Hospital Bed At Home

[Thisoldbird]

It's looking like we may have to have a hospital bed at home when my husband is discharged from hospital.

We already changed from double to singles which is fine but they are both against a wall. Hospital bed will need to allow nurses/ carers to use both side of bed..our second very tiny bedroom is already crammed with other equipment he needs.

Before anyone down sizes make sure you keep this sort of situation in mind.
At this rate I'll be sleeping in the shed!!
I'm normally such an organised person I'm hating this disruption.
The other option is go into care. I really haven't the heart to do that to him. It's like turning someone out of there home.

This isnt a question just me rambling on a sleepless night of worry.

[Thisoldbird]

Thank you..

"The boy" was very sleepy this afternoon but pain relief has that effect. I sat quietly beside him sewing name tapes on his clothing. He opened his eyes a few times, asking, are you ok..
Our friends often made jokes about him constantly checking I was ok..my sweet, gentle, man.

Sleep well all of you. X

[anneasquith]

He knew you were there, that is very special. Sleep well.

[choux]

Good morning dear old bird. I really enjoy reading of the love and care you have for each other, it makes my heart swell. Please take care of yourself and I pray that your sweet, gentle man continues to rest easy with the lady he so obviously adores beside him. x

[choux]

Good evening, old bird. How was today's visit for you both? Have you sorted "the boy's" care around washing with the home? I have been thinking about that a lot the last couple of days. Hope he is still pleased with his new surroundings and that his care and attention are now up to scratch. You have enough to keep you awake at night already by my reckoning. I am just about to try for some sleep myself so it is time for prayers. Night night and God bless. x

[Thisoldbird]

Todays long visit started at 12.45 so I could help feed his lunch..
As I went into his room he looked very comfortable and gave me a big smile

[anneasquith]

Awe, delighted for you both . :-)

[albaqwerty]

That would have cheered me no end - I hope it lifted your spirits xx

You both continue to be in my thoughts and would like to thank you for posting updates.
Now, off to bed with you and hope you have a nice, peaceful sleep xx

[Thisoldbird]

Sorry fat fingers sent that unfinished. I'd not seen him smile in a long time. He didn't ask for pain relief so remained alert. He ate half a jacket potato and ice cream. That was a huge meal for him these days.
2 other family member dropped in which pleased him.
The carer who opened the door when I arrived spoke so nicely of him..said he was quiet and appreciative of their caring. Food is nicely presented and tasty.
He told me a few times he wanted to get up! I can't stay in bed all the time, I shall lose all my mobility...he already has but doesn't seem to understand that. His legs, as all his body is just protruding bones with the thinnest layer of near transparent flesh covering them.
Tomorrow he is in for a big treat..the great grandchildren are visiting with their parents of course. The little boy is very anxious, not liking to see Pops looking so different..I hope he copes. The little girl just loves to hug, tight, she will be fine..

I can't thank you all enough for the care you have each shown me these last weeks. Starting from the beginning of this now very long post, so many changes to the original 'I think we may have to have a hospital bed at home'.
All in all, today was one of the better days..

Many many thanks x

[anneasquith]

I needed cheering up tonight. Your great post has put a smile on my face. Prayers continue . Sleep well .
Great grandchildren tomorrow? A perfect Sunday . Anne .

[choux]

Hello dear lady. That has made me smile and given me a warm feeling - well worth waking up for. That has to be your best visit for you to enjoy in a long while and I am so pleased for both of you. Special moments are made to give you happier memories when you find him well cared for and more relaxed. We who follow your posts with such anticipation and interest are so pleased for you both. I pray you get an easier rest tonight and enjoy your family visit tomorrow. Night night. x

[choux]

Good evening. I hope today's visit with the family went well for all. I imagine your beloved would be tired afterwards but he does seem to get pleasure from all the visits and I expect you welcome them too for the extra conversations that ensue.

Please tell me you are taking care of yourself? I know our sleeping patterns get worse the older we get but at least it is important to get to bed and to relax - easier said than done, I know.

Prayers as ever and love to you. Night night. x

[choux]

Night night, dear lady. x

[Thisoldbird]

The boy was very pleased to see the great grandchildren. They gave him a hug and told him, I love you..they bring us both such pleasure.
Niece had been earlier to choose and watch an old war film together. She knows how to cheer him up.

I went in time to feed him lunch today. Shepherds pie and green beans. He did very well,half a dozen small spoons of potato with tiny amount of meat. Mince is one thing that gets stuck in his throat.. a bit of choking occurred..jelly for dessert.
An old friend arrived which was a pleasant surprise..

We all agree he has settled down so well..seems very laid back and rested. Being out of the very busy hospital ward has been the best thing for him.

It's at times when the carers come to move his position and check him over,I wonder just how much thinner can he possibly get.

He enjoys our visits..tells me he sleeps well.

A staff member we hadn't seen before (being very new) popped in to offer us tea or coffee with biscuits.

For now I'm quite settled about being alone, knowing he is getting excellent care is helping me rest easier too.

Thank you all so much..I'll update if we have any significant changes.

Wishing you all a peaceful night.. god bless you all. Xx

[choux]

Thanks for your post, how lovely to read the boy has settled so well.
I really do hope you feel more settled yourself now. Isn't it lovely how visitors can cheer you both? Have no fear, I shall keep you both in my prayers as will others, I am sure. Just post here when you wish, you do not have to feel obliged to in any way. I shall check in daily to see if there is any further news. Take great care. God bless xx

[anneasquith]

Great post TOB. Great memories for both of you . Good night .

[choux]

Still with you, dear lady. x

[Thisoldbird]

Thanks Choux. Today's visit was very difficult. Poor old chap was choking badly at lunch time.
The home definitly haven't got the gist of a level 6 diet..sausage and chips for a man who has extreme swallowing problems. No matter how small its cut up it's the wrong texture. He needs smooth foods to slide down. But even then he has difficulty. I've written a list of suitable foods to take in tomorrow.
It can seem pointless going to too much effort to prepare suitable food in a busy kitchen..but its their job. Especially as they only have half the allocation of residents to care for.
I can't get todays picture of him out of my mind. His face looked even thinner.. his teeth looked to big for his mouth..he has his own teeth just a few back ones missing..
Todays nurse was trying to persuade him to just have paracetamol pain relief 4 times a day instead of Morphine .in hospital he had both. I'm going to remedy that idea tomorrow..he is on end of life care..its rapidly approaching if today is anything to go by..why she is trying to get him off a medication when it leaves him in pain..nope tomorrow he shall have both if he needs it.
One resident has been taken to hospital with Covid not what we want to hear..

It's getting harder to know how he is decorating in front of my eyes. He told me today he thinks he will soon have to give in..he possibly meant his fight..the man who's spirit was always hard to break. So here I am, half past midnight breaking my heart.....if I were a drinker I'd have a double right now..maybe a cuppa then try to sleep. Nite nite

[choux]

Hello my friend. You must be so upset to see your beloved like that. It does make one think what are the staff doing there trying to get him off his morphine. That was not the reason he was put into their care from his hospital discharge. What an awful visit and night you must have had.

Yet still he was able to talk to you, God bless him. It does rather sound like he cannot cope to fight much longer, especially without adequate pain relief. I am so sorry to read your thread. When any patient with end of life care no longer feels able to fight it is often very close to the final stages as we both realise.

I pray so much for the both of you, old bird, and to give you the strength to see this through, to sort out his morphine and to continue to be there for him. It breaks my heart to think of you last night especially, as you have done everything humanly possible to ensure his care is absolutely sufficient for his needs. It is dreadful to think that you can see the boy getting worse on a daily basis.

I can only continue to give you my prayers, old bird, and in that I am sincere. Take care. x

[choux]

Hello again. I pray you were able to sort things out at the home and found your beloved in less pain today. I really hope you have a better night's rest tonight. God bless. x

[anneasquith]

Oh my , I am so sad to read your latest post.
His food should be liquidised, it quite simple.
Withholding decent pain relief is inexcusable and should be addressed immediately.
Surely staff are aware ‘ the boy’ is at end of life care .
Please be as accertive as you can be. If things don’t change demand ‘ in a nice way ‘ to speak to the person in charge . I hope you have a better visit today ( Sunday ).
Prayers continue.
You must be exhausted.
It’s very difficult isn’t it . :-(