medication (Lamotrigine) but he’d refuse to take them, he didn’t want anybody knowing about his diagnosis, he would close any conversation down quickly if we was to try and talk to him about his diagnosis, and we also noticed a change in his behavior at home and at school.

It was so upsetting to see our poor boy change before our eyes, we knew this was not Lee.

We set out to get him the help needed..

Lee found it really hard to open up so with specialist help from his epilepsy nurse we sat down with Lee and explained that he IS NOT the only teenager to be diagnosed with epilepsy and he IS NOT this alien he had pictured himself to be in his head.

Lee felt different, he felt embarrassed, he just wanted to hide away but at the same time not be on his own because he was scared. He wanted to talk about it but at the same time didn’t because he was scared and didn’t want to hear or accept the answers. He would look so drained and tired, it was so upsetting.

Lee finds it hard to accept…

Lee’s Tonic-Clonic Seizures would mainly happen at night while he was sleeping so in his eye’s he’s not seeing or witnessing anything because he’s not aware that they have happened, he just notices the side effects the next day – side effects being, loss of appetite, headache, feeling sick, aches and pains along with extreme tiredness and on some occasions unexplained bruising.

When Lee has had a seizure we would keep a close eye on him for a good few hours after, meaning we keep him home from school if it’s a school day (school being fully aware) as he needs to rest and sleep it off as it wears him out – plus for his own safety.

Putting a care plan in place…

We have had a care plan in place at his school informing his teacher’s of what to do if he was to have a seizure whilst at school. When Lee was at school it was noticed he was having absences on many occasions, this is where he blanks out for anything from a few seconds to a few minutes – side effects, headache, sudden tiredness, confusion, confusion to loss of time and to why people are asking him why is he not listening to them.

Lee has just finished his GCSES but whilst he was taking them his seizures got more frequent resulting in a visit to the hospital where we was informed stress can bring the seizures on more frequently. This put us in a very tricky situation as you can imagine. Lee was needing to take his exams but at the same time he was suffering, he did take his GCSES but we kept a very close eye on him and he would rest and unwind that bit more.

During his exams he was given extra time, this was to help with the pressure a bit, this really helped him, we worked very closely with the school and I must say the school have been fantastic with helping support Lee during his time with them.

Lee is still coming to terms with his diagnosis, he still finds some things hard to accept as changes have had to be made but he is more open and willing to talk about it now which is a huge help. He now takes his medication 150 mg twice daily with reminding but he does take them. It has been a very tough time for us all and still is but we are working through it together as a family. Lee is on the right path now to taking charge and not letting it beat him, we couldn’t be any more prouder of him.

***Posted to help raise awareness***

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Exams, health

Preparing For Exams

ByThe house that never rests | On January 08,16 | 10 Comments

Preparing For Exams

We remember only to well our school days and the dreaded exams we had to face along with the horrid pressure that came with them. Do you remember being told as a child “preparing for exams should be your top priority” ? We do and we also find ourselves saying it to our children now.

I guess it is said because it is true.

Exam pressure is awful and if not careful can cause:

Worry

Sleepless nights

Stress

Loss of appetite

Frustration

Anger

And many more symptoms.

All of which can be avoided by:

Being prepared

Staying focused

Taking the time to forward plan

Being organised

And always asking for help if needed

Taking notes

Checking exam times and being prepared

Our top tips to anyone preparing for exams would be:

To eat well

Get plenty of sleep – lack of sleep means lack of concentration

Drink plenty of water

Revise

Test yourself or get someone to test you

Take breaks – clear your head and then re-approach with a clearer head

Get plenty of exercise – it’s a great stress buster

Switch off all distractions – TV, phone etc

Seek help from home tutors, one being an English tutor

Making sure you take plenty of time out of revising is just as important because:

Exams can seem pointless and boring at the time but:

For anyone preparing for their GCSE and would like to seek further help and advice there is a free downloadable revision guide to help with healthy study techniques. The guide has expert tips on how to enhance your brain power through exam periods and also advice on sleep patterns and a healthy diet whilst studying.

You can download the Healthy Revision Guide here – Click to download for FREE!

For anyone who is home schooling you can find great support online with Oxford Home Schooling.

Wishing anyone taking exams the best of luck, hope you get the results you wish for.

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competition., health

St John Ambulance And The Chokeables

ByThe house that never rests | On October 02,15 | 39 Comments

St John Ambulance And The Chokeables

There is currently a campaign #thechokeables which is aimed at raising awareness with St John Ambulance and The Chokeables, around the risks of children choking and how to help a choking child. St John Ambulance believe that everyone should have the skill and also the confidence to know what to do in an emergency.

I am sure that all of us parents share the same fear of our child choking – St John Ambulance have found that over 40% have witnessed their child choke and when quizzed on their first aid it was found that almost four-fifths didn’t know what to do in this situation which is pretty scary.

To help raise awareness St John Ambulance have made a short animation movie The Chokeables, this animated film features the voices of:

David Walliams

David Mitchell

Johnny Vegas

Sir John Hurt

St. John’s ambulance are asking for us all to share the film online to all help each other to possibly learn how to save a life. In The Chokeables the celebrities take on the characters of animated objects that could potentially choke a child: a small princess toy, a pen lid, a jelly baby and a peanut. They’ve joined together because they’ve had enough and want to show how easy it is to save a choking child.

Do you have 40 seconds to learn how to save a choking child, this video could make a big difference.

As a small gift you now have the chance to win a first aid kit with St John Ambulance And The Chokeables.

To enter the competition all you have to do is fill out the rafflecopter below, the competition is open to UK residents only, you must be over 18 to enter. All entries will be checked and they must be valid at the end of the competition. Good luck to all that enter. Ends 14/10/2015

The first aid kit contains:

First aid emergency booklet
Washproof plasters pk10
Number 16 eye pad first aid dressing – Sterile
Disposable triangular bandage 90 x 90 x 130cm – Non sterile
Medium first aid dressing 12 x 12 – Sterile
HSE SJA Branded 18 x 18cm – Sterile
Sterile cleansing wipe – Single
Nitrile powder free gloves – Pair
Eye wash phials 20ml – Single
Face shield – Single
Microporous tape 1.25cm x 10m – Single
Burnshield burn blot sachet, 3.5ml – Single
Green plastic splinter remover

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***Posted to help raise awareness***

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General post, health

Coping with peer pressure

ByThe house that never rests | On September 28,15 | 2 Comments

Coping with peer pressure

Kid’s unfortunately don’t come with an instruction manual, we are all learning the best we can along the way. Peer pressure is a horrible thing that has probably effected us all when we was growing up, it can have a positive effect on our life’s and it can also have a negative effect, it all comes down to choice and whether we let it have that negative effect. How can we best help and guide our children when coping with peer pressure at school?

Peer pressure can lead our kid’s to act out of character and do things that us parents know is not how our kid’s would not normally act. Coping with peer pressure can be a major worry for us parents.

I remember my days as a teenager and that feeling of wanting to be accepted and to feel like I belonged, I also remember being dared to do things and then doing them even though I knew in my head that it was wrong but still doing it just to be noticed and feel like I belonged…Stupid I know but that’s how it was!

When the boy’s started school I noticed a change of character, this soon settled down and then progressed again once they started secondary school, I then asked myself “is this just their character coming out or is it due to peer pressure”? it was hard to tell.

Signs of peer pressure:

Behaviour changes, suddenly becoming more rude, aggressive or even becoming more withdrawn or secretive.
Sudden changes in school grades or skipping classes.
Changes in different friends.
Changes of habits and going out at different times or suddenly returning home late.
Spending time doing things you know are odd for your child such as things that you know do not interest your child.
Change of style, such as hair and clothes.

As parents it’s our job to protect them and we are the most important influence in our children’s lives, all we can do is guide our children and hope they take our advice and the right path in life.

How would you guide and protect your children from peer pressure? would you intervene or would you wait for them to open up to you?

We have been guiding our boy’s by:

We have let our boys have their chosen friends round for dinner so we can get to know them better and so we can see who they are spending time with.
We talk to our boy’s about their day and explain to them that they can ALWAYS talk to us about anything.
We also get to know their friends parents and keep in touch regularly, we look out for each others kid’s where we can.
We have regular contact with the school to keep an eye on the boy’s behaviour within the school…..We have even asked for our boy’s to be seated somewhere different, before now they have been seated next to a child who is known to the school to be disruptive and this had a bad effect on our child and his grades was dropping so action had to be taken, having our child seated somewhere else seemed to be the best option. With working together with the school on this problem made things easier and more effective.
We make sure that the boy’s are aware that we have noticed good behaviour, good decision-making, good grades at school, good time-keeping etc and then reward them in some way.
We have always told our boy’s that it is ok to say NO to anything that they don’t feel comfortable with.
We’ve also told our boy’s and made it very clear “there is always someone who they can talk to about anything if they don’t feel comfortable talking to us, there is always a family member, friend, teacher or anyone else that they feel comfortable talking to”.
We have told our boy’s to “think about the consequences of what it is they are about to do before they do it” THINK will this get me into trouble? if the answer is yes or I’m not sure then don’t do it!

The effects of peer pressure are horrible, it can get our children in some awful states and situations, sometimes in a lot of trouble.

It can:

Cause depression
Effect grades
Loss of good friends
Add pressure on relationships with family
Cause our children to lie to us
Risky behaviours such as drug and/or alcohol abuse
Truancy from school
Smoking
Under age sex
Become aggressive
Vandalism
Stealing
Criminal record
Effect eating habits

These are just some of the effects of peer pressure and I am sure there are many more.

Way’s to help our kid’s through this:

Help build their self-esteem back up, this will help them feel more confident in themselves again.
Help them with way’s of saying no to bad situations.
Perhaps see if they would like to join a self-defence class, it may help them feel safer.
Tell them they can always ring or text if they feel they are in a tricky situation.
Let your child have friends home after school if they wish, that way you are nearby for tricky situations.
Book an appointment to see the teacher with your child to discuss the situation so your child is aware the school are also keeping an eye out too. The more eye’s keeping a look out the better.
Try and get them involved in out of school activities that way they can mix with other children away from school and form other friendships.

We have recently helped one of our boy’s through coping with peer pressure, it was an awful time for us all, it was hard, the hardest part was seeing our child doing things we knew he was not comfortable with doing, he was in tears and felt controlled by these children. We saw the signs and alerted the school, we worked together with the school, with the support in place and our child knowing the support was there to help he then felt safe enough to break away from them. We knew it was not something that was going to happen overnight, we knew we had to sit back and wait for him to do it in his own time in his way but we got him through.

Have you ever had to deal with peer pressure?

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health

Coping with the heat

ByThe house that never rests | On July 08,15 | 2 Comments

Coping with the heat

Don’t get me wrong I love the nice hot sunny days and glad they are here, well we all love and enjoy the sunshine don’t we? But how well are you coping with the heat side of the weather? I for one hate the heat side of it for many reasons the main being it get’s too uncomfortable.

Coping with the heat is the one thing I hate about summer, I love and welcome the summer but HATE the heat. the lovely weather never lasts long so we have to make the most of it whilst it’s here, let’s face it hot sunny weather in Britain is a rarity and never lasts long does it.

So the question is “are you coping with the heat ?” Here are some ideas that may help you during the heatwave.

Always make sure you are drinking plenty of water so you stay well hydrated and always have a drink to hand.
Stay in shady areas to keep out of direct sun.
Wear a sun hat and sunglasses to protect your eyes.
No one likes cooking in the heat but always make sure you have eaten even if it’s something light. Salads and fruit is a good choice, light and refreshing.
Try and keep your rooms nice and cool, you can simply do this by closing your curtains/blinds, use a fan as well if you have one, ours are a godsend.
Always remember to check on the vulnerable, whether it be a neighbour, relative or friend, they also need keeping cool. Check that they have access to enough fluids and food.
So my kid’s water stays cold for longer when at school they put bottled water in the freezer at home over night so it defrosts throughout the day and stays cooler for longer, they then top the bottle back up at school with more water if needed.
Wearing lightweight clothing also helps. I find cotton clothing helps to keep me cool on a hot day.
Ouch! How painful can a sunburn be, never forget your sun protection. I always remind my kid’s but ALWAYS forget my own.
Have fans to hand for when your feeling hot. The shops have some handy little hand-held ones, I love mine and always have in my bag for when I’m feeling a little hot.
One thing I always enjoy doing is putting my feet in a bucket of cold water and a nice damp towel round my neck, have you ever tried it ? Oh my if you haven’t then next time your feeling hot give it a try.
I also leave any unnecessary jobs until it’s cooler and save any energy for keeping myself cool.
This may sound stupid but it’s a true story, have you checked your heating is switched off? I went into a vulnerable person to check on them and their heating was still set to come on and it was roasting in their house. It’s so easily done, we all forget things. (check your timer).

Do you know the signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke?

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health, Weight loss

New me is now in sight

ByThe house that never rests | On June 12,15 | 2 Comments

New me is now in sight

Yikes! guess what? I only went and weighed-in at my 3st loss. Yes there was tears, silly I know but this means so much to me. A new me is now in sight!

This now means I need to lose another 2st and then I will be at my target, I am so excited. My weight-loss journey so far has been fun with lost of ups and downs along the way. I don’t feel as if I am on a diet, with Slimming World we still get to have our treats (limited of course).

To be honest all I have done is make a few food changes (healthy swaps), watch my food intake (Doing a food diary) and exercise (Body magic)…..Oh yes and not consume the amount of alcohol I once used to have. Before attending Slimming World I could have quite easily had a good few glasses of wine once opened, now I can happily have just the one or two glasses.

Admittedly my weight-loss journey has not been a loss every week, I have been to weigh-in before and put on 3.5lb….Whoops! when this happens I just give myself a good talking to rather than let it get me down, this helps and makes me more determined to get that loss the following week. I just reminded myself why I joined Slimming World in the first place.

I am loving that the new me is now in sight, I have now started to notice body changes, I now fit in clothes two sizes smaller than I once used to wear, I am now feeling much healthier, I have more energy, I don’t get half as breathless as I once use to, confidence in myself is starting to come back, but the one thing that is making me smile most out of it all is having the energy to do things more with my boy’s.

I do hope to reach my target for my birthday in August but to be honest I am not fussed when it happens as long as it comes off that is all I wish for. I did set out to do it for my birthday as a birthday gift to myself, but being close to it will be good enough for me!

Me last June

Me today. A new me is now in sight.

Here is to the next 2st!

One thing I will admit to not doing before I started my weight-loss journey was keep an eye on my weight and BMI. I never actually checked to see what my healthy weight should be. Is this something you keep an eye on? I keep a very close eye on mine now….Admitedly I am not happy with mine but it is something I am working on using this hight/weight chart from the NHS.

new me is now in sight — Chart credit to NHS

Disclaimer: I have not been compensated in any way to write this post

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Questions I wanted answering…

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A hysterectomy IS NOT a cure.

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Keep warm: Be prepared

Ten top tips on keeping warm if going out.

Ten tips on keeping warm when indoors

Be prepared:

What are your favorite items to help keep you warm on a cold winters day? >>here are ours<<

Always check on elderly neighbours and relatives. Make sure they are warm and have all they need, especially during cold spells.

Top 4 commonly Ignored health problems

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Check Your Hot Water Heater

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Keep the Place Clean

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New me is now in sight

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