h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hope the hospital and GP etc, can organise themselves eventually just the last thing you need, an arguement between funding something as essential...

GB

I left Mum's at 12.30pm yesterday to drive to the hospital ready to visit Ian, but my mobile was ringing all the way (I won't touch it while I am driving) so as I arrived in the car park I checked it, 4 missed calls from Caroline so I rang her back, she said don't go to the hospital () go to Ian's house instead as someone is delivering his oxygen this afternoon between now and 5pm. I looked around for a I could borrow but couldn't find one so I drove out the hospital car park and straight to Ian's house. Sat and waited and waited and waited fending off phone calls from Ian and Carrie as to whether it had arrived yet. Finally a nice chap called with a machine which plugs in the mains and creates oxygen, for constant use, a back-up tank in case of power cut or breakdown (very apt considering the last entry A87886228 I just finished subbing on Sunday...) and 3 portable tanks. He taught me how to turn all of them on (stroke them gently and tell them how nice they smell and how attractive they are - old joke but always raises a laugh in my family and now Ian's) so I rang Carrie to give her the good news. She must have rung Ian because he promptly cancelled his ambulance transport home booked for 6pm and asked for "one of you" to go get him while the other waited at his house because if the transport came early he didn't have a key... mad flapping all round, Carrie was finishing off her shower after work, and I knew she wouldn't be able to manage Ian in his wheelchair and a tank of oxygen and all his stuff from a 3-week stay in hospital. So we put his key in the newly-installed keysafe and headed up to the hospital (deja-vu all over again), parked in a disabled bay right near the entrance and went to the discharge lounge on the top floor (yes, ) collected him and all his stuff, swopping oxygen nasal tubes, found a working lift, struggled with the porter's wheelchair (which have minds of their own) all the way back to the car, and by the time Ian got in, it was 5.40pm, so he'd saved a grand 20 minutes

Of course when back at Ian's street, there were no car parking spaces as everyone was home from work, something Ian hadn't thought about, how to get from Carrie's car to his actual doorstep with no wheelchair. He has an NHS stick, and he leaned on every wall taking about 4 paces then resting. I went ahead to open up while Carrie carried his oxygen. Finally he made it to his bed but he wanted the toilet but couldn't summon the strength to go to it (and he'd forgotten to ask for a disposable urinal) luckily we found an empty bottle...

So my first trip this morning is to the chemist between our homes and buy a reusable urinal then wait while Carrie does some shopping. Apparently Ian can eat one Weetabix and keep it down, which is progress. He says he doesn't want the Jersey milkshakes any more, he wants to get back to normal food - even if it is pureed. So we're looking at engaging Meals on Wheels who cater for all needs.

I left last night full of trepidation, Carrie is going to be run ragged (and she has health issues herself) and she only has me to rely on. I texted the other daughter to tell her Ian was coming home yesterday and she replied "Great news!" but no offer to help. I think she has offered to cover Friday morning while I am bathing my mother and Carrie is at work (I would be there after lunch) but I won't hold my breath. And if there are any bodily functions/excretions involved, she will never be seen again.

Must dash, busy day

I'm sure Ian really appreciates being home. Good luck with everything!

It's weird how the mundane world can suddenly look different, isn't it? The walk from your car to your house, for example...when that happens, the definitions of 'accomplishment', 'fortitude', and 'courage' all change, too...you, Carrie, and Ian are heroes.

Congratulations on everything you achieved yesterday. I pray for strength and joy for you today.

One for GB, one for Ian, and one for Carrie.

Phewwhat a week. We have managed to cover everything and Ian now has a syringe driver administering his anti-sickness, so hopefully it will work better. This morning was covered by Nadine, I gave her a lift home then stayed until Carrie finished work. My sister came back with me and she has texted me since to say she was shocked at Ian's appearance, it's months since she saw him so I guess he has changed a lot.

To cap off this harrowing week, Chris, whom we all visited in the cancer ward when Ian went for his last picc-line flush, passed away at home on Monday, I read it in the local newspaper today. Luckily my sister just arrived at Mum's as I had found out and she held me as I wept. The funeral is next Wednesday. Carrie and I will go and represent Ian. RIP Chris. God Bless

Hang in there, kid!

Wish I could share some extra strength and energy with you... you must be exausted physically as well as mentally

Right now I'm tapping into the universe

How the heck can it be July? The year is half over?

I have good news to report: the syringe driver administering his anti-sickness is doing its job and Ian has not been sick since it was inserted. He's getting Weetabix and Rice crispies down

Good news.

Excellent news!

Deb

That is good to hear

Great news, re the eating/antinausia.... pity they didn't get the current drugs sorted sooner

We are back to square one, I'm afraid

The district nurses (3 of them today) discussed removing the syringe driver today.

Are there any wish fairies around?

Aw, why would they do that? Sorry you're having trouble again.

on what basis do they want to remove it? - I guess periodically they'll want to change the I.V line its feeding in on, to prevent that 'clogging' up as it were and getting too much scar tissue round it, but remove it completely when its actually enabling Ian to eat by having it? that.... nope I can't make much sense of that

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