Busy week

Last week was a bit hecktic with two visits to hospital.

On Tuesday it was to the Urology department for an infusion of Zometa (zolodronic acid) a bisphosponate to strenthen my bones. I got myself up and dressed early as I was not sure when the ambulance would arrive to take me. It arrived at about 9:25 and delivered me to the Urology department just on my appointment time. I needed a blood test first and the results took a while to appear. The Clinical Nurse Specialst had a problem finding a suitable vein for the canular for the infusion. One of the doctors dealt with it instead. The actual infusion only took about 15 minutes. Due to the delay for the blood test, the ambulance to take me home arrived whilst I was being treated and had to go away again. They returned just as I was being offered a sandwich. The CNS gave me a list of things to be checked on a blood test in the week before the next infusion. The community nurse from the local Health Centre will take the blood.

On Wednesday morning a fellow from Social Services arrived to investigate the options for ramps at one of the entrances. Our preferred option of temporary ramps are not possible because with both the patio and front doors the end of the ramp would end up on grass and there is not enough room at the back door. Each inch of height needs a foot of length. The step up to the back door is 11 inches, so an 11 foot ramp would be needed and the car port is only about 8 foot wide. The other options are a permenant ramp made with concrete or a semi permenant ramp made of metal. In each case there would be a "landing" level with the doorstep to allow the wheelchair to be turned through 90 degrees allowing plenty of room for the ramps. We have decided to take no action at present.  

On Thursday afternoon it was Out patients regarding my left elbow. The ambulance arrived early, before 2pm for a 4:15pm appointment. This did not pose a problem because patients arriving by ambulance get treated first. X-rays taken whilst I was in hospital show that there is a tumour on the elbow. The tumour has started to affect the strength of my left hand, particularly the small fingrer and thenext one. The doctors thought they had contacted the oncologist at the Christie about it but as there was no record of them having done so will do so as a matter of urgency. I have another Out patients appointment in six weeks time as a back stop should I hear nothing from the Christie.  I will cancel that appointment once I hear from the Christie. There was a bit of a wait for the ambulance home but I was back at about 4:30pm.

Dependancy

Being dependant on others is, I suppose, the main change to my life. I spend most of the day in my wheel chair which allows me a degree of mobility and hence some freedom. Once I transfer to the bed in the evening my options are much more limited. Being dependant upon her has increased the burden upon my wife. It is not easy to judge how big the burden is and I do not want to be, or even appear to be, demanding at all. After all, if things get too much for her it will do neither of us any good. I try to go with the flow and accept what is offered on the basis that she is doing the best that she can with my interests in mind. That is not to say that we necessarily agree about what is in my best interest.

We both also depend upon friends and neighbours for help with shopping and small errands. It is good to know that we have such caring people around us. I also have a carer come for a time in the morning to help me get washed and dressed and to tidy the bed once I've transferred to the wheel chair.

Having access  to the internet allows me to to get a fair amount of our grocery shopping on-line as well as some non-grocery stuff. At  the moment I am using a laptop lent to me by a friend but I have bought a new one for myself which should be delivered on Monday. The internet is a bit of a lifeline in other ways too. I can keep in touch with family and friends and use on-line forums to extend my (virtual) social life.

I've not been home very long yet so we are still learning and adapting to the new circumstances. No doubt things will get easier over time and the stress on my wife will lessen. I do hope so.

New routines

I've been home nearly a week now and new routines are beginning to get sorted out. A carer comes in the morning to make sure I'm up and dressed and to tidy the bed and empty the commode. We've decided that we can manage without the carer in the evening. Making sure I take my medicines at the proper time needs a bit of concentration. Most of them are taken at the same time each morning with a smaller number in the evening but there are a couple that are taken during the day too.

Next week I have two appointments at the hospital. I will be relying on ambulance transport which looks like I'll be spending a lot of time waiting around. Once we have some ramps fitted, I'll have the option of using a wheelchair taxi instead which will be a lot more flexible.

Home at last

I came home from the hospital yesterday evening. I'm very impressed with the adjustable bed with an air filled matress. Matt, eldest son, had set it up and put on the sheet and duvet. A carer attends morning and evening. I wasn't sure this would be needed but it is a comfort.

The cat has decided to pretty much ignore me. I'm not sure where he spends the day. It used to be in the corner of the front room, my living quarters now, but not anymore.