One of the last dambusters is in trouble.
Posted , 3 users are following.
This can be read in conjunction with my other thread concerning my injuries..but this is not about me..I do have power of attorney over health in this case and I have permission to post this!
N is one of the last of the Dambusters. She was one of their cooks and was stationed at Scampton. I believe she also knew a famous dog. N has done her bit for her country and has never abused the NHS. She is my Mum. 'N' is 96 and suffers from Osteoporosis and thyroid and is registered blind. In November 2015 she slipped down some stairs and dislocated a hip replacement which had been put in in 2004.
She was operated on..shunted between two hospitals at least 5 times, and discharged 2 days before Xmas, a physiotherapist dicharge person was here. I noticed Mums foot was going all over the place when she tries to walk and this physio or whatever they were was genetly kicking it forward..N fell inside 6 hours of that discharge trying to use the commode, and was taken back in..It was at this point I noticed her foot was raised from the hospital bed and there was talk of a sore on the heel..well it turned out to be a deep bedsore. The foor was waving about because she had develped dropfoot (found that out from step down care and not the hospital and I had to research the subject and say is it dropfoot before it was admitted) She did not have drop foot prior to the operation and there were plenty of witnesses for that. N stayed in hospital for a while and then was discharged to stepdown and then to me. About three weeks ago she was called in to the hospital and an ambulance arrived. I decided to follow in a taxi as I was unsure of why she was being called in. There were two doctors in the room..both pleasant and professional looking. During the conversation it became apparent that one of the Doctors was stating to her his belief that the drop foot must have been present prior to the op..as he said this he was smiling and gently nodding and she was starting to almost nod back. At this point I intervened and stated the facts. Now she is 96, the use of those techniques on a vulnerable frightened and hurt old lady is disgraceful.
N is sat in her armchair, she has been very brave, her leg is bandaged to the knee each week, the bedsore has not healed, she walks with the gait of a chicken and uses a frame. This is a very sad affair. Any messages of support will be read to her by me. I am disgusted yet again..and is it the same hospital? yes!
0 likes, 9 replies
Anhaga sky23
Posted
I am very sorry to hear of your mother's terrible, ongoing experience. I hope she is starting to make some progress in her healing journey. One thing I want to ask is if she's getting good nutrition? Being in a hospital, ironically she may not be getting an optimum diet. There's some research about bedsores and nutrition. I'll private message link to one of the studies. Others come up in an internet search. All the best to you both. How fortunate your mother is to have such a caring proactive offspring! ??
sky23 Anhaga
Posted
Thanks for getting back. No Mum is not in hospital. She is housebound and in reality pretty much room bound. Her life is now narrow. There is no real progress, the drop foot is permanent, the bedsore not healing and packed with silver. My heart aches..not for the terrible thing that has been done but rather for her to end up like this..I will take a look at the nutrition guide and I will read your response to her..she will possibly laugh at the last bit..XV
Anhaga sky23
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I have to say that I've been on a journey to recover from polymyalgia rheumatica, as well as the side issue of bone thinning, and the further along I go, and the deeper I dig into the research (no medical training I hasten to add), the more apparent it is that we truly are what we eat.
Can your mother be wheeled outside on nice days to enjoy the air, the sound of wind in trees, the feel of breezes and sun? I imagine when life becomes confined to four walls even a few minutes in the open air could be very heartening.
sky23 Anhaga
Posted
I know..thing is I have frozen shoulder and the wrist..can only get her downstairs whn the cleaner/carer is here. Mind its been raining that much she has missed very little..I do not know why my text had gone funny..must have pressed a button somewhere.
Polymiagia is no fun. I know a little bit about it as someone I know had it. I agree good nutrition is vital..sometimes I wonder exactly what I am buying...elasticated bread..very strangely bendy chicken and recent scientific discoveries on contagious cancer in fish (think that means fish to fish..but I'll skip it anyway) is offputting to say the least.
XV
sky23 Anhaga
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Anhaga sky23
Posted
Yes. Started at 15 mg prednisone last June, but I'm tapering to 3 mg now.
I do my best to buy organic and/or locally produced food. Not always possible but I think every little helps. Hadn't heard about the fish cancer but nothing surprises me about the corruption of our food supply any more. Does your mother still have any friends who are mobile enough to visit her? I know it gets harder as people get older and their circle diminishes. And from your point of view - I would not be embarrassed to ask for help. Look how nice we are on the forum?! I'm sure people in person would be just as happy to help if they knew. ?????
sky23 Anhaga
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Evelyn59 sky23
Posted
I too am very sorry to read about your poor mum having to deal with all that at her age.
I know it can be very difficult for you to being a carer. I understand this as I was a carer for my mum, dad and my husband who have all since passed away (my husband only this year aged 60), so I can sympathise with you.
Can i ask what country you are in as Carers UK can be very helpful for a number of reasons like getting volunteer visits to help with your mums isolation. Help with your shopping and cleaning and much more.
I do hope things work out and as Angha says, nutrition is very important.
Regards Evelyn
sky23 Evelyn59
Posted