Today's update (as at 16. 30). I have just had a team visit from the physio team (chartered physio in charge; Anna "my" physio; and two students). They put me through an exhaustive series of exercises, including bed ones for legs and feet, and sitting on side of bed to establish and strengthen core functions.
I
felt that I was going to topple over, but apparently, that is the point of the
exercises - to get the core working by balancing and correcting.
Anna
is going to give me some more exercises to do, but she (or students) will
oversee those. I am to get out of bed and into a chair for a couple of hours in
the morning and afternoon as that helps with the exercises, but will need a
hoist ( no comments about beached whales, please!) because of the lack of
mobility and, more importantly, strength. Kitten may be more appropriate than
whale.
I am
also going to have some kind of boots to wear at night so that I do not lose
the advantage of the exercise by getting feet in wrong position whilst asleep.
The brain and muscles have to learn to work together again.
Because
I am an unusual case ( back to the one-in-a-million), I am not able to go to
the private ward at the moment as there doesn't seem to be a consultant
covering my issues here all the time ( or at least enough of the time). The
care I am getting is very good; it's just the extra privacy (and free parking
for visitors) that's nice.
My
blood sugars are horrendous - nurses and I play "guess the number"
each time. This is due to the steroids, so I'm also on insulin. I am also
having extra meds to counter the gastro effects of the steroids. I'm rattling!
My
hair is horrible. I had a shampoo cap wash yesterday ( think shower cap with
the shampoo and dampness inside) but it's not really effective. I'm also
getting a bit clammy fairly frequently.
I
think I'll start having weetabix or porridge for breakfast - am a bit fed up
with toast and marmite and I have to get the nursing auxiliary to spread it for
me. I've also given up on drinking tea as it's usually a bit stewed, so am
drinking instant coffee with half a sachet of sweetener.
Lunch
is surprisingly good - soup (but I can't manage that as well as a main course)
then today I had chicken in mustard sauce, mash and mixed veg with a nice fresh
brown roll and a pear. Tea will be a choice of soup and sandwiches.
When
the medical bit ( infection and inflammation) is sorted out, there is the
possibility of being moved to a community hospital to continue the physio until
both physio and occupational therapists are happy that I'll be ok at home. No
idea if, or when, this will happen and if it does which community hospital ,
but Malmesbury is handy for Waitrose!
I
feel very guilty about leaving so much work in the office to Sian and Julio as
they have enough to do without taking on my office stuff and worrying about
me.
I
think that's about all for now - I'll send another update tomorrow. Thanks for
all your good wishes.
Love
from a fed up and tired me.
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