An angel at our door

Mum and i had done a lot of soul searching in the short time since coming home but there was still a lot to organise like get a new orthopedic bed for starters cos her legs had to be elevated at all times and all she had was a wedge to put under the mattress and it made it hard for her to turn over. We talked about care and we needed to get a better wheel chair that she could use on her own.
Then there was a knock at the door! going to answer it it was the local district nurse. Thinking Yvonne was just here to check on mum's legs she wanted us all together to discuss about what we been doing to cope in the long run?

Well ive been teaching Ted all the meds mum has to take and we were talking about buying a orthopedic bed online that mum could use
i want to get pill boxes
and we've talked about care in the future.

Right what about bathing and washing?
well i wheel mum into the bathroom and she washes herself as for bathing she wont let me and she scared of the hoist

The bedroom was designed for pat (mums disabled sister)so the hoist was fitted when the extension was built 12 years ago. Mum was her sole carer for 20 years until she became unwell)


Taking a good look round she said forget the bed i can get you one free from the NHS for as long as you want it! I will talk to the carers to come over and start p/t care in the mornings for you. I will order you a better wheel chair that you can use independently but that will take 3 weeks to come through.

She talked about getting dr Gail to visit if she wanted it and transport to and from the day hospital every fortnight for blood transfusions.

I will call every day to see how things are for you and i will take blood every Tuesday to monitor its level. But for things to work for you you need to work with me Brenda! and tell me if your not happy about something. I will come over tomorow to help you and show Lynda how to use the hoist and i will phone tonight to give a time when i come over.

After she left the 3 of us were flabbergasted and relieved to say the least but i did say to mum be honest with her and tell her if your not happy! i know you you will suffer in silence so be honest and things will work out.

The following day

I had to get up early this morning as i didn't know when Yvonne was going to ring, tidying the bathroom and getting towels warm by the radiator the phone rang she was coming over at 10.15. Good time for a cuppa before she comes. Come 10 o clock i start to run the bath slowly but still no sign by 10.45 getting worried we made a start without her. Getting her in the chair was ok now to figure how to get into the bath, still weak she was unable to lift her legs over and i wasn't going to force her so got her back on the bed with her dressing gown over her. Going back to the living room i was getting worked up and Yvonne still isn't here! giving it a second shot at it we both managed to work together and she was in. Just as we finished Yvonne came over and apologised for being late and was glad we had managed on our own.