Thanks for your thoughts, advice, messages etc after my rant yesterday. 3 pm today, on the dot, a very young, tiny whisp of a girl arrived to reassess Colin's needs. I politely answered all her questions and then she finally asked to see the hoist. She looked at it and said there won't be a problem, the carers can use it if I am there. Such a change from yesterday, quite bizarre. Things won't last for long though as C will need two carers once the full hoist arrives. I don't have a problem with that. It was being told they couldn't do something they had been doing for a year that got to me. Anyway, hopefully all will be smooth running.......til the next thing.
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NannaB
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Well done NannaB I am sure one steely look from you put them on the back foot .Our OT had a new riser chair delivered to us today to try to help with V' s -lean to the left ( always was politically inclined in that direction ). She came along and spent ages adjusting it to suit V - she really is very nice and helpful . She left with V sitting beautifully upright . Ten minutes after she had gone V was back hanging over the left side of her chair as per usual - I haven't got the heart to tell her - at least not until after christmas !!
Colin is the same. I have to stuff a cushion under his arm. Occasionally he will surprise me by leaning to the right, just to break the monotony I think.
Well Done ! But you could have done without the stress. I don't understand their inefficiency.
We had a neurological team with a brilliant matron, Adrian, when C was first diagnosed. He left and the post was allowed to vanish. Clearly this created problems and she is coming to see us in January. I really hope she does as he did and co-ordinates needs.
C is becoming more needy and it would be so nice to feel someone with power was on our side.
Sorry C is becoming more needy. Inevitable, but still sad.
I'm not sure carefree is the right word but I'm sure with 10 here Christmas day, I'll get a lot of help and have people to talk to who respond. I hope your Christmas is good.
So glad you've got it sorted, but it's such hard work isn't it and, as you say, only temporary until the next crisis. At least you can look forward to Christmas knowing you will get the help.
Thanks Tim. Happy yes, quiet I don't think so. Our 6and nearly 9 year old are staying, with parents uncle and aunt. The 9 year old is having and electric drum set, I've bought the stool and ear phones, and the 6 year old wanted a piano accordion so that is from us. I thought an electric drum set would be silent, hence the earphones but apparently we will still hear the thumping as he hits the pads, just not so loud or the same sound he will year. I hope he lets me have a go. The accordion's here already so I've tried that and think it's great. Think I'll have some fun this Christmas. Hope you do too.
Wow! you are brave drums sets and "squeeze box" but as you say the electronic drum sets only produce a dull thunk you need the headphones, but the next request will be for an amp and speakers. Our local percussion teachers are now all moving to electronic equipment they say easier to control and almost as clean as traditional drum sets but much easier to transport. The accordion is more complex than it looks hope the young man picks it up.
Our sons went for trumpet not too bad and violin: greatest cat scarer ever invented, the violinist has recently restarted after 20 year and is no longer a screecher but then glad he lives 80 mile away as I think practice will be "interesting".
Anyway hope you and they have fun and a great laugh. Best wishes Tim
He has a full adult drumset at home but is only allowed to practice on it for an hour after school as the neighbours return home then. His dad is in a band ( the drumset was left when the drummer went abroad) and plays base guitar mainly but also the double bass and bassoon. He learnt the clarinet when younger while his brother learnt the trumpet. They also have a full size accordion. That's why I got him the smaller one. I was very grateful none of ours wanted to play the violin but the trumpet could be painful at times couldn't it. As for amps and speakers, we have several under beds and in the loft. I've heard, "Yes I'll take them soon" many times. Surplus to requirements but may be needed one day. I've just remebered there is a full size xylophone in the loft as well. I think I will get that down ( when they have all gone home).
Hospice delivered a hoist to our home last week. This thing is huge! No way I utilize this in our bedroom to get my wife out of bed. We have a twin-size hospital bed next to our queen-side regular bed, along with the normal bedroom furniture. I told them I don't plan to use it and the hospice nurses told me they don't plan to use it either. So I called them to pick it up, which they did yesterday.
Do you have another plan? What will you do when you can't get her out of bed, ceiling hoist?
I hope you are managing OK. Someone called today after spending 10 years in Australia so he hadn't seen either of us since he left. He couldn't believe the amount of equipment we have. Neither can I sometimes.
Hospice will only give her a bed bath, unless she is able to sit on the bench steadily in our shower, which she can't anymore. So they don't plan on lifting her. But as for me, I can still fairly easily handle her. Since I'm almost double her size and have been getting fit over the past year, it really isn't too hard of me. I always make sure I have her transport chair nearby. And I also remember to lift using my knees and arms, not my back. We've only had a couple of spills to the floor and when I see I'm losing my grip, I gently lower to the floor and then start all over. Take care NannaB and I hope you enjoy this wonderful holiday season as much as possible.
Do take care with the lifting , if you seriously injure yourself you won't be able to do anything . I don't always do what I preach though . I am talking from experience !!!!
Having the ceiling hoists has made my life so much easier . I often will cancel the carers and do it my self . Well I have to use it all day when they are not here . It's a mobile one not attached to walls or ceiling so no damage . John has one over his armchair and bed . Mi did have the one you have but used it stationary and wheeled John in commode to it . That was when he was still sort of able to transfer from chair to wheelchair . I would wheel him and use it to transfer to commode chair . What a palava. .. That was ... So much easier now .. But like Nanna says they can only be used by two carers . I am 78 and use it alone !!!!!! Do a better job although I say it myself .
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