Afternoon fellow sunbunnies…how is everyone coping in the heat?
I had an hour or so, sitting out, but had to seek shade and a cooler temp…never right for us is it?
Okay…after my Wonderful Wednesday, yesterday wasn`t so good.
I went for my bladder and kidney scan, in readiness for my spc operation (suprapubic catheter)
When I received the appointment, I rang to tell them I am immobile and need a hoist for transfers. I was told, No problem. We use hoists.
My 2 carers, Chris and Bev went with me, incase of wetting accidents and change of clothing was necessary. I drank the huge amount of water, an hour before the scan, as was requested.
I felt so uncomfortable and also had a touch of the shakes…if someone is incontinent, surely having a full bladder, is nigh on impossible to keep a hold of, eh?
In my letter it stated that I could take someone into the scanning room. With my deaf ear and feeling fragile, I did want Bev with me. When I was called, Bev was told she couldnt accompany me. I became even more jittery. Bev marched up to the reception desk and said, I am Mrs Pollys carer. She is nervous of the scan and is deaf in 1 ear. She wants me with her`. Right…that sorted. Funny though, there is a notice by the reception saying if someone needs an interpreter, they can have 1 with them…hmmmmm.
So we got into the room. Lady said, can you get onto the couch please? I said Yes, wheres the hoist please? Uh? No hoist here, I was told. I said i had rung up to say I need one. Lady said, Oh, according to our notes, you can walk. Mr ? says you can!`
WTF? I hadnt even see this MR ?. I saw Dr B and he had forwarded me a copy of his letter to my GP, re my outpatients appointment. There was nowt in it saying I can walk! Have I been under the illusion that I cant walk, all these years and hadnt realized or had forgotten that I can?
So the lady said she could scan me in my wheelie. Would i remove the sides/arm rests? I said if that is done, I may fall out, as i have no core strength.
Bev suggested she put her arm around me to hold me securely and that was ok. The scans were done and I was told i wasn`t pregnant!!! Then I was told I had to empty my bladder to have a new set of scans done.
Back to the Where is the hoist? question, followed closely by, Have you got a commode?
Puzzled face again…No. Can you self catheter? I told her I cant. She left the room and another lady entered…`Can you use a female urinal?`` No I repeated.
10 minutes passed by and a portable hoist appeared. Lady said, we arent trained to use hoists and put people onto commodes. I said, Bev is. Shell do it! What about the commode? I asked. Oh,no commodes here.
Me, Listen, I dont know how much longer I can hold all this water. I am in discomfort. I am tired out! Lady disappeared and returned with a commode. Wheres the pan?Bev asked.Oh, no pans. These commodes go over toilets.`
Wheres the toilet? Down the corridor…past the waiting areas. Me, i cant wait!`
Lady no 1 brought a slipper pan and put it on the floor under the commode.
I weed…and weed…and weed some more! it splashed all over the place…I felt better, but embarrassed at the smell and mess I`d made. Ladies 1 and 2 said not to worry…
So we left the hosptal some 2 hours later and i went to bed.
Today I phoned Mr?`s secretary and relayed my expereince. She got my notes up and said there was nothing about me being able to walk and that I do need a hoist. I asked what if when I get to the ward for the op, i am expected to walk?
She said she would emphasise my requirements and make sure it is known!
Then she gave me a date for the op…4th July…Independence Day…is that an omen or what?
Thanks for reading, if you`ve managed to get to the bottom of this post.
luv Pollyx