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| Bill in his new slumber furniture. No more sliding out of his cheapie Wayfair recliner |
Bill's hospital bed was delivered today.
The delivery man (also named "Ron" coincidentally) was coming from Philadelphia. He had several deliveries to make. He told me that I was scheduled for last. By the way, it seems all my life when I have deliveries I'm always last but I digress. Well, today I got lucky because he was going to do a loop from Route 113 (which runs parallel to Route One which I live right next to) then go north on Route One. But he made a wrong turn and ended up on Route One, only a mile from our house. He called me at 2:30 and asked if he could deliver the bed now. Of course! I was waiting all day, passing up my usual afternoon nap, waiting for his call.
"Ron" arrived in our driveway shortly thereafter. The hospital bed was unassembled. Took a while to assemble it. In the meantime I had to tell Bill to wait in his bedroom downstair.
Ron explained to me how the hospital bed worked. It's easy. No wonder my friend Larry M. likes his hospitable bed which was delivered a few years ago as his ALS progressed. In fact his wife also had a hospital bed delivered for her.
The hospital bed takes special length sheets which I immediately ordered through Amazon. I LOVE Amazon! I have contributed more than my share to Jeff Bezos's fortunes since I've been care giving for Bill. My Amazon Prime account is paying for itself. No delivery charges!
After Ron left, Bill was very confused as he often is when his routine is disrupted. He'll be alright tomorrow because he will have forgotten all about today's intrusion to his daily routine.
This hospital bed came none too soon because Bill was treating his recliner as a bed, often sliding on the floor. And you remember last week I had to call on my neighbors to help me lift Bill from the floor. I can only call on their help so much.
Tomorrow his hospice nurse visits. Bill is sleeping almost twenty hours a day now. He's sleeping now.
He's only eating two meals a day, if that.
He says he feels "different." I'm not sure what that means since this the first (and I hope last) time I'm experiencing first hand someone dying.
Bill wants to go. Every day he tells me. I feel so bad for him. But he is fading. He's not the Bill I've lived with for most of the past fifty-nine years. Whenever I think of the way Bill used to me, a profound sadness threatens to overwhelm me. I force my mind to think of something else.
One day at a time folks. Today we made progress.
5 comments:
Great---I am sure Bill will sleep better---How about a trapeze---You know that thing that hangs over the best so folks can boost themselves up in bed---This will help him in not getting stuck crunched down at the foot of the bed---I don't know the status of Bill's upper arm strenth---If he doesn't have the strength how about a foam roller or some type of foot support/wedge for the foot of the bed---You can call a medical device company or a rehab equipment store---Give us an update in a few days---
It must be extremely difficult. But you show your love for him by keeping him home, fed, clothed, bathed, and comfortable. Even if he doesn’t always realize it, he feels your love every day through your care. What greater gift can you give him than to stay by his side until the end, keeping him safe. Wishing you both peace and comfort. You are a good man and husband, Ron.
Sassybear
https://idleeyesandadormy.com
It is nice to see the bed set up and Bill resting in it. I wish I had thought to tell you about the sheets. The nurses like the flat sheets just like those in the hospital and medical centers because often the sheet are used to lift a patient and to roll a patient from side to side. I had alot of king flat sheets so the one nurse just ripped them to the apropriate size and used our sewing machine to hem the raw edge. That all worked out well. I notice that when a patient comes closer to the end their body starts to change in subtle ways. Less muscle control, less intale of food and water, less output of body waste and they sleep alot. They also have less blood oxygen which makes them feel dizzy or light headed. I noticed with my husband E that when given oxygen he thought a little clearer and was a little more alert but that soon wore off too. The doctors are good at giving medication that evens everything out and makes a patient comfortable. I guess we would all be a little confused by change if our eyesight was greatly deminished and our hearing was fading away. Bill has done well these last few years and I for one am quite proud of him for not giving up very early on. And to be able to stay at home is wonderful. In my eyes every minute of that time at home is worth the any hardship I as carer might have experienced. Take care of yourself my friend. Remember to ask questions of the VA folks because they have the answers that make things easier on everyone. Hugs from Southwestern Ohio where the snow is melting but leaving the piles of ice lining the roads and walkways. Crocus are blooming along the walls that are warmed by the sun. Any sign of the goldfish in the pond yet? Woody in Ohio
I appreciate you posts and updates. I keep thinking 'this is the one' but not yet. It's an awful wait- dreading it's arrival but partially wanting it to come - soon.
Ron, We don’t want to bother you with advice and other stuff. Just let you know we love you and support you 100%.
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