27 September 2009

Here we go again

Three guesses where I spent my Saturday evening? Having a romantic meal? No. Bopping away at the nightclub down the road? No. Being serenaded by Richard Gere on a gondola? No....fat chance! Sorry your three guesses are up. I spent Saturday evening in Accident and Emergency at the local hospital.

Over the last few months, Greg has been having increasing difficulty walking , his feet have puffed up to the size of party balloons over the last few weeks and despite my nagging (his words by the way - mine would be more along the lines of advising) him to go to the doctor, he has shown no sign of doing so. The circulation to his legs is damaged by smoking and the nerve supply in his legs is damaged by diabetes. More and more over the last few weeks, as I had reported, his appetite had gone altogether, his hygiene had completely gone to seed and he had not bothered to dress or do anything. He had been incontinent several times and I had had to clear up the mess.

Yesterday afternoon he tried to get up the stairs to lie down and his legs just crumpled beneath him. He had no strength in his legs whatsoever to stand or even sit on the stairs. He looked akin to a mermaid (or should that be merman?) trying to writhe up the stairs using the top half of his body but dragging the useless bottom half behind him. He barked at me to help him up the stairs, but as I tried to get him to stand, so his legs crumpled beneath him again. Then he tried to crawl on all fours but again his legs would not do the work. After several attempts over a period of half an hour, when I seemed to be getting the blame for his inability to get up the stairs, I could see we were getting nowhere and I said I was going to phone for an ambulance. He begged me not to (he hates hospitals with a passion and is too curmudgeonly to do what he is told by the nurses and doctors) but I was having none of it. So I called an ambulance and he was whisked to the nearest hospital, with me following on behind in the car. After a three-hour wait, during which Greg moaned about the long wait and complained that I had over-reacted and that he could have got up the stairs if only I had supported him a bit more, we finally saw a doctor who did all sorts of tests to evaluate his mobility and reflexes. Then she ordered some blood tests and the long and short of it was that they admitted him overnight to do some more mobility tests in the morning. My sister-in-law commented "thank goodness it wasn't last weekend when you were taking Kay up to university".

Meanwhile the blood results show that his liver values are sky-high. Surprise surprise!

16 comments:

Working Mum said...

Unfortunately I didn't need three guesses, A&E was my first. I don't know how you cope with it all. You deserve a medal.

Hope Kay is settling in a bit better now and starting to enjoy her studies. She has worked so hard to get there, she deserves to enjoy it.

Flowerpot said...

Oh Rosiero it's never ending isnt it? At least you get a night off while he's in hospital I supose. Make the most of it - take care xx

Kit Courteney said...

Blimey, it's one thing after another, isn't it? I suppose that in some ways your sister-in-law was right.

As WM says, hope your (brainy!) daughter is enjoying herself more now :0)

aims said...

I'm wondering when he's going to lose his legs altogether. That will be the next step with the way he's going.

I didn't need the guesses either.

It's only going to get worse you know. I don't think they give out awards for being a martyr but they might eventually make you a saint after you are long gone.

Anonymous said...

Hi Rosiero,

He's in the best place for all concerned. I hope they can do something to change Greg's mindset and give you some of your life back. I hope the rest of the weekend goes well for you and you finally get some peace.

All the best

Nechtan

DogLover said...

Yes, very best wishes to you, Rosiero. Do keep in touch with your Al-Anon friends.

Robert said...

Make the most of your break from being a carer. I expect Greg will be needing lots of help when he returns home.

Best wishes...

Eliza said...

No, didn't need to guess either! Sounds like his liver can't take much more. Try to get what rest you can before he comes home. You definately deserve a medal.

Manchester Lass, Now and Then said...

Sadly, your posts didn't surprise me. As Nechtan has said maybe something can change his mindset, he is only 60 for goodness sake. What a waste. Take this time dear Rosiero to have some precious "you" time. You so deserve some peace in your life. Linda xoxo

mumplustwo said...

Oh poor you. What a nightmare. Thinking of you & hoping that Kay is happier. Your fortitude is breathtaking.

Millennium Housewife said...

Oh dear Rosiero, hopefully something more will be done this time. I can't help thinking about that social worker that persuaded you to take Greg home with you and believed him when he said things would be different this time. Perhaps she'd like to visit Greg in hospital (again)...

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Thinking of you. I have no answers but I dont suppose anyone has. Enjoy YOUR time occasionally, you need it and deserve it.

June said...

Is there any such thing in your country as Involuntary Commitment for drug/psychiatric issues?
Greg appears to be a danger to himself; that's one of the criteria.

Anonymous said...

I guessed first time too.

I hope you're making the most of the Gregless fays to caych up on yout sleep and rest.

Penny Pincher said...

I'm so sorry that you are having such a testing time. Sad too and along with the empty nest syndrome - it couldn't come at a worse time for you.

Just hang in there - it's darkest before the dawn (so they say).

I hope he's in hospital long enough to give you some respite.

Anonymous said...

Well I hope he will be okay but I doubly hope you will.

CJ xx