"What have you eaten" Parallel Chat

[Annb]

It's a real roller coaster, this long distance concern for my brother. Depressing news first thing but it seems a bit more hopeful now. CT scan showed no brain damage so it wasn't a stroke. It may just be a slow response from his left arm and hand - since he had polio as a child, he hasn't had any working muscles in his upper left arm (forearm muscles attached to his left shoulder muscle to make it work) and that has been failing in the last year or so. He's no spring chicken after all (80 later this year even if he has the strength and physique of a much younger man) so he might yet bounce back with his usual vigour. We can only hope. His family will get to see him today and they will have a better idea after that.

I am happy to say that, despite major health challenges throughout his life, he is still one of the strongest men I know, both physically and mentally - no, actually THE strongest - and that puts him in a very good place in terms of recovery.

When we were in our teens, I used to try to play tennis with him but when he served, the only thing I could do was get out of the way if I didn't want to break my wrist or get damaged in some other way. He had developed an exceptionally strong right arm by then.

 

[Annb]

As I said earlier today - a real roller coaster for all of us. Despite not being able to see any problems on the CT scan, he isn't responding as the hospital anticipated and they will take him for another brain scan soon, in case they've missed anything. However, he is still under sedation and that may be the problem - he never did respond well to anaesthetics and he may not be able to respond properly while still under the influence of them. I want to hope that all will be well, but I know I may just be "whistling down the wind".

One good thing is that my nephew took the hospital to task on their poor communication and received a promise that the family would be kept in the loop in future.

 

[Riva_Roxaban]

My easter egg came from the occy health unit at the base hospital.

My shower stool has finally arrived from the medical supplier in WA.

iI will make life easier in the shower with out fear of slipping rsup. trying to pick the soap off the floor with my bbq tongs.

 

[Annb]

Em did an interesting painting when she was here yesterday of how she sees the universe and I thought I might share it with you, along with that pic of the 3 dogs I was promising some time ago, but I just can't get the software to work, so I can't. She also wanted to make a cake for her brother to thank him for being such a good brother. I think I ended up doing most of it, but it's the thought that counts.

SIL contacted the hospital in Oxford early this morning to check that they realised that my brother is actually fairly deaf on his left side (exactly the same as me and our mother, and her mother, come to that) and that they were making sure he could hear the instructions they were giving him through his drug induced semi-coma. They hadn't realised and will make sure to speak loudly and clearly in future. Who knows? It might make a difference. He is still intubated, which surprises me. While he is intubated, they can't raise his level of consciousness which, in turn may be confusing him since he doesn't do very well with anaesthetics. The whole problem might just be a management issue.

 

[maglil55]

Em did an interesting painting when she was here yesterday of how she sees the universe and I thought I might share it with you, along with that pic of the 3 dogs I was promising some time ago, but I just can't get the software to work, so I can't. She also wanted to make a cake for her brother to thank him for being such a good brother. I think I ended up doing most of it, but it's the thought that counts.

SIL contacted the hospital in Oxford early this morning to check that they realised that my brother is actually fairly deaf on his left side (exactly the same as me and our mother, and her mother, come to that) and that they were making sure he could hear the instructions they were giving him through his drug induced semi-coma. They hadn't realised and will make sure to speak loudly and clearly in future. Who knows? It might make a difference. He is still intubated, which surprises me. While he is intubated, they can't raise his level of consciousness which, in turn may be confusing him since he doesn't do very well with anaesthetics. The whole problem might just be a management issue.

I've been there with my son. He was intubated for 10 days in total. It's a worrying time. I do hope they can bring your brother up soon.

 

[maglil55]

My easter egg came from the occy health unit at the base hospital.

My shower stool has finally arrived from the medical supplier in WA.

iI will make life easier in the shower with out fear of slipping rsup. trying to pick the soap off the floor with my bbq tongs.

I've had shower stools in both showers for many years now. A couple if falls soon convinced them. I could never get used to the perch stool there gave me fir the kitchen though. That was a danger to me as I jeot sliding off the thing due to the lack if sensation in legs/feet. I never felt safe on it.

 

[Annb]

I've been there with my son. He was intubated for 10 days in total. It's a worrying time. I do hope they can bring your brother up soon.

The latest idea is to give him a tracheotomy to let him breathe without the ventilator. But that requires more surgery and another anaesthetic. Also not very desirable. It is all very much like being a yo-yo - up down, up down, up down... I just hope he isn't aware of it all going on although they clearly think there is some level of consciousness because they are unhappy that he is not responding to instructions. Really, I think that however they do it, they need to get him conscious asap.

 

[maglil55]

Quite a day today Youngest's Class is not in school, in fact they won't be in all week. Their teacher is ill and they can't get cover. This is a big school but they've lost 4 teachers in 2 weeks and a really short staffed now. Looks like even supply teachers are not available now. Just one to get to school then Straight to the shops to get the eldest lunches for the week and I'd totally confused myself by putting two different times on my chiropodist appointment!
I then, after much effort, managed to access the SNHS correspondence system. I registered as I'm competent with electronic mail but this is a nightmare! Just as well I persisted though.
Last September my optician referred me to the Eye Pavilion again. I already attend there for diabetic & glaucoma checks. Trouble is this is for cataracts which is a different department again. In October, I got a letter from the centralised appointment dept (why are they obsessed with centralising everything) which pretty much said, got your referral but we're really busy so we can't even give you a clue when you'll get an appointment to be assessed for treatment. Fine, I was expecting that as I'd been told waiting times are horrendous.
Today, having finally accessed the online correspondence, I discovered a letter from the centralised appointment dept again saying, they know I'm still waiting (6 months so far) but I had to call them within 7 days or I'd be removed from the waiting list!
I did call and what they wanted to know was would I go to a Private facility in Clydeside then they could speed things up? I ascertained that the SNHS are paying for patients to be treated privately which is nice for people who live in the west but pretty impossible for me. To get there driving it's about 1.5 hrs on a good day on the M8. I wouldn't be allowed to drive though and anyone who could have driven me there and back has passed away. Train/Bus/Taxi - just short of 3 hours one way and at my own expense. I can't say I was keen on the idea of dotting about on different buses/trains following surgery on my eye either. It would require at least 5 appointments one for assessment, 2 for surgery and 2 for checkups - 6 hours round trip each one. It really wasn't feasible. The response was - well the waiting list for your area is at least another 18 months to 2 years. I just have to wait then as the only other alternative would be to go private here but that won't happen. Main reason is my brother (now gone) had his first eye done privately and it went horribly wrong. He ended up in the Eye Pavilion for over a week getting an injection in his eye every 30 mins. They saved his sight. I guess you can see why I don't fancy it!
I'm still shocked though that it's potentially 2 5 years before they can even assess me.

 

[Riva_Roxaban]

I've had shower stools in both showers for many years now. A couple if falls soon convinced them. I could never get used to the perch stool there gave me fir the kitchen though.

I did not ask for it, occy health said I would get one now I am under palliative care.

Just waiting for the emergency alarm pendant to come if I fall over anywhere as I now have difficultly getting up off the floor.

Looking forwards to January 2023, this is when dignified dying comes into law in Queensland. I already have a Queensland Justice dept advanced health directives (DNR) for medical decisions filled in and lodged with QH and my GP.

I also have a new legal form called a Acute Resuscitation Plan filled in by my GP, that states no CPR or other heroic methods.

The Ambo's (paramedics) check the fridge door to see if this ARP is on it, then follow the instructions on what do do.

Low carb meat and other goodies are stored in the fridge / freezer to keep slightly on topic.

 

[Antje77]

I also have a new legal form called a Acute Resuscitation Plan filled in by my GP, that states no CPR or other heroic methods.

Those yellow magnets should take care of that part!

 

[Riva_Roxaban]

Those yellow magnets should take care of that part!

They sure will.

 

[Annb]

Quite a day today Youngest's Class is not in school, in fact they won't be in all week. Their teacher is ill and they can't get cover. This is a big school but they've lost 4 teachers in 2 weeks and a really short staffed now. Looks like even supply teachers are not available now. Just one to get to school then Straight to the shops to get the eldest lunches for the week and I'd totally confused myself by putting two different times on my chiropodist appointment!
I then, after much effort, managed to access the SNHS correspondence system. I registered as I'm competent with electronic mail but this is a nightmare! Just as well I persisted though.
Last September my optician referred me to the Eye Pavilion again. I already attend there for diabetic & glaucoma checks. Trouble is this is for cataracts which is a different department again. In October, I got a letter from the centralised appointment dept (why are they obsessed with centralising everything) which pretty much said, got your referral but we're really busy so we can't even give you a clue when you'll get an appointment to be assessed for treatment. Fine, I was expecting that as I'd been told waiting times are horrendous.
Today, having finally accessed the online correspondence, I discovered a letter from the centralised appointment dept again saying, they know I'm still waiting (6 months so far) but I had to call them within 7 days or I'd be removed from the waiting list!
I did call and what they wanted to know was would I go to a Private facility in Clydeside then they could speed things up? I ascertained that the SNHS are paying for patients to be treated privately which is nice for people who live in the west but pretty impossible for me. To get there driving it's about 1.5 hrs on a good day on the M8. I wouldn't be allowed to drive though and anyone who could have driven me there and back has passed away. Train/Bus/Taxi - just short of 3 hours one way and at my own expense. I can't say I was keen on the idea of dotting about on different buses/trains following surgery on my eye either. It would require at least 5 appointments one for assessment, 2 for surgery and 2 for checkups - 6 hours round trip each one. It really wasn't feasible. The response was - well the waiting list for your area is at least another 18 months to 2 years. I just have to wait then as the only other alternative would be to go private here but that won't happen. Main reason is my brother (now gone) had his first eye done privately and it went horribly wrong. He ended up in the Eye Pavilion for over a week getting an injection in his eye every 30 mins. They saved his sight. I guess you can see why I don't fancy it!
I'm still shocked though that it's potentially 2 5 years before they can even assess me.

You know, although living here in the Hebrides has its problems, I am so glad that we don't live on the mainland. Here, if we need to go for treatment on the mainland, everything is subsidised, even an escort if required. There are, I'm told, services which can be accessed to provide an escort (haven't managed to suss that one out yet) and, should it be required, ambulance transport. Obviously we need to pay for meals etc, but modest b&b is covered and all travel, other than the first £10. We are very lucky in that.

Our schools are already off for the Easter holiday - last day was last Friday although I'm not sure when they go back - schools don't always shut for Easter here. Just looked that up - they go back on 19 April so it's an 18 day break.

 

[Annb]

The response was - well the waiting list for your area is at least another 18 months to 2 years. ... I'm still shocked though that it's potentially 2 5 years before they can even assess me.

That is shocking! A few years ago, even, the waiting list in Falkirk was 18 months, but it has obviously got a lot longer recently. DIL's granny was going on for 100 (as I remember it) when she needed cataracts removed on both her eyes but was told she wouldn't be assessed for the surgery for 18 months. Well, she told them not to bother putting her on the list since she probably wouldn't live that long. So they didn't put her on the list. She lived to almost 107!

 

[Annb]

I managed to get hold of a digital image of Ginnie - the St Bernard. She just about 18 months old now and hasn't quite realised that she isn't a lap dog. She doesn't wait to be invited onto a lap - in fact she doesn't get invited, she just does what she thinks she wants to do. Almost out of breath beneath her is Em's Dad.

 

[maglil55]

That is shocking! A few years ago, even, the waiting list in Falkirk was 18 months, but it has obviously got a lot longer recently. DIL's granny was going on for 100 (as I remember it) when she needed cataracts removed on both her eyes but was told she wouldn't be assessed for the surgery for 18 months. Well, she told them not to bother putting her on the list since she probably wouldn't live that long. So they didn't put her on the list. She lived to almost 107!

You're correct, it is shocking. Even worse, I read an article today GPs complaining that referrals to neurology are waiting 2.5 years as well I was referred to neurology in 2006 and in the space of 14 weeks I'd seen a neurologist for tests, was referred to a neurosurgeon, had a MRI, X Ray's and 2 CT scans and major surgery to sort out the spinal cord as best they could. If I'd had to wait 2 5 years I would gave been in a wheelchair permanently. I also see they announced the worst waiting times ever in A&E. I can't see anything changing for the better with the current incumbents in Holyrood.

Any more word on your brother?

 

[maglil55]

I managed to get hold of a digital image of Ginnie - the St Bernard. She just about 18 months old now and hasn't quite realised that she isn't a lap dog. She doesn't wait to be invited onto a lap - in fact she doesn't get invited, she just does what she thinks she wants to do. Almost out of breath beneath her is Em's Dad.

View attachment 54060

That's a big dog! I'll bet it's a big softy as well?

 

[Annb]

That's a big dog! I'll bet it's a big softy as well?

She's still a pup really and hasn't calmed down to being an adult St Bernard. But she has a lovely nature. One problem is, she still grabs what she can and chews it - whatever it is. And when she stands on her back legs, she can reach the ceiling. So, standing on her back legs she's actually as tall at the head as my son, who is just 6ft tall. Her father, I'm told is massive, not a lot taller than she is, but much heavier.

 

[Annb]

You're correct, it is shocking. Even worse, I read an article today GPs complaining that referrals to neurology are waiting 2.5 years as well I was referred to neurology in 2006 and in the space of 14 weeks I'd seen a neurologist for tests, was referred to a neurosurgeon, had a MRI, X Ray's and 2 CT scans and major surgery to sort out the spinal cord as best they could. If I'd had to wait 2 5 years I would gave been in a wheelchair permanently. I also see they announced the worst waiting times ever in A&E. I can't see anything changing for the better with the current incumbents in Holyrood.

Any more word on your brother?

He's been through the mill these last few days. They haven't managed to remove the tubes yet and they haven't managed to get him conscious enough to take him forward. First, on Friday, they realised that he was bleeding and managed to slow it down but didn't know where from. Yesterday, they discovered that he had fluid in both lungs and when they drained it found he'd had about a litre of very bloody fluid in them. He hasn't been responding to instructions from the staff and they were concerned that he might have had a stroke, but a CT scan indicated that he hadn't.

Today his wife and daughter visited him and his wife was given a copy of the report sent to his own doctor in which it says that the aneurism had actually ruptured by the time they opened him up. It couldn't have split open disastrously, maybe was just leaking. So he just about made it in time. Today his wife thinks he responded to her when she asked him to squeeze her hand. Maybe wishful thinking, but what else do we have?

I think (hope) it's a matter of managing the process between sedation and extubation because I can't believe that once through the surgery, he will not be strong enough to survive.

I heard on today's news that one woman had to wait for 24 hours in A&E - not that she didn't receive any treatment, but they couldn't find a bed for her.

 

[Annb]

Just had a visit from 3 runaways - Banksie, Ginnie and Bella. I saw them going past my kitchen window but by the time I got out and realised they were on their own, they had gone too far along the road and wouldn't come back when I called them. So I had to phone Alistair and he had to break off from his round to capture them at the end of our road, just short of the main Stornoway road. He stopped them and brought them here until he could find a way to get them home. In fact, Em's elder brother, Braidie was home so he came to collect them - he is big enough to hold Banksie in check and the other 2 follow Banksie. I tried to get them to settle down for a photoshoot, but they weren't having any of it. Luckily I had some dog treats in the cupboard, so they might remember me another time and come when I call.

Luckily, this afternoon, my cleaner will be coming to do the floors - all 3 were wet and that wet-dog-smell was hanging around (windows open and kitchen fan on full blast) and Banksie had immersed himself in a muddy ditch by the looks of it. Oh what fun he'd been having! I noticed that they are not very good at hoovering up all the crumbs from their treats - most dogs I've known have been very particular that way.

 

[Antje77]

Luckily I had some dog treats in the cupboard, so they might remember me another time and come when I call.

Dog treats are a must have!

Banksie had immersed himself in a muddy ditch by the looks of it. Oh what fun he'd been having! I noticed that they are not very good at hoovering up all the crumbs from their treats - most dogs I've known have been very particular that way.

Sounds like a good adventure!
I have visiting dogs as well, but thankfully of the easier to handle variety.
When I came home from the swimming pool yesterday I discovered I had 4 dogs instead of the usual 2!

I knew they were coming for a while because their owner is getting a knee replacement tomorrow morning, but I didn't know they'd arrive yesterday morning so it was a nice surprise to be welcomed by all those dogs!