Chapter 229 - Dip Sticks
Along to a long appointment with the Sub Continent doctor on Friday because our usual GP is booked solidly until next Wednesday week. Anyway, this one tends to talk & I feel matters can be discussed with him. I have been using the urine testing sticks for several days in the her urine in the commode, but only after I have scalded & dried it to minimise contamination. Since the various testing areas on a stick need to be observed at differing times, 30, 60 & 120 seconds I photograph them with a stopwatch close by with the time & date on a small piece of paper. The reactions continue while the reacting areas remain damp so cannot be kept for later observation. Both the leukocytes & nitrite tabs change colour; the leukocytes very quickly to a dark mauve. Usually the nitrite tab to varying shades of pink. Both suggest infection. As a control I did a test of my own urine which showed no colour changes on any tab - any one may suspect that I'm a healthy young chap.
With a number of prints in hand, a group of 4 shots of a test on a page, we saw the doctor. He seemed puzzled about how I took & printed the rather fuzzy shots. I encouraged him to keep one page of the latest test in her file. He noted that the leukocyte tab began changing colour quickly, quite noticeable at the 30 second point, long before the 2 minute point when that tab is to be recorded. He began talking about a urologist, but first another pathology test and a bout of antibiotics appropriate to e-coli. I was tempted to suggest cutting to the chase straight to a urologist, but I think a urologist may request the same path anyway, so I shut up. It was late in the day by the time we left so the antibiotics are yet to be obtained from the chemist.
The doctor also completed the paper work for her to have a disability pension rather than an aged pension so that I, the carer, will revert to a carer's pension thereby able to receive an additional $600 allowance each year. We heard of this tactic when a CentreLink person spoke at our last PD group meeting. So we discussed it with him in person on Friday & he gave us the paperwork for the application. She thinks the paper work is excessive for the amount of $600. Who cares about the tax payer? The main reason I needed to speak with Centrelink was to find out whether both our Term Allocated and Allocated superannuation pensions will be assessed as assets should either of us end up in care. The answer is "No", only the pension that can be drawn down without penalty. So that means that our assessable assets are reasonably low, thus bonds & fees will be much lower. I knew there must be some good reasons for locking away most of our money & paying fees to financial advisers.
We have discussed her anatomy with regard to more effective washing & wiping. While using the commode she is too constricted with space (arm rests) to use paper to dry herself after urinating and she is too unstable to hang onto objects with her left hand & wipe with the right after rising from the commode. So that is out for her get-ups during the small hours. I have repeatedly asked her about the "feminine hygiene" setting on the bidet which she does not use because "the stream does not seem to go to the right place". I suggested spreading her cheeks a bit. Can't do that very much she says. Anyway, this morning she discovered that by grabbing the fireman's pole (the stainless steel pole I installed from floor to ceiling in front of the toilet some years ago) and partly raising her self, the bidet water stream enters the appropriate area, then she can lower herself to be blown dry by warm air. I am so glad that I am not built like a woman, but then of course, I have my own problems. She is changing her incontinent pants at least twice a day to minimise the effect of that lovely warm possibly dampish breading ground for bacteria.
Must go to see whether she is up to having a shower. Half an hour ago she was, got side tracked getting clothes ready, showering became an impossibility, had a short walk on the treadmill and sat down in front of the TV.
With a number of prints in hand, a group of 4 shots of a test on a page, we saw the doctor. He seemed puzzled about how I took & printed the rather fuzzy shots. I encouraged him to keep one page of the latest test in her file. He noted that the leukocyte tab began changing colour quickly, quite noticeable at the 30 second point, long before the 2 minute point when that tab is to be recorded. He began talking about a urologist, but first another pathology test and a bout of antibiotics appropriate to e-coli. I was tempted to suggest cutting to the chase straight to a urologist, but I think a urologist may request the same path anyway, so I shut up. It was late in the day by the time we left so the antibiotics are yet to be obtained from the chemist.
The doctor also completed the paper work for her to have a disability pension rather than an aged pension so that I, the carer, will revert to a carer's pension thereby able to receive an additional $600 allowance each year. We heard of this tactic when a CentreLink person spoke at our last PD group meeting. So we discussed it with him in person on Friday & he gave us the paperwork for the application. She thinks the paper work is excessive for the amount of $600. Who cares about the tax payer? The main reason I needed to speak with Centrelink was to find out whether both our Term Allocated and Allocated superannuation pensions will be assessed as assets should either of us end up in care. The answer is "No", only the pension that can be drawn down without penalty. So that means that our assessable assets are reasonably low, thus bonds & fees will be much lower. I knew there must be some good reasons for locking away most of our money & paying fees to financial advisers.
We have discussed her anatomy with regard to more effective washing & wiping. While using the commode she is too constricted with space (arm rests) to use paper to dry herself after urinating and she is too unstable to hang onto objects with her left hand & wipe with the right after rising from the commode. So that is out for her get-ups during the small hours. I have repeatedly asked her about the "feminine hygiene" setting on the bidet which she does not use because "the stream does not seem to go to the right place". I suggested spreading her cheeks a bit. Can't do that very much she says. Anyway, this morning she discovered that by grabbing the fireman's pole (the stainless steel pole I installed from floor to ceiling in front of the toilet some years ago) and partly raising her self, the bidet water stream enters the appropriate area, then she can lower herself to be blown dry by warm air. I am so glad that I am not built like a woman, but then of course, I have my own problems. She is changing her incontinent pants at least twice a day to minimise the effect of that lovely warm possibly dampish breading ground for bacteria.
Must go to see whether she is up to having a shower. Half an hour ago she was, got side tracked getting clothes ready, showering became an impossibility, had a short walk on the treadmill and sat down in front of the TV.
posted by Kilpike | 7:57 am
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