Going Out
I'm scared to leave the house. Scared to go to the grocery store, Walmart for my meds, and doc offices. A big part of the problem is that my legs are so weak. I have a hard time getting out of chairs, taking Kit out, and getting back in, getting in and out of the car, and walking more than ten feet even with a cane. Add that I have to keep nitro tablets around and use them and breathing is becoming more of a problem, it pretty much keeps me from doing much even around the house. I haven't been to the grocery store in a couple of weeks. My neighbor and home care nurse helped me survive Thanksgiving. We've got a heavy weight cold front coming through in the next few days and groceries needed to be stocked. I broke down and called my little sister in another town. She couldn't come but got one of her friends that lives in my town to bring me a minimal list of basic groceries to help me make it through. There may be some changes made in my life. Both sisters want me in a nursing home. But I can't see myself in one. I'd lose too much freedom. There's another plan the home care nurse is looking into. It would involve someone coming to the house to help with the cooking, cleaning, shopping, and laundry. I'd like that. It would keep Kit with me and be near my neighbors. I just don't want to give up so much of my life. What's the use of having a life if you don't enjoy it?
Replies
You need to stay with Kit in your home. Long term convalescent care is abusive and neglectful, if we are willing to be honest about it.
I responded to your status update with a hug and shared my thoughts. You need PRO-ACTIVE help in getting this crisis turned around.
I take nitro tablets also with chest pains but I have a treadmill at the foot of my bed and I walk fifteen minutes a day, VERY, VERY SLOWLY, and then lift 2-lb hand weights five repetitions over head and then with bracing myself I bed over and raise a hand weight behind me to allow for the underarm part to be exercised. SIMPLE beyond belief but this make ALL THE DIFFERENCE and I no longer test positive for type 2 diabetes simply from this small amount of exercise along with drinking loads of water daily. As long as I don\'t eat junk food or animal products I can consume as much food as I desire without gaining ANY WEIGHT at all. The only time I have weight issues is with animal products and with my junk food addiction. I pig out on bean soup and such and with the small amount of exercise I begin to do very well.
You need your health care team to be more aggressive in helping you to stay with Kit in your home. They need to set you up with some way to do treadmill slowly and such and you could improve -- at least it has worked for me and I\'m nothing unique in this manner.
Okay, nursing homes you don\'t need. I worked in them, and I avoided that with my mother. Patriciann is right. You can get homehealth, where I was they can give up to 24 hour, like a live in. That way you can be in your home and depending on the worker you get, most will help with pets. I know I do. I believe pets are so important and they help to keep a person happy. It is a proven fact. It is possible to get a worker who will let your baby out and so on. Nursing homes, well it robs a person of their spirit and I always said you send a person to the nursing home to die.
In short, you can get a good worker and I know you would be so appreciative. So please try to advocate for yourself in that area. Hugs
DEAR MIKE ,SO SORRY ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND THE SITUATION, I SO PRAY THAT YOU GET THE HOME HELP, FOR YOU AND KIT, BE STRONG , AND TRY TO WALK FOR THE CIRCULATION, DO POST UPDATES, LOVE LUCY***