A disturbed night. I was cold, and kept waking up. Finished my jug of water and had to use the call bell for some more.
Morning sugars were 9.8 and blood pressure 119/66. 21 tablets.
Catheter bag had overflowed again and so I had wet the bed, so was the first in the bay to be bathed and changed. Stayed in bed for breakfast- the usual Ready Brek and toast, but this time I was offered (and accepted pretty quickly!) Marmite instead of just the usual jam or marmalade.
Bit of bother with E as she wasn’t allowed anything to eat as she was having some teeth out today and was supposed to be nil by mouth, but Rachel the sister said that she could have some breakfast as she wasn’t due to have them out until this afternoon. She had been asking to be put in her chair very early (around half past six) and then wanted to go back into bed. So they put her back into bed, where she kept saying that she wanted to go to bed!
M’s next door neighbours (who clearly kept a close eye on her) came visiting, but spent most of the time outside the closed curtains as there were physios, a dr and toileting going on. It turns out that she had done some writing (Including a book about the village she used to live in) and some magazine articles for things like Woman’s own and something about the nuns of Malmesbury Abbey for the local paper. She had told them that I was a writer too (she’d seen me tapping away) and was worried I would use some of her book. I don’t know what her surname is, but I want to look her up.
Started watching PMQs and the Budget, but ward is very busy.
Lunch arrived (some sort of soup I can’t remember), chicken in mustard and coriander sauce with sauté potatoes and mixed veg and another really nice pear. I can’t remember what my sugars were, but I think it was 13.
Then Rachel came and said that there was a bed at Chippenham!!!! Transport had been booked for the 1pm window (meaning any time from 1 to 5). I thought I ought to pack, but couldn’t reach anything. Rachel said she’d booked a stretcher transfer as it’s much more comfortable, and that she’d told Chippenham I needed a pressure mattress, so it should be waiting for me.
The two nice ambulance men were there at 1 on the dot. I scrabbled around packing with the ambulance men and Rachel helping. Into ambulance and along the motorway. We were even overtaking things and were in the outside lane some of the time! I could see out of the window, so that was nice. In the ambulance I’d googled Mulberry ward and got a bit worried as there was mention of geriatrics, but also that it was primarily a stroke rehab unit.
Got here and was welcomed by a very nice nurse. I am in my own room at the moment, but that may change later. It seems lovely – and they have all sorts of professionals here, from physios, to occupational therapists, to speech therapists, psychologists, art therapists, - you name it, they’ve got them!
My first visitor was a lady form the chaplaincy. We had a nice chat and she is coming again next week I think.
Dr came to do an assessment. The unit has two GPs that cover it between them; the one I saw today was a German lady called Dr Voss. The other GP is Dr Walters (I think) and the consultant is Dr Shaw for the RUH in Bath. Dr Voss did the standard assessment for an admission (do we have a king or queen and what is their name? Can you count down from 20? Do you know where you are?) and the “if you have a collapse or seizure, do you want to be revived?”
Julio arrived and had a chat with the nurse and then the sister. Physio arrived and did a quick assessment (proper one tomorrow) and – joy of joys - got me a wheelchair (I’m sitting in it now and it’s very comfy). Physio explained that I would be more comfy in casual clothes so suggested Juli bring in some jogging bottoms and t shirts. Then said that I was encouraged to get out and about, so why didn’t he take me for a look around. There is a white board by the nurses’ station so if you are leaving your room, you can write where you are. Physio showed us the rehab room (more or less the same as the gym in Oxford) and let us loose. There is a day room with a big TV, and – even better - there is a café open from 8.30 to 3.30 (1.30 at weekends) where I can go with visitors!
We had a drink at the drinks vending machine (20p) but I didn’t like mine as I had decaf coffee but there was no sweetener so I left it. Juli had chocolate. I wheeled myself some of the way back and I clocked back in on the whiteboard (ie rubbed my name off). Juli has gone away to buy me a remote control, for the tv (nurse apologised that there wasn’t one, but explained that people take them away with them by accident) and a new plug for my charger as if you bring them in, they have to be pat tested. Julio’s argument will be that if it’s new, it doesn’t need pat testing. I am down to 85% on the iPad and only 55% on the phone, which I am using as a personal hot spot (for those of you that understand these things!)
I have had what I hope is the first part of supper – a bowl of soup, but there is more cutlery on the tray, so hopefully there will be something else. Because it was my first day, the student nurse had folded my paper serviette into a posh shape. This is a good sign!
There was more supper! I was offered a choice of lasagne or tomato omelette. I opted for the lasagne on the basis that I didn’t know how long the omelette had been around for. The lasagne was actually quite nice, but bizarrely came with some chips and broccoli! I don’t think that there is a particularly healthy choice yet (may be something to do with getting people to eat) as dessert choices were ice cream, cheesecake or sago pudding. I threw caution (and blood sugars) to the wind and opted for the sago pudding - which is going to have an enormous effect on my blood sugars later, but it’s only for today, I think.
When they came to collect the empty tray, I was told that red trays mean that they record what you’ve had to eat. The nurse then came and stuck two entries on my information board – fluid chart and food chart. They monitor your input for up to 3 days when you arrive to make sure you are eating and drinking, so don’t become dehydrated or malnourished. So far so good.
Juli came back with more stuff (including some more clothes, the cable (which isn’t very long ) and the remote). I now have tv.
Ward clerk come in and wrote my estimated discharge date on the board. They do this for everyone, based on the admission assessment. Mine is 30th March. Lots to do and lots of progress to me made. Date can come forward or be put back, but it is an indication.
I am feeling very positive!
Goodnight!
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| Posh folded napkin & the first course of what turned out to be a 3 course dinner! |
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