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Type 1: In need of some advice/support

Chamberlain said:
Our neighbour is the one who originally found my mum in the diabetic coma and since she has been absolutely amazing! She is fantastic but we don't want to keep having to stop her from doing what she does with her family.

Mum is pretty capable now however she has postural hypotension as well which causes her to become dizzy if she is stood up too long or does too much. We're hoping after seeing a doctor this week things will look better!
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There's no shame in leaning on a neighbour for help. I'm sure he/she will be very understanding in this respect. Just them them know your concerns.

We often forget just how much people like to help, so if you explain to your neighbour that your Mother is in need of some - you may be pleasantly surprised by the assistance they offer:)
 
GrantGam1337 said:
There's no shame in leaning on a neighbour for help. I'm sure he/she will be very understanding in this respect. Just them them know your concerns.

We often forget just how much people like to help, so if you explain to your neighbour that your Mother is in need of some - you may be pleasantly surprised by the assistance they offer:)
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My neighbour is always there to help I just hate asking for help
 
Chamberlain said:
My neighbour is always there to help I just hate asking for help
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That is a genuine fear of all kind people.... we dont like asking for anything of another person.

However, there are times when people would do more, but don't want to offer, as they don't wish to be seen as interfering...

If the shoe was on the other foot, you would want to be helping...

Please ask your neighbour and whats the worst scenario?? That neighbour could say no... I very much doubt that.

You myst do what is right for your future and to be honest, your Mum should as a T1 be able to cope with high blood levels. I could not get my levels down, I waa drifting in and out of consciousness. I literally crawled to my neighbours whilst on phone to 111. (21/2hr for ambulance). It is your mum that needs to really stand on her own feet in ways and to assert herself to gain better control. (Mine was a fault with insulin pumping).

You are 20 and your Mum isn't old and her T1 should not have to hold your life back.

I would ask your neighbour. Make sure the first priority if found unwell is phone 999/111.

It must be pointed out to the GP and hospital team in future that you are not at home.... that you are not to be included in any care plans...
 
@ Chamberlain

If your mum is having trouble mentally and physically with complying with the multi injection basal bolus regime, then see if things are far better in using twice daily insulins and just remembering to eat set quantities of carb every 3hrs during the day. This regime in many ways is far better than basal bolus and being unhappy and needing anti depressants, councilling, developing nerve damage through non compliance and inability to know how to use a ratio and correction factor safely. It's ridiculous to say the least. Twice daily insulin although it is thought to be oldfashioned, is still available and many people can lead a good life using it with slightly less aattention to blood glucose testing so as long as your mum is not off to the pub and redtaurants drinking wine and eating all manner of food which basal bolus allows for, then she might be a lot weller than to carry on as she is.
 
On twice daily injections though your must eat at set times... would she do that?

And if levels went high she would need a back up of novorapid to bring them down.

Its not a quick fix to highs or lows, especially if there may be something else going on... the professionals and your mum really need to eatablish the cause and then if its bother with eating/injecting to consider alternatives.
 
For people who have a basic routine every day and have a coffee break at home or at work, eating a snack is very doable as most non diabetics eat snacks through desire whereas for diabetics, it's a necessity. Lunchtime is usually around midday to 1.30pm so this is ok for twice daily users. Admittedly, without a bolus it's harder to correct high bg levels but it's possible to correct high bg through omitting the snack which should then allow for bg levels to lower back to a desired target range by the time a main meal is eaten. My consultant prescribed me a bolus to use for eating large meals at restaurants which exceeded my carb allowance so I just used 1u bolus for every 10g carb over my meal carb allowance of 35g.
 
@Chamberlain
Have you been able to discuss this issue with the Ward Sister of the ward where your Mother is a patient? I ask because quite often, unless specifically had it pointed out to them, the discharge is without fully appreciating the situation they are discharging your Mother too. In my experience, patients themselves have been adamant they will be absloutely fin, able to manage perfectly well etc but, when discussing with a relative it will appear that the patient is just not being realistic at all, or the patient just says all that in order to get out of hospital.

There is often a Discharge Liaison Nurse, for the whole hospital, or was when I was working last, and it would be this Nurse who would be worth arranging to see, in my opinion. Personally, in your shoes, I would be making sure that every member of staff I spoke to, plus those I made sure I spoke to, had a full understanding of the situation AND your very relevant experiences following previous discharges and apt concerns, including how it is affecting your studies and potentially your future ;)

Good luck and I do hope you can get a good, and planned, discharged with appropriate backup. I would feel it was important that your Mother had at least two visits a day from carers, arranged by the hospital. Be assured you have a lot of support for your situation on here. Fight for it from the hospital too, eh?

All the best, eh? :)
 
Energize said:
@Chamberlain
Have you been able to discuss this issue with the Ward Sister of the ward where your Mother is a patient? I ask because quite often, unless specifically had it pointed out to them, the discharge is without fully appreciating the situation they are discharging your Mother too. In my experience, patients themselves have been adamant they will be absloutely fin, able to manage perfectly well etc but, when discussing with a relative it will appear that the patient is just not being realistic at all, or the patient just says all that in order to get out of hospital.

There is often a Discharge Liaison Nurse, for the whole hospital, or was when I was working last, and it would be this Nurse who would be worth arranging to see, in my opinion. Personally, in your shoes, I would be making sure that every member of staff I spoke to, plus those I made sure I spoke to, had a full understanding of the situation AND your very relevant experiences following previous discharges and apt concerns, including how it is affecting your studies and potentially your future ;)

Good luck and I do hope you can get a good, and planned, discharged with appropriate backup. I would feel it was important that your Mother had at least two visits a day from carers, arranged by the hospital. Be assured you have a lot of support for your situation on here. Fight for it from the hospital too, eh?

All the best, eh? :)
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When mum was firstly discharged they knew there was only my younger sister at home but my grandparents would pop in every day to make sure things were ok.
We asked about getting a nurse out to check her every day and they said they don't do them however, there are two hospital appointments for my mum this week that I will attend and state that no one will be at home apart from my younger sister who is still in school so between the hours of 7:30/4:30 no one will be around with her.

It has affected my studies already. Having exams next week I'm finding it incredibly hard to even find time to revise due to the amount of care my mum is needing.

Thanks for the support though! Will definitely seek home care.
 
Your younger sister should not become a "Carer" for your Mum unless the GP is aware and has logged this on your sister and mothers records.
There are support mechanisms in place for instances like you are mentioning and the Carers Trust In your area will give advice and help.
In our area there is also a voluntary service that can provide help to people when needed.
If your mum
Doesnt actually require nursing skills but caring skills then they are right to refuse but the advice ref ward sister and liaison is excellent.


Are your grandparents aware of your struggles with study since going home? If not, make them aware, and ask for help from them. I think you mentioned others werent particularly helping you though. You need to make sure you ask..

You need to get the time you need for your study.

I dont like mentioning social services really but they must be considered to ask for help. They can help in instances with you g Carers.

I think even when you go back to Uni that you may still have your family on your mind. Even if you spoke to GP -made them aware of mum being alone during school hours and being a carer when home, ask them what advice they or help they could give.. not necessarily nurses...
 
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Goodluck with it all @Chamberlain . Out of interest what subject are you studying?
Life experience like this can be an asset to gaining grounding in some academic subjects and can take you a very long way in life. Experience can be just as valuable as study, in some cases.
A person with both is always looked upon more favourably.
Don't see this life experience as holding you back but an experience that will take you further than most.
Experience is experience, in my book.
Learning your limitations is an exellent skill to nurture too.
You will go a long way.
Thank you for being a decent human being. Your mum must be proud!
 
ickihun said:
Goodluck with it all @Chamberlain . Out of interest what subject are you studying?
Life experience like this can be an asset to gaining grounding in some academic subjects and can take you a very long way in life. Experience can be just as valuable as study, in some cases.
A person with both is always looked upon more favourably.
Don't see this life experience as holding you back but an experience that will take you further than most.
Experience is experience, in my book.
Learning your limitations is an exellent skill to nurture too.
You will go a long way.
Thank you for being a decent human being. Your mum must be proud!
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I'm currently studying sport rehabilitation (similar to physio therapy) absolutely love it but can't miss too much due to it being such a vocational course. It's more hands on than theory based
 
Chamberlain said:
I'm currently studying sport rehabilitation (similar to physio therapy) absolutely love it but can't miss too much due to it being such a vocational course. It's more hands on than theory based
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Psychology used to be a subject needed for such courses decades ago. Do they still?
All interlinked with care.
Take your skills with you to your future employer. They will be impressed.
You can do study and this. Settle yourself now and do the revision you need for a few hours now?
You will gain more and more confidence to solve problems and acquire more and more experience.
You are more than capable to do this. We are here for reassurance and @donnellysdogs has some fantastic experience to pass onto you. She has offered freely, others will too.
Key is to ask! ;)
 
ickihun said:
Psychology used to be a subject needed for such courses decades ago. Do they still?
All interlinked with care.
Take your skills with you to your future employer. They will be impressed.
You can do study and this. Settle yourself now and do the revision you need for a few hours now?
You will gain more and more confidence to solve problems and acquire more and more experience.
You are more than capable to do this. We are here for reassurance and @donnellysdogs has some fantastic experience to pass onto you. She has offered freely, others will too.
Key is to ask! ;)
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Psychology is part of the course however it's more sports injury based and about confidence and anxiety et . It's more on a basic level.
I'm being able to do a bit more revision day by day just worrying little bits with when I go back.
Got a chat with the doctor tomorrow so fingers crossed all this will be resolved!

I couldn't thank anyone who has replied enough for helping me out and supporting me! I didn't expect anyone to even reply
 
Just wondering if your mother can get a constant glucose meter or you can afford the Accucheck Libre.That way anyone could scan the sensor to get readings if she is not well and she herself could get more awareness of when she is high..?
 
Chamberlain said:
Thank you all for your comments I didn't realise I'd get such a response. The reason I'm so worried is because she comes out of hospital then a couple of days later she tends to have similar symptoms and then has to go back in again. I'm just so worried about losing her because I'm only a young adult (20) and she's not that old herself. She has quite a bit of support and the hospital near me is very full so they're constantly needing to get rid of patients to take in new ones (the reason she was let out the first time too early). I'm just scared of what could happen.
I would love to be able to delay going back to uni but there's parts of me that needs to go back to get out of the stress of being at home.
Neighbours have got a key to get in and are able to do blood sugars.
I'm just unsure what to do with thins as we haven't been given much support at all just been told she is fit enough to be at home.
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Hi, has anyone mentioned you try adult social services, also they should have a specialist care dept in hospital for people who may be vulnerable with illness/medical conditions needing support and care when they return home or they could refer your mum to other similar establishments. I know it must be such a worry for you, I was going to ask what age your is, you mentioned she is not that old, possibly in her 40's ?
I hope your mum gets better, she must be so proud of you for being such a caring and loving child.
Wishing you all the very best, good luck at uni and take care of yourself too.
 
Robinredbreast said:
Hi, has anyone mentioned you try adult social services, also they should have a specialist care dept in hospital for people who may be vulnerable with illness/medical conditions needing support and care when they return home or they could refer your mum to other similar establishments. I know it must be such a worry for you, I was going to ask what age your is, you mentioned she is not that old, possibly in her 40's ?
I hope your mum gets better, she must be so proud of you for being such a caring and loving child.
Wishing you all the very best, good luck at uni and take care of yourself too.
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We tried asking the hospital for even just some advice and our doctors too. We've had one community nurse come out since she has been out of hospital in 5 weeks but that was due to ringing the doctors as she has been ill since she came out.
I'm only 20 and struggling massively with trying to support at home as well as trying to focus on exams here in university. And yes mum is only in her 40s.
 
Chamberlain said:
We tried asking the hospital for even just some advice and our doctors too. We've had one community nurse come out since she has been out of hospital in 5 weeks but that was due to ringing the doctors as she has been ill since she came out.
I'm only 20 and struggling massively with trying to support at home as well as trying to focus on exams here in university. And yes mum is only in her 40s.
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When you go back to the hospital, you must say that you need help and support regarding your mum's condition,you need someone in social care because she needs to be properly assessed, has your mum been seen by a diabetic team, a doctor and DSN's to assess her diabetes ? They must have a social workers there, it will be the case of being assertive and getting answers, don't be fobbed off, try as much as you can ( which I'm sure you have already) Write down questions you want answered and can you take a friend/neighbour with you for support ?
 
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Due to being too ill we had to cancel my mums appointment with the diabetic nurse and Im sure there is but will definitely ask about it! Thank you :) it's just hard because I'm no where near home when in university (opposite end of the country in fact) and it's hard to hear that she's so poorly at home
 
Chamberlain said:
Due to being too ill we had to cancel my mums appointment with the diabetic nurse and Im sure there is but will definitely ask about it! Thank you :) it's just hard because I'm no where near home when in university (opposite end of the country in fact) and it's hard to hear that she's so poorly at home
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It is hard, especially with university and you being so far away, but try and get a good night's sleep if you can and wake up tomorrow ready to start the day. Wishing your mum much healthier times and fingers crossed for you both x
 
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