Friday 19th April 2019

Newell Stroke Ward to ‘The Oaks’

Residential Care Home

Welsh: Dydd Gwener 19 Ebrill 2019

Monday: The lack of and sleep continued. Visits increased from the Social services people, Organopathy and Therapy speech and occupational lessons. A bad day Monday and Tuesday for me. Not a lot sank in that was told to me. So busy, so many visiting departments, hard to follow what was going on really.

The rash and spots seemed to be getting worse now. I think Jane and Pete visited, more three-way discussions

Three-wheeled trolley rented to me for use instead of a stick, from the Red Cross, to go with me to the Home where I will be taken to later.

Got bags sorted out early and in a row on the floor at the side of the bed for the ambulance to arrive.

Two ladies arrived from Arriva Ambulance Service, and it was all hustle as they grabbed the things and got me into a wheelchair in a hurry, and off to the Old Peoples Home.

The Oaks Residential Care Home. I was greeted as I was wheeled into the complex by a harried-looking chap who turned out to be the manager. Later, it became apparent why he bore the harangued look, bless him.

Straight in and to a room upstairs, number 11, and the things the ambulance women had stuffed in the trolley were thrown on the floor for me to sort out. It turned out they had taken some stuff belonging to the chap on the next bed Paul, (Get-well card and towel) at the Stroke Ward and left much of my things behind. Humph! This is normal and to be expected with the Arriva crews, they told me when I mentioned it.

A carer put the ankle-guide on for me. Then took me down for lunch, baked potato and cheese. Tasty and plenty if it too! I declined the rice pudding with thanks. A large percentage of elderly and insecure folk. My arrival caused a little stir, and I was soon being questioned about my past. In the wing where I was, there were all ‘Code Red’ Residents? I soon found out why.

Photo’s courtesy of Brother-in-Law Pete on a later visitation with Sister Jane. No aftershave yet? The first three Get-Well cards were from Sandie and Marie from the TFZers, Jenny and the Teddy Bear of course. The back card is poor old Paul with his Fruit Juice that was taken by the Arriva ambulance women.

I’d got endless homework from the Occupational and Speech Therapists to work on. At around 05:30hrs, I was summoned down for some more nosh, this time fish cakes sandwiches. Lady brought the medications to take for the afternoon. The night shift carer, noticed as she came in with night doses, that I was bleeding rather severely having cut my lip with the shaking right hand, and it didn’t seem to want to stop flowing. She called 111 and took their advice. I sat with a cotton swab in my gob for two hours, but it stopped. Of course, if I had some aftershave to apply, it would not have happened, Ahem!

I asked if someone might go to the shop to get some dispensable razors, but they were too busy.

The next door chap passing my open door (No locks) told me he had had some money stolen again, the second time this week! I took this with a pinch of salt for some reason.

Thus, I was stuck indoors for a fortnight again…