or his bare b*m . . . I shall tell Matron!! A new patient opposite Keith who is a somewhat large man and is wearing a hospital gown that doesn't quite fit, and he kept hitching it up over his knees when he was sitting down - having a deliberate flash I reckon. Believe me mate, I wouldn't bother, it wasn't a very impressive sight!!!
Have to have a bit of a smile, to ease the tension. I think Keith is feeling better as he has been so grumpy all the time I was there today. He appears to be on minimum oxygen now and a lower dose of antibiotics. I set off early (about 9 a.m.) hoping the parking would be easier, but no chance. I ended up getting 2 1/2 hours for £2 in Morrisons. I took some scrambled egg for Keith, but he wasn't allowed it as he is meant to just be eating pureed food from now on. Now, this is because they have concluded his pneumonia is from aspiration of food or drink - though this has not happened. He has been on soft foods here since November and no choking episodes. The meal they gave him at lunchtime was what Keith would describe as "gopping". The pureed baked beans were turned out of silicon moulds which made them look a bit like pea-shaped beans on the top, the pureed spud had been piped but tasted yuk, and the "cheese omelette" - omg, it looked like a circular vanilla blancmange. I wouldn't have eaten any of it, and though Keith tried, he couldn't face it. He did eat his pureed apple crumble for pudding though. Even his water has to be thickened, as if he were a stroke patient as I remember mum having a cup of "tea" you could nearly stand the spoon up in.
He desperately wants to come home - there are three of us here to do the caring - so I hope that he can soon be off oxygen and mending properly.
I went to Doughty's (patchwork) shop today to cheer myself up, and bought some fabrics and pretty variegated pinks thread, then went tothe garden centre to buy a heated propogator. They only had a choice of ONE - reduced from £99 to £64 but I wasn't planning spending that sort of dosh, so got a standard one with lid and will use that instead and I also got a bag of good seed compost. I got a few cheap plants too, and will put up photos tomorrow.
Let's hope that Keith can come home soon. Tam is talking about going to see him on Sunday or Monday but she is so near her due date (next week!) I really don't think that 6 hours travelling is a great idea.
Keep the positive thoughts et all coming our way, and thank you for being such lovely on-line friends.
So glad to hear that Keith is improving and you sound in better spirits too even if some unnecessary sights had to be endured. Fingers crossed that Keith will be back home soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping they soon move him elsewhere.
DeleteThe pureed food does leave much to be desired, although I will say this for Withybush, wherever they were bringing it in from it did smell good. I agree, six hours travelling with a baby due at any moment does not sound like a plan. Keeping the healing vibes going out to you.
ReplyDeleteThanks my dear. At my wits end what I can take him to build him up that isn't just yoghurt or a chocolate pot type thing - all sugar. Think Tam should stay close to home, but she is another strong-willed one . . .
DeleteWishing Keith a continued recovery. The goopy stuff does nothing for eating pleasure. I nursed a teenager with multiple injuries for months. She had a broken jaw which was wired shut except a small gap for a straw through which she sucked in pureed meals. These were provided by the dietitians' special kitchen. Verbal communication was limited. Finally the wiring was removed and I was interested to see what her first words would be. In a deeply menacing tone she said, "I want to see the dietitian". We all burst out laughing but what a torture it must have been for her. At least you will be able to create something much tastier at home.
ReplyDeleteWe just want him home now. That poor girl you nursed - though you did make me laugh when I heard her first words! Home cooking will be a lot more appetising.
DeleteI do hope Keith can go home soon. The food (if one can call it that) does sound awful! I'm glad to read that he's doing better. Hopefully he can meet your grandchild soon. A lot of car ride now probably isn't the best thing for Tam.
ReplyDeleteI do hope it won't be long. He needs building up again, and rest.
DeleteHugs and love.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteKeeping my fingers crossed that Keith is home very soon. One always seems to improve once home.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Hospital wards are so noisy and no such thing as a lie-in - they're waking everyone up at 6 a.m.!
DeleteAs others have mentioned, a car journey is not a good plan for Tam and baby just now!
ReplyDeleteWhen I spent two days in hospital 3 years ago, I did wonder why the food must be so unpalatable. Veg cooked to grey mush, rubbery scrambled eggs--apparently healthy food wasn't part of the treatment plan.
It would seem that Keith has survived the crisis--now for the long haul. When my sisters and I were children and had been ill my Mom always said that recovery was indicated by our becoming cantankerous.
BYW: both plant nurseries and fabric shops are excellent venues for inspiring encouragement and calm.
I totally agree. I don't think anyone would eat the mess they served up yesterday. I don't know why the food has to be so overcooked/unpalatable.
DeleteI am just hoping that though he is improving, he doesn't catch something else on the ward, as often seems to happen. Cantankerous is exactly how Keith was yesterday - probably not helped because he's so blardy hungry! I am having to force food down and yesterday was an ounce off 10 st 8lbs. I've lost half a stone in recent weeks as when I am worried, my appetite goes. Can happily go till teatime on just an apple.
Agree that plant nurseries and fabric shops are good for the soul!
6 hours IS a big trip when you are 8 3/4 months pregnant!
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear that Keith is doing better. I hope he can come home very soon.
Agreed. She is very big now and Jon has to drive her as she barely fits behind the steering wheel at the moment.
DeleteFingers x'd Keith is soon back with us at home.
OMG!! The mental picture I got was just awful.... may I suggest you POINTEDLY aim your camera at him - I'll bet you'd only have to show Keith and both fall about laughing and he'd stop the nonsense!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad/relieved Keith is improving, but I don't want to see him home until he is well enough not to have a relapse. Then it can be all upwards for both of you. The food does sound beyond revolting.
Better news all round, though that food sounds terrible. When you mentioned the coloured thread I wondered if you had seen the Last Homely House YT videos. She uses it for quilting, very relaxing videos by the way as she chatters whilst sorting through an enormous amount of materials.
ReplyDeleteMoving on swiftly … oh BB you do make me laugh! But, if K is complaining about the food and ward bustle that does sounds as if he’s on the mend. I was really worried for you all as my mum was admitted to hospital with pneumonia on a Tuesday and died five days later on the Saturday and in that time she was nil by mouth because she was too poorly to eat. She was 79. Moving on again, IF you get a moment while you are Hereford bound you might consider a quick trip to Lower Brockhampton, the beautiful NT moated Manor House. The extensive orchards that surround the property will be awash with damson blossom at this time and you NEED some ‘soul’ time. It’s a beautiful spring morning here and my gardening mojo is well and truly back as yesterday I picked the first rhubarb of the season from the garden we ate it simply poached with natural yogurt. Would K eat rhubarb? Our supper was quinoa, lots of young baby leaves from the garden and greenhouse and a dressed crab from the Selsey fisherman at Chichester farmers market yesterday. We also bought the sweetest Isle of Wight tomatoes, purple sprouting broccoli (the pigeons broke into the fruit cage and ate mine!), a cider-washed cheese and a dozen crisp English apples. The farmer’s market was a bonus as we had gone into Chichester early for S to have a Nordic pole walking lesson. T had given S a pair of Nordic poles for Christmas as walking with poles is a recommended Parkinson’s activity. Thankfully S is still a good walker as we walk together most days but this is all about future-proofing him - as well as getting him to use his upper body more while walking. He did really well and is going to continue practising by himself and we’ll return for another lesson (which are offered free from Nordic Walking UK) in two weeks so I can buy more delicious produce from the farmers market! Right I am being called for my morning porridge, but first we share a grapefruit as it’s the weekend. S can no longer manage a Full English breakfast which used to be his weekend treat. I suppose these PD changes creep up on us mostly unnoticed. Hope all goes well for you all today and perhaps Tam could have a FaceTime session with Keith. A six-hour car journey when heavily pregnant doesn’t sound like a good idea to me. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteOh yes, it's an all too common thing in hospital isn't it - the " ooh, Matron " moments, which actually sometimes make us laugh ( or we might cry! ) but the food..........it still doesn't appeal even after all the campaigns there have been to improve it over the years. Hope Keith gets home very soon x
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
You know, I forgot to tell you something: that disgusting man? Sometimes the intent is to shock. The next time it happens, you should just very loudly call him out on it. Tell him to cover up. The next time an employee comes in the room, you need to state the problem clearly. In front of him. I once had a friend who was taking a meal to a neighbor every day. He had mental confusion at time, but he suddenly began to meet her at the door without pants. She began taking her husband with her, thinking it was his dementia. She happened to mention it to his daughter who was horrified. She went straight to her father, read him the riot act, and...it never happened again.
ReplyDeleteI've seen the pureed foods in the catalogues that my Mum has lying all over her bungalow and although at first glance they look okay I should imagine the texture would take a lot of getting used to, poor Keith.
ReplyDeleteThere are no flashers on Mum's ward but her handbag has now gone missing, it's just one worry after another.
Excellent news on the feeling brighter front, not so much on the quality of the food and the bedside flasher! Here's hoping you can get Keith home ASAP, he'll do far better recovering in his own space. I wonder would they send him home with oxygen support for as long as he needs it? Here, in Ontario, they can't get you out of the hospital fast enough so I hope the same holds true there. I'm glad you got a trip to the plant nursery...nothing like a bit of plant shopping to lift the spirits! Melanie
ReplyDeleteProbably a protein shake would help, you can mix those with water and/ or milk. The hospital here was ok with Pirate supplementing hospital food with that.
ReplyDeleteMost supermarkets have a "sports nutrition" section which would have that. I get it from a friend who is a Forever Living rep.