In the morning, it was confirmed. I had breakfast, three half pieces of toast and both jam and marmalade!
Dr came in to say that the urine sample that had been requested would be better done by me and taken to the GP. Got up and dressed, and was then asked to vacate my room so that they could deep clean it. I managed to pack everything myself in my case, and I was given a pack of trainer pants and some more continence stuff. The domestic lady that came to see if I needed help said I should take the cream and spray as it would only be thrown away, so I stuffed those into the case as well.
I wheeled myself into the day room, and had a long chat with the Irish volunteer lady who gave me two cups of coffee and two biscuits! I had the whole of the day room to myself, and then lunch arrived. Cottage pie, mash and mixed veg, then my last hospital cheeses and biscuits.
Sat playing games and completed three “customer” questionnaires – one from the ward, asking about the usual things, including cleaning (excellent), food (good but monotonous and no nutritional information), dignity and respect. Next one was about quantity and quality of therapies offered. As I’d only used the physio and occ therapists, I left speech and language, psychological and psychiatric. The third one was from the Trust (on an A5 card with one of those scan logos as opposed to photocopied sheets).
I handed the remote control ceremoniously to Ellen and made her The Keeper of The Remote! She graciously accepted.
Then Juli arrived and we sat while we went through the discharge letter and the huge numbers of drugs. I realised that I am going to have to be really organised about this now that I don’t have a nurse wearing the “Nurse on drug round – do not disturb” tabard. I think I might buy one of those pill organisers and do several days at a time.
Got all the stuff into the car, and made our way home. We stopped at the petrol station to get fuel and I asked for a bar of Fry’s Turkish Delight as an escape reward. They are much smaller than they used to be! Came back via Lyneham, where Juli nipped into the Co-Op to do some shopping. Saw a friend of ours, John Holland, as we were coming over Braydon Crossroads, and there was much smiling, waving and thumbs-upping.
Got home and unloaded car, including me. Went up to loo, then back downstairs and ensconced in living room. Theet and Bap came round to say welcome home, and give me a lovely bunch of roses and tulips that Bap had chosen. Sian gave me a lovely bunch of helium balloons!
Watched tv and Juli cooked me a brilliant meal of steak, chips, stuffed mushroom and sweet corn. Plus a wonderful French stick with Lurpack. And a jelly for dessert. I was very happy!
Watched more tv while Juli slept on sofa, then up to bed. Realised that we didn’t have a stand for the night bag, which is important so that it doesn’t pull on the catheter. Juli cobbled together a stand to hang from the bed frame from a wire coat hangar. Got into bed quite easily and did some game playing, then lay down properly and fell asleep while Juli was in the bath.
Had a wonderful night’s sleep, and only woke once but we’d forgotten to take a glass of water.
Saturday 30th April
Woke up and just lay in bed, happy to be home. The night bag had worked well. Juli woke up and got up and went to bathroom, and I waited until he came back. Got up with no bother, and into bathroom for the loo and a wash. Got dressed. Came downstairs and we went to get the bread. A bit worried about changing the routine re timing for the meds, but decided it wouldn’t make that much difference.
Into the mini and off to Purton House for the bread, and One Stop for milk, bran flakes and sliced brown bread for my toast. Back to the house and into the living room, where I sat with one of our little side tables. I had my bran flakes and toast, while Juli had bacon butty and toast. I think I will need to buy one of those adjustable tables.
After breakfast I was feeling tired, so I moved onto the sofa, put my feet up and dozed. Juli and Sian were doing stuff outside, but they popped in every now and then, and I had my phone, so all was fine. Afterwards Sian told me that they had checked on me a number of times, by peering through the living room window! Then I had a visitor – Sue from next door, who brought me a card and a lovely bunch of flowers. This is good!
Checked the post to see if my blue badge had arrived, but it hasn’t. Never mind. However, there was a lovely card and letter from Val, saying that Matthew was getting married this weekend. How did I miss this? I must get a card. Speaking of cards, I realised that I hadn’t posted Karen’s birthday card. Real family failures here. I must do better.
Went for another drive to get some compost.
We were going to have a bbq, but the weather was a bit iffy, so the Asado was put in the Aga.
****very too much information warning*****
Then I needed the loo. Fairly urgently. Unfortunately, didn’t manage to get upstairs in time. When I got there, it was a disaster. I blame the change in diet! Sian had to call Julio for help cleaning me up, which was difficult. It ended up with me trying to get into the shower. We had had the new shower stool delivered, but I wasn’t supposed to use it until it and me had been evaluated by the occupational therapist, but we didn’t have time for that!
At one point I, my legs gave up and I ended up, on the floor. It took a lot of effort on everyone’s behalf, and the shower stool. Eventually, I got up, cleaned up, and redressed. It was a frightening experience, and I think we’ve all learned from it.
****ok again***
Back downstairs, and I was exhausted, so just sat a while Juli and Sian finished getting dinner – Asado, mushrooms, baby potatoes, and salad. Sian went off to bed, and Juli and I watched tv for a while and then we, too went to bed. It’s slightly more complicated than going to bed in Chippenham, but we’re managing!
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