Monday 20 August 2012

Hydro

Mark is evidently unsuited to Rachael's needs and demonstrated this immediately on entering the pool by allowing Rachael to fall face down into the pool. Communication with Rachael was nil.
After some floating the session was cut short again.
Instruction was filtered down from Sharon that as the pool would be busy for the next few weeks and Sharon will be on holiday, Rachael would not be able to attend Hydro again for another five weeks as Mark would not cope on his own.

Monday 13 August 2012

Hydro

Sharon introduced the new trainee supervisor, Mark. Mark worked with the other patients and Sharon concentrated on a full range of motion exercises with Rachael.
Sharon spent some time on Rachael's quads and neck and shoulder muscles. She noticed that the tone in Rachael's legs had deteriorated. Rachael did some standing exercises but only walked one and a half widths of the pool.
Sharon asked about the choking episodes at home and paid extra vigilance whilst Rachael was in the pool.
This was a shortened session lasting thirty five minutes.
As a note, Rachael has requested that her PA's remain in the pool room with her throughout the session.

Friday 3 August 2012

Wheelchair Services

Eric brought two new armrests for Rachael's wheelchair. After some minor adjustments to ensure that they were in a comfortable position for Rachael he fastened them securely to her wheelchair. He also said that there was no place for another screw on Rachael's left hand side because this would affect the positioning of the control panel.

Thursday 2 August 2012

Catheter change at TG Hospital

Rachael attended a catheter change appointment at TG Hospital. Rachael explained to Stuart that her catheter had been blocking since Monday 30th July. Stuart noticed that sediment was collecting in the tube and that it was also adhering to the wall of the silicone tubing. He wasn't quite sure why this was happening because when he gave Rachael a bladder wash the liquid was quite clear, also the urine in the leg bag was clear.
Stuart suggested that the leaking could be caused by bladder spasms and he mentioned anticholinergic medication which would help to relax the bladder. Stuart added that there were specific neurogenic drugs to stop bladder spasms in patients with an underlying neurological condition.
Another appointment was arranged for Thursday 6th August 2012.

Wednesday 1 August 2012

Physio

Katherine came to see Rachael to supply her with a new neck brace which we had requested due to the the plastic becoming warped on the existing one. She struggled to communicate using the Tobii eye gaze computer. She also brought a replacement suction machine, it was big and unwieldy so she said that she would get the replacement part that was needed from Loan Stores instead. She returned later on with the replacement part. 
She will come again next week to replace Rachael's hand splints because the foam is depressed on the ones she has now causing them to dig into her arms.