Response to White Flag waving: This is a thank you... - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

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Response to White Flag waving

Poshdog profile image
Poshdog
β€’39 Replies

This is a thank you and it is ginormous. I will respond to all in between catching trains, taxis and waiting for what is literally hours on the telephone. The feeling of support and advice coming to me from all corners of the world is overwhelming. Your words have got me through one of the most difficult of times. I do not know what the future holds as the diagnosis now seems to be severe dehydration and possible endocarditis causing delirium. So no one is talking any longer about sending him home any minute now. I shall act on all suggestions offered to me and send huge appreciations to all who have offered love, hugs and support. If all the people in the world were like you lot what a place it could be...πŸ’–πŸ’–

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Poshdog profile image
Poshdog
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39 Replies
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SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane

I think your own positivity is getting you through this Poshdog! We will continue to be here for you though. 🌷

Poshdog profile image
Poshdogβ€’ in reply toSheffieldJane

Thank you so much, it's almost worth having PMR!

123-go profile image
123-goβ€’ in reply toPoshdog

πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜©πŸ€£πŸ˜© ❀️

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

Don't let them fool you by the improvement they achieve with a few bags of saline!!! Been there, done that ...

Poshdog profile image
Poshdogβ€’ in reply toPMRpro

Don't believe in Father Christmas either..

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassadorβ€’ in reply toPoshdog

No, me neither ...

After 4 days in hospital to be "pepped up", OH had gained 2kg in weight, said the ward doctor proudly. That's just fluid replacement, I said. No, "Substanz"said she. Sorry luv - I did physiology at Uni, you don't create muscle and fat in 4 days. Cognitively he was no better. A few weeks later the palliative unit achieved a minor miracle - by going about it the right way. It could only postpone the inevitable but both he and I had several weeks of a better QOL, which was the idea ...

Nextoneplease profile image
Nextoneplease

I had endocarditis a few years ago, it was pretty dramatic and I was in hospital for weeks on IV antibiotics. I literally couldn’t stand up. But….they got me through it and I’m here to tell the tale! All the best to you and your partner, it sounds as though they might be getting somewhere with his condition 😊

Hugs xx

Poshdog profile image
Poshdogβ€’ in reply toNextoneplease

So glad you got through it and lived to tell the tale. Partner couldn't stand either, quite terrifying - but you beat it, gives me hope x

Nextoneplease profile image
Nextonepleaseβ€’ in reply toPoshdog

No one had a clue what was wrong with me for a few days after I collapsed and was admitted to hospital - but once they’d established it was endocarditis, there was a very good treatment regime, quite lengthy but effective. All the best to you 😊xx

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassadorβ€’ in reply toPoshdog

I don't think they realise how scary it is being asked to care for someone who can't stand even with a bit of support when you are neither trained nor young and fit.

Constance13 profile image
Constance13β€’ in reply toPMRpro

I think they realise it completely. It's just that they can't find a way of offering help. Funds!!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassadorβ€’ in reply toConstance13

I don't think they do - I had a nurse insisting OH was using his legs to push up to help. She was talking rubbish. I could see the inability to help more because of financial constraints although it was even more so "no staff", it was the "you are NOT listening" that was the worst. We (I and the girls) identified each stage of deterioration days before they did - they were taken by surprise. It surprised me, I was with him all day every day, and usually you don't notice a slow deterioration as much as someone who sees the patient every couple of days where that changes in the time are greater.

Sophiestree profile image
Sophiestreeβ€’ in reply toPMRpro

And that too. Or has he had any fluid today? Oh no, then put on a drip

Has he had any food today, oh no, put on another

Have you cleaned his teeth, oh no, here comes the nurse to do it now.

Arghhhh

Sophiestree profile image
Sophiestreeβ€’ in reply toPMRpro

I even had that when they told me to take my husband to a&e in the first place. It took two other people to help me just get him into the doctors. But I had to say they needed to ring an ambulance. If you don't fight your corner they just let it happen..

And it's exhausting.

Every day

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassadorβ€’ in reply toSophiestree

I wouldn't even have tried - but then, our ambo crews aren't as overwhelmed as in the UK. If he had fallen - I called them. Then I got the White Cross emergency alarm so I was at least paying for them to come and help. It was the same teams, from the same base, but the conscience was salved! And when we did have to call 112 for ME, the crew and the Emergency Doctor checked on him and the girls to and told them to shout for help anytime they felt they needed it.

And yes - perhaps the greatest relief is when you stop banging your head against that particular brick wall.

Sophiestree profile image
Sophiestreeβ€’ in reply toPMRpro

I'm guessing the White Cross emergency is an Italian thing? Sounds good

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassadorβ€’ in reply toSophiestree

It is the charity that helps run our ambo service - Weisses Kreuz

weisseskreuz.bz.it/de/home-...

Maybe google will offer to translate? But the pictures say a lot about the serices they offer.

They train volunteers, provide first aid cover at events and on the ski pistes and provide a mix of paid employees and volunteers to crew ambos. I suppose they are a bit like Red Cross but a much more local base although they head off all over the country in emergencies. South Tirol has a reputation for being a region of volunteers - same applies for our firies, some professional, many volunteers.

They also have a medical travel insurance that can include air repatriation if you need it and comes in 3 levels of very reasonably priced cover. The joy of their home alarm cover is that the responders are properly trained and often strapping young men (and women who appear within 20 mins, having picked up a key for access if needed!

Sophiestree profile image
Sophiestreeβ€’ in reply toPMRpro

how brilliant is thatwhy don't we have that, especially the home alarm cover. I would absolutely have that living on my own.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassadorβ€’ in reply toSophiestree

I have toyed with the idea - the girls said put your phone in your pocket!!! I'm waiting to see how the finances pan out ...

Sophiestree profile image
Sophiestreeβ€’ in reply toPMRpro

It is something I think about, more so since diagnosis. But yes, finances can take a while to sort.

It all seems to take an age.

Constance13 profile image
Constance13β€’ in reply toPMRpro

Sounds like the "Johanniter" here. St. John's Ambulance in UK.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassadorβ€’ in reply toConstance13

i said something like that to my YAS paramedic - who was rather scathing about St J's in the UK!!!! She thinks WK are great though.

They have a "Wish wagon" - taking terminally ill patients for a "one last wish"- they, together with local crews through Germany, took someone back "home" not so long ago. Simpler have been a day at the sea or up a mountain.

Constance13 profile image
Constance13β€’ in reply toPMRpro

Not really very pleased with Johanniter here either, to be honest.

I have an emergency bracelet to wear when I am left alone at home. However, I've only used them twice (when OH couldn't pick me up from the floor and again when I collapsed and was alone). Both times ambulances came. I could have called them myself - and it wouldn't cost me €32 per month!🀨☹️

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassadorβ€’ in reply toConstance13

Much the same here - but a call taker for 112 told me off one night, picking an elderly frail faller off the floor wasn't what 112 was for, he said. The Sanitaeter didn't agree but as a member of WK I didn't mind - and by doing it I knew if something happened when I was out they had a key to get in which was essential.

Constance13 profile image
Constance13β€’ in reply toPMRpro

Key! That's why I keep paying them.

Sophiestree profile image
Sophiestree

Stand your ground. Don't let them fob you off, you have so much to deal with already. It seems if you don't create, they just let things go hoping we don't notice.

Poshdog profile image
Poshdogβ€’ in reply toSophiestree

They told me 'he fairly leapt into his wheelchair'. What the f**k are they talking about, he can't even sit unaided let alone stand! Excuse the f word but I have run out of vocabulary to describe it all.

Sophiestree profile image
Sophiestreeβ€’ in reply toPoshdog

Sometimes there is no other word 😬I really feel for you.

Sharitone profile image
Sharitoneβ€’ in reply toPoshdog

Good for relieving the stress! My sister is a vicar and frequently whatsapps me in dodgy language to let off steam!Full of admiration for the way you are coping!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassadorβ€’ in reply toSharitone

Sounds like my sort of vicar ...

123-go profile image
123-goβ€’ in reply toPMRpro

πŸ€—

Poshdog profile image
Poshdogβ€’ in reply toSharitone

My love to your sister! and to you for telling me!

Sharitone profile image
Sharitoneβ€’ in reply toPoshdog

I did pass ob your message, and ths wa her reply: 'Aw! Perhaps s/he needs some STL therapy?

(S** the lot of them... )

Poshdog profile image
Poshdogβ€’ in reply toSharitone

There is really no reply I can think of to do that one justice!! Made me laugh though! x

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassadorβ€’ in reply toPoshdog

Sounds familiar ...

Constance13 profile image
Constance13β€’ in reply toPoshdog

You didn't use the word! πŸ€ͺ

Poshdog profile image
Poshdogβ€’ in reply toConstance13

But I thought it very powerfully!!

Koalajane profile image
Koalajane

This is showing what a strong person you are. Keep being strong and hopefully everything will improve. Know you are doing what is best for all

Poshdog profile image
Poshdogβ€’ in reply toKoalajane

Thank you, just a question if the brick wall goes before my head! x

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