Home again – Jill was officially discharged on Friday morning. I arranged for a maxi cab which has wheel chair access to get home more comfortably.
We had the usual confrontations with the Doctors and management of the hospital. I guess it is really my frustration coming out. I was unable to get answers to questions when I wanted them. Jill’s care has been great; my only complaint really was lack of communication with the doctors on staff at the hospital. Enough of that –JILL’S HOME.
Our first afternoon and evening were reasonably uneventful. I just need to get back into the habit of dishing our medication. There seems to a never ending range of pills.
I forgot to mention last week that because of the fall and Jill’s age they did a bone density test. Well not surprisingly Jill’s bones need some help. They compare Jill’s to those of a twenty five year old and then have this scale of comparison. The scale ranges from +1 to -2.5 at which point they strongly recommend medication to help mend the bones. You would guess it Jill is -3.8. The diagnosis is severe osteoporosis. The medication consists of Alendronate tablet weekly, Calcium tablets daily and Vitamin D (Ostelin) twice daily to help the calcium be absorbed. That’s another 4 tablets to take. Jill will need to go back for another bone density test in six months to see how things are proceeding.
We have proceeded to make our house as fall proof as possible. The occupational team from the hospital visited and made some suggestions – hand rails in the shower and toilet.
Removal of mats inside, lowering of our bed to make it easier for Jill, balustrade on the entrance steps etc. All of this has been achieved this week. We had already organised the balustrade and it was temporally put in place yesterday to make sure the measurements were ok. Then removed and taken to the powder coaters for its final protective coat. Glen from Pioneer forge has certainly done a great job. Jill has only seen the photos but is very impressed. The hand rails and hand shower also look great as Jill didn’t want them to be to obtrusive. The bed was simple; I removed the legs and castors and lowered the bed 100mm (4inches).
Jill’s sister Jeannette has spent a few days with us – feeding me and Jake. When Jill came through the gate Jake was there – tail wagging to greet her. Jill first comment was Jake’s put on weight. I immediately blamed Jeanette from spoiling him
On Thursday Jill had more physio that she had done for the full time we were there. We have come away with a few more exercises that she will be able to put into her routine. She was very tired and sore after the visit. We will have to take this step by step. They are coming to give us home visits to help get Jill mobile and these start on Monday.
Monday looks very busy and I am not sure how Jill will cope- the third synvisc injection is at 9am , physios visit at 2pm , visit to the doctors clinic at 3.30pm.
A few of positive things that have come out of this , Jill’s diagnosis of osteoporosis and the chance to help reverse the problem with medication , the speech therapist and her help with the Vocastim unit and Jill accepting hand rails in the shower.
See you next week on the net
