(no subject)
May. 18th, 2017 10:56 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
turpsI've just sat and watched one of the fat pigeons sit on one of the flower tubs on the garden shelf and send it flying, soil and plants going everywhere. Stupid fat pigeon.
It's been a nice but mostly uneventful few days. It's been nicely sunny often, showery at other times, but we finally seem to be pulling away from the cold days. The most important thing that happened, for me anyway, was I gave blood for the first time. It's something I've wanted to do for a while, but I was outside of the weight limits for being able to give, so when I was inside of those I decided to go for it. It took a while to get an appointment as there's only one session every few months in my town, and they got filled almost immediately. But a few days ago I saw a session in a hotel close to the Asda where we go shopping, and it had appointments left, so I booked one.
I was nervous going in. I'd researched and knew the bypass wouldn't stop me donating, but I have to take iron tables, so worried about those and the other meds. In the end I had to have a chat with a nurse to make sure I was okay to give, but it was fine, and my iron levels checked out okay, and before I knew it I was being escorted to one of the banana chairs. And from there everything went great, apart from nearly being catapulted from the chair at the end. I suspect it was because my legs are heavier than most, and the nurse taking the blood didn't take that into account when hitting the switch that put the chair back into an upright position, so gravity shot me forward, and instead of a controlled sit up, I was up in an instant. It was funny more than anything, though, and I couldn't stop laughing for a while.
The people there were so lovely. The nurse asked why I'd decided to donate, and I told her how I'd had all this fantastic medical treatment for free, and wanted to give back, even in a little way, and she patted my hand and said she was proud of all that I'd done, and it made me feel good. I also wore my 'it's my first blood donation' sticker with pride afterwards. See. That I was a little disgruntled that I couldn't have my usual hot bath that night.
Yesterday I got my permanent cap fitted, and it looks so much better. It feels better, too. I'm looking forward to eating a nice granny smith apple later as while the dentist said I could eat them with the temp cap, I was worried about it falling off, and I've missed my night time snack.
Mam's been poorly again and had the doctor out on Monday, where he said if he'd gone a day later she'd have been admitted to hospital again, and as it was she was only two points on the oxygen level of being admitted anyway. He also made her promise if her daughters wanted to call for medical help earlier that she let them, as both Kayleigh and me had been trying to get her to see the doctor for two days at that point. After more steroids and antibiotics she's finally feeling a bit better, though still sleeps loads.
She's having carer issues though. Not her actual main carers, who are both brilliant. But the person who sorts out the care calls. Mam's supposed to have the same two carers nearly all of the time. Sure, there should be stand-ins sometimes due to days off or emergencies, but mainly those two ladies. Since she's been getting the carers she's had ten different people, and on three times has been knocked out of bed because they didn't know she had a key safe, or if they did know didn't know the code. She gets a morning carer because she's having issues getting out of bed, taking meds etc, so to be knocked out of bed, and made to get downstairs on her own to let them in is so wrong. Kayleigh has been furious. It's the exact job she used to do so she knows the care standards they're supposed to show, and not knowing about the key safe is failing at a big level. So she's kicked off on the phone three times now, and apparently got attitude back yesterday. Leading to mam's main carer getting a message saying the scheduler was sick of the hassle and the carer could have 'mam's surname' full time and she was sick of it. That just seems so disrespectful, even Mrs surname would have been better, but not that.
So, that happened yesterday morning, I guess I'll see what happened this morning when I go up soon.
It's been a nice but mostly uneventful few days. It's been nicely sunny often, showery at other times, but we finally seem to be pulling away from the cold days. The most important thing that happened, for me anyway, was I gave blood for the first time. It's something I've wanted to do for a while, but I was outside of the weight limits for being able to give, so when I was inside of those I decided to go for it. It took a while to get an appointment as there's only one session every few months in my town, and they got filled almost immediately. But a few days ago I saw a session in a hotel close to the Asda where we go shopping, and it had appointments left, so I booked one.
I was nervous going in. I'd researched and knew the bypass wouldn't stop me donating, but I have to take iron tables, so worried about those and the other meds. In the end I had to have a chat with a nurse to make sure I was okay to give, but it was fine, and my iron levels checked out okay, and before I knew it I was being escorted to one of the banana chairs. And from there everything went great, apart from nearly being catapulted from the chair at the end. I suspect it was because my legs are heavier than most, and the nurse taking the blood didn't take that into account when hitting the switch that put the chair back into an upright position, so gravity shot me forward, and instead of a controlled sit up, I was up in an instant. It was funny more than anything, though, and I couldn't stop laughing for a while.
The people there were so lovely. The nurse asked why I'd decided to donate, and I told her how I'd had all this fantastic medical treatment for free, and wanted to give back, even in a little way, and she patted my hand and said she was proud of all that I'd done, and it made me feel good. I also wore my 'it's my first blood donation' sticker with pride afterwards. See. That I was a little disgruntled that I couldn't have my usual hot bath that night.
Yesterday I got my permanent cap fitted, and it looks so much better. It feels better, too. I'm looking forward to eating a nice granny smith apple later as while the dentist said I could eat them with the temp cap, I was worried about it falling off, and I've missed my night time snack.
Mam's been poorly again and had the doctor out on Monday, where he said if he'd gone a day later she'd have been admitted to hospital again, and as it was she was only two points on the oxygen level of being admitted anyway. He also made her promise if her daughters wanted to call for medical help earlier that she let them, as both Kayleigh and me had been trying to get her to see the doctor for two days at that point. After more steroids and antibiotics she's finally feeling a bit better, though still sleeps loads.
She's having carer issues though. Not her actual main carers, who are both brilliant. But the person who sorts out the care calls. Mam's supposed to have the same two carers nearly all of the time. Sure, there should be stand-ins sometimes due to days off or emergencies, but mainly those two ladies. Since she's been getting the carers she's had ten different people, and on three times has been knocked out of bed because they didn't know she had a key safe, or if they did know didn't know the code. She gets a morning carer because she's having issues getting out of bed, taking meds etc, so to be knocked out of bed, and made to get downstairs on her own to let them in is so wrong. Kayleigh has been furious. It's the exact job she used to do so she knows the care standards they're supposed to show, and not knowing about the key safe is failing at a big level. So she's kicked off on the phone three times now, and apparently got attitude back yesterday. Leading to mam's main carer getting a message saying the scheduler was sick of the hassle and the carer could have 'mam's surname' full time and she was sick of it. That just seems so disrespectful, even Mrs surname would have been better, but not that.
So, that happened yesterday morning, I guess I'll see what happened this morning when I go up soon.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-18 10:28 am (UTC)I stopped giving blood because the last time was closely correlated with hypothyroid issues and a depressive episode and I am afraid of triggering another one. I figure I have given enough over the year, though. It's younger people's time.
Wow, how disrespectful was that scheduler???? I am with you. >:-(
We're hoping to get a home health aide for my mom, just for maybe 2 middays a week to check on her and do the heavier housework and stuff.
Hopefully I can make it happen with little pushback from everyone.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-18 12:47 pm (UTC)That's a good reason to stop giving blood. And yeah, you've more than given enough I'm sure.
There was no need for the scheduler to talk like she did. It seems so dismissive, like mam wasn't an actual person but just a name on a screen. The very opposite of why the carers are there.
I hope you can make it happen, because having people like that to help and check up on people that need it is such a reassurance. Mam still doesn't ask the carers to do much, but it's enough now that we know she's getting constant checks and has other people to talk to apart from us. The heavier housework would be a huge help too. When you're sick the last thing you want to do is housework, but at the same time, being in a clean house is such a plus.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-18 01:40 pm (UTC)It's probably awful, but I'm picturing you and the chair and giggling. I can totally see something like that happening to me. Good thing you didn't fall, hurt yourself, and need blood. :D
Ugh. Hope they get everything sorted out with the carers. Sounds like that one person shouldn't be caring for ANYONE.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-18 06:02 pm (UTC)Fingers crossed you can donate platelets in time. Thankfully I don't think I'll be hassled with calls, I asked when the next time I could donate was, and it's in three months. So I'll just wait to see if they get in touch then.
It's not awful at all. I laughed so hard when it happened, and the nurse did too when I assured her I was fine. If I'd fallen I would have wanted all the biscuits and not just one!
Yeah, that person really isn't doing her job correctly :(
no subject
Date: 2017-05-18 02:35 pm (UTC)Your mam's situation sounds super frustrating. What's the point of getting someone to help you out of bed if you have to get out of bed to let them in?
no subject
Date: 2017-05-18 05:56 pm (UTC)What's the point of getting someone to help you out of bed if you have to get out of bed to let them in?
Exactly. The first time it happened we wrote off as mam had just got carers/had the key safe installed and it takes time to document everything. But not at this point.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-18 06:47 pm (UTC)I hope everything works out with your mom ♥
no subject
Date: 2017-07-24 03:27 pm (UTC)That's a shame :(
Things have been okay with mam. Not getting any worse anyway.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-18 06:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-07-24 03:27 pm (UTC)Thank you!
no subject
Date: 2017-05-18 07:24 pm (UTC)Good to hear that your weather finally seems to be stabilising. I'll keep my fingers crossed we'll both have great weather for a while!
Go you! I've never given blood. I used to have a bit of a needle phobia and though it's much better these days I don't think I could stand giving blood. (I couldn't stop giggling at the chair incident :-)
Hooray for a fully functional tooth again!
That's just too awful for your mam. People like that shouldn't be carers! I hope things will get better!
no subject
Date: 2017-07-24 03:29 pm (UTC)Go you! I've never given blood. I used to have a bit of a needle phobia and though it's much better these days I don't think I could stand giving blood. (I couldn't stop giggling at the chair incident :-)
Kayleigh has the same fear. She can't even deal with getting injections without freaking out, so taking blood would be a huge no. The chair incident was ridiculous. We must have looked like a comedy act *g*
no subject
Date: 2017-05-19 07:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-07-24 03:30 pm (UTC)I'm horrendously late in replying, but I wanted to thank you for the heads up about CQC, which helped a lot at the time. Especially knowing the info given would be actually used.
no subject
Date: 2017-08-11 05:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-05-21 05:01 am (UTC)That's appalling behavior by the care scheduler! I will second the comments saying to report that, both the initial incompetence of not prepping the caregivers with the keysafe info, and then the subsequent rudeness. Yikes!
no subject
Date: 2017-05-29 03:30 pm (UTC)That's appalling behavior by the care scheduler! I will second the comments saying to report that, both the initial incompetence of not prepping the caregivers with the keysafe info, and then the subsequent rudeness. Yikes!
I agree. It was a horrendous standard of care.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-27 09:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-05-29 09:43 am (UTC)Exactly. That they couldn't see that is beyond me.
Thankfully she's only had the two regular carers since then, but even then one of them is getting lazy and not offering to actually do anything. She's also been telling stories about stuff she does for other people in her care and that live on our estate, which would be iffy anyway, but she's also saying specifics like ages, so it doesn't take much working out to know who she means.