Rubylady

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So glad you're home Ruby!
Did you enjoy a proper sleep in your own bed?
Make sure you take it easy, especially today if the weather forecasters are right and we get intense heat!
Sit back, relax and recover from your 'adventure'!
Keep us posted on how you're getting on! X

Welcome home ruby Your own bed, your own toilet (long live prunes), nothing better! So pleased that you have such a lovely carer. That makes such a difference to recovery. My dear friend 'sacked' hers after a couple of days because they did more harm than good, so it's great that you've been given a carer who cares. Enjoy the , but take care in this heat.

So pleased you're home now Ruby - there's no place like it, is there? Good to see you have someone coming in regularly and taking good care of you. Hopefully you'll go from strength to strength now, but please don't overdo it. Just take it easy and get better slowly and carefully

Hello Ruby, so glad to hear that you are now home, and in your own comfort zone. How are you coping in this heat? plenty of fans I hope. Sorry that I have been late in welcoming you back, DS2 is staying for a few days, on a work related course, and we are a very convenient B&B, with a lift to the station each morning. But oh, the early starts are taking their toll. Take it easy and look after yourself.

Yeah home at last and it's all behind you Take care of yourself and enjoy the peace and pampering by the lovely carer.

I had a long chat with Ruby yesterday and as is to be expected while she is so pleased to be home, she is quite down and in some pain.
The carer is going in but it a tad impersonal and Ruby is alone for most of the day, however she said it wasn't an option to stay in hospital any longer. What happened to convalescent homes where patients could slowly get better at their own pace?

Convalescent homes - ah yes, they have gone the way of all flesh. As a hospital SW I used to organise this for every patient who had a hysterectomy (2 weeks) and after many other ops too. It was all NHS funded. How life has changed.

I think I heard of some one going into a 'reablement home' following a stroke.

Glad to see you are home,Ruby and hope that you feel better day by day.

Our local hospital has a "rehabilitation ward", for convalescence. We are lucky to have it, I think.

Thank you for the update ann. Hope you feel stronger soon ruby .

When our local cottage hospital was closed, 24 convalescent beds went and were replaced, after much shouting, with 9 rehab beds in the new care home. My mum stayed in hospital insisting she couldn't cope at home until she was given two weeks rehab. In her case she stayed on as she then needed paliative care, but most then do go home.

Perhaps Ruby if things get two bad you could say you're not coping and ask for a couple of weeks rehab? It's obviously the new convalescence.

We still have convalesing homes here.one in the Ribble Valley and also another not far away. But they are few n far between.

Yes my dad had several strokes and a heart attack and as he lived by himself he was able to have 2 weeks respite before going home.

Ruby you really need a social worker to fight your corner.
You doctor can refer.you.

Dear Ruby please do not try and do more than you can. If you're in discomfort - which I'm sure you probably are - then TELL someone. Your carer possibly but, more importantly, your GP. I agree with others who have posted about convalescence homes; they were a great stepping stone to being able to cope at home alone. There are rehab places available and I was expecting you to go there before being sent home so soon after such a major operation. Please don't soldier on alone (((hugs))) and xxx's

But you have less chance of picking up a horrible bug in your own home , it must be lonely though xxxxxxxxxxxx

Ruby this is just a quick note to say I hope you are progressing well, that you are feeling stronger each day and that you are being looked after really well. I miss your bubbly posts (I'm sure we all do) and look forward to hearing from you again soon. Love and gentle hugs xx

Sending you every good wish, Rubylady

I've heard about small local hospitals being used now as stepping stones for patients who are not ready to be on their own yet and I think the word used was 'reablement', so maybe others are correct about this replacing convalescent homes.

ruby you know that if you don't say anything, then your 'care package' won't change.

Could you contact your discharge nurse and say you're struggling and see if they can help get the situation reviewed?

Don't let them keep you feeling low.

I'm afraid we have to fight for things from N.H.S. now. Don't keep battling on if u feel it is really too much. Insist on more help. But good news that the op went well! Remember its one step at a time. We r all thinking of you and willing u on.

Ruby was feeling a little better on Sunday. I will ring later today to find out more.

Ruby, I wonder if the GP has been told that you are home and if the District Nurse is coming in to see you. A professional should be coming to make sure that you are healing well and free of infection.That is usually the job of the District Nurse - in my limited experience.

Hi everyone, I'm fine, honestly. I had a weepy day when Ann rang me but I've been fine since. I've been off to the Warfarin clinic most days and my levels are now adequate to be discharged to my local clinic, which will be better for me. No more injections, yippee!

The pain is intense at times but taking codeine so, high as a kite now but at least not as sore. ? It's manageable, all of it now. I'm not lonely, as half my day is at the clinic so enjoying the peace the rest of the time.

My only problem is money, I'm skint until things sort themselves out a bit but taxis to hospital, taxis to clinic, paying for the hospital tele and sending the car back and a fairly big phone bill have all took their toll. I'll manage but no treat for my birthday until I get straight again. Beleted gifts this year, never mind, I'm not really up to dancing on the table just yet anyway.

I've a few things around the house I have saved for after the operation. I bought some beautiful beads and craft wire to enhance a light shade and a jigsaw hasn't been opened yet. I have a bedside table which needs chalk painting to match my new room but that might be too much for just now. So I'll collect some bits and pieces up and have a creative birthday instead. I've some lovely paper plates etc so can have a little tea party and I'll put a candle in a small French Fancy cake, lovely.

I'm hoping from next week that I can get back on my scooter. It's already outside so just needs the cover off and is ready to go. If I put a thicker scarf on my scar and take it very slowly, then I should be ok to get to the local clinic and to the park a couple of times a week. I do need to start building up to this before it becomes easier to just stay in.

Did anyone see the programme last night on letting a stranger in your home? It was to give a bed, food, shower to 16 to 25 year olds who were homeless and needed help, through an organisation called Night Stop. It was exactly what I have been thinking of doing in the future, helping young people to get back on their feet. I will get in touch with them and see how it all works. Not for now, but certainly something to work towards.

I hope you are all well and enjoying the ?. I've not seen much of it, it exhausts me watching them! Take care and thanks for your never ending support and love. Xxx

Ps I'm at the doctors tomorrow go check everything over. The scar is 9" long! From under my chins to between my boobs, although that is anywhere from on my chest to on my knees depending if I'm wearing a bra! ?

Lovely to see you so positive, you've so many of us rooting for you on MN.