Got washed, dressed and up then sat for a little while in my wheelchair. I was concerned about how I am going to get to my appointment in Oxford next week, so rang them and left a voice mail message. I then spoke to the sister here and said I thought that if it was possible, the best solution as far as I was concerned was to be taken there by Julio in the car. Julie (the sister) agreed as it meant there was no panic about getting me back as it would involve two ambulances and it could be midnight before I was back. She would investigate.
She tried to take a blood sample, but no use as no blood came out even though she tried two different sites. Said that if the doctor wanted blood, they could do it themselves!
Then I was asked to go to the day room (deep cleaning a day later because of the bank holiday). I call this enforced socialisation! I joined a lady and gentlemen I hadn’t met before – The lady is P and she has had a stroke. Don’t know the man’s name, but P recognised him as the night time shouter. We talked about life here on Mulberry (I didn’t like to admit that I have a room to myself). She wants to go home (as we all do). She believes her stroke was brought in by stress – she had finally had to put her husband in a care home a few days before the stroke, and he had already been asked to leave one (he had kept a knife from his lunch and was trying to unscrew the window frame so that he could leave). It made me realise that actually I don’t have it very bad. However, she did say that she wanted to kill the shouting man!
We had our lunch in the day room. Shouty man had help being fed, I had a nice egg mayo salad (probably not a good idea, having had more boiled egg). P had a baked potato and cheese, and complained about the institutionalised food. I kept quiet. She had custard and one of her own desserts that they keep in the fridge for her. My dessert of cheese and biscuits failed to materialise. Never mind.
After lunch, more complaints from P about people's manners as man with no legs took control of the tv in the day room and was channel hopping without asking if anyone minded. I was quite relieved when P went back to her room, as did I to be toileted. Some success. Just got back in chair, when I was collected by the physio.
When she asked what I’d like to concentrate on, I explained about Oxford. She asked what type of car. Neither the Jeep nor Sian’s Free Lander would be suitable as they were too high, but things got better when I mentioned the mini. Talked about the shape of the seats, cushions, other aids. We agreed to work towards being able to transfer from wheelchair to car and back again. I did some standing with a walking frame and sitting on the bench. So, I was able to go from sitting in chair, to standing with frame, to moving so facing other way and sitting down on bench, and back again,
Then it got exciting!! The physio has a Mini Cooper, so we made our way into the car park with various bits of equipment and she moved her car into a disabled space “it’s ok, we’ve got our physio uniforms and badges and you’re in a wheelchair – nobody will object!”. I then got from the chair into the car using a banana board - a curved plastic board that you put one end under a buttock and the other end where you want to transfer to so that it forms a sort of bridge. You then shuffle yourself along so that you are where you want to be. Worked beautifully. Then I did it in reverse to get back into the chair. I then did it again, this time by standing and using the frame. Worked! Got back into chair by same method. Tried again, but we had to stop for a bit because we were all laughing – my trousers are very long and I couldn’t move my feet as I was standing on the too-long bits of trouser! When I had had them tucked into my socks, we tried again and I managed to get into the passenger seat again. So, hopefully Juli can take me to Oxford. He has to come in with the car to be shown what to do, so hopefully that will be tomorrow.
Got wheeled back in and onto the ward. I then WALKED using the walking frame for about 3 metres. It was very slow, hard work – but I did it!!
Back in room, and had a cup,of tea and a little snooze as I was shattered. Woke up and then did the vat return – something I’d been putting off, but it had to be in by the end of the month. Chaplaincy lady called in and we had another chat.
Diabetes nurse came in and we reviewed the insulin doses. Evening one of 8 units seems to be working well (even with the odd chocolate button or 3), but day ones still high by supper time. She went and had a chat with her colleague and decided to increase the morning dose to 34. We will review it again on Friday.
Pre supper sugars 14.9 – not too bad. Supper was tomato soup, chilli and rice, cheese and biscuits. Was going to ask to go to loo, but Sian and juli arrived. Sian brought the stuff I had bought from the Book People (Mylo and Rosa’s Easter presents, a set of murder books that had been very cheap, a cookery book for Sian as a little thank you, and a glass kitchen protector thing for Juli as a present). I had also, in a fit of something, succumbed to the latest fad and bought myself some grown up colouring books (mainly because they were miles cheaper than other ones I’ve seen), but I forgot about crayons. They’ll have to come in tomorrow! Sian a bit miffed as having brought all this in, I asked her to take most of it home again! Juli also a bit miffed as having had to spend all Easter getting the house ready for the occ therapist visit tomorrow, is now going to have to empty my car of all the stuff that’s in it, including a gazebo, foldey chairs, my court folder and all sorts of things that live in there.
We had a nice visit, Sian again sorted something on the iPad out for me, and then they left to go home.
I was toileted again, went back in chair and watched Bake Off. If anyone saw it, I was very impressed, but part of me was asking why would you do all that? Yes, the results were amazing, but how many people have taste buds that discerning? However, I will be watching the rest of the series!
So, then Martina the aux came to ask if I was ready for bed. I was, so here I am. The night light is off, I’ve been watching Obama.
All in all, a good day. I am quite pleased with myself!
Goodnight.
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