17th April - CCH - Another quiet day

Well, last night no wandering from Mb, so I had a quiet evening. At shift changeover, Ellen and Ali, the care assistants, came to get me ready for the night, but I said I wasn’t ready – I was only in bed because I had been getting uncomfy sitting in my chair, and could I please be “done” at about 10. “You’ll be lucky! – we’ll  note you declined treatment and it might be 10, but it could be midnight or 3am!”. They were joking. I  was reassured that if and when I needed to go to the loo and settled, to ring the bell.

At just after 10, needed the loo, so rang bell. Got back into bed and was creamed and nappied. Whilst all this was going on, Ellen, who has worked here for years since before it was the stroke/rehab unit, was regaling us with stories about what had gone on. She also told us some of her family stories. Then, all done and I was left for the night. By this time it was nearly 11, so I turned off the light and the tv and put the radio on for a bit.

Slept well, and was woken at about 6.30 to have nappy checked, washed, creamed and re-nappied. More stories while all this was going on! Sugars 7.1. Doze time until breakfast – the usual.

Then stayed in bed (no problem as I didn’t need the loo, and I was still a bit sore from yesterday in terms of pressure points, even with the pressure cushion on the chair). So, surfed, emailed, did puzzles. Beccy came at around 11.45 to get me up. Discussion as to how I want to manage it. I washed my legs (including my feet properly for the first time, although it was a bit of an effort and I had to fling one leg over the other so that I could reach!), then with my socks and shoes on (can’t do that myself yet), stood using the frame and had my nether regions washed whilst standing. Trainer pants on. Then into chair, and Beccy left me to my own devises to get top half of me washed and dressed. I am going to try to get some over-your-head or do-up-at-the-front bras as it is a bit of an effort getting an ordinary bra on and done up.

Then I started getting the room sorted – wheelchair from basin to the sitting position, nightie in drawer, tidying top of chest of drawers which has all sorts of stuff – nursing and mine - and I had a disaster – I pushed my mug which was a Mothering Sunday present from Sian off the chest and onto the floor, where it broke. I also dropped my knitting needle.

One of the care assistants wanted to throw it away, but I said it was salvageable (which it is, mostly 3 bits and some small bits that we did throw away). I then needed to decide where to keep the things I had kept in it. This included the packet of sugar free Polos, my "This Works" sleep aid, little battery fan, nail file. I put some in my other present mug (the one from Juli), and left some loose in my drawer.

Pre lunch sugars 7.8. Lunch roast pork, roast potatoes and cauliflower, with orange juice. Another cock up on the catering front. No apple as ordered, no fruit or cheese and biscuits in kitchen. Only alternative was sticky toffee pudding and custard, and I thought that would be pushing it a bit, so didn’t have a dessert (although I had a couple of biscuits from my stash with my cup of tea).

Went to loo after lunch, but it was really a walking exercise more than anything. Beccy impressed with my walking.

Visiting time and sorted out some clean clothes. Down to sit outside, which was nice and quite warm until the clouds covered the sun, so Juli went and got my cardi Talked about home visit and stuff, and just chilled. Did some practising standing up (but not a lot). We were joined by R and talked about physio, when he was expecting to go home (he hopes 2-3 weeks) and what he did before all this (hgv driver).

Went back to room, where Sian sorted out my drawers in light of the broken mug, and all the biscuit crumbs in top drawer. Did some knitting. Pre supper sugars 14.0 – yes – less than 15!! Supper was lentil soup, then turkey salad and cheese and biscuits. More knitting. Juli arrived and off we went to the drinks machine. Just sat and chatted about blue badge application. Juli thinks I should get this without much more hassle as they sent an email saying they’d be in touch regarding the payment. I think this may have been a standard response. We’ll see. I need to ring them up during week if I don’t hear from them as I will need it as soon as I go home as I need to make a GP appointment for a catch up, visit Bev Tydeman who I have known since childminding days 25 years ago and who now runs a care agency and has a shop selling aids and equipment in Bassett (I have a wish list!) and, of course, the mini run next Sunday.

Time for Juli  to go home. Did a bit more tidying (ocd definitely kicking in!) and off he went. Watched Britain by Drone and it featured several things we either knew (Imber village, Dyson in Malmesbury) or knew about (shipwreck off Isle of Sheppey, the Independent state called Sealand).

So, it’s now gone 9. I’m going to finish now so that when they come to put me to bed, I’m ready.

Goodnight!