Another bad night. This time I was waking every half hour or so after about midnight. I gave up at 4am and pressed the call button for water and pain relief as my legs were hurting. I was given paracetamol as I couldn’t have any more nerve ones until the morning. Didn’t really work. Early sugars were 8.9. Catheter bag emptied.
Put tv on at about 7 when the ward lights went on.
Visit by the other doctor covering the ward – Dr Turner before 8am, who tested my feet and shins for feeling and explained that he didn’t want to increase the nerve painkillers because of the reduced kidney function, so he had prescribed a low dose of something else that I can’t remember the name of. I will ask again tomorrow.
Breakfast was a bit odd. I had All Bran instead of the bran flakes I’d ordered. There was an awful lot of it in the bowl, and not much milK, so I couldn’t eat it all. Plus toast. I’ve decided I would have liked something other than just butter on it. They don’t seem to offer marmite, and although someone mentioned diabetic marmalade, don’t know if they do have it, but even if they do, I was always told that diabetic foods are a con – you are better off with just a bit of the real thing.
I felt really tired and still in pain, so when I was asked if I wanted to get up, I asked to stay in bed a bit longer. The next thing I knew, it was 11.15 and I was woken up because otherwise we wouldn’t be done by lunchtime! Had my catheter changed as they hadn’t been able to establish whether it was a short term (4 week or long term (12 week) one. They washed and cleaned my bottom half, then put in a new catheter. Whilst they were doing this, Charlotte the student nurse mentioned she’d just come back from a short break in Rome. I told them about when we were there with the Italian Job. Then they dressed my bottom half, got me into the wheelchair and left me to it. I washed and dressed my top half, but didn’t do hair again as no plastic cup.
Back into bedroom just as lunch trolleys arrived in the ward. The ward is very noisy during the day. Everything is transported by trolley, which rattle along and then there are wheelchairs of various sorts, crickets, hoists, linen cages, buckets for mopping floors ……an endless parade of noisy stuff.
Pre lunch sugars 14.2. Lunch was a vegetable lasagne with peas (I thought it might be a bit boring on its own). I’d forgone the orange juice for starter in a vague attempt to keep sugars under control. Dessert was cheese and biscuits. Cup of coffee.
I tried doing some office work in the afternoon, but was having issues with the spreadsheets. Nurse came to empty catheter bag as they needed to monitor that the new catheter was working properly.
Watched tv and the coverage of events in Brussels. The occ therapist popped in to say that they wanted to do a home visit to check the house, and needed my permission to call Julio. There will be a family meeting, but not sure when it will be.
Pre supper sugars 22.9. Less than the last few days Blood pressure ok at 100/55, but my temperature was up a bit. Don’t know if that was anything to do with the sore throat, or because the room is very hot. Supper was tomato soup then an egg mayo salad (with lots of mayo). It was very nice, as all salads are here. I had asked for a banana, but once again they hadn’t sent it, so I was offered rice pudding or ice cream. I had the ice cream.
Sat for a bit and then visiting time – this time Sian and Juli were accompanied by Ben Stirling, who brought me some contraband – a lovely bunch of daffodils in bud. For some reason you're not allowed flowers on ward, but there was an empty vase in the day room, so we put them in there.
Sat around in the day room and we had two rounds of drinks from the vending machine so built a taller cup tower than we usually do. Interrupted once by Bill, my day nurse, to check the catheter bag again. Sian came back to my room to sort some work things out and collect my dirty washing. Evening visiting is very short (just an hour 6.30-7.30) but the nurse yesterday said that if visitors arrive early, as long as supper and meds round is done, that’s ok. The way to get round the bedside two person rule is to go to the Grapevine for afternoon visiting (as per my total of 8 visitors on Sunday!) or the day room for evening visiting.
All too soon it was time for them to go. Back to room, then fairly soon afterwards my aux came to put me to bed. I’ve succumbed to going into bed when they suggest. While I was having my nappy changed she admired my shoes and asked where I’d got them, so we talked about Cotton Traders and the discount in the outlet village. We then talked about places to eat in Bassett.
So, now in bed watching he Obama programme on BBC2. Had my bedtime meds, including a new tablet that I think may be the alternative/additional nerve pain one.
Talk to you tomorrow
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