Chapter 340 - A Bloody Surprise

Around 5am this morning I tip-toed out to my loo (hers has a bidet attached so I don't use that) trying not to wake her but on my return she had woken. She saw blood on her top bed sheet, then a large bloodied area on the bottom of her nightie, as well as some on the incontinence pants she now wears to bed (more about that later). She took the pants off and I had her sit on the commode to relieve herself rather that use the loo, thinking to myself that if something serious was happening she was best not to move too far. I looked at the Apomorphine infusion site, no bleeding; I looked at fundamental orifices as best I could, no bleeding. After checking all around her buttocks and upper legs I found traces of dried blood beneath the right hand side tummy fold at the top of her right leg (professionals surely have a word to describe that area) and wiped it clear with a damp tissue. I was unable to find any cuts, scratches, small penetration marks or such. No fresh blood appeared on her skin surface. There was only a mild reddish "blush" a few cms square in the area. So I wheeled her into the shower where she washed herself and then I helped her dry and dress.

Now about incontinence pants, bloomers or nappies ( what some foreign nationals call "diapers"). After she saw the urologist up the 4 lane at Highlands Town last Saturday and what having to go to Big Smoke to a hospital for uro-dynamic tests (I think I am correct with that word), taking most of a day to do so,  and although TACP was willing to arrange transport to Big Smoke on this occasion, we will soon be disconnected from their care, requiring other arrangements to be negotiated so I had Dr I. our GP fax a referral down to Hot Air City to Dr H. the urologist who looked into some of my inner workings several years ago.

This change of plans has precipitated TACP handing my PWP directly into the care of the support organisation currently providing respite and shower assistance, but also because there is a "level 2" care slot available now which we are advised to accept rather than be on the end of a queue when she really needs it. She has been assessed for "level 4" support but that may not be available for some time (there has been mention of 50-60 on a waiting list). After next Tuesday's budget from our current rabid uncaring government I fear there may be changes in such forms of support. I feel obliged to continue to pay $65 each week as a form of insurance against whatever befalls us around the next bend of our downhill ageing pathway.

Since eschewing catheters a week ago we returned to her rising between 2 and 6 times each night for a piddle, although one night only once! We both declined into tiredness and feeling frazzled, she trying not to wake me and so risking falls even though the commode was beside her bed. Speaking to one of the support ladies one morning about the nocturia, the incontinence "nappies" were suggested, being described as keeping the skin dry yet able to contain a lot of fluid. As the lady extolled the virtues of the devices I asked "Have you ever tried wearing one all night and piddling yourself" and she, slightly embarrassed, said "No". My PWP decided such may be worth a test so the lady said she would arrange for to be delivered for trial. Somehow or other, the helpful TACP coordinator became involved, later in the day arriving at our place with several to trial. So for the last two nights she has worn a nappy and we have slept better for her doing so. Except for her waking at 5am this morning and finding blood..........

Now that the visiting support ladies do not have shower duties because we have reverted to me wheeling her in and out and helping with dressing we look for tasks for them to fill for a half hour. Yesterday it was hanging washing on the line that I had to take in when rain began an hour later; today it was hanging clothes on hangers plus some helpful advice about attaching the incontinence nappies.

This past Friday she was due to cancel another Motillium. In her independent wisdom some days earlier she decided to do that and take the remaining four at 1x4 times a day. I must tell Polly. There have been no after effects and she has nor complained of biliousness and bloatedness in many days.

Polly forwarded a copy of the report from the Kinetigraph she wore a couple of weeks ago; I had better not post any of it here since there may be proprietary restrictions. Most interesting results confirming her comments that early afternoons find her slowing down unable to do much with her hands and her need to think about bed from around 8pm. As I see it, her PD symptoms are very much under control. Some more active ingredient in the Apo pump may work wonders. Of course she continues to take lots of Sinemet. If her left leg was able to reliably support her then her world may be better. The dystonia twisting of her left foot may have been eased somewhat by an ankle elastic brace, worn something like a sock, organised by our friendly TACP coordinator. I must remember to pay for the device. At odd times her left foot is very dyskinetic for brief periods. Sometimes she suspects her right foot shows similar symptoms to her right.