Oh.
@wayner1...you have no idea how much your post has reassured me. I thought I was the only one with this issue. I’ve been a little concerned that I would end up stuck in that contracted position. I’ve tried all kind of stretches to try and keep that leg supple but the more I do, the tighter it gets. That’s the nature of my illness though. I’ve been told not to stimulate the muscles too much because it causes an uncontrollable increase in tone and spasming and I don’t want to take preventative medicine for it.
Last time I had PT, the stretching and rocking I was doing on my left leg caused my right leg and left arm to spasm and become completely rigid, so now I can’t even have PT. I’ve been considering alternative treatments such as acupuncture, hypnosis and formal meditation classes (currently do meditation with the help of an app).
If all else fails I’m considering asking my Neurologist to Botox the muscles around my hip and my anterior thigh. I don’t know if it’s even feasible but it won’t hurt to ask.
I know I’m in hospital too often when you get to know the good nurses from the bad. Today I have a not so good one. Every admission she’s been the same...doesn’t seem to want to work. I’m supposed to have regular observations (BP, pulse, oxygen levels, temp) when I’m having my infusion because it has the potential to cause heart and lung issues. Well, it’s been 4 hours since she started her shift and I haven’t even seen her since the infusion started and I haven’t had a BP taken in 16 hours (every patient is supposed to have obs done every 4 hours, day and night). I know my bed won’t be made because she has never made my bed in any of my admissions. I know my central line site won’t be checked because she’s never done it, even though it’s supposed to be done every shift. Worst of all, she’s doing a 12 hour shift so I’m stuck with her all day. I also asked if she could organise my transport for discharge tomorrow morning (has to be done before 10am the day before discharge). I can guarantee she won’t do it and I’ll be stuck here tomorrow until I call a wheelchair taxi and end up paying $120 just to get home. The quality of the nursing staff makes such a difference to my hospital stays. The good ones are Angels, the bad ones are nightmares. (and no, I’m not a demanding patient. I never press the call button or ask for attention..in fact the nurses always say I’m extremely easy to look after). Maybe the squeaky wheel gets the oil. On the other hand, I’ve never met a bad cleaner or meal service person...always polite and friendly...makes such a difference.
@anny...I’ll try taking a photo of Lily in her PJs after her haircut on Wednesday. She’s a bit wriggly and it’s not always easy.
Wonders will never cease...just had my obs taken...not by my nurse..by another nurse..BP down to 84 systolic, pulse 43, temp 34C .... so...lying flat, on oxygen with bed tilted head down and space blanket and warm blankets on me. Very dramatic but I feel fine. Goodness knows how long my obs have been bad.
Docs come in...gotta go.