19th April - CCH - A new experience or two

Yesterday evening was uneventful. I was late to bed (about 10.30) as there was a shortage of staff and no one for the 1:1. My getting to bed was a bit rushed – no nappy change (no need, but I usually have a nappy at night in case of accidents instead of the trainer pants in the day). Also a bit concerned that my leg bag wasn’t emptied (and it was pretty full) but just connected to the night bag and drained into it. Just have to hope I don’t pee too much during the night. Had some buttons and a couple of biscuits, Archers catch up then radio 5 until fell asleep.

Good night’s sleep and was woken by care assistant at 6.30. Checked my nappy – all ok, so went back to sleep. Sugars at 7 and I was technically hypo despite the buttons and biscuit last night – 3.2. Nurse a bit concerned and asked what I’d like to eat/drink to get levels up quickly. When this happened before, I was made a cup of tea with sugar and toast and jam, but they were short staffed and behind in routines, so I said it was ok, I had my emergency jelly babies and I’d have those, which I did (after looking for them in the new cabinet!).

Dozed until breakfast which was the usual. Thought about going to loo, but didn’t need to. I will call if I need to go before I’m got up. Nurse arrived to take bloods, and was chuffed when she got it first time (I had only told her that I was quite difficult to get blood from and left it until afterwards to tell her about the Oxford experience).

Got up at 10. Now have routine sorted – I wash my legs and get bottom half dressed, then walk to bathroom and go to loo. Nether regions washed, nappy changed if necessary, then into chair and to basin, where I am left to wash and dress top half. During this latter process, carer then changes bed, or goes and does something else. Today, carer was surprised that by the time she came back, I had already finished and got myself back into my room and pushed the curtain back. She hadn’t seen me for a few days, and was impressed.

Just got settled down and was doing googling etc when Alice the physio came and asked if I’d like to be part of the PAT  (Pets as Therapy) session as she knew I liked dogs. Off to rehab room, where Alice was collecting people - in the end there were 4 of us with various issues –all the others had had strokes. We waited for the dog and owner to arrive “sorry she’s a bit late, but she does have some mobility problems”. Large lady (not quite in tweeds, but near enough, and I bet she had good corsetry!) with very small dog arrived. The dog was called Daisy and is a Japanese Chin (what Julio would call a rat-on-a-stick!). I went first - Daisy was stood on the table and I had to do 10 stands and balances while stoking the dog with both hands. This also involved reaching out and encouraging her back closer to me.

Then F had her on her lap and was encouraged to use her weak arm to stroke her.
The another lady did the same.
Then the gentleman amongst us, who is walking with a stick, had to come up to the table and do the stroking bit, and then brushed her, then he took her for a walk to the day room.

During the others’ time with Daisy, I was put on the cycle machine. My wheelchair was positioned up against it and my feet and shins were strapped in. Machine started, and legs started cycling, then I took over from the machine. After 5 minutes, Alice changed the gearing and it was more difficult. Altogether, I cycled  for 25 minutes, went 3.2 miles and used 20 calories (I’d have thought I used more than that!). It was very useful - when I got tired or had a pins and needles spasm, the machine carried on, so teaching the nerves and muscles the movements. Alice is very possessive of “her” machine which costs thousands and was donated by the Friends of the hospital. This session replaced the planned one this afternoon, but if there is a gap, I will go and do some more standing up.

When the session was over, I went to the day room where everyone was (deep cleaning of rooms) Daisy and owner were there doing some more stroking etc with other patients. Gradually everyone went back to their rooms. One of the care assistants was tut tutting because Daisy had been on the tables. Alice said it was fine – they kept to the guidelines of only going in communal areas and cleaning the table tops and floor with antiseptic afterwards. I must admit I enjoyed my encounter with Daisy, but would have preferred a larger more doggy dog. However, they wouldn’t have been able to be on laps or tabletops, so I can see her advantages.

Went back to room and bought some stuff online for when I come home – we have been wondering what to do about mattress protectors and being washed in bed, so found one that seems just right. Ordered it and some personal hygiene stuff, that should be delivered tomorrow.

Pre lunch sugars 5.9. Lunch was egg mayo salad, apple juice and a banana (I was asked if I needed it peeled and cut up). During lunch the care assistant (the same one as had complained about the dog on the tables) came and asked me to put the tv off or mute it during lunch as that is the policy so that people, can concentrate on eating. I did what I was told, but put it on again at 1 which was when my coffee arrived. I was a bit cross as I enjoy having lunch while watching The Daily Politics.

Michelle, the diabetes nurse dropped in to review sugars. We still can’t understand why the pre supper ones are high, but decided to leave insulin as it is, especially as hopefully I will be going home soon and managing my own.

Julio rang with an issue at work about renewing some of the safety qualifications of the engineers, and was getting nowhere, so I rang a company and tried to sort it. They will be ringing the office tomorrow.

Watched some iPlayer. Will not use it again tomorrow as used a lot of our data allowance.

Went to loo, partly because I needed to, and partly because I needed a walk. My legs get very pins and needley, and I am beginning to feel that my bottom is numb (I know that logically that doesn’t make sense, but you know what I mean).

Pre supper sugars high again at 18.2. I don’t understand it. I did have a couple of biscuits, but they really shouldn’t make that much difference. Supper was chilli and rice, with cheese and biscuits.

Juli arrived dead on 6.30, and we went and got a drink and then went to sit outside to catch the last of the sunshine. I had a cup of tea, and did some standing up practice from my chair to the table. I was updated with the washing machine situation, which is still not fixed and will involve sorting out some blocked pipes in the cupboard (I think).  Then we had another drink and I threw caution to the wind and had a hot chocolate. We’ll see what happens! Juli has had an invite to a do in June, so we talked a bit about that and just general chatting and chilling. I rang Mum who has had two co-ordinated (by Dad) appointments at Barry hospital today, and they seemed to go reasonably well. Dad was cooking their dinner of pork steaks. I was jealous!

We then left where we were sitting and wandered round to the other side of the hospital where the sun was still shining. Discussion about new parking restrictions coming in. Then back to my room, where Juli helped me get my clothes ready for tomorrow, restocked my Rich Tea container and generally sorted me out. It’s Tuesday, so he ordered a Dominos Two for Tuesday pizzas for him to collect from Calne on his way home, so that’s him sorted for dinner for today and tomorrow!

I felt a bit tired and didn’t feel up to anything intellectual, so played games and waited for Holby (I know it’s rubbish and nothing like reality, and I had to have it on quiet because I’m not sure whether it’s acceptable to watch it whilst in hospital!), but it suited my brain.

Then my meds (still not in the lockable bit of cabinet) and discussion as to whether I wanted the Senna and a question about a change in dose of one of them. I feel really stupid as I can’t remember what is for what and what the doses are, so I have to ask each time. However, the doctor is coming for her rounds tomorrow, so that should clarify things. My sugars are now 16.5, so less than pre supper, and I’ve eaten and had a hot chocolate. Like I said, there appears to be no logic to this at all.

Then a potential problem – Juli rang to let me know he’d forgotten to tell me that he hadn’t had a phone call from Medicare to say that they are delivering the equipment tomorrow. I am a bit concerned about this as previously we have been told that if they don’t get an answer to their call, they won’t load the stuff on the van and it doesn’t get delivered. If it doesn’t get delivered, there is no home visit. I will chase this tomorrow.

Then another potential  problem – my iPad just told me I am down to 10% battery, even though the cable is permanently plugged in. I have checked the cable by plugging it in to the phone, and that seems to work, the socket on the wall, and that seems to work, and I have plugged the short cable I usually use for the phone into the iPad, but I now seem to be down to 7%. I can’t  manage without my iPad, so I will finish this and not use it for a while and see if it starts charging properly. I can’t go to sleep without the Archers and Radio 5 and I can’t get through the day without checking emails, googling etc. Fingers crossed.

I’ll let you know what happens.

Goodnight!

Daisy our Pets as Therapy visitor

Safety first for a Japanese Chin - High Vis Jacket!