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Pugwash's peg-leg

Ted Robinson said:
Good morning. I know the frustration of PT and OT. It seems kike you're getting somewhere and suddenly back to zero. Im back in the hospital again because the nursing home I'm on took my medicine from my bedside (saying they were better able to manage my medication.) and lost them. After a week with no breathing treatments and being kept on a high dosage of steroids for too long I have a serious case of pneumonia. We get two choices, give up or keep the faith. I'm choosing the latter and hope you can too. Try to educate yourself on precisely the treatment you need and common timelines for reaching landmarks or goals. I believe these therapists aren't dedicated enough to losing is as clients
I'll keep you in my prayers. God bless.
Ted
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How can a nursing home lose medication! Absolutely awful...:eek:
 
Maxipoo said:
How can a nursing home lose medication! Absolutely awful...:eek:
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It's actually worse. I was complaining I couldn't breathe and they told me it was anxiety. They refused to call an ambulance t9 get me to the emergency room. I took an Uber and discovered I have pneumonia in all four quadrants of my lungs. Absolute incompetence.
Sorry Pug I didn't mean to hijack your thread I'll move my woes elsewhere.
Keeping you in my prayers
 
Ted, I sympathise.

The same happened to me during the last stint in Rotherham Hospital.
My protestations fell on deaf ears until, after 5 days without I couldn't get out of bed at all!
What a s--t hole that was!

First the wind blows one way and then another...

Today I had an audience with a prosthetics consultant, who did his job and listened to me.

Nothing guaranteed, but subject to a favourable initial chat with 'musculoskeletal' re physio assessment of my elbow, he opened the way for a return to continued physio with 'Mel', with the prospect of developing skills where I can demonstrate walking with minimal aids, with the further prospect of being issued with a fully articulated limb!

My gratitude to Ettienne, for his kind words.
A proper gentleman.

''Don't give up the ship''.


EDIT 23rd February...

Had a call from Mel (physio) today.
She's agreed to take me on for 6 sessions but has serious reservations about my expectations.
I said ''you never know unless you try''.

So I have a 9.30 booking next Monday.
 
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Hello Pug..late to the party here, but know that we are all thinking of you..wished I lived in UK, we would help you.. what Peter said...my sister suffered a massive stroke at age78..we were all celebrating together at Christmas..in one day she lost her house, dog and cat..now in a nursing home Her husband died of MI three years to the day of her stroke..These events remind me again to enjoy every day we have... remember, you are a tough old Limy, and from 78 year old biker to another, that helps a lot... this is your Trafalgar..fight on ,o;d bean!
 
Moving the mountain.

Before winter set in I spotted on fleabay one of these strollers/glorified zimmer frame things, which looked as if it could have its uses in the garden, then put it to one side for the duration.

Last week I found myself staring at it... and decided to try it out for the first time, in an attempt to minimise my use of crutches, to lower the stress on my dodgy elbow.

It was a revelation, in that it encouraged a vertical posture, enabling weight transfer more directly onto the prosthetic and less reliance on placing that weight through my arms via crutches.
The difference was immediate!

Please to let you know my journey today using the stroller to, from and during physio was a complete success.

Against the better judgment of the crews and physio and their protestations, I climbed the steep ramp into the ambulance and climbed back out using the 3 big side steps.

Made it up my steep drive (first time) and into the house up the 2 steps.
Dead chuffed.

As I've no doubt said before, 'until you try, you'll never know'.

EDIT 4-3-26
Just found out if I use the walker/stroller I will not qualify for the (free) hospital transport ambulance... so its back to the wheelchair!
 
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pugwash said:
Moving the mountain.

Before winter set in I spotted on fleabay one of these strollers/glorified zimmer frame things, which looked as if it could have its uses in the garden, then put it to one side for the duration.

Last week I found myself staring at it... and decided to try it out for the first time, in an attempt to minimise my use of crutches, to lower the stress on my dodgy elbow.

It was a revelation, in that it encouraged a vertical posture, enabling weight transfer more directly onto the prosthetic and less reliance on placing that weight through my arms via crutches.
The difference was immediate!

Please to let you know my journey today using the stroller to, from and during physio was a complete success.

Against the better judgment of the crews and physio and their protestations, I climbed the steep ramp into the ambulance and climbed back out using the 3 big side steps.

Made it up my steep drive (first time) and into the house up the 2 steps.
Dead chuffed.

As I've no doubt said before, 'until you try, you'll never know'.
Click to expand...
Told ya!!
 
pugwash said:
It was a revelation, in that it encouraged a vertical posture, enabling weight transfer more directly onto the prosthetic and less reliance on placing that weight through my arms via crutches.
The difference was immediate!
Click to expand...
Hey Pug,

So good to hear of your progress with the walker (as we Yanks call them). Honestly, I'm quite surprised that not only did your physios not recommend one, but actually protested your using one! My Admiral has had both knees replaced, and for the first one, we asked about crutches and were told in no uncertain terms that crutches are far more difficult to manage and use than a walker. I'm so glad you found something that works for you!
 
RussF said:
Hey Pug,

So good to hear of your progress with the walker (as we Yanks call them). Honestly, I'm quite surprised that not only did your physios not recommend one, but actually protested your using one! My Admiral has had both knees replaced, and for the first one, we asked about crutches and were told in no uncertain terms that crutches are far more difficult to manage and use than a walker. I'm so glad you found something that works for you!
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Hi Russ.
I've found there are marked contrasts between US and UK safety advice and recommendation on walking aids.

Example:- here shoulder crutches are a big no- no. Only wrist crutches are given official approval.

It seems the 4 wheeled 'walkers' are regarded with horror; mainly due to their light weight and potential instability, yet 2 wheeled zimmer frames are ok (presumably because the remaining rigid legs are more 'planted'}.

My journey yesterday was seen with high risk elements, until I demonstrated otherwise.
Nanny state, risk aversion and fears of legal action, while well meant can be stifling.
 
pugwash said:
Hi Russ.
I've found there are marked contrasts between US and UK safety advice and recommendation on walking aids.

Example:- here shoulder crutches are a big no- no. Only wrist crutches are given official approval.

It seems the 4 wheeled 'walkers' are regarded with horror; mainly due to their light weight and potential instability, yet 2 wheeled zimmer frames are ok (presumably because the remaining rigid legs are more 'planted'}.

My journey yesterday was seen with high risk elements, until I demonstrated otherwise.
Nanny state, risk aversion and fears of legal action, while well meant can be stifling.
Click to expand...

There are pros and cons to each type of device. Forearm crutches are light and easy to navigate tight spaces, but offer no support when you need to use your hand(s) for something. They can also put undue strain on the wrist and elbow (surprise, surprise!) Axillary (underarm) crutches are a little more unwieldy, but you can ambulate faster and they offer temporary support if you need to use your hand(s). Risks of course are radial nerve damage from improper use. Walkers, especially those with a seat, can offer the best of both worlds, although they are the bulkiest of the three. They are often considered the safest to use because of their 4-legged stability and if you need to use your hands, just sit down. That said, each situation is different, and there is no "one size fits all" solution. The main thing is, question everything and ask for reasonable explanations for why your physios eschew the walkers. In the end, however, what ever works best for you is the ultimate solution.
 
RussF said:
There are pros and cons to each type of device. Forearm crutches are light and easy to navigate tight spaces, but offer no support when you need to use your hand(s) for something. They can also put undue strain on the wrist and elbow (surprise, surprise!) Axillary (underarm) crutches are a little more unwieldy, but you can ambulate faster and they offer temporary support if you need to use your hand(s). Risks of course are radial nerve damage from improper use. Walkers, especially those with a seat, can offer the best of both worlds, although they are the bulkiest of the three. They are often considered the safest to use because of their 4-legged stability and if you need to use your hands, just sit down. That said, each situation is different, and there is no "one size fits all" solution. The main thing is, question everything and ask for reasonable explanations for why your physios eschew the walkers. In the end, however, what ever works best for you is the ultimate solution.
Click to expand...
I agree with every word, Russ
 
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