Silver Chain
Sep. 13th, 2008 10:17 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
stephbgI've been very impressed with the Silver Chain nurses I've met at BB's place. Very different from a doctor's consult (GP, specialist, or hospital), or a nurse check in hospital. Certainly seen a few of those from various angles.
I didn't time their visits, but they seemed to stay for a long enough period to get a real feel for the situation. He has a regular case nurse, but the two visits I was there for over the last couple of days were special ones, so both nurses (one with bonus student doctor) had to get verbal histories to go with the extensive notes in the files. I expect some of that exercise was part of the assessment process.
Fortunately for them he's very aware of his condition and coherent. He describes events, changes and symptoms very clearly, but it's a frightening thing documenting the crossing of the lines you've set yourself for independence. I'll not share the gorier details.
Unfortunately for us all he's absolutely pumped with Dexis and doesn't know when to stop talking.
It's an amazingly complex process, entering a health care transition period, and strains everyone's ability to handle "fuss". It took 11 professional to agree that he could move back into the flat after the last long stay in hospital. The weekend adds a certain flavour to the phone tennis tournament and option lucky dip, but at least we're not dealing with a public holiday. Not that we'll have much choice in the matter, but we're hoping he gets a spot in a NOR respite centre, rather than down in Murdoch.
Overnight the numbness spread to his other side, so changes are happening rapidly now. Say what you like about the health system, but it is responding well to the medical realities. Or perhaps I should reserve that judgement until after he's wheeled safely out of brain surgery in a couple of days.
With little hard information on my side I'm hopeful that he might get a return of sensation if they can get to the new tumours putting pressure on those major nerves. There's a good chance that the results of the biospy will provide enough info for some targeted chemo (or maybe even do a bit of excision while they're under the hood). If they can hold it back just a tiny amount and/or control that mm worth of inflammation and pressure, he might get a lot of that feeling back.
So next step: 24 hour watch over the next couple of days until he goes to Charlie's, land of the lost parking spot. A couple of days wait for surgery and pathology. Unknown interval for chemo cookery, a possible move to respite care and then we all take stock again. That's the plan as of a few hours ago anyway.
I didn't time their visits, but they seemed to stay for a long enough period to get a real feel for the situation. He has a regular case nurse, but the two visits I was there for over the last couple of days were special ones, so both nurses (one with bonus student doctor) had to get verbal histories to go with the extensive notes in the files. I expect some of that exercise was part of the assessment process.
Fortunately for them he's very aware of his condition and coherent. He describes events, changes and symptoms very clearly, but it's a frightening thing documenting the crossing of the lines you've set yourself for independence. I'll not share the gorier details.
Unfortunately for us all he's absolutely pumped with Dexis and doesn't know when to stop talking.
It's an amazingly complex process, entering a health care transition period, and strains everyone's ability to handle "fuss". It took 11 professional to agree that he could move back into the flat after the last long stay in hospital. The weekend adds a certain flavour to the phone tennis tournament and option lucky dip, but at least we're not dealing with a public holiday. Not that we'll have much choice in the matter, but we're hoping he gets a spot in a NOR respite centre, rather than down in Murdoch.
Overnight the numbness spread to his other side, so changes are happening rapidly now. Say what you like about the health system, but it is responding well to the medical realities. Or perhaps I should reserve that judgement until after he's wheeled safely out of brain surgery in a couple of days.
With little hard information on my side I'm hopeful that he might get a return of sensation if they can get to the new tumours putting pressure on those major nerves. There's a good chance that the results of the biospy will provide enough info for some targeted chemo (or maybe even do a bit of excision while they're under the hood). If they can hold it back just a tiny amount and/or control that mm worth of inflammation and pressure, he might get a lot of that feeling back.
So next step: 24 hour watch over the next couple of days until he goes to Charlie's, land of the lost parking spot. A couple of days wait for surgery and pathology. Unknown interval for chemo cookery, a possible move to respite care and then we all take stock again. That's the plan as of a few hours ago anyway.
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no subject
Date: 2008-09-13 02:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-13 02:46 pm (UTC)Such a shame I was too beat to comtemplate corseting up and getting out to Sin tonight to wave at you and k and many other fab people.
no subject
Date: 2008-09-14 02:04 am (UTC)I didn't end up at Sin because I hurt my back and figured gyrating away would be a bad thing :P
I was home like a good girl and working on my assignment and femmeconne instead :)
*hugs* calling back whenever - not necessary, was an open offer.
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Date: 2008-09-14 01:33 am (UTC)My thoughts are with you and your family. Please take care of yourself too. <:?
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Date: 2008-09-14 05:53 am (UTC)