Caring and Self-Care

Well, like I said, I became a husband's full-time carer in 2010, but prior to that I was caring one way or the other anyway, so it meant that I have a planner that I use to write appointments, which hospital, time, et cetera, or if it's the GP or dentist, whatever. So I have a planner and it's a month per page. So it helps me with things to do. And I don't forget appointments. And autumn, I tend to go on holiday. We go on holiday September, October, because by that time the busy tourist period is over. so things are more relaxed at the destination and also there isn't that much traffic on the motorways as well. Yeah, so that's how it has been for me. Perfect. And are you making particular preparations during autumn for the coming winter with regards to your health and can you share what you do which might help? Okay, I particularly prepare a type of tea that grandma used to do when I was in Ghana. And it's ginger, turmeric, very ripe pineapple skin, and lemons and oranges. So I wash them, slice them up and then put them in a big pot, top it up with water and then I boil it and I drink the juice as my tea. So the more the ginger, the hotter the drink is. And as you drink, you refill, you know, you top up with fresh water and you always have to reheat it or you can boil it once and for all, decant into bottles and put them in the fridge and then you take it as and when you need and that is very good for when we are travelling so that I always have that water available. Now during the winter months I tend to drink that tea hot but during summer I tend to drink it either cold or warm not as hot as the winter months yeah and sometimes if I don't get very ripe pineapples then I use the pineapple itself rather than the green skin. Oh I also add whole cloves to the drink. Okay sounds like one of your cooking lessons that you're giving to your family in Ghana. Okay, perfect. And if you're trying to motivate others who have diabetes or other health conditions to be more able to self-care for their needs, what would you say to them? Well, for example, when my husband was alive, we had to be writing down what he ate. you know so like the three meals and then the snacks in between we will record it then I'll share it with the GP and if they have any concerns then they call him in and say this or that but since joining this group I have been sharing photos and videos with the group and in fact one of the ladies today she's taken my number and she would like me to help her to control the carbohydrates that she eats So I said, no problem. I've given him my number. And when she gets in touch, we take it from there. Brilliant. And what do you feel a online community could do for you to help in your situation and all others? Well, if it's an online community of same-minded people and confidentiality. So you see, you can go there and you can talk to somebody and they talk back to you, or you share ideas, you exchange points, like I said about the cooking. And that's how we learn from each other.