Catheter change at TG Hospital

Stuart advised Rachael that her bladder has shrunk due to the use of the catheter over a long period, therefore there is reduced capacity, so if the catheter gets blocked leaking occurs. Rachael had a bladder wash. When the catheter was removed it was blocked and noticeably gritty, possibly caused by sediment attaching to the tube. Once the new tube was inserted Rachael's bladder drained immediately. Stuart advised that during a bladder wash, if the syringe is pushing water but blocks when the water is pulled out it may have attached to the bladder wall. If this happens do not pull. However if it blocks when pushing water in phone Stuart or the ward and arrange to have the catheter appointment changed as soon as possible. Stuart also said to do a bladder wash at least every other day. An appointment was booked for five weeks time.

Visit from Servicing Engineer

The engineer came to service the Bi-pap and the cough assist machine. Both were in good condition. The engineer took readings from both machines and changed the filter in the Bi-pap. While he was here we asked him about the whistling noise coming from the replacement hose that Wy Hospital had sent to us. He was immediately familiar with the problem and explained that the respironics hose has a smoother interior and as a result is more prone to breaks and tears. The replacement hose is more durable but its flexibility comes from its ridged interior. These contours in the replacement hose are what cause the vibrations which we hear as a high pitched wail.

Podiatry

Rachael had ingrowing toe nails. We attended the emergency drop in podiatry session at B Health Centre. We were told that Rachael had been discharged from the centre as she has not attended since 2010. We completed a fresh referral form and Rachael was seen in clinic.

The podiatrist cut Rachael's toe nails and removed the ingrowing edges. He removed dead skin and cleaned out the infected areas. He bandaged Rachael's right big toe and confirmed some details about Motor Neurone Disease. 

We were advised that we will be seen within the next four weeks for a full check up of Rachael's feet. The podiatrist briefly told Rachael about options for dealing with curvature of the nails, but this may not be possible due to poor circulation, its long recovery time and inherent risk of infection.

The podiatrist said that based on Rachael's condition she should be treated regularly for nail clipping, advice and general foot care at the clinic.

phone call from Lung Clinic

Shelley phoned regarding Rachael's complaint about the 'whistling hose' on the cough assist machine. Viva had previously arranged to service the machine on June 26th. so Shelley suggested to wait for the engineer and see if he could find any faults and then phone her again once the service had been completed.

Neutral

I took half (10ml) of my baclofen and seem ok just tired from a night hoisting out of wet sheets.

Neutral

I feel tonnes better than I did. Turns out that my catheter isn't blocked but I am having some major bladder spasm. I wee'd all over my chair and onto the floor so I got in bed whilst the cushions dried and promptly bled  through the pad and over the sheet.

Bad

Happened again after morning drugs. Fine then not fine. Less severe today but still unpleasant and in addition I have a blocked catheter and am menstruating: lovely!