Even pancakes couldn't have tempted me yesterday, I felt that ill. It wasn't my cough even though I was still coughing and now had the symptoms of a cold, runny nose etc.
I felt there was something wrong with my catheter, the discomfort had become pain.. I phoned the District Nurse out of hours number and it was a real person who answered! She said some one would phone me back. It wasn't long to wait when a nurse phoned me. She listened to my weepy words and suggested I might have an infection and to phone 111 the NHS out of hours help line to speak to a Dr. I was informed there was a 15min wait!! And there was..eventually after being asked questions to rule out heart attacks or a stroke I was informed a Dr would phone me shortly.
Arg!! I waited and waited and was getting more and more distressed. When the Dr phoned, English wasn't his first language. I went through all the questions again that 111 had asked.. plus what I thought were stupid questions to ask someone with a catheter in place, eg, did it burn when I weed, was there frequency??? By this time 3 hours had past since my first phone call and I was losing the will to live!
He did say he thought it could be an infection and would arrange for a prescription for me at our local pharmacy, I had to stop him because it closed at 12 on a Saturday!
Dh went to Boots in town, after 2:00 pm because the pharmacist has a lunch break and they can't give out meds when he is not there.
I didn't start to feel ok till nearly 6 and was worn out.. the antibiotics started to work right away. But I'd had a horrible day. But you should be pleased to know I can swallow, I knew it was Saturday and the month is January!
But my faith in the NHS has been restored, because altho I was off and on the phone all morning, I did get the treatment I needed.. Then just after 6 the District Nurse arrived to check how I was! They work all over weekends, night and day and will visit patients when ever needed. Wow, it was a relief to see her, I have learned over these months of having a catheter, they know what to do and have 'Mary Poppins' bags where they produce things you need and made me feel safe!
A Nurse is coming Tuesday to change the catheter which is needed it seems if you have antibiotics. I 'm going to ask can I have one with a flip switch so I can regulate the flow and start to train my bladder to work again! Frightens me a bit to be honest, but I have to try.
Chrisxx
2 comments:
I cannot imagine what it must be like to have a catheter, the very thought scares the life out of me. Thank goodness for your district nurse!
I'm glad you finally got the help you needed and hope you continue to improve.
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