So here I am not quite believing the situation I find myself in. David is very poorly and confused. I am here coping because I have to but falling apart inside and having a little weep when no-one is watching and no-one is watching most of the time because I am doing this on my own.
My poor husband was catheterised at A&E on 30th November and I was given dire warnings and instructions about keeping everything clean. Since that date he has not had a bowel movement. This morning at 11.00 am the District Nurse came and administered an enema. I knew this was going to happen but I sort of thought I would have help to deal with it. He cannot stand. It is not possible to get him to the toilet and how it works it that the poor man is lying in bed on a couple of pads and I have to wait for the enema to work and then clean him up afterwards single handed.
When I had my children I had enemas. One was a pessary and the other was a funnel and soapy water job, the effects of which were almost instantaneous. I had erroneously assumed that he would be given something like this and that the nurse would be on hand when it took effect. Of course she has other patients to see and cannot just hang around here all day. She has given me her contact number and says she will try to come back if I get into difficulty.
If this enema does not work in the next 24 hours or so then the GP has to come out to discuss what happens next. I guess you could say I am between a rock and a hard place.
David is propped up in bed and his mouth is dry but when I tried to give him some water using a straw like I would usually do he could not remember how to suck and was just blowing. I have managed to get him to take a few sips using my grandsons baby feeder beaker.
When we were dealing with the urinary retention I felt very sad as the thought came into my head that this may be his last Christmas. Now he is so poorly I have the idea he may not even make this Christmas.
I do not want him in hospital. I feel very scared and alone and worry I may not manage and fail him.
The nurse is talking to Social Services to arrange a care package twice a day.
It is breaking my heart to see him suffer like this
Tre
My poor husband was catheterised at A&E on 30th November and I was given dire warnings and instructions about keeping everything clean. Since that date he has not had a bowel movement. This morning at 11.00 am the District Nurse came and administered an enema. I knew this was going to happen but I sort of thought I would have help to deal with it. He cannot stand. It is not possible to get him to the toilet and how it works it that the poor man is lying in bed on a couple of pads and I have to wait for the enema to work and then clean him up afterwards single handed.
When I had my children I had enemas. One was a pessary and the other was a funnel and soapy water job, the effects of which were almost instantaneous. I had erroneously assumed that he would be given something like this and that the nurse would be on hand when it took effect. Of course she has other patients to see and cannot just hang around here all day. She has given me her contact number and says she will try to come back if I get into difficulty.
If this enema does not work in the next 24 hours or so then the GP has to come out to discuss what happens next. I guess you could say I am between a rock and a hard place.
David is propped up in bed and his mouth is dry but when I tried to give him some water using a straw like I would usually do he could not remember how to suck and was just blowing. I have managed to get him to take a few sips using my grandsons baby feeder beaker.
When we were dealing with the urinary retention I felt very sad as the thought came into my head that this may be his last Christmas. Now he is so poorly I have the idea he may not even make this Christmas.
I do not want him in hospital. I feel very scared and alone and worry I may not manage and fail him.
The nurse is talking to Social Services to arrange a care package twice a day.
It is breaking my heart to see him suffer like this
Tre