Had a long chat to Mum’s consultant yesterday and she emailed over a very detailed insulin care plan for Mum. She said there is a risk to Mum being cared for at home because Mum’s condition is very complex and complex decisions have to be made, often in stressful circumstances. Mum’s said she’s happy to live with that risk and simply wants to come home.
A small part of Mum’s care plan
The current plan is for her to be discharged tomorrow, but I’m not holding my breath. The ward doesn’t seem to want to let her come home until her insulin levels are perfect. Plus, every day Mum is in hospital is an extra day for Dad to recover. He seems a lot better now, judging by yesterday’s Happy Hour meeting.
It’s the 17th day of lockdown by my estimate. It started on 23 March, Dad’s 90th birthday. Weather is lovely and it’s the first time I’ve gone out without a jacket as there’s no chill in the air. I’m in my favourite blog-writing spot.
Am waiting for a call from Mum’s diabetes consultant, who’s looking after her directly now in the dedicated diabetes ward. She’s been moved from the coronary (cardiac?) care ward.
Mum is doing well now according to the nurses but the fear is that without proper three-times-a-day care she’ll end up having to be readmitted. Some cover can come from the district nurse but not all. Another problem is that the care must be given by someone who’s authorised to give insulin injections.
Once I’ve spoken to the consultant I can get on the phone to see what’s available through social services and privately. Unfortunately the carer agency the GP recommended has just been judged Inadequate by the Care Quality Commission.
In any case, I’m not actually sure whether anyone will be going out into the community giving care at the moment, or at least taking on new clients. At least I’ve got the holiday cottage until 4 June so can help out while looking for a permanent solution when the crisis ends.
Dad is slowly getting well and sleeping much better. The evenings are fine enough to sit out in the garden for a hour and it makes a big difference
What with everything else going on, I’d forgotten my car MOT. Luckily Norman Thorpe’s garage is open and fitted my car in straight away. Have also developed a tooth problem, but definitely going to ignore that and hope it goes away.
Still no hot water, the landlord has informed us that as our boiler is a particularly rare kind it’s going to be even more difficult to get especially during Semana Santa AND the nationwide lockdown. Still nice weather today, yesterday was horrible I had to queue up in the rain outside the supermarket for 20 minutes.
Mum update: one of the Diabetes nurses called me yesterday to tell me that mum’s been moved to a diabetes ward.
Mum’s own diabetes consultant came back to work yesterday after a two-week break, so this was her first opportunity to see and assess mum.
She concluded that mum needed to be sent home with a proper care package, i.e. with carers visiting daily who can give Mum her insulin. The upshot is that Mum is now being assessed.
Dad, Richard and I are all very relieved, even though it’ll delay Mum’s return home. Dad is slowly getting better and we managed another socially distanced G&T in his back garden on a fine evening.
We waited with bated breath for Mum to come home yesterday but she’s going to be discharged today instead now. Her insulin has been increased in hospital and this led to a low blood sugar reading as she was about to leave, so the hospital decided to play safe and let the diabetes nurses double-check her treatment before she leaves.
Dad and I had a very distanced G&T in his back garden as it was such a beautiful evening. He’s still coughing and weakened by his cold but enjoyed a bit of arms-length contact.
Would love to send one of these to the heroic staff at Chesterfield Royal Hospital. Better start crocheting…
Mary, Mum’s ever-wise friend, gave me some good advice about Sainsbury’s home deliveries for the vulnerable. I’d been trying to arrange deliveries using my own account with no joy. But when I reactivated an old Sainsbury’s groceries account I set up for Mum and Dad and linked their Nectar card, three delivery slots magically opened up for tomorrow morning.
This might be because the Sainsbury’s site cross-references with a list of vulnerable people who are allowed to book slots, or holds a record of Mum and Dad’s regular shops at their local store using their Nectar card, which “knows” their age. Whatever the reason, it works and is a huge relief for me. Thanks Mary!
Magnificent new signpost seen on yesterday’s walk through Lea Wood. Someone’s been busy.
2022 and all that 