Home at Last

Diane has been back at home for 3 months now. It only seems like 5 minutes. The pre-arranged carer package kicked in immediately on her departure from the nursing home and, despite her protestations to the contrary, remains very necessary.

Since August Diane has had 22 physio sessions; 2 hydro sessions; 6 hospital appointments, including 2 scans and several blood tests; a urology consultation; a meeting with her doctor and a home visit by the Occupational Therapist. Never a quiet moment.

Her thought process was evidently that a couple of weeks at home and she’d be back to rights and could move seamlessly on as normal. That was never going to happen and there have been tears and frustration as a result of reality kicking in.

The most recent piece of medical advice - that Diane might need to use a catheter for the rest of her life – was dismissed with all the incredulity and vehement denial that she could muster. It wasn’t pretty. I was specifically refused attendance at that consultation, but the look of the nurse on returning Diane to the reception area suggested she had had a right royal wigging. The well-intentioned proposition was a source of discussion and upset for several days. I gather it is not going to happen. Ever!

Despite all this, Diane has continued to make small steps forward. The physio’s have her in the kitchen carrying out basic tasks and making drinks. Trips upstairs for a bath have been successfully accomplished and I even caught them in the bedroom practicing getting in and out. Good job I’d left it reasonably tidy.

Shopping is now accomplished with the aid of a wheelchair attachable basket. Thankfully our local supermarket has plenty. Not all do.

We’ve also had our PIP (Personal Independence Payment) application confirmed. This is a long, convoluted and drawn-out process that involved several telephone consultations; one lasting just over 2 hours. However, this is a crucial achievement, not just for the financial contribution, but because it opens doors to other useful asset, including a Blue Badge.

We’re off and running on the next stage of our road to recovery.