15th April - CCH - More Progress

Well, after doing the update last night, things got interesting! I was sitting here, watching tv and playing games on the iPad when I had a visit from Mb and her escort. She came in to look around, but then it developed. She sat on my bed and then started to take her shoes off. Care assistant came in to deflect her, but it wasn’t working. At one point it got difficult with Mb accusing the care assistant of punching her body. She kept getting up off the bed, then sitting down again and at one point she was trying to lie down on it. We kept trying to explain that it was my bed, and that hers was in her room down the corridor. She then shouted (well, it wasn’t volume shouting but tone shouting) at the care assistant and told her to “get out of my house”. We tried explaining that she was in hospital and that her things and her room were down the corridor. She then started picking up my clothes for the next day that were on top of my bedside table, saying she’d been looking for them for ages. After nearly half an hour, the care assistant managed to get her out of the room and shut my door. Care assistant kept apologising, but there was really nothing to apologise for.

I waited for a while before ringing the bell to go to the loo and into bed as they were still in the corridor and I didn’t want any more complications!

Slept quite well, although woke up at one point (about 4.30), with a pain/uncomfortable feeling in the catheter area

***possibly too much information warning***
After a bit of investigation, discovered that the leg bag was full and had fallen off the side of the bed and had pulled some of the catheter tube out a bit. I wondered whether to ring the bell, but just put the bag on the bed again, which eased the pressure and the discomfort went away. Went back to sleep.


****ok again*****
Early morning sugars 5.1. Mentioned catcher issue, and Sherley had a look and said it looked OK, but to say if I got any more discomfort or pain. Pad changed. Usual dozing until breakfast. Actually had an earlyish cup of tea as the lady next door (who is quite demanding, apparently), had asked for one, and as they were starting breakfast at the other end, they gave me one too. Lovely. Usual breakfast (with another cup of tea!).

Then being got up, washed and dressed in the first tranche as I had physio at 10. Did as much as I could myself, including my feet. Dressed and ready at 9:58 - how’s that for timing?! Physio session of walking to and back from the loo, with no sitting down on loo in between, a couple of times concentrating on correct movements. Then into rehab room and more transfers then balance exercises. As I had said that I felt I needed more practise with side stepping as I was still unsure about putting weight on left leg, we practised that. It is clear when I’ve had enough – the leg just stops working! Came back to room, and instructions updated so that I can now transfer all the way from my chair to the loo and back (and from loo to bed at night) with the frame. More progress!

Back in room, had a cup of tea, did some emailing, surfing and Michelle the diabetes nurse (finally found out her name!) called in to review. We will increase the morning insulin dose to 40 so that the supper time readings are under control by the time I go home- ideally 15 or under. May reduce the evening dose as the morning readings have been averaging under 7 for a while.

Then had another visit from Mb and Maame, who was acting as escort. Re-run of last night, except that Mb actually lay down on the bed at one point, but was less aggressive. After about 10 minutes, she walked out of the room and carried on wandering the corridor. Whilst she was here, Maame and I had a discussion about what was wrong with me, what phsyio I’d had and what likely to happen. She asked if she could use me as one of her case studies, so I said that was fine.

Pre lunch sugars 8.9. At this rate, we won’t need to increase the dose, but we’ll see what happens later. Lunch was casserole with a dumpling, carrots and potatoes, followed by cheese and biscuits. Cup of tea.

After lunch, I was knitting. Lots of people asked what I was knitting, and we chatted. Then I had a series of visits from Sharon, the O.T. to say that the proposed home visit would be Friday next week. That would give me enough time to improve my washing and getting up, toileting better with fewer accidents, and the walking/balance better. We went down the corridor to try out toilet seats (frames with arms so that I have something to push against when standing up). Tried the perching stool. We also discussed shower stools, handle for the bed to help sit up, bed back rests, using a step or ramp in the bathroom- all sorts. She is really helpful, and understands where I am coming from – her attitude is that we can try out this kit, if I don’t need it, it can go back, and if it’s not right, there are alternatives that we can try. It’s down to what happens at the home visit. The home visit will be with her (Sharon) and Julie, the senior ward nurse, both of whom I feel comfortable with.

I mentioned again that there was a family thing on Sunday 24th, that I wanted to go out for the day, but she couldn’t see any problem with that. Then, to reinforce it, when I got my ward folder back with my physio appointments in for next week, I noticed that my new estimated discharge date is 23rd, which is a week tomorrow. It takes some time to organise delivery of the kit and the carers. So, hopefully, I will already be home for the day out. We’ll see.

Blood pressure 110/67.  Carried on knitting. Making some progress. Pre supper sugars 17.3. Not quite the 15 we’re aiming for, but getting there.

Needed to go to the loo before supper, so rang the bell, and managed to get the bell answered and walk to the loo in time.

Supper was turkey salad and then there was some confusion as they tried to give me a sago pudding. I said I usually had fruit or cheese and biscuits, so when she went to check, I had actually ticked sago pudding. It was obviously after the conversation I’d had about the puddings being made with sweetners, although I’m not convinced it was. However, it was very nice and I thoroughly enjoyed it!.

Sat watching the local news until Juli arrived, and off we went to the drinks machine. R (man with no legs) was down there so we had a chat about the weather and road works around Lyneham, before Juli gave him a hand pushing the wheelchair up the slope. We talked about work, Sharon’s phone call to him about the kit being delivered and the home visit. Visiting time ended all too soon, so we made our way back to the room (letting ourselves in as  Juli has found out the keypad code). Juli has brought me in some sugar free Werthers Originals that Sian found in Oaksey Village Shop! Three observations – they taste very nice and will satisfy my sweet tooth; they are very small; I don’t see how they can be called “Originals”  if they are sugar free – clearly not original recipe!

I spoke to Mum and Dad on the phone, which was nice. Mum is having a hospital appointment day on Tuesday, but has managed to coordinate appointments – very clever!!

So, that’s about it for now. Waiting for Masterchef, and wondering if I will have another visit from Mb! I think I also need to mention to the nursing staff that actually my catheter is uncomfortable. I’ll just wait until after handover.

Goodnight!