March 31 2013

Visit with Jonny, Theresa, James & Sammie.  Helen was in bed when we got there. She was asleep and looking peaceful.

We woke her up.  She was transferred to her chair.  Nails and eyebrows done by Theresa and Sammie.

Spoke with the Sister.  The trainers I bought are fine.  Her swimming costume hasn't arrived yet.  

CT scan was done on Monday 25th March.  Still waiting for results.  Scan was to check that shunt is working correctly.

Helen has a systematic infection that they are treating with antibiotics.  The pseudomonas is back.  The origin of the infection isn't known yet.  Infection is still in left great toe.  The infection may come from this as well.  I need to contact Dr Stiff to find out what antibiotic Helen had as a child (one worked well and another didn't).  

March 19 2013

Phone call from Sister.  Doctors have been on their ward round today.  They want Helen to have a CT scan to see what is going on in her head now and if any changes have happened.  She will go to Royal Surrey, Guidlford.  Mantumbi sent the referral off today and has got to call tomorrow to see when it will be.  She will be going with an escort.

DNACPR has been redone for Holy Cross but this does not mean they won't treat her.  If she becomes ill, she will go to Royal Surrey.

March 15 2013

Helen was dozing in wheelchair as usual when I arrived!!  Looks comfy though.

Talked with HCA for a while just about general things.  She suggested more trousers for Helen. She also needs trainers and socks.

Inspector from CQC is in today!  He came and spoke with me and Helen at some length about how we were getting on at Holy Cross, what the care is like, patient choice, whether we were being kept informed, etc.  There will be a report compiled in due course.

Holy Cross Hospital CQC Report

Helen is still 3 to 4 hours out of bed.  She has her catheter still but hopefully it should be removed soon.

Fingernails cut, toenails cleaned.  Eyebrows need doing and nails need repainting.

Urine has quite a bit of debris in it but Eunice says that it was worse yesterday.

HR 124

RR 29

Temp unknown - thermometer not working- recorded 33.8!!

BM 15.8 (18.? this morning)

March 7 2013

Helen asleep when I got there.  Still not 100%.  Very sleepy.

Her catheter has been reinserted because she had not passed urine on Tuesday.  She is on prednisilone, metronidazole and another antibiotic (?amoxicillin).  This is policy after a patient has vomited due to the risk of aspiration pneumonia.  

The physio listened to chest.  Secretions are thick so extra nebulisers are  needed and mobilisation.  

He also says that they are hoping to get Helen on the exercise bike to strengthen and mobilise her legs so she needs trainers.  

Hydrotherapy is being arranged.  A special swimming costume has been ordered for her.  We are welcome to observe when she goes in.

Spoke with Charles, social activities organiser.  He says he put the pictures in Helen's room before she arrived to brighten it up but we are welcome to remove them and put up whatever we want.

March 4 2013

Phoned to see how Helen is before I went down.  Was told she had vomited the day before and had a high temperature of approx 38.7.  Doctor was called.  Her temperature was back down today.  

March 02 2013

Visit with Theresa, Rachael & Isaac.

Helen was ok, sitting comfy in her chair.  She was quite sleepy.

Her trachy has been changed to an uncuffed and she is coping well with it.  She is still very dribbly.

Fingernails & toenails trimmed.  Toenails repainted by Theresa.  Spots picked by Theresa!!!