Friday, September 14, 2007

getting ready to come home



today russ slept most of the day. he seemed uncomfortable as well. he did have 2 BM's, rather loose but seemed like he was having a lot of gas. his stomach is still distended and we know the ileus is still present. one of the nurses said it seems to be filled with a lot of air. not sure what is causing this or what to do, maybe nothing. he hardly ate or drank today. the catheter was put in and he didn't seem to mind at all. i'm glad as hopefully it will help prevent skin breakdown from the concentrated urine as well as be easier for me.

i spent a lot of the day calling russ' relatives to give them updates. i also started making phone calls for a little additional help when he comes home on monday am. i found out that russ' hospice home aide will be able to come 5days/week vs. 1. - yeah!!! i'm not sure how aften his nurse janine will come. she is on vacation so i will have to wait until she gets back in town to ask her. the aide who was coming a few evenings a week is really flexible. she really loves helping with russ and i like her as well. i think we agreed that we will hire her more independently. that way i can be more creative and flexible when she is here. with russ sleeping so much, the main thing i need is help with repositioning if i am alone. she lives relatively close by and i will have to pay less this way (not going through the agency) and she will make more. i know it's not the way i'm suppose to go about it, but let's face it, it's a win win for us both.

3 comments:

Lori1955 said...

I'm glad everything is working out for you to get more help. When I signed up with an agency I had to sign a paper that I would not hire the aide outside of the agency but when I asked the aide about it she said they do it all the time anyway.

~Betsy said...

Get all the help you can get, Nancy. It will take your mind off of things and help you to feel better just knowing you have someone to pitch in.

I pray these coming days are calm and peaceful for you and Russ.

Unknown said...

That's great that Russ gets to come home Monday. I'm praying for that. Eating and bowel movements are just such big things. I think the catheter is better for him, too.

Very good on extra help. That's a big deal.

Praying for you all.