Preparations
Feb. 10th, 2021 07:04 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wiseheartMore Mum-related stuff behind the tag; feel free to ignore it.
I've organized a great deal of stuff for Mum's return. We already have the walking aid, and Edith, my young colleague, came over with her hubby today and showed me how to fix the raised seat to the toilet. It isn't all that complicated... once you've understood how to do it.
H. (Little Emma's grandmother) told me that they still have a great amount of diapers for adults in original packages. They used them for her mother-in-law (Mum's sister-in-law) when she was in the last phase of her Altzheimer's and they didn't throw away the unused ones, just in case someone might need them. Now we'll get them for the night - for the first time when Mum won't be able just hop out of bed and run to the loo whenever necessary.
For daytime, with the help of a colleague who's more internet-savvy than I am, we've ordered (or rather will order tomorrow) a so-called room toilet. At least that's what it's called in Hungarian. Basically, it's a chair with a hole in it seat and a chamber pot set into that hole. Again, for the first time, since the way to the loo is not short from the living room and there are two thresholds in the way.
We're still working on getting a physiotherapist that would come to us. The family doctor said she can't get one until Mum is released, and afterwards it would take a minimum of three weeks(!!!) to get one, so we are trying for other possibilities. Mum asked the physiotherapist at the hospital if she'd come privately (for payment, of course), and the lady said she'll give her answer tomorrow. She apparently lives near us (only a 5-minute-drive away), so I hope by God that she'll say yes. If not, another colleague suggested that I seek out a former pupil of us who's a physiotherapist and whose kid is now going to our school. I was her teacher for 4 years and liked her a lot; so, even if she can't do it, I feel that I can trust anyone she might suggest. *fingers crossed*
So, the only point that needs to be worked on is the additional mattress, as Mum's bed is way too low and it would be difficult (not to mention perhaps painful) to get up from it. Unfortunately, it's an oddly shaped piece of furniture, so standard mattresses won't work. Another colleague has hunted down a firm that makes individual mattresses and mailed them with the request. Now we are waiting for an answer.
There's no hope that the mattress will arrive before Mum, so we are thinking of temporary solutions right now. Wish us luck.
Update: I've just talked to Mum's surgeon. They'll release her on Friday. But the really scary thing is that I'll have to inject her the anti-coagulant every day myself. Jesus, I'm really, really in panic!
I've organized a great deal of stuff for Mum's return. We already have the walking aid, and Edith, my young colleague, came over with her hubby today and showed me how to fix the raised seat to the toilet. It isn't all that complicated... once you've understood how to do it.
H. (Little Emma's grandmother) told me that they still have a great amount of diapers for adults in original packages. They used them for her mother-in-law (Mum's sister-in-law) when she was in the last phase of her Altzheimer's and they didn't throw away the unused ones, just in case someone might need them. Now we'll get them for the night - for the first time when Mum won't be able just hop out of bed and run to the loo whenever necessary.
For daytime, with the help of a colleague who's more internet-savvy than I am, we've ordered (or rather will order tomorrow) a so-called room toilet. At least that's what it's called in Hungarian. Basically, it's a chair with a hole in it seat and a chamber pot set into that hole. Again, for the first time, since the way to the loo is not short from the living room and there are two thresholds in the way.
We're still working on getting a physiotherapist that would come to us. The family doctor said she can't get one until Mum is released, and afterwards it would take a minimum of three weeks(!!!) to get one, so we are trying for other possibilities. Mum asked the physiotherapist at the hospital if she'd come privately (for payment, of course), and the lady said she'll give her answer tomorrow. She apparently lives near us (only a 5-minute-drive away), so I hope by God that she'll say yes. If not, another colleague suggested that I seek out a former pupil of us who's a physiotherapist and whose kid is now going to our school. I was her teacher for 4 years and liked her a lot; so, even if she can't do it, I feel that I can trust anyone she might suggest. *fingers crossed*
So, the only point that needs to be worked on is the additional mattress, as Mum's bed is way too low and it would be difficult (not to mention perhaps painful) to get up from it. Unfortunately, it's an oddly shaped piece of furniture, so standard mattresses won't work. Another colleague has hunted down a firm that makes individual mattresses and mailed them with the request. Now we are waiting for an answer.
There's no hope that the mattress will arrive before Mum, so we are thinking of temporary solutions right now. Wish us luck.
Update: I've just talked to Mum's surgeon. They'll release her on Friday. But the really scary thing is that I'll have to inject her the anti-coagulant every day myself. Jesus, I'm really, really in panic!
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(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-10 08:05 pm (UTC)Don't be afraid, it's just a prick in the leg, you can do it :)
(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-10 08:30 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-10 08:46 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-10 09:11 pm (UTC)If she's getting some physiotherapy in the hospital they should be able to teach her some easy range of motion exercises she can do in bed where there's no danger of falling.
It all seems overwhelming, but once she's home the two of you will fall into a routine that works for both of you.
(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-10 09:54 pm (UTC)With luck you will be able to get a physiotherapist on your own so you won't have to wait three weeks.
Try not to be nervous about the injection. My dad had to give himself injections in his stomach for diabetes, and when he got Parkinson's he was too unsteady sometimes to do it, and so I had to do it. It really isn't hard. You will just do it, because it must be done. And I am assuming you will be given instructions, and hopefully can practice under someone's guidance. You can do it! I promise.
Sending hugs and positive thoughts and all my best wishes to you.
(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-10 10:05 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-10 10:06 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-10 10:07 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-10 10:11 pm (UTC)I believe, although I'm not entirely certain, it might be possible to get sturdy cups that fit under bed legs to raise the height of a bed but I have no idea what they're called. It's worth asking the hospital and physiotherapy people because they might know, or have some ideas.
Good luck!
(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-10 11:02 pm (UTC)But you will do just fine, really. It is unnerving to think about, but please know this: you can do it.
(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-10 11:25 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-10 11:44 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-11 12:47 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-11 03:14 am (UTC)I inject myself daily in the stomach with insulin. It is not like an injection to the arm or inner elbow. It is more like a pen with tiny, thin needles. They are so fine you barely feel them, and so short they don’t go far, just a little further than piercing the skin. It is a learning curve — at first you will be apprehensive but you’ll soon gain confidence.
(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-11 07:38 am (UTC)I hope it all goes well, also with the injections. I'm sure you'll grow used to doing it.
I hope you can also sort out a physiotherapist, but why isn't the hospital organising this?
(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-11 10:51 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-11 03:04 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-11 04:11 pm (UTC)I know this was easier for me when it was my mum, as I was a nurse, but I recognise the worries and problems. In our case Mum had dislocated her hip, but even so we had to raise the bed, get her a commode (room toilet), reminder her to use her zimmer frame, and so on, too.
The best way to raise the bed is to put something under the mattress — or under the feet of the bed. Mum was all to anxious to be able to stop using the commode and so was happy to do her exercise every hour, which was basically to stand ('push up from the chair, do not try to do it by pulling yourself up using the zimmer frame...') and walking even just five or six steps, increasing slowly as time went on.
Getting help from a physio is good — if the one who already knows her isn't able to do it, asking the help/advice of your old pupil sounds really sensible. I expect, in more ordinary times, the physio, or an occupational therapist, would do a home visit, and a district nurse might well come for the first couple of days to make sure you are confident to do the injections — but I guess the less people visiting these days the better. I am sure between the two of you you will manage.
(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-11 08:27 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-11 08:28 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-11 08:29 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-11 08:29 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-11 08:30 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-11 08:30 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-11 08:31 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-11 08:33 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-12 05:18 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-12 05:56 pm (UTC)I'm sure you will be fine with the injection, but they really should show you = it's bound to feel daunting at first
(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-12 08:12 pm (UTC)It's great to hear from you again. It has been too long, and in these times one can't help being worried. I hope you are well. *hugs*
(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-12 11:18 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-13 08:10 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-13 06:46 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-02-13 06:48 pm (UTC)