Mac and Jill

When I arrived yesterday morning – I was greeted with “where have you been” and a kiss. Jill had been showered and was being put into a recliner which could be wheeled out side.  They spent some time making sure that she was comfortable as there are lots of bits and pieces to the chair.

Jill collecting Vitamin D

The nurse suggested she take Jill outside to a courtyard which we had used many times during Jill’s previous stays. As the chair is quite large it was an obstacle course to avoid other staff, wheel chairs, beds being moved and protect Jill’s leg which protrudes well out the front. Once we got there she left us for about an hour in the sun – better supply of vitamin D than the tablets.

Back to the room – where Jill stayed in the chair and had lunch. Following that we had a visit from the Transitional Care Package Cordinator. She had some forms to sign and gave us a copy of what their plan was for Jill.

Our next visitor was the physio. Jill instantly took a liking to him. No not that reason. He said our aim is to get you home as soon as possible. They will show me how to use the transfer equipment which they will loan us . He did emphasise ( I don’t think Jill absorbed this part- just focused on the word HOME) that both myself and the rehab staff and to be confident that we could handle the transition. Obviously Jill has to have a couple of x-rays over the next couple of weeks and I need to be re programmed. He emphasised that there is limited to no physio that could be attempted on Jill’s leg until the cast comes of in 6-8 weeks and the only physio will be on the upper body and her right leg. This could be done at home with visits from the physio on a regular basis. There would be visits arranged from ancillary people to help me shower, dress and check Jills leg. Through the package meals , house cleaning and  gardens can also be looked into if we want them.

Jill had been in the chair for several hours and her bottom was getting sore. I called a nurse and she came in and started to prepare the chair for Jill’s transfer. It was obvious she had never seen or operated one of these recliners before. The arm rests had to be lowered to get the sling into position. She reached under the chair and the next thing the leg support dropped and Jill let out a scream as her leg dropped with the support. I grabbed for the leg and supported it and all the nurse said was there are to many levers on the chair – no sorry or how are you. Jill’s nurse came with the scream and took over. finally into toilet and then back into bed and some well earned rest.

Dinner was served and the phone started to ring with the Skype tone ” It was our Riley dose – Chris had spent the day home with Riley as he had not been well – his other Grandma – Marg had arrived. He was certainly full of vigour and as always brings a smile to our faces. The disappointing thing is that we will not get to visit him on his birthday 29th May. His party is on Saturday.

About 7.30 I was told I should head home – this time by Jill.

See you soon on the net

When I arrived yesterday morning – coffee in hand I was met by the nurse telling me Jill was to be moved to the Thomas Hogan Ward – which is the rehabilitation ware of the hospital. I think Jill dreaded this move because it means she is there for some considerable time. I also spoke to the Orthopaedic Doctor about the X-ray. He showed me the x-rays on the computer. I was able to view the series of x-rays that have been taken up to Mondays and it was obvious that they had been able to get it into alignment – he was very happy with the outcome and the new splint. He did say that Jill would possible be there for 6-8 weeks depending on how well the bone knits.

Jill has also been accepted into a Transitional Care Package which will fully fund her stay in the hospital for up to 12 weeks from today – I think she will have gone crazy by that time.

Latter the afternoon Jill was transferred down stairs to Thomas Hogan Ward – Room 10. It is a single bed ward with a view – at least she will be able to see people coming and going outside. The physio came not long after and told Jill they would take her for a walk in the wheel chair outside in the garden for some fresh air tomorrow. At 7.30 the nurse came and said they were going to settle Jill for the night and politely “It is time for you to go home”

I collected the mail as I came home and there was an invoice from the Ambulance for Jill’s trip to the hospital ( $2500) – I was surprised as we had never received one on any previous trip. I checked my bank statement to see if we had paid our ambulance membership. I could not see any and then worried all night. My first phone call was to Ambulance Victoria – and I was quite relieved when told that we were paid up to July 2012 – and also as a pensioner we were covered any way. Another sleepless night waisted.

It’s 9.30 and I told Jill I would be there around 10. I had better feed the cat and head off.

See you soon on the net

I am having trouble sleeping and started writing this blog at 4am.

When I arrived at the Hospital yesterday morning the chap fitting Jill’s new cast was in there and I decided to have a coffee. Came back and he was still there so I went in . He explained that he normally has his wife helping but because of his early start he was on his own. He was using a heat gun to soften the perforated plastic sheet which he had cut to shape. He already had the two side sheets in position and was fitting the third.

The sheet material reminded me of the mask used by Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs.

He finished moulding the material and once in place he marked each piece, removed them and riveted them and a foot unit together. Finally riveting 4 velcro straps to hold it into place. he was quite happy with the cast and explained how he made it the size and shape. It was about 11am when he left and had been there since 7am.

Next step was to have the leg re x-rayed to make sure every thing was still in alignment.  Later in the afternoon I spoke to the Orthopaedic Intern and although she could not confirm the x-ray she was fairly confident but would have to wait for her boss to have a look. Probably will be on their rounds this  morning.

As I left Jill asked me again as she has every day – ” when can I come home”. I just wished that I could bring her home – I would probably get a good sleep.

We have been looking into several furniture changes which will need to be in place for her to come home. Electric adjustable bed, Electric lift chair, Lift hoist and finally the wheel chair that has been on order several weeks.

See you soon on the net

Jill has been in hospital 15 days  and is certainly much brighter after the effects of the morphine has worn off. Since the last cast was changed and waiting 2 days for the results of the x-ray the orthopaedic surgeons visited Jill on Friday and a decision was made to change the cast again. She a pressure sore on her ankle from the first cast which they noticed when they put on the third cast and on Friday evening they had cut a window through the cast so they could manage the spot. The decision is to put on a plastic clam shell splint on Monday ( this morning at 7am) . I have googled it, as even though they could explain it they had not seen one used on an adult. Apparently it can be opened so that the leg can be treated and the skin moisturised.

Jill had a little visitor  ( Miss Chelsea Canning) on Friday , she giggled and sat on Jill’s knees. The light that children bring to our lives when you are down is amazing. Thanks Alicia for the soup and bringing Chelsea.

Chelsea visit bring a smile to Jill

Sunday seem a long day – during the afternoon we sat and Jill listened to one of her audio books. I will be pleased when this one is finished as it is a very confusing book ( that’s my opinion) Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon.

Well I had better make tracks and see how this new cast is.

Thanks for all the wishes, text messages and calls. We certainly appreciate them.

See you soon on the net

I arrived to find Jill sitting in bed with plaster removed , a bowl of mixed plaster and various bandages on the bench. The doctors were discussing the next step while the nurse was administering some morphine. I told Jill I would be back when they had finished. I also mentioned that there was a cake stall in the cafeteria and what would she like as a treat.” Cream – something with cream in it” was the reply- to which one of the doctors agree that sounded good. When I got there the stall had been going since 8am and they were almost sold out – I found some iced cup cakes and decided that would do.

I headed back to the ward and sat in the waiting area until they were finished. I talked to a woman whose husband was having a shoulder operation, I mentioned that Jill had asked for cream cakes and that I had missed out. Out of her bag she produced a tray of cream butterfly cakes and offered them to me. I accepted and we did an exchange. Jill won’t know how lucky she was.

I could see Jill’s room and when the doctor left I went to see how things were going. Jill was sitting up with her plastered leg exposed and plaster every where and a nurse trying to clean up . complaining about the mess doctors always leave behind for them to clean up. Jill was sitting in bed with plaster on the sheets , her hands, face and her big toes.

Jill's Plastered left leg

Time was 11am and morning tea arrived so Jill was able to have her cream cake which she loved.  On Jill’s notice board they had penciled in Jill’s confirming X-ray for 4pm. Suddenly they arrived a couple of hours early and we thought this was great. Jill was wheeled away to radiology and was back in 1/2 and hour.

The results of the x-ray were not back when I left at 9pm so I hope that all is well when I get there this morning

Let you know the results tomorrow

Jill has been in NorthEast Hospital Wangaratta for 10 days-  moved to surgical ward and had her leg fully plastered – the largest plaster I have ever seen. She is being extremely strong – not requesting any pain medication . She just wants to come home. Chris , Nicole & Riley came to visit her at the weekend and seeing Riley was the best tonic. Smiles all round.

On Monday we had a visit from the resident orthopaedic doctor with some concerning information . Following the X-rays taken to confirm everything was on track they had found that the leg was not in the correct alignment and they would have to take the paster off and under some sedation re manipulate the leg into the correct place. We were told that this would be done in theatre last night – but because of the worry the anesthetic has on the MSA it was decided finally todo it at 7 am this morning in the ward using morphine to control the pain.

When I left last night she was worried and I bet she didn’t sleep much. I rang at 8am expecting to be told that she was being worked on only to be told she was having breakfast and they had not started to manipulate the leg. So fingers crossed there is some better news when I get there in the next hour.

See you with more news soon.