Inch by Inch, Life’s a Sinch, Yard by Yard, Life is hard!

Thursday March 8/12 it was home at last! Spent my first night at home in 7 months although it was in a hospital bed in the family room…it was at home. Leaving the hospital was relatively uneventful. Got into the car with no major problems but the ol’ butt was a little sore by the time I got home….an hour ride. 

I asked the nurses to sign my long slider board, the one I use to get into the car, and one wrote: Inch by Inch, Life’s a Sinch, Yard by Yard, Life is hard! I think that will become my mantra.

Friday evening the pharmacist came and explained all the drugs I was taking and how warfarin works and why I had to have my INR checked weekly.

 Today and last  Monday I went for a coffee with the guys at McD’s and that went very well. 

 I had a Dr’s appointment to get my INR checked to determine if I am taking enough warfarin. To get me in the car Darcy has to take the manual chair apart to get it in the trunk and put it back together at the end of the trip. Again we should have had a video camera. It was raining on Monday afternoon and I got loaded in the Bug and Darcy loaded the chair in the trunk. We drove around looking for any parking space as no handicapped spaces were available. We found one but soon realized there was a barrier, the curb. I wouldn’t be able slide out of the car because the curb was too high. We then found a handicapped space at the nursing home across the street and Darcy got the chair out and assembled it only to discover we had left the seat cushion in the garage. Darcy loaded the chair into the car then back to the house to get the cushion. Back to the Dr’s office, get the chair out of the car and it started to pour. I was wet and freezing so we decided to pack the chair and go downtown. The rain stopped so it was back to the Dr’s to unload the chair once again. The trip that should have been 2 unloads and 2 loads, became 4 of each and Darcy was soaking wet to boot. Note: the chair is at the limit that Darcy can lift and she was exhausted after the excursion.

The assistance has started and a PSW comes twice a day, in the morning for an hour for a shower and in the evening for bowel care. A nurse comes about twice a week, an occupation therapist has been here twice and a visit from the physiotherapist who went over my program. I know I have to be a little flexible with the schedul but I would really like to start at 7 in the morning but I know that may not be possible. The night visit has to be around 8:30 as that is the schedule my bowels are on…..Probably too much info.

It is my understanding that the agency, which will remain nameless, has a policy that all PSW’s have to be trained on each patient, to date they have been unable to do anything. Don’t get me wrong, the PSW’s have been great… it is the agency policy that is the problem. They want Darcy to train them how to put on a condom catheter when she only learned through necessity. They want me to lay there with several PSW’s standing around the bed watching as Darcy puts on the condom.  I hung my dignity on the door a long time ago but I’m afraid that is just too much. It still is a lot of work for Darcy since the PSW’ can’t even put on my compression stockings without training even though they put them on other patients regularly.

Just got a call from the agency, they have changed their plan. The PSW’s will be here at noon and Darcy will show them individually how to ‘attach’ a condom and we have to supply the condoms at $2.50 each. Remember a condom catheter is glued on with a very sticky adhesive so it won’t come off. It is bad enough having them ‘torn’ off once every 12 to 24 hours but 4 or 5 in an hour is unacceptable. I assumed that all PSW’s were trained professionals and would be trained in all aspects of the care they provide. I may be messing up my care but how can they expect my wife to train a healthcare professional any of their tasks. I understand that they may not be licensed to put on condoms but there has to be as better way to train them ‘cause it ain’t gonna happen this way. Hmmmmm…..is this directing my own care.

You will have to wait until the next blog to hear the rest of the condom story as they are coming tomorrow at noon…..how’s that for drama.

Being home is fantastic. The scary part is I was starting to consider Parkwood as home as I felt safe and comfortable there and was actually a little apprehensive about coming home. I am now glad they gave me the ultimatum of March 8 to go home or into the Tillsonburg hospital. The only thing I really miss is the 3 hour+ of therapy 5 days a week. I also miss kibitzing with the nurses, PSW’s and other patients. The staff at Parkwood are great.

How do I feel? As Tony would say I feel GRRRRREAT. I assume it is the meds that are keeping from getting too up or too down although I have not had any ‘downs’ since I’ve been home.

 I've gone for a couple of long chair rides... the dog hasn’t had such long walks in 7 months. Went about 3k with the Sarge today, he was on his bike. It was just good to be out.

Thanks for listening….