OK, so OH has been back from respite for just over a week. I have decided that Things Have Got to Change, so before he came back I tried to contact care agencies to give OH a shower a couple of times a week (can introduce more if necessary), SS to get a referral to day care and my car mechanic because my car has packed up.
So, this week has been none stop with phone calls to and from care agencies. Most of them cant take on new clients *sigh*, so Ive had to try other ones. Three different people from SS have phoned me up and asked me exactly the same questions (Three? Really?? It takes three people???) and all three told me that they would get an urgent assessment of OHs needs. The care home phoned. Ive had to organise the DN to come and change OHs catheter - I was supposed to go to the GP get him one on prescription so the district nurse had one to replace the old catheter, but the GP sent the prescription to the pharmacy the care home used and I couldnt go and get it because my car is defunct. Had to phone DNs about this and then she didnt come the day it was organised, so I had to chase it up. OH has had 2 appointments - one in London (took all day) and one at the local hospital. I had to phone up and arrange transport for us (because of no car). Nothing is simple - there are menus to navigate, directions to other numbers and when you finally get on the right line you are told that you are *five* in the queue................
In between all the phoning Ive been backwards and forwards to the GP - about the catheter, about transport to hospital appointments, to request prescriptions for meds. Every time I get back there is another message on the answerphone....... The DN eventually arrived and changed his catheter (took two hours because she set up all the paperwork), care agency and came for an assessment (also took 2 hours), but will be starting in a couple of weeks. The person I contacted before Christmas about a fence panel that needs replacing chose last week to phone and say that they will be coming round on Wednesday, Ive done so much washing Im surprised that the washing machine hasnt packed up in protest (shh! dont say it out loud in case it hears!), sorted out an internet shop, taken deliveries for catheter bags, plus, of course, all the "little" things like caring.......
So today Ive crashed. OH has just informed me that the hinge on the shower screen has broken. How did it happen? Well, Ive no idea, but I think the fact that OH told me about it when normally he is oblivious to things like that is a bit of a clue
OK rant over. Ive got to go out and buy some more milk.
So, this week has been none stop with phone calls to and from care agencies. Most of them cant take on new clients *sigh*, so Ive had to try other ones. Three different people from SS have phoned me up and asked me exactly the same questions (Three? Really?? It takes three people???) and all three told me that they would get an urgent assessment of OHs needs. The care home phoned. Ive had to organise the DN to come and change OHs catheter - I was supposed to go to the GP get him one on prescription so the district nurse had one to replace the old catheter, but the GP sent the prescription to the pharmacy the care home used and I couldnt go and get it because my car is defunct. Had to phone DNs about this and then she didnt come the day it was organised, so I had to chase it up. OH has had 2 appointments - one in London (took all day) and one at the local hospital. I had to phone up and arrange transport for us (because of no car). Nothing is simple - there are menus to navigate, directions to other numbers and when you finally get on the right line you are told that you are *five* in the queue................
In between all the phoning Ive been backwards and forwards to the GP - about the catheter, about transport to hospital appointments, to request prescriptions for meds. Every time I get back there is another message on the answerphone....... The DN eventually arrived and changed his catheter (took two hours because she set up all the paperwork), care agency and came for an assessment (also took 2 hours), but will be starting in a couple of weeks. The person I contacted before Christmas about a fence panel that needs replacing chose last week to phone and say that they will be coming round on Wednesday, Ive done so much washing Im surprised that the washing machine hasnt packed up in protest (shh! dont say it out loud in case it hears!), sorted out an internet shop, taken deliveries for catheter bags, plus, of course, all the "little" things like caring.......
So today Ive crashed. OH has just informed me that the hinge on the shower screen has broken. How did it happen? Well, Ive no idea, but I think the fact that OH told me about it when normally he is oblivious to things like that is a bit of a clue
OK rant over. Ive got to go out and buy some more milk.