Chapter 365 - Forever Weary
In the gloom of early morning she said "Is today the 9th?" to which I replied "Probably". It is so, our 51st wedding anniversary. And the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Each night she alternates between putting the incontinence pants to good use and getting up to use the commode. But even when she piddles in the pants she usually wakes to take them off or remove the extra pad she inserts. I have become skilled at feeling the weight of the disposals as I tip them into a plastic bag for the garbage bin, a task I carry out prior to personal care help arriving from Wild Dog. Then after each night of sleep disturbances she tries another approach to not disturb my sleep. Of course, her sleep is just as important.
Thursday night/Friday morning was a classic example of an extreme night. She came to bed at 2200 stressed by sewing problems with something she was making. At that time she had her usual meds and I fitted a full syringe of Apomine. Before 0210 had I helped her twice onto the commode; the first time she removed a soaked pad and placed it in the bin. However, during those 4 hours I woke several times to her yelling and guttural noises while asleep. By 0210 she began kicking the commode; turning the light on I found her left leg out of bed resting on a wheel of the commode, her body was diagonally across the bed. As I lifted her leg back onto the bed and straightened her body in bed her eyes flickered open yet she did not wake. After that some vocalising from her until a little after 0500 when I woke to find her sitting on the side of her bed, puzzling how she was to place her bum onto the commode, which was resting against her legs, she had forgotten how to lift and swivel her body into position. So I rose to help her stand in a stooped posture as I ripped the wet, reasonably heavy (thus "full") pants off her. She stayed there until 0543 during which time we discussed this immediate problem of moving between bed and commode; her assessment was "I don't know how to negotiate the gap", a non-existent gap from my viewpoint because her left leg was touching both commode and bed. Then I helped her back onto the bed. She had her 0600 meds some 15 minutes early and we realised she had not taken the one at 0200. Then at 0617 she again needed help onto the commode to piddle; then help off again at 0622 when she commented that she was unable to place her feet on the floor. At 0650 I was soaking beneath the shower when I heard her yelling (I had not taken the CB radio with me) so wet and hair filled with soap I helped her back onto the commode because this time her leg was "numb". Again she said she is unable to place her feet on the floor while ion the commode; I will alter this damn thing, even though it had been adjusted by the physio after delivery. At 0710 I applied Tiger Balm Cream (not anywhere near as hard as the red version and does not run and dribble like the oil) bought on-line with our last grocery delivery, vibrating it into her hip joints, across her lower back and the calves of both legs. I vibrate the soles of her feet as well but without the cream. Then at 0730 she was on the loo attempting to poo before the Wild Dog personal care arrived about 8AM. After breakfast, seated at the table sewing she said her left leg began to burn from about 0850.
Recently Polly, the inimitable PD clinical nurse in Hot Air City queried whether another UTI or constipation may be the triggers for the above night of horror. So I made an appointment for 1445 for us to see our local GP, Dr I. I rejected an offer of an earlier appointment with another doctor; there are far too many actors with bit parts in this performance already. At 1020 I found her asleep, covered by a wrap, on her recliner. At 1035 she woke, taking her BP as 115/65 and 68, before taking herself to the loo for a poo; she needed help getting off at 1105.
Since last Monday I had been attempting to have an Apomine script filled at the local hospital; the staff were unable to find the physical script yet their data base showed 4 repeats available; I had left a message with DR I's receptionist to FAX the hospital another script but he had not written one . At 1120 the hospital pharmacist rang asking me to arrange for new scripts for both 5mL and 2mL ampoules and I suspect I know the reason for the original script being "lost". About 1115 the Wild Dog physio assistant N. arrived to put her through some exercise.
She took meds at 1355 then I had her sit on the commode to provide a urine sample for Dr I., although he was unaware of her symptoms as yet. I scalded the commode pot prior to collecting the sample. Later Dr I. seemed not to approve of my procedure but I explained the difficulties I have had collecting a sample any other way.
We saw Dr I. at 1445 and I raised the following points: -
1. Described the disturbed sleep last night. He wrote a pathology script to go with the urine sample I later left with the nurse on the way out. He also wrote a script for Movicol for which our chemist gave me Macrogol as a generic yesterday.
2. After describing the local hospital's need for Apomine 5mL and 2mL scripts he wrote same which I gave to his receptionist on the way out to FAX to the hospital. Back home I confirmed with the hospital pharmacist that he had received the scripts and said I will collect them lunch time on Monday.
3. Some time ago Dr I. had us take bone density tests. When I queried him, he was unable to find the results even though results for others of his patients were in his system.
4. He had a report from Dr F at West Beer about her assessment on that day she was taken off meds and reviewed by a room full of experts. Although Dr I. did not volunteer to provide us with a copy of the report (is it time to become paranoid?) he said there was mention that the congregation of experts were not all in agreement about her PD. I mentioned we had a letter asking her to report at Hot Air City hospital's neurology next March 25th (we needed to ring that hospital to find out the name of the doctor involved and who initiated the referral because the letter failed to say) and that we had not noted the spinal term used by Dr F. Dr I wrote it down for me, "lumbar canal stenosis". I forgot to ask Dr I whether stenosis could be initiated by a broken cocyx. Anyway, we understood that Dr F wished her to see the spinal doctor prior to her next appointment to see him, Dr F, next 5th of March, rather than 20 days later.
5. A recent blood test, I think requested by Dr C at Dr F's rooms in West Beer, indicated that her B12 levels were high. Dr I. confirmed this and advised against further B12 injections. He will refer her to a visiting haematologist and I will need to call in to collect a covering letter.
6. I confirmed with him that her daily Vitamin D was to be reduced to 1000 IU.
7. In passing, I mentioned that my colonoscopy procedure had been completed last Wednesday and a follow up consultation with the doctor was in a fortnight.
Yesterday, Saturday, she asked to be brought home early from Wild dog Respite because she felt bilious. But then we ended the day in the best way possible; We had friends of 45 years ago, last seen some 7 years ago, emails & odd phone call since, call in on their way to Hot Air City. A lot to catch up on, nowhere enough time available, hardly interrupted by consumption of delivered pizzas and a bottle of red. Have we the years left for more gatherings I wonder?
Today, Sunday, at breakfast I gave her one satchet of Macrogol in 150mL of water. Then I made a quick trip to Woolworths to buy three containers of the Tiger Balm cream, each $10.95, the first one has lasted less than a week, I must use the stuff more sparingly.
Each night she alternates between putting the incontinence pants to good use and getting up to use the commode. But even when she piddles in the pants she usually wakes to take them off or remove the extra pad she inserts. I have become skilled at feeling the weight of the disposals as I tip them into a plastic bag for the garbage bin, a task I carry out prior to personal care help arriving from Wild Dog. Then after each night of sleep disturbances she tries another approach to not disturb my sleep. Of course, her sleep is just as important.
Thursday night/Friday morning was a classic example of an extreme night. She came to bed at 2200 stressed by sewing problems with something she was making. At that time she had her usual meds and I fitted a full syringe of Apomine. Before 0210 had I helped her twice onto the commode; the first time she removed a soaked pad and placed it in the bin. However, during those 4 hours I woke several times to her yelling and guttural noises while asleep. By 0210 she began kicking the commode; turning the light on I found her left leg out of bed resting on a wheel of the commode, her body was diagonally across the bed. As I lifted her leg back onto the bed and straightened her body in bed her eyes flickered open yet she did not wake. After that some vocalising from her until a little after 0500 when I woke to find her sitting on the side of her bed, puzzling how she was to place her bum onto the commode, which was resting against her legs, she had forgotten how to lift and swivel her body into position. So I rose to help her stand in a stooped posture as I ripped the wet, reasonably heavy (thus "full") pants off her. She stayed there until 0543 during which time we discussed this immediate problem of moving between bed and commode; her assessment was "I don't know how to negotiate the gap", a non-existent gap from my viewpoint because her left leg was touching both commode and bed. Then I helped her back onto the bed. She had her 0600 meds some 15 minutes early and we realised she had not taken the one at 0200. Then at 0617 she again needed help onto the commode to piddle; then help off again at 0622 when she commented that she was unable to place her feet on the floor. At 0650 I was soaking beneath the shower when I heard her yelling (I had not taken the CB radio with me) so wet and hair filled with soap I helped her back onto the commode because this time her leg was "numb". Again she said she is unable to place her feet on the floor while ion the commode; I will alter this damn thing, even though it had been adjusted by the physio after delivery. At 0710 I applied Tiger Balm Cream (not anywhere near as hard as the red version and does not run and dribble like the oil) bought on-line with our last grocery delivery, vibrating it into her hip joints, across her lower back and the calves of both legs. I vibrate the soles of her feet as well but without the cream. Then at 0730 she was on the loo attempting to poo before the Wild Dog personal care arrived about 8AM. After breakfast, seated at the table sewing she said her left leg began to burn from about 0850.
Recently Polly, the inimitable PD clinical nurse in Hot Air City queried whether another UTI or constipation may be the triggers for the above night of horror. So I made an appointment for 1445 for us to see our local GP, Dr I. I rejected an offer of an earlier appointment with another doctor; there are far too many actors with bit parts in this performance already. At 1020 I found her asleep, covered by a wrap, on her recliner. At 1035 she woke, taking her BP as 115/65 and 68, before taking herself to the loo for a poo; she needed help getting off at 1105.
Since last Monday I had been attempting to have an Apomine script filled at the local hospital; the staff were unable to find the physical script yet their data base showed 4 repeats available; I had left a message with DR I's receptionist to FAX the hospital another script but he had not written one . At 1120 the hospital pharmacist rang asking me to arrange for new scripts for both 5mL and 2mL ampoules and I suspect I know the reason for the original script being "lost". About 1115 the Wild Dog physio assistant N. arrived to put her through some exercise.
She took meds at 1355 then I had her sit on the commode to provide a urine sample for Dr I., although he was unaware of her symptoms as yet. I scalded the commode pot prior to collecting the sample. Later Dr I. seemed not to approve of my procedure but I explained the difficulties I have had collecting a sample any other way.
We saw Dr I. at 1445 and I raised the following points: -
1. Described the disturbed sleep last night. He wrote a pathology script to go with the urine sample I later left with the nurse on the way out. He also wrote a script for Movicol for which our chemist gave me Macrogol as a generic yesterday.
2. After describing the local hospital's need for Apomine 5mL and 2mL scripts he wrote same which I gave to his receptionist on the way out to FAX to the hospital. Back home I confirmed with the hospital pharmacist that he had received the scripts and said I will collect them lunch time on Monday.
3. Some time ago Dr I. had us take bone density tests. When I queried him, he was unable to find the results even though results for others of his patients were in his system.
4. He had a report from Dr F at West Beer about her assessment on that day she was taken off meds and reviewed by a room full of experts. Although Dr I. did not volunteer to provide us with a copy of the report (is it time to become paranoid?) he said there was mention that the congregation of experts were not all in agreement about her PD. I mentioned we had a letter asking her to report at Hot Air City hospital's neurology next March 25th (we needed to ring that hospital to find out the name of the doctor involved and who initiated the referral because the letter failed to say) and that we had not noted the spinal term used by Dr F. Dr I wrote it down for me, "lumbar canal stenosis". I forgot to ask Dr I whether stenosis could be initiated by a broken cocyx. Anyway, we understood that Dr F wished her to see the spinal doctor prior to her next appointment to see him, Dr F, next 5th of March, rather than 20 days later.
5. A recent blood test, I think requested by Dr C at Dr F's rooms in West Beer, indicated that her B12 levels were high. Dr I. confirmed this and advised against further B12 injections. He will refer her to a visiting haematologist and I will need to call in to collect a covering letter.
6. I confirmed with him that her daily Vitamin D was to be reduced to 1000 IU.
7. In passing, I mentioned that my colonoscopy procedure had been completed last Wednesday and a follow up consultation with the doctor was in a fortnight.
Yesterday, Saturday, she asked to be brought home early from Wild dog Respite because she felt bilious. But then we ended the day in the best way possible; We had friends of 45 years ago, last seen some 7 years ago, emails & odd phone call since, call in on their way to Hot Air City. A lot to catch up on, nowhere enough time available, hardly interrupted by consumption of delivered pizzas and a bottle of red. Have we the years left for more gatherings I wonder?
Today, Sunday, at breakfast I gave her one satchet of Macrogol in 150mL of water. Then I made a quick trip to Woolworths to buy three containers of the Tiger Balm cream, each $10.95, the first one has lasted less than a week, I must use the stuff more sparingly.
posted by Kilpike | 1:24 pm
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