Health stuff

[tamaranth]

A new improved social worker has been on the 'phone about my father. Apparently he has been assessed as now needing full nursing care (this was actually decided on Wednesday, as my sister phoned to tell me about this and we both whined about not being consulted). Social Worker is sending a list of approved homes to my sister (who not only knows Plymouth better than me, but also works as an agency nurse and knows these places from the inside). I get another wodge of forms to fill out.

Meanwhile, I spend a small but pointless part of every day trying to get through to the Disability and Carers Service, who do not have a queuing system and who are always engaged.

And apparently the 'reaction to antibiotics' (sister thinks it's one of those bugs so common in hospitals) that landed my father in solitary confinement for ten days is clearing up now. They said he was 'trying to mobilise'. I think this means 'trying to escape'. (Last week they called him 'feisty', and it took me some time to work out that this meant 'bites staff when they won't feed him'). Good signs, if you like the idea of being kept alive without much quality of life ...

My father will probably never see The Far Side of the World, film based on Patrick O'Brian - his favourite author ever since I can remember - which is due out this summer.

And if he does see it (meaning that he clings to life until it's out on video), I doubt it will mean anything to him any more.

In other news, joints still working, sort of. Not convinced re calcium supplements but will persevere and give 'em time. drpete, what were those other groovy things you thought might help? (Next time talk more loudly about synovial fluid: it might clear a little more space in the Barley Mow!)

Comments

[cinzia.livejournal.com]

(((((hugs TIGHT)))))

Groovy things..

[drpete.livejournal.com]

i) Eating lots of oily fish, and/or taking the Seven Seas Cod liver oil supplements

ii) Glucosamine supplement - Glucosamine being one of the building blocks for HA (Hyaluronic acid), which is a major player in joint physiology

iii) Chondroitin sulphate supplements - CS is one of the building blocks for articular cartilage, and might be useful.

Incidentally - Holland & Barrett are having a bit of a sale on the above I noticed today. Glucosamine and Glucosamine + Chondroitin stuff is all reduced atm.

Remember the exercises too.